The Cost of the Kingdomნიმუში

GIVE UP THE SPIRIT OF SELF-PRESERVATION BY TAKING ON A SPIRIT OF SACRIFICE

MAIN IDEAS

• The disciples believe and Peter declares that JESUS is the Christ, the Son of God, and the Savior of the world.
• The next step is preparing them to comprehend that the price they will each pay to achieve their goal will be the supreme sacrifice.

• Peter’s human perspective based on self-preservation causes him to take JESUS aside and rebuke Him.

• JESUS presents the disciples with the spiritual perspective of the KINGDOM OF GOD which is spiritual, sacrificial surrender, declaring that only this attitude can qualify us to follow Him.

• Also, whoever comes to JESUS must do it openly and unashamedly if he desires entry into the Kingdom at the end of his life on earth.

After the disciples affirm – through the voice of Peter – their belief that JESUS is the Christ, the Son of God, JESUS speaks to them about His work towards the salvation of mankind, which implies the supreme sacrifice that He will make when the temple leaders would hand Him over to the sinners to crucify Him. Judging by human minds, the disciples cannot understand what JESUS is telling them.

Natural human logic acts on the instinct of self-preservation, of avoiding danger, of protecting one’s life, which is considered the ultimate good. Peter even brashly approaches JESUS, taking Him aside and rebuking Him, but the response JESUS gives him helps Peter learn that the words he uttered were not words guided by the SPIRIT of God. Once again, we see how the modern „prosperity gospel” is rejected by the clear and direct teaching of JESUS, who tells us to be available, sacrificing our own comfort and even our lives to fulfill God’s will. JESUS tells His disciples not to seek, not to pray for, nor to make a priority of seeking the material things of life; they will be given on top of everything else, so we first must embrace the spiritual ones.

If you don’t want to have an unpleasant shock when you leave this earth, you shouldn’t be dumb; read the Word of God, the Bible, especially as it relates to the NEW COVENANT, according to which you shall be judged. Any extreme teachings, whether related to legalism or prosperity, must be rejected outright because they are erroneous teachings and have the potential to cost you your salvation.