In Florida, an atheist created a case against the upcoming Easter and Passover holy days. He hired an attorney to bring a discrimination case against Christians, Jews and observances of their holy days. The argument was that it was unfair that atheists had no such recognized days.
The case was brought before a judge. After listening to the passionate presentation by the lawyer, the judge banged his gavel declaring, “Case dismissed!”
The lawyer immediately stood objecting to the ruling saying, “Your honour, how can you possibly dismiss this case? The Christians have Christmas, Easter and others. The Jews have Passover, Yom Kippur and Hanukkah, yet my client and all other atheists have no such holidays.”
The judge leaned forward in his chair saying, “But you do. Your client, counsel, is woefully ignorant.”
The lawyer said, “Your Honor, we are unaware of any special observance or holiday for atheists.”
The judge said, “The calendar says April 1st is April Fools Day. Psalm 14:1 states, ‘The fool says in his heart, there is no God.’ Thus, it is the opinion of this court, that if your client says there is no God, then he is a fool. Therefore, April 1st is his day. Court is adjourned.”
Now as nice as it would be to have another day off, I’m sorry to say that far as I have heard, April 1st will not be a statutory holiday.
This morning I want to talk to you about foolish things.Foolish things we do, foolish things we think, and foolishness in general.I think that most of us, if not all of us, have said or done something foolish at one time or another in their lives.They are often moments we speak or act without thinking and do something that makes us stand out against the crowd.
Peter was no exception and as perhaps the most outspoken of the disciples, he managed to let his words get him in trouble once again.In a moment of impassioned zeal, Peter forgets his place and foolishly chastises his Master.
Jesus’ response is perhaps one of the most famous passages in New Testament Scripture.It must’ve been a real shock to Peter to hear these words come from his Master’s lips.Can you imagine if that was you?You think that you are something special – after all you are “one of the 12”, Jesus’ nearest and dearest friends.And then out of the blue, Jesus lambastes you and calls you Satan!I don’t think that there are words that could sting quite as much.
It’s ironic that this rebuke comes right on the heels of a breakthrough moment for the disciples.Just before the passage that was read to us this morning, was another equally famous passage, but seldom do we hear them presented together.You see Jesus had been working for a while now with ministry: teaching people the good news of the kingdom, healing people, raising others from the dead, feeding thousands of people with only a small amount of food on a couple of occasions as well.
And so Jesus asked his disciples what they had heard from people – who people thought that Jesus was.Some said he was John the Baptist, Elijah, Jeremiah or one of the other prophets.Then Jesus asked them:
”But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”
Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” (Matthew 16:15,16)
It was an incredible breakthrough moment for the disciples and Peter led the way.He was on the ball – he had it all figured out.It was a mountain top experience.As my one college teacher would say he “got the aha”.Aha!And Jesus responds with an amazing blessing for Peter:
Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven.And I tell you that you are Peter,and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hadeswill not overcome it.I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” (Matthew 16:17-19)
What an honour was bestowed upon Peter.The foundation of the church itself and incredible power!
So now that they know who he really is, Jesus goes on to explain what was to happen to him – that he will be going to Jerusalem, suffering at the hands of the Jewish leaders and eventually being killed, but then he would come back to life 3 days later.
The disciples’ heads must’ve been spinning at that point.They’ve finally confessed what all the evidence has pointed to – that Jesus is the Son of God – that He is the Messiah.For most Jewish people, thoughts of the promised Messiah were thoughts of freedom from political oppression.It was a time of celebration because their deliverance was at hand.
The next thing they might’ve expected would be battle plans – how Jesus would put together an army and the details on how he was going to overthrow the Romans.But that wasn’t what Jesus was talking about at all.
Instead Jesus was talking about suffering and being killed – not the heroic story they were expecting.And so once again, Peter then speaks up – I wonder if he was saying it as though Jesus was being pessimistic and Peter was trying to encourage Jesus by showing his faith in him:
“Hey cheer up!You’re the Son of God – that could never happen to you!”As if to point out that no one could stand against him and the power he has.
When Peter heard Jesus speaking about these things perhaps he thought that Jesus was just depressed – that he was “being all negative”.The disciples had seen Jesus do all sorts of amazing miracles so far in his ministry – healing the blind, the sick and the lame, walking on water, multiplying a tiny amount of food to feed massive crowds on a couple of occasions.He recognized that nothing was impossible for Jesus.
So perhaps Peter said what he did in rebuke for this opposite thinking – that this was to be their moment of greatness and triumph for the Jewish people.Jesus was their deliverer, their Messiah – how dare he talk like that?
Perhaps he also was trying to communicate that they would stand together and face whatever foes may come their way.As if to say “there’s no way that we would allow that to happen to you.”We know that at the last supper all of them pledged their faithfulness to him so that could be what they meant.We know how well that turned out though don’t we?Every single one of them deserted him.
Sometimes the foolish things are the words we speak.We speak without knowing the entire story.Peter went from showing real wisdom and discernment – all the signs pointed out that Jesus was the Son of God and he put the pieces together and spoke out this truth.
After that statement, Jesus was blessing him, but after the next thing Peter said, Jesus was calling him Satan.What happened?Why did Jesus respond this way?Wasn’t that a little harsh?
I think there were several things going on at that moment.Peter was wrapped up in the moment of realizing that before them stood the long awaited Messiah and all of the dreams and aspirations that were wrapped up in what he represented to the people.Unfortunately for him as Jesus said, he had in mind the things of man not the things of God.
Think back to before Jesus officially began his ministry.When he was out in the desert being tempted by Satan, one of the offers that Satan put before him was the very thing that many of the Jews were wanting – an earthly king that would have complete world domination.That would’ve suited many people and made him beloved by most of the Jewish people.But this was not what His Father’s plan.
And I think that at that moment Satan used Peter to strike out at Jesus.Although Jesus was willing to go through with his Father’s plan, it was still incredibly difficult for him to follow through with.For an average person, they might realize in general terms what might happen to them when they are constantly upsetting people in power – they will pay for it.They might have a good idea that they are going to be punished severely and may even get killed.
But this is Jesus!God’s son!He knows every detail that lies in wait for him.When he says that he will be going to Jerusalem, he can envision the trip there, when he says he will suffer many things, he knows just how each lash will feel and all the cruel things that will be done – down to the smallest detail.
To most his Father’s plan would seem foolish.The apostle Paul, in his first letter to the Corinthians put it this way:
…the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
…Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. (1 Corinthians 1:18, 20b-21)
Think about it – how many other kings have you heard of that come with great plans to conquer all that are in their way, to subjugate people and set himself up over them?Jesus’ way to set up a kingdom seems foolish by comparison to the average person.
When the disciples heard that Jesus planned to give up his life – that his plan for winning was to die and then come back to life, it must’ve seemed bizarre.How could you set up a kingdom that way?
But really is it that different?Jesus’ kingdom is not of this world – it’s an eternal kingdom with different rules but his goals are still the same – establishing himself as ruler and a people that are his.About ruling over all of dominion.But his enemy is a different enemy, not an earthly king, but a dark angelic prince of lies who can only be defeated one way – and Jesus would see it through.
Because we live in this world, and it’s what we understand and know, we tend to think in those terms.The world around us tells us that we should amass wealth and things.But thinking only about this world and things that are temporal – things that are not eternal – is truly foolish thinking.Everything in this world will eventually break down and fade away.Heroes are forgotten and the legacy also fades.But eternity lasts forever.
Let me close this morning with the words of Jim Elliott a missionary:
He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose.
He must’ve been thinking about Jesus words at that time:
Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it.What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? (Matthew 16:24-26)
We need to place an emphasis of concern on what the world would consider foolish things – things that are temporal, things that don’t last forever – things that are eternal like our character, our friendships, our godliness.And yes, I guess in some ways that will make us seem like foolish things as well.And if doing what God wants makes me a fool to others, than I guess I’m okay with that.
last Sunday
MESSAGE: Foolish Things
Scripture: Matthew 16:21-28
Now as nice as it would be to have another day off, I’m sorry to say that far as I have heard, April 1st will not be a statutory holiday.
This morning I want to talk to you about foolish things. Foolish things we do, foolish things we think, and foolishness in general. I think that most of us, if not all of us, have said or done something foolish at one time or another in their lives. They are often moments we speak or act without thinking and do something that makes us stand out against the crowd.
Peter was no exception and as perhaps the most outspoken of the disciples, he managed to let his words get him in trouble once again. In a moment of impassioned zeal, Peter forgets his place and foolishly chastises his Master.
Jesus’ response is perhaps one of the most famous passages in New Testament Scripture. It must’ve been a real shock to Peter to hear these words come from his Master’s lips. Can you imagine if that was you? You think that you are something special – after all you are “one of the 12”, Jesus’ nearest and dearest friends. And then out of the blue, Jesus lambastes you and calls you Satan! I don’t think that there are words that could sting quite as much.
It’s ironic that this rebuke comes right on the heels of a breakthrough moment for the disciples. Just before the passage that was read to us this morning, was another equally famous passage, but seldom do we hear them presented together. You see Jesus had been working for a while now with ministry: teaching people the good news of the kingdom, healing people, raising others from the dead, feeding thousands of people with only a small amount of food on a couple of occasions as well.
And so Jesus asked his disciples what they had heard from people – who people thought that Jesus was. Some said he was John the Baptist, Elijah, Jeremiah or one of the other prophets. Then Jesus asked them:
”But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”
Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” (Matthew 16:15,16)
It was an incredible breakthrough moment for the disciples and Peter led the way. He was on the ball – he had it all figured out. It was a mountain top experience. As my one college teacher would say he “got the aha”. Aha! And Jesus responds with an amazing blessing for Peter:
Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven. And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” (Matthew 16:17-19)
What an honour was bestowed upon Peter. The foundation of the church itself and incredible power!
So now that they know who he really is, Jesus goes on to explain what was to happen to him – that he will be going to Jerusalem, suffering at the hands of the Jewish leaders and eventually being killed, but then he would come back to life 3 days later.
The disciples’ heads must’ve been spinning at that point. They’ve finally confessed what all the evidence has pointed to – that Jesus is the Son of God – that He is the Messiah. For most Jewish people, thoughts of the promised Messiah were thoughts of freedom from political oppression. It was a time of celebration because their deliverance was at hand.
The next thing they might’ve expected would be battle plans – how Jesus would put together an army and the details on how he was going to overthrow the Romans. But that wasn’t what Jesus was talking about at all.
Instead Jesus was talking about suffering and being killed – not the heroic story they were expecting. And so once again, Peter then speaks up – I wonder if he was saying it as though Jesus was being pessimistic and Peter was trying to encourage Jesus by showing his faith in him:
“Hey cheer up! You’re the Son of God – that could never happen to you!” As if to point out that no one could stand against him and the power he has.
When Peter heard Jesus speaking about these things perhaps he thought that Jesus was just depressed – that he was “being all negative”. The disciples had seen Jesus do all sorts of amazing miracles so far in his ministry – healing the blind, the sick and the lame, walking on water, multiplying a tiny amount of food to feed massive crowds on a couple of occasions. He recognized that nothing was impossible for Jesus.
So perhaps Peter said what he did in rebuke for this opposite thinking – that this was to be their moment of greatness and triumph for the Jewish people. Jesus was their deliverer, their Messiah – how dare he talk like that?
Perhaps he also was trying to communicate that they would stand together and face whatever foes may come their way. As if to say “there’s no way that we would allow that to happen to you.” We know that at the last supper all of them pledged their faithfulness to him so that could be what they meant. We know how well that turned out though don’t we? Every single one of them deserted him.
Sometimes the foolish things are the words we speak. We speak without knowing the entire story. Peter went from showing real wisdom and discernment – all the signs pointed out that Jesus was the Son of God and he put the pieces together and spoke out this truth.
After that statement, Jesus was blessing him, but after the next thing Peter said, Jesus was calling him Satan. What happened? Why did Jesus respond this way? Wasn’t that a little harsh?
I think there were several things going on at that moment. Peter was wrapped up in the moment of realizing that before them stood the long awaited Messiah and all of the dreams and aspirations that were wrapped up in what he represented to the people. Unfortunately for him as Jesus said, he had in mind the things of man not the things of God.
Think back to before Jesus officially began his ministry. When he was out in the desert being tempted by Satan, one of the offers that Satan put before him was the very thing that many of the Jews were wanting – an earthly king that would have complete world domination. That would’ve suited many people and made him beloved by most of the Jewish people. But this was not what His Father’s plan.
And I think that at that moment Satan used Peter to strike out at Jesus. Although Jesus was willing to go through with his Father’s plan, it was still incredibly difficult for him to follow through with. For an average person, they might realize in general terms what might happen to them when they are constantly upsetting people in power – they will pay for it. They might have a good idea that they are going to be punished severely and may even get killed.
But this is Jesus! God’s son! He knows every detail that lies in wait for him. When he says that he will be going to Jerusalem, he can envision the trip there, when he says he will suffer many things, he knows just how each lash will feel and all the cruel things that will be done – down to the smallest detail.
To most his Father’s plan would seem foolish. The apostle Paul, in his first letter to the Corinthians put it this way:
…the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
…Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. (1 Corinthians 1:18, 20b-21)
Think about it – how many other kings have you heard of that come with great plans to conquer all that are in their way, to subjugate people and set himself up over them? Jesus’ way to set up a kingdom seems foolish by comparison to the average person.
When the disciples heard that Jesus planned to give up his life – that his plan for winning was to die and then come back to life, it must’ve seemed bizarre. How could you set up a kingdom that way?
But really is it that different? Jesus’ kingdom is not of this world – it’s an eternal kingdom with different rules but his goals are still the same – establishing himself as ruler and a people that are his. About ruling over all of dominion. But his enemy is a different enemy, not an earthly king, but a dark angelic prince of lies who can only be defeated one way – and Jesus would see it through.
Because we live in this world, and it’s what we understand and know, we tend to think in those terms. The world around us tells us that we should amass wealth and things. But thinking only about this world and things that are temporal – things that are not eternal – is truly foolish thinking. Everything in this world will eventually break down and fade away. Heroes are forgotten and the legacy also fades. But eternity lasts forever.
Let me close this morning with the words of Jim Elliott a missionary:
He must’ve been thinking about Jesus words at that time:
Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it. What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? (Matthew 16:24-26)
We need to place an emphasis of concern on what the world would consider foolish things – things that are temporal, things that don’t last forever – things that are eternal like our character, our friendships, our godliness. And yes, I guess in some ways that will make us seem like foolish things as well. And if doing what God wants makes me a fool to others, than I guess I’m okay with that.