That We Might Live

This morning’s scripture is closely tied with last week's scripture 
Matthew 16: 13-20, in which Peter confessed his faith that Jesus was 
the Messiah. Prior to Matthew 16 Jesus spoke to crowds, conducted 
miracles, but this is the first of three times that Jesus predicted his 
death for others. Note the words “killed” “and on the third day be 
raised” which indicates that Jesus was fully aware of his earthly 
mission and what was to come to him. 

Matthew 16: 21

From that time Jesus began to show his disciples that he 
must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the 
elders and chief priest and scribes, and must be killed, 
and on the third day be raised.

In the sin of the flesh we sing songs about death, “Well I ain't afraid 
of dying it’s the thought of being dead. I wanna’ go on being me once 
my eulogy’s been read. Don’t spread my ashes out to sea; don’t lay 
me down to rest. You can put my mind to ease if you fill my last 
request. Prop me up beside the jukebox when I die. Lord I wanna’ go 
to heaven but I don’t wanna’ go tonight. Fill my boots up with sand, 
put a stiff drink in my hand. Prop me up beside the jukebox when I 
die. Just make your next selection and while your still in line you 
can pay your respects one quarter at a time.

The issue isn’t the words; the issue is what is on the inside. The issue
is not dying, the issue is how do you want to live your life? 

Matthew 16: 22 -23

And Peter took Jesus and began to rebuke him, saying, 
“God forbid, Lord! This shall never happen to you.” But 
Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me Satin! 
You are a hindrance to me; or you are not on the side 
of God; but of men.”

Look at how Peter reacted. One minute Peter recognized that Jesus 
was Lord of Lords. Look at how Peter could not accept as Jesus 
shared that he must go to Jerusalem. As you read this text do you 
feel the same as Peter for how could Jesus do this if he really loves 
us? For what Jesus was saying to Peter was the same thing that 
Jesus said at the end of his wilderness temptation to the devil, 
Matthew 4:10, “Then Jesus said to him, “Be gone, Satin!”

The difference is that Jesus ordered the devil to depart and he is 
ordering Peter to move behind him physically and spiritually.
Ordering Peter to move behind him for Jesus knows that Satin is 
any force which seeks to deflect us from the way of God.

Jesus has already taught us that the wide, smooth road leads to 
destruction and 

hell but the narrow, rough road leads to eternity in heaven.

Matthew 16: 24-25

Then Jesus told his disciples, “If any man would come 
after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and 
follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, 
and whoever loses his life for me, will find it. 

Faith is about dying. Dying to self, dying to the old way of living and 
to the world. Dying for what is right, dying for Jesus just as Jesus 
died for us. Dying not in the sin of the flesh but dying in giving up 
that of this world to be a disciple of Jesus. Dying so that just as
Jesus rose on the third day and ascended into heaven so may we 
rise from our dead worldly self and be alive in Jesus. 

Amazing Grace how great thou art who saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost but now I’m found, was blind but now I see.

Faith is about carrying the cross, which is a true commitment for 
when one gives their life to Jesus and feels the pain then one 
discovers the purpose of living. The purpose of living in not judging 
others, for God will do that at judgment day.Our task is to evaluate 
our life from an eternal perspective.

On Saturday 09/10, at 3 PM in our fellowship hall we will have a 
meeting initiating Adopt-A-Block here in Tremont City, for in the 
United Methodist Church we are called to go out into the world and 
make Disciples of Christ. We are called to go out and carry Jesus’ 
cross unto others. We are called to share the love of God and to 
show the community by our presence that we love and care for them. 
That we do not just show up on Sunday morning and return to the 
world. 

For Jesus did not seek to have earthly power like the Pharisees and 
Sadducees. Jesus sought to build a kingdom that would last into 
eternity. The question I ask of you this morning is what are you 
seeking with your life? What legacy do you want to leave for your 
loved ones and those whom you meet on the road to Emmaus?

Are you living or are you living with internal purposes? Are you living 
For eternity…or to meet the time clock of this world? 

Matthew 16: 26-28

For what will it profit a man, if he gains the whole world
and forfeits his life? Or what shall a man gain in return 
for his life? For the Son of man is to come with his 
angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay 
every man for what he has done. Truly I say to you, there 
are some standing here who will not taste death before 
they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom.

An elderly carpenter was about to retire. He told his employer-
contractor of his plans to leave the house-building business and live 
a more leisurely life with his wife and extended family. He would miss 
the paycheck, but he needed to retire and they would get by. The 
contractor was sorry to see his good worker go and asked if he could 
build just one more house as a personal favor. The carpenter said 
yes, but in time it was easy to see his heart was not in his work. He 
resorted to shoddy workmanship and used inferior materials. It was 
an unfortunate way to end a dedicated career. When the carpenter 
finished his work the employer came to inspect the house. He handed 
the front-door key to the carpenter. “This is your house,” he said, “My 
gift to you.” The carpenter was shocked! What a shame! If he had only 
known he was building his own house, he would have done it all so 
differently. So it is with us. We build our lives, a day at a time, often 
putting less than our best into the building. Then with a shock we 
realize we have to live in the house we built. If we could do it all over,
we’d do it much differently. But we cannot go back.

Romans 12: 9-19

Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what 
is good; love one another with brotherly affection; outdo 
one another in showing honor. Never flag in zeal (never 
be lazy), be aglow with the Spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice 
in your hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in 
prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints, practice 
hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and 
do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep 
with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another; 
do not be haughty (better than), but associate with the 
lowly; never be conceited. Repay no one evil for evil, but 
take thought for what is noble in the sight of all. Beloved, 
never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of 
God; for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay 
says the Lord.” 

Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ knew that he was born to live, die, 
and be resurrected on the third day into heaven so that you and I…
that we might not only be in worship, but that we might live one day 
in Our Father Who Art In Heaven’s house in heaven above.

You see, so it is with us. We build our lives, one day at a time, often 
Putting less than our best into the building. Then with a shock we 
realize we have to live in the house we have built. If we had to do it 
over, we’d do it much differently. But we cannot go back. We are the
carpenter. Each day we hammer a nail, place a board, or erect a wall.
“Life is a do-it-yourself project,” someone has said.

Romans 12: 20-21

No, “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, 
give him drink; for by so doing you will heap burning 
coals upon his head. Do not be overcome by evil, but
overcome evil with good.”

Our attitudes and the choices we make today, build the “house” we 
live in tomorrow. Build wisely! Remember; work like you don’t need 
the money. Love like you’ve been hurt, and dance like nobody is 
watching. Jesus did not seek to have earthly power like the Pharisees 
and the Sadducees. Jesus sought to build a kingdom that would last 
into eternity. What are you seeking with your life? What legacy do 
you want to leave for your love ones and those who know you?

“Prop me up beside the jukebox when I die. Just make your next 
selection and while you’re still in line you can pay your respects 
one quarter at a time”. 

My loved one went out and carried Jesus cross unto others in the
community. My loved one shared the love of God and showed the 
community by their presence that they were loved and cared for. My 
loved one didn’t just show up on Sunday morning and return to the 
world. My loved one lived for Jesus that we might live. 

Let us pray,

Give thanks with a grateful heart; give thanks to the Holy one. Give 
thanks because he’s given Jesus Christ His Son. Give thanks with a 
grateful heart; give thanks to the Holy one. Give thanks because 
he’s given Jesus Christ His Son. And now let the weak say I am 
strong, let the poor say I am rich because of what the Lord has 
done for us. And now let the weak say I am strong, let the poor 
say I am rich because of what the Lord has done for us. Give 
thanks, give thanks; we give thanks to the Lord. Give thanks 
with a grateful heart; give thanks to the Holy one. Give thanks 
because he’s given Jesus Christ His son. Give thanks with a 
grateful heart to the grateful heart; give thanks to the Holy 
One. Give thanks because he’s given Jesus Christ His 
Son. And now let the weak say I am strong, let the 
poor say I am rich because of what the Lord has done 
for us. And now let the weak say I am strong, let the 
poor say I am rich because of what the Lord has
done for us. Give thanks; we give thanks Lord, 
give thanks with a grateful heart, give thanks 
to the Holy one; give thanks because he’s 
given Jesus Christ His Son. Give thanks 
with a grateful heart; give thanks to the 
Holy One. Give thanks to the Holy One 
because he has given Jesus Christ His 
Son. And now let the weak say I am 
strong, let the poor say I am rich 
because of what the Lord has 
done for us. Give thanks, we 
give thanks to the Lord, we 
give, give thanks, give 
thanks; we give 
thanks to 
the Lord.
Amen 





08/28/2005 JWM



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