Our Grace Identity V – Finding Ourselves through the Cross 

Matthew 16:13-18, 21-26 (NIV)

     When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, "Who do people say the Son of Man is?" They replied, "Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets." "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."  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… From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.   Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. "Never, Lord!" he said. "This shall never happen to you!" Jesus turned and said to Peter, "Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men."  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?  

Matthew 16:24-26 (Msg)

    Then Jesus went to work on his disciples. "Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You're not in the driver's seat; I am. Don't run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I'll show you how. Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to finding yourself, your true self (ψυχην: psuchēn). What kind of deal is it to get everything you want but lose yourself? What could you ever trade your soul for?  

1. You have to (law)

2. You ought to (obligation)

3. You want to (grace) 

Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."  Jesus replied, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven. 

Matthew 16:21-23 (NIV)

     From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.   Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. "Never, Lord!" he said. "This shall never happen to you!" Jesus turned and said to Peter, "Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men."  

Daniel 7:13-14 (NIV)

     "In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence.  He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all peoples, nations and men of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed. 

Isaiah 53:5, 7 (NIV)

     But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities…He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter,  and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth.  

Psalm 2:7 (NIV)

     He said to me, "You are my Son; today I have become your Father.” 

Isaiah 42:1 (NLT)

     “Look at my servant, whom I strengthen.  He is my chosen one, who pleases me.  I have put my Spirit upon him.  He will bring justice to the nations… 

Matthew 3:16-17 (NIV)

     As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased." 

1. Christian maturity believes that rather than rescuing people from suffering, God saves, transforms and matures His children through suffering  

Christian immaturity live in denial of life’s humiliation, defeats, disappointments and setbacks while God uses these “crosses” to bring us to grace…

"If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 

To find ourselves, we have to deny our self-sufficiency, take up our weaknesses and defeats and exchange them by receiving Him and His accomplishment for us 

2. When we look at our “crosses” in light of His Cross, we will not only have the strength to endure and overcome our crosses but also strengthen others 

3. Personal Application: 

1. Our continually-secured identity is not to deny but accept our essential weakness and to accept how loved and already accepted we are in God

2. Our identity in Christ frees us from outside influences – so that we can say “you are not my life!”

3. When Jesus calls us to follow Him, He is not only giving us a secure and stable identity but also a purpose in life