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Intermediate Sunday School Lesson 102 : Forewarning of Suffering

Text: Matthew 16
10 March 2024

INTERMEDIATE SUNDAY SCHOOL 10 March 2024
STUDIES IN THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW
Text: Matthew 16

Subject: “Forewarning of Suffering”

INTRODUCTION

1. The problem of Suffering

a) It is hard to accept
b) It is hard to endure
c) The Lord Jesus had to teach His disciples about suffering

2. The personal suffering of the Lord Jesus

a) This was prophesied Isaiah 53
b) This was forewarned

21 From that time Jesus began to show to His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day.
22 Then Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, “Far be it from You, Lord; this shall not happen to You!”
23 But He turned and said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offense to Me, for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men.”

Matthew 16:21-23

1. Revealing of Suffering in Jerusalem

a) This was taught by the Lord Jesus
b) The place of suffering would take place in Jerusalem

2. The kind of suffering explained

a) He must suffer many things
b) The people who would inflict suffering
i) The elders
ii) The chief priests
iii) The scribes

3. The Religious leaders

a) It was unbecoming of religious leaders to cause suffering
b) These leaders had become
i) Angry
ii) Antagonistic

REACTION OF PETER

1. He was upset with what he heard

2. He took the Lord Jesus aside

3. He rebuked the Lord Jesus

“Far be it from You, Lord; this shall not happen to You!”

a) He would not hear of suffering
b) He would not allow the Lord Jesus to undergo suffering
c) He spoke out of a heart of love and concern
d) But he spoke out of ignorance of God’s plan of redemption

RESPONSE OF THE LORD JESUS

1. The Lord Jesus was most discerning:

a) He knew that Satan had affected Peter
b) The Devil certainly did not want the Lord Jesus to redeem mankind

2. The Lord Jesus had to rebuke Peter firmly

a) He was not mindful of the things of God
b) He was mindful only of the things of man
c) Peter was at that moment an offense to the Lord Jesus
d) Peter was wrong
e) He did not know that he was in danger of hindering God’s plan of salvation

CHALLENGES

1. To appreciate the sufferings of the Lord Jesus

2. To learn how we may be able to cope with suffering

3. Things we need to cultivate:

a) A stronger faith
b) A more courageous spirit
c) A better sense of identification with the Lord Jesus Christ