Set Our Sights on the Things of God

"Set Our Sights on the Things of God" - Matthew 16:23 Peter's feelings were not of God, but those of men. Peter's words were what could be expected from Satan. Peter's actions and words at that time were looking at the things of the world. In protesting against Calvary: (v.21) it was necessary for Him to go to Jerusalem and suffer much from the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes; and to be killed and rise again on the third day.

I. Lord, God forbid; In no way will this happen to You.

A. He was drawn to a rebuke from the Lord Jesus.

1. Jesus had come into the world to die for sinners.

2. Whoever hindered Him from this purpose was outside of God's will.

3. Peter's feelings were not those of God, but those of men.

4. Every believer is called to take up his cross and "follow the Lord Jesus," but "when the cross appears on the road" before us, a voice within us says: God forbid! Save!

5. Or the voices of loved ones try to lead us away from the "path of obedience."

6. On these occasions, we too must say: Depart from me Satan!

7. You are a hindrance to me.

8. Let us be able to love with all our might the things of God, more than that of the earth which is pure vanity.

9. (Romans 1:28) Because of the refusal of men to retain God in their knowledge, neither as Creator (who creates each one), nor as Sustainer (sustains, supports) nor Liberator (liberates); God gave them over to a reprobate mind (it cannot be accepted), to commit a whole list of other forms of evil.

10. This verse gives a profound understanding of why evolution (change of attitude, behavior of purpose) is so attractive to the natural man.

11. The reason lies not in his intellect but in his will.

12. They are not "right to acknowledge God."

13. They need some explanation of origins that totally eliminates God.

14. They know that, if there is a God, then they are morally responsible to Him.

15. (Ephesians 4:17) A new life is the apostle's calling.

16. By authority of the Lord and by divine inspiration, he urges (hurry, promptly) Christians to remove "every trace of their past life", as if it were a mantle full of clay, and to put on the virtues (values, drawing near to God) and excellences of the Lord Jesus Christ.

17. "Let ye no longer walk like the other Gentiles."

18. They were no longer "Gentiles": they were Christians.

19. There should or should be a corresponding change in their lives.

20. Paul saw the world in ignorance and degradation (diminished dignity).

21. They walked "in the vanity of their minds."

22. Their lives were empty, (lacking, purposeless, and fruitless).

23. There was great activity, but no progress.

24. They chased bubbles and shadows and neglected the great realities of life.

25. (Colossians 2:18) Pretending to be so humble that he didn't approach God directly.

26. Someone taught that you had to go to angels in order to get closer to God.

27. His supposed humility worshipped the angels and not the Lord.

28. Everyone who is carried by visions, dreams and so on that people come to their secrets (visions, dreams, angels) of knowledge and how they speak.

29. Vainly swollen by his own "carnal mind."

30. An attitude of superiority is adopted like the Colossians, I know many and they distance themselves from everything because they believe themselves superior to everyone.

31. Those deep secrets of people and their impression that one could be happy only in these deep secrets.

32. It is important to note in this verse that the various religious practices of these men were carried out according to "their own will."

33. No subjection to Christ, besides they had no scriptural authority.

34. Nothing in subjection to Christ, they are superior to "all."

35. They had become "vainly bloated in their 'carnal' 'mind' because they did precisely what they wanted to do, with 'independence' from the Lord; However, their conduct had the appearance of "humble and religious."

36. What many I have met on this path. Amen.