[Scripture Reading: Matthew 20:24-28]

Introduction

A. Jesus came to the Earth to bear witness to the truth (John 18:37), to bring light into the world (John 12:46), to seek and save the lost (Luke 19:10), and to give His life a ransom (Matthew 20:28).

B. The multitudes marveled at the power God had given to Jesus (Matthew 8:27; 9:8,33)—power He needed to carry out His mission.

C. Many forces worked to defeat Him, but He overcame every one.

Discussion

I. Jesus could not be deterred by any enemy.

A. Herod could not defeat His mission (Matthew 2:13-20).

B. His mission could not be defeated by false teachers or religious error (Matthew 19:1-9; 22:15-46).

C. The devil could not overcome Him (Matthew 4:1-11).

D. Not even death itself could defeat Him (Matthew 16:18).

II. Jesus could not even be defeated by His friends.

A. He wouldn’t let John’s reluctance stand in the way of His mission (Matthew 3:14-15).

B. He often rebuked His disciples for standing in the way (Matthew 16:23; 26:52-54; Luke 9:53-56).

C. He didn’t allow their failures to prevent Him from carrying out His mission (Matthew 26:56; John 16:32-33).

Conclusion

A. Are you helping to carry out Jesus’ mission of seeking and saving the lost, or are you standing in the way?

B. There will be forces at work to prevent us, but there is no power greater than that of our God.

C. Jesus will come on another mission one day (2 Thessalonians 1:8), and there is no one who can prevent Him (2 Peter 3). Where will you stand?