ARE YOU THINKING WHAT I THINK YOU'RE THINKING?

MATTHEW 16:1-14

Pastor Rick Jackson

To answer the title question: "Not necessarily." Only the Lord truly knows what is in each heart. 1 Samuel 16:7 But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.

We often think we know what is on people's minds or in peoples hearts but even if we have lived with them for decades, as married couples can tell you, we can be wrong. Granted our chances should be higher with those we've known longer but this does not guarantee success. Matthew 16 gives us solid examples of the Lord's ability and our inability in knowing the minds of others, yea, we know not even our own heart sometimes. Jeremiah 17:9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?

Let us first be reminded of:

I. THE PERFECTION OF CHRIST [v. 15-21]

1. The Perfection of His Person [v. 15-20]

2. The Perfection of His Purpose [v. 21, Lk. 19:10]

3. The Perfection of his Power [v. 21b] "and be raised again the third day."

John 10:17-8 Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.

II. THE PERCEPTION OF CHRIST [v. 16-23]

We are so imperfect that we can go from spiritual to carnal in 60 seconds. We can go from thinking like the Father wants, to thinking like the Devil wants, to thinking like men without ever realizing we have changed our thinking. Fortunately for us, Christ's perception is also perfect.

1. He knows when we are thinking Godly thoughts [v. 16-17]

2. He knows when we are thinking Devilish thoughts [v.23a]

James 3:13-15 Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom. But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.

3. He knows when we are thinking Carnal thoughts [v. 23b]

Romans 7:14 For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin.
Romans 8:7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.

Did Peter know? Or did Pete think he was on an even keel the whole time? Did the other disciples know? We must be careful about what we perceive to be wickedness in someone else's motives lest our own thoughts be exposed as devilish. Fortunately for us we, as Christians, have:
III. THE PROTECTION OF CHRIST

This protection is provided for us in 3 rules:

1. The Rule of Thumb [Matthew 7:1 Judge not, that ye be not judged.]

Luke 6:37 Judge not, and, ye shall not be judged: condemn: not, and, ye shall not be condemned: forgive,: and, ye shall be forgiven:
John 7:24 Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.

2. The Rule of Gold [Luke 6:31 And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.]

Matthew 7:12 Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.

1 Corinthians 13:5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;

3. The Rule of God [Romans 12:19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.]