Eternal Values

Mark 8:33-38

Mark 8:33 But when he had turned about and looked on his disciples, he rebuked Peter, saying, Get thee behind me, Satan: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but the things that be of men.

Do we live for time or for eternity? Many people live for time trying to get all they can and keep all they get with little thought of eternal values.
In this passage of scripture, Peter failed concerning the eternal. In verse 33, Jesus told him, ...thou savourest not the tings that be of God, but the things that be of man. What are the greatest things in life that we should dedicated ourselves to as we focus on eternity?

I. God wants us to be close to Him.

There are two important invitations from the Lord.
A. God's invitation to us is come unto me. This is Conversion.
Matthew 11:28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
B. God's second invitation to us is come after me. This is Closeness.
Matthew 8:34 And, behold, the whole city came out to meet Jesus: and when they saw him, they besought him that he would depart out of their coasts.
Many seek salvation but once they are saved, they are reluctant to get close to the Lord. We must be dedicated to getting close to Him.

II. God wants us to be changed.

A. The change requires that we must deny ourselves.
B. The child of God must never demand their rights, but rather delight in knowing and serving Him.
C. The child of God should have this attitude I must decrease but he must increase.
John 3:30 He must increase, but I must decrease.

III. God wants us to be conformed.

A. If we are to be conformed to the image of Christ, we must take us our cross and follow him.
Ro 8:29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
Luke 9:23 And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.
B. When we do this, we will identify with the sufferings of Christ.
Mark 8:31 And he began to teach them, that the Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders, and of the chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again.

IV. God wants us to be committed.

A. We must follow him.
B. As we follow the Lord, we must surrender self-will to the Holy Spirit's will.
Mark 8:35 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it.

It is not important what we want, but what He wants for our lives.