Diane Avenue Church of Christ

Matthew 27:11(NIV)Jesus Before Pilate11 Meanwhile Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?”“You have said so,” Jesus replied.

BIBLE CLASS

Peer Pressure, Jesus Response to

Matthew 4:8-10

Peer Pressure Good Morning Today we will take a few minutes to

discuss a subject that affects us all regardless of age or gender. This attitude can shape our future for good or bad. It can help us encourage others or bring them to ruin. It’s called peer pressure. This morning we will discuss it from a Christian perspective.

Peer Pressure We need to understand and resist the

power of Satan. We should recognize how effective the evil one is. (Eph 2:2-3) - 2 in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. 3 All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath.

Peer Pressure If you do not realize the evil Satan brings

to us daily then you are guaranteed trouble in this life.

One thing we must not do is be overconfident!

(1 Cor. 10:12) - 12 So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall!

Peer Pressure What is peer pressure, in layman’s

terms? Peer pressure is when we feel compelled

to act a certain way because we want to fit in and be accepted by certain people. Nobody wants to be the person who gets talked about or laughed at. But, unfortunately, sometimes we lose focus of who we really are because it becomes more important to us to just fit in.

Peer Pressure Let’s list some examples of what peer

pressure can lead to both positive and negative,

i.e. Ridicule, rejection, suicide , disobedience, etc……

Peer Pressure When we walk by faith we learn to direct

our need for acceptance to God while developing a sense of family (fellowship) with faithful Christians.

- Galatians 1:10 (NIV) 10 Am I now trying to win the approval of

human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.

Peer Pressure

Is Peer Pressure is a tool of Satan ??

Peer Pressure Sometimes the pressure that we feel

involves superficial things, like dressing a certain way to be considered cool. We have to have the name-brand clothes or shoes. Or maybe the pressure involves doing things that we think everyone else is doing. How many people here started drinking or getting high because everyone else was doing it and they didn't want to feel left out?

Peer Pressure Or maybe the pressure involves doing

something illegal. Maybe your friends were in on something and you went along and joined in because you didn't want them to think that you didn't have heart or that you were scared. Or maybe you were the one who convinced one of your friends into doing something wrong. So, first off, we sometimes feel pressure from our so called friends.

Peer Pressure Or maybe it’s Materialistic. Satan subtly

promotes the attitude that says money, property, possessions, physical comforts, as well as worldly fame and honor are the most important things in life. While God created all things and is the source of all we have, He does not condone our allowing things and money to usurp His first place in our lives. The prosperity that He so freely gives us, and wants us to have, is indeed a blessing until it takes the place of God.

Peer Pressure 1 Timothy 6:10 (NIV) 10 For the love of money is a root of all

kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.

Peer Pressure But then on top of that, we also get

caught up in what the world says is important. The world stresses to us that we have to look a certain way to be cool. Or the world says you are not successful unless you have a certain job or drive a certain kind of car. The world's value system revolves around money and status.

( let’s elaborate). e.g. family, friends, faith

Peer Pressure Now, I have another question for you. As

a Christian If you knew that you were going to a foreign country for a short vacation, would you disconnect your phone number at home? Would you change your hairstyle or buy a bunch of clothes similar to the style of the country you were going to, even though you knew you would only be there a short time? Of course not, because you are just a traveler passing through.

Peer PressureWell, did you know that if you are a Christian and you have asked Christ to be your Lord and Savior, that you are a foreigner living in a strange place (earth) and that you are just on a journey to your true home (heaven)? The neighborhood that you live in isn't your home, and the house where your mother and father live, that isn't your home either. When you turned from your sins and became a follower of Christ, you became a son or daughter of God. Heaven is now your true home

Peer Pressure1 Peter 2:11, "Dearly beloved, I beseech you, as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul." We are just pilgrims passing through!

Peer PressureWell, did you know that if you are a Christian and you have asked Christ to be your Lord and Savior, that you are a foreigner living in a strange place (earth) and that you are just on a journey to your true home (heaven)? The neighborhood that you live in isn't your home, and the house where your mother and father live, that isn't your home either. When you turned from your sins and became a follower of Christ, you became a son or daughter of God. Heaven is now your true home

Peer Pressure

The nature of Satan’s peer pressure

Peer Pressure Satan and peer pressure: He uses this if we like it or nor. (Rom

12:1-2) - 12 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is —his good, pleasing and perfect will. *(self note brothers)

Peer Pressure Satan uses this pressure to his

advantage, to turn you away from God. This pressure is a compelling and constraining influence.

But, In the first chapter of 1 Thessalonians, Paul speaks of how we are to know we are Christians. One of the points he emphasizes (v 6) is the fact that we should have joy despite suffering. We should expect to encounter trials and persecution as Christians, yet be comforted with the fact that God is in control.

Peer Pressure We will come back to Satan in a minute; We hear a lot about peer pressure - the

pressure to conform; to be accepted by your circle of friends or co-workers .We hear a lot about the need for approval.We all have different circles of our peers - the circle of our immediate family; our larger family; our neighbors; our friends; our church family; our teammates; our schoolmates; our co-workers and so on.

Peer Pressure Question: Is peer pressure just a matter of

acceptance or is it more? Why do you think acceptance is so

important? In what way can we overcome peer

pressure? How do we handle rejection? Do you think peer pressure has a

influence all age groups or just the young adults, teens etc.

Name some ways peer pressure is a good thing?

Peer Pressure

Hurdles or obstacles

Christians - Self or Love ones

Rejection, acceptance, influences, ridicule, etc

Satan

Moving toward Christ

Peer Pressure

Peer Pressure Proverbs 1:8-10 – 8 Listen, my son, to your

father’s instruction    and do not forsake your mother’s teaching. 9 They are a garland to grace your head    and a chain to adorn your neck.

10 My son, if sinful men entice you,    do not give in to them.

Peer Pressure Eph. 6:1-4 - Children, obey your parents in the Lord,

for this is right. 2 “Honor your father and mother”—which is the first commandment with a promise— 3 “so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.”

4 Father’s, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.

Peer Pressure

Conforming to the pattern World (leave behind)

Transformed by Renewing our Minds Trusting God – (move towards)

Peer Pressure

Now back to Satan..

Satan will be relentless and cruel.

Peer Pressure The most powerful weapon Satan has is

the tongue. (Jas. 3:5) - 5 Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark.

Peer Pressure Many fear the consequences that comes

when you do not line up. a. How many are made fun of ? b. How many have heard gossip when

another leaves the room? c. As a child I took part in some

unmerciful actions. (Ex. Teasing, Overweight, Bullying Others)

Peer Pressure There are so things that we learn from

this. a. We have a need of praise. (2 Cor.

10:12, 18) 12 We do not dare to classify or compare

ourselves with some who commend themselves. When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise.

18 For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends.

Peer Pressure There are so things that we learn from this. b. We have a need of association. 1 Jn. 3:1-

3  See what great love the Father has lavished

on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. 2 Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears , we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. 3 All who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure.

Peer Pressure There are so things that we learn from

this. c. We need acceptance by others. (2 Cor.

2:7-8, 11) 7 Now instead, you ought to forgive and

comfort him, so that he will not be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. 8 I urge you, therefore, to reaffirm your love for him.

11 in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes.

Peer Pressure

Satan’s tried to use pressure against Jesus

Peer Pressure Don’t let peer pressure keep you from

pleasing God. Jesus chose the approval of God over the

approval of man. 1 Peter 2:4-5 - 4 As you come to him, the

living Stone —rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to him— 5 you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

Peer Pressure Satan’s first attempt came in the

temptation in the wilderness. (Mt 4:2-10) explain

1. Make no mistake, Satan is evil an will try to tempt anyone. But Jesus cited the scriptures

1. Bread to stone – Deut. 8:3 2. Jump from the high place – Deut

6:16 (Ps.91:11-12) 3. Give him riches/ kneel down –

Deut 6: 13 Matt 4:11 - 11 Then the devil left

him, and angels came and attended him (Heb 1:14)

Peer Pressure God's word tells us that the last thing we

should be trying to do is fit in with this world. Ephesians 4:17-18 NIV reads, 17 So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. 18 They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts.

Peer Pressure

What type of Rejection did Jesus face?

Peer Pressure Many rejected following Christ: This was later demonstrated to the shock

of the apostles! (Jn. 6: 60, 66-67)- 60 On hearing it, many of his disciples said, “This is a hard teaching. Who can accept it?”

66 From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him.

67 “You do not want to leave too, do you?” Jesus asked the Twelve.

Peer Pressure The Son of God was rejected by mankind

Have we forgotten the high and lofty position of Christ - Heb. 1: 2-4, sitting on the right hand of GodThe Creator was rejected by His Creation

Isaiah 29:16You turn things upside down, as if the potter were thought to be like the clay! Shall what is formed say to the one who formed it, “You did not make me”? Can the pot say to the potter, “You know nothing”?

Peer Pressure Jesus knew of his rejection and

suffering- Luke 9:21-22 (NIV) 21 Jesus strictly warned them not to tell

this to anyone. 22 And he said, “The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.”

Peer Pressure

The danger of Christians using Satan’s tools The world

Peer Pressure

A. When we use world pressure we have in our hearts become carnal.

1. Satan has always had his churches that profess Christ but push worldly standards. (Col 2:18)

18 Do not let anyone who delights in false humility and the worship of angels disqualify you. Such a person also goes into great detail about what they have seen; they are puffed up with idle notions by their unspiritual mind.

Peer Pressure

2. This is why apostasy will occur again and again. (2 Tim 4:3-4) - 3 For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. 4 They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.

Peer Pressure Our tongues and actions will reveal our

hearts. (Lk. 6:45) 45 A good man brings good things out of

the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of..?

Peer Pressure What type of person are you?

1. Are you a critic that wants to help or one who looks down on others?

2. Do you have certain ones who you associate with and exclude others?

The world uses cliques as a way of punishing and getting others to line-up..

3. Are you in the fellowship of the proud, miserable, mighty, knowledgeable.?

Peer Pressure Before you accepted Christ into your life,

you were just like everybody else. You were a Gentile. But now that you've been adopted into God's family, God says you should no longer live with those old values. As believers, we are not to be just like everybody else.

Peer Pressure Psalm 1 1 Blessed is the one 

    who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take     or sit in the company of mockers, 2 but whose delight is in the law of the LORD,     and who meditates on his law day and night.3 That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in seasonand whose leaf does not wither—    whatever they do prospers.

Peer Pressure Areas where we are tempted to pressure. 1. Clothing and riches. (Jas 2:1-4) 2. Race Relations. (Gal 2:11-13) 3. Social graces and speech. 4. Teaching style and presentation. (1

Cor. 2:4; 2 Cor. 10:10) 5. In differences of opinion. (Rom 15:1-

2; 14:3)

Peer Pressure

How to defeat peer pressure

Peer Pressure A. Choose to be transformed. (Rom

12:2) 1. Do you really have a love for Bible

Study? 2. A good warning sign is how we treat

Bible Classes and Sunday Worship. B. Let God be the source of the praise

you seek. (Heb 11:6; 2 Cor. 5:9-10) C. Understand the things that really

matter! (1 Cor. 1:26-29)

Peer Pressure In conclusion There are going to be

times when you have to make a choice. Are you going to choose your peers or what God would have you do? Are you going to choose what the world says is important or what God's Word tells you is important?

Peer Pressure And guess what? In the end when you die

and face God alone, will any of your peers matter then?

No matter what clothes you wear or how much money you have or how much respect you get in your neighborhood, none of that is going to be able to help on Judgment Day.

Peer Pressure if you recognize just what Christ did for

you by dying on the cross and taking the punishment that you deserved, why don't you show it by following Him. Live your life in such a way that shows that Jesus is the only one you care about fitting in with and impressing.

Peer Pressure The Bible tells us that it is more

important for us to care what God thinks than what other people think

Acts 5:29 (NIV) 29 Peter and the other apostles replied:

“We must obey God rather than human beings!

Before any and every decision, we should ask ourselves, "In doing this, am I pleasing God or man?"