Get behind me Satan!…

Pentecost 14

Last week we looked at the first part of this passage in Matthew 16:13-20. We looked at Peter’s declaration of who Jesus is – The Messiah, Son of the living God and declared this truth with him. Now let’s look at the next part from verse 21. Jesus now teaches his disciples about what being Messiah, Son of the living God means. He tells them that he has come to die at the hands of the very people he has come to save and then to be resurrected on the third day. Peter can’t cope with this. He’s just discovered the most profound truth about his beloved Rabbi Jesus and now he’s told this same man is going to be killed. Nope. You can hear it in the exchange. “Oh no! That can’t happen Lord!” But Jesus is not to be persuaded and rebukes Peter. “Get behind me Satan! You are a stumbling block for me; for you are setting your mind not on the things of God but on human things.” The strength of the rebuke is striking. Jesus has often corrected his disciples, but this is a direct rebuke of Satan himself and of Peter. What’s happening here? Notice that Peter very quickly drops his revelation of Jesus as Son of the living God in the face of the fear of losing him. He is focused on his own fear and his need to prevent that feared thing from happening so much that he speaks words which are what Satan wants to see – rebuking Jesus his Lord for choosing to go to the cross. Immediately Jesus rebukes Satan and speaks to Peter sternly. Satan is told to get out of the way. Peter is told he is a stumbling block. His fear is in the way of God’s will and purpose in Jesus and has just been used to serve the enemy of God’s people. Jesus points Peter to the problem: his mind is set on human things, not on God’s things. Peter, who walked on water without fear only a short while ago, is now blinded by fear of Jesus’ death and willing to try to stop it. Peter didn’t hear the hope in Jesus’ words that said he would rise again. He wasn’t focused on Jesus, he was reacting in fear not listening in faith. How often have you seen something awful approaching and reacted in fear, even though it was only a possibility not a certainty? Fear will say there is no hope, but faith speaks life and rebukes the fear. Always, even in the darkest times, Jesus is Lord of all circumstances. Look to Jesus and fear will leave.

Janice

This Week:

Regular Worship Times

Parish Contact Details

Save The Date:

Notices:

Thank You.

Thank you to Graham King for organising the National Grandparents Conference livestream at St Mark’s.

Step Back In Time: A Simple Biblical Meal Experience

You are warmly invited to share in a special evening inspired by the simplicity and spirit of meals in Biblical times. Gather around a table where food is shared, not rushed-where conversation, connection, and quiet reflection are part of the experience. Rather than recreating a perfect historical feast, this evening offers a gentle step back in time-an opportunity to experience how people once gathered, ate simply, and connected deeply with one another. All welcome.

Saturday 5th September 2026 6pm to 9pm here at St Mark’s
Cost $33 per person. Bookings via https://www.trybooking.com/DNRMY

We still have plenty of room at our tables. The Biblical Meal cut-off date has been extended to allow for those who may have needed one more day to book. No further bookings can be taken after Monday evening at 5pm so that catering can be arranged properly. If you gave your name to Janice please make sure that you are able to pay for your ticket/s on the night, cash or card will be acceptable.

CMS Anna

7th September – Alf Stanway lecture at Ridley college. Anna Radkovic our link missionary, now on home assignment, will speak with Wei Han Kuan about her work in Kenya. (Arrangements will be made to join the livestream together in the church)

CMS Anna visit to St Marks

Saturday 31st October – Sunday 1st November Exciting and informative events are planned. Details to follow.

Australian Anglican Church Calendar 2027

These are now available at a cost of $18 each plus postage of $5.80. Please contact Keith Thomas by late August if you wish to buy one. Bulk orders incur reduced costs (depending on numbers ordered).

This Week’s Prayer Focus

In our country and the world:

• For all affected by the Nepal-Tibet floods, particularly for the missing Australians.
• For the people of Israel and Iran and Middle East countries.
• For the victims and those who are mourning after the Bondi terrorist attack.
• For all needing support following home invasions and all other violent attacks.
• For Government action to address the out-of-control protests in Melbourne.
• For the Government plans to address the rise of antisemitism in Australia.
• For families suffering as a result of violence and home invasions.
• For those facing homelessness, hardship, anguish and despair amid rising costs.
• For all in Israel, Gaza, and Ukraine and Myanmar.
• For those affected by natural disasters in around the world.
• For King Charles III, the UK and the Commonwealth.
• For peace and unity in countries around the World.
• For aid agencies such as “Save the Children”, Oxfam, CARE, UNICEF, World Vision.

In our community:

• For teachers and students.
• For doctors, nurses, paramedics, Coast Guard, the CFA & SES.
• For local community outreach groups such as the Dromana Community House and “Food for All”.

In our Diocese and beyond:

• For Melbourne Archbishop-elect Right Reverend Dr Richard (Ric) Thorpe as he prepares to move from London to Melbourne.
• For Archbishop Geoffrey Smith’s ministry as Primate of Australia.
• For the ministry of Bishop Paul Barker in the Jumbunna Region and Archdeacon Rev’d Sam Bleby, in the Frankston Archdeanery.
• In our Deanery, we pray for the parish of Holy Trinity Hastings and their Vicar, Rev’d Tim Anderson.
• For the work of the Church Missionary Society and Wei-Han the Victorian Director.
• For Anna Radkovic our CMS Link Missionary in Watamu, Kenya.
• For Christian churches around the world to be free to worship and be witnesses of the love of God as shown through the coming of His Son.

In our Parish:

• For our leadership and ministry teams.
• For Rev’d Janice O’Gorman.
• For the finances of our Parish.
• For the success of our building permit application.
• For our Parish, its people and those we reach out to every week.
• For the success of the new Beachside Youth program.
• For the Alpha program, the leaders and all who will attend.
• For the 9am at home prayer time for the Parish, Dromana & Mornington Peninsula.
• For all members of the Parish Council.
• That the Good News of Jesus will be known in Dromana.
• For William, Kevin, Anne, Doris B, Ellen, Ted & Monica, Lorna, Louise, Jen, TJ and family, Karen, Mary, Jan K, David, Belinda, Joan R, Robyn, Phillip, Nikki, Jason, Rhiannon, Ric