“Jesus’ Grace to Peter (and Us)” (John 21:15–17)

“Jesus’ Grace to Peter (and Us)” (John 21:15–17)Cameron Jungels/Eastside Baptist/Sunday AM/April 19, 2015“When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.” Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.” The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my sheep.” (John 21:15–17, NIV) 1.    Jesus initiates a meeting with Peter. (Jesus goes seeking for his broken disciples.)2.    Jesus questions Peter’s identity. (Jesus reminds us that we are not our own but belong to him. Our true identity is in him.)3.    Jesus questions Peter’s self-confident pride. (Jesus strips away our own strength and confidence in ourselves and our tendency to compare ourselves with others.)4.    Jesus questions Peter’s loyalty and love (3 times).5.    Jesus humbles Peter so that he might graciously restore him and commission him for ministry.Main Idea: Jesus delights in graciously restoring broken sinners, especially his own disciples who royally mess up!

“The Lord God Almighty Reigns” (Revelation 19:1–10)

“The Lord God Almighty Reigns” (Revelation 19:1–10)Cameron Jungels/Eastside Baptist/Sunday PM/April 12, 2015
Revelation 19:1–10 (NIV)

Threefold Hallelujah Over Babylon’s Fall

19 After this I heard what sounded like the roar of a great multitude in heaven shouting:

“Hallelujah!

Salvation and glory and power belong to our God,

2 for true and just are his judgments.

He has condemned the great prostitute

who corrupted the earth by her adulteries.

He has avenged on her the blood of his servants.”

3 And again they shouted:

“Hallelujah!

The smoke from her goes up for ever and ever.”

4 The twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshiped God, who was seated on the throne. And they cried:

“Amen, Hallelujah!”

5 Then a voice came from the throne, saying:

“Praise our God,

all you his servants,

you who fear him,

both great and small!”

6 Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting:

“Hallelujah!

For our Lord God Almighty reigns.

7 Let us rejoice and be glad

and give him glory!

For the wedding of the Lamb has come,

and his bride has made herself ready.

8 Fine linen, bright and clean,

was given her to wear.”

(Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of God’s holy people.)

9 Then the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!” And he added, “These are the true words of God.”

10 At this I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, “Don’t do that! I am a fellow servant with you and with your brothers and sisters who hold to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For it is the Spirit of prophecy who bears testimony to Jesus.”
1.    The LORD is worthy of praise because his eternal justice means salvation for his people and judgment on his enemies.2.    The LORD is worthy of praise because of his coming kingdom and the wedding of the Lamb.3.    Only the LORD is worthy of praise, not any other being in the universe.Main Idea: The Lord God Almighty Reigns and is worthy of eternal, universal praise.

“Fellowship with the Risen Christ” (John 21:1–14)

“Fellowship with the Risen Christ” (John 21:1–14)Cameron Jungels/Eastside Baptist/Sunday AM/April 12, 2015John 21:1–14 (NIV)
“Afterward Jesus appeared again to his disciples, by the Sea of Galilee. It happened this way: Simon Peter, Thomas (also known as Didymus), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together. “I’m going out to fish,” Simon Peter told them, and they said, “We’ll go with you.” So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus. He called out to them, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?” “No,” they answered. He said, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish. Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, “It is the Lord,” he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water. The other disciples followed in the boat, towing the net full of fish, for they were not far from shore, about a hundred yards. When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread. Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you have just caught.” So Simon Peter climbed back into the boat and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many the net was not torn. Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” None of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. Jesus came, took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish. This was now the third time Jesus appeared to his disciples after he was raised from the dead.” (John 21:1–14, NIV)
 1.    The Risen Christ is pleased to use ordinary people engaged in ordinary occupations with all their faults and insecurities to accomplish his mission in this world.2.    The Risen Christ shows compassion for his disciples by providing physically and financially for them while also preparing them for their mission.3.    The Risen Christ demonstrates his divine knowledge and power.4.    The Risen Christ performs miracles like those during his previous ministry, showing him to be the same Jesus, now risen from the dead. 5.    The Risen Christ eats and fellowships with his disciples, serving them and providing for their needs.6.    The Risen Christ shows concern for the confident faith of his disciples.Main Idea: Jesus verifies the reality of his bodily resurrection and confirms the faith of his disciples as he prepares them for their future gospel mission.

“False Teaching” (1 Timothy 4:1–5)

“False Teaching” (1 Timothy 4:1–5)Cameron Jungels/Eastside Baptist/Wed PM/April 8, 2015“The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron. They forbid people to marry and order them to abstain from certain foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and who know the truth. For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer.” (1 Timothy 4:1–5, NIV) 1.    The presence of false teaching should not surprise us (v. 1)2.    We should not be surprised by the source of false teaching (vv. 1–2).3.    We should not be deceived by the asceticism of some false teachers (vv. 3–5).

“The Transformative Power of the Empty Tomb” (John 20:1–31)

“The Transformative Power of the Empty Tomb” (John 20:1–31)Cameron Jungels/Eastside Baptist/Easter Sunday AM/April 5, 20151.    Jesus’ Resurrection Transforms Confusion into Understanding.“Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance. So she came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have put him!” So Peter and the other disciple started for the tomb. Both were running, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. He bent over and looked in at the strips of linen lying there but did not go in. Then Simon Peter came along behind him and went straight into the tomb. He saw the strips of linen lying there, as well as the cloth that had been wrapped around Jesus’ head. The cloth was still lying in its place, separate from the linen. Finally the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went inside. He saw and believed. (They still did not understand from Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead.) Then the disciples went back to where they were staying.” (John 20:1–10, NIV) 2.    Jesus’ Resurrection Transforms Sorrow into Mission.“Now Mary stood outside the tomb crying. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb and saw two angels in white, seated where Jesus’ body had been, one at the head and the other at the foot. They asked her, “Woman, why are you crying?” “They have taken my Lord away,” she said, “and I don’t know where they have put him.” At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus. He asked her, “Woman, why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?” Thinking he was the gardener, she said, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him.” Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means “Teacher”). Jesus said, “Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’ ” Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: “I have seen the Lord!” And she told them that he had said these things to her.” (John 20:11–18, NIV) 3.    Jesus’ Resurrection Transforms Fear into Joy and Peace.“On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord. Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone’s sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.”” (John 20:19–23, NIV) 4.    Jesus’ Resurrection Transforms Doubt into Faith.“Now Thomas (also known as Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.” A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.” Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!” Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”” (John 20:24–29, NIV) 5.    Jesus’ Resurrection Transforms Your               into Faith. “Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.” (John 20:30–31, NIV) a.    Where are you now?i.    Confusion?ii.    Sorrow, Depression, Anxiety, Worry?iii.    Fear?iv.    Doubt or Skepticism?v.    Indifference or Apathy?b.    Where is this story drawing you?i.    To Faith (vv. 30–31).ii.    A Faith that understands the gospel and its claims regarding God, man, sin, Christ, and salvation.iii.    A Faith that is sent on mission, compelled to share the gospel, which is the power of God unto salvation for all who believe.iv.    A Faith that is unafraid of people, unafraid of the cost, unafraid of trading this life for the sake of true and lasting joy.v.    A Faith that is moved from doubt to abiding confidence in the risen Christ, seeing what is unseen and looking forward to the future hope that is held out to us in the gospel.Main Idea: Because Christ is risen from the dead and his tomb is empty, he has the power to radically transform lives from fearful, sorrowful, skeptical unbelief into confident, joyful, and enduring faith.

“The Crucifixion and Burial of Our Savior” (John 19:1–42)

“The Crucifixion and Burial of Our Savior” (John 19:1–42)Cameron Jungels/Eastside Baptist/Sunday AM/March 29, 20151.    Jesus endured our shame and physical abuse.“Then Pilate took Jesus and had him flogged. The soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on his head. They clothed him in a purple robe and went up to him again and again, saying, “Hail, king of the Jews!” And they slapped him in the face. Once more Pilate came out and said to the Jews gathered there, “Look, I am bringing him out to you to let you know that I find no basis for a charge against him.” When Jesus came out wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe, Pilate said to them, “Here is the man!” As soon as the chief priests and their officials saw him, they shouted, “Crucify! Crucify!” But Pilate answered, “You take him and crucify him. As for me, I find no basis for a charge against him.” The Jewish leaders insisted, “We have a law, and according to that law he must die, because he claimed to be the Son of God.” When Pilate heard this, he was even more afraid, and he went back inside the palace. “Where do you come from?” he asked Jesus, but Jesus gave him no answer. “Do you refuse to speak to me?” Pilate said. “Don’t you realize I have power either to free you or to crucify you?” Jesus answered, “You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above. Therefore the one who handed me over to you is guilty of a greater sin.” From then on, Pilate tried to set Jesus free, but the Jewish leaders kept shouting, “If you let this man go, you are no friend of Caesar. Anyone who claims to be a king opposes Caesar.” When Pilate heard this, he brought Jesus out and sat down on the judge’s seat at a place known as the Stone Pavement (which in Aramaic is Gabbatha). It was the day of Preparation of the Passover; it was about noon. “Here is your king,” Pilate said to the Jews. But they shouted, “Take him away! Take him away! Crucify him!” “Shall I crucify your king?” Pilate asked. “We have no king but Caesar,” the chief priests answered. Finally Pilate handed him over to them to be crucified. So the soldiers took charge of Jesus.” (John 19:1–16, NIV) 2.    Jesus endured the curse of our sin and the wrath of God for us.“Carrying his own cross, he went out to the place of the Skull (which in Aramaic is called Golgotha). There they crucified him, and with him two others—one on each side and Jesus in the middle. Pilate had a notice prepared and fastened to the cross. It read: jesus of nazareth, the king of the jews. Many of the Jews read this sign, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city, and the sign was written in Aramaic, Latin and Greek. The chief priests of the Jews protested to Pilate, “Do not write ‘The King of the Jews,’ but that this man claimed to be king of the Jews.” Pilate answered, “What I have written, I have written.” When the soldiers crucified Jesus, they took his clothes, dividing them into four shares, one for each of them, with the undergarment remaining. This garment was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom. “Let’s not tear it,” they said to one another. “Let’s decide by lot who will get it.” This happened that the scripture might be fulfilled that said, “They divided my clothes among them and cast lots for my garment.” So this is what the soldiers did. Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to her, “Woman, here is your son,” and to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” From that time on, this disciple took her into his home.” (John 19:17–27, NIV) 3.    Jesus endured death and the grave for us.“Later, knowing that everything had now been finished, and so that Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I am thirsty.” A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus’ lips. When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. Now it was the day of Preparation, and the next day was to be a special Sabbath. Because the Jewish leaders did not want the bodies left on the crosses during the Sabbath, they asked Pilate to have the legs broken and the bodies taken down. The soldiers therefore came and broke the legs of the first man who had been crucified with Jesus, and then those of the other. But when they came to Jesus and found that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. Instead, one of the soldiers pierced Jesus’ side with a spear, bringing a sudden flow of blood and water. The man who saw it has given testimony, and his testimony is true. He knows that he tells the truth, and he testifies so that you also may believe. These things happened so that the scripture would be fulfilled: “Not one of his bones will be broken,” and, as another scripture says, “They will look on the one they have pierced.” Later, Joseph of Arimathea asked Pilate for the body of Jesus. Now Joseph was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly because he feared the Jewish leaders. With Pilate’s permission, he came and took the body away. He was accompanied by Nicodemus, the man who earlier had visited Jesus at night. Nicodemus brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds. Taking Jesus’ body, the two of them wrapped it, with the spices, in strips of linen. This was in accordance with Jewish burial customs. At the place where Jesus was crucified, there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb, in which no one had ever been laid. Because it was the Jewish day of Preparation and since the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there.” (John 19:28–42, NIV) Main Idea: Jesus endured our shame, our abuse, our curse, God’s wrath, our death, and the grave for us that we might be forgiven and receive eternal life.

“The Pillar and Foundation of the Truth” (1 Timothy 3:14–16)

“The Pillar and Foundation of the Truth” (1 Timothy 3:14–16)Cameron Jungels/Eastside Baptist/Wed PM/March 25, 2015“Although I hope to come to you soon, I am writing you these instructions so that, if I am delayed, you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God’s household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth. Beyond all question, the mystery from which true godliness springs is great: He appeared in the flesh, was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen by angels, was preached among the nations, was believed on in the world, was taken up in glory.” (1 Timothy 3:14–16, NIV) 1.    The local church must receive and obey the truth (v. 14-15a).2.    The local church must uphold the truth.a.    The church is God’s house.b.    The church belongs to the living God.c.    The church is the pillar and foundation of the truth.Main Idea: It is the responsibility of the local church to support, protect, and propagate the truth.

“The Fall of Babylon the Great” (Revelation 18:1–19:10)

“The Fall of Babylon the Great” (Revelation 18:1–19:10)Cameron Jungels/Eastside Baptist/Sunday PM/March 22, 20151.    The world laments over the fall of the great city of Rome (1–3).“After this I saw another angel coming down from heaven. He had great authority, and the earth was illuminated by his splendor. With a mighty voice he shouted: “ ‘Fallen! Fallen is Babylon the Great!’ She has become a dwelling for demons and a haunt for every impure spirit, a haunt for every unclean bird, a haunt for every unclean and detestable animal. For all the nations have drunk the maddening wine of her adulteries. The kings of the earth committed adultery with her, and the merchants of the earth grew rich from her excessive luxuries.”” (Revelation 18:1–3, NIV) 2.    The churches are warned to separate from Roman paganism, pleasure, and luxury, so as to not be judged with the world (4–8). “Then I heard another voice from heaven say: “ ‘Come out of her, my people,’ so that you will not share in her sins, so that you will not receive any of her plagues; for her sins are piled up to heaven, and God has remembered her crimes. Give back to her as she has given; pay her back double for what she has done. Pour her a double portion from her own cup. Give her as much torment and grief as the glory and luxury she gave herself. In her heart she boasts, ‘I sit enthroned as queen. I am not a widow; I will never mourn.’ Therefore in one day her plagues will overtake her: death, mourning and famine. She will be consumed by fire, for mighty is the Lord God who judges her.” (Revelation 18:4–8, NIV) 3.    The kings and merchants of the Roman world collectively mourn the destruction of their source of wealth, security, and pleasure (9–19).““When the kings of the earth who committed adultery with her and shared her luxury see the smoke of her burning, they will weep and mourn over her. Terrified at her torment, they will stand far off and cry: “ ‘Woe! Woe to you, great city, you mighty city of Babylon! In one hour your doom has come!’ “The merchants of the earth will weep and mourn over her because no one buys their cargoes anymore—cargoes of gold, silver, precious stones and pearls; fine linen, purple, silk and scarlet cloth; every sort of citron wood, and articles of every kind made of ivory, costly wood, bronze, iron and marble; cargoes of cinnamon and spice, of incense, myrrh and frankincense, of wine and olive oil, of fine flour and wheat; cattle and sheep; horses and carriages; and human beings sold as slaves. “They will say, ‘The fruit you longed for is gone from you. All your luxury and splendor have vanished, never to be recovered.’ The merchants who sold these things and gained their wealth from her will stand far off, terrified at her torment. They will weep and mourn and cry out: “ ‘Woe! Woe to you, great city, dressed in fine linen, purple and scarlet, and glittering with gold, precious stones and pearls! In one hour such great wealth has been brought to ruin!’ “Every sea captain, and all who travel by ship, the sailors, and all who earn their living from the sea, will stand far off. When they see the smoke of her burning, they will exclaim, ‘Was there ever a city like this great city?’ They will throw dust on their heads, and with weeping and mourning cry out: “ ‘Woe! Woe to you, great city, where all who had ships on the sea became rich through her wealth! In one hour she has been brought to ruin!’” (Revelation 18:9–19, NIV) 4.    The fall of Rome represents the final and sure destiny of all who oppress and persecute God’s holy people (20–24).““Rejoice over her, you heavens! Rejoice, you people of God! Rejoice, apostles and prophets! For God has judged her with the judgment she imposed on you.” Then a mighty angel picked up a boulder the size of a large millstone and threw it into the sea, and said: “With such violence the great city of Babylon will be thrown down, never to be found again. The music of harpists and musicians, pipers and trumpeters, will never be heard in you again. No worker of any trade will ever be found in you again. The sound of a millstone will never be heard in you again. The light of a lamp will never shine in you again. The voice of bridegroom and bride will never be heard in you again. Your merchants were the world’s important people. By your magic spell all the nations were led astray. In her was found the blood of prophets and of God’s holy people, of all who have been slaughtered on the earth.”” (Revelation 18:20–24, NIV) 5.    God’s people rejoice in his sovereign justice when sin is ultimately judged and God reigns supreme (19:1–10).“After this I heard what sounded like the roar of a great multitude in heaven shouting: “Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God, for true and just are his judgments. He has condemned the great prostitute who corrupted the earth by her adulteries. He has avenged on her the blood of his servants.” And again they shouted: “Hallelujah! The smoke from her goes up for ever and ever.” The twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshiped God, who was seated on the throne. And they cried: “Amen, Hallelujah!” Then a voice came from the throne, saying: “Praise our God, all you his servants, you who fear him, both great and small!” Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting: “Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready. Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear.” (Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of God’s holy people.) Then the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!” And he added, “These are the true words of God.” At this I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, “Don’t do that! I am a fellow servant with you and with your brothers and sisters who hold to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For it is the Spirit of prophecy who bears testimony to Jesus.”” (Revelation 19:1–10, NIV) Main Idea: God’s chosen people should not find their joy in the sins and luxuries of this world; rather they should look with eagerness for the coming kingdom of God when his justice is carried out on a sinful world.

"Peter's Denial and Jesus' Interrogation" (John 18:15-40)

“Peter Denies Jesus” (John 18:15–18, 25–27)Cameron Jungels/Eastside Baptist/Sunday AM/March 22, 2015“Simon Peter and another disciple were following Jesus. Because this disciple was known to the high priest, he went with Jesus into the high priest’s courtyard, but Peter had to wait outside at the door. The other disciple, who was known to the high priest, came back, spoke to the servant girl on duty there and brought Peter in. “You aren’t one of this man’s disciples too, are you?” she asked Peter. He replied, “I am not.” It was cold, and the servants and officials stood around a fire they had made to keep warm. Peter also was standing with them, warming himself.” (John 18:15–18, NIV) “Meanwhile, Simon Peter was still standing there warming himself. So they asked him, “You aren’t one of his disciples too, are you?” He denied it, saying, “I am not.” One of the high priest’s servants, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, challenged him, “Didn’t I see you with him in the garden?” Again Peter denied it, and at that moment a rooster began to crow.” (John 18:25–27, NIV) 1.    Peter’s denial is a fulfillment of Jesus’ own prophetic words.“Peter asked, “Lord, why can’t I follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.” Then Jesus answered, “Will you really lay down your life for me? Very truly I tell you, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times!” (John 13:37–38, NIV) 2.    Peter’s denial is an example of the truth that Jesus would have to bear the weight of our sins all alone on the cross, abandoned by his closest friends.3.    Peter’s denial is a reminder that in our own flesh we are often over-confident, but in reality we are too weak to meet real life challenges to our faith.4.    Peter’s repeated denials illustrate the truth that sin progressively binds the sinner. 5.    Peter’s denials reveal the power of the fear of man to ensnare us. 6.    Peter’s denials and Jesus’ forgiveness reminds us that we stand only by the undeserved grace of God for sinners.“Jesus Is Interrogated” (John 18:19–24, 28–40)“Meanwhile, the high priest questioned Jesus about his disciples and his teaching. “I have spoken openly to the world,” Jesus replied. “I always taught in synagogues or at the temple, where all the Jews come together. I said nothing in secret. Why question me? Ask those who heard me. Surely they know what I said.” When Jesus said this, one of the officials nearby slapped him in the face. “Is this the way you answer the high priest?” he demanded. “If I said something wrong,” Jesus replied, “testify as to what is wrong. But if I spoke the truth, why did you strike me?” Then Annas sent him bound to Caiaphas the high priest.” (John 18:19–24, NIV) “Then the Jewish leaders took Jesus from Caiaphas to the palace of the Roman governor. By now it was early morning, and to avoid ceremonial uncleanness they did not enter the palace, because they wanted to be able to eat the Passover. So Pilate came out to them and asked, “What charges are you bringing against this man?” “If he were not a criminal,” they replied, “we would not have handed him over to you.” Pilate said, “Take him yourselves and judge him by your own law.” “But we have no right to execute anyone,” they objected. This took place to fulfill what Jesus had said about the kind of death he was going to die. Pilate then went back inside the palace, summoned Jesus and asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?” “Is that your own idea,” Jesus asked, “or did others talk to you about me?” “Am I a Jew?” Pilate replied. “Your own people and chief priests handed you over to me. What is it you have done?” Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jewish leaders. But now my kingdom is from another place.” “You are a king, then!” said Pilate. Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. In fact, the reason I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.” “What is truth?” retorted Pilate. With this he went out again to the Jews gathered there and said, “I find no basis for a charge against him. But it is your custom for me to release to you one prisoner at the time of the Passover. Do you want me to release ‘the king of the Jews’?” They shouted back, “No, not him! Give us Barabbas!” Now Barabbas had taken part in an uprising.” (John 18:28–40, NIV) 1.    The interrogation of Jesus before Annas reveals the illegality and injustice that Jesus’ accusers would use to murder Jesus (19–24).2.    The interrogation of Jesus before Annas reveals that Jesus was on the side of truth and openness, while his accusers were steeped in deception, plots, and manipulation (19–24).3.    The trial of Jesus before Pilate reveals the hypocrisy of outward religion (28). 4.    Jesus is a true King, but his Kingdom is not a typical earthly kingdom with armies and political alignments. His Kingdom is a spiritual, heavenly one that unworthy sinners enter into by faith (33–36).5.    Pilate’s skepticism regarding truth reflects our current postmodern age; but this narrative also reminds us that truth can only be found ultimately in Jesus, who is the way, the truth, and the life (37–38).6.    Pilate’s willingness to release a condemned man and punish an innocent man reveals the pull of our depraved hearts toward ease, physical security, and the praise of man (38–39).7.    Jesus’ standing in the place of Barabbas is a picture of what he came to do in his larger mission for sinners (39–40).Main Idea: Christ endured the abandonment and denial of his friends and the injustice and manipulation of his enemies so that he might rescue sinners from death.

Mark 12 v35-40 Seth Channell 3-11-2012

"Whose Son is the Christ" Mark 12 v35-40 Seth Channell 3-11-2012

Some of God's Priorities ~ Selected Scriptures ~ Venlon Bradford 3-7-2012

"Some of God's Priorities" ~ Selected Scriptures ~ Venlon Bradford 3-7-2012

2 Samuel 23 v1-5 Venlon Bradford 3-4-2012

"David's Last Song" 2 Samuel 23 v1-5 Venlon Bradford 3-4-2012

2 Corinthians 5 v17 Venlon Bradford 3-4-2012

"The New Creation" 2 Corinthians 5 v17 Venlon Bradford 3-4-2012

Evangelism 2 v26-12 Seth Channell 2-26-2012

Evangelism 2 v26-12 Seth Channell 2-26-2012

Mark 12 v28-43 Seth Channell 2-26-2012

"Not Far From The Kingdom A Dangerous Place To Be" Mark 12 v28-43 Seth Channell 2-26-2012

Mark 12 v18-27 Seth Channell 2-19-2012

Mark 12 v18-27 Seth Channell 2-19-2012

NT Core Seminar MatthewSeth Channell 2-15-2012

NT Core Seminar MatthewSeth Channell 2-15-2012

Mark 12 v13-17 Seth Channell 2-12-2012

"God and Government" Mark 12 v13-17 Seth Channell 2-12-2012

Mark 11 v27-- 12 v12 Seth Channell 2-5-2012

"Can't Jesus Get A Little Respect" Mark 11 v27 - 12 v12 Seth Channell 2-5-2012

Ecclesiastes 1 v1-18 Venlon Bradford 1-29-2012

Life Without God is Meaningless - Ecclesiastes  1 v1-18 Venlon Bradford 1-29-2012.mp3