I. EXORDIUM:
What will you do if the candid camera is on you?
II. AUDIENCE PROFILE:
General believers
III. OBJECTIVES:
To show that in GOD's Presence, all hearts will be revealed.
IV. TEXT:
Matthew 26:57-75
57 Then the people who had arrested Jesus led him to the home of Caiaphas, the high priest, where the teachers of religious law and the elders had gathered.
58 Meanwhile, Peter followed him at a distance and came to the high priest’s courtyard. He went in and sat with the guards and waited to see how it would all end.
59 Inside, the leading priests and the entire high council were trying to find witnesses who would lie about Jesus, so they could put him to death.
60 But even though they found many who agreed to give false witness, they could not use anyone’s testimony. Finally, two men came forward
61 who declared, “This man said, ‘I am able to destroy the Temple of God and rebuild it in three days.’”
62 Then the high priest stood up and said to Jesus, “Well, aren’t you going to answer these charges? What do you have to say for yourself?”
63 But Jesus remained silent. Then the high priest said to him, “I demand in the name of the living God—tell us if you are the Messiah, the Son of God.”
64 Jesus replied, “You have said it. And in the future you will see the Son of Man seated in the place of power at God’s right hand and coming on the clouds of heaven.”
65 Then the high priest tore his clothing to show his horror and said, “Blasphemy! Why do we need other witnesses? You have all heard his blasphemy.
66 What is your verdict?” “Guilty!” they shouted. “He deserves to die!”
67 Then they began to spit in Jesus’ face and beat him with their fists. And some slapped him,
68 jeering, “Prophesy to us, you Messiah! Who hit you that time?”
69 Meanwhile, Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard. A servant girl came over and said to him, “You were one of those with Jesus the Galilean.”
70 But Peter denied it in front of everyone. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he said.
71 Later, out by the gate, another servant girl noticed him and said to those standing around, “This man was with Jesus of Nazareth. ”
72 Again Peter denied it, this time with an oath. “I don’t even know the man,” he said.
73 A little later some of the other bystanders came over to Peter and said, “You must be one of them; we can tell by your Galilean accent.”
74 Peter swore, “A curse on me if I’m lying—I don’t know the man!” And immediately the rooster crowed.
75 Suddenly, Jesus’ words flashed through Peter’s mind: “Before the rooster crows, you will deny three times that you even know me.” And he went away, weeping bitterly.
Pray: that GOD will always open our hearts to the people that He's inside our hearts.
V. THESIS:
The LORD will open our hearts and reveal what kind of person we are.
VI. TITLE:
Four Types of Character or Personalities Before the Crucifixion.
VII. EXPLICATION:
A. Author: Matthew or Levi, one of the twelve apostles.
B. Keyword: Fulfilled
C. Audience: Jews
D. Purpose: To show that JESUS is the Kingly Messiah of the Jewish Prophecy.
VIII. MAIN BODY:
A. Four types of characters or personalities exposed:
1. The proud, intelligent, educated, aristocratic personality (Matthew 26:57-65)
Matthew 26:57-65
57 Then the people who had arrested Jesus led him to the home of Caiaphas, the high priest, where the teachers of religious law and the elders had gathered.
58 Meanwhile, Peter followed him at a distance and came to the high priest’s courtyard. He went in and sat with the guards and waited to see how it would all end.
59 Inside, the leading priests and the entire high council were trying to find witnesses who would lie about Jesus, so they could put him to death.
60 But even though they found many who agreed to give false witness, they could not use anyone’s testimony. Finally, two men came forward
61 who declared, “This man said, ‘I am able to destroy the Temple of God and rebuild it in three days.’”
62 Then the high priest stood up and said to Jesus, “Well, aren’t you going to answer these charges? What do you have to say for yourself?”
63 But Jesus remained silent. Then the high priest said to him, “I demand in the name of the living God—tell us if you are the Messiah, the Son of God.”
64 Jesus replied, “You have said it. And in the future you will see the Son of Man seated in the place of power at God’s right hand and coming on the clouds of heaven.”
65 Then the high priest tore his clothing to show his horror and said, “Blasphemy! Why do we need other witnesses? You have all heard his blasphemy.
- Caiaphas, the high priest
= required to memorize the Pentateuch
= required to separate from the people, absolute holiness and keeping of the 10 commandments.
a. They will try to underestimate GOD and find blame with GOD. (Matthew 26:59)
Matthew 26:59
Inside, the leading priests and the entire high council were trying to find witnesses who would lie about Jesus, so they could put him to death.
b. They will command GOD (Matthew 26:59)
Matthew 26:59
Inside, the leading priests and the entire high council were trying to find witnesses who would lie about Jesus, so they could put him to death.
c. They will try to demand of GOD (Matthew 26:63)
Matthew 26:63
But Jesus remained silent. Then the high priest said to him, “I demand in the name of the living God—tell us if you are the Messiah, the Son of God.”
d. They will try to put the blame on GOD and call him a blasphemer (Matthew 26:65-66)
Matthew 26:65-66
65 Then the high priest tore his clothing to show his horror and said, “Blasphemy! Why do we need other witnesses? You have all heard his blasphemy.
66 What is your verdict?” “Guilty!” they shouted. “He deserves to die!”
2. Those that hurt GOD. (Matthew 26:67-68)
Matthew 26:67-68
67 Then they began to spit in Jesus’ face and beat him with their fists. And some slapped him,
68 jeering, “Prophesy to us, you Messiah! Who hit you that time?”
3. Those that finds people that associates with GOD and include them in the blame (Matthew 26:69,71)
Matthew 26:69,71
69 Meanwhile, Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard. A servant girl came over and said to him, “You were one of those with Jesus the Galilean.”
71 Later, out by the gate, another servant girl noticed him and said to those standing around, “This man was with Jesus of Nazareth. ”
4. Those that deny GOD (Matthew 26:71-75)
Matthew 26:71-75
71 Later, out by the gate, another servant girl noticed him and said to those standing around, “This man was with Jesus of Nazareth. ”
72 Again Peter denied it, this time with an oath. “I don’t even know the man,” he said.
73 A little later some of the other bystanders came over to Peter and said, “You must be one of them; we can tell by your Galilean accent.”
74 Peter swore, “A curse on me if I’m lying—I don’t know the man!” And immediately the rooster crowed.
75 Suddenly, Jesus’ words flashed through Peter’s mind: “Before the rooster crows, you will deny three times that you even know me.” And he went away, weeping bitterly.
IX. CONCLUSION:
1. Don't be self-righteous and exclude ourselves.
2. Come humbly to GOD and let GOD get rid of these evils in our characters.
3. Let go of yourself in GOD's Presence and let GOD change you from glory to glory. (2 Corinthians 3:16-18)
2 Corinthians 3:16-18
16 But whenever someone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away.
17 For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.
18 So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.
