I. EXORDIUM:
Are you a soldier who have mocked the LORD?
II. AUDIENCE PROFILE:
General believers
III. OBJECTIVES:
To show that GOD even reached out to the Roman officers and Roman soldiers.
IV. TEXT:
Matthew 27:54
The Roman officer and the other soldiers at the crucifixion were terrified by the earthquake and all that had happened. They said, “This man truly was the Son of God!”
Pray: that even at times we depended on our human strength, at the end of the day, we will enthrone GOD in our hearts for He deserves all the glories, honor and majesties.
V. THESIS:
Even soldiers and Roman officer were reached out by GOD with the Gospel of Peace that brings faith.
VI. TITLE:
Roman Soldiers and Officer
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. Role of officer and soldiers in the crucifixion:
1. They mocked the LORD. (Matthew 27:27-31)
Matthew 27:27-31
27 Some of the governor’s soldiers took Jesus into their headquarters and called out the entire regiment.
28 They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him.
29 They wove thorn branches into a crown and put it on his head, and they placed a reed stick in his right hand as a scepter. Then they knelt before him in mockery and taunted, “Hail! King of the Jews!”
30 And they spit on him and grabbed the stick and struck him on the head with it.
31 When they were finally tired of mocking him, they took off the robe and put his own clothes on him again. Then they led him away to be crucified.
2. They tried to reduce the pain. (Matthew 27:34)
Matthew 27:34
The soldiers gave him wine mixed with bitter gall, but when he had tasted it, he refused to drink it.
3. They gambled over His clothes (Matthew 27:35)
Matthew 27:35
After they had nailed him to the cross, the soldiers gambled for his clothes by throwing dice.
4. They were terrified (Matthew 27:54)
Matthew 27:54
The Roman officer and the other soldiers at the crucifixion were terrified by the earthquake and all that had happened. They said, “This man truly was the Son of God!”
5. They confessed JESUS as the Son of GOD (Matthew 27:54)
Matthew 27:54
The Roman officer and the other soldiers at the crucifixion were terrified by the earthquake and all that had happened. They said, “This man truly was the Son of God!”
B. What GOD do to them?
1. The LORD prayed for their forgiveness. (Luke 23:34)
Luke 23:34
Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.” And the soldiers gambled for his clothes by throwing dice.
2. The LORD allowed them to see their goodness = he kept silent while they're beating the LORD. (Matthew 27:31)
Matthew 27:31
When they were finally tired of mocking him, they took off the robe and put his own clothes on him again. Then they led him away to be crucified.
3. The LORD leads them to repentance. (Romans 2:4)
Romans 2:4
Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can’t you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin?
4. The LORD received honor from their lips and their mouth's confession. (Matthew 27:54)
Matthew 27:54
The Roman officer and the other soldiers at the crucifixion were terrified by the earthquake and all that had happened. They said, “This man truly was the Son of God!”
IX. CONCLUSION:
If you have mocked GOD in your hearts before, make it right - confess that JESUS is GOD's Only Son.
