Understanding the Passion
1 Cor. 1:17-18
For Christ sent me … to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.
[18] For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.
1. THE TRIAL OF JESUS SHOWS US GOD’S PURPOSE
Controversy: Who killed Jesus?
A. He gave up his life voluntarily & intentionally.
It was the purpose he came to earth for! To die for us!
ON SCREEN:
John 10:18
No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.
Before -trial, Jesus already knew the outcome:
John 12:27
Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour.
What was his purpose?
John 12:47
And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world.
o Famous trials: Jackson, M. Stewart, Kobe, Scott Peterson
But nothing compares to the circus around Jesus’ trial! SHAM!
B. Actually, Jesus was rushed thru six trials in about 12 hours:
3 Religious...3 Roman - secretly arrested at night because so pop.
First 1. Annas key rel leader
Then 2. Caiaphas high priest
3. Rel Supreme Court “Sanhedrin”
4. Pilate gov. of Judea
5. Herod gov.of Galilee
6. Pilate again all in about 12 hours!
After 6 trials what did they come up with? Nothing!
- They couldn’t pin any charges on him!
…accuse him of any real crimes!
hadn’t done anything wrong!
SO ... they tried to trump up some false accusations!
... brought in phony witnesses to perjure themselves
But these paid accusers kept contradicting each other!
so couldn’t convict him!
C. Finally, they made ONE accusation that was true!
(slow) He claims to be the Son of God!
Matthew 26:63 And the high priest answered and said unto him, I adjure thee by the living God, that thou tell us whether thou be the Christ, the Son of God. [64] Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast said…
Think about this: Jesus never claimed to be...
just a good teacher.. a prophet.. a moral leader.. a man of God
claimed ... GOD! That changes everything!
ILL: “I’m a good man. I teach the truth. I’m a man of God.
But if I said “I’m God” - would that change how you felt about me?
It would force you to make a decision!
Religious leaders-- in their minds: It was blasphemy!
ADVICE: If you ever meet anyone who claims to be God-
you’ve only got 3 choices:
1. Believe he’s an idiot. Doesn’t know what he’s saying.
Diminished capacity. Mentally unstable.
Like the guy in the funny farm who thinks...Napoleon
2. Believe he’s a con-man. Rip-off artist. Swindler
He pretends so can take advantage of you. (plenty around)
3. Believe he’s telling the truth.
In that case- you have to worship & obey him!.
You already believe something about Jesus. The question is what?
Is he a Liar? Lunatic? or Lord?
a Deceiver? Deluded? or Deity?
D. Jesus claimed to be God, the Savior of the world:
That’s why He allowed himself to be put on trial.
Obviously, as God - he could have prevented his own trial.
But his purpose was to save the world!
Philip. 2:6-11
Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: [7] But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: [8] And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. [9] Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: [10] That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow…and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord…
What is this world coming to?”
- one day everyone will acknowledge Jesus for who He is!
- all the arrogant & foolish denials will end
• Every nationality, age, culture, religion…
• Every politician ... rock star... professor...athlete...
THE ISSUE: Isn’t- Will you acknowledge Jesus as Lord? But when?
Now in love and thankfulness? or Later in regret & judgment?
DO IT TODAY!
2. THE DEATH OF JESUS SHOWS US GOD’S PASSION
It demonstrates how much God loves you!
…reveals the length God was willing to go -to save you!
A. After the trials- Jesus was sentenced to be killed by crucifixion.
Probably the most brutal form of cap. punishment ever conceived
But first Jesus was subjected to intense physical & emotional abuse:
1. After being exhausted from the all-night trials
- Blindfolded & Beaten. “Who hit you Jesus?”
2. Then Mocked/Ridiculed - Crown of thorns / beard plucked
3. Then “Scourged” - no mere whipping.
- 9 leather straps in the rope
- tie sharp bones (to cut) and lead (to bruise)
- 40 stripes (39) Men often died from blood loss
4. Then forced to carry heavy cross up the hill. fell- Simon
5. Then Crucified - pull arm out of joint
Crucifixion= death by suffocation
They’d break the legs speed the death
6. Speared his side to insure he was dead.
Water mingled with blood in chest cavity (heart exploded)
Why did God allow this?
Romans 5:6, 8
For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. [8] But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
“I love you this much!” So much it hurts!
B. Why did Jesus have to die?
o All have sinned
o Justice demands payment! “wages” We all deserve..
o Somebody had to pay for your sins! You or someone else!
o Good News- Everything you’ve ever done wrong- PAID FOR!
o IT is finished! (not I) What? The payment... Tetelestai!
Ephes. 1:7
In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;
If you’ve never accepted God’s free gift of salvation, you need to do so today…
3 important truths:
1. God was in control the whole time (could have stopped it)
2. He did it for our benefit!
3. He wanted to save us & give us a home in heaven!
3. THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS SHOWS US GOD’S POWER
Fortunately, the story doesn’t end at the cross. Otherwise we wouldn’t be here…He’d be just another martyr…another who claimed to be God.
He proved it!
o After Jesus died, they buried him in a tomb. (Not like our tombs)
reusable caves! Dig trench at opening… roll millstone
o The religious leaders went back to Pilate:
“He claimed that he’d rise again.
Now WE know that wont happen, but…”
o Jesus: the only person in history whose grave was guarded to keep him from coming out!
Acts 1:3
To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days…
ILL: When Jesus was hanging on the cross,
leaders mocked “If you’re really God, come down...”
But Jesus planned something far more spectacular!
Romans 1:4
And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead…
o SECRET: Same power available to you if you give him your life!
Ephes. 1:18-20
The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,
And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, [20] Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places…
SO HOW SHOULD I RESPOND TO HIS DEATH FOR ME?
1. I OUGHT TO LOVE CHRIST with all my heart
1 John 4:19
We love him, because he first loved us.
Even if God never did anything else for me…
He deserves my total devotion
2. I OUGHT TO HATE SIN
Romans 6:6
Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.
It was my sin & yours that nailed Jesus to the cross
How can I laugh at sin on TV or in movies?
The cross shows how serious sin really is…no laughing matter
3. I OUGHT TO TELL OTHERS
2 Cor. 5:14
For the love of Christ constraineth us…
If someone died for you – don’t you deserve to know about it?
This is the motive behind everything we do at GBC, to share what we have w/ others!
ILL: Typical resident sits at home on weekends
totally unaware of what God has done for him or her.
If that person lives & dies without knowing Christ
Then, for that person, Jesus’ death was a waste!
“God is not willing that any should perish...”
- We must care because God cares!
The Passion is an open door—many opportunities to take someone, talk about…a real conversation starter—
DON’T WASTE THIS OPPORTUNITY!
1. Take them to the movie & dinner.
2. Then invite them to hear “How Much God Loves Them”h
