Sermon Central
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Righteous Indignation Series
Contributed by Johnny Levy on Oct 17, 2020 (message contributor)
Summary: We need to be made ready, by the power of the holy spirit, to suffer persecution with grace and humility. Jesus is, and will always be, the greatest example in history of denying his own rights and giving up his own power.
See text below, or you can go here to view the formatted google doc:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1y21NRp3VJodNVGQuBn80Oykf5ywzJx13RAzaFjhsitc/edit
You can see the actual execution of this sermon here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hoY-gkamBaU&t=277s
***OUTLINE***
Summary / Activate Prior Knowledge (3-7 min.)
[PRAY]
Review from Previous Week
Overarching Questions
How often do we justify ourselves? Why?
What rights did Jesus have? How did he respond to them being taken?
What can we learn from the Captain of our salvation?
Mission statement:
I want to help us prepare for what is always coming for Christians. John 15:20 -- Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours. We need to be made ready, by the power of the holy spirit, to suffer persecution with grace and humility. In order to do this, we will need to overcome our own righteousness, and our righteous indignation. Jesus is, and will always be, the greatest example in history of denying his own rights and giving up his own power.
Opening Scriptures (For Context and Structure)
Proverbs 21:2 -- Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the heart.
This is a law. You see it playing out in ourselves and others every single day.
The hardest thing to do in the world is to get a person to see that he is deeply and fundamentally wrong. Without the holy spirit, we do not see this.
Today we get to see the continuation of the greatest contradiction in human history.
God is put on trial and found guilty under his own law.
Romans 10:3 -- For, being ignorant of the righteousness of God, and seeking to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness.
Righteousness is not something to be gained or defended by my actions.
Righteousness is something to be submitted to. Profound.
[PRAY]
Scripture:
Morning Schemes
Matthew 27:1 -- (1) When morning came, all the chief priests and the elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death. (2) And they bound him and led him away and delivered him over to Pilate the governor.
What happened in the night?
Irony of laying out formal charges against the law giver.
Jesus Before Pilate
(11) Now Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus said, “You have said so.” (12) But when he was accused by the chief priests and elders, he gave no answer. (13) Then Pilate said to him, “Do you not hear how many things they testify against you?” (14) But he gave him no answer, not even to a single charge, so that the governor was greatly amazed.
What is the normal human response?
Examples. (our kids fighting, “how dare you!”)
Self-righteous Indignation. (human instinct)
Why is Jesus’ response amazing? (contrast)
Not afraid to die.
Not defending his own righteousness.
What does Jesus’ answer mean?
Segue to John's account.
(10) So Pilate said to him, “You will not speak to me? Do you not know that I have authority to release you and authority to crucify you?” (11) Jesus answered him, “You would have no authority over me at all unless it had been given you from above. Therefore he who delivered me over to you has the greater sin.”
Powerful insight into Jesus’ mindset.
He only saw God. He saw himself in the hands of God, not man.
The Crowd Chooses Barabbas
(15) Now at the feast the governor was accustomed to release for the crowd any one prisoner whom they wanted. (16) And they had then a notorious prisoner called Barabbas. (17) So when they had gathered, Pilate said to them, “Whom do you want me to release for you: Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?” (18) For he knew that it was out of envy that they had delivered him up. (19) Besides, while he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent word to him, “Have nothing to do with that righteous man, for I have suffered much because of him today in a dream.” (20) Now the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and destroy Jesus. (21) The governor again said to them, “Which of the two do you want me to release for you?” And they said, “Barabbas.” (22) Pilate said to them, “Then what shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?” They all said, “Let him be crucified!” (23) And he said, “Why? What evil has he done?” But they shouted all the more, “Let him be crucified!”
Pilate takes a gamble. Offers a real criminal to call their bluff. (elaborate)
