CCF Sunday Messages

As we enter John 19, the trial of Jesus continues with Pilate trying desperately to find a way to free Jesus, even sending him to Herod at one point, before Herod too finds him not guilty. But the religious leaders will have nothing to do with this and demand that Jesus be crucified, whipping the crowd into a frenzy. Our study today culminates with Pilate making the dreaded decision to commit Jesus to be crucified.

The trial moves to the Sanhedrin and then on to the Praetorium by daybreak as the Jewish leaders quickly try and move Jesus towards condemnation and hanging at the hands of the Romans--since they have no power to kill Him under their own authority. This is the most important trial in history as The Truth is on trial, and although Pilate tries to wash his hands of Jesus, the Jews will have nothing of it. Listen in as Pastor Steve finishes up the rest of John chapter 18 as we move closer to the cross.

The trial moves to the Sanhedrin and then on to the Praetorium by daybreak as the Jewish leaders quickly try and move Jesus towards condemnation and hanging at the hands of the Romans--since they have no power to kill Him under their own authority. This is the most important trial in history as The Truth is on trial, and although Pilate tries to wash his hands of Jesus, the Jews will have nothing of it. Listen in as Pastor Steve finishes up the rest of John chapter 18 as we move closer to the cross.

What causes us to be filled with courage in one moment, but then cower in fearfulness of others in the next? Looking at Peter from his ear-slicing moment in the garden, to his betrayal of Jesus--three times!--in the courtyard of Annas, we may be tempted to mock Peter and his inability to stand strong. But, instead, if we think carefully we may find that we look a lot like Peter in our own lives. Pastor Steve gave us a challenging message from John 18, looking at ourselves and our own lack of boldness at times, and the ways in which we worry more about what others think than what God thinks of us. Thank God for His grace, both in restoring Peter and using him mightily, but also in His grace to us and our failings!

What causes us to be filled with courage in one moment, but then cower in fearfulness of others in the next? Looking at Peter from his ear-slicing moment in the garden, to his betrayal of Jesus--three times!--in the courtyard of Annas, we may be tempted to mock Peter and his inability to stand strong. But, instead, if we think carefully we may find that we look a lot like Peter in our own lives. Pastor Steve gave us a challenging message from John 18, looking at ourselves and our own lack of boldness at times, and the ways in which we worry more about what others think than what God thinks of us. Thank God for His grace, both in restoring Peter and using him mightily, but also in His grace to us and our failings!

As we have finished the prayer of Jesus in John 17, Pastor Steve revisits the scene with the additional details from Matthew 26--the disciples unable to stay awake and pray as Jesus agonizes, but with full humility and submission to the Father's will. Entering John 18, the pace quickens as the soldiers and mob arrive to arrest Jesus and we follow along as John retells the story.

As we have finished the prayer of Jesus in John 17, Pastor Steve revisits the scene with the additional details from Matthew 26--the disciples unable to stay awake and pray as Jesus agonizes, but with full humility and submission to the Father's will. Entering John 18, the pace quickens as the soldiers and mob arrive to arrest Jesus and we follow along as John retells the story.

Warren McIvor, elder and assistant pastor at CCF, concludes the prayer of Jesus in John 17, as He prays for *us*--those that will believe the message of Jesus Christ passed down across the generations. Jesus continues to pray for the unity of believers and for us to know God's love as we stand in His strength in a world that is against God.

Warren McIvor, elder and assistant pastor at CCF, concludes the prayer of Jesus in John 17, as He prays for *us*--those that will believe the message of Jesus Christ passed down across the generations. Jesus continues to pray for the unity of believers and for us to know God's love as we stand in His strength in a world that is against God.

Pastor Steve continues to walk us through Jesus' prayer in John 17 as he prays for himself and the disciples who will be left in the world when He returns to the Father. He prays for their protection and their unity, and not just for them, but in the next section will pray for future believers, including ourselves! How much we need God's protecting hand from the evil one and the systems of this world and temptations--so that we can stand strong and be unified as believers, sharing the truth with those around us. "Sanctify them by your truth. Your Word is truth!"