Fork of The Broad/Sermons from Carlton Baptist Church

In this episode from "Fork of the Broad", we look at John 18:1-14, the story of Jesus' betrayal and arrest.  Jesus was no passive participant in His journey to the cross - His entire life was an intentional process of moving toward crucifixion, so sinners might be saved.

Robert Murray McCheyne lived a short life, but left behind a wealth of exegetical teaching to help us grow in Christ.  In "Marks of a Faithful Ministry", he not only challenges pastors, but every follower of Christ to remain committed to truth and light in times of spiritual confusion and darkness.

The story of Jesus' arrest and trial is filled with significant figures - Annas and Caiaphas, the corrupt priests; Peter, the denier of Christ; Pilate, the politically-motivated governor; and Barabbas, the terrorist - But ultimately, all of their stories point us to one bigger story - The story of Jesus.

Jesus' upper room dialogue with His followers has ended, and He's entered into a time of prayer.  One of the most interesting and compelling things about this moment is that Jesus (one member of the Trinity) has just finished explaining the work of the Spirit (another member of the Trinity); and now He's entering into prayer with the Father (another member of the Trinity).  The culture likes to tell us that different religions are essentially worshiping the same God, but we just assign Him different names - But this logic is patently false.  There is no Trinitarian aspect to the God of other religions.  Our God is one God, three person - One undivided, consubstantial, eternal King. The High Priestly Prayer is bursting with the idea of the Trinity, as exposed in today's sermon.

In looking at Easter, we go to Scripture to answer some essential questions: Who did Jesus die for? Why did He have to die? And finally, Who are you looking for?

In Jesus' last supper dialogue with His disciples, He identifies three purposes followers of Christ are distinctly chosen for - We are chosen for joy, chosen for love, and chosen to bear fruit.

In His last supper dialogue with the disciples, Jesus warns them of persecution to come.  In this sermon, Scripture speaks for Scripture as we explore some vital questions by examining post-resurrection events in the Book of Acts - Those questions are:

What will happen if you follow Jesus?

Why will it happen?

How do we respond to hate and persecution?

In  offering comfort to His disciples as they learn that Jesus is about to  leave them, a most interesting phenomenon occurs - One member of the  Trinity (the Son) teaches about another member of the Trinity (the Holy  Spirit).  The Holy Spirit convicts, or convinces us concerning sin,  righteousness, judgement, and guides us toward truth.  In this episode,  Jesus teaches that the Spirit will convict, or convince us concerning sin - He will convince us that we are sinners in need of a Saviour.  In His dialogue, Jesus also defines the worst of sins - unbelief. 

On Palm Sunday, Jesus rode into Jerusalem and was welcomed as a King - and He was indeed headed toward a coronation, but not in the way the Jews welcoming Him expected.  Instead of a crown, He would receive a cross; but in that cross, He would establish a kingdom that would never end.

In offering comfort to His disciples as they learn that Jesus is about to leave them, a most interesting phenomenon occurs - One member of the Trinity (the Son) teaches about another member of the Trinity (the Holy Spirit).  The Holy Spirit convicts, or convinces us concerning sin, righteousness, judgement, and guides us toward truth.  In this episode, Jesus teaches that the Spirit will convict, or convince us concerning righteousness - He will convince that Christ is the righteousness of God Himself, as evidenced by His resurrection and ascension to the Father; and that we are desperately in need of righteousness that we do not own.  The good news is that Christ offers us His own righteousness as a free gift.