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I Am Barabbas - And So Are You

Jesus Handed Over to Pontius Pilate

27 When morning came, all the chief priests and elders of the people plotted against Jesus to put Him to death. 2 And when they had bound Him, they led Him away and delivered Him to Pontius Pilate the governor.

Only Rome could execute.

A Christian is first bound - then led away: movement is restricted and we are led to places we don’t want to go.

3 Then Judas, His betrayer, seeing that He had been condemned, was remorseful and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, 4 saying, “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.” And they said, “What is that to us? You see to it!” 5 Then he threw down the pieces of silver in the temple and departed, and went and hanged himself.

Judas may have thought that Jesus wouldn’t be condemned.

Wordly sorrow vs. repentance -  "Repentance is more than just sorrow for the past; repentance is a change of mind and heart, a new life of denying self and serving the Savior...." - J.I. Packer

Like Peter, run to God’s mercy not your own solution.

Waiting on him involves paying bills, integrity, working hard...moving forward

JUDAS: Could have had a strong finish like Paul. The greatest gift you can give is to finish strong.

6 But the chief priests took the silver pieces and said, “It is not lawful to put them into the treasury, because they are the price of blood.” 7 And they consulted together and bought with them the potter’s field, to bury strangers in. 8 Therefore that field has been called the Field of Blood to this day. 9 Then was fulfilled what was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet, saying,“And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the value of Him who was priced, whom they of the children of Israel priced, 10 and gave them for the potter’s field, as the Lord directed me.”

Zechariah not Jeremiah - zou vs. iou

Justifying sin is a slippery slope - they can’t put it back in the treasury because it’s “blood money”, but they took it out to pay Judas to betray Christ.

TODAY’S SELF-EXAMINATION -

Paul asked the Galatian church, “You ran well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth? This persuasion does not come from Him who calls you. A little leaven leavens the whole lump” (Galatians 5:7-9.)

He is asking, "What's in your life that keeps you from going on in the full blessing of Christ? You were doing so well at one time. I know you to be a praying people, and you labor diligently to do good works, but something is wrong. I don't see you growing anymore. Instead, you've gone back to relying on your flesh. I don't sense the sweet aroma of Christ you once had...Something's hindering you. "What could have persuaded you to settle in this condition?”

Whatever it is, I tell you it's not of God...I know so many Christians today who once were mightily used of God. These people were devoted, praying, believing saints. But then something happened to them that somehow caused them to be hindered from experiencing the fullness of the blessing of Christ...Often that hindering leaven was a single besetting sin. To all such people, Paul asks, “What happened? What's hindering the flow of Christ's blessing in your life? What leaven has crept in?” - “A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump” (Galatians 5:9). ~ From David Wilkerson,

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A Clean Slate

Jesus Faces the Sanhedrin - Matt. 26:57 And those who had laid hold of Jesus led Him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were assembled. 58 But Peter followed Him at a distance to the high priest’s courtyard. And he went in and sat with the servants to see the end. 59 Now the chief priests, the elders, and all the council sought false testimony against Jesus to put Him to death, 60 but found none. Even though many false witnesses came forward, they found none. But at last two false witnesses came forward 61 and said, “This fellow said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God and to build it in three days.’”

Really said, “Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days.” But even that is not a blasphemous statement - after 3 years they found nothing.

AND NEITHER WILL YOU …    A Clean Slate

62 And the high priest arose and said to Him, “Do You answer nothing? What is it these men testify against You?” 63 But Jesus kept silent. And the high priest answered and said to Him, “I put You under oath by the living God: Tell us if You are the Christ, the Son of God!” 64 Jesus said to him, “It is as you said. Nevertheless, I say to you, hereafter you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power, and coming on the clouds of heaven.”

Doesn’t respond to lies, but does respond to a legitimate question.

Saying, “The Right Hand of power” is what got Him in trouble - showing He has more authority than Caiaphas and will judge him.

65 Then the high priest tore his clothes, saying, “He has spoken blasphemy! What further need do we have of witnesses? Look, now you have heard His blasphemy! 66 What do you think?” They answered and said, “He is deserving of death.” 67 Then they spat in His face [lack of respect for authority] and beat Him [no power]; and others struck Him with the palms of their hands, 68 saying, “Prophesy to us, Christ! Who is the one who struck You [supposed false teacher]?”

 

No Wiggle Room - “Tell us if You are the Christ, the Son of God!”

Blasphemy - speaking offensively about God - what about living offensively?

How could they not recognize Him - the power of a hard heart.

 

INTERESTING CONTRAST: Nicodemus vs. Caiaphas - “We know you have been sent by God,” vs. “Blasphemy.

“2000 years ago Israel was expecting a lion but got a lamb - 2000 years later the church is expecting a lamb but will get a lion. When Christ returns He’s no longer on a throne of mercy...He is on a throne of judgment.” ~ Stop Playing Church

 

Baker’s Evangelical Dictionary on the Hardening of the Heart: The heart, in effect, is the whole person in all of his or her distinctive human activity as a thinking, planning, willing, feeling, worshiping, socially interacting being. And, of course, when the person is not living according to God's will, it is the heart that is described as darkened, rebellious, callous, unfeeling, or idolatrous. It is within the heart that God works; hence the human heart may be tender and soft or as hard as stone (Eze 11:19).......

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When Darkness Reigns

THE SCENE: The Messiah is here - our Hope, our Savior and our conquering King has arrived.

      ...For the last few years, the blind see, the deaf hear, and the dead are raised.

            ...Families are restored, people are saved, and tremendous healings take place.

But it appears that all is lost - the conquering King, has been subdued and defeated.

Matt. 26:47 And while He was still speaking, behold, Judas, one of the twelve, with a great multitude with swords & clubs, came from the chief priests & elders of the people.

Going to church doesn’t make you a Christian anymore that Judas being a discipline made him one.

48 Now His betrayer had given them a sign, saying, “Whomever I kiss, He is the One; seize Him.” 49 Immediately he went up to Jesus and said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed Him. 50 But Jesus said to him, “Friend, why have you come?” Then they came and laid hands on Jesus and took Him. 51 And suddenly, one of those who were with Jesus stretched out his hand and drew his sword, struck the servant of the high priest, and cut off his ear. 52 But Jesus said to him, “Put your sword in its place, for all who take the sword will perish by the sword. 53 Or do you think that I cannot now pray to My Father, and He will provide Me with more than twelve legions of angels? 54 How then could the Scriptures be fulfilled, that it must happen thus?” 55 In that hour Jesus said to the multitudes, “Have you come out, as against a robber, with swords and clubs to take Me? I sat daily with you, teaching in the temple, and you did not seize Me. 56 But all this was done that the Scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples forsook Him and fled.

LUKE 22:53 NIV - “Every day I was with you in the temple courts, and you did not lay a hand on me. But this is your hour - when darkness reigns.”

“I sat daily with you” - Other religions start by people having a private dream or revelation - but Jesus did everything in PUBLIC.

Throughout life there will be seasons when darkness reigns - The call from the doctor, the blood test results, the divorce papers, the loss of a job, financial failure - the dark night of the soul.

1. DISCOURAGEMENT CAN KNOCK US OFF TRACK OR STRENGTHEN FAITH: Jeremiah 20:14-17 “Cursed be the day in which I was born! Let the day not be blessed in which my mother bore me! Let the man be cursed Who brought news to my father, saying, “A male child has been born to you!” Making him very glad. And let that man be like the cities Which the Lord overthrew, and did not relent; Let him hear the cry in the morning And the shouting at noon, Because he did not kill me from the womb, That my mother might have been my grave…”

DISCOURAGE - “To lose confidence and enthusiasm” - the cure is ENCOURAGE

2. WE MUST PERSEVERE TO FULFILL GOD’S WILL - Delay can lead us astray: Exodus 32 Now when the people saw that Moses delayed coming down from the mountain, the people gathered together to Aaron, and said to him, “Come, make us gods that shall go before us; for as for this Moses, the man who brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him.” 2 And Aaron said to them, “Break off the golden earrings which are in the ears of your wives, your sons, and your daughters, and bring them to me.” 3 So all the people broke off the golden earrings which we...

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Fasting - They Found the Secret

Matthew 26:41 Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. I WANT TO HELP YOU STRENGTHEN THE SPIRIT.

Matthew 6:18 paraphrased: Don’t let it be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

Spiritual Insight - Daniel - Lumberjack story

Spiritual Power - Jesus - Prepares your for ministry

Spiritual Wisdom - Paul and Barnabas prayed and fasted for the elders of the churches before committing them to the Lord (Acts 14:23).

Spiritual Protection - Ezra

Spiritual Victory - Israel lost 40 men in battle in a few days - Judges 20:26 - the people went to Bethel and “sat weeping before the Lord,” and “fasted that day until evening.” The next day, God delivered them.

Physical Benefits of Fasting

Anti-aging effects, Better attitude, Better resistance to disease, Better sleep, Change of habits, Clearer skin, Creativity, Drug detoxification, Improved senses  (vision, hearing, taste), Joint relief, More clarity (mentally and emotionally), More energy, More relaxation, Reduction of allergies, Rejuvenation and Revitalization, Rest for digestive organs [form of Sabbath], Spiritual awareness, Weight loss.

Why? Because when the spiritual side is built up and strengthened, the health of the body often returns.

Hunger - having a strong desire/craving - FASTING REDIRECTS

Fasting is directly related to our spiritual appetite - hunger for God outweighs hunger for food. John Piper explains it this way, “The absence of fasting is the measure of our contentment with the absence of Christ.”

THERE ARE 2 COMPETING HUNGERS - the Spirit and the Flesh

Galatians 5:17 commentary NLT - The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions.

Two Dogs fighting within - fasting feeds the Spirit

When we give into the desires of the flesh, it results in anger, addiction, depression, guilt, shame, anxiety, fear, and disappointment - FASTING removes these things.

Dr. Bill Bright, founder of Campus Crusade for Christ, wrote the following:

Fasting was an expected discipline in both the Old and New Testament eras.

Fasting and prayer can restore the loss of the “first love” for your Lord. REMOVE THE PULL OF THE FLESH AND ADD THE INFLUENCE OF THE SPIRIT.

Fasting is a biblical way to truly humble yourself in the sight of God.

Fasting enables the Holy Spirit to reveal your true sp...

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Complete Sermon Notes

Fasting - They Found the Secret

Matthew 26:41 Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. I WANT TO HELP YOU STRENGTHEN THE SPIRIT.

Matthew 6:18 paraphrased: Don’t let it be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

Spiritual Insight - Daniel - Lumberjack story

Spiritual Power - Jesus - Prepares your for ministry

Spiritual Wisdom - Paul and Barnabas prayed and fasted for the elders of the churches before committing them to the Lord (Acts 14:23).

Spiritual Protection - Ezra

Spiritual Victory - Israel lost 40 men in battle in a few days - Judges 20:26 - the people went to Bethel and “sat weeping before the Lord,” and “fasted that day until evening.” The next day, God delivered them.

Physical Benefits of Fasting

Anti-aging effects, Better attitude, Better resistance to disease, Better sleep, Change of habits, Clearer skin, Creativity, Drug detoxification, Improved senses  (vision, hearing, taste), Joint relief, More clarity (mentally and emotionally), More energy, More relaxation, Reduction of allergies, Rejuvenation and Revitalization, Rest for digestive organs [form of Sabbath], Spiritual awareness, Weight loss.

Why? Because when the spiritual side is built up and strengthened, the health of the body often returns.

Hunger - having a strong desire/craving - FASTING REDIRECTS

Fasting is directly related to our spiritual appetite - hunger for God outweighs hunger for food. John Piper explains it this way, “The absence of fasting is the measure of our contentment with the absence of Christ.”

THERE ARE 2 COMPETING HUNGERS - the Spirit and the Flesh

Galatians 5:17 commentary NLT - The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions.

Two Dogs fighting within - fasting feeds the Spirit

When we give into the desires of the flesh, it results in anger, addiction, depression, guilt, shame, anxiety, fear, and disappointment - FASTING removes these things.

Dr. Bill Bright, founder of Campus Crusade for Christ, wrote the following:

Fasting was an expected discipline in both the Old and New Testament eras.

Fasting and prayer can restore the loss of the “first love” for your Lord. REMOVE THE PULL OF THE FLESH AND ADD THE INFLUENCE OF THE SPIRIT.

Fasting is a biblical way to truly humble yourself in the sight of God.

Fasting enables the Holy Spirit to reveal your tru...