Archive for the ‘ Jesus ’ Category

VerseD: Isaiah 43:2

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.
Isaiah 43:2, ESV

Whether literal waters or fire, or the symbolic waters of humanity (see the sea in Revelation) or fires of controversy and problems, or even of salvation from the hell of God’s wrath, it is faith in God’s faithfulness and mercy that protects us.

VerseD: John 14:21

“Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.”
John 14:21, ESV

Who has Jesus’ commandments?

Those who believe in the sacrificial God-Man Jesus who rose again; those who love God by loving others and love His Church.

VerseD: Colossians 3:23-24

Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.
Colossians 3:23‭-‬24, ESV

Work is hard.

Nobody at church gets along or understands.

The kids (or parents) will not listen.

Nobody plays fair.

The government is corrupt.

You are not trying to please them or work for them!

You serve Christ. Reflect Him, not your world.

Sermon: Defending Jesus? – John 18:1-14

I preached again! I liked it. Like, wept some, got goosebumps some, enjoyed preaching it … a lot.

Please enjoy listening (click here if it does not work just below), and see my rough notes for all scripture references and basic thoughts. I am reading from the English Standard Version (ESV) of the Bible.

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Defending Jesus? (John 18:1-14)

(Parallel passages: Matthew 26:47-57; Mark 14:43-53; Luke 22:47-54)
Intro:

Read 18:1-2

Jesus spoke other words than the High Priestly Prayer: Luke 22 – “Sell cloak, get sword” “Here are 2”

Regularly with His disciples (Luke 21:37: He rested/slept out here): This time, this is where we read in other Gospels about Jesus’ 3 prayers
“Let this cup [of suffering] pass from me, but Your will be done.”

Read 18:3

We know they were not just soldiers, but guards from the Temple, sent by the leadership.
Probably a mixture of Jewish and Roman soldiers. Probably up to 200 people!
It was a major feast (Passover), so there would be extra soldiers to help keep the peace.

Read 18:4-8a

Why they fell back:

  1. “Ego eimi” – “I am.”
  2. Could also be how unafraid He seemed of them, possibly tripped over themselves/each other.

Read 18:8-11

Remember the swords?

  1. Disciples still expecting a revolution. Is this FINALLY the time?
  2. Will Jesus actually call His heavenly army?
    1. Matthew 26:52-56 (2 Kings 6:8-23)

Go back to v. 9:

  • His prayer last chapter: 17:12
  • Some try to teach this fulfills John 10:29, but Jesus was speaking to the leaders about ANYONE who believes in Him.
  • It makes me think (NO OTHER EVIDENCE!) Malchus became a Christian

Read 18:12-14

  1. Jesus bound: hearkens back to Abraham and Isaac (Genesis 22).
    1. Isaac was not stupid. He knew he was going to be the sacrifice, but he trusted his father who trusted THE Father.
    2. Now, Jesus willingly goes to sacrifice. (Without a ram substitute!)
  2. Why Annas?
    1. High Priest usually serves until death, but Romans only allowed terms
      1. He held sway even not being “in power” anymore
      2. His sons and son-in-law took turns over the years, hence “that year”
    2. Is he legitimate? He was installed by Romans
      1. This helps us see why the disciples were willing to fight the Temple authorities
  3. Caiaphas was deceived, but he essentially prophesied the truth!

What does this all mean for us?

  1. We must know that Jesus is God. (vv. 5-8)
    1. 20:31
  2. We must know He died for us. (v. 14)
  3. We do not defend Christ.
    1. He suffered, and so shall we
      1. Matthew 10, Mark 13, and Luke 12, Jesus says His followers will be led before others to testify
      2. 16:33
    2. His truth defends itself, but we are often His instrument.
      1. Psalm 28:7-9
      2. 2 Corinthians 5:14-15
    3. Sword of Truth (Ephesians 6:17)
      1. Read Ephesians 6:10-19

Therefore: Matthew 28:18-20

VerseD: Isaiah 54:17

“no weapon that is fashioned against you shall succeed, and you shall refute every tongue that rises against you in judgment. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord and their vindication from me, declares the Lord.”
Isaiah 54:17, ESV

As Christians, we have the truth. No argument can defeat God’s truth.

And even if people try to hurt or kill us, we still have eternal life waiting for us in Christ.

VerseD: 2 Timothy 1:7

for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.
2 Timothy 1:7, ESV

We should not shrink back from sharing God’s truth with a rebellious, fallen world. We have the power to obey Christ’s commands and love by the Holy Spirit.

VerseD: Proverbs 16:18

Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.
Proverbs 16:18, ESV

Do not think you can do everything on your own. Sometimes we all need help.

Especially in matters of eternity. We all need Christ to escape The Fall.

VerseD: Galatians 5:1

For freedom, Christ set us free. Stand firm then and don’t submit again to a yoke of slavery.
Galatians 5:1, CSB

Sin binds us and drives us into the ground (figuratively and literally, to death).

Christ has freed us by His blood from this, to be able to freely choose to love Him.

VerseD: Hebrews 12:14

Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.
Hebrews 12:14, ESV

We should neither be contentious nor rude. However, we seek truth and to share truth. The Truth is Christ, through whom we have salvation, and He offends those set on sin.

VerseD: Exodus 20:16

“You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.”
Exodus 20:16, CSB

Lying about or to someone, failing to defend someone, and falsely reassuring someone (such as saying to a non-Christian everything will be okay …) is slapping the image of God within them in the face.

Lying to a person is attempting to lie to the God of Truth.