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Sermon Notes April 10, 2011
Mark 14: 61-15:15
Intro: I was seated with an interesting combination of people at a
Luncheon for scholarship donors at the Seminary.
- President, two students, “T Boone Pickens” Family
- Does this young man have any idea who he is talking to?
- So, What do you do for a Living?
t/s – Jesus on Trial in our Text… Do they know Who He is?
Either they didn’t know, or they didn’t care!
Tell the Story of Early Trial (14: 50-60)
Having arrested Jesus, they led Him in Night to home of Priest
Gathered a group from Sanhedren..Council… Informal Trial
“Kangaroo Court” == 1850’s == Jump to the Verdict!
First, determined Guilt… Searching for evidence… Mess!
Jesus Silent, High Priest Frustrated… Took Charge!
READ 14: 61 – 65; 15: 1-15
We Find Truth in the Trials on Two Levels….
Christological == Truth about Jesus
Jesus Is Innocent. Only Jesus Is Just!
Exp – The “courtrooms” seem crowded with characters…Corrupt!
Priests, witnesses, guards, Pilate, Barabbas, crowds
Envy, Lies, Weakness, Fear, Violence, …Stubborn preference for the darkness
- Jesus – Dignity, Truthfulness, Consistency, Courage
ILL – Imagine a Courtroom Artist Sketching these Trials…
All Involved blend in shades of black & gray Guilt
Jesus alone stands in bright brilliant Innocence
App – Jesus did not Die for His own Guilt…Sins.
Peter was watching the trial before the High Priest
(You were redeemed) with precious blood, as of a lamb
Unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ (1:19)
Point to Invitation = He Died for You… Mark 10:45 (Convinced?)
Personal Truth == Truth about You and Me
When You Stand Face to Face with Jesus — He Is Not of Trial —You Are!
Exp – Prosecuting Jesus, the Priest looked him in the eye, face to
Face, put Him under oath and asked, “Are you the Christ?”
“I Am” — Then, Jesus clarified the nature of Relationship
Mark 14:62 — I am the Righteous King and Ultimate Judge
You Stand before Me!
Pilate’s Bema…. Judgment Seat… 2 Cor. 5:10
We must All stand before the Judgment Seat of Christ.
Some Attack Jesus (rejecting & Re-defining)
Others Avoid Jesus…
In Rejecting Him, they condemn Themselves!
ILL – Imagine a 13 year old girl on vacation with family (texting)
She approaches the Grand Canyon…wonder of Creation
“Is that all?!” “When can we go to the hotel?”
- Grand Canyon Insignificant, or Suzy Immature?
ILL – MacGorman, “What I say about you says more about me…”
App – Rejecting Jesus, We condemn Ourselves and Reveal our..
Pride, Fear, and stubborn preference for Darkness
Conclusion/Invitation
The enemy of a Full Embrace of Jesus as Savior King… Status Quo!
- Pilate & Priests shared this common desire: Let’s keep the current balance of Life. Attack Jesus, Avoid Jesus because if He is the King, our lives will change!
Will you reject Jesus, and cling to your current, miserable Status Quo?
Bow for Prayer
You stand before Jesus Today. Like Pilate, Trying to Avoid Decision.s
