WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:05.240 chapter 22, Luke chapter 22, we're not going to start there, we'll land there eventually. 00:00:07.580 --> 00:00:12.439 It's interesting to me when I look at scripture that it was not the pagans that went after 00:00:12.439 --> 00:00:13.900 Jesus, it was the church folks. 00:00:16.260 --> 00:00:21.280 They didn't like the way that he would shake things up, they didn't like what he had to 00:00:21.280 --> 00:00:24.240 say, sometimes they still don't. 00:00:25.859 --> 00:00:29.980 I'm not talking about us, I'm talking about other people out there, you know, not us. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:37.460 They were peering behind bushes, they were leaning against the back wall, they were stepping 00:00:37.460 --> 00:00:44.039 forward sometimes to ask questions, they had expectations and he didn't exactly match their 00:00:44.039 --> 00:00:46.920 expectations and so therefore they had questions. 00:00:48.620 --> 00:00:53.100 They had a list of questions, they were just trying to figure out how to ask them. 00:00:53.100 --> 00:01:01.780 And all of that culminates with his arrest in the garden and the midnight and the all-night 00:01:01.780 --> 00:01:03.900 trial that took place afterwards. 00:01:05.320 --> 00:01:07.019 And I'll just tell you, it's a mess. 00:01:07.500 --> 00:01:09.060 It was an absolute mess. 00:01:10.260 --> 00:01:17.240 They were rushing it because there couldn't be anybody hanging on a cross at 6 p.m. on Friday, 00:01:17.239 --> 00:01:18.739 that's when Passover starts. 00:01:19.899 --> 00:01:21.219 So we had to get this done. 00:01:22.599 --> 00:01:26.539 And so they work all night to try to get improperly accused. 00:01:27.799 --> 00:01:34.359 And no, not one account of the gospel has the whole story in itself. 00:01:34.519 --> 00:01:40.640 You have to peruse through the gospels to pick up on everything that happened that night, 00:01:40.640 --> 00:01:44.400 to combine them, to harmonize the gospels, to see it all. 00:01:45.359 --> 00:01:47.680 And briefly, I want to do that this morning. 00:01:48.400 --> 00:01:55.599 I want you to come and see the kangaroo court chaos that made up the trial of Jesus. 00:01:56.719 --> 00:02:01.379 Because the established church leaders, the chief priests and the Sanhedrin, 00:02:01.900 --> 00:02:04.280 had looked for a way to pin him. 00:02:04.280 --> 00:02:11.319 He had, they felt like that he had blasphemed God. 00:02:11.420 --> 00:02:12.979 And so they wanted to go after that. 00:02:13.080 --> 00:02:16.420 But they knew they needed Roman authority to do what they wanted to do to him. 00:02:16.639 --> 00:02:20.319 And somehow they had to impress the Roman authorities that he had done something to them. 00:02:20.379 --> 00:02:22.379 And so therefore, they tried treason. 00:02:23.620 --> 00:02:25.560 Because maybe he had spoken against Caesar. 00:02:26.439 --> 00:02:33.080 So after the Pharisees had finally had Jesus abducted without having to fight a fleet of his flock. 00:02:33.080 --> 00:02:37.280 And that's why they waited until that midnight arrest in the midst of the garden. 00:02:37.280 --> 00:02:42.460 Because they knew that he would have, they'd have a fight on their hands with his followers and those type things. 00:02:43.820 --> 00:02:46.180 They took him to a man named Annas. 00:02:47.400 --> 00:02:53.460 Annas was the old political boss of Jerusalem among the church folk. 00:02:54.340 --> 00:02:57.160 He's kind of like the church godfather of sorts. 00:02:57.600 --> 00:02:59.360 Now y'all don't know what I'm talking about when I say that. 00:02:59.420 --> 00:03:00.700 So I'll explain. 00:03:00.699 --> 00:03:04.659 He had been high priest for 20 years earlier. 00:03:05.979 --> 00:03:09.319 Since that time, four of his sons had held that same position. 00:03:09.579 --> 00:03:13.199 And now his son-in-law, poor thing, was now holding the position. 00:03:15.079 --> 00:03:23.939 He is, it is understood that Annas had been pulling the strings of the puppet high priest for decades. 00:03:23.939 --> 00:03:31.060 Before the Roman Empire came into power, a high priest would serve for a long time. 00:03:31.840 --> 00:03:40.020 But after the Romans took over that area, the high priest position became one that was much more volatile. 00:03:41.219 --> 00:03:43.419 And it really went to the highest bidder. 00:03:43.419 --> 00:03:48.099 And Annas was very rich. 00:03:49.539 --> 00:03:52.500 He was rich enough to let his family control the priesthood. 00:03:53.299 --> 00:03:56.279 And that's what he had done since he had given it up. 00:03:57.399 --> 00:04:03.639 But now, they come to him. 00:04:03.879 --> 00:04:07.039 Not because he holds office, but because he holds power. 00:04:07.039 --> 00:04:12.519 And they bring him to Annas. 00:04:12.599 --> 00:04:14.099 And Annas didn't like Jesus. 00:04:15.659 --> 00:04:17.680 But it wasn't because of why they brought him. 00:04:17.819 --> 00:04:21.519 He didn't like Jesus because Jesus had turned the tables in the temple. 00:04:22.379 --> 00:04:24.639 And when he turned the tables in the temple, 00:04:25.319 --> 00:04:30.319 he messed up the commerce that went along with temple practices. 00:04:30.319 --> 00:04:35.159 And the old political boss had his tentacles in that. 00:04:35.980 --> 00:04:37.199 He had his hands in that. 00:04:37.259 --> 00:04:39.319 He had to affect him economically. 00:04:39.759 --> 00:04:41.459 And because of that, he didn't like Jesus. 00:04:41.920 --> 00:04:47.240 And so, Annas asked him two questions. 00:04:47.379 --> 00:04:48.860 One, he asked him about his disciples. 00:04:49.120 --> 00:04:50.539 And the other, he asked him about his teaching. 00:04:50.740 --> 00:04:56.519 And Jesus responded to him recognizing the foolishness of the questions that he asked. 00:04:56.519 --> 00:05:01.240 John records it in John chapter 18, verse 20 and 21. 00:05:01.399 --> 00:05:01.959 And he says this, 00:05:02.279 --> 00:05:04.719 Jesus answered him, I have spoken openly to the world. 00:05:04.859 --> 00:05:08.079 I've always taught in synagogues and in the temple where all the Jews came together. 00:05:08.240 --> 00:05:09.439 I've said nothing in secret. 00:05:09.659 --> 00:05:10.959 Well, why do you ask me? 00:05:12.180 --> 00:05:14.319 Ask those who've heard me what I had to say. 00:05:15.000 --> 00:05:16.199 They know what I said. 00:05:17.399 --> 00:05:20.639 So, Jesus had spoken openly, especially in the last days. 00:05:20.639 --> 00:05:35.399 And what he had said, what he hadn't said openly earlier in his ministry was just mainly to have time to train up the disciples to start and found the church like we see in the book of Acts. 00:05:36.579 --> 00:05:40.240 So, he had held off some things, but not in the latter days. 00:05:40.399 --> 00:05:43.319 No, he had shared all of those things very openly. 00:05:43.479 --> 00:05:44.639 And now the time had come. 00:05:44.719 --> 00:05:45.599 He knew what was coming. 00:05:45.819 --> 00:05:46.879 He had nothing to hide. 00:05:47.000 --> 00:05:48.300 And he told folks that. 00:05:48.300 --> 00:05:51.800 So, Annas sent him to Caiaphas. 00:05:51.939 --> 00:05:53.759 Caiaphas was the high priest. 00:05:53.879 --> 00:05:56.040 And he was also Annas' son-in-law. 00:05:56.879 --> 00:06:00.120 And the heresy committee of the Sanhedrin was there as well. 00:06:01.560 --> 00:06:05.199 Their witness, Judas, was not there. 00:06:06.420 --> 00:06:07.759 He was not to be found. 00:06:07.900 --> 00:06:09.600 So, they had to find others. 00:06:09.780 --> 00:06:12.879 And the first witness that came gave a false account. 00:06:13.560 --> 00:06:14.620 Mark records that. 00:06:14.699 --> 00:06:16.900 Mark 14, 58 and 59. 00:06:16.900 --> 00:06:17.620 It says this, 00:06:17.620 --> 00:06:20.819 We heard him say, I'll destroy this temple that's made with hands. 00:06:20.980 --> 00:06:22.600 And in three days, I'll build another. 00:06:23.180 --> 00:06:24.259 Not made with hands. 00:06:25.139 --> 00:06:29.120 Yet, even about this, their testimony did not agree. 00:06:29.459 --> 00:06:31.199 You see, it took two witnesses. 00:06:33.579 --> 00:06:36.560 Two witnesses were necessary for a charge to hold. 00:06:36.660 --> 00:06:37.920 And they didn't have two witnesses. 00:06:38.220 --> 00:06:39.660 So, Jesus needed no defense. 00:06:39.819 --> 00:06:41.420 So, he just stood there in silence. 00:06:41.420 --> 00:06:49.120 They had hoped to get him for possibly a terrorism threat of sorts. 00:06:49.120 --> 00:06:55.199 And in reality, when Jesus said in John 2, 19, destroy this temple and I'll rebuild it in three days. 00:06:55.319 --> 00:06:56.639 He wasn't talking about him destroying it. 00:06:56.720 --> 00:06:57.699 He was talking about his body. 00:06:58.800 --> 00:07:00.120 Tear me down if you want to. 00:07:00.220 --> 00:07:01.500 But I'll rebuild it in three days. 00:07:01.540 --> 00:07:02.899 In other words, I'll arise in three days. 00:07:02.899 --> 00:07:05.939 It was a prophecy they didn't pick up on. 00:07:07.219 --> 00:07:10.279 They had then hoped to get him for Sabbath violations. 00:07:11.560 --> 00:07:15.339 And they had haunted him for months with that. 00:07:15.439 --> 00:07:17.439 But yet, they didn't have witnesses for that either. 00:07:18.120 --> 00:07:21.379 The rebuilding of the temple complaint was also too flimsy. 00:07:22.419 --> 00:07:27.139 In response, Caiaphas finally commanded Christ to tell him if he was the Christ. 00:07:27.319 --> 00:07:29.399 And I want you to notice what his responses were. 00:07:29.399 --> 00:07:35.379 Matthew records it in Matthew chapter 26, 63 through 64. 00:07:36.279 --> 00:07:40.919 It says, but Jesus remained silent and the high priest said to him, I adhere to you by the living God. 00:07:41.000 --> 00:07:43.560 Tell us if you're the Christ, the Son of God. 00:07:43.839 --> 00:07:46.000 And Jesus said to him, you've said so. 00:07:46.879 --> 00:07:53.099 But I tell you, from now on you'll see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of power and coming on the clouds of heaven. 00:07:53.219 --> 00:07:54.379 Well, that didn't go over well. 00:07:54.519 --> 00:07:56.859 Caiaphas overreacts to that statement. 00:07:56.860 --> 00:07:58.819 He needed no more witnesses. 00:07:59.139 --> 00:08:01.420 And in response to that, they arrest him. 00:08:01.580 --> 00:08:02.860 They beat him. 00:08:03.160 --> 00:08:04.280 They mock him. 00:08:04.460 --> 00:08:07.400 And then they jail him for a few hours. 00:08:08.680 --> 00:08:13.720 And about the time the sun comes up, early in the morning, he went before the Sanhedrin. 00:08:15.120 --> 00:08:19.460 We get to our passage in Luke chapter 22, beginning in verse 66. 00:08:19.459 --> 00:08:29.180 And it says this, when day came, the assembly of the elders of the people gathered together both chief priests and scribes. 00:08:29.299 --> 00:08:31.359 And they led him away to their council. 00:08:31.359 --> 00:08:33.419 And they said, if you are the Christ, tell us. 00:08:33.659 --> 00:08:36.059 But he said, if I tell you, you will not believe. 00:08:36.240 --> 00:08:39.240 And if I ask you, you will not answer. 00:08:39.500 --> 00:08:43.439 But from now on, the Son of Man shall be seated at the right hand of the power of God. 00:08:43.440 --> 00:08:45.900 So they all said, are you the Son of God then? 00:08:45.940 --> 00:08:47.680 And he said, you say that I am. 00:08:47.900 --> 00:08:51.280 And then they said, what further testimony do we need? 00:08:51.340 --> 00:08:54.160 We've heard it ourselves from his own lips. 00:08:54.180 --> 00:08:56.820 And they condemned him to die. 00:08:56.820 --> 00:09:03.740 Now, to get Roman approval to actually kill him, they sent him to Pilate. 00:09:05.140 --> 00:09:08.620 And they had expected Pilate to simply endorse their decision. 00:09:09.180 --> 00:09:11.900 But Pilate wanted nothing to do with it. 00:09:12.460 --> 00:09:15.340 Because Pilate was normally in a popularity contest. 00:09:16.480 --> 00:09:18.600 He wanted to know what people wanted him to do. 00:09:19.640 --> 00:09:20.760 He was a people pleaser. 00:09:22.980 --> 00:09:24.540 They accused him of treason. 00:09:24.780 --> 00:09:26.480 They claimed to be king. 00:09:27.820 --> 00:09:29.560 Pilate just didn't want to make a decision. 00:09:31.500 --> 00:09:34.220 And in Luke chapter 23, you know, Luke's the physician. 00:09:34.460 --> 00:09:39.420 He gives us more details than any other gospel writer about matters. 00:09:40.920 --> 00:09:43.379 And in Luke chapter 23, verse 1, it says this. 00:09:43.640 --> 00:09:47.240 Then the whole company of them arose and brought him before Pilate. 00:09:47.320 --> 00:09:50.700 And they began to accuse him, saying, we found this man misleading our nation 00:09:50.700 --> 00:09:52.880 and forbidding us to give tribute to Caesar. 00:09:53.420 --> 00:09:55.340 And saying that he himself is Christ the king. 00:09:55.340 --> 00:09:58.100 And Pilate asked him, are you the king of the Jews? 00:09:58.280 --> 00:10:00.560 And he answered them, you've said so. 00:10:01.519 --> 00:10:06.600 Then Pilate said to the chief priests in the crowds, I find no guilt in this man. 00:10:07.139 --> 00:10:13.500 But they were urgent, saying, he stirs up the people, teaching throughout all Judea, 00:10:13.500 --> 00:10:16.960 from Galilee, even to this place. 00:10:16.960 --> 00:10:20.399 When Pilate heard this, he asked whether the man was a Galilean. 00:10:21.179 --> 00:10:26.639 And when he learned that he belonged to Herod's jurisdiction, he sent him over to Herod, 00:10:26.840 --> 00:10:31.379 who was himself in Jerusalem at that time. 00:10:31.379 --> 00:10:35.799 Now, I want you to understand, they arrested him about midnight. 00:10:36.539 --> 00:10:39.120 He was hanging on the cross at 9 a.m. 00:10:39.860 --> 00:10:41.220 It's a rush job. 00:10:43.399 --> 00:10:46.679 They're passing him around, trying to somehow work out the details. 00:10:47.639 --> 00:10:53.820 And they used a loophole of jurisdiction to move Jesus on to Herod. 00:10:53.820 --> 00:10:59.480 Luke continues to say, when Herod saw Jesus, he was very glad, 00:10:59.879 --> 00:11:03.840 for he had long desired to see him because he had heard about him. 00:11:04.520 --> 00:11:09.640 And he was hoping to see some sign done by him, so he questioned him at some length, 00:11:10.040 --> 00:11:11.920 but he made no answer. 00:11:11.919 --> 00:11:24.000 The chief priest and the scribe stood by, vehemently accusing him. 00:11:24.559 --> 00:11:27.379 And Herod, with his soldiers, treated him with content and mocked him. 00:11:28.139 --> 00:11:31.979 Then arraying him in splendid clothing, he sent him back to Pilate. 00:11:32.879 --> 00:11:35.639 Herod and Pilate became friends with each other that very day. 00:11:36.199 --> 00:11:39.879 Before this, they had been in enmity with each other. 00:11:39.879 --> 00:11:45.279 Herod was a vulgar and coarse person. 00:11:46.740 --> 00:11:49.860 He's the same Herod that imprisoned John the Baptist, 00:11:50.200 --> 00:11:52.840 and due to the commands of his own wife, 00:11:54.200 --> 00:11:59.259 because John had prophetically spoken against their adulterous relationship, 00:12:01.080 --> 00:12:06.659 when Herod's stepdaughter did a lustful dance at a gathering among his friends, 00:12:06.659 --> 00:12:11.419 he told his stepdaughter he'd give her everything, anything that she wanted, 00:12:11.480 --> 00:12:15.939 up to half of his kingdom, which is just a drunken embellishment, quite honestly. 00:12:17.579 --> 00:12:20.039 But what she asked for was John the Baptist's head, 00:12:20.600 --> 00:12:26.059 on her mother's behalf, because he had talked about her mother's adultery. 00:12:26.059 --> 00:12:34.519 And because she asked for it in front of a drunken Herod in front of all his friends, 00:12:34.599 --> 00:12:36.899 he had to impress him, and so he did just that. 00:12:37.799 --> 00:12:41.959 He decapitated John and brought his head into the gathering. 00:12:42.279 --> 00:12:42.759 It was a setup. 00:12:44.339 --> 00:12:48.079 Same man that Jesus now stands before, and he's amazed at Jesus, 00:12:48.239 --> 00:12:49.679 and he wants to see miracles. 00:12:49.779 --> 00:12:50.659 He's heard about Jesus. 00:12:50.879 --> 00:12:52.019 He wants to see miracles. 00:12:52.019 --> 00:12:55.360 And when he did meet Christ, he mocked him and made a decision. 00:12:55.659 --> 00:12:57.840 And it made no decision, but sent him back to Pilate. 00:12:57.919 --> 00:13:00.799 Now remember, Pilate wants everybody happy, including Herod. 00:13:00.860 --> 00:13:04.759 So once back to Pilate, Pilate tried to blame the decision on other people. 00:13:06.679 --> 00:13:09.439 Washing his hands of the innocent blood of Jesus, 00:13:09.779 --> 00:13:12.319 he tried to wash his own sins away. 00:13:13.539 --> 00:13:15.159 But that's not possible, folks. 00:13:16.379 --> 00:13:17.399 That's not possible. 00:13:19.000 --> 00:13:20.659 You can't wash your sins away. 00:13:22.019 --> 00:13:26.759 What can wash away my sin? 00:13:30.759 --> 00:13:35.720 What can make me whole again? 00:13:38.720 --> 00:13:40.919 Listen to what I sing. 00:13:40.919 --> 00:13:45.840 For my pardon this I see. 00:13:45.840 --> 00:14:03.980 Nothing can for sin atone. 00:14:03.980 --> 00:14:06.120 Nothing can for sin atone. 00:14:06.120 --> 00:14:07.580 Nothing can for sin atone. 00:14:07.580 --> 00:14:12.900 Not of good that I have done. 00:14:12.899 --> 00:14:17.340 Sing it together. 00:14:17.340 --> 00:14:27.139 Oh, precious is the flow that makes me white as snow. 00:14:28.779 --> 00:14:33.459 No other fount I know. 00:14:33.460 --> 00:14:38.940 Nothing but the blood of Jesus. 00:14:40.800 --> 00:14:46.800 Try your best to wash your hands of all your sins as much as you can and you can't do it. 00:14:46.799 --> 00:14:51.799 Now I'll just tell you. 00:14:53.240 --> 00:14:59.919 I sing that this morning because as I studied this and I got to that point in the office, I got up. 00:15:01.579 --> 00:15:03.819 And I started singing nothing but the blood of Jesus. 00:15:03.820 --> 00:15:13.080 They will tell you that sometimes there's a gaither concert going on in my office because I get fired up. 00:15:16.080 --> 00:15:28.320 The manipulated crowd jumped on the bandwagon of the ever influencing Sanhedrin and Pilate handed Christ over. 00:15:28.320 --> 00:15:32.400 And now he was to be tortured and crucified. 00:15:33.460 --> 00:15:35.260 And we'll talk about that next week. 00:15:36.520 --> 00:15:41.680 What a sad, sad state of circumstances. 00:15:43.980 --> 00:15:47.900 An innocent man is driven to his death by people's sinful hearts. 00:15:48.100 --> 00:15:50.320 The same hearts that he would die for. 00:15:50.320 --> 00:16:00.760 I said all that to say, I just think that we have to make sure that we're not still putting Jesus on trial. 00:16:03.780 --> 00:16:08.740 He did all that for us and yet sometimes in too many lives, Jesus is still on trial. 00:16:11.140 --> 00:16:16.620 And so I want to ask some questions in light of the trial of Jesus. 00:16:16.620 --> 00:16:20.580 That we have followed today. 00:16:21.740 --> 00:16:23.200 Don't panic, they're quick. 00:16:24.639 --> 00:16:30.060 Five life-altering questions that I want you to ask yourself. 00:16:32.899 --> 00:16:38.419 Number one, do I blame others for my decisions? 00:16:41.500 --> 00:16:45.019 Pilate tried to act like he had made the decision, but he hadn't. 00:16:45.019 --> 00:16:47.159 And that's not new. 00:16:48.259 --> 00:16:55.079 In the garden, where it all first began, Adam blamed his sin on Eve and Eve blamed the snake. 00:16:55.340 --> 00:17:00.120 And ever since then, we've been blaming other people for the sin in our life. 00:17:00.720 --> 00:17:03.840 We blame our decisions, our lack of decision on something. 00:17:08.160 --> 00:17:10.139 Maybe something that we don't like in the church. 00:17:10.200 --> 00:17:12.259 Or maybe somebody we don't like in the church. 00:17:12.619 --> 00:17:14.420 There's hypocrites down there, you know. 00:17:15.019 --> 00:17:17.019 Maybe we blame it on our parents. 00:17:17.200 --> 00:17:19.160 Or maybe we blame it on our background. 00:17:20.680 --> 00:17:27.180 We blame our lack of decision for Christ on some matter, sometimes, for some reason. 00:17:27.660 --> 00:17:30.839 But the reality is, Hebrews chapter 9 verse 27 says, 00:17:31.160 --> 00:17:34.799 It is appointed for man to die once and after that comes the judgment. 00:17:35.359 --> 00:17:38.220 Nobody's going to answer for your life except you. 00:17:39.400 --> 00:17:39.920 You. 00:17:39.920 --> 00:17:44.100 No one will be judged for your actions but you. 00:17:45.880 --> 00:17:54.380 And thank God if we confess our sins, he's faithful and just to forgive us of our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 00:17:54.640 --> 00:17:56.640 But blaming others is not a confession. 00:17:57.539 --> 00:18:02.340 And forgiveness and repentance does not come unless we admit, God, this is on me. 00:18:02.339 --> 00:18:07.399 Maybe I've had some things against me. 00:18:07.899 --> 00:18:09.259 Maybe it's not been easy. 00:18:09.399 --> 00:18:13.299 But the reality is, in my own will, I've sinned against you. 00:18:16.019 --> 00:18:18.859 And my life needs to be one that honors you. 00:18:19.740 --> 00:18:21.559 And I need to carry that out daily. 00:18:21.559 --> 00:18:27.559 And I can point fingers at anybody I want to, but the reality is, that's my responsibility. 00:18:28.519 --> 00:18:32.720 So the first question I think we have to ask is, do I blame my decisions on other people? 00:18:33.519 --> 00:18:34.539 Because it's common. 00:18:35.440 --> 00:18:36.339 Second question is this. 00:18:36.559 --> 00:18:38.379 Do I question God's actions? 00:18:41.379 --> 00:18:48.639 We've talked about pompous church leaders that have watched Jesus from a distance, never accepting him, just criticizing him. 00:18:48.640 --> 00:18:56.600 And that's exactly what the person without Christ does when they see the love of God, when they hear of the love of God, and reject that. 00:18:56.680 --> 00:19:02.580 That's what the Christian does when we are mere spectators in the work of God that we choose not to participate in. 00:19:02.720 --> 00:19:04.040 We just choose to observe. 00:19:05.460 --> 00:19:06.500 Let me tell you something, friend. 00:19:07.460 --> 00:19:11.759 If you've given your heart and life to the Lord Jesus Christ, don't try to take it back. 00:19:12.500 --> 00:19:12.900 No, no, no. 00:19:13.000 --> 00:19:14.380 You've surrendered your life to life. 00:19:14.500 --> 00:19:15.660 Your life is no longer yours. 00:19:15.660 --> 00:19:18.800 You gave it to Christ for the good and in the bad. 00:19:19.300 --> 00:19:25.880 God loves you dearly, and he wants to work and move in your life, but he will not force himself. 00:19:25.980 --> 00:19:26.600 He's a gentleman. 00:19:29.800 --> 00:19:31.620 He will give you a choice. 00:19:33.300 --> 00:19:41.140 And be careful that you don't let the devil sweet nothings in your ear rob you of the joy that God would have for you. 00:19:41.140 --> 00:19:45.840 Quit questioning God and serve him. 00:19:48.100 --> 00:19:51.160 But you've got to ask, do I question God's actions? 00:19:52.120 --> 00:19:53.220 Third question is this. 00:19:54.060 --> 00:19:56.900 Do I really get Christ? 00:19:56.900 --> 00:20:08.680 Jesus was misunderstood by the majority of people that he came in contact with, and he still is. 00:20:10.180 --> 00:20:11.180 He still is. 00:20:12.340 --> 00:20:13.900 They thought he was about miracles. 00:20:14.300 --> 00:20:15.600 They thought he was about power. 00:20:15.960 --> 00:20:17.700 They thought he was about physical healing. 00:20:17.700 --> 00:20:22.420 All of those things were simply signs of the greater miracle. 00:20:22.940 --> 00:20:26.960 Thank God by the power in his blood of the real healing that comes to life. 00:20:27.200 --> 00:20:28.680 And sadly, it's the same today. 00:20:30.100 --> 00:20:35.360 Jesus and what he thinks of things is sometimes thrown around in our society like a beach ball. 00:20:37.539 --> 00:20:40.580 Does Jesus judge this as wrong? 00:20:40.700 --> 00:20:43.240 Does Jesus judge that as wrong? 00:20:43.960 --> 00:20:45.900 Or what does Jesus say about that? 00:20:45.900 --> 00:20:52.180 People have been messing with Jesus just by not getting him for 2,000 years. 00:20:52.720 --> 00:20:53.840 And do you know what happens? 00:20:54.000 --> 00:20:55.140 People miss out. 00:20:56.340 --> 00:21:00.380 Because they just simply don't surrender and accept him for who he is. 00:21:01.519 --> 00:21:03.540 And not try to put him in some of their own boxes. 00:21:05.120 --> 00:21:06.740 I want you to be clear this morning. 00:21:06.880 --> 00:21:09.560 Jesus did not come to make us rich. 00:21:09.559 --> 00:21:15.799 As a matter of fact, Scripture shows us that it's often a hindrance from folks coming to Christ. 00:21:18.220 --> 00:21:19.960 Jesus didn't come to make us healthy. 00:21:22.419 --> 00:21:23.940 Because this is only temporary. 00:21:26.299 --> 00:21:28.859 Friend, if the Lord tarries, there ain't but one way out of here. 00:21:29.419 --> 00:21:29.619 Okay? 00:21:30.200 --> 00:21:33.960 So, you know, we can live healthy until we don't. 00:21:33.960 --> 00:21:37.900 But that's not what he came to do. 00:21:39.720 --> 00:21:42.400 And he did not come to give us all of our desires. 00:21:44.340 --> 00:21:45.140 He didn't. 00:21:47.319 --> 00:21:51.779 Because we would never be satisfied with all of our desires if we didn't have him. 00:21:53.059 --> 00:21:54.920 He has made us for himself. 00:21:55.539 --> 00:21:57.900 He has made us for relationship with him. 00:21:57.900 --> 00:22:02.940 And he came to save us and to use us to reach the world for Jesus Christ. 00:22:03.080 --> 00:22:04.360 That is his agenda. 00:22:04.580 --> 00:22:05.840 That is his message. 00:22:06.040 --> 00:22:07.280 And that's his plan. 00:22:07.580 --> 00:22:08.920 Don't make that hard. 00:22:09.240 --> 00:22:09.900 Get that. 00:22:10.980 --> 00:22:12.120 This ain't about us. 00:22:12.259 --> 00:22:13.140 It's about him. 00:22:13.460 --> 00:22:15.759 And he's made us for him. 00:22:16.140 --> 00:22:18.180 Jesus came to seek and to save. 00:22:18.500 --> 00:22:19.660 That which was lost. 00:22:19.920 --> 00:22:23.019 And when we surrender our lives to him, it's his. 00:22:23.019 --> 00:22:28.220 Do you really get Jesus? 00:22:31.639 --> 00:22:33.700 Fourth is, do I follow Christ? 00:22:35.920 --> 00:22:37.579 Do I really follow Christ? 00:22:37.720 --> 00:22:39.879 Christ was tussled back and forth in these trials. 00:22:40.259 --> 00:22:41.779 No one wanted to make a decision. 00:22:43.180 --> 00:22:45.180 Sometimes people still don't want to make a decision. 00:22:45.279 --> 00:22:46.160 Don't be so dumb. 00:22:47.299 --> 00:22:51.920 I want you to understand that Pilate's no decision was a fatal decision. 00:22:53.019 --> 00:23:00.559 And when we don't make a decision about Christ in our lives, we decide not to respond to Christ. 00:23:00.740 --> 00:23:02.359 I want you to understand something today. 00:23:02.579 --> 00:23:09.379 If the Spirit of God convicts you and speaks to your heart and life about making a decision for the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:23:09.500 --> 00:23:12.480 Whether it means you've never accepted Christ as your Lord and Savior. 00:23:12.740 --> 00:23:14.400 You've never surrendered your life to him. 00:23:14.400 --> 00:23:20.620 And the Holy Spirit speaks to your heart and tells you in a voice that is not audible but louder than that in your life. 00:23:20.740 --> 00:23:23.100 That you need to surrender your life to the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:23:23.300 --> 00:23:26.220 And you choose not to make a decision about that today. 00:23:26.580 --> 00:23:28.180 You have made a decision. 00:23:31.180 --> 00:23:33.720 And if you are walking outside of faith in the Lord. 00:23:33.840 --> 00:23:37.560 I'm talking about if you know the Lord but you're not walking instead with him. 00:23:37.559 --> 00:23:39.440 You're doing your own thing. 00:23:40.359 --> 00:23:43.659 You're harboring sin in your life and you're enjoying it and you don't want to give it up. 00:23:43.819 --> 00:23:46.879 And you're not obeying God and it's hindering your walk with God. 00:23:47.679 --> 00:23:50.919 And you feel conviction this morning and a need to respond to that. 00:23:51.039 --> 00:23:54.919 And you swallow that down and think if I can just get out of this song, I'll get out of here. 00:23:57.319 --> 00:23:59.940 Never be fooled to think you didn't make a decision. 00:24:01.079 --> 00:24:01.980 Because you have. 00:24:01.980 --> 00:24:08.660 Each one of us today in some form or fashion will make a decision. 00:24:09.079 --> 00:24:09.960 Some public. 00:24:10.259 --> 00:24:11.099 Most private. 00:24:11.460 --> 00:24:13.980 But all of us will make some type of decision. 00:24:14.200 --> 00:24:16.539 What God has shown us through his word. 00:24:17.500 --> 00:24:20.599 And to put it off is actually making a decision. 00:24:25.539 --> 00:24:26.680 Why put off? 00:24:29.259 --> 00:24:31.680 The greatest decision in this world you could ever make. 00:24:32.460 --> 00:24:34.720 Why put that off? 00:24:38.480 --> 00:24:40.279 And friend, I'm talking about the savior of the world. 00:24:41.720 --> 00:24:45.980 Wanting to impact your life. 00:24:46.059 --> 00:24:48.180 You say, preacher, man, you hit that a lot. 00:24:49.220 --> 00:24:50.299 You hit that a lot. 00:24:51.360 --> 00:24:52.380 Let me tell you why. 00:24:53.660 --> 00:25:00.579 Because I did a few months between colleges selling cars. 00:25:00.579 --> 00:25:04.299 In the started world of selling cars. 00:25:06.759 --> 00:25:07.819 And I learned. 00:25:07.960 --> 00:25:09.439 And I got friends that sell cars. 00:25:09.619 --> 00:25:10.919 And they helped me with this too. 00:25:10.920 --> 00:25:15.480 That if you let somebody leave the lot. 00:25:16.500 --> 00:25:19.400 You have less than a 50% chance that they'll come back. 00:25:19.400 --> 00:25:24.080 And so the reason why they want you to drive the vehicle. 00:25:24.880 --> 00:25:29.019 And the reason why they want you to sit at their desk for way too long. 00:25:29.019 --> 00:25:33.039 Is because when you obligate that kind of time to it. 00:25:33.039 --> 00:25:34.519 You commit yourself to it. 00:25:34.619 --> 00:25:36.980 And you got a better chance of signing on the dotted line. 00:25:39.579 --> 00:25:40.720 That's why they do what they do. 00:25:40.720 --> 00:25:43.900 And so they hit you hard. 00:25:43.900 --> 00:25:45.680 Because they don't know if they'll ever have another chance. 00:25:46.000 --> 00:25:46.140 Folks. 00:25:47.220 --> 00:25:48.400 You want to know. 00:25:49.779 --> 00:25:51.380 Why I press this matter. 00:25:53.740 --> 00:25:55.440 Because it's life and death. 00:25:58.240 --> 00:26:00.019 And I don't know what's going to happen tomorrow. 00:26:00.019 --> 00:26:03.480 And I don't know what's going to happen today. 00:26:05.579 --> 00:26:07.119 God may take me home today. 00:26:07.480 --> 00:26:08.180 If he does. 00:26:08.279 --> 00:26:08.720 Praise God. 00:26:09.019 --> 00:26:11.819 I hope it's not being drugged behind a truck before I die. 00:26:18.460 --> 00:26:21.839 But I want you to know the opportunity that you have in the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:26:21.839 --> 00:26:24.939 And I promise you. 00:26:25.639 --> 00:26:26.879 Today's the day of salvation. 00:26:27.839 --> 00:26:29.059 He'll save your life. 00:26:29.159 --> 00:26:30.240 He'll change your life. 00:26:31.019 --> 00:26:32.639 And if you're not committed to him. 00:26:32.819 --> 00:26:33.720 And you need to be. 00:26:34.059 --> 00:26:35.759 And the spirit of God is speaking to you. 00:26:36.000 --> 00:26:37.299 Today's the day of obedience. 00:26:38.419 --> 00:26:40.539 Today's the day to respond to that. 00:26:41.939 --> 00:26:42.980 Do you follow Christ? 00:26:44.179 --> 00:26:45.039 Last question. 00:26:46.480 --> 00:26:50.639 Is Jesus on trial in my life? 00:26:51.839 --> 00:26:55.179 The saddest reality of all of this. 00:26:55.379 --> 00:26:56.439 That we've looked at today. 00:26:56.859 --> 00:26:58.299 And there's a lot sad about it. 00:26:58.559 --> 00:27:00.139 But the reality is. 00:27:00.220 --> 00:27:01.299 In too many lives. 00:27:01.679 --> 00:27:03.220 Jesus is still on trial. 00:27:05.039 --> 00:27:06.740 Because every time we sin. 00:27:06.839 --> 00:27:08.899 It's like we're nailing him back up to the cross again. 00:27:08.959 --> 00:27:10.059 And the reason why I say that is. 00:27:10.199 --> 00:27:12.519 Because he died for every one of our sins. 00:27:15.419 --> 00:27:18.220 And every time we consider a temptation. 00:27:20.079 --> 00:27:21.559 A trial is reborn. 00:27:21.839 --> 00:27:22.559 In our lives. 00:27:24.559 --> 00:27:25.599 What are we going to do? 00:27:25.599 --> 00:27:30.139 With the power that Jesus has given us the opportunity for. 00:27:33.139 --> 00:27:35.740 And the temptation the devil has thrown before us. 00:27:37.019 --> 00:27:41.959 The sad truth is that after everything he has done. 00:27:42.359 --> 00:27:45.879 There are still hearts unsettled. 00:27:45.880 --> 00:27:47.940 And the reality is. 00:27:48.100 --> 00:27:50.060 Jesus is still on trial today. 00:27:53.140 --> 00:27:56.480 And we can't do everything about everything in the world. 00:27:57.680 --> 00:27:59.080 I'll tell you what we can do something about. 00:28:00.980 --> 00:28:01.340 Ourselves. 00:28:01.339 --> 00:28:06.799 I don't care if you're a member of this church. 00:28:06.879 --> 00:28:07.919 You've never been here before. 00:28:09.379 --> 00:28:11.059 If there's never been a time in your life. 00:28:11.139 --> 00:28:13.220 When you've surrendered your life to the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:28:13.220 --> 00:28:14.839 I want you to know he'll save you today. 00:28:16.059 --> 00:28:17.319 You surrender your life to him. 00:28:17.319 --> 00:28:19.619 We'll stand and sing. 00:28:19.700 --> 00:28:20.539 And as we stand and sing. 00:28:20.619 --> 00:28:21.200 You say preacher. 00:28:21.359 --> 00:28:23.879 I want to give my heart and life to the Lord Jesus. 00:28:24.279 --> 00:28:25.679 And I'll be happy to have you led. 00:28:26.039 --> 00:28:27.000 In what that means. 00:28:28.240 --> 00:28:29.399 Maybe you're here today. 00:28:29.619 --> 00:28:31.259 And the reality is. 00:28:31.339 --> 00:28:31.960 You are a Christian. 00:28:32.039 --> 00:28:32.960 And you know you're a Christian. 00:28:33.079 --> 00:28:35.179 But you know that there's trials in your life. 00:28:35.220 --> 00:28:35.980 That shouldn't be there. 00:28:36.460 --> 00:28:37.759 You're putting Jesus on trial. 00:28:38.000 --> 00:28:39.500 And you need to submit that to God. 00:28:39.559 --> 00:28:40.519 Maybe you need to come to this altar. 00:28:40.619 --> 00:28:41.500 And lay it down before him. 00:28:41.619 --> 00:28:42.559 You can do it where you are. 00:28:42.720 --> 00:28:43.659 You need to just obey God. 00:28:43.720 --> 00:28:44.860 That's all I ever want you to do. 00:28:44.880 --> 00:28:45.440 Is obey God. 00:28:45.600 --> 00:28:47.500 Maybe God's drawing you to be a part of this fellowship. 00:28:48.500 --> 00:28:50.000 You know you're going to be a part of this church. 00:28:50.080 --> 00:28:51.120 You know that God's going to. 00:28:51.860 --> 00:28:53.060 Work and move in your life. 00:28:53.140 --> 00:28:54.460 When you obey him and follow him. 00:28:54.480 --> 00:28:54.980 And you do that. 00:28:54.980 --> 00:28:56.340 And then there may be some who've made. 00:28:56.779 --> 00:28:58.240 Private decisions for God this morning. 00:28:58.320 --> 00:28:59.740 But you've never made that public. 00:29:02.620 --> 00:29:04.000 I encourage you to come. 00:29:05.500 --> 00:29:07.080 Be baptized as a believer. 00:29:07.259 --> 00:29:08.759 And acknowledge that publicly. 00:29:08.980 --> 00:29:10.140 What Christ has done. 00:29:10.560 --> 00:29:11.160 For you. 00:29:12.240 --> 00:29:13.620 I'll never ask. 00:29:13.660 --> 00:29:15.740 You to do more than what God. 00:29:16.060 --> 00:29:16.920 Asked you to do. 00:29:17.880 --> 00:29:19.620 And I hope you'll never be satisfied. 00:29:19.620 --> 00:29:20.720 With doing anything less. 00:29:21.779 --> 00:29:22.840 Lord Jesus I love you. 00:29:22.860 --> 00:29:23.860 And I thank you dear God. 00:29:24.340 --> 00:29:25.680 For what you've shown us. 00:29:25.720 --> 00:29:27.100 Through the trial of Jesus dear God. 00:29:27.160 --> 00:29:28.740 I pray that you'll help us. 00:29:29.200 --> 00:29:31.779 To not put Christ on trial today. 00:29:31.920 --> 00:29:32.860 In our own lives. 00:29:33.279 --> 00:29:34.740 In Jesus precious name. 00:29:35.220 --> 00:29:35.500 Amen. 00:29:35.500 --> 00:29:35.600 Amen. 00:29:35.600 --> 00:29:35.720 Amen. 00:29:35.720 --> 00:29:35.920 Amen. 00:29:35.920 --> 00:29:36.000 Amen. 00:29:36.000 --> 00:29:36.080 Amen. 00:29:36.080 --> 00:29:36.100 Amen. 00:29:36.100 --> 00:29:36.160 Amen. 00:29:36.160 --> 00:29:36.180 Amen.