How Do You Stay In Control In A Crisis?

Question: How do you stay in control in a crisis?

How do you avoid withering in the face of difficulty?

How do you avoid running from hard things?

How do you stand when everyone else is falling?

PRAY

In a lot of ways, this is Part 2 to last weekend’s gathering…

To recap:

Jesus went to a place called Gethsemane with his disciples.

Jesus told the disciples to sit and wait and then He took 3 of them - Peter, James, and John - with him.

He told Peter, James, and John to sit and watch over Him while He prayed.

He was overcome with “horror and dismay” and still prayed, “Not my will but yours be done.”

When He returned, He found Peter, James, and John sleeping and told them to “watch and pray that they didn’t fall into temptation.”

Then Judas arrived with a mob to arrest Jesus.

Peter grabbed a sword and cut the ear off a guy named Malchus.

Jesus told him to put his sword away and healed the ear.

All the disciples ran away and left Jesus to be arrested.

As we read through the text, we were challenged to take these 3 Next Steps:

When you suffer, it’s time to align with God’s will.

When you suffer, it’s time to protect against temptation.

When you suffer, it’s time to choose the right weapons.

When we pick it up in Mark 14:53, we’re following right along with where we ended last week.

Jesus is headed to trial…but there’s more than 1 trial going on…

Mark 14:53–72 (NIV)

They took Jesus to the high priest, and all the chief priests, the elders and the teachers of the law came together.

Jesus’ trial is beginning.

Peter followed him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest. There he sat with the guards and warmed himself at the fire.

Peter’s trial is beginning.

The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for evidence against Jesus so that they could put him to death, but they did not find any. Many testified falsely against him, but their statements did not agree.

Lies never add up.

Then some stood up and gave this false testimony against him: “We heard him say, ‘I will destroy this temple made with human hands and in three days will build another, not made with hands.’ ” Yet even then their testimony did not agree.

Try as they might, they can’t seem to come up with a cohesive attack against Jesus.

Mark seems to be intent on you and I knowing that…

The testimony given against Jesus was false.

The false testimony givers seemed to contradict each other.

There’s a crazy amount of irony here as well…

The religious leaders have gathered a bunch of people together and organized them to give false testimony against Jesus - whom we know to be the Son of God.

Exodus 20:16 (NIV) - WORDS SPOKEN BY GOD, THE FATHER…THE KING

“You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.

Then the high priest stood up before them and asked Jesus, “Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you?” But Jesus remained silent and gave no answer.

Jesus refused to respond to the lies that were being thrown at Him.

Jesus wouldn’t give any credibility to the lies they were making up.

Jesus looks the attack of an evil enemy right in the eye, rejects the temptation to panic, and silently remains in control of the situation…even when the brokenness around Him is actively trying to break Him.

Story: You don’t have to respond to every argument you’re invited to.

We used to have a sign in our kitchen that said, “You don’t have to respond to every argument you’re invited to.”

Again the high priest asked him, “Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?”

“I am,” said Jesus.

BOOM.

Jesus remains silent when His opposition accuses Him of ridiculous things. But when He’s asked to testify to His identity, He sure speaks up…

“I AM.”

Exodus 3:14 (NIV)

God said to Moses, “I am who I am. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I am has sent me to you.’ ”

When Jesus goes…He goes big.

But He’s not done yet… He adds….

“And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.”

Jesus - “You ask if I’m the Messiah…”

“OH YES.”

“AND YOU HAVEN’T SEEN ANYTHING YET!”

The high priest tore his clothes. “Why do we need any more witnesses?” he asked. “You have heard the blasphemy. What do you think?”

They all condemned him as worthy of death. Then some began to spit at him; they blindfolded him, struck him with their fists, and said, “Prophesy!” And the guards took him and beat him.

And through it all… I never lose the sense that Jesus was in complete control of the situation.

Somehow…even though Jesus is on trial…it’s impossible to NOT feel like He is in complete control.

Even while being spit upon

Even while being blindfolded

Even while being hit

Even while being beaten

Now…over to Peter…

While Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the servant girls of the high priest came by. When she saw Peter warming himself, she looked closely at him.

“You also were with that Nazarene, Jesus,” she said.

It’s not an accusation….it’s a recognition.

Jesus faced false testimony…twisted lies. Peter faced…someone who recognized him.

But he denied it. “I don’t know or understand what you’re talking about,” he said, and went out into the entryway.

When the servant girl saw him there, she said again to those standing around, “This fellow is one of them.” Again he denied it.

Another recognition…and another denial.

After a little while, those standing near said to Peter, “Surely you are one of them, for you are a Galilean.”

He began to call down curses, and he swore to them, “I don’t know this man you’re talking about.”

And one more time for good measure.

Immediately the rooster crowed the second time. Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows twice you will disown me three times.” And he broke down and wept.

Luke’s Gospel has a slightly different version of this moment…

Luke 22:61-62

The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter. THEN Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows today, you will disown me three times.” And he went outside and wept bitterly.

When Jesus looked right at Peter…it completely broke him because he knew he had failed the trial.

In contrast to Jesus…it’s impossible to feel like Peter is anywhere near in control.

It’s impossible to read this passage without remembering what happened in Gethsemane…

GO TO JESUS’ SIDE…

Jesus spent time praying at Gethsemane before He walks into the biggest trial anyone had ever faced before…

Prayer movements precede Kingdom movements.

NOTHING happens without prayer going first…not even Jesus going to the cross.

If you want to see the Kingdom of Heaven move in, around, and through you…you’ll spend time in prayer first… Not to “get God to do what you want” but to “align yourself with what God wants.”

Because you live in a broken world, you are GOING TO FACE TRIALS of your own…

Lies

Slander

Mockery

Violence

Offense

…how you handle it will be determined NOT by your skills or strength…but by how much time you’ve spent praying and seeking alignment with your King.

PRAY FOR ALIGNMENT WITH GOD’S WILL.

GO TO PETER’S SIDE…

While in Gethsemane, Jesus told Peter to stay awake, watch, and pray so as to avoid temptation.

Three times…Peter failed to stay awake, watch, and pray.

And three times…when faced with the hardest trial of his life…Peter failed and denied Jesus.

We’re reminded that…

Sins of omission lead to sins of commission.

It’s easy to look at “the way of Jesus” and think, “It seems like I could skip SOME of what Jesus!”

When we resist allowing our minds and lifestyles changed by Jesus, we set ourselves up to fail when we face a trial just like Peter did

Turn the other cheek when people hurt you

Honor your parents

Be reconciled to people who have wronged you

Keep your word

Read the Bible

Pray — already mentioned how Jesus did this

Repent — change your thinking

Believe — take action

Be baptized — NOW

If you want to follow the way of Jesus…understand that His way requires you to follow His instructions.

PRAY FOR OBEDIENCE TO GOD’S WILL.

INVITATION: Surrender to Jesus’ Way.

CHALLENGE: Obey Jesus’ Commands.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

What are some modern-day examples of facing trials similar to those Jesus and Peter faced, and how can we apply the lessons from this sermon to those situations?

Why do you think Jesus chose to remain silent during his trial instead of defending himself against the false testimonies being placed against him?

In what situations in your life do you find it hard to remain silent, and how might this example from Jesus help you respond differently?

What does the statement from Exodus 20:16, 'You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor,' teach us about honesty and integrity?

How do you feel about sharing the truth, even when it’s difficult?

Are there areas in your life where you struggle with honesty?

In what ways do the sins of omission mentioned in the sermon relate to the actions we fail to take in our faith journey?

What specific steps can you take to ensure you are actively participating in your faith, rather than just going through the motions?

Discuss the statement, “If you want to follow the way of Jesus, understand that His way requires you to follow His instructions.”

How does this challenge or encourage you in your faith journey?