The Trial: Tell the Truth!

Introduction: The Death of Reformers

No matter how deep the darkness, no matter how fierce the opposition, the light of God’s people can never be overpowered.

This is what the reformers believed.

Jan Hus was a priest, theologian, and reformer against the Roman Catholic Church. He faithfully criticized the established church who sold indulgences to convince its patrons they were saved. They sold their religion for money and convinced individuals that only through the church one can be saved. Hus strongly preached that the Bible is the authority of the church, not the Pope. Hus was declared a heretic and burned at the stake. Just as he was being burned at the stake, he stated, “Seek the truth, listen to the truth, learn the truth, love the truth, speak the truth, hold the truth, defend the truth unto death.”

William Tyndale, English scholar and translator had a vision to make the Bible available to the common man. He believed individuals should not rely on the interpretation of the church to understand the Bible. Rather, they should read it and understood it by proof of their own studies. The Church of England and King Henry VIII disagreed, labeled him as a heretic, and strangled him and had him burned at the stake. As he was being burned, he prayed, “Lord, open the King of England’s eyes.”

Michael Servetus was a physician and theologian who criticized the church for insisting the trinity was a biblical doctrine. John Calvin and others insisted that he was heretic and that he should be burned alive with his books. According to their desires, this is exactly what happened. As he was being led to the stake, he stated, “I will burn, but this is a mere event. We shall continue our discussion in eternity.”

The truth is, the church has an ugly history of trying to kill those they disagree with. Against the example and teachings of Jesus, churches and their religious affiliates have gone to great length to use the militarized example of Rome to discourage, disrupt, and extinguish people they feel are a threat to their establish tradition and institutional existence. And this may be one of the darkest stains on the history of the church, which will forever prevent her from reaching the world with the impact designated by our Savior.

The times we just spoke of were times when darkness reigned.

Jesus—His Boxless Ministry and Truth Weapon

I have said this before and I will say it again. Institutional churches are dangerous. They often begin with good intentions of organizing and structuring for sacred work. Yet, over time they all succumb to the idolatry that is inevitable when we practice anything but what Christ has subscribed by word or example.

This is why at Selfless Church, we avoid the boxes. I avoid those boxes, because I am terrified by the idols that come with them. I am absolutely convicted by the reality of God and His Word, and I don’t trust myself in a box. I may enjoy the pleasure of vain glory, or self-worship.

We submit to the only box that matters—Jesus Christ. We strive to do exactly what He taught and exampled, because this is the only sustainable model. We give like Jesus gave, we meet like Jesus meet, we worship like Jesus worshipped, because all the other boxes are just too small. And in each of those small boxes is an idol that leads us astray.

In our text, Jesus is heading to trial, because of his boxless ministry. He refused to fit in with any one sects or forms of Judaism. In fact, many would have thought He was opposing the system altogether.

Luke 23:5 “5 Then they became insistent. “But he is causing riots by his teaching wherever he goes—all over Judea, from Galilee to Jerusalem!””

Jesus was not a revolutionary who fought with arms. He was a transformer who fought with His words. He disrupted the norm and the establishment. He frustrated systems.

Principle 1: All one needs to disrupt the forces of darkness is the truth.

Every evil plan and every evil work against the people of God and the truth of God’s Word can be overcome by simply telling the truth. When we are dead and gone, the truth will be here. While individuals may ignore our life, our voice, and our efforts—they can never deny the truth.

Jesus was powerful—not because of His ego or because he imposed His will. Jesus was powerful simply because He told the truth! He told it in front of everyone and in spite of what everyone thought. He simply told the truth and died for the truth.

John 7:17–18 “17 Anyone who wants to do the will of God will know whether my teaching is from God or is merely my own. 18 Those who speak for themselves want glory only for themselves, but a person who seeks to honor the one who sent him speaks truth, not lies.”

The Church on Trial

If we want to truly be the church Jesus wants us to be, we must speak the truth!

Our text covers the trial of Jesus Christ. The truth is we are also on trial. We are facing a time where we can’t be silent. A part of discipling and sharing the gospel is submitting to the process of being condemned by those who hold the power so God can provide the glorious victory that is destined for those who follow His example.

This means we must speak against:

Individuals who endorse political candidates for favors and their own personal gain at the expense of gospel of Jesus Christ.

There are two types of prosperity preachers:

The one who blatantly manipulates the crowd into giving their money on the basis of false hopes

The one who uses and leverages political influence to attract dollars in the name of God.

This means we can’t partner with America and God—we have to choose one or the other.

Individuals who sensor their messages to fit a state-controlled ordinance that challenges biblical truth.

We simply cannot revise the Bible to fit one’s agenda, we have to speak the truth.

China, Russia, Middle eastern nations with their state-approved doctrines.

Individuals who support racial and social oppression based on color and classism.

Luke 4:18 “18 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the oppressed will be set free,”

The Church’s Response

Jesus understood His purpose and His calling. It was simply to tell the truth, and His followers would be expected to do the same. In fact, the enemy’s primary goal is to keep us silent.

Principle 2: Silence is a form of denial.

Luke 22:31–34 NLT

31 “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift each of you like wheat. 32 But I have pleaded in prayer for you, Simon, that your faith should not fail. So when you have repented and turned to me again, strengthen your brothers.” 33 Peter said, “Lord, I am ready to go to prison with you, and even to die with you.” 34 But Jesus said, “Peter, let me tell you something. Before the rooster crows tomorrow morning, you will deny three times that you even know me.”

Luke 22:54–62 NLT

54 So they arrested him and led him to the high priest’s home. And Peter followed at a distance. 55 The guards lit a fire in the middle of the courtyard and sat around it, and Peter joined them there. 56 A servant girl noticed him in the firelight and began staring at him. Finally she said, “This man was one of Jesus’ followers!” 57 But Peter denied it. “Woman,” he said, “I don’t even know him!” 58 After a while someone else looked at him and said, “You must be one of them!” “No, man, I’m not!” Peter retorted. 59 About an hour later someone else insisted, “This must be one of them, because he is a Galilean, too.” 60 But Peter said, “Man, I don’t know what you are talking about.” And immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed. 61 At that moment the Lord turned and looked at Peter. Suddenly, the Lord’s words flashed through Peter’s mind: “Before the rooster crows tomorrow morning, you will deny three times that you even know me.” 62 And Peter left the courtyard, weeping bitterly.

Notice, Peter spoke but He said the wrong thing. He would not admit what He knew and who He was to Jesus.

Notice Jesus’s example,

Luke 22:66–71 NLT

66 At daybreak all the elders of the people assembled, including the leading priests and the teachers of religious law. Jesus was led before this high council, 67 and they said, “Tell us, are you the Messiah?” But he replied, “If I tell you, you won’t believe me. 68 And if I ask you a question, you won’t answer. 69 But from now on the Son of Man will be seated in the place of power at God’s right hand.” 70 They all shouted, “So, are you claiming to be the Son of God?” And he replied, “You say that I am.” 71 “Why do we need other witnesses?” they said. “We ourselves heard him say it.”