God Uses Unlikely People
Seeing Jesus Through the Eyes of a Friend • Sermon • Submitted
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· 585 viewsGod is tying up loose ends in regard to the incarnation.
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Introduction
What do my hearers NEED to know?
What is NICE for them to know?
Where CAN they go (if they would like to know more)?
Keep it at 45min which is 3000 words (Murder the Darlings)
What is the “Elevator Speech”? Make sure you have a compelling hook! Why should they listen to you?
Introduction
Greet everyone (be in front of the pulpit)
Attention (Why should they listen to you?)
“For Some Gang Members In El Salvador, The Evangelical Church Offers A Way Out”
There are three ways out of a gang in El Salvador...
Death
Leave El Salvador
Join an evangelical church - But if you don’t follow-thru with your commitment, your old gang will kill you.
So God uses ungodly gang members to make sure people are growing in Christ!
What is the hearer’s problem?
So many people think they need to be the Apostle Paul or Billy Graham or someone super spiritual to be used of God! NOPE!!
What is the biblical solution?
What do the hearers need to know -
Bridging Sentences
God can use whomever He wants, whenever He wants, However He want to accomplish His grand and glorious plans.
Subject:
And God wants to use you!!!
Main Textual Idea:
Modifier:
Main Textual Idea:
And I can prove it from the narrative found in John 19:16-27!
This is John’s perspective of the crucifixion. As Jesus’ life comes to a close, John shows three important parts to the glorious narrative that prove conclusivly that God and and does use anyone to accomplish His will...
Yes, God can use you!
Main Sermon Idea: God Uses Unlikely People to Accomplish His Plan!
Do you want some examples?
Well, I have three...
Body (Satisfaction)
1. God Can Use a Pagan Governor to Witness to Thousands! (vs. 16b-22)
16 So he delivered him over to them to be crucified. So they took Jesus, 17 and he went out, bearing his own cross, to the place called The Place of a Skull, which in Aramaic is called Golgotha. 18 There they crucified him, and with him two others, one on either side, and Jesus between them. 19 Pilate also wrote an inscription and put it on the cross. It read, “Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.” 20 Many of the Jews read this inscription, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city, and it was written in Aramaic, in Latin, and in Greek. 21 So the chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate, “Do not write, ‘The King of the Jews,’ but rather, ‘This man said, I am King of the Jews.’ ” 22 Pilate answered, “What I have written I have written.”
John 19:16
Explanation -
The day has come. The trials are done and the miscarriage of justice is well on it’s way to the death of an innocent man. And so the soldiers came and took Jesus and forced Him, after the great scourging He endured, to carry His own cross. They crucified him on the mount called “Skull” - Golgotha (Aramaic), Calvary (from Latin).
Explanation -
16 So he delivered him over to them to be crucified. So they took Jesus, 17 and he went out, bearing his own cross, to the place called The Place of a Skull, which in Aramaic is called Golgotha. 18 There they crucified him, and with him two others, one on either side, and Jesus between them.
16 So he delivered him over to them to be crucified. So they took Jesus, 17 and he went out, bearing his own cross, to the place called The Place of a Skull, which in Aramaic is called Golgotha. 18 There they crucified him, and with him two others, one on either side, and Jesus between them.
Now, what do you notice about this depiction of the crucifixion? The surprising LACK of information!
Now, what do you notice about this depiction of the crucifixion? The surprising LACK of information!
After all the time we have spent working up to the cross, we finally arrive in John’s account in what is one of the most significant events in human history. All the way back to the first book of the Bible predicts it in .
The Pentateuch preached it.
The Psalms sang about it.
The Prophets predicted it!
The Old Testament Points to the Cross of the Christ!
And John only gives three verses to describe this pivotal point in Human history! Why?
A couple of reasons.
First, it is because John is a supplemental gospel...
Second, it is because John has something else to focus on. He is going to spend some time tying up loose ends in the crucifixion story and instead of Focusing on the Christ, He is choosing to focus on three types of unlikely people that God is choosing to use for His glorious plan!
And the first person is the very unlikely Roman Prefect (governor) Pontius Pilate...
And this vignette is absolutely beautiful because of it’s intrigue and sweet irony. Take a look and the text with me...
19 Pilate also wrote an inscription and put it on the cross. It read, “Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.” 20 Many of the Jews read this inscription, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city, and it was written in Aramaic, in Latin, and in Greek. 21 So the chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate, “Do not write, ‘The King of the Jews,’ but rather, ‘This man said, I am King of the Jews.’ ” 22 Pilate answered, “What I have written I have written.”
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16 So he delivered him over to them to be crucified. So they took Jesus, 17 and he went out, bearing his own cross, to the place called The Place of a Skull, which in Aramaic is called Golgotha. 18 There they crucified him, and with him two others, one on either side, and Jesus between them. 19 Pilate also wrote an inscription and put it on the cross. It read, “Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.” 20 Many of the Jews read this inscription, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city, and it was written in Aramaic, in Latin, and in Greek. 21 So the chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate, “Do not write, ‘The King of the Jews,’ but rather, ‘This man said, I am King of the Jews.’ ” 22 Pilate answered, “What I have written I have written.”
19 Pilate also wrote an inscription and put it on the cross. It read, “Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.” 20 Many of the Jews read this inscription, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city, and it was written in Aramaic, in Latin, and in Greek. 21 So the chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate, “Do not write, ‘The King of the Jews,’ but rather, ‘This man said, I am King of the Jews.’ ” 22 Pilate answered, “What I have written I have written.”
Pilate, if you remember from the last few weeks, was in a precarious position. If there was one more significant uprising with the Jews under his leadership, Tiberius Caesar would likely fire him from his position and have him killed. The Chief priests knew this very well and played it to their advantage so they could use Pilate to get Jesus killed. And that is exactly what happened. Pilate needed to perform any capital punishment and so, because of the tremendous pressure from the Sanhedrin along with the crowds shouting for the death of Jesus, he capitulated and performed the crucifixion against his own better judgment.
So the dastardly deed was now done. Jesus was crucified. Pilate gave them all that they asked for and I believe was tormented by the decision. After all, he was convinced that Jesus was innocent. He said it over and over again.
Expository Thoughts on the Gospels: St. John, Vol. 3 John 19:17–27: Christ Bearing His Cross,—Christ Crucified as a King,—Christ’s Care for His Mother
The practical lesson which all true Christians should gather from the fact before us, is one that should be kept in continual remembrance. Like our Master, we must be content to go forth “without the camp,” bearing His reproach. We must come out from the world and be separate, and be willing, if need be, to stand alone. Like our Master, we must be willing to take up our cross daily, and to be persecuted both for our doctrine and our practice. Well would it be for the Church if there was more of the true cross to be seen among Christians! To wear material crosses as an ornament, to place material crosses on churches and tombs, all this is cheap and easy work, and entails no trouble. But to have Christ’s cross in our hearts, to carry Christ’s cross in our daily walk, to know the fellowship of His sufferings, to be made conformable to His death, to have crucified affections, and live crucified lives,—all this needs self-denial; and Christians of this stamp are few and far between. Yet, this, we may be sure, is the only cross-bearing and cross-carrying that does good in the world. The times require less of the cross outwardly and more of the cross within.
4 Pilate went out again and said to them, “See, I am bringing him out to you that you may know that I find no guilt in him.”
4 Pilate went out again and said to them, “See, I am bringing him out to you that you may know that I find no guilt in him.”
And it was he that sentenced this innocent man to death. Why? To save himself. To save his job and to save his own life...
And it was he that sentenced this innocent man to death. Why? To save himself. To save his job and to save his own life...
And what I believe to be a jab at the chief priests and scribes that forced his hand to kill Jesus, he had a sign written that said, “Jesus of Nazareth, THE KING OF THE JEWS”. Folks, this was out of spite
It a stinging poke in their eye! The Jewish leadership was appalled at this public declaration! In three separate languages, no less.
Aramaic - the language of the surrounding area
Latin - the language of the Romans (the occupying force) The legal language.
Greek - the language of the land thanks to Alexander the Great
And the text says it was read by MANY JEWS. Remember, Jerusalem was swollen with people because of the Passover celebration.
As you can imagine and as John tells us, the chief priests were not happy about this. They rejected Jesus on every level and especially on the level being their King!
Not too long ago they uttered those words that no self respecting orthodox should ever let cross their lip.
15 They cried out, “Away with him, away with him, crucify him!” Pilate said to them, “Shall I crucify your King?” The chief priests answered, “We have no king but Caesar.”
15 They cried out, “Away with him, away with him, crucify him!” Pilate said to them, “Shall I crucify your King?” The chief priests answered, “We have no king but Caesar.”
They outright rejected Yahweh, their King and substituted Him with a pagan, wicked and ungodly Caesar! At least they were being honest.
They outright rejected Yahweh, their King and substituted Him with a pagan, wicked and ungodly Caesar! At least they were being honest.
So they go back to Pilate one more time to throw their political weight around and demand that he change the sign from what it says to, “This man said, ‘I am the King of the Jews.’”
Pilate had had enough! He was done with their games and manipulation! And, for an instance, in a very small way we get to see the Pilate that Josephus and Philo wrote about. All of a sudden, his backbone returned and, I believe with anger in his eye and teeth gritted, he said, “What I have written I have written!”
So why does John show us this part of the story? I think it is for more than just interesting, antidotal, information. I think there is a significant spiritual reason for this story.
God used a pagan Governor, who was more concerned for his job and life, to share the truth that Jesus Christ is the King of the Jews, with thousands!
Illustration -
Pilate was an unwitting evangelist! He spoke truth to thousands of people who marched by the cross on the way into the city and on their way out...
Illustration - God used a donkey to save the life of her master, Balaam.
The Triumphal Entry...
36 And as he rode along, they spread their cloaks on the road. 37 As he was drawing near—already on the way down the Mount of Olives—the whole multitude of his disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen, 38 saying, “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” 39 And some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples.” 40 He answered, “I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out.”
36 And as he rode along, they spread their cloaks on the road. 37 As he was drawing near—already on the way down the Mount of Olives—the whole multitude of his disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen, 38 saying, “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” 39 And some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples.” 40 He answered, “I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out.”
Argumentation - Isn’t it amazing that God used a very unlikely pagan, Roman Governor to witness about Jesus and share the truth that He is “The King of the Jews”?
Argumentation - Isn’t it amazing that God used a very unlikely pagan, Roman Governor to witness about Jesus and share the truth that He is “The King of the Jews”?
Application - My dear friends, God is going to use whomever and whatever He wills to get His plan accomplished.
He can use a pagan roman Governor
He can use donkey
He can have the rocks cry out..
But do you know what unlikely person He would like to use within your circle of influence to inform people that Jesus is not only the King of the Jews but that He is King of Kings and Lord of Lords?
YOU!
Review - God uses unlikely people to accomplish His plan
God used a pagan Governor to witness to thousands...
2. God Can Use Hardened Soldiers to Fulfill a Prophecy (vs. 23-24)
In a rather abrupt transition in this account, John changes focus from Pilate to the soldiers who have been less than kind to Jesus...
Again, John doesn’t get into much detail regarding the horrific nature of the crucifixion. He simply says that the soldiers did. Remember, John’s responsibility is first and foremost a witness. And so He fills in the gaps for the other three gospel witnesses. Look at the text...
23 When the soldiers had crucified Jesus, they took his garments and divided them into four parts, one part for each soldier; also his tunic. But the tunic was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom, 24 so they said to one another, “Let us not tear it, but cast lots for it to see whose it shall be.” This was to fulfill the Scripture which says, “They divided my garments among them, and for my clothing they cast lots.” So the soldiers did these things,
Explanation -
The dirty work of the crucifixion was done. And it was dirty. A horrific event, to say the least!
And after the task of nailing him to the beam and hoisting him to his position of death, the soldiers were able to relax and wait for the inevitable death of their victim.
While they were waiting, they decided to split the spoils of their conquest. It was actually their legal right to do so...
Apparently, clothing was a hot commodity back then. Which makes sense. There was no Amazon or Walmart to just stop by and pick something new up to wear. Everything was hand crafted and very few had a large wardrobe.
And in their way of thinking, Jesus wasn’t going to need these clothes any more! This also was part of the cruelty of the soldier’s process. As they divided up the garments in front of the one hanging on the cross, it clearly communicated that they were going to die!
Now, what is interesting in John’s account is he gives more detail then the other gospel writers.
They took His garments and divided them into four parts. This gives us a clue that there were four soldiers put on this detail.
Secondly they decided not to divide the “tunic”, also known as the CHITON...
Greek chiton, a long garment worn under the cloak next to the skin
And because that garment was seamless it carried more value whole than parted out.
So, instead they decided to roll the dice to see who would win the prize.
This seems like such a strange event to be so detailed about until you realize that John gives this information to show that these guys were being used of God as pawns to fulfill the prophecy that had been predicted hundreds of years prior.
It’s actually a Psalm of King David! Listen to the crucifixion overtones...
1 My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, from the words of my groaning? 2 O my God, I cry by day, but you do not answer, and by night, but I find no rest. 3 Yet you are holy, enthroned on the praises of Israel. 4 In you our fathers trusted; they trusted, and you delivered them. 5 To you they cried and were rescued; in you they trusted and were not put to shame. 6 But I am a worm and not a man, scorned by mankind and despised by the people. 7 All who see me mock me; they make mouths at me; they wag their heads; 8 “He trusts in the Lord; let him deliver him; let him rescue him, for he delights in him!” 9 Yet you are he who took me from the womb; you made me trust you at my mother’s breasts. 10 On you was I cast from my birth, and from my mother’s womb you have been my God. 11 Be not far from me, for trouble is near, and there is none to help. 12 Many bulls encompass me; strong bulls of Bashan surround me; 13 they open wide their mouths at me, like a ravening and roaring lion. 14 I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint; my heart is like wax; it is melted within my breast; 15 my strength is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue sticks to my jaws; you lay me in the dust of death. 16 For dogs encompass me; a company of evildoers encircles me; they have pierced my hands and feet— 17 I can count all my bones— they stare and gloat over me; 18 they divide my garments among them, and for my clothing they cast lots.
14 I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint; my heart is like wax; it is melted within my breast; 15 my strength is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue sticks to my jaws; you lay me in the dust of death. 16 For dogs encompass me; a company of evildoers encircles me; they have pierced my hands and feet— 17 I can count all my bones— they stare and gloat over me; 18 they divide my garments among them, and for my clothing they cast lots.
1 My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, from the words of my groaning? 2 O my God, I cry by day, but you do not answer, and by night, but I find no rest. 3 Yet you are holy, enthroned on the praises of Israel. 4 In you our fathers trusted; they trusted, and you delivered them. 5 To you they cried and were rescued; in you they trusted and were not put to shame. 6 But I am a worm and not a man, scorned by mankind and despised by the people. 7 All who see me mock me; they make mouths at me; they wag their heads; 8 “He trusts in the Lord; let him deliver him; let him rescue him, for he delights in him!” 9 Yet you are he who took me from the womb; you made me trust you at my mother’s breasts. 10 On you was I cast from my birth, and from my mother’s womb you have been my God. 11 Be not far from me, for trouble is near, and there is none to help. 12 Many bulls encompass me; strong bulls of Bashan surround me; 13 they open wide their mouths at me, like a ravening and roaring lion. 14 I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint; my heart is like wax; it is melted within my breast; 15 my strength is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue sticks to my jaws; you lay me in the dust of death. 16 For dogs encompass me; a company of evildoers encircles me; they have pierced my hands and feet— 17 I can count all my bones— they stare and gloat over me; 18 they divide my garments among them, and for my clothing they cast lots.
Folks, isn’t it wonderful to know that our God has things well under control? From the disciples perspective this whole scene was a mass of confusion! They didn’t understand what was going on! Their Rabbi, their Messiah, their hope for the future was now hanging on the cross. He appeared nothing like a conquering King! Instead He appeared weak and pathetic!
Folks, isn’t it wonderful to know that our God has things well under control? From the disciples perspective this whole scene was a mass of confusion! They didn’t understand what was going on! Their Rabbi, their Messiah, their hope for the future was now hanging on the cross. He appeared nothing like a conquering King! Instead He appeared weak and pathetic!
John puts this little titbit in the narrative to remind all who read he story that Jesus was no victim! The process was planned from the foundation of the earth and was promised through the ages. For those with ears to hear, it would have been no surprise.
And the beauty of this portrait that John is painting? These hardened Roman Soldiers THOUGHT they were in complete control of Jesus, His life, His death and even His clothing. They were not!
He, from the foundation of the earth, with His Father and the Holy Spirit have orchestrated every event in human history to get Christ to hang from that very cross. These men were not in charge! They were merely being used by God to accomplish a much bigger purpose. A purpose they couldn’t even conceive in their worldly rooted minds.
Jesus may have appeared weak and pathetic, but He was very much in charge of this gruesome event! He was right were He wanted and needed to be.
And John quotes this prophecy from Psalm 22 just to remind anyone that might think differently!
“Many of us rely on our own illusion of control. But when God makes it known to you that you're not the one steering the ship, be thankful. He has removed the illusion, and forced you to rely only on Him.”
Many of us rely on our own illusion of control. But when God makes it known to you that you're not the one steering the ship, be thankful. He has removed the illusion, and forced you to rely only on Him.
2 “I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted.
God makes sure that, even the seemingly insignificant prophecies are fulfilled, down to the last detail. Because He is in control!
Those soldiers were not robots or puppets. They chose to become soldiers. They chose to crucify Jesus and they chose to divide and gamble for His garments. They made these decisions on their own without coercion. Yet God was behind it all getting all the players in the right spot at the right time to accomplish His grand play of the ages! God is really big and really great. And this little, seemingly insignificant tidbit of prophetic information should cause us to fall on our knees in awe of the one who orchestrated all things to give us the opportunity for our personal redemption!
God used these hardened Roman Soldiers to not only sacrifice the Lamb of God for your sins, but He continues to use them to show you and all who read John’s beautiful gospel, that He is omnipotent and in charge of all things.
2 “I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted.
2 “I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted.
Folks, when you see this little detail about a fulfilled prophecy you soon begin to realize that God is a God who plans and has things ordered down to the minutest of details. What’s more, He is able, in His ultimate power to allow each one of us in this room to have a free will to choose.
God used these hardened Roman Soldiers to not only sacrifice the Lamb of God for your sins, but He continues to use them to show you and all who read John’s beautiful gospel, that He is omnipotent and in charge of all things.
What are you facing today? Do you think that this same powerful God who was able to orchestrate His plan in spite of Human free will…He was still able to get Christ to the cross…do you think He can handle what you are facing? Or is he too small for that?
Oh, He delights in using the small, the insignificant, the unlikely to show just how amazing He truly is!
Will you trust Him with you stuff today? It may not resolve in your time or in your way, but we can all agree this morning that if He is truly in charge, it will resolve in the right, best and most awesome way!
So, TRUST HIM!!
Review - God uses unlikely people to accomplish His plan
God can use a pagan governor to witness to thousands
God can use hardened soldiers to fulfill prophecy
3. God Can Use a Hot-Tempered Man to Fulfill the Law (vs. 25-27)
That seems like an unlikely thing to happen, but it is true. Let’s take a look at the text and then I’ll explain what I mean...
Division 3 Statement: The Son
The
25 but standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. 26 When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son!” 27 Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother!” And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home.
While Jesus is hanging on through the last hours of His life on a tree being the propitiatory sacrifice for the sins of the world, there is a small group of people, mostly women seeing this tragedy through to the end. Four ladies...
The MacArthur Study Bible Chapter 19
John probably refers to 4 women rather than 3, i.e., two by name and two without naming them: 1) “His mother” (Mary); 2) “His mother’s sister” (probably Salome [Mark 15:40] the sister of Mary and mother of James and John, the sons of Zebedee [Matt. 27:56, 57; Mark 15:40]); 3) “Mary the wife of Cleopas” (the mother of James the younger and Joses-Matt. 27:56); and 4) Mary Magdalene (“Magdalene” signifies “Magdala” a village on the W shore of Galilee, 2 or 3 mi. N of Tiberias). Mary Magdalene figures prominently in the resurrection account (see 20:1–18; cf. Luke 8:2, 3 where Jesus healed her from demon possession).
Explanation -
His mom, Mary
His mom’s sister (most likely Salome (), the mother of James and John the sons of Zebedee ())
Mary, the wife of Cleopas (the mother of James the younger and Joses)
Mary Magdalene (Jesus healed her from demon possession).
Four woman standing by Jesus to the bitter end. What an encouragement that must have been for Him. A stark contrast from the humiliating treatment he received from the soldiers who were gambling for His clothing as he hung there naked and dying...
But you notice that all of His twelve didn’t completely abandon him. There is one standing with the ladies. “The disciple whom Jesus loved...” We know this to be the author of this gospel, John himself.
This is how John refers to himself throughout this gospel. What a beautiful phrase. I said this before and I’ll say it again, I think it is a wonderful way John views himself. And it is appropriate for you, because of the gospel, to view yourself in the same way.
But I want you to notice what happens next. And it is significant.
26 When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son!” 27 Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother!” And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home.
Jesus, through the pain and agony of the cross of death, looked and saw and saw His mom.
He needed to do something before His earthly journey was complete.
He needed to ensure His momma was well cared for.
And certainly that was reason enough, but it was yet another demonstration of why Jesus qualified to be our savior. He never broke God’s law and He always fulfilled it! Even in agony. Even as His human life was coming to a close Jesus kept the law....
12 “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.
As Paul reiterated this law in , he points out that this is the first command to come with a promise. What is the promise? That you will live long in the land...
So Jesus speaks to him mom...
“Woman, behold, your son!”
Then he turned to the disciple He loved, “Behold, your mother!”
Remember, Jesus, from the time of Joseph’s death to the beginning of His public ministry was the head of the house and the main bread winner because He was their firstborn son. He was the one that provided for Mary and his younger siblings.
He did exactly what He was supposed to do by ensuring that she was cared for.
But what about her other kids? Why didn’t Jesus entrust her to their care?
First, none were there. John was.
Second, none of them believed at this point. They thought He was kinda crazy!
20 Then he went home, and the crowd gathered again, so that they could not even eat. 21 And when his family heard it, they went out to seize him, for they were saying, “He is out of his mind.”
Third, John was a dear close friend and follower of Jesus who would care well for His dear mom.
John wasn’t always like this.
He was the brother of James and the son of Zebedee the fisherman.
Jesus, early on in His ministry had a nickname for James and John...
17 James the son of Zebedee and John the brother of James (to whom he gave the name Boanerges, that is, Sons of Thunder);
Sons of thunder - probably not because they were meek and mild in their personalities. These boys were zealous, quick-tempered men!
There was a time in their training when they wanted to destroy another group of people because they rejected Jesus...
51 When the days drew near for him to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem. 52 And he sent messengers ahead of him, who went and entered a village of the Samaritans, to make preparations for him. 53 But the people did not receive him, because his face was set toward Jerusalem. 54 And when his disciples James and John saw it, they said, “Lord, do you want us to tell fire to come down from heaven and consume them?” 55 But he turned and rebuked them.
51-
But over time as John continued to follow Jesus the Son of Thunder transformed into the “Apostle of Love”.
By the way, this is what happens if you are a genuine Christ follower. You will become less and less like your old you and become more and more like Christ! If you don’t see this happening in your life. You need to check yourself and see if you are indeed in the Faith!
John went from thunderous to loving and Jesus knew he was the perfect guy to care for His mom.
24 Make no friendship with a man given to anger, nor go with a wrathful man,
Jesus was concerned for His mom and He needed to fulfill the law perfectly as well so He could qualify to be your savior. He accomplished both by giving her to John.
24 Make no friendship with a man given to anger, nor go with a wrathful man,
24 Make no friendship with a man given to anger, nor go with a wrathful man,
Do you see the difference between the first two examples and the example of John?
With Pilate and the soldiers, God USED them. They were ignorant participants in accomplishing His will.
With John on the other hand, God/Jesus partnered with and entrusted John with a great responsibility. This was only after his transformation...
Dr. W. Wilbert Welch coined the phrase, “The Divine / Human Cooperative.” God working with man to accomplish His will and His plan.
Imagine, the immense, holy God of heaven and earth WANTS TO work with humans. He desires to work with those who once were lost but now are found. If you are a believer here is morning, He wants to work with you!
He asked John to care for His mother and thus fulfilled the Law
What is is asking of you this morning? What part of His plan is He asking you to partner with Him to accomplish? Please say yes to this glorious request from God Himself.
Preaching/Teaching
Evangelism/outreach
Nursery/Children/Youth - VBS
Working with Women, Working with Men
Music/Set-up, tear down
Missions/Church planting/Revalization
There are so many facets to God’s plan! So many ways to partner with God to accomplish His will
You might be thinking, God can’t use me. Bologna...
God desires to use you so He can grow you! It’s through serving Him that you grow in Him! Sitting in a pew (or a white plastic chair) and not serving in His body, is a recipe for stagnation. There is much to be done and God desires to work with you regardless of how unlikely you think you are!
God wants you to fulfill His plan. There is no greater honor! There is no greater calling! There is no harder way of life. But as my old boss used to say, “If it were easy, everybody’d be doing it!”
Review - God uses unlikely people to accomplish His plan
God can use a pagan governor to witness to thousands
God can use hardened soldiers to fulfill prophecy
God can use a Hot Tempered Man to Fulfill the Law
Conclusion (Visualization)
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Division 5 Statement:
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Conclusion (Visualization)
Do you know who the most unlikely person God ever used? Listen to this and see if you agree...
“One Solitary Life” by James Allan Francis
He was born in an obscure village, the child of a peasant. He grew up in another village, where he worked in a carpenter shop until he was 30. Then, for three years, he was an itinerant preacher. He never wrote a book. He never held an office. He never had a family or owned a home. He didn’t go to college. He never lived in a big city. He never traveled 200 miles from the place where he was born. He did none of the things that usually accompany greatness. He had no credentials but himself. He was only 33 when the tide of public opinion turned against him. His friends ran away. One of them denied him. He was turned over to his enemies and went through the mockery of a trial. He was nailed to a cross between two thieves. While he was dying, his executioners gambled for his garments, the only property he had on earth. When he was dead, he was laid in a borrowed grave, through the pity of a friend. [Twenty] centuries have come and gone, and today he is the central figure of the human race. I am well within the mark when I say that all the armies that ever marched, all the navies that ever sailed, all the parliaments that ever sat, all the kings that ever reigned—put together—have not affected the life of man on this earth as much as that one, solitary life.
Adapted from “Arise, Sir Knight,” a sermon by James Allan Francis, in The Real Jesus and Other Sermons (Philadelphia: Judson, 1926), 123-124.
Adapted from “Arise, Sir Knight,” a sermon by James Allan Francis, in The Real Jesus and Other Sermons (Philadelphia: Judson, 1926), 123-124.
An unlikely man, the God/man is the gateway for your eternal life.
Geisler, Norman L.. I Don't Have Enough Faith to Be an Atheist (Foreword by David Limbaugh) (p. 389). Crossway. Kindle Edition.
Geisler, Norman L.. I Don't Have Enough Faith to Be an Atheist (Foreword by David Limbaugh) (p. 324). Crossway. Kindle Edition.
You and I - with our varied life experiences - are unlikely servants of God.
How about we serve Him with the same fervor and passion that He, the unlikely messiah, served us?
I guarantee you this, when you are on the other side and you see Him face to face, you won’t regret one minute of the sacrifices you made for Him in this life.
God ALWAYS uses unlikely people to accomplish His plan.
Action - Please, for your own good, let Him use you!
Invitation
Connection Group Questions / Reflection Questions
1. What did you learn from this passage that encourages you to follow Christ more closely?
2. Pilate was used by God in many ways. In this scene, he was an unwitting participant in spreading truth about Christ. How does this encourage you? How does this challenge you?
3. The soldiers were cruel and inhumane. They were paid to humiliate the Christ, yet, God used them to accomplish His plan. Why is fulfilling prophecy so important? What does this tell us about God?
4. Explain the difference between being used of God and partnering with God. How do you see this in the text? How can you partner with God?
5. What will you do with what God has shown you in His Word?