Passion: Truth on trial
Notes
Transcript
Truth is a hard thing to pin down in our world today.
What is the truth about this virus?
HEre online because we don’t know what is true… all we can do is what we think is best… there is so much we don’t know
Am I infected? We don’t think so, but then again, we haven’t been tested. What we know to be true hasn’t been proven true
We are going to look at our text then we are going to look and see how it applies to our lives in this viral pandemic… but also in this pandemic of sin.
Jesus on trial
The passion… Jesus’ suffering
The trial… the trial of truth
28 Then the Jewish leaders took Jesus from Caiaphas to the palace of the Roman governor. By now it was early morning, and to avoid ceremonial uncleanness they did not enter the palace, because they wanted to be able to eat the Passover.
29 So Pilate came out to them and asked, “What charges are you bringing against this man?”
30 “If he were not a criminal,” they replied, “we would not have handed him over to you.”
31 Pilate said, “Take him yourselves and judge him by your own law.” “But we have no right to execute anyone,” they objected.
32 This took place to fulfill what Jesus had said about the kind of death he was going to die.
He had spent time at the High Priests, and yet they couldn't kill him... because they were under Roman rule.
Blasphemy deserved stoning... But they couldn't stone him.. (not only because it was against the law, but also because it had been prophesied that Messiah would be crucified)
They need Pilate... to do what they can't.
Isaiah had prophesied as to what this would look like.
33 So Pilate entered his headquarters again and called Jesus and said to him, “Are you the King of the Jews?”
34 Jesus answered, “Do you say this of your own accord, or did others say it to you about me?”
Pilot is unimpressed... with what the Jewish leaders were trying to do; but he is there to deal with these sorts of issues.
He wants to know the basis of their accusations, but Jesus is pointing out to Pilate that he doesn't have anything to accuse him of either. "What do you think?"
We all must make up our mind as to who Jesus is
35 “Am I a Jew?” Pilate replied. “Your own people and chief priests handed you over to me. What is it you have done?”
36 Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jewish leaders. But now my kingdom is from another place.”
Again, not sure of why he was here other than the Jews hated him.
Jesus wasn't there to defend himself, instead he focused on Pilate's YOUR OWN PEOPLE.
Who were his people... those who believe and do.
37 Then Pilate said to him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.”
38 Pilate said to him, “What is truth?” After he had said this, he went back outside to the Jews and told them, “I find no guilt in him.
When we trade truth for a lie... we worship created not creator.... we allow things to become a problem.
I find no guilt in him… Pilate knew of Jesus’ innocence. Yet we know what happened.
What is truth… why does truth matter?
Subjectivism
Subjectivism
I, the subject, determine what is ultimate truth.
What is “true to me” is really what is truth.
I am the authority.
I am the center.
Relativism
Relativism
We decide
We are the authority
We are the center
The flaws in these are obvious when it’s something like Corona virus… The truth being that you have it or you don’t… we don’t wrestle with well I don’t think I have it, so I’m fine… or no one in my community has it so I must be fine too. You see we see these as foolish when it’s clear… but what abou twhen it’s something we identify with… what abou twhen it’s something we enjoy...
Think about the things that we do that we know are wrong, but we manage to justify...
Greed… stressing over money
Worry… not trusting God
the obvious ones… drunkenness, gossip, gambling, drugs, porn…
what about others… judgementalness, unforgiveness,
now let’s run it through the test:
My ________ only affects me… besides It’s not a big deal… that sound familiar?
It’s how we rationalize our sin…
That’s just how satan locks us into a life where we fail to glorify God … into a life where we are the center of our universe… where we seek our truth, what is meaningful to me
The bible lays this out for us in Romans 1 as the source of our sin
25 They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen.
When you think of where sin comes from.... this is it isn’t it. We trade truth for a lie.
-We decide what’s true… we put ourselves in the center.
-We allow culture to tell us what’s true… well everyone is doing it, so it must be the right thing to do.
we stop questioning…
...we just vote D or R without even thinking how our ideas line up with scripture...
… we do what we think is right without thinking about what the Bible says...
The bible tells us there is something known as “THE TRUTH”
Absolute truth
Absolute truth
A belief that there is a truth that over rides everything… a truth that can be known.
13 Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. 15 This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. 17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. 18 And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
14 But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth.
Truth matters because what we believe determines how we live.
Truth matters because what we believe determines how we live.
What do I mean? If you believe COVID-19 is a real threat to your life or to those you love, you are going to live very differently than someone who thinks it’s a plot by people in the government to manipulate the people.
XFILES - the truth is out there...
The bible teaches that it’s obvious when we are with people who know the truth...
17 But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and the fruit of good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere. 18 And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of righteousness.
So back to Pilate’s question...
What is the truth? Truth can be known
What is the truth? Truth can be known
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning.
14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
Truth is far more than facts. It’s not just some knowledge that we act upon.
Truth acts on us.
While we can’t change the truth, the truth can change us. (Sanctifies)
Because truth precedes us
6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
Truth is real… an idea and a person
Truth is real… an idea and a person
Not only can you know it, you can know him… and the best part of all the truth can know you.
3 This is good, and pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.
32 Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
Knowing the truth sets you free
Knowing the truth sets you free
What do we need to be set free from? What’s holding us in fear? What’s holding us back from growing in being like Christ?
The spirit of God is pulling us, working in us, to make us like Jesus… but we aren’t there yet. What’s holding you back? Sure it’s a process, but what’s keeping us stuck.
If you’ve never led anyone to a relationship with Jesus, you are stuck
If you have never shared your faith… you may be stuck
If you are still struggling with an old habit, addiction… you are stuck
If you have the same reaction to someone taking too many items into the express lane… you are stuck
The truth sets you free… it changes you!
Take some time with the truth in God’s word, take some time with the tru