Discovering Jesus Pt 34 - John 18:1-19:6

Click to Play

The Trials of Jesus - Audio

Have you ever felt like you were "on trial" - as though people were evaluating you?
In the story of Jesus' trials in the Gospel of John, we discover a life-changing principle about the way that Jesus approached His trials that can help us in the trials we face, no matter how big or small they may be.

Discovering Jesus in the Gospel of John pt 34

Jesus on Trial?

John 18:1 – 19:6

17/04/2011

Introduction

I’d just finished my entrance exams for university at the end of year 12, and my friends and I were ready to kick back and have some fun.

One of the guys heard about a party that had been organised at one of our classmates' property – a local winery – and suggested that we go along.  He assured us that it was an open invite deal.

I just wasn’t comfortable with that.  The idea of just crashing someone else’s party just didn’t sit well, so I decided to ring her and find out if it was OK for us to come.

The problem was, I’m an introvert.  I just don’t feel comfortable ringing up people I don’t know well and having a conversation.  Ringing up and saying “Can we come to your party?” was a pretty terrifying thing for me to do.

So I rehearsed.  I knew exactly what I wanted to say and how I would say it.  I even sounded pretty cool with my rehearsed lines!

Then with my heart thumping I rang her number.  She answered.  My loud beating of my heart caused my brain to short-circuit, but it was OK – I’d planned for this!  I blurted out my rehearsed line – not sounding as nonchalant as I did in practice but not too bad.  She responded quite positively and all was good… then she asked me a question that I hadn’t expected.  A question I had no rehearsed answer for.  My brain was still in neutral, but I managed to fumble out an answer that was almost made sense before bringing the conversation to an end and hanging up.

I thought to myself “She must think I’m a complete idiot”.  It was embarrassing.

Have you ever had a moment like that?

Let me come at it from a different angle…

Have you ever felt like there was something that you should say to someone but haven’t been able to find the courage to say it?

Have you ever felt like you should do something but were too worried about what people around you might think?

Have you said or done something and then tossed and turned at night worrying about what others thought of you because of what you said or did?

Have you ever felt like you’ve been on trial?  Like people are evaluating you to decide if they like you or not.  To decide if you are cool or not, competent or not, desirable or not, worthy of respect or not.

Have you ever chosen your clothing, hairstyle, speech, hobbies, interests and so on because of what you hope people will think about you?

Of course you have!

We’ve all felt like we’re on trial sometimes, and some of us, if we’re honest, feel like that all the time.

How much is that affecting you?  How much is it controlling you?  There’s a truth we need to hear from God’s word about that today.  We see that truth embodied in the person of Jesus as He was placed on trial before hostile authorities.

The story of Jesus’ trial has a lot of interesting facets.  At another time we might break it down to explore it in more detail, but today we are going to look at the story as a whole, to discover what it is that God is emphasising as He inspired John to write this memoir of the event.

We’re not going to go off on any tangents, as interesting or useful as they may be, we’re going to stick with the one essential truth that you need to understand about the trial of Jesus that led to His execution.

It’s not just an interesting fact, it’s a life-changing truth.  I wonder if you’ll spot it as we recount the story.  I’ll tell you what it is when we get to the end!

John 18:1 – 19:6

When he had finished praying, Jesus left with his disciples and crossed the Kidron Valley. On the other side there was an olive grove, and he and his disciples went into it.

Update to the story: last week from John 13 we were in the upper room with Jesus and His disciples as they shared the Passover meal together.  Jesus had washed their feet prior to the meal beginning.  As the meal unfolded He’d predicted His betrayal and sent Judas off to do what he had planned to do.  He’d predicted that Peter would deny Him three times by morning.  He had instituted what we call “The Lord’s Supper”, asking His disciples to remember Him in sharing bread and wine.

He continued to teach His disciples, preparing them for all that was about to happened, and He’d prayed for Himself, His disciples and all those who would believe in Him. 

Jesus and His disciples also had kept the Passover tradition of singing together the Great Hallel – Psalms 113 to 118.  I would really encourage you to read through these Psalms sometime during Easter and think about what it must have been like for Jesus to sing them on the night of His betrayal and arrest.  I think you’ll be very moved as you do that.

We’ll explore some of these other events in more detail after Easter.  But we pick up the story as Jesus finishes praying and they move out together across the Kidron valley to the Garden of Gethsemane, which is the grove that John mentions here.

We know from the other gospels that Jesus spent some time here praying and preparing Himself for the trial He was about to endure; and His disciples found it hard to stay awake.  Then Judas arrived with the temple guards and officials.

^2 Now Judas, who betrayed him, knew the place, because Jesus had often met there with his disciples.

^3 So Judas came to the grove, guiding a detachment of soldiers and some officials from the chief priests and Pharisees. They were carrying torches, lanterns and weapons.

^4 Jesus, knowing all that was going to happen to him, went out and asked them, “Who is it you want?”

^5 “Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied.

“I am he,” Jesus said. (And Judas the traitor was standing there with them.) ^6 When Jesus said, “I am he,” they drew back and fell to the ground.

^7 Again he asked them, “Who is it you want?”

And they said, “Jesus of Nazareth.”

^8 “I told you that I am he,” Jesus answered. “If you are looking for me, then let these men go.” ^9 This happened so that the words he had spoken would be fulfilled: “I have not lost one of those you gave me.” ^a

Did the soldiers know who Jesus was?  Surely many of them had seen Jesus teaching in the temple courts.  Could they be certain in the gloom of night that this man really was the one they were after?  The other gospels tell us that Judas came up to Jesus, called him “Rabbi” and kissed Him, confirming that it was actually Jesus.

^10 Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant, cutting off his right ear. (The servant’s name was Malchus.)

^11 Jesus commanded Peter, “Put your sword away! Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?”

Let’s summarise to story so far: Jesus knew who would betray Him and sent Judas off to do it.  Then Jesus prepared both His disciples and Himself for what was about to happen.  He takes them to the place that He knows Judas will lead the soldiers and officials to, and when they arrive Jesus goes out to them and hands Himself over.  When Peter tries to make an opportunity for escape, Jesus rebukes him because He wants to be obedient to His Father’s will.

Jesus Taken to Annas

^12 Then the detachment of soldiers with its commander and the Jewish officials arrested Jesus. They bound him ^13 and brought him first to Annas, who was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, the high priest that year. ^14 Caiaphas was the one who had advised the Jews that it would be good if one man died for the people.

Now a quick reminder so you don’t get confused.  The High Priest’s name is Caiaphas – he is Annas’ son-in-law.  He holds the title and has been approved by the Roman government for the job.

However Annas was the high priest until the Romans sacked him.  He is still very influential, that’s why Jesus is taken to him first.  Many people still consider him to be the High Priest, since he still really runs the show and since by Jewish law a High Priest would hold on to the job until he died.  So up until verse 24, when John talks about the high priest he’s talking about Annas, then it switches over to Caiaphas after that.  It’s likely that Annas and Caiaphas lived in adjoining mansions that shared a secure courtyard.  It’s into that courtyard that two of Jesus’ disciples made their way.

Peter’s First Denial

^15 Simon Peter and another disciple were following Jesus. Because this disciple was known to the high priest, he went with Jesus into the high priest’s courtyard, ^16 but Peter had to wait outside at the door. The other disciple, who was known to the high priest, came back, spoke to the girl on duty there and brought Peter in.

^17 “You are not one of his disciples, are you?” the girl at the door asked Peter.

He replied, “I am not.”

^18 It was cold, and the servants and officials stood around a fire they had made to keep warm. Peter also was standing with them, warming himself.

Picture this scene, one of the disciples has got connections in high places and is known to the servants of the High Priest.  They probably know that he is a disciple of Jesus but because he’s connected they let him in.  This disciple checks things out – probably making sure that none of the people who saw Peter cut off the ear of Malchus were in the courtyard - and then comes back for Peter.  The girl at the gate asks Peter if he’s “one of them” and Peter says “I am not”.

Why did he do that?  Was it because he was desperate to see what was happening to Jesus and didn’t want this girl to stop him from coming in?  Was he worried about her causing a scene, and the chance that someone might recognise him as the attacker of Malchus?  Whatever the reason, Peter panics, and in that moment of weakness, lies.  He didn’t have time to calmly step back and evaluate the situation and choose the wisest response.  He’s in the middle of a crisis and just acted on instinct.  The instinct of self-protection.  The instinct that knows that it’s dangerous to stand out from the crowd.  The instinct that knows that it’s stupid to fly your true colours in the middle of enemy territory.

You’ll notice that it was cold – it’s the middle of the night!  Why are there people milling around in the courtyard in the middle of the night?  The households of Annas and Caiaphas have been stirred to action.  They are organising a hasty assembly of the Sanhedrin so they can try Jesus for blasphemy.  Some servants and officials will have completed their errands and will be waiting for further instructions, so in the meantime they are keeping warm by a charcoal fire.

The High Priest Questions Jesus

^19 Meanwhile, the high priest questioned Jesus about his disciples and his teaching.

^20 “I have spoken openly to the world,” Jesus replied. “I always taught in synagogues or at the temple, where all the Jews come together. I said nothing in secret. ^21 Why question me? Ask those who heard me. Surely they know what I said.”

^22 When Jesus said this, one of the officials nearby struck him in the face. “Is this the way you answer the high priest?” he demanded.

^23 “If I said something wrong,” Jesus replied, “testify as to what is wrong. But if I spoke the truth, why did you strike me?” ^24 Then Annas sent him, still bound, to Caiaphas the high priest.

So Peter has been questioned in the courtyard and not done so well.  At the same time, Jesus is being questioned inside.  Jesus is not intimidated by the powerful figure of Annas, nor is He cowed by violence.  His brief comments expose the evil intentions of his questioners.  He taught in public, yet they arrest and question him in secret.  He speaks the truth and they respond with anger and violence.

We should ask the question here: Why don’t they just keep Jesus in a cell ‘till morning and then call the Sanhedrin together?  After all, it’s against their own laws to have a trial at night time, and these guys are usually very careful about sticking to their rules.  What’s the rush?

It’s simple – they wanted Jesus dead as soon as possible.  We’ve already spoken in previous weeks about the fact that they were worried about the possibility of a riot during the feast.  Also, Roman officials typically worked from dawn until about lunchtime, so the Jewish leaders needed to be ready first thing in the morning so Pilate had time to conduct his trial and sentence Jesus on the same day.  The following day was a Sabbath, so if Jesus wasn’t killed on the Friday His followers would have a few days to regroup and organise a demonstration.

Peter’s Second and Third Denials

^25 As Simon Peter stood warming himself, he was asked, “You are not one of his disciples, are you?”

He denied it, saying, “I am not.”

^26 One of the high priest’s servants, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, challenged him, “Didn’t I see you with him in the olive grove?” ^27 Again Peter denied it, and at that moment a rooster began to crow.

Jesus is sent to Caiaphas, who will preside over the trial before the hastily assembled Sanhedrin.  Matthew and Mark tell us the details of that trial, but John doesn’t bother.  John doesn’t want people to get sidetracked from the main point of the story.

The main point is all about Jesus’ response to these trials, but John does take the time to describe Peter’s response to his own trials.  Peter is asked again if he is a disciple.  He’s already denied it once, so it’s that much easier to deny it again.

A while later – about an hour according to Luke’s gospel – Peter is again challenged.  It’s likely that several people were asking him on the second occasion, but we know for sure that there was a significant group who confronted him the third time.  One of them was related to Malchus, whose ear Peter had cut off.  Others heard his accent and knew that he was a Galilean like Jesus and the other disciples.

They are insisting now that Peter is one of Jesus’ disciples.  This is a hostile crowd – they are not neutral.  Peter is really starting to panic.  Matthew and Mark’s gospels both tell us that he even calls down curses on himself and swears to his accusers: “I don’t know the man”.

Then the rooster crowed.  Peter broke down in tears, rushed out of the courtyard and wept bitterly.

Jesus Before Pilate

^28 Then the Jews led Jesus from Caiaphas to the palace of the Roman governor. By now it was early morning, and to avoid ceremonial uncleanness the Jews did not enter the palace; they wanted to be able to eat the Passover.

But didn’t Jesus and the disciples eat the Passover already, before He was arrested?  Why hadn’t the Jewish leaders eaten the Passover at the same time?

The fact is that they most probably did.  We find in Luke 22:1 that it was common to call the whole Feast of Unleavened Bread - which lasted for 7 days and started with the Passover meal – the Passover.  So the Jewish leaders wanted to be able to continue participating in the feast without defiling themselves by close contact with Gentiles. 

How hypocritical of the Jewish leaders that they were prepared to break their rules to conduct a sham trial at night-time, perverting the course of justice; but they couldn’t bear to break other petty rules in the daytime when people could see them and they might be prevented from playing their leading roles during the feasts.

 ^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,” the Jews objected. ^32 This happened so that the words Jesus had spoken indicating the kind of death he was going to die would be fulfilled.

Now if the Jews had just organised an angry mob to take Jesus and kill Him, it would have been by stoning.  However the Romans killed criminals by crucifixion.  Jesus knew this when He prophesied that He would be “lifted up from the earth” (John 12:32).

^33 Pilate then went back inside the palace, summoned Jesus and asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?”

^34 “Is that your own idea,” Jesus asked, “or did others talk to you about me?”

^35 “Am I a Jew?” Pilate replied. “It was your people and your chief priests who 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 Jews. But now my kingdom is from another place.”

^37 “You are a king, then!” said Pilate.

Jesus answered, “You are right in saying I am a king. In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.”

^38 “What is truth?” Pilate asked. With this he went out again to the Jews and said, “I find no basis for a charge against him. ^39 But it is your custom for me to release to you one prisoner at the time of the Passover. Do you want me to release ‘the king of the Jews’?”

^40 They shouted back, “No, not him! Give us Barabbas!” Now Barabbas had taken part in a rebellion.

So Pilate has Jesus inside the palace he used when he was in Jerusalem.  He can’t find anything in Jesus of a criminal nature.  Not only that but we read in Matthew that Pilate’s wife sends him a message to not have “anything to do with that innocent man” (Matt. 27:19).

Outside, Pilate has an angry mob of influential Jewish leaders and their cronies.  Pilate’s had some run-ins with these guys before.  In fact Pilate was pretty much facing his third strike with Caesar.  If there was one more nasty episode of unrest under his command he was facing demotion.  He’s supposedly the one in charge, but he’s under pressure.

Jesus Sentenced to be Crucified

19     Then Pilate took Jesus and had him flogged. ^2 The soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on his head. They clothed him in a purple robe ^3 and went up to him again and again, saying, “Hail, king of the Jews!” And they struck him in the face.

^4 Once more Pilate came out and said to the Jews, “Look, I am bringing him out to you to let you know that I find no basis for a charge against him.” ^5 When Jesus came out wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe, Pilate said to them, “Here is the man!”

^6 As soon as the chief priests and their officials saw him, they shouted, “Crucify! Crucify!”^[1]

Pilate’s done what he can to try walk the middle ground.  He’s hoping that the shocking torture inflicted on Jesus will satisfy the bloodlust of the crowd, but it does not.

So faced with the choice between what is right and what is popular, he chooses popularity.

Faced with the choice between standing for the truth and saving his own skin, he looks after number one first.

Jesus is condemned to die.

The Big Idea

I wonder if you saw the key truth as we went through this story together?

In the trials of Jesus it was not Jesus on trial – it was this world that was on trial.

Can any human being judge God?  Of course not! 

Was Jesus under the power of these human courts, of those soldiers or the angry mob?  Of course not – He chose His path long before Caiaphas or Pilate pronounced sentence.

In every detail of this story John is demonstrating that Jesus was firmly in control.

Remember Jesus’ words from John 12:27-28

^ “Now my heart is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. ^28 Father, glorify your name!”

In the midst of his trials the critical thing for Jesus was not what those people would think, say or do in response to Him.  The critical thing was that He would glorify His Father.

In the trials of Jesus we see the truth and love of God fully expressed in Jesus Christ.  He said nothing wrong.  He did nothing wrong.  He endured shameful treatment not because He had to but because He chose to in order to save us. 

Jesus was not on trial, He was on display! 

As we look at Jesus we praise God for who He is and what He’s done for us.

Humanity is on trial.

In the trials of Jesus we see demonstrated our hatred, our rejection of God, our violence, our cowardice, our deceitfulness, our ignorance, our hypocrisy and so much more.

Was it just Peter who told lies?  Was it just the Jewish leaders who are greedy for power?  Was it just Pilate who would not stand up for the truth?  Was it just the soldiers who were cruel and violent?  Nope, these things are in all of us. 

Jesus alone is pure.

Jesus alone is innocent.

Having established powerfully the guilt of humanity against the righteousness of God, we are about to read of what God did to impart His righteousness to us.  To forgive us for what should convict us.

That’s the subject of our service this Good Friday.  There’s no greater subject for us to think about, talk about and live out of than this.

How Does this Help Me?

But for today, I promised that this truth would be of life changing significance for us during those times that we feel like we’re on trial.

Surely what Jesus went through was completely unlike anything we’ll ever face?  

Surely Jesus’ divine ability to endure His trials is far beyond what we are capable of?

Yes, but the principle He demonstrated is going to change the way that you experience trials in your life, no matter how big or small they may be.

Step 1: Identify when you feel on trial

Peter was not on trial, but he felt like it when people around him made inquiries and then accusations.

Pilate was not on trial, but he felt pressure to give people what they wanted.

Learn to identify those times when you find yourself concerned about what others think of you and how they will treat you.  It may be something you feel when you are choosing what to wear, what to say or not say, where to go or not go.

You feel on trial when your heart is thumping because you are so nervous about how others will see you and respond to you.

It might be because someone is aggressively challenging your beliefs.  It might be because you are about to do some public ministry and you’re worried about making a fool of yourself.  It might be something so silly that you would be ashamed to admit it, but you still worry about it.

Instead of being like Peter and Pilate in this story and just reacting on instinct, learn to allow the Holy Spirit to show you what’s going on inside so He can guide you through it.

God can free you from the bondage that you feel – the fear that holds you back from true freedom in these sorts of situations.

Step 2: Remember who the real Judge is

It certainly looked to anyone present as though Jesus was on trial and Annas, Caiaphas or Pilate was the judge.

Learn to see things from God’s point of view.  See things as they really are and not as they seem to be.

Jesus was the true Judge – those people were the ones really on trial.

It’s the same for us today.  You might be in a situation and you’ve even forgotten that Jesus is present.  Remember that He is.  Remember that one day everyone will see Him and will give an account before Him.

Remember that He is not a judge like any of those people were.  He is not like any of your school teachers, bosses or even parents.

He is the Judge who knew of Peter’s betrayal before it had even happened, and was the One who lovingly restored Peter after he fell.

He is the Righteous Judge that the apostle Paul spoke of in his letters to Timothy.  The One Paul longed to see and receive his welcome as a faithful servant.

He is the Judge who is also the Saviour.

Whenever you feel on trial remember who it is that you really long to please.

It’s a very tough call at times. 

Your natural instincts are screaming out things like:

“You don’t want to offend these people”

“You don’t want to look stupid”

“You need these people to like you”

“It’s not safe to be honest with this person”

All of these thoughts place power and control into the hands of other people.  You are controlled by them, by your fear of them or by your fear of not being one of them.

No person or group should ever have that level of control over you.  Not your enemies.  Not your friends.  Not your boss or your teacher.  Not your spouse.  Not your pastor.

That level of authority belongs to One alone: the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, Jesus Christ.  You need to decide who is Lord to you.  Remember who the real Judge is.

Step 3: Choose to be on display instead

Jesus knew who He was and what He was about, so instead of being on trial He was on display to the glory of God the Father.

When we remember who we are in Christ; when we are about the business of obeying Him and not conforming to the world or following our sinful desires; we also on display for the glory of God.

Paul speaks of this in Philippians chapter 2 when he describes the Philippian Christians as shining “like stars in the universe” (Php 2:15).

How does this work?

Well, picture this:

You’re at the cinemas deciding what movie to see with your friends, and the popular choice is a movie that you know glorifies things that are evil – sexual immorality, violence and so on.  You don’t want to seem like a goody two-shoes and get teased, but you know that this movie does not fit with Christ.

Who do you please?  If you squash the conviction of the Holy Spirit and go along to the movie and even enjoy it, you are dimming the light of your witness to Jesus.  You are compromising with the world.

However if you explain your concern beforehand, your friends can choose to respect that choice or not.  You can figure out how to be true to Christ while still enjoying and loving your friends, or you may be faced with having to choose between the two.  People who don’t know Jesus will have the opportunity to see how much He means to you, and will also find out a bit of what Jesus is like.  Christian friends will be helped to maintain their own purity and witness.

The same principle applies in a group where the conversation is not pure.  Will you shine or will you hide?

What about when you hear a fellow believer tell a lie or see them sin in some other way – will you shine or hide?  Will you speak the truth in love so that they can be restored?  Do you love them enough to do that?  Do you love Jesus enough to do that?

Are you serious about wanting unbelievers to come to know Jesus?  Are you serious about wanting other Christians to grow?

If that is the case, you need to recognise that what they need from you is not for you to allow them to control your life.  They need you to live under the control of Jesus, shining brightly for Him so that they might see and hear and have the opportunity to believe, and having believed, to obey.

Don’t compromise in order to please them.  Burn brightly in order to save them.  Be on display.

Conclusion – You Are Safe Now

I am someone who tends to be a bit of a cheapskate – I’m stingy!  I had a pair of terrible safety glasses that were all smudged and scratched, so I wouldn’t bother wearing them.  I’d be out whipper-snipping and dirt, rocks and sticks would be flying up and hitting me in the face, and my response would be just to squint with my eyes so that I could still see but there wasn’t much of a crack in the eyelids for any of that junk to be able to get through and hurt me.

Well, I finally bought a new pair of safety glasses.  They’re great – in fact they’re so clear that I often forget I’m wearing them.

This week I was out whipper-snipping and the dirt and sticks are flying up into my face and I’m squinting my eyes pretty tight to keep safe – then I remember I don’t have to anymore, I’m wearing safety glasses.  So I open up my eyes and relax a bit only to find 3 minutes later going through a sandy patch I’m all tensed up and squinting the same as usual.

Old habits are hard to break.

If you are in Christ you are completely safe.  You are accepted.  You are valued.  You are loved.  You are gifted.  You don’t need to fear the opinions of others because you know who you are in Jesus.  You are not perfect in yourself, but you are perfect in Him.  Keep finding your life in Him.

Not only that, but no circumstance in this life can get in the way of the fellowship of God’s Spirit in you and the work He is doing in your life.  No hardship can take away your eternal hope.  You don’t have to fear anything that this world might do to you.  Even the deepest hurts will be healed by Jesus when He makes all things new.

Don’t go through life with your body tense and your eyes squeezed almost shut.  Don’t let fear control you.  You are not on trial.  You have been declared righteous by the blood of Christ.  You have been adopted as God’s child.

As Paul wrote about his own life and sufferings for Christ he said “^In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” (2 Tim 3:12).  But speaking of his own trials he said “Yet the Lord rescued me from all of them.” (2 Tim 3:11)

Being on display for Jesus can be tough.  You will face tough choices this week where you will be tempted to compromise.  You will be tempted to give in to your fears.

Remember that you are safe now! 

When you feel fear and anxiety mount, remember who the real judge is, and instead of thinking you’re on trial choose to be on display instead.

---

 ^a 2 John 6:39

^[1]The Holy Bible : New International Version. 1996, c1984 (Jn 18:1). Grand Rapids: Zondervan.

Discovering Jesus Pt 33 - John 13:13-38

Click to Play

 Discovering Jesus Pt 33 - Audio

“The Big Let-down” 

John 13:18-38

In this passage from John’s gospel, we see a number of contrasts – friendship & betrayal, failure & restoration, light & darkness.  If we allow our sins & selfishness to control us, we can end up like Judas, who would be better “had he never been born”.  Or we can accept the offer of restoration that Jesus always makes available to us, just as it was offered to Peter on the shore, after Jesus arose & met with him.  In our lives, we have the opportunity to glorify God, showing the world that we are His disciples by how we love each other & others.  We glorify God by revealing more of His glory in our loving lifestyle.  Not that God is made more glorious, but, just as we see a full picture after a close-up, the full picture is revealed.

Running Our Race Well

Click to Play

 Running Our Race Well - Audio

As Kingsley Church of Christ begins it's second congregation, Pastor Mike Birch shares the challenge from Scripture for us to run well the race that Christ has marked out for us to run. We learn from the example of the Apostle Paul and his exhortation to the Christians of Corinth; as well as looking beyond Paul to the One who was his inspiration - Jesus Christ Himself.

Running our Race Well

(2^nd Service Launch)

1 Corinthians 9:19-27

3/04/2011

Introduction

How are you going?

Usually that’s a prompt for you to ask me the same question, and I have a story prepared in answer – usually something to do with my basketball game the previous day!

But not today.  Today I really just want to emphasise the question: “How are you going?”

It’s a question we tend to answer without a lot of thought.

“Good”, we say, or “Fine thanks, how are you?” - even if we are going terribly.  Who’s done that?

We struggle to give an honest, accurate answer to the simple question “How are you?”

Do people really want to know the answer?  Can the person asking the question handle an honest answer, or are they just waiting for a positive response so they can move on to the next point of conversation or the next person in the line?

You know what?  If a person in this church asks you how you are, they really want to know.  If you are going well, tell them why so they can enjoy the blessing with you.  If you are having a hard time, share it with them so they can encourage you by listening, caring, praying with you, praying for you during the week and even sharing some appropriate spiritual wisdom with you.  It’s what a church family does.

So please, don’t rob yourself of being ministered to.  When someone asks you how you are going, consider your answer because it has the power to draw us closer together and make us the family God has designed us to be.  And of course, don’t ask someone how they are unless you are really interested and ready to respond!

But it’s not just when somebody asks us the question that we should think about how we are going. 

One of the key things that we should be doing every time we get together to worship God is expecting God through His Spirit to speak to us on that very subject.

Listen to the words of Hebrews 4:12-13

¹² For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. ¹³ Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.^[1]

In our services we read from this powerful written Word.  We sing and pray of it’s themes, often using phrases from it.  We teach it.  We reflect upon it.

And of course, we fix our attention on the Living Word, Jesus Christ who is described within it.

As we do these things God speaks to us about how we are going, and how He desires us to grow.  He identifies hidden sins that must be confessed and left behind.  He identifies needs that only He can meet.  He identifies immaturity of thought and action. 

Here’s the thing, though: He usually speaks to us very gently in a voice that can be ignored if we wish to. 

One day that will change.  One day He will stand before us as verse 13 describes, and we will be forced to account for our response to Him.

That is the choice that we all face today.

We know that God wants to speak to us.

We know that if we listen He will speak to the very core of our being, and show us what we must do in order to glorify Him in  the thoughts and attitudes of our hearts and the lifestyles they produce.  What we must do in order to be the witnesses and the blessing to others that He desires us to be.  What we must do to experience the abundant life He desires for us to enjoy.

Or we could ignore Him, then explain to Him when we stand before Him why we made that choice.

Opening Prayer

So…. How are you going?

I actually shouldn’t ask you that question yet, because I need to provide you with some more of the powerful words of Scripture that will help you to answer the question.

Let’s flick forward in the book of Hebrews, on past chapter 11 which describes some of how a bunch of people in Bible times did in their walk with God.  On to chapter 12, which begins:

Hebrews 12:1-3

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. ² Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. ³ Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

Who has heard at least one sermon from this passage before?

How many of would say that you have heard 3 or more?

It’s a well known passage and it’s a favourite for many people.

I want you to keep it in mind as you listen to the Apostle Paul describe his own attitude as he writes to the church in Corinth in

1 Corinthians 9:19-27

¹⁹ Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. ²⁰ To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. ²¹ To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law), so as to win those not having the law. ²² To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some. ²³ I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.

Paul is pointing out that he is free – he belongs to no man.  He doesn’t have to worry about what other people say or do.  He doesn’t need to obey anyone else’s rules.  He doesn’t need to do what other people do.  He has been forgiven of his sins, he’s been given new life, he’s been given eternal life and he’s been given a job to do with the rest of his earthly life.  And that’s what he’s concerned about.  Jesus called Paul to be His messenger.  Paul’s life is now completely caught up with bringing the message of Jesus to everyone he possibly can, particularly to the Gentile people – non-Jews.  He’ll adopt peoples’ customs, he’ll adapt to their ways, he’ll do everything he can to get close enough to share the message of Jesus so that some may trust in Jesus for their salvation. 

Some of the people Paul tried to reach reacted with apathy, others with anger.  He was ridiculed, beaten, imprisoned and stoned among many other things.

But Paul did not belong to any man – he belonged to Christ, and his greatest desire was to follow Jesus obediently.  He knew that if he did this other people would be blessed, and that he would share those blessings also (v.23).

Is this crazy sort of obedience just for Paul or for people called into full time service?  Uh-uh – just listen to how the passage continues…

²⁴ Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. ²⁵ Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. ²⁶ Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. ²⁷ No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.

These Corinthians knew all about athletic events – their city hosted the Isthmian Games every two years – similar to the Olympic Games.  Winners of each event got a crown (wreath) made of pine leaves.

Athletes who were successful in these games were a source of great pride to their cities of origin, and were greatly admired by the crowds watching on.

I think if Paul were to be writing by the power of the Holy Spirit to a bunch of Christians in Perth, he might say something like this: “Imagine yourself as an AFL football player preparing himself for a grand final.  You’re going to discipline your life.  You’re going to train like you mean it.  You’re going to be aware of how everything else in life affects it.  When the game’s on you’re going to run and chase with desperation.  You’re going push yourself to the absolute limit.  That’s how to live the Christian life!

That’s what Paul did.  Why?

He didn’t want to be disqualified for the prize (v.27).

What prize?  Was he worried that he might miss out on getting into heaven?  No.  That’s a gift that Paul has already received.

Hebrews 4:13 told us that we will all give an account to God.

At the end of his life the Apostle Paul wanted to hear from God the words “Well done, good and faithful servant.”

He wanted to be rewarded with the joy of pleasing His master and being well received into heaven.

He didn’t want to hear words like:

• “Why didn’t you use any of those gifts I gave you for the building up of my church?”
• “Why didn’t you share the message I entrusted to you with those who needed to hear it?”
• “Why did you hold on to those sins in your life even when I disciplined you to get your attention?”
• “Why did you live as though you were more concerned with that short life than this eternal one?”

Paul didn’t want that sort of welcome at the finish of his earthly race.  He wanted to be welcomed by God as one who had raced well.

As I said earlier, we know from God’s word that by diligently obeying God’s word we and those around us are blessed.  It’s the best thing that we can do for ourselves.

But that’s not Paul’s main motivation, and it shouldn’t be ours either.  Paul’s focus was on the one who sits enthroned in Heaven.  He wanted to please Jesus.  His focus was on introducing people to Jesus and helping them grow in Jesus so they were ready to meet Him in glory.  His focus was on being ready himself. 

Paul, along with many of the people He wrote this letter to, are now part of the great cloud of witnesses that Hebrews 12 refers to.  Let’s go back to that passage:

Hebrews 12:1-3

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles,

What are some things that God is identifying in your life right now that you need to throw off?  Things that get in the way – they hinder you – from living the life that God has called you to live.  They hinder you from doing the things God wants you to do.

Is it a way of thinking that doesn’t fit with God’s word?  Is it things you are chasing that are not in His will for you?  Are they fears that you have that hold you back from obedience?

Are there some sins that have entangled you?  Things that you are ashamed to admit?  Things that you have kept hidden that give you a guilty kind of pleasure, but leave you feeling dirty, hopeless and helpless?

Throw these things off.

You might say “I’m trying!”  I know what that feels like. 

Let me give you some advice.  You’re not supposed to throw these things off by yourself.  God’s given you His written word to instruct you, His Spirit to empower you and His Church to support you.  Don’t leave any part out.  You need all three of those things.  Talk to someone with spiritual maturity and good bible knowledge and get serious about throwing off the things that hinder.

No AFL footballer is in charge of their own training and development.  They have a bunch of people around them analyzing their physical condition and their on-field performance.  It’s pretty humbling but it’s necessary for improvement.

Don’t let pride hand sin the victory in your life.  Throw that stuff off.

and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.

Sometimes it seems that people have worked really hard in their service for the Lord and just gotten tired.  They’ve taken some time out and then life’s just gotten busier or their expectations of themselves have gotten lower, and they seem to think that someone else should be doing all the work now.

Let me be clear – there are seasons in life.  Sometimes we need a rest from busy activity.  Sometimes we need to make space in our lives to serve in ways that most people won’t see.  Sometimes we need to focus on preparing ourselves for service.

Don’t think I’m getting all judgmental on people who don’t do 20 different things on the weekly roster.

But I’m also not prepared to water down what the Bible teaches.  The Christian life requires perseverance.  You heard the way Paul talked about his own attitude.

The writer to the Hebrews is about to point to Jesus and what He persevered through, telling us to fix our eyes on Him so we won’t give up too early.  Since Jesus endured the cross for us, how could we say that it’s too hard for us to do what He’s told us to?

 ² Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. ³ Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

Yesterday we visited with one of our families who is in the middle of a challenging time.  Our own family has just come through another round of sicknesses, as has several other church families and there’s been a number of other things going on.   I’d also been sharing with Carolyn about how this week I’d found it very hard to focus on preparing this message.  In fact, this message didn’t even begin to emerge until late last night.

Carolyn said to me in the car: “Do you think we’re under spiritual attack at the moment?  We’re about to launch the second service and we’ve seen God moving.  Do you think Satan’s trying to get in the way of what God is doing?”

I thought about some of the specific things that had been going on and yes, I would not be at all surprised if they were caused by spiritual forces of darkness.  It’s good to be reminded of the nature of the opposition we face.

But we fix our eyes on Jesus.  Jesus was the victim of a satanic attack that saw him betrayed to corrupt authorities and nailed to a cross.  Yet in the sovereign plan of God this opposition was just part of God’s overwhelming victory as Jesus earned our salvation through His suffering.

God provides the power to persevere to those who choose to depend on Him for it.  God achieves His victory through those who submit to His will.

The cross – “the emblem of suffering and shame” as the old hymn [2]  describes it – has become for us a symbol of life and victory because of Jesus.  When you are going through a hard time consider Jesus and the cross He hung from, and remember that He persevered for you and I.  Remember that God turned mourning into dancing,  death into resurrection.  Don’t give up.

Conclusion

How are you going in the race God has marked out for you to run? 

How can you throw off some hindrances this week?

How will you fix your eyes on Jesus a little more this week?

This week we start a new chapter in the life of Kingsley Church of Christ.  We’ve increased our overall workload by running two Sunday services instead of just one.  Why would we do that to ourselves?

Because like the Apostle Paul, we want to please Jesus.  We want to introduce more people to Him.  We want to help more people grow in Him.  We want others to be ready to meet Him in person and we want to receive a welcome ourselves of “Well done, good and faithful servants.  Come and share your Master’s happiness”.

That’s what we’re about.

---

^[1]All Scriptures from The Holy Bible : New International Version. 1996, c1984. Grand Rapids: Zondervan.

[2] The Old Rugged Cross