Sermon: Standing Outside
Summary: Jesus was not a victim at his trial and execution because his life was
not taken, he gave his life willingly, courageously, and openly without denying
God or his teaching so that we can have life. The "other disciple" also was open
about his faith in Christ without hiding it. In contrast to Jesus and this other
disciple, Peter denied everything due to fear for his life. We are to be like Christ
and this other disciple, and not like Peter by being open, devoted, and courageous
in our faith when our "hour" comes.
Know: Standing with Christ means standing on the margins, which often brings
persecution, but will strengthen our relationship with Christ
Feel: The desire to stand with Christ even in the fellowship of his sufferings
Do: Compare the attitude, courage, and actions of Jesus, the other disciple, and
Peter. Discuss the necessary ingredients for you to have the same attitude courage,
and actions. Identify the times, challenges, and temptations you have in standing
with Christ. Determine when and how you can stand with Christ.
Text: John 18:1-27
Scripture Reading: Mt 10:30-33
Intro:
1. Have you ever had a run in with the law before
a. For me, it was for driving too fast
b. First time, it was uneasy, a little scary
c. That was just for a speeding ticket
d. Imagine if it were death penalty threat, and crime was being a Christian
2. This is type of thing Jesus is facing
a. Finished his public ministry
b. Finishing up his ministry with his disciples
- Teach, train, time in the upper room
- Walked to garden where he often went
. Jesus knew what was coming
a. Warned his disciples what kind of death he would suffer
b. Would be suffering, humiliation, shame
c. But he calls it being "glorified" - Will reveal the glory of God
4. Text: Jn 18:1-27 - Reveals character of Jesus, disciples, and Jews...Focus on two of them - Jesus and Peter...
I. Jesus is not a victim
A. Many think that they killed Jesus
B. It is clear to see that this was not against his will
1. 12:23 - Jesus said his hour/time had come
a. 10:17-18 - Jesus lays his life down, no one takes it
b. 12:27 - Could have asked Father to save him from this
hour, but said it was for this hour he came
c. 13:1 - He knew he was going to die
d. 16:16f- He warned his disciples he was going to die
2. 18:4 - Jesus' actions when they came to arrest him
a. There was a detachment/cohort
- Grk: Speira - Roman military force. Could mean:
- Auxiliary Cohort - 760 Infantry, 240 Cavalry
- Cohort - 600 soldiers
- Sometimes used for detachment of 200 men
- Also Temple officers as well
- At a minimum, there were 200 people there
b. He stepped forward, knowing who they were seeking
- They fell on their faces, he had to ask again
- Jesus appears to be in control
- Did not try to get out of it
- Concern for disciples, said to let them go
c. Jesus' reaction to Peter
- Peter ready to fight to the death
- Jesus puts the ear back on Malchus
- Said - "Shall I not drink the cup which Father gave?"
3. 19:11 - Jesus' conversation with Pilate about Pilate's authority
a. Pilate thought he had power & authority over Jesus
b. Jesus said all he had was given to him from above
4. Even though this was not a valid trial, Jesus denied nothing
a. Illegitimate interrogation
- Annas - High Priest emeritus, no "official" authority
-- Had a lot of popular support
-- If a "real" trial, Caiphas would be presiding
-- If a "real" trial, not be at night (rooster
crowed, indicating it is still night
- Caiphas - Already made up mind Jesus should die
b. Jesus did not fit definition of false teacher
- Annas obviously moving to accuse him of such
- A false teacher is defined as one who "secretly"
entices (Dt 13:6-9)
- Punishment for this was death
- But Jesus always taught openly,
c. Jesus reminded them of proper judicial procedure
- Judge not question accused directly, but listen to
listen to witnesses
- But no witnesses produced for Jesus
- Jesus told them to ask his disciples, witnesses
d. This is a wrongful interrogation
- They trying to build a case against him when there
was none
- They trying to give his execution a sense of
credibility
- Yet, Jesus denies nothing
C. ILL: Operation Auca in the 1950's - Group of Missionaries to Equador
1. Nate Saint was pilot, son asked him if he would protect himself
and shoot them if they attacked
a. Answer: We can't shoot the Waodani, they are not ready
for God, we are
b. Four men were speared to death by them at the river
c. Wives didn't give up, didn't retaliate, still reached out
2. The tribe was perplexed as to why these missionaries didn't
shoot at them and why they never retaliated, or went home
3. Eventually, one of the tribe, Kimo, breaks his spears and vowed
never to kill again
a. He devoted himself to follow the man-maker's "carvings"
(man-maker=God; "carvings"= Bible)
b. Eventually, the tribe is converted, killings stop
- When faced with enemy tribe, they said, "Even if you
spear us, we will not spear you"
- Their whole character changed
c. No longer "Auca" (savage) but their true name, "Waodani"
4. They now "brethren" of those who killed close family members
a. Steve Saint met the man who speared his Father
- According to Waodani tradition, supposed to avenge
- The man worried about this
b. Steve extends mercy to the man
- "No one took my Father's life, he gave it"
C. ILL: Soldier enlisted. Unit called to war. Advancing, hit with rpg fire
1. Woke up in hospital
2. You going to be okay, but you lost arm
3. I did not lose my limb, I gave it for my country
4. If I had died, I would not have lost my life, I would have given it
D. Christ gave his life
1. It was never anyone's to take, only his to give
2. Jesus was not a victim
3. He stayed faithful till the end, even though it meant the end
II. Peter stood with the crowd
A. The account shifts back and forth between Jesus and Peter
1. Sets up a stark contrast between Peter and Christ
2. Jesus denies nothing, Peter denies everything
B. Seems strange
1. Just a short while ago, Peter was ready to fight
a. Took a sword and started swinging
b. Jn 13:37 - Peter said he would lay down his life for Him
- Obviously willing to fight to the death
- If die, was going to go out in a blaze of glory
c. Jesus changed his name to "Peter" - which means "Rock"
2. But now, Peter looks like anything but a "Rock"
a. He has crumbled into a coward
b. He follows at a distance, trying to blend into the crowd
c. Can imagine he slowly became inconspicuous when
Jesus said, "ask my disciples about my teaching"
d. Never stepped forward as a witness for Christ
3. The "other" disciple (possibly John) looks more like a Rock
a. He is known to the High Priest, able to get into the house
b. Probably means slave girl who tends the gate knows John
c. This why she asks, "Aren't you ALSO one of his disciples?
4. v.18 - Peter was standing with the officers at the fire
a. He was making an effort to blend in
b. He did not stand with Christ
C. ILL: Like James who met Paul down the street during the summer
1. James the new kid on the block
2. School started, realized Paul was bullied, picked on
a. Paul was a little slow
b. Paul in single parent family
c. Paul was poor, dressed funny
3. James laughed along with crowd when they picked on Paul
a. Paul was in the minority
b. If he said something, he would be in the minority
c. Chose to stand with crowd, not with Paul
4. What happened to his friendship with Paul?
a. Nearly lost it
b. Apologized, Paul accepted
c. Stood up and said, "Paul is my friend, leave him alone"
d. Sure enough, he in the minority, but had Paul's friendship
D. Fortunately, Peter's story not end with him standing with the crowd
1. He chose to stand with Christ in persecution
2. His life ended in crucifixion
3. But he had the friendship of Christ, lasting to eternity
4. He did ultimately live up to his new name - "Rock"
III. Lesson: We need to stand with our Lord
A. We need to be like the other disciple, who was like Christ
B. This means standing on the outside
1. (Heb 11:24-27) - Example of Moses
a. Grew up Egyptian, the "in" crowd
b. Not with the repulsive slaves, the Hebrews
c. But in the end, he chose to stand with God and his people
2. (Heb 13:12-14) - We need to stand "outside" with Christ
a. If you stand with Christ, you will not be "in"
b. They were putting people out of the synagogue for this
c. Same today, people put out, marginalized for Christ
C. ILL: Like the guy who says, "Funny thing happened on way to church"
1. Someone says, "CHURCH? You go to church!?"
2. All eyes on you...
3. What do you say?
a. Well, once in awhile I go - Not appear too religious
b. Change the subject real quick - Good, no one knows
c. My parents make me - They think it not my decision
4. Or do you stand with Christ?
D. (Mt 10:32-33) - Confess him before men, he confess to God
1. This means being open and candid about our faith
2. It means standing with Christ at all times
Concl:
1. Don't be like Peter, but like the other disciple, who was like Christ
a. When his "hour" had come, stood uncompromisingly, courageously
b. Stand with our Lord
2. When your hour comes, what will you do?
a. When you are expected to do something questionable
b. When your faith would require you to do something that alienates
c. When opportunity to talk about Christ comes up?
3. Q: If it became illegal to become a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you?
a. Prosecution: But he believes in God
- Defense - Big deal, the demons believe too, and shudder
b. But he goes to church
- Doesn't mean a thing
- When you go into a garage, you become a car?
- When go into a barn, that make you a cow?
- When go to McDonalds, that make you a Big Mac?
c. But he is a moral person
- Many well known atheists also claim to be moral
d. Prosecution - But he has been baptized, obeyed Gospel (inv)
- Defense - But he hasn't changed his life, is a Sunday Christian
4. Would your defense lawyer have easy time defending you?
a. Would you be able to walk out scott free?
b. If so, they you would not be free at all!
5. You would want the prosecution to have a case like this:
a. But he gave up popularity, friends, part in play, position on team
b. He proclaimed and share his faith even though ostracized
c. He has been sold out for Christ, in season and out of season
d. Your defense is speechless, and you lose ... or rather win!
6. If it were illegal, would there be enough evidence to convict you?
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Small Group Questions: Standing Outside
Summary: Jesus was not a victim at his trial and execution because his life was not taken,
he gave his life willingly, courageously, and openly without denying God or his teaching
so that we can have life. The "other disciple" also was open about his faith in Christ
without hiding it. In contrast to Jesus and this other disciple, Peter denied everything
due to fear for his life. We are to be like Christ and this other disciple, and not like
Peter by being open, devoted, and courageous in our faith when our "hour" comes.
Open
- When a group notices something about your character, what do you usually feel like?
A gold ring, a pimple, a work of art, potted plant, a book, a movie, a road sign, a
dumpster, a smudge, other:_______________
Explore (Jn 18:1-27; Heb 13:12-14)
1. Discuss the strength of character that Jesus displays in this passage.
2. How does the character of Christ compare to others in the story? With the "other
disciple?" With the Jews? With Peter?
3. What might be the possible reasons Peter's dedication took such a sharp turn?
Apply
4. When do you find it most easy or natural to stand with Christ? Why?
5. When have you found it difficult to stand with Christ? Why?
6. What would it mean (or what are some ways) for you to stand with Christ more faithfully?
7. What are some of the necessary ingredients for you to have the same attitude, courage,
and actions of Christ?
8. What is God calling you to do?
Prayer
