Your Will for Jesus

14/04/2019 13:17

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Date: 12 April, 2019
Text: Luke 23
Title: Delivered to Their Will
Theme:
Proposition:
Rhetorical:
 
Introduction:
 
Human will - is a most prized possession of the human race. Given to us by God in the Garden of Eden.
 
I preached a message on our will last week as we considered Joshua's words to the Children of Israel....
 
Jos 24:15  And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.
 
In that message I referred to Elijah's challenge to Israel to make up their mind and chose (exercise their will) for or against God.
1Ki 18:21  And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the LORD be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word.
 
Man's will often conflicts with God's will.
 
1.) God's will is that we obey His law.
Gen 2:17  But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.
 
2.) God's will is that we come to Him.
2Pe 3:9  The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
 
3.) God's will is that we exercise our will to come to Him.
Rev 22:17  And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.
 
4.) God's will is done perfectly in Heaven but not on earth.
Mat 6:10  Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
 
5. God's will was only without fail ever accomplished on earth by Jesus. The greatest picture of that submission to God's will is Calvary. Jesus demonstrated the horror of Calvary when he pleaded in the garden for any other way.
Mat 26:39  And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.
 
 
ill. In our story today, there is an emphasis in God's Word upon man's will. Pilate's will was to realease Jesus - but the will of the people was that he be crucified.
 
13  And Pilate, when he had called together the chief priests and the rulers and the people,
14  Said unto them, Ye have brought this man unto me, as one that perverteth the people: and, behold, I, having examined him before you, have found no fault in this man touching those things whereof ye accuse him:
15  No, nor yet Herod: for I sent you to him; and, lo, nothing worthy of death is done unto him.
16  I will therefore chastise him, and release him.
17  (For of necessity he must release one unto them at the feast.)
18  And they cried out all at once, saying, Away with this man, and release unto us Barabbas:
19  (Who for a certain sedition made in the city, and for murder, was cast into prison.)
20  Pilate therefore, willing to release Jesus, spake again to them.
21  But they cried, saying, Crucify him, crucify him.
22  And he said unto them the third time, Why, what evil hath he done? I have found no cause of death in him: I will therefore chastise him, and let him go.
23  And they were instant with loud voices, requiring that he might be crucified. And the voices of them and of the chief priests prevailed.
24  And Pilate gave sentence that it should be as they required.
25  And he released unto them him that for sedition and murder was cast into prison, whom they had desired; but he delivered Jesus to their will.
 
THE MESSAGE THIS MORNING: Delivered to their will. 
 
JESUS WAS DELIVERED TO THEIR WILL! WHAT WAS THEIR WILL FOR JESUS?
 Luke 23:26-46
 
I. Their will was to take Jesus where they deserved to go.
26  And as they led him away, 
exp. I don't know how they led him, but that they did lead him as they led the other prisoners. One would imagine that a rope of some sort was attached to the prisoners.
ill. Isaiah 53 as quoted by Luke in....
Acts 8:32  He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth:
note: Where are they leading him to? Calvary - there to be put to death.
ill. Imagine today that you were the jury for Jesus. As we discussed the case against Jesus - we would have to ask a couple questions as we consider if he should get the death penalty. 
- The prosecution (the Jews) say....
"WE HAVE A LAW AND BY OUR LAW HE MUST DIE, because he made himself the Son of God."
1.) What is death? IT IS God's declared punishment for sin.
Gen 2:17  But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.
exp. Here is what God's law says. Eze 18:20  The soul that sinneth, it shall die. 
2.) Did Jesus inherit sin or ever sin himself?
a. He was sinless in birth.
Romans 5:12  Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:
exp. Adam was our federal head - like the Queen, Prime Minister and Parliament, when they sign laws, they do so on our behalf. We were in Adam and Adam was our federal head. When he failed, we failed in Him.
 note: Jesus was not a son of Adam. Luke 1:35  And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee:
b. He was sinless in life.
2Co 5:21  For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
ill. Pilate wanted to wash himself of this case because he saw the innocence of Jesus. "I find NO FAULT in him!
 3.) Was he the Son of God?
Luke 1:35 therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.
ill. Any righteous jury would have let Jesus go. But, not the crucifiction mob around Jesus.
 exp. Their will was to condemn Jesus while they themselves went free.
app. Is your will against God today condemning Him when He is right to condemn you?
 
II. Their will was to put a cross on the back of the man who follows Jesus.
...they laid hold upon one Simon, a Cyrenian, coming out of the country, and on him they laid the cross, that he might bear it after Jesus.
exp. We don't know much about Simon. 
He was from the North of Africa (modern day Lybia). 
Mark tells us that his sons were Alexander and Rufus (apparently well known to the early church). 
Perhaps Rufus is the same as the man greeted by that name in Paul's letter to the Romans.
  exp. Was Simon there because he was a convert or curious? He didn't volunteer to carry the cross, though he may have volunteered to follow Christ. For him to step out of the crowd and follow Christ to Calvary was to carry His cross.
Luke 9:23  And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.
 ill. The whole cross of Jesus would weigh about 135 killagrams. What Simon carried was the crossbeam weighing around 45 killagrams.
question: What does the cross of Jesus on the back of Simon represent.
1.) Complete submission to the father's will.
2.) A willingness to lay down ones life for the salvation of mankind.
3.) A burden put upon the back by those who hate Jesus.
4.) An identification with Jesus that is unmistakable to the world.
Exp. Their will was to put a cross on the back of the man who follows Jesus.
app. Are you a follower of Jesus - The WILL OF THIS WORLD IS to put the cross on your back? Simon didn't protest, do you? Are you willing to take up your cross?
 
III. Their will was to weep for Jesus but not to weep for the hardness of their generation.
27  And there followed him a great company of people, and of women, which also bewailed and lamented him.
28  But Jesus turning unto them said, Daughters of Jerusalem, weep not for me, but weep for yourselves, and for your children.
29  For, behold, the days are coming, in the which they shall say, Blessed are the barren, and the wombs that never bare, and the paps which never gave suck.
30  Then shall they begin to say to the mountains, Fall on us; and to the hills, Cover us.
31  For if they do these things in a green tree, what shall be done in the dry?
exp. These mourners were ...
no doubt some with true affection for Jesus. 
Others more casual observers who didn't despise Jesus and pitied his innocent death.
Jesus had not pity for himself - but he had great pity for men who rejected life and hastened their own destruction.
 note: Like the day of the gree tree - Jesus had come not as Lord and judge but as servant and Saviour.
In the green tree - their hearts were so hard that Jesus himself could not help them and he yearned with compassion for their salvation.
Luk 13:34  O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee; how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings, and ye would not!
note: But the dry tree days were coming. Jerusalem would reject the light and disperse God's servants. In AD 70 Jerusalem and her temple would be destroyed by the Romans.
app. We could weep today that JESUS IS REJECTED (that was their will) or we can weep today for those who reject Jesus. (That is Jesus will.)
 
IV. Their will was to put Jesus where He could no longer "harm" society.
32  And there were also two other, malefactors, led with him to be put to death.
33  And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left.
exp. A malefactor is a criminal. These were thieves and probably murderers, perhaps a part of Barabus gang. Barabus was set free and Jesus was killed. Prosecution of criminals is both a penalty for their crime and to protect society from their harm.
 ill. parole boards - responsible to evaluate whether or not to release a criminal. A large part of their consideration is to consider if releasing him will cause public harm.
exp. They would kill Jesus in an attempt to silence His teaching. They thought by his death his words could no longer convict and condemn them. BUT THEY WERE WRONG BECAUSE HE AND HIS MESSAGE LIVES ON IN THE HEARTS AND LIVES OF HIS FOLLOWERS.
Acts 5:27  And when they had brought them, they set them before the council: and the high priest asked them,
28  Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man's blood upon us.
29  Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.
ill. Sign on home this week "I don't need your advise or preaching." 
ill. Hate speech message against "religious bigots - end of sermon."
 app. Who's will IS YOUR WILL obeying? Their will is to silence the message of Jesus and keep it where it won't "harm" society. Are you obeying God or men?
 
V. Their will was to ignorantly hurt the Great God and Father of Jesus.
34  Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. 
exp. How could men abuse the Son of God without being obliterated? The Son of God asked the Father to forgive them.
 ill. Witnessing to an atheist - gives glory to evolution and science - I asked him what the creator God thinks about that? That is nothing - what does God the Father think about what that man has done to God the Son?
app. If it wasn't for the forgiveness of God, Jesus could never have been sacrificed for our sins. Oh, how these men hurt the Father as they abused His Son - by His allowance to pay for their sin.
Joh 3:16  For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
 
VI. Their will was to profit from the death of Jesus.
And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.
exp. They didn't care about the man on the cross. They only cared about what they could get from His death.
 ill. You can make a lot of money off of Jesus death. wickipedia
Mormons - 35 Billion
Catholic Church Vatican - 30 Billion
Catholic Church Australia - 30 Billion
Catholic Church Germany - 25 Billion
Church of England - 7.8 Billion.
 ill. Televangelists -
Kenneth Copeland - Net Worth - 760 Million (17.5 million dollar jet, 6 million mansion.)
Pat Robertson - Net worth - 100 million 
Benny Hinn - 42 Million
 exp. The soldiers will was to get as much as they could from the death of Jesus. They stripped off his robe and gambled for it.
app. The modern profiteers aren't stripping the robes off of Jesus and gambling for them. They are stealing in His name and gambling with the souls of men. 
 
VII. Their will was to mock Jesus "inability" to save Himself as he ably die to save them.
35  And the people stood beholding. And the rulers also with them derided him, saying, He saved others; let him save himself, if he be Christ, the chosen of God.
36  And the soldiers also mocked him, coming to him, and offering him vinegar,
37  And saying, If thou be the king of the Jews, save thyself.
38  And a superscription also was written over him in letters of Greek, and Latin, and Hebrew, THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.
 exp. They knew He had saved others.  "he saved others; let him save himself....IF HE IS THE MESSIAH." The soldiers took up the taunting cry - mocking the king - save thyself.
ill. My kids reminded me of a humorous story my dad tells. He was on a plane which was having trouble with cabin pressure. The stewardesses were running around trying to find out what was wrong. While they were doing that two young men by dad had their window blow out into their laps. They put it back up - "miss I think I know the problem.... Let her go Harry." Then she believed them.
 exp. Jesus was fixing the problem for them and they were taunting him to let it go. Wind wasn't going to rush in - but death and hell.
ill. How our world mocks Jesus? (3 examples from the past few weeks.)
"Your scary dogma"
NO JUNK MAIL! "I don't care what you wrote"
"I don't read __________"
app. How little do they know that what they are mocking IS THE ONLY HOPE OF SALVATION.
 
 
VIII. Their will was to determine their eternity.
39  And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us.
40  But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation?
41  And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss.
42  And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.
43  And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.
44  And it was about the sixth hour, and there was a darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour.
45  And the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was rent in the midst.
46  And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost.
exp. 
Both men would die that die. 
Both were guilty and had lived their lives in rebellion against God. 
Both men were confronted with the sacrificial life of Jesus before their death.
exp. But, one would die and go to Heaven and one would die and go to hell. The difference was ONE WAS WILLING TO CHANGE HIS WILL AND ONE WAS NOT.
 ill. urban legend - ACTUAL transcript of a US naval ship with Canadian authorities off the coast of Newfoundland in October, 1995. This radio conversation was released by the Chief of Naval Operations on 10-10-95.
Americans: “Please divert your course 15 degrees to the North to avoid a collision.”
Canadians: “Recommend you divert YOUR course 15 degrees to the South to avoid a collision.”
Americans: “This is the captain of a US Navy ship. I say again, divert YOUR course.”
Canadians: “No, I say again, you divert YOUR course.”
Americans: “THIS IS THE AIRCRAFT CARRIER USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN, THE SECOND LARGEST SHIP IN THE UNITED STATES’ ATLANTIC FLEET. WE ARE ACCOMPANIED BY THREE DESTROYERS, THREE CRUISERS AND NUMEROUS SUPPORT VESSELS. I DEMAND THAT YOU CHANGE YOUR COURSE 15 DEGREES NORTH. THAT’S ONE-FIVE DEGREES NORTH, OR COUNTER MEASURES WILL BE UNDERTAKEN TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF THIS SHIP.”
Canadians: “This is a lighthouse. Your call.”
Luk 13:5  I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.
 app. It's your call - man can altar their will and go to Heaven with Jesus or stay on course to destruction and Hell. YOUR WILL MAKES ALL THE DIFFERENCE.
 
conclusion:
 
JESUS WAS DELIVERED TO THEIR WILL. LOOK WHAT THEY DID TO JESUS.
crucified him, put a cross on his follower, profited by his death, tried to silence his message, 
 
JESUS IS DELIVERED TO YOUR WILL. WHAT HAVE YOU DONE WITH JESUS?
Are you weeping for Jesus or for our generation that has rejected him?
Are you getting out the message for which he died?

Date: 12 April, 2019

Text: Luke 23

Title: Delivered to Their Will

 

Introduction:

 

Human will - is a most prized possession of the human race. Given to us by God in the Garden of Eden.

 

I preached a message on our will last week as we considered Joshua's words to the Children of Israel....

 

Jos 24:15  And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.

 

In that message I referred to Elijah's challenge to Israel to make up their mind and chose (exercise their will) for or against God.

1Ki 18:21  And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the LORD be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word.

 

Man's will often conflicts with God's will.

 

1.) God's will is that we obey His law.

Gen 2:17  But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.

 

2.) God's will is that we come to Him.

2Pe 3:9  The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

 

3.) God's will is that we exercise our will to come to Him.

Rev 22:17  And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.

 

4.) God's will is done perfectly in Heaven but not on earth.

Mat 6:10  Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

 

5. God's will was only without fail ever accomplished on earth by Jesus. The greatest picture of that submission to God's will is Calvary. Jesus demonstrated the horror of Calvary when he pleaded in the garden for any other way.

Mat 26:39  And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.

 

 

ill. In our story today, there is an emphasis in God's Word upon man's will. Pilate's will was to realease Jesus - but the will of the people was that he be crucified.

 

13  And Pilate, when he had called together the chief priests and the rulers and the people,

14  Said unto them, Ye have brought this man unto me, as one that perverteth the people: and, behold, I, having examined him before you, have found no fault in this man touching those things whereof ye accuse him:

15  No, nor yet Herod: for I sent you to him; and, lo, nothing worthy of death is done unto him.

16  I will therefore chastise him, and release him.

17  (For of necessity he must release one unto them at the feast.)

18  And they cried out all at once, saying, Away with this man, and release unto us Barabbas:

19  (Who for a certain sedition made in the city, and for murder, was cast into prison.)

20  Pilate therefore, willing to release Jesus, spake again to them.

21  But they cried, saying, Crucify him, crucify him.

22  And he said unto them the third time, Why, what evil hath he done? I have found no cause of death in him: I will therefore chastise him, and let him go.

23  And they were instant with loud voices, requiring that he might be crucified. And the voices of them and of the chief priests prevailed.

24  And Pilate gave sentence that it should be as they required.

25  And he released unto them him that for sedition and murder was cast into prison, whom they had desired; but he delivered Jesus to their will.

 

THE MESSAGE THIS MORNING: Delivered to their will. 

 

JESUS WAS DELIVERED TO THEIR WILL! WHAT WAS THEIR WILL FOR JESUS?

 Luke 23:26-46

 

I. Their will was to take Jesus where they deserved to go.

26  And as they led him away, 

exp. I don't know how they led him, but that they did lead him as they led the other prisoners. One would imagine that a rope of some sort was attached to the prisoners.

ill. Isaiah 53 as quoted by Luke in....

Acts 8:32  He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth:

note: Where are they leading him to? Calvary - there to be put to death.

ill. Imagine today that you were the jury for Jesus. As we discussed the case against Jesus - we would have to ask a couple questions as we consider if he should get the death penalty. 

- The prosecution (the Jews) say....

"WE HAVE A LAW AND BY OUR LAW HE MUST DIE, because he made himself the Son of God."

1.) What is death? IT IS God's declared punishment for sin.

Gen 2:17  But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.

exp. Here is what God's law says. Eze 18:20  The soul that sinneth, it shall die. 

2.) Did Jesus inherit sin or ever sin himself?

a. He was sinless in birth.

Romans 5:12  Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:

exp. Adam was our federal head - like the Queen, Prime Minister and Parliament, when they sign laws, they do so on our behalf. We were in Adam and Adam was our federal head. When he failed, we failed in Him.

 note: Jesus was not a son of Adam. Luke 1:35  And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee:

b. He was sinless in life.

2Co 5:21  For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

ill. Pilate wanted to wash himself of this case because he saw the innocence of Jesus. "I find NO FAULT in him!

 3.) Was he the Son of God?

Luke 1:35 therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.

ill. Any righteous jury would have let Jesus go. But, not the crucifiction mob around Jesus.

 exp. Their will was to condemn Jesus while they themselves went free.

app. Is your will against God today condemning Him when He is right to condemn you?

 

II. Their will was to put a cross on the back of the man who follows Jesus.

...they laid hold upon one Simon, a Cyrenian, coming out of the country, and on him they laid the cross, that he might bear it after Jesus.

exp. We don't know much about Simon. 

He was from the North of Africa (modern day Lybia). 

Mark tells us that his sons were Alexander and Rufus (apparently well known to the early church). 

Perhaps Rufus is the same as the man greeted by that name in Paul's letter to the Romans.

  exp. Was Simon there because he was a convert or curious? He didn't volunteer to carry the cross, though he may have volunteered to follow Christ. For him to step out of the crowd and follow Christ to Calvary was to carry His cross.

Luke 9:23  And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.

 ill. The whole cross of Jesus would weigh about 135 killagrams. What Simon carried was the crossbeam weighing around 45 killagrams.

question: What does the cross of Jesus on the back of Simon represent.

1.) Complete submission to the father's will.

2.) A willingness to lay down ones life for the salvation of mankind.

3.) A burden put upon the back by those who hate Jesus.

4.) An identification with Jesus that is unmistakable to the world.

Exp. Their will was to put a cross on the back of the man who follows Jesus.

app. Are you a follower of Jesus - The WILL OF THIS WORLD IS to put the cross on your back? Simon didn't protest, do you? Are you willing to take up your cross?

 

III. Their will was to weep for Jesus but not to weep for the hardness of their generation.

27  And there followed him a great company of people, and of women, which also bewailed and lamented him.

28  But Jesus turning unto them said, Daughters of Jerusalem, weep not for me, but weep for yourselves, and for your children.

29  For, behold, the days are coming, in the which they shall say, Blessed are the barren, and the wombs that never bare, and the paps which never gave suck.

30  Then shall they begin to say to the mountains, Fall on us; and to the hills, Cover us.

31  For if they do these things in a green tree, what shall be done in the dry?

exp. These mourners were ...

no doubt some with true affection for Jesus. 

Others more casual observers who didn't despise Jesus and pitied his innocent death.

Jesus had not pity for himself - but he had great pity for men who rejected life and hastened their own destruction.

 note: Like the day of the gree tree - Jesus had come not as Lord and judge but as servant and Saviour.

In the green tree - their hearts were so hard that Jesus himself could not help them and he yearned with compassion for their salvation.

Luk 13:34  O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee; how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings, and ye would not!

note: But the dry tree days were coming. Jerusalem would reject the light and disperse God's servants. In AD 70 Jerusalem and her temple would be destroyed by the Romans.

app. We could weep today that JESUS IS REJECTED (that was their will) or we can weep today for those who reject Jesus. (That is Jesus will.)

 

IV. Their will was to put Jesus where He could no longer "harm" society.

32  And there were also two other, malefactors, led with him to be put to death.

33  And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left.

exp. A malefactor is a criminal. These were thieves and probably murderers, perhaps a part of Barabus gang. Barabus was set free and Jesus was killed. Prosecution of criminals is both a penalty for their crime and to protect society from their harm.

 ill. parole boards - responsible to evaluate whether or not to release a criminal. A large part of their consideration is to consider if releasing him will cause public harm.

exp. They would kill Jesus in an attempt to silence His teaching. They thought by his death his words could no longer convict and condemn them. BUT THEY WERE WRONG BECAUSE HE AND HIS MESSAGE LIVES ON IN THE HEARTS AND LIVES OF HIS FOLLOWERS.

Acts 5:27  And when they had brought them, they set them before the council: and the high priest asked them,

28  Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man's blood upon us.

29  Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.

ill. Sign on home this week "I don't need your advise or preaching." 

ill. Hate speech message against "religious bigots - end of sermon."

 app. Who's will IS YOUR WILL obeying? Their will is to silence the message of Jesus and keep it where it won't "harm" society. Are you obeying God or men?

 

V. Their will was to ignorantly hurt the Great God and Father of Jesus.

34  Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. 

exp. How could men abuse the Son of God without being obliterated? The Son of God asked the Father to forgive them.

 ill. Witnessing to an atheist - gives glory to evolution and science - I asked him what the creator God thinks about that? That is nothing - what does God the Father think about what that man has done to God the Son?

app. If it wasn't for the forgiveness of God, Jesus could never have been sacrificed for our sins. Oh, how these men hurt the Father as they abused His Son - by His allowance to pay for their sin.

Joh 3:16  For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

 

VI. Their will was to profit from the death of Jesus.

And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.

exp. They didn't care about the man on the cross. They only cared about what they could get from His death.

 ill. You can make a lot of money off of Jesus death. wickipedia

Mormons - 35 Billion

Catholic Church Vatican - 30 Billion

Catholic Church Australia - 30 Billion

Catholic Church Germany - 25 Billion

Church of England - 7.8 Billion.

 ill. Televangelists -

Kenneth Copeland - Net Worth - 760 Million (17.5 million dollar jet, 6 million mansion.)

Pat Robertson - Net worth - 100 million 

Benny Hinn - 42 Million

 exp. The soldiers will was to get as much as they could from the death of Jesus. They stripped off his robe and gambled for it.

app. The modern profiteers aren't stripping the robes off of Jesus and gambling for them. They are stealing in His name and gambling with the souls of men. 

 

VII. Their will was to mock Jesus "inability" to save Himself as he ably die to save them.

35  And the people stood beholding. And the rulers also with them derided him, saying, He saved others; let him save himself, if he be Christ, the chosen of God.

36  And the soldiers also mocked him, coming to him, and offering him vinegar,

37  And saying, If thou be the king of the Jews, save thyself.

38  And a superscription also was written over him in letters of Greek, and Latin, and Hebrew, THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.

 exp. They knew He had saved others.  "he saved others; let him save himself....IF HE IS THE MESSIAH." The soldiers took up the taunting cry - mocking the king - save thyself.

ill. My kids reminded me of a humorous story my dad tells. He was on a plane which was having trouble with cabin pressure. The stewardesses were running around trying to find out what was wrong. While they were doing that two young men by dad had their window blow out into their laps. They put it back up - "miss I think I know the problem.... Let her go Harry." Then she believed them.

 exp. Jesus was fixing the problem for them and they were taunting him to let it go. Wind wasn't going to rush in - but death and hell.

ill. How our world mocks Jesus? (3 examples from the past few weeks.)

"Your scary dogma"

NO JUNK MAIL! "I don't care what you wrote"

"I don't read __________"

app. How little do they know that what they are mocking IS THE ONLY HOPE OF SALVATION.

 

 

VIII. Their will was to determine their eternity.

39  And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us.

40  But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation?

41  And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss.

42  And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.

43  And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.

44  And it was about the sixth hour, and there was a darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour.

45  And the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was rent in the midst.

46  And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost.

exp. 

Both men would die that die. 

Both were guilty and had lived their lives in rebellion against God. 

Both men were confronted with the sacrificial life of Jesus before their death.

exp. But, one would die and go to Heaven and one would die and go to hell. The difference was ONE WAS WILLING TO CHANGE HIS WILL AND ONE WAS NOT.

 ill. urban legend - ACTUAL transcript of a US naval ship with Canadian authorities off the coast of Newfoundland in October, 1995. This radio conversation was released by the Chief of Naval Operations on 10-10-95.

Americans: “Please divert your course 15 degrees to the North to avoid a collision.”

Canadians: “Recommend you divert YOUR course 15 degrees to the South to avoid a collision.”

Americans: “This is the captain of a US Navy ship. I say again, divert YOUR course.”

Canadians: “No, I say again, you divert YOUR course.”

Americans: “THIS IS THE AIRCRAFT CARRIER USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN, THE SECOND LARGEST SHIP IN THE UNITED STATES’ ATLANTIC FLEET. WE ARE ACCOMPANIED BY THREE DESTROYERS, THREE CRUISERS AND NUMEROUS SUPPORT VESSELS. I DEMAND THAT YOU CHANGE YOUR COURSE 15 DEGREES NORTH. THAT’S ONE-FIVE DEGREES NORTH, OR COUNTER MEASURES WILL BE UNDERTAKEN TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF THIS SHIP.”

Canadians: “This is a lighthouse. Your call.”

Luk 13:5  I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.

 app. It's your call - man can altar their will and go to Heaven with Jesus or stay on course to destruction and Hell. YOUR WILL MAKES ALL THE DIFFERENCE.

 

conclusion:

 

JESUS WAS DELIVERED TO THEIR WILL. LOOK WHAT THEY DID TO JESUS.

crucified him, put a cross on his follower, profited by his death, tried to silence his message, 

 

JESUS IS DELIVERED TO YOUR WILL. WHAT HAVE YOU DONE WITH JESUS?

Are you weeping for Jesus or for our generation that has rejected him?

Are you getting out the message for which he died?

 

Are you identifying with him and willingly taking his cross?

Are you identifying with him and willingly taking his cross?
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