We still talk about the Roman Empire to this day—but did you know that the Bible speaks of the Roman Empire too? Daniel 7:7 says, “…behold, a fourth beast, terrifying and dreadful and exceedingly strong. It had great iron teeth; it devoured and broke in pieces and stamped what was left with its feet. It was different from all the beasts that were before it…” The Roman Empire was a kingdom known for conquering and crushing everyone around them—no one else was like them, they were different from every kingdom that had come before it. This was the kingdom that Jesus lived under in the 1st century and was now face to face with in John 18. What we’ll see is that even as terrifying, dreadful, and exceedingly strong the Roman Empire was, they were no match for Christ the King who was reigning over them and everything in the universe. This is just as true then as it is now.

BIG IDEA: Christ the King reigns over all.

Jesus Christ is…

1. The King who is misunderstood (18-32).

• Why did Pilate try to release Jesus?
  
  • He was stressed about Christ’s Passover (John 6:15, 12:12-13)
  • He was impressed by Christ’s character (Mark 15:4-5)
  • He was distressed by his wife’s dream (Matthew 27:19)
  • He was pressed by his fear of judgment (John 19:11-12)

1. The King who is from another world (33-38).
2. The King who was rejected (39-40).

Message: Jesus Christ & Pontius Pilate: Part 1

Scripture: John 18:28-40

Simple. Authentic. Jesus.

Prairiebible.org

The trial of Jesus is really a trial of all those around him. Peter hits rock bottom as he denies Jesus three times, and Annas fails to grasp his own need for Jesus. Peter’s story is our story: repeated failing, yet restored by the faithfulness of Christ. His story reminds us that Jesus can bring us back from the brink if only we would turn to Him. Our God is high and lifted up, but He also has compassion on those who have hit rock bottom: “For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: ‘I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly, and to revive the heart of the contrite.” (Isaiah 57:15)

Take-Home Message: Christ’s faithfulness triumphs over my failures.

Christ’s faithfulness triumphs over…

My failure to see reality (12-14).

• The Trial of Jesus
  
  • Phase 1 of Jewish trial: Jesus before Annas (Jn. 18:12-14, 19-23).
  • Phase 2 of Jewish trial: Jesus before the Sanhedrin (Matt. 26:57-68).
  • Phase 1 of Roman trial: Jesus before Pilate (Jn. 18:28-38a; Matt. 27:11-14).
  • Phase 2 of Roman trial: Jesus before Herod Antipas (Lk. 23:6-12).
  • Phase 3 of Roman trial: Jesus before Pilate again (Jn. 18:38b-19:16; Matt. 27:15-31).

My failure to follow boldly (15-18).

• Why did Peter deny Jesus?
  • Wrong expectation
• Wrong confidence
• Wrong urgency

My failure to recognize authority (19-24).

My failure to stop failing (25-27).

Message: The Trial and Denial of Jesus

Scripture: John 18:12-27

Simple. Authentic. Jesus.

Prairiebible.org

As Jesus stared down the barrel of a horrific death– drinking the cup of the wrath of God against all sin– He exhibited stunning courage. Even Judas and the soldiers were compelled to bow at the force of His proclamation, “I AM.” Their forced response to Jesus’ courage should be our voluntary response: to fall down before Jesus in awe. Christ’s courage at the end of His life compels the worship of all. “And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2:8-11)

Take-Home Message: The courage of Christ compels me to worship.

The Courageous Christ…

• Stepped forward into darkness (1-4).
• Why did Judas betray Jesus?
  
  • Wrong expectation
  • Wrong treasure
  • Wrong influence
• Stood up for the disciples (5-9).
• Submitted to His demise (10-12).

Message: The Betrayal and Arrest of Jesus

Scripture: John 18:1-12

Simple. Authentic. Jesus.

Prairiebible.org