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.

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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.

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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.

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Jesus knew that His people would struggle with staying together. When we quarrel with other Christians over trivial matters, we look just like the divided world around us. The Bible teaches that there are times when divisions are necessary, and we need the courage to separate when it is for God’s glory. But may we only separate from professing Christians when the Bible tells us to do so. As the High Priestly Prayer concludes, Jesus reiterates His theme: our Union with Him. His earnest prayer throughout has been that we be united with Him. When we are united with Christ and with His people, a divided world takes notice.

Take-Home Message: The Lord’s greatest prayer reveals His greatest priorities.

Jesus Prays for Our Unity with Believers (20-23).

When should believers not separate?

• Over trivial differences
• Perceived slights
• To avoid accountability

When should believers separate?

• When professing Christian churches are in obvious error.
• When professing Christians are in sin and unrepentant.

Jesus Prays for Our Union with Him (24-26).

What is Union with Christ?

• NOT God then me
• NOT God not me
• NOT God plus me
• God in me.

Take-Home Priorities

• Be united with Christ.
• Be united with Christ’s people.

Message: Jesus Prays for Us

Scripture: John 17:20-26

Simple. Authentic. Jesus.

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Jesus knew that His Apostles’ battle would continue after He ascended to heaven. Satan would go after them and seek to destroy them. But Jesus prayed to His Father, “I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one.” He wanted them to be in the world, but to be different from the world. Jesus’ prayer for His closest followers reflects His desires for us: that our joy would be full, that we would be protected from Satan, and that we would be set apart for holy service to God. All these things are only found through a relationship with Jesus Christ.

Take-Home Message: The Lord’s greatest prayer reveals His greatest priorities.

• What is an Apostle?
  • The Apostles were those specially chosen and commissioned by Christ to speak with His authority.

• Jesus Prays for His Apostles’ Joy (13).

• Superficial Joy vs. True Joy
• Fake Joy
• Fickle Joy
• Fading Joy
• Forever Joy

• Jesus Prays for His Apostles’ Protection (14-16).

• Jesus Prays for His Apostles’ Sanctification (17-19).

• Sanctify– To be set apart for holy service to God

Take-Home Priorities

• Be forever joyful.
• Be watchful in the world.
• Be set apart by the Word.

Message: Jesus Prays for His Apostles: Part 2

Scripture: John 17:13-19

Simple. Authentic. Jesus.

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Jesus devotes more of His longest recorded prayer to the Apostles than anyone else. He spent a major portion of His ministry on them, because He knew that they would be trusted with continuing His work. Christ’s discipleship model was the opposite of a mile wide and an inch deep. He wanted a few committed followers more than fans. In this prayer, Jesus does not ask His Father to take the Apostles out of the world but to keep them while they are in the world. The Apostles’ success, like ours, was rooted in God’s ability to keep them.

Take-Home Message: The Lord’s greatest prayer reveals His greatest priorities.

Jesus Prays His Apostles’ Authority (6-7)

- What is an Apostle?

· The Apostles were those specially chosen and commissioned by Christ to speak with His authority.

Jesus Prays for His Apostles’ Assignment (8)

- Determining My Assignment

· The Holy Spirit

· God’s Word

· Other Christians

· Circumstances

Jesus Prays for His Apostles’ Assurance (9-12)

Take-Home Priorities

- I must believe and receive

- I have an assignment

- I am being kept

Message: Jesus Prays for His Apostles: Part 1

Scriptures: John 17:6-12

Jeremiah 29:11 has had books and countless sermons preach on it over the years.

o Why? Because it’s so aspirational, _____-______ and encouraging!

§ But for that verse to carry its full impact, you must understand the ____________…

Context of the book of Jeremiah:

o God’s people found themselves in a deep hole… a hole that for the most part, they had dug for ____________!

o It was while in this deep hole that God sent His prophet to deliver a message. And what was that message?

§ Well first let’s talk about what it wasn’t….

· It wasn’t the message of a ______________ parent. “It’s ok. I’ll let it slide this time…” Nope!

o God’s message: Choices have _________________ and you’re going to have to deal with them… but…

§ Don’t _______ _____! Because I’ll never give up on you!

· Jeremiah 29:11- I have made plans for you. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you hope and a future.

God’s lesson for you today:

o Someday you will find yourselves in a deep hole. Therefore:

§ Remember to take _____________ for the choices you’ve made and the _______________ that follow.

· And then remember…

o God ________ gives up on you! Remember, that He has plans for you. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you a hope and a future!

Message: “I have made plans for you- Part 2”

Scripture: Jeremiah 29:4-11

John 17 is Jesus’ longest prayer in all the Gospels. Think of all the mornings and nights that Jesus spent praying to His Father. It is here, in John 17, that we get a glimpse into the content of those prayers. Jesus was the most selfless person to ever live. He spent His ministry pouring into and praying for others. Yet Jesus also prayed for Himself. John 17:1-5 provides a fascinating look into Jesus’ own prayer requests for Himself and thus what mattered most to Him. As Christ followers, what matters most to Jesus should matter most to us.

Take-Home Message: The Lord’s greatest prayer reveals His greatest priorities.

Jesus’ High Priestly Prayer

• Jesus prays for Himself (17:1-5)
• Jesus prays for His Apostles (17:6-19)
• Jesus prays for all believers (17:20-26)

Jesus prays for Himself

• Jesus prays for His glory (1)

§ What does it mean to glorify Jesus?

• “Glorifying” means feeling and thinking and acting in ways that reflect Jesus Christ’s greatness.

Is it righteous for Jesus to pray for His own glory?

• Yes, because Jesus’ glory reflects and magnifies His Father’s glory.
• Jesus prays for His gift (2-3)
• Jesus prays for His work (4-5)

Take-Home Priorities

1. Come to Christ
2. Glorify Christ
3. Participate with Christ

Message: Jesus Prays for Himself

Scripture: John 17:1-5