John 19:1-37, Ultimate Service
From 2Timothy2.org
Contents
Objectives
- Congregants will
- Congregants will
- Congregants will
Introduction
Main Proposition
Main Body
Setting the Stage
- In John 18 Jesus was falsely accused, falsely tried, found innocent and yet still condemned. The trial is complete and the narrative moves into the sentencing phase. In Philippians 3:10 declares "that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death". What does it mean to know the fellowship of his suffering? As we celebrate Christmas we often talk about God becoming flesh, Emmanuel, God with us. In fact, Hebrews 4:15 tells us that "we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin." God became human in Christ, he experienced all that it meant to be human. In fact, Christ experienced more of what it means to be human than all of us, Christ experienced death, the final enemy that all of us have yet to experience. As we look at the death of Jesus Christ we can see what ultimate servanthood looks like. We are going to contrast three representatives with the great Servant Christ, the coward, the guilty, and the praxis (convention, habit, or custom).
Contrast: The Servant and the Cowards (V. 1-16)
- Don't forget that in John 18:38 Pilate stated "I find no fault in Him at all."
The manipulations of a coward (V. 1-5)
The scheming of cowards (V. 6-7)
The dedication of the servant (V.8-11)
The folly of cowards (V. 12-16)
As Christians we must not cower under the pressure of the world but dedicate ourselves to selfless service for the one who made the ultimate sacrifice of service for us.
