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Matthew 26:31-75

Taught on | Topic: Trials of Jesus | Keywords: Garden of Gethsemane, Pilate, Annas, denial, choices, Judas, betray

Following the Last Supper, Jesus entered the Garden of Gethsemane and willingly surrendered Himself to the will of the Father: Jesus was crushed for our sin, abandoned to the Cross, so that we might have fellowship with Him. As we study Matthew 26, we consider the spiritual battle before us, the choices we make, and the ultimate victory that is ours through Jesus Christ.

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8/22/2012
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Matthew 26:31-75
Matthew 26:31-75
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Following the Last Supper, Jesus entered the Garden of Gethsemane and willingly surrendered Himself to the will of the Father: Jesus was crushed for our sin, abandoned to the Cross, so that we might have fellowship with Him. As we study Matthew 26, we consider the spiritual battle before us, the choices we make, and the ultimate victory that is ours through Jesus Christ.
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40 Matthew - 2011

40 Matthew - 2011

From its opening genealogy through its careful record of Old Testament prophecies fulfilled, Matthew's gospel forms a bridge between the Old Testament and the New Testament. In this in-depth study by Pastor Skip Heitzig we'll consider Jesus' ancestry, birth, public ministry, death, and resurrection, and we'll gain a clearer understanding of Jesus as both Messiah and King.

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Study Guide

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Matthew 26
Then Jesus said to them, 'All of you will be made to stumble because of Me this night, for it is written: "I will strike the Shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered"' (Matthew 26:31).

PREVIEW: In Matthew 26, Jesus celebrates the Passover meal with His disciples, He is betrayed and taken to the high priest, and Peter denies knowing Him.

Matthew 26 Outline:
The Religious Leaders Plot to Kill Jesus - Read Matthew 26:1-5
Mary Anoints Jesus for Burial - Read Matthew 26:6-13
Judas Agrees to Betray Jesus - Read Matthew 26:14-16
The Passover is Prepared - Read Matthew 26:17-19
The Passover is Celebrated - Read Matthew 26:20-25
The Lord's Supper is Instituted - Read Matthew 26:26-29
Peter's Denial is Predicted - Read Matthew 26:30-35
Jesus' Three Prayers - Read Matthew 26:36-46
Jesus' Betrayal and Arrest - Read Matthew 26:47-56
Two False Witnesses - Read Matthew 26:57-68
Three Denials of Peter - Read Matthew 26:69-75

The Religious Leaders Plot to Kill Jesus - Read Matthew 26:1-5
1. The Passover, a time to remember Israel's deliverance out of Egypt, was near. What did Jesus tell His disciples was going to happen during the Passover (v. 2)?




2. Matthew records an event that occurred in the palace of the high priest. Who was the high priest and what occurred in his palace (vv. 3-5)?




Mary Anoints Jesus for Burial - Read Matthew 26:6-13
3. Where in Bethany was Jesus (v. 6)? What is very unusual about the place He stayed?



4. A woman came into the place Jesus was staying. Who was this woman (see John 12:3)? What did she do to Jesus (v. 7)?



5. When the disciples saw what the woman did, what was their attitude and reaction (v.8-9)? Which disciple reacted that way (see John 12:4)? Why (see John 12:6.)?



6. Jesus defended the woman's actions and explained why she performed them (v. 10). What was the reason for her lavish demonstration (v. 12)?



7. What did Jesus say would be done as a memorial to the woman (v. 13)?




Judas Agrees to Betray Jesus - Read Matthew 26:14-16
8. With whom did Judas Iscariot make a deal, and why (v. 14-15)?



9. Those with whom Judas arranged a deal agreed to pay him. How much did they agree to pay (v. 15)? Why do you think they offered that amount? (See Exodus 21:32 and Zechariah 11:12-13.)




10. After Judas arranged the deal, what was he on the lookout for (v. 16)?




The Passover is Prepared - Read Matthew 26:17-19
11. The Feast of Unleavened Bread is a seven day event. On the first day of the feast, what did the disciples ask Jesus (v. 17)?





12. Jesus instructed His disciples to go into the city, to a certain man. How would they know which man (See Mark 14:13.)?



13. What were the disciples instructed to tell the master of the house where the certain man went in (v. 18)? (See also Mark 14:14-15.)




The Passover is Celebrated - Read Matthew 26:20-25
14. Jesus and His twelve disciples sat down to celebrate the Passover (v. 20). What announcement did Jesus make while they were eating (v. 21)?



15. How did the disciples react to His announcement (v. 22)?



16. Jesus informed His disciples who the announcement referred to (v. 23). Who was Jesus referring to and what woe did He pronounce upon that person (v. 24)?



17. Look carefully at how eleven of the disciples referred to Jesus when they asked, "Is it I?" (v. 22). How did the person Jesus pronounced a woe upon refer to Him (v. 25)? (See also 1 Corinthians 12:3.)



The Lord's Supper is Instituted - Read Matthew 26:26-29
18. While Jesus and His disciples were eating the Passover feast, He took bread and gave it a special meaning. What meaning did He assign to it (v. 26)?



19. Jesus also assigned a special meaning to the cup of wine. What did He ask the disciples to do with the cup of wine (v.27), and what meaning did He assign to it (v. 28)?




Peter's Denial is Predicted - Read Matthew 26:30-35
20. After the Passover meal, Jesus and His disciples sang a hymn, possibly one of the Hallel Psalms, like Psalm 113 and the five that follow it. Where did they go afterward (v. 30)?



21. Jesus quoted Zechariah 13:7 as a prophecy that would be fulfilled through the disciples. What did Jesus say the disciples would do (v. 31)?



22. Jesus looked beyond the coming crucifixion and told the disciples what would happen and where He would meet them. What did he say (v. 32)? (See also Matthew 28:7, 10, and 16-17.)



23. After hearing Jesus quote the prophecy, what did Peter confess (v. 33)?



24. How did Jesus respond to Peter's confession (v. 34)? (See also Matthew 26:69-75.)



25. What did all the disciples confess (v. 35)?




Jesus' Three Prayers - Read Matthew 26:36-46
26. Gethsemane is a garden at the foot of the Mount of Olives, where Jesus went to pray (v. 36). Who did Jesus take with Him to pray, and how did He feel (v. 37)? What did Jesus ask them to do while He prayed (v. 38)?



27. What did Jesus do before praying to the Father (v. 39)? What request did He make of the Father?



28. When Jesus returned from praying, what were the disciples doing? What did He ask them to do, and what warning did He give them (vv.40-41)?



29. Jesus went off to pray a second time. What was His second prayer (v. 42)?




30. What were the disciples doing the second time Jesus returned to them (v. 43)? What did Jesus do this time (v. 44)?



31. What was Jesus' third request of the Father (v. 44)?




32. The third time Jesus returned to His disciples, what did He tell them (v. 45-46)?




Jesus' Betrayal and Arrest - Read Matthew 26:47-56
33. While Jesus was informing His disciples, who arrived on the scene, and what did they bring with them (v. 47)?



34. The term "His betrayer" is used of whom (v. 48)? In what manner was He betrayed (v. 49)? (See also Proverbs 27:6.)



35. While Jesus was being betrayed, how did He refer to His betrayer (v. 50)? (See also Psalm 41:9, 55:13 and Zechariah 13:6.)



36. One of Jesus' disciples drew his sword (v. 51). Who was it? What did he do with it? Who was affected? (See John 18:10.)



37. Jesus was not worried about those who came to betray Him. Why (v. 53)?



38. Jesus referred to the Scriptures that must be fulfilled. What do those Scriptures say? (See Isaiah 50:6, 53:2–11, Luke 24:25–27, 44–46; and Acts 17:3, 26:23.)



39. When Jesus was betrayed, what did the disciples do (v. 56)? (See also Zechariah 13:7.)




Two False Witnesses - Read Matthew 26:57-68
40. When Jesus was in the hands of His betrayers, where did they take Him? Who was there? Who followed at a distance (v. 57-58)? (See also John 18:15-16.)




41. Two false witnesses came forward. What did they testify that they heard Jesus say? Did Jesus ever say that (vv. 60-61)? (See Matthew 27:40, Mark 14:58, 15:29, John 2:19, and Acts 6:14.)




42. Caiaphas, the high priest from AD 18 to 36 and son–in–law to Annas (John 18:13), arose and asked Jesus, "Do You answer nothing? What is it these men testify against You?" But Jesus kept silent (v. 63) Why did Jesus keep silent when being accused? (See Isaiah 53:7)




43. Caiaphas, put Jesus "under oath by the living God." What did he tell Jesus to answer under oath (v. 63)?




44. How did Jesus answer Caiaphas (v. 64)? How did Caiaphas respond to Jesus' answer (v. 65)?




45. Based upon Jesus' response to Caiaphas, what did the chief priests, the elders, and all the council determine (v. 66)? What did they do to Jesus once they determined this (v. 67-68)?




Three Denials of Peter - Read Matthew 26:69-75
46. Peter was sitting in the courtyard of the high priest's home. What was he doing there (Luke 22:55)? Who approached Peter, (Mark 14:66) and what did they accuse him of (v. 69)? (See also Luke 22:56.)




47. How did Peter respond to the accusation (v. 70)?




48. Peter left his accusers in the courtyard. Where did he go? Who did he see there (Mark 14:69) and what did they accuse him of (v. 71)?




49. How did Peter respond to that second accusation (v. 72)? How was it different from his first response?




50. About an hour later (Luke 22:59), Peter received a third accusation. How was that accusation different from the first two (v. 73)? Who made the third accusation (John 18:26)?




51. How did Peter respond to their third accusation (v. 74)? How was it different from his first two responses?




52. What happened immediately after Peter denied knowing Jesus the third time (v. 74)? What did Peter remember (v. 75)? What was Peter's response to what he had done and what he had remembered?

Detailed Notes

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  1. Introduction
    1. Great battles
      1. Carchemish
        1. 605 BC
        2. Egyptians and Syrians v. Babylonians
        3. Changed history
      2. Milvian Bridge
        1. Constantine defeated Maxentius
        2. Supposed he saw a cross; encouraged troops
      3. Waterloo (Napoleon)
      4. World War I
      5. World War II
      6. Armageddon
        1. Future
        2. Mother of all battles
    2. Every battle includes choices which impact the outcome
      1. Garden of Eden
        1. Adam made the choice
        2. Battle lost
      2. Garden of Gethsemane
        1. Jesus made choice to surrender to the Father's will
        2. Won the battle for us
    3. Scene
      1. Jesus and disciples (sans Judas)
        1. Left Upper city of Jerusalem
        2. Walk east through the Kidron Valley
        3. Ascend Mount of Olives
      2. Gardens
        1. Bible begins in a garden
          1. Humanity begins there
          2. Sin enters the garden
        2. Garden city
          1. New Jerusalem
          2. Future home
          3. Sin has been eradicated
        3. Garden of Eden
          1. Adam there
          2. Life began
          3. Sin began
          4. Adam hid
        4. Garden of Gethsemane
          1. Second Adam
            1. Jesus
            2. Last Adam (see 1 Corinthians 15:45)
          2. Won the battle
          3. Overcame sin
          4. Presented Himself openly to do the Father's will
      3. Darkness
        1. Night
          1. "It was night" (John 13:30)
          2. Full moon; Passover
        2. Spiritual darkness
          1. "But this is your hour, and the power of darkness." (Luke 22:53)
          2. Jesus impending death looms
        3. "Opportune Time"  (Luke 4:13)
          1. Satan had left Jesus after the wilderness temptation
          2. Caesarea Philippi
            1. Jesus predicted the cross
            2. Peter objected (even God's own people can speak Satan's words)
            3. "Get behind me, Satan!" (Matthew 16:23)
          3. Here in the Garden of Gethsemane
  2. Jesus predicts the disciples will scatter
    1. "Strike the Shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered" (Zechariah 13:7)
      1. Written about Jesus
      2. Speaks of His death
    2. "But after I have been raised, I will go before you to Galilee" (v. 32)
      1. Speaks of His resurrection
      2. Watch for each other
    3. Jesus knows we scare easily and are prone to scattering
      1. We run and hide like Adam did
      2. He won't let us go
    4. Peter professed He wouldn't stumble
      1. Jesus knew he would
      2. Jesus knew Peter better than he knew himself
  3. Gethsemane
    1. Church of all nations (close to the original Garden
    2. Olive press
      1. גַּת; gath - press
      2. שָׁ֫מֶן; shemen - oil
      3. Olives grown and pressed there
        1. Large stone, lower stone
        2. Upper stone revolved and crushed olives
        3. Oil formed in the flowed in the channel and collected
        4. Value of the olive came with the crushing of the olive
    3. Jesus crushed for us
      1. "But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed." (Isaiah 53:5)
      2. Oil is emblem of the Holy Spirit
      3. "For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him." (2 Corinthians 5:21)
      4. Jesus crushed, the Holy Spirit dispatched, filling His people
      5. Salvation by grace alone, through faith alone in Jesus Christ
        1. "Cheap grace" coined  by Dietrich Bonheoffer
        2. Not cheap grace: free for us, but it cost Jesus everything
    4. We all have a Gethsemane
      1. Hate to be crushed
      2. Hate the weight of trial
      3. Psalm 23
        1. We love Psalm 23:1-3: "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake."
        2. We don't like Psalm 23:4: " Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil;"
          1. We prefer being air lifted from mountain top to mountain top
          2. Must have a battle to win a victory
        3. Middle Eastern shepherds lead sheep to valleys
          1. Greenest pastures
          2. Wadis: arroyos, where water is
          3. Sheep timid to go there
          4. Shepherds must prompt them to go down
        4. Christians who suffer discover richest times of fellowship
    5. Jesus brought Peter, James, and John
      1. The inner circle
      2. Jesus brought them away on three occasions
        1. Jesus raised Jairus's  daughter (ἀρχισυνάγωγος; archisunagógos - leader of the synagogue)
        2. Transfiguration: "Who appeared in glory and spoke of His decease" (Luke 9:31)
        3. Garden of Gethsemane
      3. Common denominator: death
        1. Jesus conquered death in Jairus's home
        2. Jesus would be glorified through death (the Transfiguration)
        3. Jesus surrendered to death in the Garden of Gethsemane
      4. The deaths of those in the inner circle
        1. James: the first apostle martyred
        2. John: The last apostle killed
        3. Peter: crucified upside-down
  4. Prayer in the Garden
    1. Jesus prays, "Let this cup pass"
      1. Made that request twice
      2. If there is any other way for man to be saved, let it be!
        1. Not nice, sincere, religious
        2. There is no other way mankind can approach God
      3. Cup
        1. Most commentators call this the cup of suffering
        2. Cup of judgment: Most typically speaks of God's wrath against sin
          1. "The cup of the wine of the fierceness of His wrath." (Revelation 16:19)
          2. "Therefore please hear this, you afflicted, and drunk but not with wine. Thus says your Lord, The Lord and your God, Who pleads the cause of His people: "See, I have taken out of your hand the cup of trembling, the dregs of the cup of My fury; You shall no longer drink it. But I will put it into the hand of those who afflict you." (Isaiah 51:21-23)
          3. "For thus says the Lord God of Israel to me: 'Take this wine cup of fury from My hand, and cause all the nations, to whom I send you, to drink it. And they will drink and stagger and go mad because of the sword that I will send among them.' Then I took the cup from the Lord's hand, and made all the nations drink, to whom the Lord had sent me:" (Jeremiah 25:15-17)
        3. Jesus bore the sins of the world: took all the punishment for sin
          1. "'Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?' that is, 'My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?'" (Matthew 27:46)
          2. His fellowship with the Father ended: God can't have fellowship with sin
          3. Some know what it feels to be abandoned, but not by God
          4. "For He Himself has said, 'I will never leave you nor forsake you.'" (Hebrews 13:5)
          5. Jesus was cut off, for that time
        4. He could have bailed out, but he willingly surrendered
    2. Disciples sleep
      1. Men of flesh and bone
      2. Peter's Denial
        1. Overconfidence
        2. Sleeping when He should be praying
      3. When to prayer, our eyes get heavy
        1. Enemy knows there is power in prayer and profit in study
        2. Walk and pray out loud to avoid being easily distracted
      4. While they are sleeping, Jesus' enemies are plotting
        1. Meetings in hell to wreak havoc
        2. "For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places." (Ephesians 6:12)
        3. Some battles are won on our knees in prayer
  5. Betrayal and Arrest
    1. Great multitude
      1. Detachment of troops (see John 18:3)
        1. Roman cohort: 600 men
        2. 1/10 of a legion
        3. σπεῖραν; speiran - cohort could be 200 men
      2. Like a SWAT team crashing a prayer meeting
      3. Judas didn't know Jesus well
        1. Thought he'd run
        2. Maybe do a miracle
        3. It would take lots of people to stop Him
    2. Judas gave a sign
      1. Jesus looked like other Jewish men
      2. Kiss
      3. Frienemy: pretend to be a friend, really an enemy
      4. יְהוּדָה' Yehudah- praise
      5. Jesus called him "son of perdition" waste
      6. Everything Judas touched, he defiled
        1. The disciples were defiled by his presence
        2. Mary was defiled by him when she anointed Jesus
        3. This prayer meeting
    3. Simon Peter attacks a guard (see John 18:10)
      1. Peter impulsive; took matters into his own hands
      2. "Far be it from me;" trying to prove himself right
      3. Probably trying to cut of the soldier's head
    4. Jesus healed Malchus
      1. Last recorded miracle before Jesus' death and resurrection
      2. Healed a man suffering as a result of a foolish disciple taking his sword out
      3. Jesus' disciples pull out the sword of the Spirit (God's Word) and hurt people in the name of Jesus
        1. Defending Jesus
        2. Use the Bible to cut people down
    5. Jesus could have called 12 legions of angels
      1. One legion is 6000
      2. 12 legions is 72,000
      3. One angel killed 185,000 Assyrians
      4. Two angels destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah
      5. "The Bible is like a lion, it needs no defense; let it out of its cage, and it will defend itself."—Charles Spurgeon
    6. Peter followed at a distance: self preservation
  6. Jesus on trial
    1. Before Caiaphas
      1. First trial before Annas; the previous High Priest
      2. Normally in that position until death
      3. Annas placed by the Romans in AD 6; deposed in AD 15
      4. Religious leaders pawns of the Roman government
      5. Caiaphas replaced Annas
      6. People looked at Annas as the leader: more authority, power
    2. Annas' four sons in charge of inspecting the sacrificial lambs in the temple
      1. Money changers
      2. Jesus overturned tables and drove them out
      3. Beginning and end of His ministry
    3. Jesus' six separate trials
      1. Three before Jewish authorities
        1. Before Annas
        2. Before Caiaphas
        3. Before the Sanhedrin
      2. Three before Roman authorities
        1. Pontius Pilate
        2. Herod
        3. Pontius Pilate
    4. False witnesses testify
      1. " You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor" (Exodus 20:16)
      2. Gave the right information with the wrong implication
    5. Jesus claimed to be the Messiah, the Son of God
      1. High priest tore his garment
      2. High priest accused Him of blasphemy
    6. Mishnah: 18 Rules for Sanhedrin in trials of capital cases
      1. Never a trial at night; they tried Jesus at night
      2. Never question a prisoner directly
        1. Self-incrimination
        2. Precursor to the Fifth Amendment
        3. Jesus was directly questioned
      3. Two or three witnesses; brought in false witnesses
      4. No trials during festivals; Passover
      5. Fixed trial
      6. "If you can't get a lawyer who knows the law, get one who knows the judge."
  7. Peter's denial
    1. Three times
      1. "I do not know what you are saying." (v. 70)
      2. "I do not know the Man!" (v. 72)
      3. "He began to curse and swear, saying, 'I do not know the Man!'" (v. 74)
        1. His Speech betrayed him
        2. Had a Galilean accent
        3. Curse: damned and killed if not telling the truth
    2. Self preservation
    3. Recorded in all four gospels
      1. Gospel writers selective
      2. Holy Spirit doesn’t want us to miss
    4. Downward Steps
      1. Self confidence/over confidence
        1. "I'll never leave you"
        2. Complimented
      2. Slacked off in His devotional life: sleeping when he should have been praying
      3. Tried to cover up guilt with feverish service
      4. Ashamed of Jesus Christ
    5. Parallel to Psalm 1:1
      1. He walked into the courtyard of Caiaphas's house
      2. He stood when he lingered by the fire
      3. He sat when he cursed and swore
    6. Three times
      1. Boasted he wouldn't deny Christ
      2. Fell asleep
      3. Denied the Lord
      4. Affirmed his love for Jesus (after the resurrection)
    7. Peter's darkest moment will soon be eclipsed by his brightest day
      1. Jesus' resurrection
      2. Jesus first sermon to Simon Peter
    8. Jesus predicted Peter would deny Him
      1. Didn't surprise Jesus
      2. Surprised Peter
      3. When you fail the Lord, he knows it and is ready to receive you
      4. Disappointment with self means you trusted in yourself
    9. Three stages of Peter's life
      1. Before the fire
      2. Under fire
      3. On fire: restored and re-commissioned

Hebrew terms: גַּת; gath - press; שָׁ֫מֶן; shemen - oil; יְהוּדָה' Yehudah- praise
Greek terms: ἀρχισυνάγωγος; archisunagógos - leader of the synagogue; σπεῖραν; speiran - cohort
Figures referenced: Dietrich Bonheoffer; Charles Spurgeon
Cross references: Exodus 20:16; Psalm 1:1; Psalm 23:1-4; Isaiah 51:21-23; Isaiah 53:5; Jeremiah 25:15-17; Zechariah 13:7; Matthew 16:23; Matthew 27:46; Luke 4:13; Luke 9:31; Luke 22:53; John 13:30; John 18:3; John 18:10; 1 Corinthians 15:45; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Ephesians 6:12; Hebrews 13:5; Revelation 16:19

Transcript

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Welcome to the living room, turn in your Bibles to the Gospel of Matthew, Chapter 26. We covered half of that Chapter last week. We celebrated communion together then a baptism outside. This Chapter is 75 verses long. I probably would have chosen a different -- chapter consideration had I been part of the crew. By the way, the chapters and verses were added later, they're not inspired and somebody just got carried away and made a long Chapter. So we have to divide it up and we're going to consider the remainder of Chapter 26 tonight of the Gospel of Matthew. Would you join me as we pray?

Father we pray because we're formally telling you that our hearts, our lives are open tonight to what your Holy Spirit has for us specifically as we gather. We know Lord that we're joined by others, we're joined by campus in Santa Fe that's part of this fellowship, part of our body, part of this study and we're thankful. We're joined by people on the internet, in cyberspace or even in a chartroom right now watching and interacting together. We're joined by people on the radio in this city and other cities around our State. And Father we place ourselves before you as living sacrifices and just pray that we would glean everything you have for us from this section of your word, in Jesus name. Amen.

No doubt some of you have had a great week, a glorious week, and a victorious week. You're on the pinnacle of the mount, sort of like you're on the Mount of Olives looking over the great view. Others of you are down in the valley, in the Garden of Gethsemane if you will and you're experiencing difficulty and hardship. And so this study is perfect for you because Jesus faces his Garden of Gethsemane in this chapter and we're going to be drawing lessons out. Throughout history, there have been great battles and there are so many of them, it's hard to enumerate all of them but some come to mind. The Battle of Carchemish, 605 B.C., the Egyptians and the Assyrians fighting against the Babylonian, it changed history, the Battle of Carchemish.

Another battle that comes to mind is the Battle of Milvian Bridge, a Roman battle wherein 312 A.D., Constantine fought against Maxentius and he won that battle. Supposing that he saw in the sky a cross that gave courage to his troops to win that battle, and history was changed because of that battle. Other battles like the Battle of Waterloo with Napoleon, is notable, battles in World War I and World War II. Then if we think in the future the greatest of all battles, the mother of all battles, the Battle of Armageddon. Those within the battles themselves, especially those who are in command of one side of the other, the generals of the battle will tell you that in every theater of operations, every battle there is a decisive moment, a period of time, a window of time, it's like a teeter totter, the battle could go either way.

And so a choice must be made and depending on what choices are made during that battle. One side or the other side will win. In the Garden of Eden there was a battle being waged. Adam was there, man was there, and he made a choice and effectively lost the battle. In the Garden of Gethsemane, another battle was waged, this time Jesus Christ was there and he made the ultimate choice, the right choice to surrender to the will of the Father, and he won the battle and he won it for us.

Now we left off in Chapter 26, Verse 30 and so that's really a hinge point. We go back to Verse 30. It says, "When they had sung a hymn."

That was in the upper room, at the Passover meal, the Last Supper we call it. When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. So picture the scene, Jesus with his disciples, Judas had already left the supper got up, left the upper city of Jerusalem which is the western side of the city. Walked out of town, walked eastward through the Kidron Valley and started ascending the Mount of Olives. And right there at the base of the Mount of Olives as you ascend is the Garden of Gethsemane.

Now, here's something interesting. The Bible begins in a garden, human history begins in a garden and sin enters that garden. If you fast forward all the way to the very end of time and you get to the end of the Book of Revelation, you get to a garden city, your future home, the New Jerusalem. Streams of water flowing from the throne of God and trees on either side of that river, it's a beautiful garden city where sin has been eradicated. Between the Garden of Eden and the Garden City of Jerusalem, the New Jerusalem is the Garden of Gethsemane. And you could do an interesting study on just those three gardens. If you were to compare, once again Eden with Gethsemane, in the Garden of Eden sin entered, Adam was there, life begun there, sin begun there.

In the Garden of Gethsemane, the second Adam whom Paul called Jesus Christ, Paul called him in First Corinthians, 15, the last Adam, he was making that comparison. In the Garden of Gethsemane the last Adam not only won the battle but dealt with sin head on. In the Garden of Eden, Adam, the first Adam, after he sinned he hid, he ran, he fled, and he tried to cover up himself. In the Garden of Gethsemane the second Adam, the last Adam, Jesus Christ didn't hide, he presented himself openly, not only before the crowd but before his father to do his father's will. It's an interesting comparison. Something else, this whole scene takes place in darkness and it's night time, but more than that there is a spiritual darkness.

We read in the Gospel of John that Judas left the upper room, left the Last Supper, says Judas went out and it was night, says John. It was a dark evening, it was a full moon because it was Passover but it was a dark night spiritually. Jesus said in the Gospel of Luke to the religious leaders, "This is your hour and the power of darkness." And so darkness and that coming and pending death of Christ loomed over the scene. Do you remember when Jesus was tempted on the mountain after he had fasted 40 days in the wilderness? Satan came and tempted him and Jesus rebuked him and it says Satan left him until he could find -- do you remember what the scripture says? An opportune time.

Satan left at the temptation but Satan was looking for another time, an opportune time. Did he find one? Well yes he did. One of those times was Caesarea Philippi. When Peter, after saying, "You are the Christ, the son of the living God," and Jesus predicted that he would die on the cross, Peter tried to keep Jesus from that plan saying, "Far be it from you Lord, this will never happen to you." Jesus recognized that voice; it was the voice of Satan, interesting that one of God's own people can speak as the words of Stan himself. You're not thinking like a man thinks, you're thinking -- or like a God thinks, you're thinking like a man thinks. Get behind me Satan, the other time was here, the opportune time is here as Jesus is in the garden and facing this battle.

So, they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives and they're at the base of that, you'll see the Garden of Gethsemane and Jesus said to them, "All of you will be made to stumble because of me this night, for it is written I will strike the shepherd and the sheep of the flock will be scattered. But after I have been raised I will go before you into Galilee."

Now here Jesus reaches back into the Old Testament book of Zechariah, Chapter 13 and the Verse is quoted before you. And Jesus quotes it here, why? Because he knows that's a verse that was written about him personally. And he quotes it, that's what the prophet Zechariah said, "Strike the shepherd and the sheep will be scattered."

But Jesus, knowing that it was written about him quotes it and acts as the ultimate prophet. He's referring to his own death, strike the shepherd and his resurrection afterwards because as he says, "After I have been raised, I will go before you into Galilee". So this is it boys, the shepherd is about to be struck and you the sheep will all be scattered but I'm going to be raised from the dead and I'm going to be looking you up. I'm going to be watching for you and you should be watching for me and we're going to hangout together in Galilee. I love this about Jesus. Jesus knows that we're prone to scattering, that we get scared easily and we're flaky and fidgety and we like to run and hide like Adam did.

What I love about Jesus is he won't let us go, he predicts, he knows that in the future he's going to gather us together like he did to these disciples. And Peter answered and said to him, "Even if all are made to stumble because of you, I will never be made to stumble." Now you think Jesus would put his arm around Peter and say, "Pete I knew I could count on you." The reason he didn't is because he knew he couldn't count on him. Peter was in effect saying, "You don't know me Lord," Jesus was in effect saying, "I know you better than you know you." Jesus said to him, "Assuredly, I say to you that this night, before the rooster crows --" that is before daybreak, "You will deny me three times." Peter said to him, "Even if I have to die with you, I will not deny you," and so said all the disciples.

Then Jesus came with them to the place called Gethsemane and said to his disciples, "Sit here while I go pray over there." If you go to Israel today, right there at the base of the Mount of Olives is a church in our nature, it's a beautiful church. The windows on the side are made out of pure alabaster stone cut very thin to emit some light in and it's called the Church of All Nations. There are a lot of places in Jerusalem and on the Mount of Olives where certain traditional churches will say, "Here's the authentic Garden of Gethsemane." "No, here's the authentic Garden of Gethsemane" or "Here's the authentic place where Jesus ascended into heaven." "No, here's the authentic place." There are three of them by the way.

And all of them are wrong as far as the ascension because the Bible says Jesus went as far as Bethany on the Mount of Olives and ascended. But anyway, the Church of All Nations is probably as close to the authentic original Garden of Gethsemane as you can get because history tells us that it was there. Now, outside the city of Jerusalem wealthy people lived and they kept gardens. In all of garden, on the Mount of Olives, let me just tell you about this, Gethsemane comes from two words, in Hebrew. Gat is one, Šmânim is the second, Gat-Šmânim, we transliterate it Gethsemane. Gat means press; Šmânim is the plural for olives. So it's the place of the olive press, it's where olives were grown and it's were olives were crushed to make olive oil.

Today there are still groves of olive trees on the Mount of Olives and we always like to bring our group there in the Garden of Gethsemane across from the Church of All Nations and sit among the olive trees and have a time of worship and Bible study and really get the feel.

In fact, many times when we go to Israel, the first night we get to Jerusalem I often will take a walk. It's about depending on where the hotel is five to seven mile walk down into the garden of Gethsemane, hop over the wall, and get the feeling of what it was like to be there at night and just pray.

But it was the place of the "Olive Press" and here's how olives were pressed. There was a large stone, the lower stone, another large stone that sat on top the upper stone. Olives were place in between and the upper stone revolved crushing the olives, the pit, the pulp, the skin and the olive oil would flow in a channel and be collected.

The value of the olive only came with the crushing of the olive. The olive wasn't as valuable just to eat. The most valuable product of the olive was the oil. It became most valuable after it was crushed in "Gethsēmani", Gethsemane, the olive press. See where I'm going with this?

Jesus Christ was crushed for us. According to Isaiah the prophet, He was pierced for our transgressions. He was crushed for our inequities. The chastisement for our peace was upon Him and by His stripes, we are healed.

Also, we know that in the scripture, oil is often emblematic of the Holy Spirit. But before you get oil, there has to be a crushing. There has to be a Gethsemane before there can be the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. So Jesus Himself -- Second Corinthians 5 Verse 21, "God made him who knew no sin to be sin for us that we might become the righteousness of God in him." Jesus crushed. The Holy Spirit dispatched filling as His people.

And He said to his Disciples, Verse 36, "Sit here while I go and pray, over there." I just want to remark that there is an accusation that is made sometimes, made by legalistic churches, legalistic denominations toward those of us who preach what the Bible preaches, salvation by grace alone, through faith alone in Jesus Christ.

And they see people coming to faith in Christ and trusting what Jesus has done once and for all on the cross and they'll use the term that Dietrich Bonhoeffer quoted or made famous and the quote are saying, "This is just cheap grace." cheap grace, just believing in the grace and the love of Jesus on the cross, cheap grace. And my blood boils when I hear I hear that.

There's nothing cheap about it. It's free for us, absolutely free. You can't earn it, you can't add to it, but it cost Jesus everything. He had to be crushed, pierced, bruised, decimated and His feeling the weight of that even now in this garden as he says, "Sit here while I go and pray over there."

Now let's just talk about your Gethsemane and my Gethsemane. We all have them. We hate them. We hate to be pressed, don't we? We hate to be crushed by life circumstances. We hate the weight of the trial.

We love Psalm 23 except one part. "The Lord is my shepherd I shall not want." We love that. "He makes me lie down in green pastures." Love that. "He leads me beside the still waters." totally right on. "He leads me in paths of righteousness for His name's sake. He restores my soul." We love it so far. The next part we hate.

"Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil." We read that in go "David, you're not sane in writing that. How can you say that? We don't like valleys. We don't like the shadow of death. We don't like Gethsemane. We don't like going down. We'd rather the Lord just air lift from mountain top to mountain top experience." right?

If you turn on Christian Television, "Have you got your victory today? We got the victory. We got the victory." Hey, you have to have a battle to have the victory. You can't just throw that term around. It implies that you're fighting a battle and you've won it that there is valley before there is a mountain peak.

However, the shepherd of the Middle East will tell you that when He leads his sheep down into the deep valleys, the reason He does it is because that's where the greenest pastures are because the water sources seek low ground, the "wadis" they are called in the Middle East. We called them we called them "arroyo" here. They called them "wadi" there. And the wadis out in the desert, the arroyo is where the water springs are and where the greenest pastures are.

However, the shepherds will tell us that the sheep are timid to go down the steep cliffs. They don't like it. They resist it. They push back so the shepherd has to prompt to them, motivate them, stick that little thing in the tail and get down there.

And then once the sheep is down there, it's like "Wow, as much as I hated this valley, this is the greenest, most verdant pasture ever." Now I don't know if he's actually thinking that he's just eating but, you get the message. You get the point.

How many times have you heard believers say in the midst of a trial, "I dreaded this but I found the sweetest fellowship from the Lord in this darkest valley."? "I never knew fellowship. I never knew the graciousness of God as much as in this dark and desperate time." I've heard it a lot. I've experienced it.

Verse 37 " And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee." Do you their names? James and John. Peter, James and John, the inner circle. "--the two sons of Zebedee and he began to be sorrowful and deeply distressed." "And Then He said to them, 'My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch with Me.'"

There is something that I find fascinating. These three guys hung around Jesus as to the others. But on three separate occasions, they shared a special moment with Jesus that none of the other disciples shared.

The first moment is recorded at the house of Jairus. Remember Jairus, the ruler of the "the ruler of the synagogue" in Capernaum? He's called in Greek "the archisunagogos" or ruler of the synagogue." And Jairus had a daughter that died and Jesus walked into the house and raised her from the dead. That's the first time. Peter, James and John were the only disciples that got to see that and experience that.

The second experience up on a mount to the Mount of Transfiguration up North by Caesarea Philippi. They saw Moses and Elijah transfigure with Jesus. And Luke Chapter 12, I believe, it says that Moses and Elijah were speaking Jesus about his decease, his death that he would accomplish at Jerusalem."

And the third time is here in the Garden of Gethsemane. Now, why is that interesting? Because in all three of those moments, there is one thing that is the common denominator. Do you know what it is? Death. Death.

In the first incident, the incident of Jairus, Jesus conquered death. He raised her from the dead, she got up again. She was fully dead, not mostly dead, not sleeping but dead. Jesus conquered death. In the second incident in the Mount of Transfiguration, they were discussing Jesus' coming death in Jerusalem. That was being glorified through death. One he conquered over death, second he would be glorified through death. Here in the Garden of Gethsemane Jesus is surrendering to death.

It's interesting that on all three occasions, death is the common denominator and these three, the inner circle are there to observe it. And so Jesus confesses to them.  "My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch with Me." That is the idea is to watch him in prayer not sit here and look at your watch but "Sit here and watch with me. Be with me. Support me as I surrender to the Father's will, surrender to death."

There's something else that I find interesting. Peter, James and John, James was the first martyr. The first one killed among the disciples. John, his brother was the last one killed. And Peter was in between, he was crucified like Jesus but upside down because he said he wasn't worthy to die in the same manner that his Lord died.

So, interesting background, at least I find it interesting.

Verse 39, "He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, 'O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.'" He will say this twice. You'll read it. "If it's possible, let this cup pass from me." What is he saying?

He's saying, "Father, if there is any other that mankind can have salvation except through my suffering and death, let it be. If there's any other way, if there's some way this cup can pass from me, let it be done. If mankind could be saved by being nice, if mankind could saved by being sincere, if mankind could be saved by just being religious picking some religious faith that feels good to them, if they could be saved by recycling, whatever it would be that we think -- there's a fine upstanding person, never the less not as I will but as you will." And the fact that he surrendered and went to the cross shows, there is no other way whereby mankind can approach God and have a relationship with God except through this.

Now, he talks about the cup. And most commentators will say "This speaks up the cup of suffering, drinking the cup of suffering." but let me submit to you that that's not what he's speaking about. What he's speaking about is the cup of judgment.

Cup in the Bible, I looked it up in several places, it most typically speaks of the cup of God's wrath against sin. Even in the book of Revelation Chapter 16 speaks of the cup of the wine of the wrath of Almighty God. But let me just show you briefly. You can turn with me or you keep your Bible there. I going to read to you out of Isaiah the Prophet just a couple of verses.

This is Isaiah 51 Verse 21, "Therefore please hear this, you afflicted, and be drunk but not with wine. Thus says your Lord, The Lord and your God, Who pleads the cause of His people: 'See, I have taken out of your hand The cup of trembling, The dregs of the cup of My fury. You shall no longer drink it. But I will put it into the hand of those who afflict you.'"

He speaks to the city of Jerusalem who have undergone affliction and suffering because of their sin. Now, He says, "It's over. I'm not pouring that cup on you anymore but on those who afflicted you."

One other verse, this is Jeremiah Chapter 25 Verse 15, "For thus says the Lord God of Israel to me: 'Take this wine cup of fury from My hand, and cause all the nations, to whom I send you, to drink it. And they will drink and stagger and go mad because of the sword that I will send among them.' Then I took the cup from the Lord's hand, and made all the nations drink, to whom the Lord had sent me."

So, here is Jesus in the Garden, "If it's possible let this cup pass from me." The next day he would bare the sins of the world. He would take upon himself the wrath of God for sin on his own body. All of the punishment for sin, he would take. That's the cup, the cup of judgment, the cup of the wrath against sin, that's why Jesus prayed on the cross. This is why Jesus is set on the cross.

"Eloi Eloi lama sabachthani? My God, my God why have you abandoned me, forsaken me?" In that moment He felt the fellowship with his father and He felt utterly alone and abandoned as the father turned as if were his face from the sun because God can't have fellowship with the sin that He judges and Jesus felt abandoned, the lowest point in his existence.

Some of you know what it's like to be abandoned, maybe by a parent, maybe by a divorce, maybe by a child or a close friend, but no one here can say, "I know what it's like to be abandoned by God." because Jesus said He would never leave you, he would never forsake you. He was forsaken.

He was cut off for that time that you may never ever be abandoned or cut off.

So Jesus' prayer, "If it's possible." When I think about that, what a transaction, what a negotiation is going on? You think "Jesus could have bailed on this because He willingly surrendered to the Father. He could have bailed on this." He could have said, "Father, Skip Heitzig is not worth it. He's is just weird. He's flaky. It's not worth it." But He said, "Nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will. Not my will be done, but Your will be done." He prays.

Mathew Chapter 26 Verse 40 "Then He came to the disciples and he found them sleeping." "Could you stay here and watch?" "Sure Lord." Hey, I'm not throwing stones. I'm glad that's written. I relate to these men of flesh and bone.

"He found them sleeping, and said to Peter, 'What? Could you not watch with Me one hour? Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.'" Peter is sleeping. They're all sleeping.

But Peter said, "You can count on me. Everybody else may flake it out on you tonight but I never will." That's what he said. That's step number one for Peter's denial of Jesus, over confidence.

Now we read step number two in his denial of Jesus, sleeping when he should be praying. He should be watching. He's sleeping. Again a second time He went away and He prayed saying, "'O My Father, if this cup cannot pass away from Me unless I drink it, Your will be done.' And He came and found them asleep again." third time, "For their eyes were heavy." Think about that phrase, "Their eyes were heavy." Have you found that to be true? Can you relate to this?

When you go to prayer, why is it that your eyes get heavy, your mind gets distracted, the phone rings you go blank? It's just an interesting thing. If you're watching a movie, full attention, you're reading your favorite book, full attention. You go to prayer and study, "Amen, dude what's up?" Why is that? Because you have an enemy and your enemy, Satan knows that there's power in prayer, and profit in study, and he seeks to cut that off early on.

So, let me make a suggestion to you. The next time you're in the Garden of Gethsemane and Jesus says, "Watch and pray." Get up and walk around. You don't have to leave the garden but walk around the garden. I find that when I pray, it's best for me to go out and take a walk. I have couple little trails that I follow and I just bring my thoughts and my heart before the Lord and it's best for me to do it out loud because then, I can't easily get distracted and it's hard to fall asleep when you're walking. I guess that's possible. There are sleep walkers but probably it won't happen.

"So He left them, went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words." Sorry, this is the third time. "Then He came to His disciples and said to them, 'Are you still sleeping and resting? Behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise, let us be going. See, My betrayer is at hand.'"

Enter into the scene. These are the disciples. Here are the disciples. While the disciples are sleeping, enemies are plotting. While Jesus' disciples are sleeping, Jesus' enemies are plotting. Judas and the gang, the crew, the Romans, the Jewish authorities are plotting how to take Jesus.

Now, that is true. I believe there are meetings that take place in hell because I believe just as you have angels assigned to you, it's my belief that we are--

Our war is not -- the Bible says against the flesh and blood but principalities, powers in dark heavenly places. It's a spiritual battle.

And I think there are meetings in hell how to wreck havoc in your life, in your marriage, in your ministry so we need to be aware and we need to watch because some battles can only be won on your knees. And if you're on your knees, it's hard to fall in battle. Fight them on your knees, persistent prayer.

"Rise, let us be going. See, My betrayer is at hand." as Judas. And while He was still speaking, behold Judas, one of the 12 with a great multitude with swords and clubs came from the chief priest and the elders of the people, a great multitude. How great of a multitude?

Well, if you were to look at the Gospel of John Chapter 18 which a parallel to this. It says, "A detachment of troops." a detachment. That is a Roman cohort. That is 600 men, one tenth of a legion ruled by a tribune. That's it, 600 men?

Okay now granted, you go "That would be overkill." right? They're going to arrest Jesus and a few of his disciple. Why 600 men? Some believe that that word in Greek, detachment or cohort, the Greek word [Foreign Languare] means 200 men. Either way -- I don't know, 200 hundred men to 600 men interrupting a prayer meeting. This is like the SWAT Team with all of the guns and grenades coming in to a home Bible study.

Evidently, Judas doesn't know Jesus very well. Got to bring the big guns, he's in the Garden of Gethsemane. "Maybe He's going to try to run." that's probably what Judas thought. "He's going to try to run so we're going to need a lot of people or He's going to try do some miracle." He saw what Jesus could do. "He's going to do some miraculous thing. We're going to need lots of people to stop him."

Okay. Now if that's what he's thinking, he's just an idiot. Because if Jesus can walk on water and raise the dead, he can take care of 600 dudes nonetheless, that is the record. Great multitude, the SWAT Team comes.

Verse 48 "Now His betrayer had given them a sign, saying, "Whomever I kiss, He is the One; seize Him." Notice that. Evidently, Jesus didn't look different than anybody else. If He was in a crowd, you couldn't say "Oh, now that must be Jesus Christ. Look at him. He's the one with the halo."

Judas has to give a sign. He didn't say, "Now when you get there, you'll know who it is. He's the one that's glowing." He glows in the dark." or "He's taller than everybody else." or "He's got that hair and that beard like the pictures." No. He looks like a Jewish man. You couldn't tell him from any of the other disciples so the sign was "I'm going to kiss him, a greeting kiss."

Immediately, he went up to Jesus and said, listen, "Greetings my teacher, Rabbi." and kissed him. But Jesus said to him, Friend." I love that, friend, preaching out to him even now, "Why have you come?" Then they came and laid hands on Jesus and took him. Judas was a frenemy, someone who pretends to be your friend is really your enemy.

Now, when he was born and he laid in that little crib, his parents looked at him and said "What should we name him?" And they named him a beautiful name. He's name means "Praise", "Judah" Judas may he grow up to praise the Lord. We called him Praise. That was his name. Jesus gave him another name, the son of perdition or the son of waste.

Everything Judas touched he defiled. He defiled the disciples by my presence. He defiled Mary when she tried to pour that beautiful ointment on Jesus for his death and burial. "This could have been sold and the money given to the poor." He defiled that. Now he defiles a prayer meeting in the Garden of Gethsemane, everything he touched, he ruined.

Verse 51. "Suddenly, one of those who were with Jesus stretched out his hand and drew his sword." Notice, it doesn't say who. "Just suddenly one of those who were with Jesus stretched out his hand and drew his sword struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his ear."

Okay. Mathew doesn't tell us who it is but his good buddy and close friend, John -- you know there was a little competition between them. Spilled the beans and said, "Simon Peter was the dude who took the sword."

"But Jesus said to him, 'Put your sword in its place, for all who take the sword will perish by the sword or do you think that I cannot now pray to My Father, and He will provide Me with more than twelve legions of angels? How then could the Scriptures be fulfilled, that it must happen thus?'"

Now, we know something about Peter and we're not really that surprised at this point because we know that Peter was impulsive. Am I right? It was Peter who went to Caesarea Philippi after saying, "I know who you are. You're Christ, the Son of the Living God." And Jesus said, "I'm going to Jerusalem. I'm going to be crucified." He said, "Far be it from you. That's never going to happen. Jesus reviewed and compelled them to Satan but I don't know that they ever got over that.

I think he's trying to prove himself right. "I'm not going to be the one to deny you. I'm going to defend you. I'm going to be the one who sticks for you and we're not going to let this happen to you." so he takes the sword out.

Now, he was a fine fisherman. He was a lousy swordsman. I think he was going to try to cut off his head, missed because he was not good at the sword and cut of his ear. And the Bible tells us that Jesus took the ear of the servant called Malchus in another Gospel and healed him, healed him.

By the way, this is the last recorded miracle of Jesus before his death and resurrection. Why is that significant? The last miracle Jesus performed was healing a man who is suffering as a result of a foolish disciple taking his sword out.

I think that this probably the most common, the most often miracle of Jesus to this day. You see, Jesus' disciples, us, you and me, we love to pull our sword of the spirit out and wield it around and sometimes hurt other people in the name defending Jesus Christ and Jesus is still in the business of healing people that foolish disciple's hurt by wielding the sword of the spirit. "I'm here to defend Jesus. Here, take this text." Slice. Take that verse." cut.

And we think we're the Kingdom of God a favor by defending Jesus and attacking his people. And so the body of Christ is bloodied up. We have noses here and ears flopping over here because we use the Bible to cut people down.

If that's how you use the Bible, if it's all about defending, defending, defending, then put your sword away. If all you want to do is cut up other people, put it away. You're not using it right. "Peter put your sword away. You're about injuring people, not healing people." Jesus healed them. And then he said, "How then could the Scriptures be fulfilled, that it must happen thus?"

Okay. Here's the part I really want you to zero in on. Jesus said, "Peter, come on. Dude, don't you know, if I wanted to, if I really needed defense and I don't, I could call 12 legions of angels." One legion is 6000 men, 12 legions 72,000. That's 72,000 angels. You know what they could do?

Well in the Old Testament, do you remember one angel killed a 185, 000 Assyrians? One angel, how many angels that God dispatched to Sodom and Gomorrah when He destroyed it? Two angels. You don't want to tick off an angel, let alone 72,000 angels. Imagine the damage that could be done. "Peter, I don't need your help dude. Back off. Put your sword in its place."

I love what Spurgeon use to say. He said, "I hear so many people talking about defending God and defending the Bible." He said "The Bible is a lion. Just let it out of its cage. Unleash it. God is able to defend himself."

"In that hour Jesus said to the multitudes, 'Have you come out, as against a robber, with swords and clubs to take Me? I sat with you daily, teaching in the temple, and you did not seize Me. But all this was done that the Scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled.' Then all the disciples forsook Him and fled. And those who had laid hold of Jesus led Him away to Caiaphas, the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were assembled. But Peter followed Him at a distance to the high priest's courtyard. And he went in and sat with the servants to see the end."

Here's Peter. He's still following Jesus but just not as close as he used to. He used to be right next to Jesus wherever they go. There is Peter, there's James and John, inner circle, now he's following at a distance because it's about self preservation at this point. He is in the courtyard but he's not following him closely.

"Now the chief priests, the elders, and all the council sought false testimony against Jesus to put Him to death." Okay. Let's get something straight. Here it says Jesus was taken before Caiaphas, the high priest. According to John's Gospel Chapter 18, he did go to Caiaphas but he first went to Annas, the high priest and then to Caiaphas. Why Annas? Annas had been the previous high priest.

Now this is fascinating because typically, a priest is the high priest until he dies. You don't have a high priest and just like "Now, I'm now taking retirement." You don't do that. You're a high priest until you die. That's the rules of the Old Testament from the family of Aaron.

But Anas who is placed by the Roman Governor Quirinius in 6 AD was deposed in 15 AD by Valerius Gratus because the Romans were in charge of everything so the religious leaders were pawns of the Roman Government. So, Annas was put there but deposed and Caiaphas' son-in-law was placed in his place.

However, most of the people looked at as Annas as almost like the king. He is like "the guy" he has more authority and power. We want what he wants but there something else going on behind the scenes.

Annas had four sons. His four sons were the ones who are in charge of inspecting the lambs for sacrifice in the temple. They were in charge of the money chargers in the temples. And what did Jesus do to the tables of the money changers? He overturned them, whipped them out twice, once at the beginning and once at the end of his ministry. That would affect Annas and his four boys in the pocket book. They control the concessions stands in the temple. So He's brought before Annas and then before Caiaphas.

Verse 59. "Now the chief priests, the elders", that's the whole governing body, the Sanhedrin. "And all the council sought false testimony against Jesus to put Him to death, 60 but found none. Even though many false witnesses came forward, they found none.  But at last two false witnesses came forward."

Again, I want to clear something up for you. Jesus didn't have a trial, he had six separate trials. Three of them were before Jewish authorities and three of them were before Roman authorities.

Trial number one, before Annas the father-in-law of Caiaphas. Trial number two, before Caiaphas the son-on-law of Annas. Trial number three, at daybreak, the following day before the whole Sanhedrin with the death sentence. But because the Roman Government took away the right of capital punishment from the Jews and only the Romans could dispatch that ruling, they had to bring it now from the religious court to the civil court.

So the next three trials, Pontius Pilate, that's number four. Pilate tries to weasel out of it and get Herod to use his jurisdiction so he was sent to Herod, that's trial number five and then was sent back to Pilate. That's trial number six where Pilate gave into the wimps of a 71 member, elder board called the Sanhedrin and the death was invoked.

But notice Verse 60, "At last two false witnesses came forward and they said, 'This fellow said, "I am able to destroy the temple of God and to build it in three days."'"

"And the high priest arose and said to Him, 'Do You answer nothing? What is it these men testify against You?' But Jesus kept silent. And the high priest answered and said, 'I put You under oath.'" That is divine oath. "By the living God, Tell us if You are the Christ, the Son of God!"

At last, two false witnesses were brought to testify false witnesses. Remember the 10 commandments? One of the commandments is "Thou shalt not bear false witness." So typically, we hear that and we think yeah, that's just telling lies. That's bearing false witness. Think of it in these terms.

When they said, "He said he would destroy the temple and raise it up in three days." Did Jesus say that? He did say that. That was the right information. It was the wrong implication. Bearing false witness isn't just telling a lie. It's giving information to suit your own purposes. It's technically correct but you're manipulating the situation. Bearing false witness.

Now these trials were unfair and Jesus knew it so He kept silent even as Isaiah prophesied, but finally, the guy said, "Look, I'm putting you under a divine oath. Are you the Christ, the Son of the God? Jesus said to him "You said it."

That's the equivalent of "It is as you said. Nevertheless, I say to you, hereafter you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power, and coming on the clouds of heaven." Unmistakably, Jesus is claiming to be the Messiah, the Son of the Living God as predicted by Daniel the prophet. "Then the high priest tore his clothes."

Okay. Did you know, according to Jewish Law, a person tearing clothes, you know already that's a sign of grief, if you are in deep grief. If somebody in your family dies, you tear the garment. You are in mourning. The high priest was forbidden to tear his garment except under one case, blasphemy.

If he believes this was a high crime of blasphemy, the high priest that was the only exception would tear their robe, and he tore it. Saying "He has spoken blasphemy! What further need do we have of witnesses? Look, now you have heard His blasphemy! What do you think?" They answered and said, "He is deserving of death." Then they spat on His face." on your Jesus, on your Savior. "They spat on his face and others struck Him with the palms of their hands, saying, "Prophesy to us, Christ! Who is the one who struck You?" "Now Peter sat outside in the courtyard. And a servant girl came to him, saying, "You also were with Jesus of Galilee."

I want you to know something, in the Mishnah there are 18 rules given to the Sanhedrin for trials of a capital nature or capital punishment, 18 rules. One of the rules, you can never have a trial at night. They broke the rule. Number two, you can never question the prisoner directly, they're protective against self incrimination. It was a prelude to our Fifth Amendment rights. I refuse to answer on the grounds that it may incriminate me. You can never directly ask a person.

Caiaphas and Annas directly interrogated Jesus. They broke the rule. You always had to bring in witnesses, two or three witnesses, they brought in false witnesses. It could never be done at a festival. They did it at Passover. Eighteen rules, and about eight or nine of them as I read the rules, they broke. It's a kangaroo court. It's a fixed trial. There's an old saying "If you can't get a lawyer who know the law, get a lawyer who knows the judge." It was rigged.

"Peter sat outside in the courtyard. And a servant girl came to him, saying, 'You also were with Jesus of Galilee.' but he denied it before them all, saying."  That's once.

"And when he had gone out to the gateway, another girl saw him and said to those who were there, 'This fellow also was with Jesus of Nazareth.' But again he denied with an oath, "I do not know the Man!'" that's twice. "And a little later those who stood by came up and said to Peter, 'Surely you also are one of them, for your speech betrays you.'"

The Galileans were the hicks of the land of Israel. Those in Jerusalem spoke of pure Hebrew, a formal Hebrew. You might get the same reaction if you went to Great Britain and told them you spoke English. They would take umbrage to that statement. They'll say, "You don't speak the Queen's English. You don't speak English." They'll tell you, "You speak American."

So in Galilee, you could have that accent and it was okay. In Jerusalem, they could tell you're from Galilee. Your speech betrays you. You think that speech was bad it like Peter saying, "I'll give you some speech."

"Then he began to curse and swear, saying, 'I do not know the Man!' Immediately a rooster crowed." Now immediately, Peter's defenses are up when these girls come to him in the courtyard. This is all about self preservation. I think Peter could have choked that girl. "I recognize you." "Oh man." Did that twice then it says he began to curse.

Now, it's a strong word. The word began the curse means, "May I be damned and killed if I am not telling you the truth." The interesting thing about sin and about these denials, you can see it here. Each one gets a little worst, a little more radical, a little crazier, that's how sin works. "And then the rooster crowed. And Peter remembered the word of Jesus who had said to him, 'Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.' So he went out and wept bitterly."

As we close tonight, there's something about the denial of Peter denying Jesus that you should know. It's one of the events in the life of Christ that is mentioned by Mathew, Mark, Luke and John, all four Gospel is recorded. Now that is significant because the Gospel writers are selective in what they include for their purposes as authors.

All four of them included this. Why? Obviously, the Holy Spirit doesn't want you to miss something here so that no matter what narrative you read, you will understand this trial and temptation and denial of Jesus Christ by Peter.

What were the steps? Number one, self confidence, overconfidence, "I'll never deny. You they mind their flakes but I'm the 'rock man.'" right? You Peter, upon this rock I'll build my church. One of the problems with Peter is that he got complimented. Sometimes you compliment some people and it is like, "Oh man, I shouldn't have said that. That is going to go to their head." They'll wear that forever.

I love to encourage people but Peter got complimented and he thought from then on, "I'm 'rock man.' I got the answer right on the test. I will prove once again that I am 'rock man.'"

And so, overconfident he said he would never deny him. That's step number one. Step number two is he slacked off in his devotional life. He was sleeping when he should have been praying. Number three, he tried to cover up by zealous service that Jesus didn't need. He's throwing sword around. And number four, he finally -- he's ashamed of his identity with Jesus.

Can I have you think about something as you'd go? Compare this with Psalm 1. It's a perfect fit. Blessed is the man who does not walk in the council of the ungodly nor stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of scornful." That night, Peter did exactly those three steps.

He walked in the council of the ungodly when he walked into the courtyard at Caiaphas' house. He stood in the way of sinners as he lingered by the fires and he sat in the seat of the scornful when he began to curse and swear, "I don't know him." Something else I've noticed.

There is the use of three times, three times, three times. Three times Peter boasted that he wouldn't deny the Lord. Three times they were sleeping in the Garden of Gethsemane. Three times Peter denied the Lord. And the best part recorded by John, after the resurrection, three times Peter affirmed his love for Jesus when he said, "Peter do you love me? Do you love me? Do you love me" because he had denied him three times.

This was Peter's darkest moment. It's soon about to eclipsed by his brightest day. Jesus will rise from the dead and preach his first sermon to Simon, and Peter. Can I say this two? Because Jesus predicted that Peter would deny him, it didn't surprised Jesus when Peter did deny him. It surprised Peter but not Jesus. When you fail the Lord, don't you ever think the Lord goes, "I can't believe it." Now he looks at you and says, "I predicted it. And I'm ready to receive you at this moment, at this point. I'm ready to restore you." To be disappointed with yourself means that you trusted in yourself. Jesus isn't disappointed because he never trusted in you to begin with.

Three stages to Peter's ministry, before the fire, under the fire, you're hammering him in the garden, and lastly on fire. And that will be when he meets Jesus after the resurrection at the shores of Galilee like He predicted and he is restored and re-commissioned. He didn't say, "Peter, I can't believe you. You turkey, you hypocrite. You can never ever be used ever again." He said. "Feed my sheep, attend my lambs." And he was re-commissioned. That's His was.

Father, we thank you for these incredible stories, examples, truths preserved in your word. I pray father for those who are here, those of us who have gathered here in this living room for this Bible study.

Some who have failed you, walked away from you, maybe even denied you to some extent. You're wanting to restore them tonight. Some have never even come to Christ at all. They gone to church but they haven't come to Christ. They've been religious but they haven't come to Christ personal. They're sincere, they're nice, and they might even recycle but they haven't personally given their lives to Christ and that is always the issue. What would you do with who is called Christ?

As we are closing this service, as our heads are bowed, I would like to pray for those of you who know that you need a relationship with Jesus tonight and it's not there yet. You've never come to Him or you're falling away from Him and you need to come back and be restored to fellowship with Him, to forgiveness by Him. If that is the case, I'd like to pray for you. I need to know who I'm praying for is as we gather here today, tonight.

Before we close this service, I want you to raise your hand up. And I want to acknowledge your hand and we will all pray for you but I'll pray for you before we close. Raise your hand up if you need to come to Christ or come back to Him. Keep it up for just a moment.

God bless you and you right up in the front. Anyone else? Yes ma'am, right there in the middle. Anyone else? Raise your hand up. You're saying, "Yes" to Him. "Forgive me Lord, restore me Lord. I want to be your disciple. I want to follow you."

Anyone else? Anyone in the balcony? Slip your hand out. Yes sir, right up toward the front, on the back, on my left, anyone in the family room?

Father for those who are here with those hands up, I pray that my brothers and sisters join me.

We are asking that you would do a deep and abiding work in the lives of each one that they will know forgiveness and peace, change of heart, change of life as they experience fellowship with you to the forgiveness of their sin given once for all by Jesus who died on the cross and took the fury, the wrath, the judgment for them. Replace sorrow with joy, anxiety with peace when they enter in to a sweet relationship with you here and now in Jesus' name. Amen

Would you stand to your feet please? We're going to sing a final song. And as we sing this song, I'm going to ask you if you raise your hand to get up from where you're standing. Find the nearest aisle, walk to the front on the floor. I'm going to lead you in a prayer right now to receive Christ as your savior, to come to Him or come back to Him.

As we sing, you come. Jesus calls people publicly and so I want to give you that opportunity to confess to Him before men. He said, "If you confess to me before men, I'll confess you before my Father in heaven. If you deny me before men, I'll deny you before my Father and all the holy angels." You come and confess Christ publicly. That's how He called people. If you raise your hand or even if you didn't you're about to as we sing You Come.

Will you go another day without the love of Christ? Will you sleep another night not sure where you're going to end up when you die? Are you going to live your life without the knowledge of why you're here? Come to the fountain of forgiveness. Come and give your life to Christ.

Additional Messages in this Series

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9/7/2011
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Matthew 1:1-18
Matthew 1:1-18
Skip Heitzig
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As we turn our attention to the New Testament, Pastor Skip explains what transpired during the 400 years of silence since the Old Testament. Our firm grasp of the political setting, language, and Matthew's purpose and perspective establishes a solid foundation for understanding his gospel. In Matthew 1, we see Jesus revealed as the royal Heir to the throne of David—the Messiah, Immanuel: God with us.
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9/14/2011
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Matthew 1:18-2:23
Matthew 1:18-2:23
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Every year people around the world recognize the birth of a poor Jewish child born in an insignificant city. The birth of Jesus Christ, as recorded in the Scriptures, beckons us to worship and obey the King of the Jews. Let's examine Matthew's account of the miraculous circumstances of the nativity and the prophecies it fulfilled.
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9/21/2011
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Matthew 3
Matthew 3
Skip Heitzig
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Jesus called John the Baptist the greatest man among those born of women. John saw himself in the light of who Jesus is: not even worthy to loose His sandal. From the womb, he was filled with the Spirit, continually pointing people to Christ. Let's consider this powerful prophet, his ministry, and the message he preached.
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9/28/2011
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Matthew 4:1-17
Matthew 4:1-17
Skip Heitzig
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Prior to the start of Jesus' public earthly ministry, He was led up to be tempted by the devil. As we review His encounter with Satan, we uncover important principles of spiritual warfare. We consider not only when and how Jesus was tempted, but also how He fought—and the ministry that began on the heels of the battle.
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10/5/2011
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Matthew 4:18-5:4
Matthew 4:18-5:4
Skip Heitzig
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Leaving life as they knew it, the disciples followed Jesus and became intimate witnesses of Jesus' teaching, preaching, and healing. As we dive into this portion of Matthew, we turn our attention to their calling and listen in as Jesus begins the greatest sermon ever preached.
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10/19/2011
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Matthew 5:5-16
Matthew 5:5-16
Skip Heitzig
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The economy in God's Kingdom is quite different from that of the world: it's paradoxical; it's progressive. Let's consider the Beatitudes and discover what kingdom living looks like, and how it impacts those around us.
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10/26/2011
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Matthew 5:17-32
Matthew 5:17-32
Skip Heitzig
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The multitudes listening to Jesus teach were undoubtedly shaken by His powerful statement: "Unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 5:20). How, then, could one be saved? As we continue our study of the Sermon on the Mount, we remember that salvation is not available through human achievement--only by divine accomplishment.
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11/2/2011
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Matthew 5:33-6:8
Matthew 5:33-6:8
Skip Heitzig
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As we continue our study of the Sermon on the Mount, we'll grow in our understanding of the contrasts between the world and the kingdom of heaven. Followers of Jesus are called to a righteousness that exceeds that of the scribes and the Pharisees—a righteousness based on our genuine relationship with Christ, rather than mere outward obedience.
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11/9/2011
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Matthew 6:9-34
Matthew 6:9-34
Skip Heitzig
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Jesus taught His disciples to pray in this manner: "Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven" (Matthew 6:10). As we continue our study of the Sermon on the Mount, we learn that when we make God's kingdom our focus, He provides everything we need.
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11/16/2011
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Matthew 7
Matthew 7
Skip Heitzig
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Jesus calls His followers to live differently from the world -- to live a kingdom lifestyle. In this study from the Sermon on the Mount, we consider what kingdom living looks like in both our relationships with others and our relationship with God.
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12/7/2011
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Matthew 8:1-26
Matthew 8:1-26
Skip Heitzig
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Throughout his gospel account, Matthew presents Jesus as the Messiah. Building upon the foundation of fulfilled prophecy, Jesus' identity is authenticated by miraculous signs. As we examine Matthew chapter eight, let's consider the compassion and grace Jesus demonstrates.
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1/18/2012
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Matthew 8:23-9:9
Matthew 8:23-9:9
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Matthew carefully crafted his gospel to speak directly to the hearts of his Jewish audience. Through his detailed record of Jesus' genealogy, fulfilled prophecy, Jesus' actions, instructions, and miracles, Matthew proves that Jesus is Messiah. Let's take a close look at several of those miracles, and gain a firm grasp of His Deity.
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1/25/2012
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Matthew 9:10-31
Matthew 9:10-31
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To the Pharisees, tax collectors and sinners were part of a lower, unpleasant class. But Jesus longed for fellowship with all people. He shared intimate meals with them, ministered to their needs, and reached out to the unlovely. As we study this passage in Matthew 9, we learn how we are also called to be heralds of the good news that brings spiritual health and enduring joy.
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2/1/2012
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Matthew 9:32-10:31
Matthew 9:32-10:31
Skip Heitzig
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The Lord calls His followers to proclaim His message to the world—we are appointed to carry out a divine purpose. We learn in this study that we, like the apostles, find abundant life only in letting go of our own ambitions, plans, and comfort.
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2/8/2012
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Matthew 10:32-11:19
Matthew 10:32-11:19
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In His second major discourse of Matthew, Jesus equips and instructs His apostles about going into the world and reaping the spiritual harvest. In this passage, Jesus expounds on the courage needed to complete the mission and warns His followers of certain persecution. He reminds us that while not all who hear will believe, God's wisdom is powerfully demonstrated in changed lives.
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2/15/2012
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Matthew 11:16-30
Matthew 11:16-30
Skip Heitzig
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In order to truly worship God, you must know Him. Speaking clearly and openly in this passage, Jesus proclaims some of His strongest warnings and makes some of His most intimate promises. He reveals the Father to His followers and assures us that life lived under His rule yields peace and rest.
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2/22/2012
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Matthew 12:1-21
Matthew 12:1-21
Skip Heitzig
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Though God intended the Sabbath to be a day of rest, keeping the Sabbath became difficult work by New Testament times. The oral traditions of the Pharisees had become weighty burdens-burdens the Lord did not mean for His people to bear. In this passage, Jesus demonstrates mercy and the true intent of the Sabbath as He and His disciples meet physical needs in the face of strong opposition.
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2/29/2012
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Matthew 12:22-42
Matthew 12:22-42
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Though our current culture embraces a form of spirituality, the biblical view of God, Satan, and good versus evil has been dismissed by most. Ignorance and indifference cause them to relegate Satan to the stuff of fairy tales and myth. In this study from Matthew 12, Jesus demonstrates His authority over the devil and his minions--giving us a glimpse into the supernatural and a reminder that, "He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world" (1 John 4:4).
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3/7/2012
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Matthew 12:43-13:17
Matthew 12:43-13:17
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Jesus consistently brought His message of hope to the common man: He spoke in parables to bring revelation to His followers and to conceal heavenly truth from the hard-hearted. In this message, we examine parables of our Master Teacher and Holy Judge, and discover that truth can be a blessing, but also a curse--we must be diligent to understand and apply God's Word to our lives.
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3/14/2012
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Matthew 13:18-52
Matthew 13:18-52
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Jesus often used parables to explain spiritual truth to His followers. In Matthew 13, His seven kingdom parables are recorded--word pictures which explain the beginning, opposition, expansion, and culmination of His kingdom. Let's consider His teachings and apply these lessons, so that we may be fellow workers with Him in spreading the good news.
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3/21/2012
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Matthew 13:53-14:36
Matthew 13:53-14:36
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In this passage from the gospel of Matthew, we see powerful examples of the results of both faith and the lack of it. Those who might have known Jesus best failed to trust in Him and missed out on His work in their lives, while others were carried through the storm in His care. As we consider our own trials, we should rest in His hands, knowing He has power to change us and use our lives for His glory.
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3/28/2012
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Matthew 15
Matthew 15
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God is less concerned with the outward appearance than He is with the inward attitude. In this passage, Jesus boldly proclaims truth in a confrontation with the Pharisees, warning his followers to avoid hypocrisy. We also witness His tender response to the persistent faith of a Gentile woman, and His mercy for the multitudes. As we study Matthew 15, let's consider our own approach to Him: Do we recognize that we cannot live without Him?
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4/11/2012
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Matthew 16:1-20
Matthew 16:1-20
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Through stern rebuke, gentle prodding, and powerful teaching, Jesus instructs those around Him about who He is and how we can know and serve Him. Matthew 16 records several lessons in faith - warnings and wisdom which encourage us in our own spiritual journey.
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4/25/2012
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Matthew 16:21-17:27
Matthew 16:21-17:27
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Jesus calls His followers to deny themselves, take up their cross, and follow Him. From this passage, we gain a clearer understanding of what it means to exalt Him as King in our lives and also get a preview of His future glory, when He will reign over all the earth.
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5/2/2012
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Matthew 18
Matthew 18
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How should sin be dealt with? As we examine Matthew 18, we learn not only to deal radically with sin in our own lives, but also the steps toward reconciliation with a sinning brother.
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6/13/2012
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Matthew 19
Matthew 19
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In the U.S., the lifestyle of Christians often mirrors that of unbelievers--divorce, self-indulgence, misaligned priorities. Using God's Word to teach lessons about divorce and eternal life, Jesus exhorts his followers to enter the kingdom of heaven--to live in wholehearted faith and obedience to the Him. Let's consider what Scripture says about godly living and the reward Jesus promises to His faithful followers.
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6/20/2012
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Matthew 20
Matthew 20
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As followers of Christ, what awaits us in eternity? In this study, we consider not only our eternal home but also our eternal reward. Saved by grace through faith, we must see beyond the circumstances and status of this world, and look toward our future glory.
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7/11/2012
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Matthew 21:1-32
Matthew 21:1-32
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In this intriguing passage, Jesus enters Jerusalem in a precise fulfillment of prophecy. It's an exciting study, where those who know they need forgiveness find refreshment and hope—and those who rely on their own righteousness receive a stern rebuke.
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7/18/2012
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Matthew 21:33-22:22
Matthew 21:33-22:22
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Jesus taught with complete authority, denouncing the misconceptions of the religious leaders of the day. With skill and precision, Jesus uses parables and their own words to silence their challenges and expose their motives. Let's consider His words, heed His warnings, and remember that He alone is righteous and worthy of praise.
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7/25/2012
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Matthew 22:23-23:39
Matthew 22:23-23:39
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In dealing with the Pharisees and Sadducees, Jesus speaks wisely, uncompromisingly, and with the authority of heaven—His Words shoot straight to the heart. Though many try to fit Jesus into their pre-conceived mold—to accept Him and His Words only as far as they are comfortable—we learn here danger of that the perilous position.
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8/1/2012
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Matthew 24:1-30
Matthew 24:1-30
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In this passage—the Olivet Discourse— Jesus provides a summary of end time events: the future of the world. We look forward to the Rapture and the Second Coming of Jesus, but those found outside of Christ face unparalleled suffering and judgment. Let's contemplate the wrath of God that's in store for this world—and share the hope of the gospel with those who don't yet know Him.
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8/8/2012
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Matthew 24:31-25:46
Matthew 24:31-25:46
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In this section of the Olivet Discourse, we consider Jesus' Warning Parables. As we examine the text, let's remember that while the church escapes judgment, many are left to suffer the Great Tribulation. We must be righteous, be ready, and be responsible.
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8/15/2012
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Matthew 26:1-30
Matthew 26:1-30
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As Jesus gathered with His disciples to observe the Passover one last time, He brought fresh meaning to a festival which had been celebrated for thousands of years. Rather than a memorial to their physical deliverance from bondage in Egypt, the meal represents His broken body and shed blood—and spiritual deliverance from sin for those who believe.
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8/29/2012
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Matthew 27:1-50
Matthew 27:1-50
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In this message, we see the ultimate demonstration of God's love—the cross. Jesus, the King of the Jews, was betrayed, falsely accused, illegally tried, scourged, and ultimately crucified. As we consider the details of His crucifixion and death, how could we be anything except amazed and humbled?
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9/19/2012
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Matthew 27:50-66
Matthew 27:50-66
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As He hung on the cross, betrayed by his friends and separated from His Father, Jesus declared "It is finished!" Victorious, not defeated—He completed the work the Father gave Him to do. In that dark hour, the grave gave up some of her dead, the earth quaked, and in the temple, the curtain that separated men from God was torn from top to bottom. As we study this text, let's consider the price Jesus paid to redeem us and the personal, intimate fellowship with God now available.
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9/26/2012
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Matthew 28
Matthew 28
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Jesus' resurrection: great news for His disciples—troubling news to his enemies. As the chief priests grappled with a cover up, the disciples met with the risen Lord and were commissioned to "Go and make disciples of all the nations." As we consider our text, we discover the good news for ourselves: Jesus is not dead—He's alive and has all authority in heaven and earth.
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There are 36 additional messages in this series.
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