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The Courage To Defy HELP US LORD TO BE SO CONNECTED TO YOU THAT WE MIGHT BECOME THE SERVANTS OF OTHERS. ++++++++++++ ONE OF MY FAVORITE THINGS TO DO IS TO WATCH THE BIOGRAPHY CHANNEL ON TELEVISION. AND AS I THINK ABOUT WHY, I REALIZE THERE ARE SEVERAL REASONS. ONE IS THAT PERHAPS LIKE YOU, I’M FASCINATED BY THE LIVES OF OTHERS, FASCINATED BY THE DECISIONS THEY MADE, AND HOW THEIR LIVES TURNED OUT. I’M ALSO FASCINATED BECAUSE NORMALLY ON THE BIOGRAPHY CHANNEL, THEY ARE, FROM A PRODUCTION STANDPOINT, DONE SO WELL, BUT A 3RD REASON, IS THAT THESE BIOGRAPHIES CAN PROVIDE SUCH COURAGE FOR OUR OWN DAY! THOSE WHO LIVED COURAGEOUSLY IN PREVIOUS GENERATIONS CAN BE A MAJOR SOURCE OF HOPE FOR OUR OWN! THOSE WHO HAD THE COURAGE TO DEFY THE EVIL OF THEIR DAY HAVE THE ABILITY TO GIVE US COURAGE FOR OUR OWN SITUATIONS. THOSE WHO HAD THE COURAGE TO DEFY, AND FLOCK TO THE ROCK. ++++++++++++++++ WE ALL KNOW THIS HAS BEEN A DIABOLICALLY BAD WEEK IN IRAQ. WHAT A WEEK THEN TO WATCH THE BIOGRAPHY OF WINSTON CHURCHILL… WHERE WE REMEMBER HIS STIRRING WORDS AT HARROW SCHOOL IN 1941… NEVER GIVE IN, AND NEVER, NEVER GIVE IN EXCEPT TO CONVICTIONS OF HONOR AND GOOD SENSE. +++++++++++++++++++ YES, BIOGRAPHIES HAVE AN AMAZING WAY TO SPEAK TO THE VERY INNER CORE OF OUR OWN LIVES. THIS MORNING, LET ME GIVE YOU THE SIGHTS, THE SOUNDS, AND STORY OF A MAN WHO WOULD CHANGE THE COURSE OF HISTORY. A MAN HATED BY MANY, AND WHO WOULD DIE A VERY HOLLOW DEATH. HIS NAME, PONTIUS PILATE… TODAY WE TAKE OUR FLASHLIGHTS INTO THE VERY DARKEST PART OF PILATES HEART. LIKE ANY GOOD BIOGRAPHY, AND INDEED TO UNDERSTAND OUR GOSPEL FOR TODAY, YOU HAVE TO UNDERSTAND WHAT WAS GOING ON HISTORICALLY AT THE TIME. NOW, THERE IS ONE MAJOR BIOGRAPHER OF SCRIPTURE, HIS NAME IS JOSEPHUS, HE IS THE ONE WHO HAS HANDED DOWN TO US MUCH OF THE INSIDE INFORMATION ON PLACES, EVENTS AND PEOPLE. SO WE ARE TOLD BY HIM THAT FOR THE YEARS LEADING UP TO 4 BC, KING HEROD RULED OVER THIS LAND PALESTINE… BUT IN 4 BC, HEROD DIES… AND IN HIS WILL IS HIS DECISION TO SPLIT THE LEADERSHIP OF HIS VAST KINGDOM BETWEEN HIS 3 SONS. NOW EVERY AREA THAT WAS GOVERNED BY ROME WAS DIVIDED INTO TWO CATEGORIES. THERE WERE THOSE AREAS THAT WERE MILITARILY UNSTABLE… AREAS WHICH CONTAINED PEOPLE HOSTILE TO ROME AND WERE THEREFORE OCCUPIED BY ROMAN TROOPS AND WERE IN DIRECT CONTROL OF THE EMPEROR. THOSE AREAS LIVING IN PEACE WERE CONTROLLED BY THE SENATE. +++++++++++++++++++ JUDEA, BECAUSE OF THE HATRED THAT EXISTED BETWEEN THE JEWS AND THE ROMANS, WAS AN AREA THAT REQUIRED TROOPS AND WERE UNDER CLOSE WATCH. IN FACT, THE EMPEROR PLACED A SPECIAL ASSISTANT THERE, CALLED A GOVERNOR. AGAIN ONE WHO SERVED THE EMPEROR DIRECTLY. THAT GOVERNOR FOR JUDEA WAS PILATE… HE WOULD BE THE 5TH GOVERNOR TO SERVE JUDEA AND SAMARIA. NOW WE DON’T KNOW MUCH ABOUT PILATE’S EARLY LIFE… BUT WE DO KNOW THAT HE WAS CALLED TO THIS TROUBLED LAND BECAUSE HE HAD A REPUTATION FOR BEING A GOOD ADMINISTRATOR. THAT’S WHERE THE GOODNESS SEEMS TO STOP. PILATE WAS A MEMBER OF ROME’S LOWER NOBILITY CLASS AND WAS ALWAYS COGNIZANT OF HIS OWN VULNERABILTIES AND THEREFORE RULED WITH AN IRON FIST, WITH AN EYE ON THE PLEASURE IT GAVE TO THE EMPEROR. IN FACT THERE WERE 3 THINGS PILATE DID THAT WERE DISASTROUS THAT WOULD PAVE THE WAY FOR THIS MORNING’S GOSPEL. REMEMBER, PILATE IS GOVERNING A LAND THAT DOESN’T WANT HE OR THE ROMAN SOLDIERS ANYWHERE ABOUT. WHAT DOES PILATE DO? HIS FIRST YEAR ON THE JOB, WHENEVER THE ROMANS WOULD PARADE THROUGH THE STREETS, THEY WOULD DISPLAY THEIR LARGE STANDARDS, LARGE POLES WITH AN IMAGE OF THE EMPEROR ON THE VERY TOP. TO THE ROMAN, THE EMPEROR WAS A GOD AND THEY PROUDLY HELD IT HIGH. TO THE JEW, THIS WAS A TRAVESTY, IT REPRESENTED A VIOLATION OF THE 1ST AND 2ND COMMANDMENT WHICH WAS TO HAVE NO OTHER GOD’S OR IDOLS! NOW THE PREVIOUS GOVERNOR, REMOVED THOSE IMAGES BEFORE THE PARADES SO AS NOT TO OFFEND THE JEWS… NOT SO WITH PILATE. +++++++++++++++++ SECONDLY, PILATE BUILT A NEW AQUEDUCT IN JERUSALEM, BUT USED FUNDS FROM THE TEMPLE TREASURY! TO QUELL THE RIOTS, PILATE ORDERS HIS TROOPS TO PUT ON PLAIN CLOTHES AND MINGLE WITH THE RIOTERS… AND THEN AT A CERTAIN SIGNAL, THEY ATTACK THE JEWS WITH CLUBS AND SWORDS, HUNDREDS DIE! ++++++++++++ THE THIRD THING PILATE DID TURNED OUT EVEN WORSE FOR HIM… HE HAD SHIELDS MADE THAT AGAIN, BORE THE IMAGE OF THE EMPEROR, WITH THE PURPOSE OF DISPLAY AND REVERENCE FOR ALL THE PEOPLE OF PALESTINE… FOR THE JEWS, THIS WAS A DIRECT THREAT TO THEIR WAY OF LIFE AS AGAIN, THEY SAW THE SHIELDS AS NOTHING MORE THAN IDOLATROUS WORSHIP. THE PEOPLE WERE ENRAGED AND EVEN PILATES CLOSEST SUPPORTERS URGED HIM TO TAKE THE SHIELDS DOWN… HE REFUSES AND THE JEWS REPORT THIS TO THE EMPEROR WHO ORDERS PILATE TO REMOVE THEM. +++++++++++++ BY THE TIME JESUS COMES AROUND, PILATE IS BEING HERALDED AS A BRUTAL LEADER WHOSE ATROCITIES AGAINST THE JEWS ARE LEGENDARY. HOWEVER, AND THIS IS IMPORTANT… PILATE DID HAVE THE ACE OF SPADES OVER THE JEWS… AND THAT WAS THIS. THE JEWS HAD NO CONTROL OVER THE DEATH PENALTY. ONLY PILATE COULD PUT A CRIMINAL TO DEATH.. SO THE JEWS, WHO AT THIS POINT WANT JESUS DEAD, DEVISE A PLAN. IT’S A PLAN BASED ON THE FACT THAT PILATE IS ON SHAKY GROUND WITH THE EMPEROR … AND SO THE JEWS BEGIN A CAMPAIGN OF BLACKMAIL TO PILATE. PILATE, YOUR RECORD IS NOT GOOD, YOU WERE REPORTED ONCE BEFORE, IF YOU DON’T GIVE US OUR WAY, WE WILL REPORT YOU AGAIN AND YOU WILL BE FIRED… SO, YOU SEE, PILATE IS AT A MOMENT OF CRITICAL DECISION.. IS JESUS A THREAT TO THE ROMAN WAY OF LIFE? IF YES, HE WOULD HAVE TO DIE, IF NOT, HE WOULD HAVE TO LIVE. ++++++++++ ENTER TODAY’S GOSPEL… THIS IS WHY PILATE IS GRILLING JESUS… ARE YOU THE KING OF THE JEWS…? I-E, ARE YOU A TERRORIST JESUS? HOW MANY FOLLOWERS DO YOU HAVE, ARE THEY ARMED? IN SHORT, JESUS WHAT KIND OF A KING ARE YOU? +++++++++++++ JESUS ANSWERS THAT QUESTION RIGHT AWAY WITH 2 PARTS… FIRST… ARE YOU REALLY CONCERNED THAT I’M A THREAT TO ROME OR HAS SOMEONE ELSE PUT YOU UP TO THIS? THEN JESUS GOES ON TO GIVE PROOF THAT HE’S NOT COME FOR VIOLENCE… WHEN HE SAYS PILATE, IF MY KINGDOM WERE ONE OF KNIVES AND SWORDS, DON’T’ YOU THINK MY SERVANTS WOULD HAVE FOUGHT YOU TOOTH AND NAIL WHEN I WAS ARRESTED? WE ARE NO THREAT TO ROME. NO, MY KINGDOM IS FROM ANOTHER PLACE... +++++++++++++ PIILATE PONDERS, KNOWING HOW HIGH THE STAKES ARE…AND SAYS, THEN YOU ARE A KING? JESUS REPLIES, YOU USED THE WORD NOT ME…. BUT USES THAT OPPORTUNITY TO TELL PILATE WHY HE WAS DOING WHAT HE WAS DOING. JESUS TAKES CENTER STAGE, AFTER EXPLAINING WHAT HIS KINGDOM IS NOT, HE THEN EXPLAINS WHAT IT IS… IT IS A KINGDOM OF TRUTH…SAYING IN EFFECT… MY MISSION BEGAN IN HEAVEN AND I POSSESS A DIVINE CHARGE… AND THAT CHARGE IS TO UNVEIL THE TRUTH OF GOD ON THIS EARTH.. I DIDN’T COME TO POINT OUT TRUE THINGS AS I FINDS THEM, BUT TO UNVEIL MYSELF,
THEREFORE TRUTH HERE DOESN’T REFER TO A COMMITMENT TO TRUTHFULNESS OR HONESTY, RATHER TRUTH IS A THEOLOGICAL TERM. TRUTH IS WHAT WE SEE WHEN WE SEE GOD, JESUS IS THUS…’THE TRUTH’. NOW JESUS IS ACTUALLY DOING TWO THINGS HERE ON THE SLY… HE IS DESCRIBING HIS KINGDOM AND HE IS ISSUING AN INVITATION TO PILATE TO JOIN HIM… THAT JESUS WAS ACTUALLY INVITING THESE PILATE INTO A RELATIONSHIP WITH HIM WHEN HE SAID… JESUS SAYS EVERYONE ON THE SIDE OF TRUTH LISTENS TO ME… PAUSE THE DVD FOR A MINUTE… PILATE IS NOW FACED WITH A MASSIVE DECISION… CAN YOU FEEL THE ANGST IN PILATES HEART? PILATE IS REALIZING THAT THE CHARGES AGAINST JESUS ARE RIDICULOUS! AND FURTHER, BEYOND THE INNOCENCE OF JESUS, PILATE’S HEART HAS STIRRED FROM THIS MAN… WOULD PILATE LET JESUS GO FREE? WOULD PILATE HIMELF ACCEPT THE INVITATION BY JESUS TO LIVE IN RELATIONSHIP WITH HIM? PUT ANOTHER WAY… AND STAND UP FOR THE INNOCENCE AND THE BLESSEDNESS OF JESUS… AND SECONDLY, WOULD PILATE HAVE THE COURAGE TO DEFY HIS OWN SELF, E AND DO WHAT I’M CALLING THIS MORNING, FLOCK TO THE ROCK OF JESUS? +++++++++++++++ MY FRIENDS, LIKE ANY GOOD BIOGRAPHY, THERE NEEDS TO BE THAT MOMENT WHEN WE STICK OURSELVES IN THE SITUATION AND ASK WHAT WOULD WE DO? YES, WE THINK OF WHAT WE WOULD HAVE DONE IN PILATE’S SITUATION… HOW WOULD WE HAVE DEFIED BOTH THE CROWDS AND OUR OWN DESIRES OF THE SELF? BUT LET’S BRING THAT UP TO 2006, WE STILL HAVE THE CROWDS SHOUTING.. THEY’RE NOT SHOUTING CRUCIFY HIM, BUT THEY ARE SHOUTING WITH DIFFERENT WORDS… WE STILL HAVE THE PROBLEM OF SELF, DESIRES OF THE SELF THAT TAKE US FAR AWAY FROM THE WILL OF GOD… SO, THEN, 2000 YEARS LATER, HOW DO WE DEFY THE CROWDS OF OUR OWN DAY, AS WELL AS OUR OWN NATURE? FIRST THE CROWDS.. 1. DO WE HAVE THE COURAGE TO DEFY WHAT CULTURE THINKS ABOUT JESUS, AND TAKE HIM AT HIS WORD FOR BEING OUR ULTIMATE WAY, TRUTH AND LIFE? THIS PAST WEEK, SINGER ELTON JOHN SAID THAT RELIGION TURNS PEOPLE INTO HATEFUL LEMMINGS, (WHAT IS A HATEFUL LEMMING ANYWAY?) AND THAT FURTHER, RELIGION SHOULD BE BANNED COMPLETELY! ARE WE WILLING TO SPEAK UP IN OUR WORKPLACES AND AMONGST OUR FRIENDS TO GIVE A RESPONSE? OR DO WE PRACTICE A SECRET FAITH LIFE, WITH NO COURAGE TO TALK ABOUT THE WAY JESUS HAS CHANGED OUR OWN LIVES? DEFY THE CROWDS, FLOCK TO THE ROCK OF JESUS. 2. ALONG THIS NOTE, DO YOU HAVE THE COURAGE TO DEFY THE CROWDS THAT TELLS US THAT ISSUES OF FAITH MUST BE PRIVATE? DO YOU HAVE THE COURAGE TO INVITE SOMEONE TO THE ALPHA COURSE OR HERE AT ALL SAINTS? DO YOU HAVE THE COURAGE TO DEFY THOSE CULTURAL MORE’S THAT SAY KEEP IT TO YOURSELF?? DEFY THE CROWDS, FLOCK TO THE ROCK OF JESUS. 3. TO YOU PARENTS, I’VE PREACHED ON THIS BEFORE, BUT DO WE HAVE THE COURAGE TO DEFY CULTURE THAT SAYS SUNDAY IS JUST ANOTHER DAY… CULTURE THAT SEEMS TO FORCE US TO TAKE OUR KIDS RUSHING TO HOCKEY GAMES, PRACTICES, BIRTHDAY PARTIES, THE STORES… AND IN SO DOING, LOSING OUR ANCHORS AS FAMILY UNITS, LOSING OUR ANCHOR IN JESUS CHRIST! I’VE SAID IT BEFORE, I’LL SAY IT AGAIN, WE ARE LOSING THE DAY OF SUNDAY AS OUR SABBATH AT GREAT PERIL TO OUR HEALTH. DO YOU HAVE THE COURAGE TO DEFY AND TELL THAT COACH, THAT PERSON THAT SUNDAY IS OUR DAY FOR WORSHIP, FIND ANOTHER DAY FOR PRACTICE… DO WE HAVE THE COURAGE TO DEFY OUR MODERN DAY CROWDS? DEFY THE CROWDS, FLOCK TO THE ROCK OF JESUS. 4. FOR OTHERS, IT’S AS SIMPLE AS HAVING THE COURAGE TO DEFY CULTURE BY KEEPING CHRIST IN CHRISTMAS! THE COURAGE TO DEFY FOR YOU MIGHT MEAN SENDING OUT CHRISTMAS CARDS AND NOT RESORTING TO HAPPY HOLIDAYS! DON’T DO IT, DEFY THE CROWDS, FLOCK TO THE ROCK OF JESUS. 5. SIMILARLY, I READ THIS PAST WEEK THAT THE COLLEGE OF WILLIAM AND MARY HAS TAKEN THE CROSS OFF THE CHAPEL ALTAR SO AS TO APPEAR TO BE MORE INCLUSIVE… DO WE HAVE THE COURAGE TO DEFY INSTITUTIONS THAT ARE PUTTING JESUS ON TRIAL AND LOCKING HIM UP? +++++++++++++++++ PILATE, DEALING WITH COURAGE TO DEFY THE CROWDS THAT WANTED TO EXECUTE JESUS. BUT PILATE ALSO HAD TO DEAL WITH COURAGE TO DEFY HIS OWN SELF.. AND THIS IS WHERE IT GETS PERSONAL FOR US. DO WE HAVE THE COURAGE TO DEFY OUR INNER NATURE TO TAKE ON THE NATURE OF JESUS? 1. DO YOU HAVE THE COURAGE TO DEFY YOUR OWN PRIDE AND SAY JESUS COME AND LIVE IN MY LIFE, FRONT AND CENTER. DEFYING SELF, FLOCK TO THE ROCK OF JESUS. 2. DO WE HAVE THE COURAGE TO DEFY OUR OWN INNER SELF BY SAYING, I DON’T HAVE THE ABILITY TO FORGIVE THIS PERSON WHO HAS HURT ME, ONLY YOU DO LORD, COME AND HELP ME MAKE THAT LIFE SAVING MOVE. DEFYING SELF, FLOCK TO THE ROCK OF JESUS. 3. DO WE HAVE THE COURAGE TO DEFY OUR OWN GUT FEELING AND INSTEAD FALL INTO RADICAL OBEDIENCE TO CHRIST AND HIS TEACHING ON OUR LIVES, EVEN WHEN IT IS CONTROVERSIAL, EVEN WHEN THE TEACHING GOES AGAINST WHAT OUR MODERN CULTURE IS ADOPTING AS NORMAL? DEFYING SELF, FLOCK TO THE ROCK OF JESUS. 4. SOME HERE HAVE BEEN LIVING IN SORROW FOR MANY YEARS, PERHAPS YOU HAVE LOST SOMEONE IN YOUR LIFE AND FOR YEARS AND YEARS HAVE BEEN LIVING IN A RUT OF DEPRESSION AND DISCOURAGEMENT. DO YOU HAVE THE COURAGE TO DEFY THAT SORROW AND FINALLY GIVE IT TO CHRIST AFTER ALL THESE YEARS? DO WE HAVE THE COURAGE TO DEFY OUR OWN NEED FOR COMFORT, AND ACCEPT THE CALL OF JESUS CHRIST ON OUR LIVES? WHATEVER THAT MIGHT MEAN, WHERE EVER THAT MIGHT TAKE US? DEFYING SELF, FLOCK TO THE ROCK OF JESUS. 5. DO WE HAVE THE COURAGE TO DEFY OUR OWN FEAR OF BEING VULNERABLE IN A SMALL GROUP, DO WE HAVE THE COURAGE TO DEFY THAT FEAR AND THEREFORE SEE JESUS WORK SOMETHING BRAND NEW IN US? DEFYING SELF, FLOCK TO THE ROCK OF JESUS. MY FRIENDS, AT THE END OF THE DAY, PILATE KILLED JESUS, HE DIDN’T HAVE THE COURAGE TO DEFY THE CROWD, NOR DID HE HAVE THE COURAGE TO DEFY HIS OWN SELF. PILATE AFTER THE CRUCIFIXION, AFTER HIS OWN COURAGE FAILED HIM, FINALLY SEES WHAT HE HAD MISSED! MY FRIENDS, I PRAY WE NEVER EXPERIENCE THAT DAY, WHERE WITH THAT BIG LUMP IN OUR THROAT AND WEIGHT IN OUR STOMACH WE REALIZE THAT WE TOO MISSED OUT ON THE MOST AMAZING GIFT EVER GIVEN TO HUMANITY. DO WE HAVE THE COURAGE TO DEFY CULTURE DO WE HAVE THE COURAGE TO DEFY OUR ‘SELF’ TO TAKE ON THE IDENITY OF JESUS CHRIST? THE GOOD NEWS MY FRIENDS, IS THAT DESPITE THE BEST EFFORTS OF THE CROWD TO CRUCIFY CHRIST, GOD, OUT OF HIS LOVE FOR US STILL ACCOMPLISHED HIS PURPOSES, REVEALING HIS GLORY IN THE WORLD… NO HUMAN BEING CAN STOP IT! NO PERSON IS CAPABLE OF STIFLING THE GLORY OF GOD. GOD IS IN CONTROL OF HISTORY… HE ADORES US SO MUCH THAT AND HE ONLY DESIRES THAT WE ALLOW OURSELVES TO BE IN RELATIONSHIP WITH HIM…! YOU SEE ONLY WHEN WE ARE IN RELATIONSHIP WITH HIM AND UNDERSTAND HIS LOVE FOR US, CAN WE THEN WIN OUR CULTURE OVER TO THE LORD! WE DON’T WANT TO BE BARRICADED BY CULTURE, WE WANT TO WIN CULTURE FOR CHRIST! WILL WE DEFY OUR OWN INNER NATURE OR WILL WE ONE DAY LIKE PILATE, WITH THAT LUMP IN OUR STOMACH, SAY… SAY MY GOD IN HEAVEN, I JUST MISSED OUT ON THE MOST AMAZING JOURNEY OF ALL TIME! DO YOU SEE HOW MUCH WE CAN LEARN FROM FAILURE AS MUCH AS SUCCESS? DO WE HAVE THE COURAGE? +++++++++++++++ LET ME END BY TAKING YOU TO 18TH CENTURY ENGLAND. WILLIAM WILBERFORCE WAS BORN INTO A WEALTHY FAMILY AND AT THE AGE OF 21, WON A SEAT IN THE HOUSE OF COMMONS BY OUTSPENDING HIS OPPONNENTS. BUT IN THE SUMMER OF 1875, HE HAD A PROFOUND CONVERSION… WHEN HE ACCEPTED CHRIST AS SAVIOR, HE WHOLE-HEARTEDLY DEVOTED HIS INCOME AND TIME TO THE SERVICE OF GOD. HE EVENTUALLY SOUGHT TO BAN SLAVERY IN ENGLAND AND IN DOING SO FACED AMAZING OPPOSITION BY SOME OF THE MOST POWERFUL BUSINESS MEN IN LONDON. HE WAS EVEN ATTACKED ON 2 OCCASIONS. HIS DEFYING OF THE CROWDS LED TO A BILL THAT PASSED IN 1807 THAT BANNED SLAVE TRADE. IT WOULD TAKE 30 MORE YEARS TO ACHIEVE TOTAL EMANCIPATION. IN THE MIDST OF THOSE BATTLES, WILBERFORCE RECEIVED A LETTER BY CHARLES WESLEY, WHO WROTE THIS ON HIS DEATHBED. “UNLESS GOD HAS RAISED YOU UP FOR THIS VERY THING, YOU WILL BE WORN OUT BY THE OPPOSITION OF MEN AND DEVILS. BUT IF GOD BE FOR YOU, WHO CAN BE AGAINST YOU?” THE COURAGE TO DEFY, FLOCK TO THE ROCK MY FRIENDS. AMEN. |
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