Complete Sermon Notes
I Am Barabbas – And So Are You
Jesus Handed Over to Pontius Pilate
27 When morning came, all the chief priests and elders of the people plotted against Jesus to put Him to death. 2 And when they had bound Him, they led Him away and delivered Him to Pontius Pilate the governor.
Only Rome could execute.
A Christian is first bound – then led away: movement is restricted and we are led to places we don’t want to go.
3 Then Judas, His betrayer, seeing that He had been condemned, was remorseful and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, 4 saying, “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.” And they said, “What is that to us? You see to it!” 5 Then he threw down the pieces of silver in the temple and departed, and went and hanged himself.
Judas may have thought that Jesus wouldn’t be condemned.
Wordly sorrow vs. repentance – “Repentance is more than just sorrow for the past; repentance is a change of mind and heart, a new life of denying self and serving the Savior….” – J.I. Packer
Like Peter, run to God’s mercy not your own solution.
Waiting on him involves paying bills, integrity, working hard…moving forward
JUDAS: Could have had a strong finish like Paul. The greatest gift you can give is to finish strong.
6 But the chief priests took the silver pieces and said, “It is not lawful to put them into the treasury, because they are the price of blood.” 7 And they consulted together and bought with them the potter’s field, to bury strangers in. 8 Therefore that field has been called the Field of Blood to this day. 9 Then was fulfilled what was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet, saying,“And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the value of Him who was priced, whom they of the children of Israel priced, 10 and gave them for the potter’s field, as the Lord directed me.”
Zechariah not Jeremiah – zou vs. iou
Justifying sin is a slippery slope – they can’t put it back in the treasury because it’s “blood money”, but they took it out to pay Judas to betray Christ.
TODAY’S SELF-EXAMINATION –
Paul asked the Galatian church, “You ran well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth? This persuasion does not come from Him who calls you. A little leaven leavens the whole lump” (Galatians 5:7-9.)
He is asking, “What’s in your life that keeps you from going on in the full blessing of Christ? You were doing so well at one time. I know you to be a praying people, and you labor diligently to do good works, but something is wrong. I don’t see you growing anymore. Instead, you’ve gone back to relying on your flesh. I don’t sense the sweet aroma of Christ you once had…Something’s hindering you. “What could have persuaded you to settle in this condition?”
Whatever it is, I tell you it’s not of God…I know so many Christians today who once were mightily used of God. These people were devoted, praying, believing saints. But then something happened to them that somehow caused them to be hindered from experiencing the fullness of the blessing of Christ…Often that hindering leaven was a single besetting sin. To all such people, Paul asks, “What happened? What’s hindering the flow of Christ’s blessing in your life? What leaven has crept in?” – “A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump” (Galatians 5:9). ~ From David Wilkerson, http://sermons.worldchallenge.
Jesus Faces Pilate
11 Now Jesus stood before the governor. And the governor asked Him, saying, “Are You the King of the Jews?” Jesus said to him, “It is as you say.” 12 And while He was being accused by the chief priests and elders, He answered nothing. 13 Then Pilate said to Him, “Do You not hear how many things they testify against You?” 14 But He answered him not one word, so that the governor marveled greatly.
ADVICE: When do you say something? Usually, when you can respond and not react.
“It is as you say” – said to Judas, Caiaphas, and Pilate.
The religious leaders were very envious – becareful, Satan doesn’t have any new tricks.
The same evil spirit that influenced Judas and the religious leaders is still present today.
KEY for everyone in this room: You are either progressing in your faith or digressing – you are either growing or withering – you are either being strengthened or weakened. YOUR ARE EITHER BEING FILLED OR DEPLETED.
How do I know? CHECK YOUR ATTITUDE GAUGE.
The enemy will often go back to the last place of failure…Judas’ weakness was money – $
Taking the Place of Barabbas – I AM BARABBAS AND SO ARE YOU
15 Now at the feast the governor was accustomed to releasing to the multitude one prisoner whom they wished. 16 And at that time they had a notorious prisoner called Barabbas. 17 Therefore, when they had gathered together, Pilate said to them, “Whom do you want me to release to you? Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?” 18 For he knew that they had handed Him over because of envy. 19 While he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent to him, saying, “Have nothing to do with that just Man, for I have suffered many things today in a dream because of Him.” 20 But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitudes that they should ask for Barabbas and destroy Jesus. 21 The governor answered and said to them, “Which of the two do you want me to release to you?” They said, “Barabbas!” 22 Pilate said to them, “What then shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?” They all said to him, “Let Him be crucified!” 23 Then the governor said, “Why, what evil has He done?” But they cried out all the more, saying, “Let Him be crucified!” 24 When Pilate saw that he could not prevail at all, but rather that a tumult was rising, he took water and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, “I am innocent of the blood of this just Person. You see to it.” 25 And all the people answered and said, “His blood be on us and on our children.” 26 Then he released Barabbas to them; and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered Him to be crucified.
Comparison: Murderer, leader of an insurrection VS. Jesus, Son of God.
Give us Barabbas – give us the darkness and the deceit – kill the King of Glory, remove the light of the World.
CLOSING: Brant come up only – Imagine Barabbas being released:
Did Barabbas look back? Did he see the crucifixion? Did he see himself on the cross?
DO YOU SEE YOURSELF THERE?
A LOVE SO WIDE – SO VAST – I AM BARABBAS
