CSI: EASTER part 1

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1. THE TRIAL OF JESUS SHOWS US GOD’S PURPOSE
(turn to Matthew 26) Remember the Controversy before the movie
"The Passion of the Christ": 'This is Anti-Semitic'
Who killed Jesus?

A. Truth: He gave up his life voluntarily & intentionally.

It was the purpose he came to earth for! To die for us!
JOHN 10:18 - “No one can take my life from me. I lay down my life voluntarily. For I have the right to lay it down when I want to and also the power to take it again. For my Father has given me this command."

Before -trial, Jesus already knew the outcome:

JOHN 12:27 - "Now my soul is deeply troubled. Should I pray, 'Father, save me from what lies ahead'? But that is the very reason why I came!"

What was his purpose?
JOHN. 12:47 - “I have come to save the world and not to judge it.”

o Famous trials: O.J.,M. Stewart, Kobe, Scott Peterson, M.Jackson,
But nothing compares to the circus around Jesus’ trial! SHAM!

B. Actually, Jesus was rushed thru six trials in about 12 hours:

3 Religious...3 Roman - secretly arrested at night because so He was so popular.
First 1. Annas key religious leader
Then 2. Caiaphas high priest
3. Religious Supreme Court “Sanhedrin”
4. Pilate - gov. of Judea
5. Herod - gov.of Galilee
6. Pilate again - all in about 12 hours !

- After 6 trials what did they come up with? Nothing!

- They couldn’t pin any charges on him!
… accuse him of any crimes!
hadn’t done anything wrong!

SO ... they tried to trump up some false accusations!
... brought in phony witnesses to perjure themselves
But these paid accusers kept contradicting each other!
so couldn’t convict him!

C. Finally, they made ONE accusation that was true!

He claims to be the Son of God! MATTHEW 26:59-68

Think about this: Jesus never claimed to be...
just a good teacher.. a prophet.. a moral leader.. a man of God
claimed .. GOD! That changes everything!

“I’m a good man. I teach the truth. I’m a good teacher” (wife)
But if I said “I’m God” - would that change how you felt about me?

It would force you to make a decision!
(TV) Skeptic: “Impossible for religious leaders to want to kill Jesus! He taught
peace & love.” Their minds: It was blasphemy! No choice but..

ADVICE: If you ever meet anyone who claims to be God you’ve
only got 3 choices:

1. Believe he is an idiot.
Doesn’t know what he’s saying.
Diminished capacity. Mentally unstable.
Like the guy in the funny farm who thinks..Napoleon

2. Believe he’s a con-man.
Rip-off artist. Swindler
He pretends so can take advantage of you. (plenty around)

3. Believe he’s telling the truth.
In that case- you have to worship & obey him!.

You already believe something about Jesus. The question is what?
Is he a Liar? Lunatic? or Lord?
a Deceiver? Deluded? or Deity?
What is it that you believe?

D. Jesus claimed he is God, the Savior of the world:

That’s why He allowed himself to be put on trial.
Obviously, as God - he could have prevented his own trial.
But his purpose was to save the world!
PHILIPPIANS. 2:6-10 -
6 Though he was God, he did not demand and cling to his rights as God. 7 He made himself nothing; he took the humble position of a slave and appeared in human form. 8 And in human form he obediently humbled himself even further by dying a criminal's death on a cross. 9 Because of this, God raised him up to the heights of heaven and gave him a name that is above every other name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

- “everyone” will bow down = everywhere, heaven & even in hell
What is this world coming too?”
- one day everyone will acknowledge J for who he is!
- all the arrogant & foolish denial will end
· Every nationality, age, culture, religion…
· Every politician .. rock star.. professor...athlete..

THE ISSUE: Isn’t- Will you acknowledge Jesus as Lord? But when?
Now in love? or Later in regret?
DO IT TODAY!
- “Above all” – Jesus thought of you above all else- so he sacrificed
Now he wants you to put him above all else in your life!
SONG: ABOVE ALL

2. THE DEATH OF JESUS SHOWS US GOD’S PASSION

It demonstrates how much God loves you!
…reveals the length God was willing to go -to save you!

A. After the trials- Jesus was sentenced to be killed by crucifixion.
Probably the most brutal form of capitol punishment ever conceived
But first Jesus was subjected to intense physical & emotional abuse:

1. After being exhausted from 6 all-night trials
- Blindfolded & Beaten. “Who hit you Jesus?”
2. Then Mocked/Ridiculed - Crown of thorns / beard plucked
3. Then “Scourged” - no mere whipping.
- 9 leather straps in the rope
- tie sharp bones (to cut) and lead (to bruise)
- 40 stripes (39) Men often died from blood loss
4. Then forced to carry heavy cross up the hill. fell- Simon
5. Then Crucified - pull arm out of joint
Crucifixion= death by suffocation
They’d break the legs speed the death
6. Speared his side to insure he was dead.
Water mingled with blood in chest cavity (heart exploded)

Why did God allow this? ROM 5:6+8
“When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners...
God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.”

“I love you this much!” So much it hurts!

B. Jesus wanted us to never forget his passionate sacrifice for us.
Gave us a reminder: Lord’s Supper (SERVERS begin)
SONG: AMAZING LOVE

COMMUNION

C. Why did Jesus have to die?

o All have sinned
o Justice demands payment! “wages” We all deserve..
o Somebody had to pay for your sins! You or someone else!
o Good News - Everything you’ve ever done wrong- PAID FOR!
o IT is finished! What? The payment... Tetelestai!

EPHESIANS 1:7: “Christ sacrificed his life's blood to set us free, which
means that our sins are now forgiven. Christ did this because of God’s amazing grace.”

o If there’d been any other way…
There’s no other way for you to get into heaven!
If you’ve never accepted God’s free gift of salvation, you need to do so now
PRAY SALVATION PRAYER

As we eat this bread, pray “Thank you Jesus for dying for all my sins.”
EAT BREAD
D. FACT- God planned your salvation before you needed it!

HEB. 2:10 “Everything belongs to God, and all things were created
by his power. So God did the right thing when he made Jesus
perfect through suffering, as Jesus led many of God's children
to be saved and to share in his glory.”

3 important truths
1. God was in control the whole time (could have stopped it)
2. He did it for our benefit!
3. He wanted to save us & share his glory in heaven!

As we drink, pray “Thank you Lord for saving me & sharing your glory.”
DRINK JUICE