Lesson #142

TEXT:  Matt. 27:15-26

INTRODUCTION:

A.      PILATE KNEW JESUS RIGHTEOUS - WANTED TO PLEASE THE JEWS.

B.      TO CHANGE THEIR MINDS, HE GAVE THEM THEIR CHOICE.

          1.       Barrabas was the worst of men( Mark 15:7 ).

          2.       No fault could be found with Jesus( John 18:38 ).

C.      THE PEOPLE ANSWERED QUICKLY( John 18:40 ).

D.      SOMETIMES WE MAKE WRONG CHOICES.

WE HAVE A CHOICE BETWEEN:

I.      GOD AND ATHEISM.

A.      Gen. 1:1.  SUBLIME THOUGHT.

B.      GOD'S GREATEST WITNESS( Psa. 19:1-4;  Rom. 1:20 ).

C.      Psa. 53:1.

II.     REDEMPTION AND GUILT.

A.      ALL HAVE SINNED( Rom. 3:23 ).

B.      THE WAY OF THE SINNER( Prov. 13:15 ).

C.      THE CONSEQUENCE OF SIN( Eph. 2:1, 12 ).

D.      REDEMPTION IN CHRIST'S DEATH( 1 Pet. 1:18-19 ).

E.      MAN HAS A PART TO PLAY( 1 Pet. 1:22;  Rom. 6:3-4 ).

F.      THE CHOICE IS OURS( Rev. 22:17 ).

III.    RIGHTEOUSNESS AND WORLDLINESS.

A.      CAN'T SERVE GOD AND THE WORLD AT THE SAME TIME

          ( James 4:4;  Mat. 6:24;  1 John 2:15 ).

C.      VALUES AND PRIORITIES, WHAT DO THEY MEAN?( Mat. 6:19-21 ).

D.      Joshua 24:15.  CHOOSE YOU THIS DAY.

IV.   TRUTH AND ERROR.

A.      FREEDOM IS A PRODUCT OF TRUTH( John 8:32 ).

B.      OBEDIENCE TO TRUTH PURIFIES( 1 Pet. 1:22 ).

C.      GOD'S WORD IS TRUTH( John 17:17 ).

D.      ON THE OTHER HAND, ERROR CONDEMNS.

          1.       The Jews had a choice( Ez. 14:1-5 ).

          2.       So do we( 2 Thes. 2:11-12 ).

E.      AS PAUL PREDICTED, MANY ARE SAYING, "NOT TRUTH, BUT ERROR"

          ( 2 Tim. 4:3-4 ).

V.    THE CHURCH AND HUMAN INSTITUTIONS.

A.      THE LORD'S CHURCH IS DESCRIBED AS GLORIOUS( Eph. 5:27 ).

          1.       Jesus built it according to God's wisdom.

          2.       It can accomplish the work God gave it.

          3.       If it can't, it is not glorious.

B.      THE CHURCHES OF MEN AND HIS ORGANIZATIONS ESTABLISHED TO

          SUPPLANT THE CHURCH WILL PERISH( Psa. 127:1;  Matt. 15:13-14 ).

          1.       Includes organizations attached to the church.

          2.       Includes lodges, fraternal organizations, clubs, etc.

V.    OBEDIENCE AND PROCRASTINATION.

A.      SALVATION BELONGS TO THE OBEDIENT( Heb. 5:8-9 ).

B.      GOOD INTENTIONS MEAN NOTHING IF NOT CARRIED OUT( James 4:17).

C.      WE ARE NOT PROMISED ANOTHER DAY( James 4:14 ).

CONCLUSION:

A.      WE HAVE ALL THESE CHOICES TODAY.

B.      DON'T MAKE THE WRONG ONES.