Wanting to Gratify the Crowd

In our passage for today, we see both the chief priests and Pilate motivated by different forms of the fear of man.  As we see how this fear of man leads to sin, I want us to look inward at our own struggles in this area.  See how this, along with all our sin, has sent Jesus to the cross.  But rejoice in knowing that there is forgiveness in Christ because he went to the cross.

Passage: Mark 15:1-15
Author: Rev. W. Reid Hankins, M.Div.
Sermon originally preached during the Morning Service at Trinity Presbyterian Church (OPC) on 03/08/2009 in Novato, CA.

Manuscript: Wanting to Gratify the Crowds

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He Began to Curse and Swear

I made the point last week that these events happened at the same time: while Jesus was undergoing his trial, Peter was denying that he knew Jesus.  Jesus was being falsely accused, with false witnesses standing up and lying about Jesus, while Peter stood by and lied about knowing Jesus.  Peter could have been a truthful witness to Christ at the court case, instead he stood just outside, too scared to acknowledge that he even knew Jesus.  Peter didn’t witness for Peter, he denied him.  Today we will focus in on Peter’s story and his three-fold denial.  We’ll consider his confidence, fear, sadness, and joy.

Passage: Mark 14:66-72
Author: Rev. W. Reid Hankins, M.Div.
Sermon originally preached during the Morning Service at Trinity Presbyterian Church (OPC) on 03/01/2009 in Novato, CA.

Manuscript: He Began to Curse and Swear

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