Robert McLaughlin Bible Ministries
The Power displayed at the 6 trials of Christ. Pastor Joe Sugrue.
Sunday, February 11, 2007
The power of our own mental attitude in suffering, v2. “and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it, that it may bear more fruit.”
2. The power of positional truth, v3 “You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you.”
3. The power of fellowship with Him, v4 “Abide in Me, and I in you.”
4. The resultant power of fruit from remaining in fellowship with Him, v5 “I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me, and I in him, he bears much fruit; for apart from Me you can do nothing.”
5. The power of divine discipline, v6 “If anyone does not abide in Me, he is thrown away as a branch, and dries up; and they gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.”
6. The power of prayer, v7 “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it shall be done for you.”
7. The power of impersonal unconditional love, v9 “Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; abide in My love.”
8. The power of sharing the happiness of God, v11 “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full.”
9. The power of a personal and intimate relationship with Christ, v15 “No longer do I call you slaves, for the slave does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I have heard from My Father I have made known to you.”
10. The power of unity, we are more powerful together than we are alone, v17 “This I command you, that you love one another.”
Our Lord instructed the disciples on the great power of the Church-age and immediately after, during the greatest undeserved suffering the world has ever seen, the Lord would apply everything that He just taught.
The first trial was before Annas, the father in law of Caiaphas (JOH 18:12-24). This trial was completely unfair since it was held at night.
Christ in His wisdom is really answers this question. “You didn’t bring me here to learn my doctrine, so let’s cut to the chase.”
Humility makes wise. Arrogance makes stupid.
The second trial was before Caiaphas the high priest (MAT 26:57-68; MAR 14:53-65)
The third trial was held the following morning. (MAT 27:1-2; MAR 15:1; Luk 22: 66-71). This was done to uphold the Mosaic Law.
HEB 12:3 For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you may not grow weary and lose heart.
Why did He endure it? For others. Why should you endure? For the members of the body of Christ.
The fourth trial was held before Pilate (MAT 27:11-14; MAR 15:1-5; LUK 23:1-7; JOH 18:28-38)
The fifth trial was before Herod (LUK 23:8-12). At this trial Christ was silent to all questions because Herod was just a hedonistic fool.
The sixth and final trial was before Pilate and it resulted in a second acquittal (MAT 27:15-26; MAR 15:6-15;LUK 23:18-25; JOH 18:29-19:16).