Embracing a Personal Relationship with Jesus

Devotional

Day 1: The Power of Invitation

Inviting others to church is a simple yet profound act of evangelism. It is not merely about increasing attendance but about sharing the transformative power of Jesus with others. When you extend an invitation, you are offering someone the opportunity to hear the gospel and experience the love and community found in Christ. This act of inviting is a reflection of our calling to share the good news and can have a lasting impact on someone's spiritual journey. [00:30]

"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age." (Matthew 28:19-20, ESV)

Reflection: Who is one person you can invite to church this week, and how can you pray for them as you extend this invitation?

Day 2: Pilate's Indecision

Pilate's encounter with Jesus highlights the danger of indecision. Despite the conviction he felt, Pilate chose to appease the crowd rather than stand for truth. This reflects a common struggle where individuals avoid making a serious decision about Jesus, often due to fear of public opinion or personal cost. Acknowledging Jesus as Lord requires courage and a willingness to stand for truth, even when it is unpopular. [23:00]

"So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin." (James 4:17, ESV)

Reflection: Is there a decision about your faith that you have been avoiding? What steps can you take today to stand firm in your belief in Jesus?

Day 3: Seeking Power, Not Relationship

Herod's curiosity about Jesus was driven by a desire to witness miracles rather than to know Him personally. This attitude is prevalent today, where many seek the benefits of Jesus' power without committing to a relationship with Him. True faith is not about what Jesus can do for us but about knowing Him and experiencing His love and grace. [35:00]

"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven." (Matthew 7:21, ESV)

Reflection: Are there areas in your life where you seek Jesus' power without pursuing a deeper relationship with Him? How can you shift your focus to knowing Him more intimately?

Day 4: Barabbas and the Gift of Grace

The story of Barabbas, a guilty man set free, is a powerful illustration of the grace we receive through Jesus taking our place. This exchange is a reminder of the unmerited favor we receive through Christ's sacrifice. Salvation is not something we earn but a gift of grace that transforms our lives and assures us of our place in God's kingdom. [59:57]

"For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast." (Ephesians 2:8-9, ESV)

Reflection: How does understanding the grace you have received through Jesus change the way you view yourself and others? How can you extend this grace to someone in your life today?

Day 5: Personal Relationship Over Religion

The crucifixion narrative challenges us to move beyond religious observance to a personal relationship with Jesus. It is not enough to acknowledge Jesus historically; we must embrace Him as our personal Savior. This relationship transforms our lives and ensures our names are written in the Lamb's Book of Life. [01:33:27]

"And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent." (John 17:3, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways can you deepen your personal relationship with Jesus this week? What specific actions can you take to move from religious routine to a vibrant, personal faith?

Sermon Summary

In today's gathering, we explored the profound events surrounding the crucifixion of Jesus as depicted in Luke 23. We began by discussing the simplicity and power of inviting others to church, emphasizing that evangelism can be as straightforward as extending an invitation. This act of inviting is a way to share the gospel and allow others to experience the transformative power of Jesus.

We then delved into the narrative of Jesus' trial and crucifixion, examining the various characters present and their responses to Jesus. Each character represents a different aspect of humanity's response to Christ. Pilate, for instance, symbolizes those who avoid making a serious decision about Jesus, while Herod represents those who seek the power of Jesus without desiring a relationship with Him. Barabbas, a guilty man set free, illustrates the grace we receive through Jesus taking our place.

The sermon also highlighted the importance of recognizing Jesus not just as a historical figure or a religious symbol, but as a personal Savior. This personal relationship with Christ is what transforms our lives and assures us of our place in the Lamb's Book of Life. We are reminded that Jesus' sacrifice was not just a historical event but a personal act of love for each of us.

As we reflect on the crucifixion, we are called to examine our own lives and see where we fit in this roll call. Are we like Pilate, avoiding a decision about Jesus? Or are we like Simon of Cyrene, carrying the cross without knowing the Savior? Ultimately, the message is about moving from religion to a personal relationship with Jesus, ensuring our names are written in the Book of Life.

Key Takeaways

1. Invitation as Evangelism: Inviting others to church is a simple yet powerful form of evangelism. It allows people to hear the gospel and experience the transformative power of Jesus in a community setting. This act of inviting is not about growing numbers but about fulfilling our calling to share the good news. [00:30]
2. Pilate's Dilemma: Pilate represents those who avoid making a serious decision about Jesus. Despite the Holy Spirit's conviction, he chose to appease the crowd rather than stand for truth. This highlights the danger of indecision and the importance of acknowledging Jesus as Lord in our lives. [23:00]
3. Desiring Power Without Relationship: Herod's desire to see Jesus perform miracles without seeking a relationship with Him reflects a common attitude today. Many seek the benefits of Jesus' power without committing to a personal relationship, missing the true essence of faith. [35:00]
4. Barabbas and Grace: Barabbas, a guilty man set free, symbolizes the grace we receive through Jesus taking our place. This exchange is a powerful reminder of the unmerited favor we receive through Christ's sacrifice, emphasizing the personal nature of salvation. [59:57]
5. Personal Relationship Over Religion: The crucifixion narrative challenges us to move from mere religious observance to a personal relationship with Jesus. It's not enough to acknowledge Jesus historically; we must embrace Him as our personal Savior, ensuring our names are written in the Lamb's Book of Life. [01:33:27]
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Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:30] - The Power of Invitation
[05:00] - Introduction to Luke 23
[12:00] - Pilate's Indecision
[23:00] - Herod's Curiosity
[35:00] - Seeking Power, Not Relationship
[45:00] - Barabbas and the Gift of Grace
[59:57] - The Crowd's Influence
[70:00] - Simon of Cyrene's Role
[80:00] - The Curious Crowd
[85:25] - The Sovereignty of God
[89:08] - Abraham's Test and God's Provision
[93:27] - The Roll Call in Heaven
[100:00] - Invitation to Salvation
[105:00] - Communion and Closing Prayer

Bible Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Luke 23:1-25
- Isaiah 53:3-7
- Revelation 20:15

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Observation Questions:

What were the false charges brought against Jesus during His trial before Pilate? How did Pilate respond to these accusations? [01:00:00]
How did Herod react when he finally met Jesus, and what was his motivation for wanting to see Him? [01:00:00]
Who was Barabbas, and what does his release in place of Jesus symbolize in the context of the sermon? [59:57]
How did the crowd's demands influence Pilate's decision regarding Jesus' fate? [01:00:00]

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Interpretation Questions:

What does Pilate's indecision and eventual concession to the crowd reveal about the dangers of avoiding a serious decision about Jesus? [01:00:00]
How does Herod's desire to see Jesus perform miracles without seeking a relationship with Him reflect a common attitude towards faith today? [01:00:00]
In what ways does the story of Barabbas illustrate the concept of grace and substitutionary atonement? [59:57]
How does the narrative of Simon of Cyrene carrying the cross without knowing Jesus challenge our understanding of religious symbols versus personal faith? [01:00:00]

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Application Questions:

Reflect on the simplicity and power of inviting others to church as a form of evangelism. Who is one person you can invite to church this week, and how will you approach them? [01:00:00]
Consider Pilate's dilemma of avoiding a decision about Jesus. Are there areas in your life where you are avoiding making a serious decision about your faith? What steps can you take to address this? [01:00:00]
Herod sought the power of Jesus without a relationship. Are there ways in which you seek the benefits of faith without fully committing to a relationship with Jesus? How can you deepen your relationship with Him this week? [01:00:00]
Barabbas was set free because Jesus took his place. How does understanding this exchange impact your view of grace and forgiveness in your own life? [59:57]
Simon of Cyrene carried the cross without knowing Jesus. Are there religious practices or symbols in your life that you engage with without a personal connection to Jesus? How can you transform these into meaningful expressions of faith? [01:00:00]
The sermon challenges us to move from religion to a personal relationship with Jesus. What practical steps can you take this week to ensure your faith is more relational than ritualistic? [01:00:00]
Reflect on the roll call in heaven mentioned in Revelation 20:15. How confident are you that your name is written in the Lamb's Book of Life, and what can you do to strengthen your assurance of salvation? [01:33:27]

Sermon Clips

He came to offer himself as that suffering Savior of Isaiah chapter 53. He came to offer himself up for their sins. Notice he said also it says we have found this man subverting our nation and he opposes the payment of taxes that's not what happened matter of fact he went and had someone go in and in fish I'm okay buddy I'm okay to find my voice is bad because it's always bad but it's bad now because I have a cold so excuse me and so he opposes payment of taxes member he had to go find a fish and take out the fish you're gonna find that denarius that would pay his taxes and all of the disciples and so he was a man who paid taxes under seizure Caesar and then it says and he claims to be Christ a king like in other words he's subverting the the king in place now his kingdom was not an earthly kingdom was it it will be one day but not now and it wasn't when he came he came to to create a nation with in in spirit in the heavens and so all of those things are our slanderous accusations and so Pilate asked Jesus he said are you the king of the Jews yes it is it is as you say [00:44:06]

Jesus replied and then Pilate announced to the chief priests in the crowd I find no basis to charge to bring a charge against this man so here is in pilot a man a type of a man who wanted to avoid making a serious decision about Jesus Pilate's going to try to pawn him off he's going to ping -pong him over to Herod because he doesn't want to deal with him and the Spirit of God was moving in that situation and actually had given according to Matthew he had given her I mean Pilate's wife a dream that upset her and she said you know what have nothing to do with that innocent man don't judge him don't do anything to harm him in any way he's an innocent man I've had dreams about him and it's upset me in my sleep and so he got that from his wife the Holy Spirit was convicting him and he keeps trying to put him off he he's a man who wanted to avoid making a serious decision about Jesus do you understand he didn't want to make a serious decision he could have said he's an innocent man there are many today maybe some in this room that Jesus is an accessory item in your life he's he's one you like him because you like to wear him and you like to always pull out the Jesus card and stuff if you get in any way challenged but really the the reality of it is he's just an accessory to your life you live your life the way you want to live it you make your decisions the way you want to make your decisions he's not the living Lord in your life and and so this man wanted to avoid making a serious decision about the Lord Jesus could that be you could that be others that that are that you know in your life it is one of those things it's got to be a work of the Holy Spirit and you notice the Holy Spirit is working there but we can say no to the Holy Spirit and that's a dangerous thing and and we're going to see with pilot that it did not work out for the good for him and so [00:46:56] (145 seconds) Edit Clip

release Barabbas to us and Barabbas had been thrown into prison for an insurrection in the city the rebellion in the city and also for murder and they want Barabbas wanting to release Jesus Pilate appealed to them again but they kept shouting crucify him crucify him and so we see a Barabbas in this crowd this roll call Barabbas was a man who deserved to die he really did he was a murderer but was he was set free because Jesus took his place [01:01:42] (47 seconds) Edit Clip

No true relationship with Jesus and you see him across up there, and he's still on the cross he rose from the dead That's why there's no Jesus on this cross He's not still on the cross But we go to churches that continue to sac Proclaim that he's on the cross every mass or whatever it is that he's being re -sacrificed And I'm not anti -catholic. I don't I don't I love Catholic people. I was grow I grew up in the Catholic Church. I'm not trying to say that but guys listen Jesus rose from the dead he's not on the cross he's seated by the right hand of the father on the throne of God right now But nevertheless we wear these crosses and we don't know the one that was on it that went to the cross for us That's a sad sad thing And in golly man markets are filled with religious icons You can put the Virgin Mary or whatever you want all over But we don't often know the Savior That truly saved us from the Lord and Icons are nothing more than a good luck charm. They're like they're like Simon here Jesus said many will say to me on that day Lord Lord didn't I prophesy into your name? I did these religious things Lord in your name. I drove out demons perform miracles Then I will tell them plainly. Jesus says I never knew you away from me evil doer I What was the determination? Why did he call them evil doers? [01:09:12] (97 seconds) Edit Clip

Because he never knew them It's a Relationship that Jesus wants he doesn't want religion He wants relationship And so here is a type of man Carrying the cross of Jesus now, but without knowing him, but guess what in the future And I can say this is like me also because that's where I began It's interesting that in in mark Mark Mark tells us that Simon was the father of Rufus Simon is the name of this man who carried the cross and that his father he was the father of Rufus and Alexander and then the fact that Paul sends greetings later on in his writings to Rufus and Alexander As well -known Christians in the community and so the implication at least is that Simon got saved and he raised his Children to know the Lord and so what a glorious thing it is I know so many former Catholics like me that got that came from religion in ritual to Relationship with Jesus Christ, you know, it's an it's an amazing thing. [01:10:51] (79 seconds) Edit Clip

to people whom society had given up on they were rebels they were thieves and they were murderers these two men and although this was deliberately designed to bring humiliation to Jesus that he would be in that he would be indeed [01:18:57] (22 seconds) Edit Clip

sacrificed between two thieves alongside of of these evil men it was also designed by God as an illustration because you know what I can look at one of these guys that's going to receive Jesus and I say that's me I deserve to die for my sins I deserve to go to hell for my sins but I thank you Jesus that you remind that you having me done nothing at all to deserve it that you are going to save me look at it says when they came to the place called the skull they crucified him along with the criminals one on his right and the other on his left and Jesus said father forgive them for they do not know what they're doing who is he praying for who was he praying for was he praying for the Romans they don't know what they're doing was he praying for the Jews and the high priest that set him up like this was he praying for you and me was he praying for the guy pounding the nails into his hands and feet who was he praying for I've taken up this prayer myself now really changed my attitude towards this I believe just what it says father forgive them for they don't know what they're doing you know you may be in a situation today where there's just no correcting or bring you know [01:19:28] (109 seconds) Edit Clip

one was on his right the other on his left verse 34 Jesus said father forgive them for they do not know what they're doing and they divided up his clothes by casting lots and the people stood watching and rulers even sneered at him and they said save others he saved others let him save himself mocking the power of God let him save himself he is the Christ if that's who he is the Christ of God the chosen one let him save himself [01:22:58] (35 seconds) Edit Clip

you know what he never came to save himself he came to give himself up for us we're gonna take communion are we and that's what it means [01:23:33] (15 seconds) Edit Clip

the soldiers who also came up and mocked him and they offered him the wine vinegar and said if you're the king of the Jews save yourself and so we see that type of person who you know again was looking to mock Jesus there are those in verse 33 we see that blindly they're there they're they're just doing what they were ordered to do when they came to the place called the skull they crucified him it was the order that's what they were doing blindly [01:24:16] (36 seconds) Edit Clip

and there it speaks of those people and the enemies that make our lives harder and there's no conversation that can fix it you're misunderstood you're misjudged you're persecuted you're and so you pray for your enemies over in verse 35 we see the people stood watching in the rulers even sneered at him the hardened we see the people that are hardened against Christ they oppose Christ they try to take Christ out of our society the college professors the atheists have anger towards the one that they insist doesn't exist and yet they're angry at him [01:25:20] (43 seconds) Edit Clip

and then notice he saved others let him save himself if he is the Christ of God the chosen one and so we see the Pharisees and the Sadducees and the priests and the teachers of the law who seek to kill Jesus because of envy they didn't want to lose their power over the people and here comes God himself to transform people to save people and indeed to save him and so they that they failed to see the sovereignty of God because listen in reality here is the act as they put him to death they were acting as a high priest that would take the lamb and sacrifice the lamb on passover to take away the sins of the of the of those who believe for a year and they would take it over the [01:26:23] (58 seconds) Edit Clip