Applying the Final Steps of Church Discipline - Nathan Rages

 

This difficult and unusual teaching was given in connection with our church applying New Testament church discipline instructions to the case of an individual church member. This covers both removing the person from the church fellowship and also the person's hopeful future restoration to fellowship.

Seeing the Suffering Savior - Nathan Rages

 

Luke 23:26-38 describes Jesus' crucifixion.  It was a very public event with many spectators:

1. The Spectators 
     Cross-carrying man (v26).
     Mourning women (v27-28).
     Lot-casting soldiers (v34).
     Mocking crowd (35-37).

2. The Savior 
     Prophet (v28-31).  
     Priest (v34). 
     King (v37-38).

Give Us Barabbas! - Nathan Rages

 

Luke 23:13-25 describes how Jesus was condemned for crucifixion while Barabbas was released.   The three characters in Jesus' condemnation were:
1. Pontius Pilate
     Fearing man. 
     Compromising with known sin.
2. Jewish Crowd 

     Hating the light.
     Rejecting their king.
     Calling for their own judgment.
3. Barabbas 

     Going free at Jesus’ expense. 

Putting Jesus on Trial - Nathan Rages

 

Luke 22:63-23:12 describes the convoluted legal trial process that Jesus was subjected to.  The trial included six phases: 
1. Annas (former high priest)
2. Caiaphas (current high priest)
3. Sanhedrin (Jewish ruling council)
4. Pontius Pilate (Roman governor of Judea)
5. Herod Antipas (tetrarch over Galilee)
6. Pontius Pilate (Roman governor of Judea)

Things we observe in these sinful people:
1. Their irrational hatred of Christ (22:63-65,23:11).
2. Their unconcern for truth or justice (22:67,68,71,23:2).
3. Their bad reasons for being interested in Jesus (23:8).
4. Their unity in opposing Christ (23:12).

Things we observe in the Lord Jesus:
1. His silence before His accusers (22:67-68,23:9).
2. His repeatedly acknowledged innocence (23:4,14-15).
3. His title as “King of the Jews” (23:3). 
4. His glorious reign as the Son of God (22:69-70).

The Trust of Lament Following a Son's Death - Jess Schmid

 

Psalm 9 is King David's impassioned expression of lament, imprecation, and trust in God following the betrayal and death of his son Absalom. 

Understanding a Good Man's Fall - Nathan Rages

 

Luke 22:31-34,54-64 tells Simon Peter's denial of the Lord Jesus.  The story can be broken down into five parts: 
1. Satan’s demand (v31).
2. Jesus’ intercession (v32).
3. Peter’s overconfidence (v33-34).
4. Peter’s failure (v54-60).
5. Peter’s recovery (v32,34,61-62).

No Greater Prayer Has Ever Been Prayed - Nathan Rages

 

This message examines Jesus' great prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane as recorded in Luke 22:39-46, examining these nine characteristics:
1. Its customary location (v39).
2. Its power over temptation (v40,46).
3. Its humble posture (v41).
4. Its bold honesty (v42).
5. Its intense fervor (v44). 
6. Its complete submission (v42).
7. Its repeated petitions (Matthew 26, Mark 14).
8. Its sleepy companions (v40,45,46).
9. Its strengthening effect (v43).