Rossville Christian Church
Sunday, Oct 30th
- Just a Closer Walk with Thee
- Who You Say I Am
- Intro:There is always a Spiritual battle raging all around us but very few of us ever view this battle. We definitely feel the results of the battle and the effects of that battle but never quiet see what’s going on. But that’s exactly what’s been going on the whole time in John and now we see the end game beginning to be played out here in John 18 beginning in verse 1, even though the disciples might not see it:Read John 18:1-13This battle rages on between two things, what are they? That’s right and that battle rages within us and all around us all the time, with each passing moment of each day. But the combatants are always the same, the flesh verses the spiritThe FleshA. Judas
John 18:2 NIV Now Judas, who betrayed him, knew the place, because Jesus had often met there with his disciples.1. Given to the fleshly thingsa. Not necessarily beyond repairJohn 18:4 NIV Jesus, knowing all that was going to happen to him, went out and asked them, “Who is it you want?”b. Judas could have said any thing at this point but didn’tc. Fully bought into the fleshi. Having fully denied the Spiritii. The unforgivable sinMatthew 12:31–32 NIV And so I tell you, every kind of sin and slander can be forgiven, but blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come.2. Didn’t believe in Christa. Believed in men insteadb. Men seemed to have the right answersc. Men seemed to be in powerMatthew 10:28 NASB95 “Do not fear those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.B. EmboldenedJohn 18:3 NIV So Judas came to the garden, guiding a detachment of soldiers and some officials from the chief priests and the Pharisees. They were carrying torches, lanterns and weapons.1. The Crowda. Flesh always feels better with multipleb. They feel safe in the group2. Fear the Trutha. Surround themselves with liesb. Bolstered by their numbersc. Feeling safe in the group of like minded peopleEphesians 5:11 NIV Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.d. The mob will bear out its fruitC. PeterJohn 18:10 NIV Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant, cutting off his right ear. (The servant’s name was Malchus.)1. Using the Worlda. Cannot use the Worlds tacticsb. Its flawed and we have to fight differenti. On different footingii. On Solid groundPsalm 26:12 NIV My feet stand on level ground; in the great congregation I will praise the Lord.c. Hebrew word here is Mishori. Two meanings - first is level or plateauii. Second - Righteousness or even scalesiii. We fight in the Righteousness of the Spirit don’t need the flesh2. Live by the SwordMatthew 26:52 NIV “Put your sword back in its place,” Jesus said to him, “for all who draw the sword will die by the sword.a. Live by the fleshi. Die by the fleshii. It has no righteous valueb. We have got to do it differenti. Live by the Spiritii. Don’t need the tools of the fleshThe SpiritJohn 18:4–5 NIV Jesus, knowing all that was going to happen to him, went out and asked them, “Who is it you want?” “Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. “I am he,” Jesus said. (And Judas the traitor was standing there with them.)A. Takes the Battle Head On1. Doesn’t play gamesa. Get’s right to the pointb. Doesn’t mince words2. Ready to tell the Trutha. Doesn’t care for fleshly consequencesb. Only cares for obedience to God2 Chronicles 32:8 NASB95 “With him is only an arm of flesh, but with us is the Lord our God to help us and to fight our battles.” And the people relied on the words of Hezekiah king of Judah.3. Power of the SpiritJohn 18:6 NIV When Jesus said, “I am he,” they drew back and fell to the ground.a. Some weren’t even Jewishb. The power of the proclamation of Godc. They may not have believed but they understoodB. Who do you WantJohn 18:7–8 NIV Again he asked them, “Who is it you want?” “Jesus of Nazareth,” they said. Jesus answered, “I told you that I am he. If you are looking for me, then let these men go.”1. Jesus knewa. God always gives a chance for repentanceb. For Judas firstc. But for anyone else2. Jesus wanted claritya. Wanted them to be sureb. Sure of who they were really asking forC. Scripture Fulfilled AgainJohn 18:9 NIV This happened so that the words he had spoken would be fulfilled: “I have not lost one of those you gave me.”1. Not a grain of salta. Serious in our faithb. Understand that this is the Word fulfilledc. God always does what He says2. We can Trust thata. Just as the disciples were able tob. We can see God still moving like that todayD. Not a Battle of the FleshJohn 18:10–11 NIV Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant, cutting off his right ear. (The servant’s name was Malchus.) Jesus commanded Peter, “Put your sword away! Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?”1. Jesus is All Ina. He could have let His disciples fight for Himb. But the battle He was fighting wasn’t for the flesh2. The Battle was for the Souls of Mena. Not something that could be one with the Swordb. Only something that could be won with the Blood of Christc. Dedicated to the sacrificeJohn 18:12–13 NIV Then the detachment of soldiers with its commander and the Jewish officials arrested Jesus. They bound him and brought him first to Annas, who was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, the high priest that year.3. Jesus went willinglya. Caused no troubleb. Knew His time had comec. Knew the endi. Knew the sufferingii. But it was the joy He clung toConclusion:Suffering is a part of the journey. Sometimes we are willing to fight with the flesh to avoid anything in our lives that might cause us to suffer. But the question is always, “Am I fighting the spiritual battle, or the fleshly battle?” That is only something God can guide us through the Scripture. But I can say this, stooping to fighting in the flesh has never won a spiritual battle, only caused division and hate. No, sometimes, we have to take up our cross and follow Christ instead, that way God wins the souls of men, not only their flesh. John 18:2NIV2011
John 18:4NIV2011
Matthew 12:31–32NIV2011
Matthew 10:28NIV2011
John 18:3NIV2011
Ephesians 5:11NIV2011
John 18:10NIV2011
Psalm 26:12NIV2011
Matthew 26:52NIV2011
John 18:4–5NIV2011
2 Chronicles 32:8NIV2011
John 18:6NIV2011
John 18:7–8NIV2011
John 18:9NIV2011
John 18:10–11NIV2011
John 18:12–13NIV2011
- The Heart Of Worship
- King Of My Heart