The Cost of Courage: Following Jesus Afar Off

[00:00:14] [SPEAKER UNKNOWN]:
Thank you.
[00:05:42] Amen.

[00:07:18] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_00]:
Let us pray.

[00:07:43] [SPEAKER UNKNOWN]:
Let us pray.
[00:07:46] The Gospel of the Lord.
[00:08:23] In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
[00:08:31] Amen.
[00:08:50] Let us pray.
[00:09:00] Let us pray.
[00:09:12] Let us pray.
[00:09:20] Let us pray.
[00:09:46] Let us pray.
[00:09:53] Let us pray.
[00:10:05] In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
[00:10:29] Amen.
[00:10:30] In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
[00:10:58] Amen.

[00:11:08] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_00]:
What a wonderful change in my life has been brought since Jesus came into my heart.
[00:11:38] In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
[00:11:57] Amen.
[00:12:00] I have saved from my heart.
[00:12:16] of Christ Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Christ of Latter-day Saints
[00:12:46] I am possessed of a hope that is steadfast and sure Since Jesus came into my heart And the dark clouds of death
[00:13:21] Since Jesus came into my heart, Since Jesus came into my heart, Loads of joy o'er my soul like the sea billows roll.

[00:13:45] [SPEAKER UNKNOWN]:
Since Jesus came into my heart,

[00:13:48] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_02]:
And all God's people said, Amen.
[00:13:51] You may be seated.

[00:13:54] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_03]:
Well, good morning.
[00:13:57] Boy, you sound in good voice and you sound excited for a new year.
[00:14:01] I can't imagine a greater, greater way to begin.
[00:14:04] First Sunday of a new year and being in the Lord's house just to honor and glorify Him and lift our voices.
[00:14:11] And remember, since Jesus came into our heart, what a difference He made from the time He saved us.
[00:14:17] So I am so grateful that you are here this morning.
[00:14:20] We want to welcome you on behalf of Trinity Baptist family.
[00:14:23] To our service this morning, if you're visiting with us, we especially want to give you a warm welcome and our deacons in fact have some gift bags that they would love to put in the hands of those who are visiting with us this morning and we want you to fill as an honored and special guest here in the Lord's house this morning.
[00:14:38] They're also, you're going to find in this bag some things that you can take home and
[00:14:42] that'll hopefully remind you of your visit here today and there's a guest card attached to the bag as well to give you an opportunity to fill that out placed in the offering plate when it comes by a little bit later in the service so we'll have record of your visit so if you are visiting with us today let me invite you to lift your hand about like this as our ushers make their way down the aisle just hold your hand up high enough and long enough for them to spot you and they'll slip this into your hand and again we are grateful that you are here to be a part
[00:15:09] of what God is doing at Trinity Baptist Church this morning if you're joining us via live stream well we want to welcome you into the sanctuary here at Trinity we are thankful that you've chosen to be a part in this hour of our time together in lifting our voices and praise and thanksgiving and we invite you to participate in every aspect of the service when we pray we invite you to go to the Lord in prayer
[00:15:32] When we come to God's Word in just a few minutes, we hope you'll take a copy of the Bible and turn with us to the Scripture that we'll be studying today and that God will speak to you.
[00:15:41] And sing along with us as well when we sing.
[00:15:44] We just want you to experience Trinity today, but more importantly, we want you to experience the presence of the Lord meeting right there with you as you worship in spirit and in truth.
[00:15:54] So we are grateful that all of you are here, and let me invite you to join with me as we begin by going to the Lord in prayer this morning.
[00:16:01] Would you pray with me?
[00:16:04] Father, we are so grateful this morning to be able to gather as the people of God, to be able to know that our hearts and our minds can be of one, one voice, one heart in unity, giving praise and honor and glory to the King of kings and the Lord of lords, Jesus Christ.
[00:16:23] Father, I thank you for the privilege that is ours today just to meet here on this beautiful, beautiful Sunday morning
[00:16:30] Gathering as men and women of God and Father we just pray that in this hour that you would speak to us that you would teach us that you would grow us that you would challenge us that Lord you would comfort us where we need comfort that you would rebuke us where we need rebuke and Father that you would strengthen us and prepare us even for the week ahead as we've gathered here in your house
[00:16:54] Lord, we don't know what everything will be about in the week ahead.
[00:17:00] We just don't know what each day holds.
[00:17:03] But we're so grateful that we know who holds each day.
[00:17:06] And Lord, that's the reason our trust and our faith this morning is just placed totally in You.
[00:17:13] because you are Jehovah God you are the righteous one and you are the one who has drawn us into this place in this hour to honor you and so father may you just open our eyes that we might see you this morning open our ears that we might hear what you have to say to us but father please open our hearts that we might really receive
[00:17:39] What you want to do in our lives this morning that we may never be the same because we've been in this place meeting with you.
[00:17:51] We love you, Lord.
[00:17:52] We thank you for first loving us and giving your only begotten Son, that in Him we might be forgiven.
[00:18:03] In Him we might know you and make you known.
[00:18:08] For in Jesus' name I pray, and all God's people said,
[00:18:13] Amen well listen if you have children with you that are preschool through third grade we want to invite you to let them be a part of children's church this morning so in just a moment we're going to stand and shake a few hands and hug a few next and when we do if you have children again preschool through third grade that would like to be a part of children's church you can come to my right your left and someone will be meeting them at the door to welcome them in
[00:18:38] So would you stand to your feet right now where you are, turn around, shake a few hands, indeed hug a few necks, make each other welcome here as we've come to praise the Lord.

[00:19:24] [SPEAKER UNKNOWN]:
The Lord is with you always and forever.
[00:19:38] Amen.

[00:19:50] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_00]:
God sent His Son They called Him Jesus He gave to us
[00:20:29] The empty grave is there to prove my Savior lives Because He lives, I embrace tomorrow Because He lives, all fear is gone
[00:20:57] He holds the future And life is worth the living Just because He lives How sweet to hold A newborn baby
[00:21:20] And fill the pride and joy he gives on greater days.
[00:21:33] The calm assurance this child can face On certain days because He lives Because He lives I can face tomorrow Because He lives All fear is gone
[00:22:07] of God, Behold the future, and life is worth living just because He lives.
[00:22:30] And then one day, I'll cross that river, I'll find my time,
[00:22:36] of Christ Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Christ of Latter-day Saints Christ of Latter-day Saints
[00:23:04] All here is one Because I know He holds the future And life is worth the living Just because He lives
[00:23:56] His name is wonderful, His name is wonderful, Jesus my Lord.
[00:24:20] He is a mighty King, Master of everything,
[00:24:21] His name is wonderful, Jesus my Lord.
[00:24:44] He's the Great Shepherd, the God of all ages, Almighty God is He.
[00:24:55] Jesus, my Lord, bow down before him.
[00:25:23] Love and adore him.
[00:25:24] His name is wonderful.
[00:25:24] Jesus, my Lord, bow down before him.

[00:25:33] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_02]:
Amen.
[00:25:33] You may be seated.

[00:25:46] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_05]:
This is the time in our service when we gather our tithes and offerings.
[00:25:51] If you're joining us online, we invite you to participate by going to TrinityBaptist.com.
[00:25:57] Let us pray.
[00:25:57] Father God,
[00:26:03] As we begin this new year, we remember Jesus stepping forward in the garden and speaking the words, I am he, and offering himself freely for the sake of the world.
[00:26:14] In his courage, we see your power.
[00:26:16] In his surrender, we see your love.
[00:26:20] We bring these offerings as a response to that same grace.
[00:26:24] As Christ protected his disciples and gave himself without resistance, teach us to trust you with our lives, our resources, and our future.
[00:26:34] Use what we give today to further your work, to shelter the vulnerable, and to proclaim your truth.
[00:26:42] Receive these gifts, O Lord, and receive us as we step into this new year following the one who goes before us.
[00:26:49] In Jesus' name we pray, amen.

[00:27:05] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_01]:
I have a song that Jesus gave me It was sent from heaven above There never was a sweeter melody Than the melody of love In my heart there rings a melody
[00:27:25] In my heart there rings a melody There rings a melody of love
[00:27:40] I love the Christ who died on Calvary For he washed my sins away He put within my heart a melody And I know it's there to stay
[00:27:56] In my heart there rings a melody, there rings a melody with heaven's harmony.
[00:28:04] In my heart there rings a melody, there rings a melody of love.
[00:28:15] To be my endless theme in glory With the angels I will sing To be a song with glorious harmony When the chords of heaven ring In my heart there rings a melody There rings a melody with heaven's harmony In my heart there rings a melody There rings a melody

[00:29:00] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_03]:
Well, amen and amen.
[00:29:02] Thank you so much, men of purpose, for blessing us this morning.
[00:29:05] Turn in your Bibles, if you will, to the Gospel of John.
[00:29:08] The Gospel of John in the 18th chapter is where we will find ourselves this morning as we study God's Word.
[00:29:16] Let me invite you, if you would, to stand and honor the reading of the Word of God.
[00:29:21] Looking at most of chapter 18 today.
[00:29:26] But we're going to just read the first eight verses to get us started.
[00:29:30] And you'll want to keep your Bibles with you and follow along with us as we work our way through this chapter this morning.
[00:29:37] It says in verse 1, When Jesus had spoken these words, he went out with his disciples over the brook Kidron, where there was a garden.
[00:29:47] which he and his disciples entered.
[00:29:50] And Judas who betrayed him also knew the place
[00:29:56] For Jesus often met there with his disciples.
[00:29:59] Then Judas, having received a detachment of troops and officers from the chief priests and the Pharisees, came there with lanterns, torches, and weapons.
[00:30:10] Jesus therefore, knowing all things that would come upon him, went forward and said to them, Whom are you seeking?
[00:30:19] They answered him, Jesus of Nazareth.
[00:30:23] Jesus said to them,
[00:30:24] I am He.
[00:30:25] And Judas who betrayed Him also stood with them.
[00:30:29] Now when He said to them, I am He, they drew back and fell to the ground.
[00:30:36] Then He asked them again, Whom are you seeking?
[00:30:42] And they said, Jesus of Nazareth.
[00:30:45] Jesus answered I have told you that I am he therefore if you seek me let these go their way that the saying might be fulfilled which he spoke of those whom you gave me have lost none let's pray together Father in heaven I just pray in these moments that you would speak to our hearts
[00:31:15] Father, this is a passage of Scripture with which sometimes we often forget because of familiarity.
[00:31:33] And Father, I pray that this morning as Your Holy Spirit works mightily in this sanctuary,
[00:31:42] To those that are listening via live stream, Father, in this very hour that you would just help us to see your truth.
[00:31:54] Help us to see your truth as it's revealed here in your word.
[00:32:00] Lord, give us the courage and wisdom and strength to see your truth as it's revealed about us.
[00:32:09] Examine our hearts.
[00:32:13] As the Psalmist said, search my heart, oh God.
[00:32:19] May every one of us this morning be willing to just say that to you in these very moments.
[00:32:27] And Lord, I just pray personally that you'd let the words in my mouth and the meditation in my heart, Lord, let them be pleasing in your sight.
[00:32:35] For it's in Jesus' name I pray.
[00:32:38] Amen.
[00:32:40] You may be seated.
[00:32:42] These verses really begin with a series of events which will ultimately culminate into the crucifixion of the Lord Jesus Christ for the sins of the world.
[00:32:57] We're about to see in the final chapters of John's Gospel the murder of God's only Son.
[00:33:07] We will see man at his absolute worst.
[00:33:12] and we will see God at His absolute best.
[00:33:17] You see, in rapid fire order, you and I are about to witness the arrest of Jesus, the trial of Jesus, and the death of our Lord Jesus Christ on a hill called Golgotha.
[00:33:35] In fact, many have said these have to be
[00:33:43] Some of the blackest pages in human history.
[00:33:47] In fact, it's so dark that if throughout this period you're not able to see the magnificence of the Lord Jesus Himself, this would be a very depressing, depressing account.
[00:34:04] You know, when you think of the cross,
[00:34:06] I think it's pretty easy, in fact I said this in my Friday update, it's pretty easy for me at least when I think about the cross to automatically think of the physical suffering endured by the Lord Jesus.
[00:34:20] And we think about all of the physical suffering that went in to the cross that stood there at Calvary's Hill.
[00:34:29] But in fact, as you look carefully at places like these verses in chapter 18,
[00:34:36] The verses leading up to the cross, you quickly realize that there are several things that Jesus suffered along the way.
[00:34:44] You could almost call them the crosses before the cross.
[00:34:50] Because what he suffered along the way was real.
[00:34:54] And what he suffered and endured took an incredible toll on Jesus himself.
[00:35:02] And so I want you to follow along with me here and I want you to notice several things this morning that you could almost describe, as I said, crosses before the cross that Jesus had to endure on his way.
[00:35:18] Number one, I want you to jot down and notice that one of those crosses he endured had to be the treachery of Judas.
[00:35:27] The treachery of Judas Iscariot.
[00:35:30] The very mention of the name Judas you know and I know is filled with tragedy and shame.
[00:35:36] All of us are familiar with Judas.
[00:35:37] We've already talked about him several times here in the Gospel of John.
[00:35:42] And we also know he goes down in history as one who walked with the Lord, who witnessed the very miracles of the Lord, but who betrayed the very Son of God.
[00:36:00] Make sure you kind of get this scene in your mind of what's about to unfold.
[00:36:08] Make sure you recognize the events that are taking place because we're told in these verses that after Jesus, go back to verse 1, when Jesus had spoken these words, he went out with his disciples over the brook Kidron where
[00:36:24] There was a garden which he and his disciples entered.
[00:36:29] In other words, we're told in these verses that after Jesus had finished this incredible time of prayer that he had had back in chapter 17, and we were really studying from chapter 13 through chapter 17, a particular section there in John's story, Jesus goes over the brook Kidron.
[00:36:49] Now you need to understand what is Kidron.
[00:36:53] That word literally means dark waters.
[00:36:58] Dark waters.
[00:37:00] It was actually a stream.
[00:37:02] It was a stream that flowed between the hills where Jerusalem sat.
[00:37:07] and the hill that's called the Mount of Olives.
[00:37:10] If you've ever been to Israel and you've been to this spot, you know exactly what I'm talking about and you're able to picture it in your mind right now.
[00:37:19] There was in fact a channel that ran from the place of sacrifice in the temple down to the Brook Kidron where the blood of the sacrificial animals actually flowed.
[00:37:35] So picture this in your mind.
[00:37:37] This particular time of year, which is Passover, as Jesus would have walked across the Kidron Valley and looked down that brook, the waters of Kidron would have been filled with the blood of the animals that had just been sacrificed here for Passover.
[00:38:03] I mean, I have to ask,
[00:38:06] Do you suppose that when Jesus saw that red water stained with the blood of the animals that He stopped and thought of the sacrifice of His own blood He was about to make for the sins of humanity?
[00:38:35] I think he must have.
[00:38:39] I don't think it would have escaped him.
[00:38:44] Now if you've been to Israel and you've stood on the Mount of Olives and you've seen the Kidron Valley, you also know that as you would have looked just over to the right from the Mount of Olives, there was a garden that John records that was in that same area.
[00:39:06] John doesn't tell us the name of the garden, but we all know it from the other gospels.
[00:39:13] What's the name of that garden?
[00:39:15] Gethsemane.
[00:39:17] Gethsemane.
[00:39:19] And what an incredible place.
[00:39:22] In fact, it's commonly believed that it was a garden that was owned by a very wealthy friend of the Lord Jesus.
[00:39:29] Many times we know Jesus would go to the garden
[00:39:33] because there's something about that beautiful garden of Gethsemane that was a place of refreshment.
[00:39:39] It was something special about that place called Gethsemane that was a place of prayer.
[00:39:46] The reason I tell you that and the reason John records this is Judas would know where Jesus would be that night.
[00:39:56] Judas had already sold out Jesus.
[00:40:00] In fact, in Luke's Gospel when he describes the scene with Judas and the religious leaders, he tells us literally that Judas bartered and haggled over the price and finally settled for 30 pieces of silver to sell him out.
[00:40:20] And now Judas is going to the very place where he knew that Jesus would be.
[00:40:29] Jesus this night
[00:40:31] has indeed gone to the garden of Gethsemane.
[00:40:34] He will pray in that garden as you recall and it says he prayed with such intensity that night in that garden that scripture tells us his sweat became like drops of blood as he makes that final surrender to go to the cross to die for you and to die for me.
[00:40:56] But we're told something in verse three.
[00:40:59] Look at what it says.
[00:41:02] Then Judas, having received a detachment of troops and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, came there with lanterns, torches, and weapons.
[00:41:18] So verse 3 tells us now that Judas has been given a band of men, a group of people if you will.
[00:41:26] Soldiers were in that group who came.
[00:41:29] Officers in the chief priest's office were in that group that came.
[00:41:33] Pharisees were there that came.
[00:41:36] In fact, some scholars put the number at somewhere around several hundred men that came with Judas armed to the hilt to arrest the Lord Jesus Christ.
[00:41:49] I don't know about you, but I look at that and I think that's quite a crowd to arrest one
[00:41:55] Unarmed Galilean Carpenter.
[00:42:00] You think?
[00:42:04] I can almost imagine that night in my own mind's eye.
[00:42:11] I imagine that night Jesus has been praying.
[00:42:16] Peter, James, and John have gone into this intimate place with Him and they've fallen asleep on the Lord.
[00:42:24] The other disciples are filled with anxiety.
[00:42:26] They're filled with fear.
[00:42:28] And then in the darkness of the night, you can hear the tramp, tramp, tramp of the soldiers.
[00:42:41] In fact, if you had been there and you had looked up to the sky, you could see the flashing of the light of the torches and the lanterns.
[00:42:49] You see what verse 5 says, don't you?
[00:42:54] It says to us, the end of verse 5, and Judas who betrayed him stood with them.
[00:43:10] Do you underline that phrase in verse 5?
[00:43:13] Judas stood with them.
[00:43:18] Isn't that interesting?
[00:43:21] He stood right there.
[00:43:23] with the enemies of the Lord Jesus.
[00:43:27] A man selected by Jesus to be one of his original disciples.
[00:43:34] A man who had witnessed the very words of Jesus and the very works of Jesus and the Bible says and draws a picture for there is Judas standing with them.
[00:43:55] Let me ask you something.
[00:43:59] When the real issues of life are at stake, where do you stand?
[00:44:10] When the real issues of life are at stake, where do you stand?
[00:44:17] I mean I pray daily that God will always give me the courage to stand with Jesus Christ.
[00:44:25] to stand on His Word.
[00:44:28] But did you notice in the midst of this scene unfolding, you see Jesus does something.
[00:44:36] He actually in the midst of this scene, He moves very calmly and back in verse four, He simply says to them, He moves forward and said to them, whom are you seeking?
[00:44:57] And then when they answered him in verse 5, Jesus of Nazareth, I want you to circle a phrase.
[00:45:06] Jesus said to them, I am he.
[00:45:11] Now the reason I want you to circle that phrase is because I want you to notice that the word he is in italics.
[00:45:21] It's in italics in my Bible and it is in yours.
[00:45:25] And the reason the word he is in italics is because it is not found in the original languages.
[00:45:34] Actually what Jesus says here in this verse is I am.
[00:45:40] I am.
[00:45:44] That may ring familiar to you.
[00:45:49] Because this is the ninth time, count them, the ninth time Jesus has used that phrase.
[00:45:56] You remember he said, I am the light of the world.
[00:46:01] I am the resurrection and the life.
[00:46:04] I am the way, the truth, and the life.
[00:46:08] And I could go on.
[00:46:09] It's the same great word used for the name of God all throughout the Old Testament.
[00:46:15] who declared I am that I am Jehovah God that told Moses tell them I am sent you which literally means and this is what Jesus is saying I always have been I am right now
[00:46:45] and I always will be forever.
[00:46:51] That's what Jesus is declaring when he takes that name, the great I am, to himself.
[00:46:58] So when common man comes to arrest the Lord Jesus, he simply says, I am.
[00:47:06] And what he is saying is I am the eternal God and I am walking toward Calvary's cross.
[00:47:14] That's what he's saying.
[00:47:17] Who are you seeking?
[00:47:18] Jesus of Nazareth.
[00:47:20] I am.
[00:47:23] I am.
[00:47:26] By the way, this is the last time we see, or the last we see of Judas Iscariot in John's Gospel.
[00:47:35] But it's not the end of his story.
[00:47:38] For if you remember, Judas actually began to struggle with his conscience.
[00:47:44] That silver, those 30 pieces, began to burn a hole in his body.
[00:47:49] He goes back to the temple, throws down the silver, and goes out and takes his own life, hangs himself.
[00:48:06] But I'm really fascinated, and you should be too, at what verse 6 records for us.
[00:48:14] Because if you look at what you see here in verse 6 in your Bible, you might want to underline it too.
[00:48:20] Because when he said to them, I am, again he is italicized, I am, they drew back and fell to the ground.
[00:48:35] I like that.
[00:48:36] Because you know what that is?
[00:48:37] That's power!
[00:48:40] When Jesus said, I am, they literally stepped back and fell to the ground.
[00:48:47] And what you and I see here is a display of the invisible power of Almighty God.
[00:48:54] And then when you look at verse 12, look what it says.
[00:48:58] It says they bound him.
[00:49:01] Then the detachment of troops and the captain of the officers of the Jews arrested Jesus and bound him.
[00:49:11] Isn't that amazing?
[00:49:13] The Creator of all that is condescended to letting them bind Him like a common criminal and carry Him away.
[00:49:35] That was a cross before the cross that Jesus endured
[00:49:42] The treachery of Judas.
[00:49:48] Chapter 18 also points out to us that Jesus in this scene had to endure the treatment of the religious leaders.
[00:50:01] The treatment of the religious leaders.
[00:50:04] In fact, I'm referring here to Annas and Caiaphas.
[00:50:09] You read on down in verse 13.
[00:50:13] After they've arrested him and bound him, they led him away to Annas first, for he was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, who was the high priest.
[00:50:25] Now it was Caiaphas who advised the Jews that it was expedient that one man should die for the people.
[00:50:39] Isn't that interesting?
[00:50:41] These two men, circle their names if you will, Annas and Caiaphas, who they represented quite frankly and do represent the religious authorities of that day.
[00:50:52] What's fascinating is when you know anything about Annas and Caiaphas, you recognize that it was through political intrigue and bribery that they had even obtained the office of the high priest.
[00:51:06] I mean, isn't it a shame when religion becomes petty politics?
[00:51:11] But I'll tell you this, don't ever forget it.
[00:51:15] Anytime you separate true religion from reality, it becomes junk like this.
[00:51:23] It becomes this kind of stuff that we're seeing.
[00:51:26] Annas had become the head of the religious mafia of that day.
[00:51:32] Annas was in charge of what?
[00:51:35] Temple business.
[00:51:37] You might say that he was the chief operating officer.
[00:51:41] He was the one that was in charge of all of the business and in those days you'll recall when people would come from out of town and they wanted to go to the temple and they were required to sacrifice an animal they would have to go buy that animal in the temple in order for that animal to most likely be qualified as a suitable sacrifice.
[00:52:06] So that's what got Jesus in trouble with this religious crowd and with Annas.
[00:52:13] You'll remember that in his public ministry that Jesus went right there into that temple and he saw the money changers and he saw what was going on in the corruption and you'll recall that he made himself a whip out of cords and he ran that crowd out.
[00:52:33] I got news for you.
[00:52:37] You touch a man's money and you'll find out what he's made of.
[00:52:44] Touch a man's money and you'll find out what he's made of.
[00:52:51] When you get hold of a wicked man and you mess with their money and their schemes, they'll kill you for it.
[00:53:01] Did you know that?
[00:53:04] They'll kill you for it.
[00:53:07] and that's when they made up their minds.
[00:53:10] They're going to kill Jesus.
[00:53:13] So Annas is obviously pretty happy when they bring Jesus before him and they go to Caiaphas and Caiaphas is happy that they've got Jesus bound.
[00:53:23] They've caught him, they've brought him in.
[00:53:26] Now I want you to watch something that's gonna happen here in verse 19 through 21.
[00:53:33] They're gonna trump up the charges
[00:53:36] against Jesus.
[00:53:38] It says in verse 19, the high priest then asked Jesus about his disciples and his doctrine.
[00:53:49] And Jesus answered him, I spoke openly to the world.
[00:53:54] I always taught in synagogues and in the temple where the Jews always meet.
[00:54:01] And in secret I have said nothing.
[00:54:06] Why do you ask me?
[00:54:09] Ask those who have heard me, what I said to them.
[00:54:12] Indeed, they know what I said.
[00:54:15] Now what are they doing here?
[00:54:20] I'll tell you what they're doing, and don't miss it.
[00:54:23] They're trying to prove that Jesus is a revolutionary.
[00:54:29] They're trying to somehow build a case and set a narrative that Jesus was having secret underground meetings to try to overthrow the Roman government.
[00:54:41] Why would they do that?
[00:54:43] Because if Annas and his crowd could pin charges of a revolutionary on Jesus, then the Roman government would do their dirty work for them.
[00:54:54] And yet Jesus responds to them how?
[00:54:57] He says,
[00:54:59] I spoke out in the open.
[00:55:05] And indeed he did.
[00:55:06] In other words, Jesus is saying, I have no secrets to hide.
[00:55:11] I'm not a revolutionary.
[00:55:14] And when you think about it, friend, you know that is exactly true.
[00:55:19] Jesus spoke openly everywhere.
[00:55:22] He spoke from the mountainside.
[00:55:24] He spoke beside the Sea of Galilee.
[00:55:26] He spoke in the middle of the street.
[00:55:29] Jesus spoke to everybody who would hear Him.
[00:55:34] Because that's what believers do.
[00:55:37] Folks, we want everybody to hear.
[00:55:39] Amen?
[00:55:41] We want everybody to hear.
[00:55:42] You don't have to go to hell when you die.
[00:55:45] You can go to heaven.
[00:55:47] We want everybody to hear that you don't have to live your life trapped in your sin.
[00:55:53] You can be set free of that guilt and that shame that you're carrying.
[00:56:02] Listen, you don't have to just exist.
[00:56:07] You can really live life and enjoy it in the fullness of Jesus.
[00:56:18] So Jesus says, hey, I have spoken openly.
[00:56:27] And then look at verse 22 and 23.
[00:56:32] And when he had said these things, one of the officers who stood by struck Jesus with the palm of his hand, saying, do you answer the high priest like that?
[00:56:46] Jesus answered him,
[00:56:49] If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil.
[00:56:54] But if well, why do you strike me?
[00:57:05] Doesn't that make your blood boil?
[00:57:08] I mean, here's a man, just a puny man, smacking his Creator.
[00:57:19] With a cheap shot.
[00:57:24] And I imagine as he smacked Jesus, a little trickle of blood began to roll down his cheek.
[00:57:36] By the way, it's the first of many blows that Jesus will receive in the chapters ahead.
[00:57:48] So much so that the Bible says that Jesus Himself was not even recognizable by the time they got through with Him.
[00:58:04] There was another cross before the cross.
[00:58:11] Jesus dealt with the treachery of Judas.
[00:58:16] Jesus here in John 18 had to deal with the treatment of the religious leaders.
[00:58:24] But I imagine out of all of them, the tragedy of Simon Peter, which is the third thing I want you to see, probably the most hurtful.
[00:58:42] You see, whatever anybody says
[00:58:46] I think it's pretty clear that Simon Peter was one of Jesus' favorite people.
[00:58:54] I mean, he had one of these intimate, true relationships, and yet when you go back to verse 15 and following and it jumps down to 27, you see the real tragedy of Simon Peter, one of Jesus' favorite people, actually denying
[00:59:16] That he even knew who Jesus was.
[00:59:21] Now, I've got to be honest with you.
[00:59:23] You could see it coming.
[00:59:25] Couldn't you?
[00:59:25] I mean, you could almost have predicted it.
[00:59:28] When you look at the steps that led to his denial.
[00:59:33] Remember the time that Jesus said, The time will come, Simon, when you will forsake me.
[00:59:42] And you remember what Peter said, right?
[00:59:45] Lord, it wouldn't surprise me a bit for some of the rest of this crowd to forsake you.
[00:59:52] Not a bit.
[00:59:55] But not me, Lord.
[00:59:57] Not me.
[00:59:58] Not me.
[01:00:00] You can always count on me.
[01:00:05] You can always know that I'm going to be right there with you.
[01:00:09] I'll not forsake you.
[01:00:11] I'll not leave you.
[01:00:17] Can I just give you a word this morning?
[01:00:20] Whenever you begin to think you are beyond the temptations of the devil and you think you are so spiritual you can't fall, that's when you're living right next door to the devil.
[01:00:40] Just so you know that.
[01:00:43] That's when you're living right next door.
[01:00:46] That's the reason your Bible says, let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.
[01:00:57] You see there were very obvious steps in Simon Peter's extremely disappointing situation and tragedy.
[01:01:09] And it all started with spiritual pride.
[01:01:14] That's where it always begins.
[01:01:16] That's step one, spiritual pride.
[01:01:20] And by the way, the very next thing you know, he's sleeping when he oughta been praying.
[01:01:27] Hello.
[01:01:30] You see, he neglected his spiritual time.
[01:01:33] He neglected his spiritual wife, which by the way is step two.
[01:01:40] And there's probably many of us in this room today
[01:01:44] who have found ourselves in trouble more times than we wish to admit because we started slacking off and we started skipping our personal quiet time.
[01:01:58] We stopped having that personal time every morning with the Lord when we spend a little time in the Word of God speaking to us and we spend a little time in prayer speaking to Him.
[01:02:11] Many of us in this room, many of you listening through live stream or by delayed broadcast would have to admit that there have been times when you neglected that real time with God because that second step ultimately usually leads to the third step and that is that he started following Jesus afar off.
[01:02:41] That was step number three.
[01:02:45] You started following Jesus from afar off.
[01:02:52] See, there's many of you that are here this morning that you would say to me, well, Pastor, I am a believer.
[01:02:58] I am a follower of Jesus.
[01:03:01] And I think that's great.
[01:03:03] But let me ask you a question.
[01:03:05] How much distance are you keeping between you and Him?
[01:03:12] Are you keeping them at arm's length?
[01:03:16] Are you keeping some distance?
[01:03:19] Because look what happens.
[01:03:20] Look at verse 16.
[01:03:21] Go back and look at verse 16.
[01:03:26] It says, but Peter stood at the door outside.
[01:03:32] And then the other disciple who was known to the high priest went out and spoke to her who kept the door and brought Peter in.
[01:03:42] Now then verse 17.
[01:03:43] Then the servant girl who kept the door said to Peter, you're not also one of this man's disciples, are you?
[01:03:57] And he said, I am not.
[01:04:00] Verse 18.
[01:04:03] Now the servants and officers who had made a fire of coal stood there, for it was cold, and they warmed themselves.
[01:04:13] And Peter stood with them.
[01:04:23] Have you seen that before?
[01:04:27] Peter stood with them.
[01:04:32] Isn't that something?
[01:04:34] The same thing that was said about Judas back in verse 5 is said about Peter here in verse 18.
[01:04:45] Peter stood with them.
[01:04:50] You say, Mark, that's kind of shocking when you connect those dots.
[01:04:53] It shouldn't shock us because that's always the way it happens with Christians who get away from the Lord.
[01:05:02] You neglect your quiet time.
[01:05:05] You follow afar off.
[01:05:07] You begin to be infrequent in your attendance to the house of God.
[01:05:12] You become unfaithful in your witness to the Lord and there's a coldness that begins to develop in your heart and you're beginning to look for something to satisfy.
[01:05:24] You're beginning to look for something that can bring purpose and meaning to your life, forgetting that you had it all in the Lord.
[01:05:40] You had it all.
[01:05:45] You had it all.
[01:05:49] And Peter walks right into the temptation.
[01:05:53] From verse 17, when the servant girl who kept the door said to him, You're not one of this man's disciples, are you?
[01:06:01] And he said, I am not.
[01:06:02] And then you drop down to verse 25.
[01:06:04] Now Simon Peter stood and warmed himself.
[01:06:07] Therefore they said to him, You are not also one of his disciples, are you?
[01:06:12] He denied it and said, I am not.
[01:06:17] and then when you look he's in a state of panic you can almost tell by this point of verse 25 and then in verse 26 one of malchus's kinfolks started eyeing him and look what he says in verse 26 one of the servants of the high priest a relative of him whose ear peter had cut off said did i not see you in the garden with him and peter then denied again and about that time
[01:06:48] On that third denial there was a sound that split the morning air.
[01:07:04] You know what that means?
[01:07:08] God uses some strange preachers.
[01:07:15] God uses some strange preachers.
[01:07:22] He used a rooster.
[01:07:27] He used a rooster.
[01:07:32] Luke writes that about that time, old Simon Peter looked at Jesus, and Jesus looked at him.
[01:07:43] Peter stumbles outside, leans up against the wall,
[01:07:49] In my own mind's eye, I can picture his big old shoulders.
[01:07:53] Peter was a big boy.
[01:07:56] His big old shoulders began to shake.
[01:08:00] His massive body begins to tremble.
[01:08:02] And he begins to sob with everything in him.
[01:08:10] Because he realizes he's just denied the very one who shortly
[01:08:19] will die on a cross for his sin.
[01:08:33] Friend, let's never deny the Lord Jesus.
[01:08:46] Let's never be ashamed
[01:08:52] of our lovely Lord.
[01:08:56] You see, if you and I are in this building today and we've been weak in our faith, we haven't been as close to the Lord as we should have been, I cannot think of a more important moment in 2026 than this first Sunday
[01:09:23] To commit yourself afresh and anew to live for Jesus and to always stand with Him.
[01:09:37] I can't think of a more important opportunity that you could have on this first Sunday of a brand new calendar year
[01:09:54] That's out in front of you.
[01:09:57] Then to be able to say to the Lord today, right here and right now, I am committed, afresh and anew.
[01:10:16] You see, the treachery of Judas had to be
[01:10:25] Gut-wrenching for the Lord Jesus.
[01:10:29] The treatment He took from the religious leaders who were supposed to know this stuff, were supposed to know that He was the Messiah.
[01:10:46] All hurt.
[01:10:50] But I can't imagine any more pain
[01:10:57] leading up to the cross that Jesus experienced than for Simon Peter to deny that he even knew who Jesus was.
[01:11:20] Can I ask you this morning, are you willing
[01:11:27] To commit your life afresh and anew to the Lord Jesus this very morning.
[01:11:37] Because that's my invitation.
[01:11:40] If you've never come to know Christ, and there are, there's no doubt in a crowd this size, there's some of you that are hearing me, some of you through live stream or delayed broadcast, you've never truly come to that moment of surrendering your life to Jesus Christ.
[01:11:58] Wouldn't you like to do it today?
[01:12:01] Wouldn't you like to walk away from this service knowing that your sins have been forgiven and that all of your guilt has been removed because of the precious blood of Jesus Christ?
[01:12:19] You say, preacher, I need that more than anything.
[01:12:23] You're right.
[01:12:25] So why don't you come to Him today?
[01:12:28] Would you bow your heads right where you are, please?
[01:12:32] Heads are bowed, eyes are closed.
[01:12:36] Right where you are, I'm asking you, on this first Sunday of a brand new year, what will you do with Jesus?
[01:12:54] When you stop and consider
[01:12:57] In these first parts of chapter 18, what's the Lord saying to you this morning?
[01:13:09] If you're here without Jesus, I invite you to ask Him right now.
[01:13:13] You come to Him by repenting of your sin, placing your faith in Him and Him alone, and surrendering to Him as Lord of your life.
[01:13:21] That's how you come to Him.
[01:13:24] Would you just ask Him?
[01:13:27] We come into your heart to forgive your sin and to truly, truly follow Christ this morning.
[01:13:40] This altar's open if you're here and God's speaking to your heart.
[01:13:44] And on this first Sunday, first Sunday, with a whole runway of weeks before you, I wonder if you would just get alone with God on this altar.
[01:13:58] Say, Lord, I need your touch and I'm placing myself here surrendered in a surrendered position for you to take me and use me in whatever way you choose for his honor and for his glory.
[01:14:19] Would you do it?
[01:14:21] God's leading you to join this church.
[01:14:23] We invite you to come by baptism.
[01:14:26] A letter, by statement, whatever way we receive members, as God is working in your heart today.
[01:14:34] Father, we do continue to worship you now.
[01:14:39] And we do that worship by responding.
[01:14:44] Right here in our seats, right here on this altar, right here at the front.
[01:14:52] Father, let us respond.
[01:14:55] to the prompting of your Holy Spirit in these very moments.
[01:15:00] For it's in Jesus' name I pray.
[01:15:03] Amen.
[01:15:05] Would you stand to your feet as Brother Grant comes to lead us?
[01:15:07] We invite you to come.
[01:15:09] This altar is open.

[01:15:31] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_00]:
and Reconciliation, Reconciliation and Reconciliation.
[01:15:58] God's grace, grace, God's grace, Grace that will pardon our sins
[01:16:32] Like the sea waves go, threaten the soul.
[01:17:21] Wakes that is greater than all our sin.
[01:17:45] Dark is the state that we cannot hide.
[01:17:46] What can avail to wash it away?

[01:17:47] [SPEAKER UNKNOWN]:
For there is no end.
[01:18:17] of Christ Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

[01:19:00] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_01]:
Grace, grace, God's grace, Grace that will pardon and cleanse within.
[01:19:17] Grace, grace, God's grace,

[01:19:24] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_00]:
of the Holy Spirit, Holy Spirit of the Holy Spirit, Holy Spirit of the Holy Spirit, Holy Spirit of the Holy
[01:20:00] of Sin, Grace, Grace, God's Grace, Grace that will pardon and cleanse within, Grace, Grace, God's Grace, Grace that
[01:20:34] Sin and despair like the sea waves flow, Threaten the soul within their loss, Praise that is greater yet greater,

[01:21:01] [SPEAKER UNKNOWN]:
of the Holy Cross.
[01:21:22] Grace, grace, God's grace, Grace that will pardon and cleanse within.
[01:21:24] Grace, grace, God's grace,

[01:21:37] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_03]:
Amen.
[01:21:39] You may be seated just one moment.
[01:21:42] I have some decisions that I want to share with you this morning and you as a church family will be able to rejoice with me.
[01:21:49] This is Snooki Dellinger who is standing here with me and I've known this woman for a long time.
[01:21:55] In fact, Snooki was just as faithful and just believer and supporter and encourager at First Baptist Church Charlotte.
[01:22:04] as any pastor could have ever had.
[01:22:06] And through the years when I was at First Baptist Charlotte, just knew Snooki and watched God work in and through her life and getting cards and notes from her frequently.
[01:22:17] And one of my favorite things is getting her card
[01:22:20] I'm always amazed by the tribe.
[01:22:29] She has 20 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren is on the way.
[01:22:35] And I told her, I said, Snooki,
[01:22:39] It's amazing just how God has walked with you.
[01:22:42] And she said, you know, she said, I can't go and get out as much as I used to.
[01:22:46] And she said, I've been watching Trinity week after week after week online.
[01:22:51] And I talked to Carol, she said, a number of times.
[01:22:54] And she said, I just decided I needed to do this today.
[01:22:57] And so her grandson came, brought her here today.
[01:23:01] And she is coming to unite with us by letter from the First Baptist Church of Charlotte.
[01:23:07] to be a part of what God's doing here at Trinity Baptist Church.
[01:23:10] And what's your pleasure in affirming Snooki Dellinger as she comes?
[01:23:15] Thank you.
[01:23:16] Oh, she may.
[01:23:16] Second, all in favor lift your hands.
[01:23:18] There's your friend, Snooki.
[01:23:20] God bless you, dear.
[01:23:21] You know that.
[01:23:23] You know that.
[01:23:28] All right.
[01:23:28] Char, come on over here.
[01:23:31] This is Char Barber who is standing with me today.
[01:23:34] Char has also been visiting our church and she just came today and she said, you know, this is where God wants me and I've made the decision that I want to unite with this church family.
[01:23:45] She's a believer, a follower of Christ.
[01:23:48] We talked about baptism.
[01:23:49] She's been baptized by immersion and she is coming by letter from Lake City Church here in Mooresville to be a part of what God is doing here
[01:23:58] at Trinity Baptist.
[01:24:00] And we are so grateful for her faith and her faithfulness and wanting to be a part of what the Lord's doing here.
[01:24:05] So what's your pleasure in affirming Char Barber as she comes this morning?
[01:24:09] Motion?
[01:24:10] Motion made.
[01:24:11] Second?
[01:24:11] All in favor, lift your hands.
[01:24:13] There's your friends, Char.
[01:24:15] We praise the Lord for you.
[01:24:16] We are so grateful that you're here.
[01:24:18] and that God has led you here and has ordered your footsteps to be a part of this and I'm I'm going to invite you and Snooki to join me back here at the door I know folks who want to speak to you on their way out and just let you all know how grateful we are to have you all as part of our church family brother Robert's going to come and close us here in a moment and um listen let me invite you to stand go ahead and stand right where you are
[01:24:41] Pray that you continue to have finishing up your holiday weekend.
[01:24:47] Life groups start back, I think, on the 18th of January are scheduled.
[01:24:52] Some may get going a week earlier, I don't know, but hope you continue just to celebrate this time of year with family, with friends, and the way God is working.
[01:25:02] and he's doing some great things here in the midst of our church and I'm very thankful for all that he's doing and I'll be praying for our school.
[01:25:10] 2026 is going to be a humongous year in the history and the life of Trinity Baptist Church.
[01:25:16] I believe that with all of my heart and as Trinity Christian Academy gears up
[01:25:20] That's going to be something major to watch and see what God does through the school that this church and this ministry is actually starting.
[01:25:29] So be praying for that.
[01:25:31] Lots to pray about in the weeks ahead.
[01:25:32] Pray for our country.
[01:25:34] Pray for our nation's leaders.
[01:25:35] I'll be heading back to Washington tomorrow and there'll be briefings on everything that's transpired over the weekend.
[01:25:41] So continue to pray for our president, pray for our Congress, pray for his cabinet, and all of those in our military.
[01:25:49] Listen, we are blessed in this nation to have men and women of courage and strength and determination.
[01:25:55] And we must never, ever, ever forget that.
[01:26:00] And some of our own church families serving around the world.
[01:26:04] And I was talking to folks earlier, and I know Denise's son was talking to Lee, his grandson, about where they are serving.
[01:26:12] So don't forget to pray for these that are standing in the gap.
[01:26:16] For our freedom and taking care of business and pray for this president who I continue to say says what he means and means what he says.
[01:26:26] You may not like everything but I'm telling you he is a man of action and I believe that God is at work right now in our country and we need to indeed continue to pray for what the Lord is doing in protecting us in these days.
[01:26:40] Brother Robert, you come and close us.
[01:26:42] Brother Grant's going to sing us out.

[01:26:45] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_04]:
Thank you Pastor Mark for another powerful message and just one more quick announcement an individual asked me if we're having normal Wednesday night services this week and the answer is yes we are we're getting back in that normal rhythm we look forward to seeing you there church our benediction today comes from the book of Hebrews starting in chapter 10 verse 19 this is the word of the Lord
[01:27:06] Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain that is through his flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart and full assurance of faith with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience,
[01:27:34] and our bodies wash with pure water let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering for he who promised is faithful and let us consider how to stir one another up to love into good works do not neglect to come together as is the habit of some but encourage one another and all the more as you see the day drawing near let's pray holy heavenly father
[01:28:03] God, we're so thankful for the way that you have opened up through your flesh on the cross.
[01:28:09] And Father, we're so thankful that you took our place, God.
[01:28:12] You were condemned.
[01:28:14] And you said, let these men go free.
[01:28:17] And Father, those words still ring in our hearts and our minds today with a great commission.
[01:28:21] We're commanded to go, not just in this little hill here in Mooresville in our local community, not just the Capitol Hill, Father.
[01:28:28] We want to go all the way to the Himalayas.
[01:28:30] Father, we want every crack, corner, and crevice of the world to be infiltrated with the gospel.
[01:28:34] So Father, we do lift up leaders near and far.
[01:28:38] Father, we lift up every individual on planet earth that they would hear your voice, Father, and bow their knee and follow.
[01:28:46] Thank you for Christ who makes this possible.
[01:28:48] It's in his name that we ask this prayer.
[01:28:50] Amen.

[01:29:25] [SPEAKER UNKNOWN]:
In the presence of the Lord.

[01:29:52] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_00]:
We lift our hearts in praise, without a doubt we'll know, and we have every heart, when we shall meet His face.