Sermons / 信息

LIVE: YouTube LIVE
Speaker: Pastor Raymond Seow
Scripture: John 18:28-19:16


Introduction
- It’s difficult to reject someone, and it’s hurting when we are rejected by others.
- We reject a person (or thing) or face rejection because of something not measured up to our standard.
- The perfect man, the Son of God, our Lord Jesus Christ was crucified because He was rejected by the Jews, their leaders and the Roman governor Pilate. 

1. The Problem of Expectation (The Jews)
- The Jews were waiting for a Messiah who would liberate them from Roman rule and restore the Davidic kingdom. They were expecting a political and military leader.
- Jesus' teachings and actions did not align with these expectations, leading many to reject him as the messiah.

2. The Problem of Tradition (Jewish leaders)
- The teachings and actions of Jesus were considered by the Jewish leaders as breaking certain Jewish traditions. Such as:

• Interpretation of the law
• Sabbath observation
• Association with sinners and outcasts
• Authority claims
• Temple practices

- The real reason was their envy (Matt. 27:18). Jesus had threatened their power and authority.

3. The Problem of Responsibility (Pilate)
- Pilate found Jesus not guilty. Three times he had declared he found no guilt on Jesus. He was responsible to release Jesus whom he had found innocent. Yet he surrendered Jesus to the crowd out of his own benefits.
- As the Roman governor, Pilate was pressured by the Jewish leaders who warned him that releasing Jesus, the king of the Jews, was an act of betrayal to King Caesar.   

4. Why do people reject Jesus today?
- The reasons are about the same.

• Expectation: Will Jesus solve my problems?
  • To believe in Jesus is to solve the biggest problems in life: Eternal life after death. It means to be reconciled with God, and enjoy abundant life now and God’s presence forever.
• Tradition: Jesus’ teachings are like hard sayings. They are contradictory to the tradition. Moreover, people may have traditions and religions which are not agreeable to Christianity.
  • Do not let traditions hinder the search for the true God.
• Responsibility: Your responsibility is to embrace the truth.

Conclusion
- Are you the king?

“Who delivered up Jesus to die? Not Judas, for money; not Pilate, for fear; not the Jews, for envy; – but the Father, for love!”
(Octavius Winslow)

- God the Father and Jesus Christ love you so much. Respond to their love, accept and believe in Jesus Christ.
- You are now a Christian. Are you the king? Submit to Jesus, He’s the Lord, He’s the King! Let Jesus reign in all areas of our lives!