Welcome to Central Church of Christ: Not a place, but a people called out by God to Show His Love, Tell His Story, and Be His Family. Today we begin a new message series from the Bible called, “Let’s Talk About It” exploring some of the common mental health struggles people, even Christians deal with, and how Christ through His Word can help. Please turn to the disciples story with the storms of life in John 19:7-11 as we prepare for today’s Let’s Talk About It Topic.
FEAR
The Jews answered him, “We have a law, and according to that law he ought to die because he has made himself the Son of God.” 8 When Pilate heard this statement, he was even more afraid. 9 He entered his headquarters again and said to Jesus, “Where are you from?” But Jesus gave him no answer. 10 So Pilate said to him, “You will not speak to me? Do you not know that I have authority to release you and authority to crucify you?” 11 Jesus answered him, “You would have no authority over me at all unless it had been given you from above. Therefore he who delivered me over to you has the greater sin.” – John 19:7-11
Pontius Pilate: According to Josephus’ Antiquities of the Jews (18.4.1–2), Pilate’s removal as governor occurred after Pilate slaughtered a group of armed Samaritans at a village called Tirathana near Mount Gerizim.The Samaritans, claiming not to have been armed, complained to Lucius Vitellius the Elder, the governor of Syria (term 35–39), who had Pilate recalled to Rome to be judged by Tiberius.
From <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pontius_Pilate#Removal_and_later_life>
The church historian Eusebius (Church History 2.7.1), writing in the early fourth century, claims that “tradition relates that” Pilate committed suicide after he was recalled to Rome due to the disgrace he was in.[98] Eusebius dates this to 39.
From <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pontius_Pilate#Removal_and_later_life>
42% of people 2019 survey – fear Death
Hebrews 2:14-15: Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, 15 and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery.
“I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand upon the earth.And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God;I myself will see him with my own eyes— I, and not another. How my heart yearns within me!” Job 19:25-27
In Hosea 13:14 God promised His people: “I will ransom them from the power of the grave; I will redeem them from death. O Death, I will be your plagues! O Grave, I will be your destruction! ….”
And the 23rd Psalm has these comforting words:
“Yea though I walk through the valley of the SHADOW OF DEATH, I will fear no evil, for Thou art with me.”
Article
The 19 yr. old was cited for reckless driving, 4th-degree assault and 3 counts of reckless endangerment after holding his breath in a tunnel.
(http://www.cbsnews.com/news/man-holding-breath-in-oregon-tunnel-causes-three-car-crash/)
In John 5:24 Jesus said: “I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life.”
And in John 6:40 He said“For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day.”
And, of course, one of the most famous quotes in Scripture is found in John 3:16
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
In Matthew 16:21 we’re told that “From (the time His disciples saw Jesus transfigured on the Mountain) Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.”
In fact, Jesus mentioned it so often, that the Jewish leaders went to Pilate and said: “Sir,” they said, “we remember that while he was still alive that deceiver said, ‘After three days I will rise again.’ So give the order for the tomb to be made secure until the third day. Otherwise, his disciples may come and steal the body and tell the people that he has been raised from the dead. This last deception will be worse than the first.”
Matthew 27:63-64
“…what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve.
After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep.
Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born.” I Corinthians 15:3-9
3 Converts
https://www.famous-trials.com/jesustrial/1051-evangeliststestimony
https://www.amazon.com/Observations-history-evidences-resurrection-observations/dp/1171026951
https://www.amazon.com/Who-Moved-Stone-Frank-Morison/dp/0310295610/ref=sr_1_1?crid=PZG2Z2XWH8LD
2 Thessalonians 3:3 – But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one.
“Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed—in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.”
“Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O grave, is your sting?”
The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” I Corinthians 15:51-57
