Why Did Jesus Have to Die?

Luke 22:63-23:5

1. Political Ads: Wouldn’t you love to have this go on all winter?
1. Worldliness: Whatever makes what is godly and true look foolish and whatever makes what is foolish look godly and true.
2. Gospel-Centered living contra worldliness
2. Why did Jesus Have to Die?
1. Our Anger
1. What is the background of our anger?
2. Our righteous anger?
2. Our Religiosity
1. At our core we want a manageable deity.
2. Jesus is not manageable.
3. Our Politics
1. Politics: government of humanity by humanity
2. Who is the Christian candidate: none of them.
3. Jesus and his reign in our lives is the goal.
3. Why did Jesus have to die?
1. Take a look in the mirror.

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1 Peter 1:3-9

1. Where is your joy this morning? How are you doing?
1. Issues with finances, relationships, health, elections
1. Have these stolen your joy?
2. Our real questions: Where is God? Why did He let this happen? A philosophical reality.
1. We all know these questions from personal experience.
2. Where is your joy?
1. Is it inexpressible and glorious? Are you grumpy and complaining?
2. Trials: God’s purpose and our perspective (vss. 6-7).
3. Wrestling with God is good for us! The work of the great Artist.
3. Where is your joy
1. Are you actively rejoicing in what you have? (vss. 3-6).
2. The miracle of Christmas joy in children.
3. God is one that guards our inheritance. He should be guarding our joy. Who guards your joy?
4. We have a living hope!
4. Do you want to have real joy?
1. Enter in through the New Birth: what is it?

When repentance and leaning on grace comes, so does joy!

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Luke 22:49-62

1. What did you do? When did you do it? How did you deal with it?
1. Two related stories to guide us.
2. The Story of an Errant Boy and a Faithful Mother
1. Bright and handsome
2. Wayward as the day is long
1. Money, sex, and power drive him
3. Wants more, but does not know what it is
1. Tries various philosophies
4. Comes to hear about Jesus
5. Repents and believes
1. Repents of what? His pride and unbelief!
3. The Story of an Errant Believer and a Faithful Father
1. Mistake prone but gifted
1. Does not see the root of his mistakes
2. Just work harder
2. Trusts in his gifts, talents and efforts
1. Cannot love others well
2. Sees success in many things
3. The Faithful Father pursues him!
1. Point out unbelief
2. Leads to repentance and faith
4. Peter and his pride (The Denial of Christ in trials)
1. We are all in the same boat. All are erring brothers and sisters.
2. When was the last time you had a good cry over your sin?

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Luke 22:14-32

1. The key claim
1. Contra:
1. Economics
2. Culture
2. Luke 22:14-18
1. Jesus is making a radical new family
1. Passover - celebrated with ones family was the norm.
3. Luke 22:19-20
1. Jesus explains the real meaning of Passover
1. Exodus 12
2. Jesus’ body and blood
4. Luke 22:21-24
1. The world system is based on merit
2. The world system: I will help if it pays off
5. Luke 22:25-29
1. The New Kingdom rules are radically different.
1. All based upon the cross
2. “Be like the youngest”
6. Luke 22:31-32
1. The cross answers our greatest need
1. The World, the flesh
2. “When you have turned”

See the cross, repent and believe. Peter had to do it often!

Message by Elder Bud Cushman
1 John 4:7-21

1. Lots of love
1. Four kinds of love
1. Storge - στοργη
2. Philio - φιλεω
3. Eros - ερως
4. Agape - αγαπη
2. Unconditional, perfect, godly love
2. Love Expresssed
1. Life through the Son
2. Great paradox
3. We are called to love
3. Knowledge through the Holy Spirit
1. As maturity grows, so does our dependence
4. God is love
1. Have no fear
2. Delight of the father
3. No score is kept