The Death and Resurrection of Jesus: The Denial - SERMON NOTES

Intro: (1) series recap (2) “denial” → distancing ourselves from Christ (3) six principles

High Priest (12-13, 19-22)
1. Rejection of God’s history: (1) Jesus arrested, taken to Annas (2) former high priest, son
Caiaphas now in his place, still widely regarded as true high priest (4) represents culmination of Israel’s history in OT (5) denial avoided by remembering past (cf. lent, scripture, personal stories)
2. Rejection of God’s character: (1) illegal trial → rushing it (2) v.19 → question about disciples and teaching (cf. popularity) (3) v.20-21 → eyewitnesses required (4) v.22 → physical intimidation (5) denial avoided by true transformation (cf. NOT fandom, bible knowledge, external rules, etc.)

Peter (15-18, 25-27)
1. Casual denial: (1) v.15 → “another disciple” → eyewitness detail, legend of Zebedee’s house (2) v.16-17 → John gets Peter in, servant girl knows John is a disciple (3) despite non threat, Peter casually denies (4) denial can happen easily → don’t dismiss “small” sins (cf. CW’s dad)
2. Compromised denial: (1) v.18 → far more threatening folks (2) v.25 → same question, second denial (3) v.26 → now a real threat, combined with guilt (cf. v.10) (4) third denial, fulfillment of 13:36-28 (5) denial happens through over-confidence (cf. asbestos) or fear of others (cf. nemo)

Jesus (14, 19-24)
1. God’s plan: (1) v.14 → 11:47-50 (2) in plotting Jesus’ death, Caiaphas unwittingly “prophesies” about God’s plan in Christ (cf. Acts 2:23) (3) when things look dark, God’s plan still in place (cf. Ps. 139:11-12) (4) denial avoided by remembering Jesus our true High Priest (cf. Heb. 4:14-16)
2. God’s witness: (1) v.20-21 → still protecting disciples (2) defends teaching as being public → never been refuted (2) v.23 → maintains composure while being treated unjustly (cf. Rev. 1:5) (3) our denials point us to Jesus’ unflinching faithfulness in our place → reject enemy’s accusing

Conclusion: (1) Galileo’s telescope (2) where might you be in current danger of denial?