Jesus On Trial: Part II
Jeremy Skaggs March 30, 2025

Our sermon explores Mark 15.1-20, focusing on the betrayal of Jesus by religious leaders and the dangers of prioritizing personal agendas over God’s will.

We examine how even those in positions of spiritual authority can be led astray by fear, jealousy, and self-preservation.

This passage is a reminder of the importance of aligning our hearts with God’s truth and resisting the temptation to follow the crowd or satisfy our own desires at the expense of what is right.

Takeaways:

  • We must be vigilant against letting our personal ambitions cloud our judgment, ensuring that we prioritize God’s plans over our own.
  • As leaders and influencers, we have a responsibility to stand firm in doing what is right, even when faced with public pressure or the desire to be liked.
  • Regular self-examination and prayerful reflection are crucial to ensure our worship and actions truly reflect God’s agenda, not our own preferences or traditions.

As we move forward this week, I encourage each of you to take time for prayerful self-examination.

Ask God to reveal any areas where you might be inadvertently prioritizing your own will over His.

Remember, our goal is not to preserve traditions or satisfy crowds, but to honor and follow Christ in all we do.

May God’s wisdom guide us as we seek to align our hearts more closely with His will.

In His service,
Pastor Jeremy

Sermon Outline

I. The Christian’s Battle

A. Uphill nature of spreading the gospel
B. Physical and spiritual enemies
C. Betrayal from within

II. The Ultimate Betrayal in Mark 15.1-20

A. The church’s role in betraying Christ
B. Jewish leadership hierarchy

1. High Priest
2. Pharisees
3. Chief Priests
4. Elders
5. Scribes

C. The decision to deliver Jesus to Pilate

III. Manipulation of Authority and People

A. Religious leaders’ actions
B. Stirring up the crowd
C. Choosing Barabbas over Jesus

IV. Sacrificing God’s Mission for Personal Agendas

A. Prioritizing personal ideas over God’s plans
B. Biblical examples of misguided priorities

1. The Golden Calf incident
2. King Saul’s disobedience
3. The Pharisees’ criticism of Jesus
4. Peter’s denial of Jesus

V. Caution to Leaders and Those with Influence

A. Pilate’s failure to do the right thing
B. The danger of satisfying the crowd
C. Importance of standing firm in doing what is right

VI. Consequences of Wrong Choices

A. Mocking and abuse of Jesus
B. Physical manifestation of worshipping with the wrong agenda

VII. Self-Examination and Application

A. Questioning our motives and desires
B. Aligning hearts with God’s truth
C. Guarding against impulsively following the crowd

1. Prayerful self-examination
2. Self-reflection on emotions
3. Comparing emotions and actions with God’s Word
4. Seeking wise and calm counsel

Sermon Study Guide

Letting Go to Grow: The New Covenant

Open with Prayer:
Begin with a prayer asking for God’s guidance and wisdom as you discuss the sermon and its implications.

Our Passage:
Mark 15.1-20

Discussion Questions:

  1. The sermon mentions an “uphill battle” for Christians. What challenges do you face in living out your faith in today’s world?
  2. How can we recognize when we’re prioritizing our own ideas over God’s plans? Can you share an example from your own life?
  3. The sermon discusses various religious leaders who opposed Jesus. In what ways might modern church leadership face similar temptations or challenges?
  4. Reflect on Pilate’s decision. Have you ever been in a situation where you knew the right thing to do but felt pressure to do otherwise? How did you handle it?
  5. The sermon asks, “Is what I am advocating for what God wants or what I want?” How can we practically discern between these two in our daily lives?
  6. How might our emotions or desire to fit in with the crowd affect our spiritual decisions? Can you think of a time when you were swayed by group pressure in a church context?

Key Takeaways:

  1. Even within the church, there can be betrayal and misalignment with God’s will.
  2. Personal agendas, fear, and self-preservation can blind us to God’s truth.
  3. Leaders have a significant responsibility to discern and follow God’s will, not just popular opinion.
  4. We must constantly examine our motives and align our hearts with God’s truth.

Practical Applications:

  1. Daily Self-Examination: Spend a few minutes each day this week praying Psalm 139.23-24, asking God to reveal any areas where your will might be overriding His.
  2. Scripture Alignment: Choose a decision you’re currently facing. List the pros and cons, then search for relevant Bible verses to guide your choice.
  3. Seek Wise Counsel: Identify a mature believer in your life who can offer objective spiritual advice. Commit to speaking with them about an area where you’re unsure of God’s will.
  4. Emotional Check-in: Before reacting to a situation this week, pause and ask yourself, “Is this response aligned with God’s Word, or am I being swayed by emotions or group pressure?”
  5. >Leadership Reflection: If you’re in a position of influence (at work, church, or home), reflect on how you can better prioritize God’s will over personal or popular agendas.

Closing Prayer:
End the session by praying for discernment, courage to stand for truth, and a deepening desire to align with God’s will in all areas of life.