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PONTIUS PILATE

PONTIUS PILATE. A STUDY IN CHARACTER DEFICIENCY. Giving others the right to make decisions. Pilate tried to avoid making the decision? Deferring to Herod (Lk.23:6-7) Using the custom of releasing a prisoner(Lk.23:17-24; Mk.15:15) Instructing the Jews to judge Him (Jn.18:29-32; 19:6)

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PONTIUS PILATE

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  1. PONTIUS PILATE A STUDY IN CHARACTER DEFICIENCY

  2. Giving others the right to make decisions • Pilate tried to avoid making the decision? • Deferring to Herod (Lk.23:6-7) • Using the custom of releasing a prisoner(Lk.23:17-24; Mk.15:15) • Instructing the Jews to judge Him (Jn.18:29-32; 19:6) • Ways we allow others to make decisions for us: 1)Being Silent 2) Lack of Involvement • Does our silence or lack of involvement effect our responsibility?

  3. “What then shall I do with Jesus…” (Mt.27:22) • What some have tried to do… • Like Pilate, pass the choice on to others (Mt.27:24) • Some will mock & ridicule (Acts 17:32) • Some are waiting for a “better time” (Acts 24:25) • What should we do with Jesus? • Accept Him & obey Him (Heb.5:9) • Walk in Him & be estab. in the faith (Col.2:6-7) • Put Him first in everything we do (Phil.3:7) A person who allows others to make decisions for them lacks good character.

  4. Seeking to please the peopleMk.15:15 • “So Pilate, wanting to gratify the crowd, released Barabbas…” (Mk.15:15) • In what ways did he please the people? • Gave in to their demands (Lk.23:23-24) • Feared making the Jews mad (Mt.27:24-25) • Feared punishment by Caesar (Jn.19:12-13) A person who compromises justice & truth lacks good character.

  5. Seeking to please the people • What typically causes us to do what pleases others? • Fear of what others might think-Jn.9:22; 12:42-43 • Fear of being politically incorrect or religiously intolerant –Gal.2:11-13 • Fear of losing acceptance among others –Jn.7:10-13 • When is it acceptable to do what pleases others? • Only when God’s word is not compromised(Rom.14:19)

  6. Refusing to take ResponsibilityMt.27:24 • Pilate had authority to make decisions (Jn.19:10) • 3 times he declared Jesus’ innocence(Lk23:4,14,22) • Wanted Herod to make a decision (Lk23:6-7) • He washed his hands to symbolize he was not a party to their decision (Mt.27:24) A person who fails to take responsibility or act responsibly lacks good character.

  7. Refusing to take Responsibility • Examples of difficult & unpleasant decisions common to Christians that we would sometimes like to wash away. • Putting away certain sinful practices we enjoy • Loving our enemies • Teaching the lost • Confronting another Christian who has sinned • ?????? • How are we effected when we refuse to take responsibility? • James 4:17

  8. No concern for the TruthJn.18:37-38 • “What is truth?” –Jn.18:38 • Pilate ignored truth for what was beneficial to him Or • He doubted the existence of real Truth • Regardless, his actions indicated no interest in learning the truth offered by Jesus (vs.38) A person who shows no interest in the Truth lacks good character.

  9. No Concern for the Truth • Value of being interested in the Truth • Prov.3:13-18 ; Mt.13:44-46 • How can we show interest for the Truth? • Appreciate the value of the Truth (Prov.23:23) • Know the Truth (Jn.8:32) • Obey the Truth (1Pet.1:22) • Love the Truth (2Thess.2:10)

  10. Motivated by Pride? • Pilate wanted to release Jesus, not necessarily because it was the right thing to do, but because he knew it would anger the Jews (Mk.15:9-10). • Apparently, he didn’t care about justice, Jesus, or the Jews; but only what was good for him. • The Danger of Pride • Prov.16:18; Mk.7:21-23; 1Jn.2:15-17 • Importance of Humility • Jam.4:6; Prov.18:12; Isa.57:15; Mic.6:8 A person who is motivated by pride lacks good character.

  11. The Importance of Character Character of the Wicked Character of the Righteous • Motivated by Pride • Unconcerned about Truth • Fails to take Responsibility • Seeks to please others • Follows Decisions of others • Demonstrates Humility • Desires to know the Truth • Takes Responsibility • Seeks to please God • Makes own Decisions How would your Character be described by God?

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