How to Prepare for When All Hell Breaks Loose, Part 2 | Matthew 26:47-75
Series: All!
Jesus has all authority,
So that all nations
Might pledge all allegiance to him.
Title: “How to prepare for when all hell breaks loose, part 2”
Scripture: Matthew 26:47-75
Bottom line: We prepare for when all hell breaks loose by watching and praying as we surrender to him.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
SERMON OUTLINE & NOTES
MAIN REFERENCES USED
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
Discussion questions for group and personal study. Reflect and Discuss:
1. Explain why Matthew 26-27 is so crucial to our understanding of God, the world, sin, salvation, etc.
2. What impact should the cross have on our reading of the previous chapters in Matthew's Gospel?
3. Discuss how the following attributes of God are displayed in the cross: sovereignty, righteousness, wrath, and love.
4. Explain what is meant by the idea that the cross is fundamentally for God's sake.
5. How does the cross expose our sin? What does it say about the seriousness of our sin?
6. How would you explain the terms substitution and propitiation to an unbeliever with little or no theological knowledge or vocabulary?
7. Why is it important to see Jesus as our substitute, propitiation, and reconciliation, and not just a loving example?
8. How does the truth of Christ's substitutionary death impact our daily pursuit of holiness?
9. Discuss several ways in which the cross fulfills Old Testament prophecies and expectations.
10. How does the cross rule out the possibility of a works-based righteousness?
Discovery Bible Study questions:
Retell the story in your own words.
Discovery the story
What does this story tell me about God?
What does this story tell me about people?
If this is really God’s word, what changes would I have to make in my life?
Who am I going to tell?
Final Questions (optional or in place of above)
What is God saying to you right now?
What are you going to do about it?
Find our sermons, podcasts, discussion questions and notes at https://www.gracetoday.net/podcast
Q. What do I want them to know?
A.
Q. Why do I want them to know it?
A.
Q. What do I want them to do about it?
A.
Q. Why do I want them to do it?
A.
Q. How can they begin to do this?
A.
Introduction
In his book King Solomon, Phil Ryken recounts a story by Robert Coleman:
It is the story of a little boy whose sister needed a blood transfusion. She was suffering from the same disease that the boy himself had survived two years earlier. The doctor explained that her only chance of recovery was to receive a blood transfusion from someone else who had conquered the same disease. Since the two children shared the same rare blood type, her brother was the ideal donor.
"Would you give your blood to Mary?" the doctor asked. Johnny hesitated at first, but with his lower lip trembling he finally said, "Sure, for my sister."
Soon the children were wheeled into the hospital room Mary, pale and thin; Johnny, robust and healthy. Neither one of them spoke, but when their eyes met, Johnny grinned. His smile faded as the nurse inserted the needle into his arm and he watched the blood flow through the tube. When the ordeal was almost over, Johnny's shaky voice broke the silence. "Doc-tor," he said, "when do I die?"
Only then did the doctor realize why Johnny had hesitated and why his lip had trembled when he agreed to donate his blood: he thought the doctor was asking for all of it! Yet out of love for his sister, he was willing to give it.
Now there is a subtle but significant difference between Johnny and Jesus. The boy was willing to die but didn't understand what was happening.
Jesus was willing to die but fully understood what was about to happen.?? He was about to drink damnation dry.
O’Donnell, pp. 800-801
SERMON OUTLINE & NOTES
Bottom line: We prepare for when all hell breaks lose by watching and praying as we surrender to him.
In the last two weeks, we’ve seen:
A. We’ve seen the prophecies of Jesus. (31-35) (We’ll see their fulfillment in 69-75)
B. We’ve seen the prayers of Jesus. (36-46)
C. Today, we’ll see the persecutions of Jesus. (47-68)
1. He is arrested (26:47-56)
a. Jesus and Judas (26:47-50a): Judas betrays him to the soldiers by a kiss.
b. Jesus and Peter (26:50b-54): Peter is rebuked for cutting off the ear of the high priest's servant.
c. Judas and the soldiers (26:55-56a): He reminds the arresting soldiers of his innocence.
2. He is accused (26:57-66)
a. The attempts (26:57-61)
(1) The frantic efforts to locate false witnesses against Jesus (26:57-59)
(2) The futile efforts to locate false witnesses against Jesus (26:60-61): No two people can agree in their testimony.
b. The affirmation (26:62-64): Jesus acknowledges to the high priest that he is indeed the Messiah.
c. The agreement (26:65-66): The Sanhedrin votes to put him to death for blasphemy!
3. He is assaulted (26:67-68): The Jewish leaders spit upon him and strike him.
Conclusion
Kent Hughes writes as he wraps up his thoughts on this:
“Conclusion
Gethsemane was not a tragedy, and neither are our Gethsemanes. This does not do away with the wounds of affliction in this life, but it is encouraging to see that behind human tragedy stands the benevolent and wise purpose of the Lord of human history. Life may be dark at times, tragedy may come, and at times the whole world may seem to be falling apart. The wheel may appear ready to crush us. But this is not the end. "And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose" (Romans 8:28), even in Gethsemane.”
He shares this poem:
Great Nights of the Bible, quoted in E. W. Wilcox, Poems of Power (New York: Abingdon-Cokesbury, 1953), p. 166.
All those who journey, soon or late,
Must pass within the garden's gate;
Must kneel alone in darkness there,
And battle with some fierce despair.
God pity those who cannot say,
"Not mine but thine." who only pray,
"Let this cup pass," and cannot see
The purpose in Gethsemane.
Pray
NOTES
OUTLINE BIBLE, MATTHEW 26
Jesus and disciples celebrate Passover in the upper room. Jesus predicts Judas's betrayal and Peter's denial, both of which come to pass. After supper Jesus prays in Gethsemane, then is arrested and taken before the high priest.
I. THE ACTION PRECEDING THE UPPER ROOM (26:1-16)
A. The prediction (26:1-2): Once again Jesus predicts his betrayal and crucifixion.
B. The plots (26:3-5, 14-16): On two occasions wicked plans are made to kill Jesus.
C. The preparation (26:6-13): Jesus is anointed by a woman at Bethany.
II. THE ACTION IN THE UPPER ROOM (26:17-30)
A. The instructions (26:17-19): Jesus directs two of his disciples to prepare a room in Jerusalem for the Passover.
B. The indictment (26:20-25)
C. The institution (26:26-30)
III. THE ACTION FOLLOWING THE UPPER ROOM (26:31-75)
A. The prophecy of Jesus (26:31-35, 56b, 69-75)
1. As foretold (26:31-35): Jesus makes a twofold prediction concerning the disciples.
a. All will desert him (26:31-32): He will meet them in Galilee after the Resurrection.
b. One will deny him (26:33-35): He says Peter will deny him three times before the rooster crows!
2. As fulfilled (26:56b, 69-75)
a. The desertion (26:56b): All the disciples flee.
b. The denial (26:69-75): Peter denies Jesus three times.
B. The prayers of Jesus (26:36-46)
1. The assistance he seeks (26:36-38): Jesus requests that Peter, James, and John keep watch with him.
2. The agony he suffers (26:39-46)
a. His first prayer (26:39-41)
(1) The struggle (26:39): Jesus begs his Father to remove the suffering he is about to endure but emphasizes that he desires the Father's will, not his own.
(2) The sleepers (26:40-41): Returning, he finds the three disciples asleep.
b. His second prayer (26:42-43)
(1) The struggle (26:42): Similar to the first prayer.
(2) The sleepers (26:43): Again he finds them asleep.
c. His third prayer (26:44-46)
(1) The struggle (26:44): Similar to the first two prayers.
(2) The sleepers (26:45-46): Upon awakening them, he warns of his imminent arrest.
C. The persecutions of Jesus (26:47-56a, 57-68)
1. He is arrested (26:47-56)
a. Jesus and Judas (26:47-50a): Judas betrays him to the soldiers by a kiss.
b. Jesus and Peter (26:50b-54): Peter is rebuked for cutting off the ear of the high priest's servant.
c. Judas and the soldiers (26:55-56a): He reminds the arrest ing soldiers of his innocence.
2. He is accused (26:57-66)
a. The attempts (26:57-61)
(1) The frantic efforts to locate false witnesses against Jesus (26:57-59)
(2) The futile efforts to locate false witnesses against Jesus (26:60-61): No two people can agree in their testimony.
b. The affirmation (26:62-64): Jesus acknowledges to the high priest that he is indeed the Messiah.
c. The agreement (26:65-66): The Sanhedrin votes to put him to death for blasphemy!
3. He is assaulted (26:67-68): The Jewish leaders spit upon him and strike him.
My personal notes
JESUS ARRESTED: Judas betrays with soldiers and a large crowd sent by chief priests and elders.
Betrayed with a kiss which was a signal to help soldiers ID Jesus in the dark, torch-lit night. Jesus, known for being able to just slip through the crowd and avoid arrest. But now his time has come and he does not resist. In fact, we’ll see him turn the other cheek and not resist at all.
Jesus is arrested. We see him call them out for doing in secret what they were afraid to do in public. Fulfills prophecy.
Tells Peter to holster his sword. He’s not defenseless. It’s just that this isn’t the way to save the world.
“Am I leading a rebellion” - yes, actually. “That you have come out with swords and clubs” - ah, no, not that kind of rebellion.
Jesus is not rebelling against Rome or the Sanhedrin per se. E.g. the current government systems to overpower them and replace them. Jesus is rebelling against the forces of darkness, sin and death. He’s rebelling against the status quo in culture that goes against his kingdom. But he doesn’t fight fair—he fights by his rules—kingdom of God rules. Upsidedown rules.
the last are first
Fight on our knees
Turn the other cheek
Don’t resist evil AND resist evil
Start small and see great transformation come out
Goal isn’t to take over—he already rules; goal is to lead, feed, and protect
What scriptures are being fulfilled?
V. 24 “The son of man will go just as it’s written about him.”
Ex. Isaiah 52:13-53:12; Ps 22
Peter follows Jesus to court of Sanhedrin
Sanhedrin is trying to convict Jesus to crucify him. Couldn’t convict until Jesus confessed.
Jesus finally breaks his silence and admits he’s Messiah, son of God. Then he doubles-down. This is what convicts him in their eyes. But, he’s actually telling the truth!
Peter disowns Jesus. Jesus’ prophecy is fulfilled the same night. Peter leaves devastated.
MAIN REFERENCES USED
“Preaching the Word” Commentary, Douglas Sean O’Donnell, Edited by Kent Hughes
“Matthew” by RC Sproul
“The Bible Knowledge Commentary” by Walvoord, Zuck (BKC)
“The Bible Exposition Commentary” by Warren Wiersbe (BEC)
“Exalting Jesus in Matthew” by David Platt (CCE)
Outline Bible, D Willmington
NIV Study Bible (NIVSB) https://www.biblica.com/resources/scholar-notes/niv-study-bible/
ESV Study Bible (ESVSB) https://www.esv.org
ChatGPT https://openai.com/blog/chatgpt