In our passage for today, we see both the chief priests and Pilate motivated by different forms of the fear of man.  As we see how this fear of man leads to sin, I want us to look inward at our own struggles in this area.  See how this, along with all our sin, has sent Jesus to the cross.  But rejoice in knowing that there is forgiveness in Christ because he went to the cross.

Passage: Mark 15:1-15
Author: Rev. W. Reid Hankins, M.Div.
Sermon originally preached during the Morning Service at Trinity Presbyterian Church (OPC) on 03/08/2009 in Novato, CA.

Manuscript: Wanting to Gratify the Crowds

 

 Wanting to Gratify the Crowd [33:52m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (22)

I made the point last week that these events happened at the same time: while Jesus was undergoing his trial, Peter was denying that he knew Jesus.  Jesus was being falsely accused, with false witnesses standing up and lying about Jesus, while Peter stood by and lied about knowing Jesus.  Peter could have been a truthful witness to Christ at the court case, instead he stood just outside, too scared to acknowledge that he even knew Jesus.  Peter didn’t witness for Peter, he denied him.  Today we will focus in on Peter’s story and his three-fold denial.  We’ll consider his confidence, fear, sadness, and joy.

Passage: Mark 14:66-72
Author: Rev. W. Reid Hankins, M.Div.
Sermon originally preached during the Morning Service at Trinity Presbyterian Church (OPC) on 03/01/2009 in Novato, CA.

Manuscript: He Began to Curse and Swear

 

 He Began to Curse and Swear [34:26m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (64)

In our passage for today we see an ecclesiastical court gone bad.  Listen in on this sermon as we see Jesus falsely condemned in a corrupt trial from start to finish.  Why did Jesus remain silent under all this false testimony and incorrect accusations?

Passage: Mark 14:53-65
Author: Rev. W. Reid Hankins, M.Div.
Sermon originally preached during the Morning Service at Trinity Presbyterian Church (OPC) on 02/22/2009 in Novato, CA.

Manuscript: Many Bore False Witness

 

 Many Bore False Witness [43:09m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (88)

The recent BART shooting in Oakland where then police officer Johannes Mehserle shot and killed Oscar Grant has caused quite a lot of uproar recently.  There have been a number of protests.  the concern is about injustice.  The concern is that an officer of the law unjustly killed someone.

You see, injustice sparks something inside us, doesn’t it?  Well in our passage for today we find quite an act of injustice.  The innocent Jesus is arrested and treated like a criminal.  And yet Jesus did not fight back.  Listen in to find out why.

Passage: Mark 14:43-52
Author: Rev. W. Reid Hankins, M.Div.
Sermon originally preached during the Morning Service at Trinity Presbyterian Church (OPC) on 02/15/2009 in Novato, CA.

Manuscript: As Against a Robber

 

 As Against a Robber [36:12m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (89)