Today we begin a new series leading up to Easter about the Life of Christ.  I have titled this series “They had to do It,” the leaders of that day were much like many political figures today, if someone comes along that is saying the right things , doing the right things then we better stop him now.  The leaders of that day knew that Christ was going to be a force and they had to get rid of him so they decided that they where make him look back, but that didn’t work so they were left we only one option and that was death, but we will see in a few weeks that death could not keep a good man down.  Why were they scare of this man Jesus?  That’s what we are going to look into over the next several weeks.  Today we look at the first reason for their rejection of the Christ.

He made them make a decision.

  • His Works – Matthew 12:30
    Anyone who isn’t with me opposes me, and anyone who isn’t working with me is actually working against me.
  • His Wisdom – Luke 6:46-49
    46 “So why do you keep calling me ‘Lord, Lord!’ when you don’t do what I say? 47 I will show you what it’s like when someone comes to me, listens to my teaching, and then follows it. 48 It is like a person building a house who digs deep and lays the foundation on solid rock. When the flood waters rise and break against that house, it stands firm because it is well built. 49 But anyone who hears and doesn’t obey is like a person who builds a house without a foundation. When the floods sweep down against that house, it will collapse into a heap of ruins.”
  • His Wants – Matthew 6:24
    No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. . .
  • His Ways – Luke 9:23-27
    Then he said to the crowd, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross daily, and follow me. 24 If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it. 25 And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but are yourself lost or destroyed? 26 If anyone is ashamed of me and my message, the Son of Man will be ashamed of that person when he returns in his glory and in the glory of the Father and the holy angels. 27 I tell you the truth, some standing here right now will not die before they see the Kingdom of God.”

You can download the PowerPoint presentation: They Had To Do It