Through the Lens of Pontius Pilate

Have you ever made a decision because of someone else? Wanted to do one thing but did something else because of others? As we continue our series Cross Examined, JP teaches us about people pleasing by examining the life of Pontius Pilate, a people pleasing politician.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

-People pleasing keeps relationships really shallow.

-Who knows you? Who really, really knows you?

-Keeping secrets until you die is satanic. It’s the opposite of what the Bible calls us to.

-You cannot be a servant of Christ and live to please people.

-If you make decisions based on what others think of you, you are a people pleaser.

-A people pleaser is powerless.

-Christians do not determine obedience by the outcome.

-The most powerful man in the area (Pilate) was simply a puppet in the hands of the people.

-A people pleaser is easily persuaded.

-The gospel is controversial. Living for Christ is controversial. If you aren’t anchored in this truth, you will be swept away.

-Do you make decisions based on what other people with think or what will honor God?

-Something can be true

-Something can be true: even if no one knows it. Something can be true: even if no one admits it. Something can be true: even if no one agrees what it is. Something can be true: even if no one follows it. Something can be true: even if no one but God grasps it fully.

-If you follow the crowd, you are going to get lost in it.

-You can’t desire to live like Jesus and be in fear of being crucified.

-A people pleaser will point fingers.

-When you try to make everyone happy you will have to find someone to blame.

-We have such a high view of justice when it comes to our own lives that we completely forget that the central reality and truth of our faith is that our God was blamed and crucified for something He didn’t do.

-We, all of us, are the ones to blame for Jesus being on the cross.

-Jesus has all power, is not persuaded by others, and never points fingers.

-Ten out of the eleven disciples died a brutal, martyrs death because they would not deny the crucifixion. What about you? Are you ready to live for Jesus and be His disciple no matter the cost?

-Not one time did Jesus ask the question, “What will they think of me?” Rather, every single moment He asked, “What is my Father’s will?”

MENTIONED OR RECOMMENDED RESOURCES

-Suggested Scripture Study: Galatians 1:10; John 19:4-12; Proverbs 21:1; John 19:13-16; John 18:37-38; Matthew 27:24-26; Revelation 19:11-16

-Resource: Doing the Right Thing by Chuck Colson