The Great Ones is our theme through November. Each month has a different sub-theme:
September = Commands
October = Chapters
November = Choices

In September we looked at four disciple-making COMMANDS Jesus gave to His followers and which continue for us at Grace Church today.
In October we looked at four key CHAPTERS of the Bible and explored their relevance to our life today.
During November our 3rd sub-theme is CHOICES
We are looking at four individuals in the Bible and learning from some of their poor and good choices.
Elijah "Stand Up"
Lot "Look Up"
Ruby "Get Up"
Pontius "Speak Up"

In this day and age we are provided constant opportunities to voice our opinions online. But as believers we are put in a position to influence those around us.The power of words can be used to build up or tear down.
Ecclesiastes 3:7
James 1:19

In today's message we see many who are quick to speak, slow to listen, and quick to become angry. We have the religious leaders, the angry crowd, and Pilate.
Who was Pontius Pilate?
He was the Roman governor of Judea from A.D. 26-36 serving under Emperor Tiberius. He is best known for his involvement in condemning Jesus to death on a cross.
Outside the four Gospels, Pilate is mentioned by many Jewish historians who describe him as a stubborn, inflexible, cruel, arrogant, and unnecessarily violent man - just to name a few.

Pilate lived in the Roman headquarters at Caesarea Maritima which was about 70 miles from Jerusalem. During the annual Passover festival he would visit Jerusalem to keep peace in the city while so many people from all over were there to visit.
Pilate is about to have one of those days where he probably wished he wouldn't have gotten out of bed that morning. The Jewish religious leaders bring him a man they believe should be put to death. Pilate is faced with a dilemma and a life changing decision. How he handles this situation can give us some insight when we are faced with our own issues.

Here's how it all happened:
1:00 am Jesus is arrested in the Garden
1:00-3:00 am Jesus is brought before Annas and Caiaphas
3:00-5:00 am Jesus is held prisoner, mocked, spit on, beaten, slapped, falsely accused
5:00 am the Sanhedrin (the Jewish ruling counsel) hold a mock trial and sentence Jesus to death. Problem is, they don't have that authority. They come up with a plan to have Jesus accused of treason against Caesar, so the Romans could put him to death. So they take him to Pilate.
6:00 am Jesus stands trial before Pilate, then sent to Herod
7:00 am Sent back to Pilate and was sentenced to death
8:00 am Led to Calvary
9:00 am Jesus is on the cross - an innocent man sentenced not to life in prison, but to death!

The decisions we make everyday are not unlike the selfish choice Pilate made. Maybe not as dramatic and life affecting, but we do make choices full of ulterior motives and compromise.

1. His DILEMMA
Matthew 27:11-19

His job was on the line, his past mistakes were limiting his future options, and he was apathetic.

2. His DECISION
Matthew 27:20-26
James 4:17

Pilate gave into political pressure. He let the crowd determine his decision, and following the crowd is never a good thing.

What is popular is not always right, and what is right is not always popular - Albert Einstein
Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter - Martin Luther King
Good judgement comes from experience and experience often comes from bad judgement - Will Rogers

Most of us can relate in some way to what Pilate was feeling. We may have a strong sense of what is the "best" or "right" thing to do in a situation, yet there are consequences and pressures that make it very hard to choose what we know to be right.
Pilate failed to recognize the truth even when the Truth was standing right in front of him.
We need to live in the truth, to Speak Up even if it costs us popularity or security.
John 8:32

Application and Discussion Questions:

1. How would you describe Pontius Pilate? What kind of man do you think he was?

2. Have you ever been in a dilemma? Did you seek God for a decision? How did that decision impact your life?

3. Leadership is non-negotiable. You are a leader in someone’s life. What can you learn from this story about your important role?

4. Speak Up! What does that look like in your life moving forward?

Birthdays and Anniversaries:

Monday, November 23 - Cathy Felder, Megan Walker, Denny & Kelly Shaver
Tuesday, November 24 - Liesl Stephens, Bryce MacDonald
Wednesday, November 25 - John A. Mater
Thursday, November 26 - Bernie Hickey, Angie Hogle, Warren Justice
Saturday, November 28 - Tom & Bev Oleson