1. John 19:1-22 The deadly danger of fearing man

2. Introduction: Pontius Pilate:  5 th or 6 th Roman Procurator (Governor) of Judea  His authority:  Financial  Civil  Military  Criminal (Judicial)  Ruled from 26-36 AD  Headquarters at Cesarea

3. Introduction: Pontius Pilate: Easton’s Bible dictionary:  Pleasure loving  Imperious  Corrupt  Hated the Jews  Freely shed their blood Luke 13:1 the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices.”

4. Introduction: Pontius Pilate: What Pilate knew about Jesus:  Jesus was drawing huge crowds John 12:19 “the whole world has gone after Him!”

5. Introduction: Pontius Pilate: What Pilate knew about Jesus:  Jesus was drawing huge crowds  Jesus was a respected religious teacher  There were reports of miraculous signs  Pilates wife had a dream: Matthew 27:19 While he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent to him, saying, "Have nothing to do with that just Man, for I have suffered many things today in a dream because of Him."

6. Introduction: Pontius Pilate: What Pilate knew about Jesus:  Jesus was drawing huge crowds  Jesus was a respected religious teacher  There were reports of miraculous signs  Pilate’s wife had a dream  Pilate had a personal interview with Jesus

7. John 19:10 Then Pilate said to Him, "Are You not speaking to me? Do You not know that I have power to crucify You, and power to release You?" Fear of man: Is bondage:

8. What did Pilate fear?  Soldiers  Jews  Priests and Pharisees  Other rulers  Caesar Matthew 10:28 And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. Fear of man: Is bondage:

9. Puritan William Gurnall: “We fear men so much because we fear God so little.” Fear of man: Is bondage:

10. Fear of man: Is bondage: Leads to moral compromise: Leaves you with bitterness

11. Luke 22:55-62 Now when they had kindled a fire in the midst of the courtyard and sat down together, Peter sat among them. And a certain servant girl, seeing him as he sat by the fire, looked intently at him and said, "This man was also with Him." But he denied Him, saying, "Woman, I do not know Him." And after a little while another saw him and said, "You also are of them." But Peter said, "Man, I am not!" Then after about an hour had passed, another confidently affirmed, saying, "Surely this fellow also was with Him, for he is a Galilean." But Peter said, "Man, I do not know what you are saying!" Immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed. And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how He had said to him, "Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times." So Peter went out and wept bitterly.

12. Fear of man: Is bondage: Leads to moral compromise: Leaves you with bitterness Belief or trust in God based on His Truth cancels fear. Psalm 56:11

13. Fear of man: Is bondage: Leads to moral compromise: Leaves you with bitterness Psalm 56:11 In God I have put my trust; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?

14. Application: 1) Develop a fear of God that is based on the Truth found in His Word. Memorize Matthew 10:28 Do a topical study on the sovereignty of God 2) Check your motives daily: Study Matthew 6:1-18 Ask yourself these questions Am I doing what’s right because God commands it? Am I seeking to please others rather than God?

15. Psalm 27:1 The Lord is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; Of whom shall I be afraid?