THE SINS THAT CRUCIFIED THE SAVIOR

By David J. Riggs

Intro.
   A. There are many forms of sin. Nearly all of them may be seen in
      the crucifixion of Jesus.
      1. In this lesson we will study those that are the most        
         obvious.
   B. The sins that crucified Jesus are still with us today.
      1. The Jews who crucified Jesus were indeed a sinful people.
         Matt. 23:32-36
         a. It is very hypocritical to condemn them when we have
            the same sins.

I. Ignorance.
   A. Luke 23:34 - "...They know not what they do."
      1. They did it in ignorance. Acts 3:17
      2. The rulers were ignorant of what they were doing. 1 Cor. 2:8
   B. The truth is rejected in ignorance today.
      1. If only we could instill in the hearts of people the        
         importance of having the truth. Eph. 5:17; Heb. 5:14; Rom.  
         12:2
   C. The church is persecuted in ignorance today.
      1. Those who persecute God's people have the wrath of God
         upon them to the uttermost. 1 Thess. 2:15-16
         a. The persecutors of today would have killed Jesus if they
            had lived at that time.

II. Hatred of Good.
   A. Jesus went about doing good. Acts 10:38
      1. Jesus' challenge - John 10:31-32.
      2. "Hated me without a cause." John 15:25
   B. Some love darkness because their deeds are evil. John 3:19-21
      1. Evil opposes good; those who love evil hate the good.
      2. Some hate you when you tell them the truth. Gal. 4:16
      3. Rebuke a wise man and he will appreciate it. Prov. 9:8;     
         10:8; 1:5
         a. We should appreciate anyone coming to us to point out
            our faults.
         b. When Jesus pointed out the faults of the Jewish rulers,
            what did they do to Him?

III. Prejudice.
   A. Prejudice is, "Preconceived judgment or opinion; unreasonable
      predilection or objection; esp. an opinion or learning adverse 
      to anything without just grounds or before sufficient          
      knowledge."
      (Webster).
   B. The Jews who crucified Jesus were religiously prejudiced. This 
      is the worst kind of prejudice.
      1. We have a right to be prejudiced in certain things; ex. in
         politics, farm affairs, sports, etc., but not in religion   
         because our souls are at stake.
   C. Religious prejudice is raging today. We must guard against it. 
      1 Tim. 5:21; Prov. 18:13
      1. We must examine every issue with an open mind. Each
         generation will have its own issues. 
      2. If we are blinded with prejudice, we would have killed Jesus
         if we had been there.

IV. Envy.
   A. Envy is, "...Discontent at the excellence or good fortune of
      another; resentful begrudging; to long after; covet." (Webster)
   B. Pilate knew that the Jews wanted Jesus destroyed because of
      envy. Matt. 27:18
   C. The sin of envy is prevalent in the church today.
      1. One is envious of another's talents and abilities. Ex. over
         who will teach certain Bible classes.
      2. -- Of one's popularity. There is much strife because of     
         this.
      3. -- Of the one with this world's goods.
         a. We need to establish our own standard of living. Each
            family is independent, just like each church.
         b. The envious only do harm to themselves and to their
            families. Prov. 15:27

V. Love of Money.
   A. Judas betrayed Jesus for money. Matt. 26:14-16
      1. The love of money is the root of all evil. 1 Tim. 6:9-11
   B. The Lord is being betrayed for money today.
      1. Many are too busy making money to be workers for the
         Lord.
      2. The gospel is perverted for money today. Many preachers
         want the big churches with the big salaries, and they are
         experts in knowing how to preach to make everyone happy.
         a. The end result is that souls are sold for money. 2 Pet.  
            2:3
   C. Preachers, instead, should be bold in condemning sin wherever  
      it is found. Isa. 58:1
      1. It is best to always preach the truth and let the chips fall
         where they may.
      2. When one stands in the pulpit, he has no friend but the     
         Lord.

VI. Lying.
   A. They sought false witnesses against Jesus. Matt. 26:59-62
      1. They gave money to the soldiers to lie. Matt. 28:11-15
      2. To hire, encourage, or endorse a liar, is to have the same
         guilt.
   B. The sin of lying is still prevalent today.
      1. Christians are to put it away. Eph. 4:25
      2. God hates a lying tongue and a false witness that speaks    
         lies. Prov. 6:16-19
   3. All liars shall have their part in the lake that burns with    
      fire and brimstone. Rev. 21:8

VII. Shirking Responsibility.
   A. Pilate knew Jesus was innocent. Matt. 27:20-24
      1. It was his responsibility as governor to protect the        
         innocent. Rom. 13:3-4
      2. Pilate shirked his responsibility and allowed Jesus to be
         crucified.
   B. This sin is still prevalent today.
      1. In the church - Elders sometimes turn their responsibility
         over to the preacher, the preacher turns his over to the
         members, and the members turn their's over to the elders and
         the preacher.
      2. In the family - Many men have turned their responsibility of
         the breadwinner over to their wives. Many parents have
         utterly shirked their responsibility in teaching their      
         children.

VIII. Mob Violence.
   A. Mob violence was also a sin involved in the crucifixion. Luke
      23:21-24
      1. It was often used against God's way. Acts 17:5-6; 19:29-32,
         38-41
   B. We have seen this evil arise more than once in our day. 
      1. Christians are to avoid violence because it is an evil that
         helped kill the Savior.
      2. We can never follow a multitude to do evil. Ex. 23:2

Concl.
   A. Avoid the sins that crucified the Savior.
      1. All of these contributed to the crucifixion of Christ:
         ignorance, hatred of good, prejudice, envy, love of money,
         lying, shirking responsibility, mob violence.
   B. These are very serious sins which are to be avoided. They      
      result in ugly fruits, as seen in what they did to our Lord.
   C. If any are subject to the Lord's invitation, obey and become a
      Christian and thereafter seek to keep your life free from sin.
      1. If, after you have obeyed, you have let sin overtake you,
         repent and pray that God will forgive and receive you again.