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.