"WHAT THEN SHALL I DO WITH JESUS?"

Matt. 27:22

By David J. Riggs



Intro.
   A. Pilate's dilemma. Matt. 27:11-26
      1. Pilate could have and should have answered his own
         question, "What shall I do with Jesus?"
      2. Instead of protecting an innocent man, he tried to evade his
         responsibility.
         a. He sent Jesus to Herod. Luke 23:6-7
         b. He stated three times that he found no cause of death in
            Him. Luke 23:22
         c. Pilate decided that Jesus was innocent, but he was not
            willing to stand behind his decision. He wanted the
            approval of men more than he wanted justice.
   B. His question to them must be applied to us also. "What shall I 
      do with Jesus who is called Christ?"
      1. It refers to Jesus Christ and no one else. "What shall I do
         with Jesus..."?
      2. It is a personal question between me and the Lord. "What
         shall I do with Jesus..."?
      3. It is a question that requires action. "What shall I do with
         Jesus..."?

I. It is an Inescapable Question We Cannot Dodge.
   A. There are several reasons no man can dodge this issue.
      1. Because Christ is the Creator. John 1:1-3
      2. Because Christ is sustianer of life. Col. 1:15-17 (Acts     
         17:28, stated of the Father, but true of Christ as well).
      3. Because Christ is the only Savior. Acts 4:12
      4. Because Christ will be the Judge. John 5:22-27; Acts 10:42
   B. Some people think they can evade the question by ignoring it.
      This cannot be done because:
      1. One is either for or against Him. Matt. 12:30
      2. One either loves or hates Him. Matt. 6:24
      3. One either receives or rejects Him (not receiving Him means
         rejection of Him). John 1:12; John 12:48
      4. One either crowns Him as Lord, or crucifies Him as a
         worthless imposter. Heb. 6:4-6; 10:26-29
      5. One either confess Him or is ashamed of Him. Luke 9:26

II. What Am I Doing With Jesus?
   A. There are serious questions which every one must weigh as he
      faces his decision about Christ.
      1. Am I ignoring His claims? 
         a. One who does not believe is condemned already. John
            3:18 When one does not believe, he adds to the sins he
            already has, the sin of unbelief.
         b. Unless one believes, he will die in his sins. John 8:24
      2. Am I holding to the world? 
         a. What will such conduct profit? Matt. 16:25-27
      3. Am I like Felix, waiting for a more convenient time? Acts
         24:25
         a. Do I think the "more convenient season" will ever
            come? James 4:13-17
      4. Am I ashamed to openly confess him at all times? Mark 8:38
      5. Do I view myself as a sinner? (As the publican, Luke 18:14)
      6. Do I consider myself as an "unprofitable servant"? (Luke
         17:10)
      7. Am I constantly striving for the eternal glory that is in
         Christ? Luke 13:24; 1 Cor. 9:24-27; Heb. 4:9-11
      8. Am I willing to deny self that I might have life through
         Christ? Luke 9:23

III. What Shall I Do With Jesus?
   A. Reject him for worldly honor, like Pilate? John 5:44; John     
      12:43; Gal. 1:10; Rom. 2:29
   B. Sell him for money, as did Judas? 1 Tim. 6:10
   C. Crucify him as did the mob, because they were servants of      
      Satan? Matt. 27:22-23; John 8:44
   D. Or, like the jailor, render prompt obedience? Acts 16:33-34.
      1. Like Paul, who counted all things as loss to win Christ?    
         Phil. 3:7-8

IV. On That Same Day Jesus Went To The Cross. How Does This Aid In   
   Our Reception Of Him?
   A. The greatest demonstration of the love and grace of God is the
      crucifixion of Jesus. Rom. 5:8
      1. At the cross man is seen at his worst, but God's grace at   
         its best.
      2. At the cross man's crime is seen, God's compassion.
      3. At the cross man's ruin is seen, but God's redemption.
   B. 1 Pet. 3:18 Man in his wisdom says that it is not right for the
      innocent to suffer for the guilty.
      1. The innocent should not be made to suffer for the guilty;   
         but in the death of Christ, evidently God made an exception 
         for us.
      2. We are grateful that the just did suffer for the unjust. In 
         the eyes of God, it is the only way our sins can be         
         forgiven. 
      3. It is a demonstration of God's love for us. 1 John 3:16; 4:9
   C. The cross of Jesus divides the world like it divided the       
      thieves.
      1. The saved side.
         a. On one side was the thief who said, "Lord, remember
            me when You come into Your kingdom." Luke 23:42
         b. The man on this side of the cross was saved and went to
            paradise.
      2. The condemned side.
         a. On the other side was the thief who railed on him, "If
            you are the Christ, save Yourself and us." Luke 23:39
         b. The man on this side of the cross was lost and went to
            torment.

V. What Shall I Do With Jesus? Why Should I Claim Him?
   A. He is the way to forgiveness. Col. 2:13
   B. He is the way to salvation. 2 Tim. 2:10
   C. He is the way to God. John 14:6
   D. He is the way to peace. Rom. 5:1
   E. He is the way out of hell. 1 Thess. 1:10 

Concl.
   A. Eternal salvation depends altogether on the way we answer the
      question, "What shall I do then with Jesus who is called       
      Christ?" 1 John 5:11-12
      1. What we do with Jesus now, settles what He will do with us
         later.
      2. At this present time, the question is, "What will I do with 
         the Jesus?" but one day it will be, "What will Jesus do with
         me?" Rev. 20:15
   B. Our greatest need in the church today is not finer buildings,  
      not softer pews, not more style and expertise in preaching, but
      a deeper spirituality in which people draw closer to the Savior
      who died for them.
      1. The desire of every one of us should be to have a closer    
         walk with Jesus who is called Christ.