Lesson Notes John 18 Faith & Fear

February 9, 2014 Darryl J. Dawson, Sr.

Faith & Fear

Intro.: In the movie After Earth actor Will Smith says to his son Jaden Smith, Fear is not real. The only place that fear can exist is in our thoughts of the future. It is a product of our imagination, causing us to fear things that do not at present and may not ever exist. That is near insanity. Do not misunderstand me danger is very real but fear is a choice . In todays lesson Peter displays petrifying fear while Jesus who is on trial for His life, display a calm confident faith. Read: John 18:1-10 Jesus is arrested and tried. Faith and Fear cannot co-exist in the heart of a believer. You are either in one camp or the other. What determines which camp you are in is solely up to you. You either trust God and live by faith, or you trust self and live by fear. How did we get here? After having Passover with His disciples Jesus takes them to the Garden of Gethsemane to pray. While Jesus prays, Judas, for reasons that will be explored later in the lesson, has decided to betray Jesus into the hands of the Jewish leaders. Vs. 18:1-4 Jesus went to this place to pray often. Why did Jesus not hide, since He knew that Judas would betray Him? There seems to be a very important correlation between faith and courage Vs. 18:5-6 Jesus I am He announcement briefly reveals His majesty and glory The I am of this statement is the same words used by God to Moses at the burning bush. (Exodus 3:14) Jesus statement of deity was so powerful that it caused the soldiers to fall down to the ground. This was a small Roman army/cohort of soldiers about 200 in number. Compare to the story of the Ark of the Covenant and Dagon in 1st Samuel 5 Could this be Jesus way of letting them know that He was surrendering to them they were not taking Him against His will. Vs. 18:7-9 Jesus offers Himself and protects the disciples at the same time. This is preview of Jesus ultimate self-sacrifice. Vs. 18:10-11 Contrast Peters actions with those of Jesus Why did Peter do this? Was He aiming for the ear?

2014 Darryl J. Dawson, Sr.

 This arrest went against Peters will for Jesus. Remember Peter comments in to Jesus in Matthew 16:21-23 And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, Far be it from you, Lord! This shall never happen to you. Compare Peters actions to Jesus comments Shall I not drink the cup which my Father has given Me? Jesus comment reflects: o Submission to Gods will for His life no matter what! o Trust in Gods ways of doing things o Cooperation with Gods plan Vs. 18:12-14- Jesus is first tried before the former high-priest Annas. Annas was very powerful and his position of former high-priest made him very respected. Vs. 18:15-18 Peter denies that he is one of Jesus disciples. Why did Peter deny being a disciple of Jesus Contrast with Peters statement just a few hours ago in Matthew 26:33 But Peter said to Him, "Even though all may fall away because of You, I will never fall away." Matthew 26:35 Peter said to Him, "Even if I have to die with You, I will not deny You." All the disciples said the same thing too. Vs. 18:19-24- Jesus addresses the former high-priest Annas. This trial was being conducted without witnesses. Vs. 18:25-27- Peter denies Jesus twice more. And weeps bitterly See Matthew 26:69-75 Why is Peter weeping? o Can this only be because he denied knowing Jesus or is there more to his tears? Consider Peters life with Christ: (Dawsonology) o He walked on water with Christ, began to sink and had to be rescued by Jesus yet he did not cry. o He was rebuke by God the Father on the Mount of transfiguration and there is no indication that he cried. o Jesus rebuked him for his comments in Matthew 16:23, Get thee behind me Satan and yet Peter did not cry. o So why is peter crying now? Certainly Peter is distraught by the events that have taken place that night and he is obviously disappointed with himself for denying Christ However, it is possible that Peters tears also contain an element of fear concerning that fact that maybe he had gotten Jesus all wrong.
2014 Darryl J. Dawson, Sr.

 G.I. Joe example o In similar fashion we dress Jesus up to be who we want Him to be and when He does not conform we are disappointed. o If I have a fear of sickness then I make Jesus to be a healer of all disease for all His children. o If I want to be rich then I make Jesus to be a God who wants all of His children to be rich. o If I have a fear of bodily harm then I make Jesus to be a protector that does not allow anything bad to happen to His children. Peter seems to have never really understood Jesus mission before His death, burial, and resurrection. o Peter expected Jesus to be a deliverer from Roman rule o Peter expected to occupy a high cabinet position in Jesus administration. o Peter was all in which meant that Peter was very committed, although to a misconception of Jesus.

Who Is Jesus? Just as He has revealed Himself to be in scripture: Is He a healer? Yes, but He never promised to heal everyone. Is he a protector? Yes, but He never promised that bad things wont happen to His children. Is He a provider? Yes, but he never promised to make all his children rich.

Concluding thought: Peters world came tumbling down because he placed his faith in a misconception of Jesus. This so called faith was nothing more than a blind attempt to force his will on God. Faith of this nature cannot be sustained and will ultimately lead to frustration and fear.

2014 Darryl J. Dawson, Sr.

 2014 Darryl J. Dawson, Sr.

Author Bio
An energetic, talented, and Spirit-controlled teacher, Darryl J. Dawson, Sr. - a 2011 graduate of Luther Rice Seminary and former youth pastor - keeps it real. Honest, open and transparent, he makes it easy to open up and have a lively discussion by sharing his own struggles, shortcomings, and successes. Biblically-sound and true to God's Word, Darryl always positions us and challenges us to leave class and go apply God's principles to our lives. Darryl and his wife Shari have three sons, and make their home in Stockbridge, Georgia. They are members of First Baptist Atlanta. Darryl is active in youth sports, coaching championship teams in football, baseball, and basketball. You can listen to the audio that accompanies these notes at http://www.fbalifelines.org/lessons.html

2014 Darryl J. Dawson, Sr.