Journey To The Cross  

The Slide toward Compromise  

Matthew 27:1-2 & 11-26  

Character is determined by the courage of your convictions and the choices you make. 

 A Little Background:  

•  Pilate was the governor or procurator of Judea from A.D. 26-36  

•  He was not well-liked by the Jewish people  

•  He is mentioned in another incident in the NT  

“There were some present at that very time who told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices.” (Luke 13:1)  

•  There is a series of 3 “trials” that happen after Jesus is turned over to the Roman authorities (see Luke 23)  

Pilate’s Slide toward Compromise  

1. It began _______________ (1-2)  

Life offers us a series of “pop quizzes” that test our character  

It’s easier to act like a Christian than it is to ___________ like one  

2. It involved an _______________________ 

 “Then Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowds, 'I find no guilt in this man.’” (Luke 23:4, ESV)  “and said to them, “You brought me this man as one who was misleading the people. And after examining him  before you, behold, I did not find this man guilty of any of your charges against him. Neither did Herod, for he sent him back to us. Look, nothing deserving death has been done by him.” (Luke 23:14–15, ESV)  

“A third time he said to them, ‘Why, what evil has he done? I have found in him no guilt deserving death. I will therefore punish and release him.” (Luke 23:22, ESV)  

“So Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd, released for them Barabbas, and having scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified.” (Mark 15:15, ESV)  

Character battles are fought on the inside before they become apparent on the outside  

3. It could not be _______________ by passing  the buck (15-23)  

Pilate tried to pass the buck to:  

•  _______________ (Luke 23:6-12)  

•  _________________________ (15-23)  

Many a person has convictions for which he wants someone else to supply the courage  

•  Sometimes you must _______________  

•  Sometimes it is _______________ to stand alone  

4. It involved _______________ the good counsel  of others (19)  

God will often send people into our lives who can serve as a guiding light or a warning shot  

Example: King David 

 “And David sent and inquired about the woman. And one said, “Is not this Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite?” (2 Samuel 11:3, ESV)  

5. Small _______________ led to a bigger slide  

“Then Pilate took Jesus and flogged him. And the soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on his head and arrayed him in a purple robe. They came up to him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” and struck him with their hands. Pilate went out again and said to them, “See, I am bringing him out to you that you may know that I find no guilt in him.” So Jesus came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. Pilate said to them, “Behold the man!” (John 19:1–5, ESV)  

•  Are there any small compromises that I have been making that may lead to a bigger slide?  

•  What will you do with Jesus, who is called the Christ? (27:22)  

Ready to take your Next Step?  
•  Go by the Next Steps area today after the service  
•  Use your phone and the tap card on the seat back in front of you to go to the Next Steps tab  
•  Fill out a Connect Card and drop it in the offering box  
•  Go to FBCFM.COM and click “Next Steps.”