Stonebridge Bible Church Sermons

In John 19:1–15, Jesus stands before Pilate beaten, mocked, and crowned with thorns. Yet in the midst of His humiliation, we see His glory revealed. The innocent Son of God willingly bears the curse, shame, and suffering that sinners deserve, fulfilling the plan of God and preparing to become the blameless sacrifice in our place.

As Pilate wrestles with what to do with Jesus, the passage confronts us with the same question: What will we do with Jesus? Pilate knew Jesus was innocent, yet ultimately chose his position and reputation over Christ. The crowds rejected their true King, but Jesus continued toward the cross—the King who exchanged His crown of glory for a crown of thorns and bore our shame so that we might be clothed in His righteousness.

At the heart of it all is the love of God: He sent His Son into the world so that we might live through Him.

In John 18:28–40, Jesus stands before Pilate as the innocent King while the world around Him rejects the truth standing right in front of them. As Pilate wrestles with the question, “What is truth?” Jesus reveals that His kingdom is not of this world and that He came to testify to the truth. The truth is not merely something to understand—it is found in the person of Jesus Christ.

The passage culminates in a striking picture of the gospel as the crowd chooses Barabbas, a guilty man, to go free while the sinless Christ is condemned. Barabbas walks away because another man takes his place—a picture of what Christ would accomplish for sinners at the cross. The guilty are set free because the innocent Son of God willingly takes their place.

What does it mean to truly live as a child of God?

In Romans 8:14–17, Paul points us to the work of the Holy Spirit, who assures believers that they have been adopted into the family of God. Those who belong to Christ are no longer slaves living in fear, but sons and daughters who can confidently cry out, “Abba! Father!” We have been given a new relationship with God, a new identity, and the promise of an inheritance that is secure in Christ.

The Spirit’s work in our lives gives us assurance of our adoption as He leads us to put sin to death, frees us from the fear of condemnation, draws us into intimate fellowship with our Father, and gives us confidence in the glory that is still to come. Our hope is not wishful thinking, but a settled certainty rooted in the promises and character of God.

In this sermon, we’ll see how the Holy Spirit leads the children of God:
1. Into Holiness — the Character of Sonship
2. Into Freedom — the Confidence of Sonship
3. Into Intimacy — the Communion of Sonship
4. Into Hope — the Certainty of Sonship

Because of Christ, believers can know that they are loved, accepted, and secure in the family of God. We are His children, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, looking forward with certainty to the day when we will be glorified with Him.

In John 18:12–27, two scenes unfold side by side. While Jesus stands firm before His accusers, Peter—the disciple who boldly claimed he would never deny Him—stands nearby and denies three times that he even knows Him. The contrast is striking: Jesus remains faithful in the face of suffering while Peter crumbles under pressure.

Peter’s failure reminds us how quickly spiritual confidence, self-reliance, prayerlessness, and comfort can leave us vulnerable to temptation. If Peter could fall, so can we. But his story does not end with his denial. In the middle of Peter’s greatest failure, Jesus looks at him with mercy, goes to the cross to bear the punishment for his sin, and ultimately restores him to a life of purpose.

Peter’s story is a reminder that Jesus does not save and use people because they never fail. He saves sinners who desperately need His grace. Our weakness and failure do not place us beyond the mercy of Christ. The same Savior who forgives also restores, and He can use broken people for His glory and His purposes.

In John 18, the quiet of the garden is interrupted as Judas arrives with soldiers to arrest Jesus. But what unfolds is not the story of a helpless man overtaken by circumstances. Jesus knows exactly what is coming, steps forward willingly, and demonstrates that He remains completely in control. He is not coerced toward the cross—He willingly moves toward the very purpose for which He came.

Even in the moments leading to His arrest, we see the character of Christ on display. He protects His disciples, shows mercy to His enemies, and willingly accepts the cup the Father has given Him. Jesus stands in the place of sinners, bearing the wrath they deserve so that those who believe in Him can receive grace, life, and joy.

Key Points:
1. Judas' Betrayal
2. Jesus' Power
3. Jesus' Protection
4. Jesus' Mercy
5. Jesus' Mission