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April 26, 2026

Introduction to Colossians

Colossians 1:1-2

Today I am excited to begin our exposition of Paul’s letter to the Colossians. The last Pauline epistle that I preached through on Sunday mornings was Romans, which we completed almost nine years ago (July 2017). Since then, we have studied the Prophet Daniel, the Gospel of John, the book of Genesis, and the Gospel of Matthew. So, I am delighted to finally dig into another Pauline epistle. Colossians seemed like the right one for our church at this time.

Why study Colossians?

First, because of its theme. We have just finished learning about Jesus Christ, the Messiah-King from the Gospel of Matthew. We worshipped Jesus Christ the King as we saw His birth, life, teaching, miracles, and controversies, which by the plan of God led to His crucifixion and resurrection. What do we do with what we have learned? What importance does the life, death, resurrection, and exaltation of Christ have for us today? That’s what Paul gives us in his letter to the Colossians.

Colossians is an adventure in Christology. It is one of Paul’s shortest letters—just 95 verses spread across four chapters—but it really packs a punch. All of Paul’s letters to the churches are Christ-centered. But no other epistle has a more exalted theology of Christ than Colossians.^[1] Its great theme is the complete preeminence and sufficiency of Jesus Christ. Colossians presents a big, bold, beautiful picture of the Christian life with Christ at the absolute center.[2]

The whole book of Colossians focuses on the preeminence of Christ, but Paul pens one of the clearest and most compelling statements of Christ’s divinity and sufficiency in Colossians 1:15-20:

¹⁵ He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. ¹⁶ For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. ¹⁷ And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist. ¹⁸ And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence. ¹⁹ For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell, ²⁰ and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross. (Col. 1:15-20).

In Colossians 2, Paul teaches that in Christ “are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Col. 2:4); that “in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily” (Col. 2:9); and that believers “are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power” (Col. 2:10). Paul states that through Christ’s death and resurrection, He is the triumphant deliverer over sin and all the powers of evil (Col. 2:13-15). In Colossians 3, Paul says that, “Christ is all and in all” (Col. 3:11). So, the first reason to study Colossians is to exalt the person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ. He is its theme.

The second reason to study Colossians is its purpose. When you read this letter, it becomes clear that the reason Paul so clearly exalts Christ as preeminent and sufficient is that some kind of heresy that devalued Christ was threatening the church at Colosse. Paul does not state who promoted this heresy or exactly what they taught, so we have to piece together the elements of the false teaching by looking at various emphases in the letter, much like listening to one side of a phone conversation. Probably, like most false teaching, it was a blend of several errors.[3]

One part of it included Jewish legalism, emphasizing circumcision, dietary and ceremonial laws, and the observance of holy days (Col. 2:11, 14, 16, 18, 20-23). Paul counters this by showing that these religious practices “are a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ” (Col. 2:17).

Another element of the Colossian heresy was its emphasis on hidden wisdom and knowledge. Paul warns the Colossians not to let “anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.” (Col. 2:8). By mixing Greek philosophy, Jewish rituals, and Christian teachings, the false teachers were leading the church away from fullness in Christ.

The third major part of the heresy included some kind of mysticism. Paul warns, “Let no one cheat you of your reward, taking delight in false humility and worship of angels, intruding into those things which he has not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind,” (Col. 2:18). Apparently, the false teachers at Colosse were promoting visions, the worship of angels, and the attaining of secret wisdom through their mystical experiences.

The effect of this heresy was that it diminished the deity of Christ, the completeness of His atoning work, and the unity of His church, the body of Christ. The great need of the Colossian believers, then, was to “continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast”, and to be “not moved away from the hope of the Gospel” which had already been preached to them (Col. 1:23). In that sense, this letter has more of a preventative purpose than a remedial one.[4]

And here’s why Paul’s polemic against the Colossian heresy is important for us today: because the same essential doctrines of the person and work of Christ and His church are still under attack. We study Colossians to know how to combat false teaching. Paul shows us here that the test of sound doctrine can be summed up in three questions: Who is Jesus Christ? What did Christ accomplish? How is Christ worshiped and served in His church?

The third reason to study Colossians is its application. We can divide the book into two broad sections, the polemical (Colossians 1 & 2), where Paul argues against false teaching by exalting Christ alone as preeminent; and, the practical (Colossians 3 & 4), where he shows how Christ’s preeminence should affect us and our relationships.[5] In Colossians 3, Paul tells us what ought to occupy our thoughts (Col. 3:1-4); how to live our new life in Christ together in holiness (Col. 3:5-17); and how to please the Lord in our family and work relationships (Col. 3:18-4:1). In Colossians 4, Paul instructs us on our mission to those outside the church.

These are some good reasons for us prayerfully to study Colossians: because its marvelous theme is the preeminence and sufficiency of Jesus Christ; because its purpose is to oppose false teaching that threatens the vitality of the church; and because its application is immediately practical to our lives and relationships.

Now that we understand a little about the contents of Colossians as a whole, I want to turn our attention to an exposition of Paul’s initial greeting (Colossians 1:1-2) to help us understand the occasion and location for the letter.

First we see …

1. The Author and His Authority (Col. 1:1)

The letter begins, “Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother,” (Col. 1:1). Paul calls himself “an apostle of Jesus Christ.” The word “apostle” literally means “one who is sent,” especially one sent forth with orders or with an official message. During His earthly ministry, Jesus designated the original twelve disciples as apostles (Luke 6:13; Matt. 10:2) as He sent them out on their preaching mission (Matt. 10:5). The apostles were all eyewitnesses of Christ’s resurrection (Acts 1:22). They were appointed by Christ, given authority by Christ, and entrusted with the message of the gospel. The church is “built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone.” (Eph. 2:20). Paul’s message had authority—but not through an authority in and of himself. His was an authority that was derived from Another. Therefore, the authoritative message of this letter is one that we can trust without hesitation.

However, you may know that Paul was not one of the original twelve apostles. But Paul did not volunteer as an apostle or take the position on his own. He says he is an apostle “by the will of God.” He was called and commissioned by God himself. Many of you know that Paul was formerly a zealous Pharisee, “a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man” (1 Tim. 1:13). He did not consider himself even worthy to be called an apostle because he persecuted the church of God (1 Cor. 15:9). But by God’s grace, Paul saw the risen Lord Jesus on the Road to Damascus (Acts 9), and his life was transformed. Jesus specifically sent the apostle Paul to the Gentiles, “to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me.” (Act 26:18).

Paul spent the rest of his life as a bondservant of Christ, preaching the gospel everywhere he went and planting churches all over the Roman world of the first century. As Paul writes this letter, he is in prison, likely in Rome (Col. 4:18; Eph. 3:1; Phm. 1:1), awaiting trial before Caesar. He has received a report about the church at Colosse from a man named Epaphras (Col. 1:7-8) who had traveled to Rome to see Paul in prison, and who Paul called “a bondservant of Christ” (Col. 4:12) and “my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus” (Phm. 1:23). So, Paul sits down to compose this letter addressing both the good report Epaphras gave about the church and the heresy that threatened it.

By the way, Paul sent at least two other letters to the same region at this same time from prison: Ephesians and Philemon. He even names the men who carried the letters, Tychicus and Onesimus (Col. 4:7; Eph. 6:21; Col. 4:9; Phm. 1:10). This is why the letters of Ephesians and Colossians have so much in common—Paul wrote them about the same time to churches in the same area. They have a similar structure and some of the same practical instructions. I believe Paul intended for both churches to read and share his letters with other churches (Col. 4:16).

Paul then mentions that “Timothy our brother” is with him as he writes Colossians. Timothy is not really a co-author, but has been Paul’s right-hand man on many of his missions, and now in his imprisonment.

Next we see …

2. The Church and Its Identity (Col. 1:2)

Colossians 1:2 says, “To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ who are in Colosse: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” Paul calls these Colossian Christians “saints”. In using this term, Paul is describing the Colossian believers as “holy” or “consecrated”. They are holy because they have been set apart by the grace of God to believe in Christ and receive His salvation. He also calls them “faithful brethren”. The word “faithful” can mean either that they were “believing” (people who had faith), or that they were “trustworthy” (people who lived faithfully). Because of the way he goes on to describe them in Colossians 1:3-9, it seems that they were both. They were believing people who lived faithfully. These saints and faithful brethren are “in Christ … in Colosse.” Their identity in Christ is primary. Their location is secondary. They were united to Christ by faith.

By the way, Paul had not been to Colosse. He says, they “have not seen [his] face in the flesh” (Col. 2:1). As I said, Epaphras, not Paul preached the gospel to them and was instrumental in planting the church at Colosse. Likely, this church had been started about five years earlier when Paul spent three years ministering in the city of Ephesus. Luke records that during this period, “all who dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks” (Acts 19:10). Asia does not refer to the continent we think of today but to a region in what is now modern Turkey. The seven churches that Jesus addressed in the book of Revelation are all in this area as well as Colosse. It is about a hundred miles east of Ephesus and only about six miles from Laodicea (Col. 2:1) in the fertile Lycus valley. Epaphras probably heard the gospel and was discipled by Paul in Ephesus, then he took the gospel back to his home town of Colosse.

The fact that the Colossians are holy and faithful marks them out as believers. The fact that they are brothers and sisters means they are family. And most important of all, they are a church that is in Christ. In the same way, we are not primarily a church in the city of Grand Junction, CO. Rather, we are a church “in Christ in Grand Junction.” Christ is central, and our identity as saints and faithful brethren in Christ is the most important thing that can be said of us.

Then in Colossians 1:2, Paul extends his formal greeting, “Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” This is Paul’s typical greeting in most of his letters. It combined the Greek greeting of “grace” with the Hebrew greeting of “peace.” This made the greeting expressly Christian. Notice the grace and peace which Paul extends comes from “God our Father.” He is the source of all true grace and peace. Grace is God’s free gift of favor to undeserving sinners. Peace declares the end of enmity between the sinner and God—and along with it, one sinner toward another. Peace doesn’t come first. Grace comes first—and then peace comes as a result.

That’s the beginning of the letter. But before we stop today, I want you to notice what Paul writes at the end of this letter. Colossians 4:16 says, “Now when this epistle is read among you, see that it is read also in the church of the Laodiceans, and that you likewise read the epistle from Laodicea.” Paul instructed them to publicly read this letter together as a church because his epistles were the inspired word of God to the church. And we read the scripture together as a church today for the same reason.

So, I want to conclude today by reading together Paul’s letter to the Colossians. As I read, pay attention to the theme I have talked about: Christ’s preeminence and sufficiency in all things. Listen for clues to the problem of heresy that Paul had to address. And consider the practical instructions the Lord gives to us as a church.

As we read and study Colossians, our goal should be threefold: to see Christ for who He is; to oppose any teaching or philosophy that diminishes Christ; and to understand how our relationship to Christ affects every other aspect of our lives. Christ is all in all, and our lives should reflect this reality.

^[1] Richard R. Melick, Philippians, Colossians, Philemon, vol. 32, The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1991), 162.

[2] Ray Fowler, Dear Colossians, https://www.rayfowler.org/sermons/colossians/dear-colossians/.

[3] Steven Cole, Lesson 1: In Christ, In Flagstaff (Colossians 1:1-2), https://bible.org/seriespage/lesson-1-christ-flagstaff-colossians-11-2.

[4] Greg Allen, God’s Grace in a Greeting, https://bethanybible.net/index.php/2013/01/09/gods-grace-in-a-greeting-colossians-11-2/.

[5] Steven Cole, Lesson 1: In Christ, In Flagstaff (Colossians 1:1-2), https://bible.org/seriespage/lesson-1-christ-flagstaff-colossians-11-2.

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Richard Sipes / Sermons / Colossians / 0

April 19, 2026

The Great Commission – Matthew 28:16-20

The Great Commission

Matthew 28:16-20

Today marks the 165^th sermon in our exposition of the Gospel of Matthew. We began our journey through this marvelous Gospel on Mother’s Day 2022. And what a journey it has been! From the beginning, Matthew has set out to declare that Jesus of Nazareth is the Christ, the long promised and prophesied Messiah-King. Matthew is truly the gospel of the kingdom of heaven or kingdom of God.

In Matthew 1, we saw Jesus’ royal pedigree as “the Son of David, the Son of Abraham” (Matt. 1:1). He was born to be the King, descended from David, yet the very Son of God, Immanuel, through His virgin birth. In Matthew 2-4, we saw His royal preparation. In the Sermon on the Mount (Matt. 5-7), Jesus taught His royal precepts. In Matthew 8-12, we saw Jesus’ royal power and authority in His miracles and conflicts with the Jewish authorities. In Matthew 13, Jesus taught us the parables of the kingdom. In Matthew 14-20, we saw more miracles of Jesus, and confessed with Peter that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, who will build His church (Matt. 16). We saw Him transfigured in glory on the mountain (Matt. 17). And He continued His kingdom ministry, teaching and healing, even as He made His way to Jerusalem to be crucified.

In Matthew 21-25 we saw Jesus ride into Jerusalem while the people proclaimed Him King and Messiah. We saw Him cleanse the temple and teach the people during that last week, refuting all challenges to His authority. We saw as the Jewish authorities rejected as King, and plotted to kill Him. In Matthew 26-27 we saw Jesus arrested, tried, beaten, mocked, and crucified as the King of the Jews. Then, finally we witnessed the Lord Jesus Christ risen from the dead on the third day just as He promised (Matt. 28).

Now, in the last five verses of Matthew, we see King Jesus giving His final command to His kingdom citizens.

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Richard Sipes / Sermons / Great Commission, Jesus Christ, Matthew, Mission / 0

April 12, 2026

The Resurrection Conspiracy – Matthew 28:11-15

The Resurrection Conspiracy

Matthew 28:11-15

Last Sunday, we gathered here to celebrate the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ and to worship Him. And again today and every Sunday, we gather for the same reason, because nothing is more important to our faith than the fact that Jesus was raised on the third day as He said.

In Matthew 28:1-10, we saw the women go early on the first day of the week to the tomb where Jesus had been laid. At that moment, an angel, bright as lightning, appeared causing a great earthquake and rolling the stone from the entrance of the tomb. Witnessing all this, the guards at the tomb were terrified, becoming like dead men. But the angel calms the women, saying, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.” (Matt. 28:5-6).

The angel then commissioned the women to “go quickly and tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead,” telling them that Jesus would be “going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him.” (Matt. 28:7). As they made their way to tell the disciples, Jesus met them, saying, “Rejoice!” So, they came and held Him by the feet and worshiped Him. (Matt. 28:9). Jesus also told them to “Go and tell My brethren to go to Galilee, and there they will see Me,” (Matt. 28:10).

As I said last time, Christ’s resurrection gives us every reason to rejoice, to worship Him as Lord, and to tell others about Him. The death and resurrection of Jesus Christ changes, comforts, empowers, and motivates us.

Unfortunately, not everyone views the resurrection of Jesus in this way.

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Richard Sipes / Sermons / Matthew, Resurrection / 0

April 5, 2026

Rejoice! Christ Is Risen! – Matthew 28:1-10

Rejoice! Christ Is Risen!

Matthew 28:1-10

Happy Resurrection Sunday! Although we set aside this Sunday of the year to especially remember Christ’s resurrection, truly every Sunday as we gather for worship on the first day of the week, we do so because we are celebrating the fact that our Lord Jesus Christ rose from the dead.

If you have been with us in our verse-by-verse exposition of the Gospel of Matthew, you have seen that Jesus’ death on the cross is the climax of the Gospel narrative. From the very beginning and all the way through, Matthew has been pointing to the cross. Jesus resolutely and willingly went to the cross where He suffered and died. There, Jesus Christ gave His life a ransom for many. There, Jesus Christ was forsaken as He bore the wrath of God against the sins of mankind. There, Jesus was the Messiah-King who saves His people from their sins.

If the cross is the climax of the Gospel, the resurrection is the vindication, triumph, and final authentication of the Gospel. “The resurrection is God’s judicial declaration that the work of the cross is complete: sin has been condemned, its penalty has been paid, and death has no further claim.”[1]

A few years ago, a certain church marketing newsletter called the Churches’ Advertising Network promoted a campaign to help churches attract people during the Easter season. They suggested that churches remove the cross from prominence in their promotions and celebrations. A survey had revealed that the cross is one of those symbols that the new generation of church prospects considered too “churchy ” One pastor interviewed for the campaign gave his whole hearted endorsement, “We are going to attempt to concentrate on the resurrection, and not the death of Jesus.”[2]

Can you imagine Easter without the cross? Is it possible to have Christ’s resurrection without His crucifixion? No. It distorts the entire gospel if crucifixion is separated from resurrection. The road to the empty tomb will forever pass by a cross. The One who was raised from the dead is none other than the crucified Christ. Easter without a cross is a hoax.

Easter is GOOD NEWS because of the cross. Paul gives a summary of the gospel in 1 Corinthians 15:3-4, “For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures.” The death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ are the essential events of the gospel message. The death of Christ without the resurrection would have been powerless. The resurrection without Christ’s atoning death would have been pointless. The resurrection is the triumph of the cross.

The Apostles and the early church constantly preached the resurrection—for no one who denies the resurrection can truly be a Christian. In fact, the very first sermon of the church, on the day of Pentecost, was centered on the resurrection. Peter preached about Christ’s death and resurrection in Acts 2, saying,

“This man was handed over to you by God’s set purpose and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross. But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him.” (Acts 2:23-24).

John, the last of the living Apostles while exiled on Patmos saw the risen Lord Jesus who said to him, “I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death” (Rev.1:18).

Because Jesus Christ is risen from the dead, we have the greatest reason to rejoice. According to Matthew, that’s the first word our Lord spoke to the women who first met the risen Lord on that Sunday. Matthew 28:8 says that after the women heard the message of the resurrection the angel, “they went out quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to bring His disciples word.” But Matthew 28:9 says that as they were going, “behold, Jesus met them, saying, “Rejoice!” So they came and held Him by the feet and worshiped Him.” “Rejoice!” is the appropriate response from those who believe in Christ. The word itself in the original Greek language is a common greeting, but the root behind this greeting is joy. It’s the same word Paul uses in 1 Thessalonians 5:16 to command the church, “Rejoice always!”

The grieving women that Sunday morning had not intended to go to the tomb to see the resurrected Christ. They came to grieve at the tomb of their crucified Lord and complete the burial anointing that was done so hastily on Friday evening (Mark 16:1). desperately needed to hear “Rejoice!” And perhaps some of us desperately need to hear that today. Maybe you are grieving a great loss. Are the burdens of life pressing in on you? Are you running on empty? Are there real troubles looming down the road?

The message to you this Easter is the same as it was for the women “Rejoice!” Jesus says, “Rejoice!” to everyone of His broken, hurting, wounded, grieving, lonely, frustrated loved ones who are in this room this morning. His resurrection gives us real, substantial, enduring reasons for joy!

1. Rejoice at the Day of the Resurrection (Matt. 28:1).

Look at Matthew 28:1, “Now after the Sabbath, as the first day of the week began to dawn, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb.” The day of the resurrection would not have been an incidental thing to the Jewish person who read Matthew’s Gospel.

Remember that our Lord was crucified during the Passover feast. He is the lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world (John 1:29). “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace,” (Ephesians 1:7). He was buried on Friday at evening before the Sabbath began. Matthew emphasizes that the women came to see the tomb “after the Sabbath, as the first day of the week began to dawn.” The first day of the week after the Passover Sabbath was another important day on the Jewish calendar. In Leviticus 23, the Lord prescribed that the day after the Passover Sabbath would be the Feast of Firstfruits (Lev. 23:11). God instructed the Jews to bring an offering of new grain, the firstfruits of their harvest as a promise of the full harvest to come.

Why is this feast day of firstfruits significant? Because as Paul writes in his great resurrection chapter, 1 Corinthians 15,

²⁰ But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. ²¹ For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead. ²² For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive. ²³ But each one in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ’s at His coming. (1 Cor. 15:20-23).

Resurrection day is a great reason to rejoice, because on that day, Jesus was raised from the dead as the firstfruits of those who “have fallen asleep” in Him. That is how the Bible describes those who have died in Christ, because sleep is only temporary until you awake in the morning. And that morning will certainly come, because just as Jesus rose again on the third day, we who are in Him will also rise from the dead when Christ returns.

Jesus has conquered death. He has taken the sting out of it. This is a great reason to rejoice!

2. Rejoice at the Power of the Resurrection (Matthew 28:2-4)

Matthew tells us, “And behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat on it. His countenance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow. And the guards shook for fear of him, and became like dead men.” (Matt. 28:2-4).

When this little group of grieving women arrived at the tomb, nothing was as they expected it to be. They expected to find a tranquil cemetery. Instead, they experienced a great earthquake, much like the one that occurred at Jesus’ death. They found an angel of the Lord sitting on the stone which he had rolled back from the door of the tomb. His appearance was so petrifying, the Roman guards trembled in fear and passed out on the ground near the tomb.

Jesus’ resurrection from the dead was accompanied by these powerful events. The resurrection itself had already happened. Jesus was already alive. His body was no longer in the tomb. The angel did not roll away the stone to let Jesus out, he rolled away the stone so that the witnesses could look in.

The angel took care of the two major problems that the women might have had when they came Sunday morning to finish anointing Jesus’ body for burial. In Mark 16 the women had said among themselves, “Who will roll away the stone from the door of the tomb for us?” (Mark 16:3). They had seen Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus roll that huge stone over the entrance on Friday evening. The women knew they were not strong enough to remove the stone by themselves. But by the power of the Lord’s angel, the stone was already rolled away!

The other problem that might have kept them from the tomb was the Roman soldiers who were guarding it. They had strict orders not to let anyone move the stone and enter the tomb. But, when the angel showed up, this hardened Roman troops fainted and fell to the ground as if they were dead man. Later, in Matthew 28:11-15, some of the guards will go back and report what happened to the chief priests, who rather than going to verify the truth for themselves, will pay the guards to tell the lie that Jesus’ disciples stole the body—the very thing they were stationed there to prevent!

For many people, the resurrection of Christ is merely an ancient conspiracy theory. In the face of insurmountable evidence, they absolutely refuse to believe that truth of the gospel that Jesus died, was buried and rose from the grave.

The cowardly unbelief of the guards and chief priests reminds me of a BC comic strip from a number of years ago. Johnny Hart would often highlight Christian themes in his comics. In this particular Sunday comic strip, a caveman is on his knees praying and he says “It’s not easy to believe in you, God. We never see you. How come you never show yourself?”

In the next frame, he asks: “How do we know you exist?” Just then, a volcano blows up in the background, a daisy sprouts from the ground toppling a rock, a wave washes over him, and two meteors converge in the sky to form the image of a cross.

Finally, the drenched caveman stands up and says: “Okay, Okay…I give up!” And as he walks by a burning bush and an empty tomb, he mutters, “Every time I bring up this subject all we get is interruptions.”

Listen, the evidence for the resurrection of Christ is powerful and overwhelming. And in these powerful events we have another reason to rejoice. The resurrection demonstrates the power of God over the schemes of men. Nothing could keep Christ from rising, and nothing could keep the good news of His resurrection from spreading.

3. Rejoice at the Message of the Resurrection (Matt. 28:5-8).

In Matthew 28:5 the angel begins to speak to the women, “⁵ Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. ⁶ He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.

First, the angel aimed to calm their fears, saying “Do not be afraid.” The reason he gives for them to lay aside their fears is that the One they have come to see, Jesus who was crucified, is not in the tomb. He is risen. The angel reminds them of Jesus’ promise, “as He said.” The empty tomb confirms the word of Jesus. He can be trusted. We can believe in Him. Every word of Christ is true. The two great pillars of the gospel message are that Jesus died for our sins “according to Scriptures”, and that He rose again the third day “according to Scriptures” (1 Corinthians 15:3-5). Every word that God promised in the Scriptures concerning His Son’s ministry on earth has been fulfilled—“as He said.” When Jesus was betrayed, and arrested, and tried, and beaten, and eventually crucified, none of it was an accident. It was all a part of God’s redemptive plan for our salvation—which He announced in advanced, and then fulfilled!

Then, the angel points them to the evidence of the empty tomb, “Come, see the place where the Lord lay.” The women had seen Jesus placed into the tomb (Matt. 27:61) and so they knew where His body was set. But, alas, it wasn’t there! I suspect that they saw the same thing that Peter saw when he came running into the tomb. John records that Peter “… saw the linen cloths lying there, and the handkerchief that had been around His head, not lying with the linen cloths, but folded together in a place by itself,” (John 20:6-7). The significance of these wrappings demonstrate that nobody came to take the body away. If the disciples or some grave robbers stole His body, do you really think they would have left linen wrappings? No. In fact, it looked like Jesus made His bed when He got up.

Having assured that they women witnessed the empty tomb, he then commanded them, “And go quickly and tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead, and indeed He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him. Behold, I have told you.”

And here is our reason to rejoice. We have a glorious message to tell. Look at the imperatives that the angel commanded the women: “Do not be afraid! . . . Come! . . . See! . . . Go! . . . Tell!” Listen, we have great news to bring to a world of lost and fearful people. The Son of God has come, has died on the cross for us, and is alive! He can change the life of anyone who trusts Him! What a reason we have to “Rejoice!”

Psalm 30 is a great testimony of when Lord delivered David from the depths of despair. Psalm 30:11 says, “You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; You have put off my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness.” Certainly these women had the same testimony. Matthew 28:8 says, “So they went out quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to bring His disciples word.” Even though they were still in “fear” their fear was overshadowed by a sensation of “great joy” as the significance of what they had witnessed began to become clear in their minds. Their “joy” was so great they “ran to bring His disciples word.”

Only one thing could have turned their despair and fear into joy. They felt the earthquake, heard the angel, saw the empty tomb, and believed the good news. But what happens next is even better. And here is our final reason to rejoice:

4. Rejoice in Worshipping the Risen Christ (Matt. 28:9-10).

Now we come to the most amazing and wonderful event that these women experienced. As they ran to tell the disciples the good news, Jesus Himself met them! “And as they went to tell His disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, “Rejoice!” So they came and held Him by the feet and worshiped Him.” (Matt. 28:9).

Again, notice how Jesus greeted them; He said, “Rejoice.” Their response was instant and instinctive. It was a response of joy and worship. They fell on their knees and “held Him by the feet and worshipped Him.” Right there on the road, a worship service broke out. They had felt the earthquake, seen the angel, and examined the empty tomb, but seeing Jesus brought it all together. The confusion was gone. They saw Him die on the cross. They witnessed His burial. Now they saw their resurrected Lord with their own eyes! Tears of inexpressible joy fell on His nail-pierced feet! It was almost as if they were saying in their actions that now that they were with the resurrected Lord, they didn’t ever want to be separated from Him again.

I believe anyone who has been born again has experienced that same “joy.” Do you know the joy of meeting the living Lord? Do you remember how sweet it is to know that your sins are forgiven? Does your heart still ring with joy and worship?

O what a wonderful, wonderful day
Day I will never forget
After I’d wandered in darkness away
Jesus my Saviour I met
O what a tender, compassionate friend
He met the need of my heart
Shadows dispelling, with joy I am telling
He made all the darkness depart

Heaven came down and glory filled my soul (filled my soul)
When at the cross my Saviour made me whole (made me whole)
My sins were washed away
And my night was turned to day
Heaven came down and glory filled my soul[3]

Worship is the natural a response to meeting the risen Lord. Fall at His feet today in joyful worship. The worship of Jesus marks all genuine believers in Christ.

Finally, look at what Jesus said to the women, “Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell My brethren to go to Galilee, and there they will see Me.”” (Matt. 28:10). Jesus repeated the angel’s instruction to not be afraid but to go to the disciples and tell them to “go to Galilee” where He would meet with them.

Our response to the news that Christ is risen is the same today. We should be filled with joy that Jesus is alive; we should fall at His feet in worship; we should go forth and tell others the good news of Christ. The facts are the same now as then. Jesus is still alive. He is Lord. And He saves all who come repenting and believing in His death for our sins and resurrection. Is that your story?

The gospel is good news. And it is not too hard to believe. The question today is not CAN you believe in Jesus—YOU CAN. To believe that Jesus is the Son of God who died for your sins and was raised on the third day is makes more sense than anything else we could say about Him. It is the grace of God that makes saving faith available.

The real question then is not CAN you believe? But WILL you believe? Will you take the free gift of salvation? Will you repent and belief in Christ? Will you fall and worship at His feet? There is no greater joy!

[1] Danson Ottawa, The Resurrection as the Interpretive Center of Christianity, https://dansonottawa.substack.com/p/the-resurrection-as-the-interpretive.

[2] The Guardian, A sign from God, 26 July 1999, https://www.theguardian.com/media/1999/jul/26/mondaymediasection.religion?CMP=share_btn_url.

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Richard Sipes / Sermons / Jesus Christ, Joy, Matthew, Resurrection / 0

April 3, 2026

Christ’s Death and Burial – John 19:31-37

Christ’s Death and Burial

John 19:31-37

³¹ Therefore, because it was the Preparation Day, that the bodies should not remain on the cross on the Sabbath (for that Sabbath was a high day), the Jews asked Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away. ³² Then the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first and of the other who was crucified with Him. ³³ But when they came to Jesus and saw that He was already dead, they did not break His legs. ³⁴ But one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately blood and water came out. ³⁵ And he who has seen has testified, and his testimony is true; and he knows that he is telling the truth, so that you may believe. ³⁶ For these things were done that the Scripture should be fulfilled, “Not one of His bones shall be broken.” ³⁷ And again another Scripture says, “They shall look on Him whom they pierced.”

The point of this text (John 19:31-37) is very simple. It is that Jesus of Nazareth died as the lamb of God for the forgiveness of our sins. Our response must be to repent and believe in Him. Jesus really died. He breathed His last breath. His side was pierced through. All for us.

This fact is essential because Jesus’ death and burial are at the very heart of the gospel message by which we are saved.

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Richard Sipes / Good Friday, Sermons / Cross, Good Friday, Jesus Christ, Lord's Supper, Salvation / 0

March 29, 2026

This is the Day! – Psalm 118

This is the Day!

Psalm 118

“This is the day the LORD has made;
We will rejoice and be glad in it.” (Psalm 118:24).

I grew up singing the words to that verse. Maybe you did too. I understood it to apply to our rejoicing in every new day that God has made. While of course, Yahweh our sovereign God controls time and our very lives, and therefore each new day we awaken with breath in our lungs is a gift from God, “the day” in Psalm 118:24 conveys a much deeper meaning.

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Richard Sipes / Fifth Sunday, Sermons / Fifth Sunday Sing, Psalms / 0

March 22, 2026

The Significance of Jesus’ Burial – Matthew 27:55-66

The Significance of Jesus’ Burial

Matthew 27:55-66

Last Sunday we sang that profound African American spiritual, “Were You There?” Its haunting questions invite us to witness the crucifixion, burial, and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. One of my favorite renditions of that hymn is by Jubilant Sykes, who often sang at Grace Community Church in California. Sadly, his life was taken earlier this year, but he is literally now jubilant in the presence of the Lord in heaven. Jubilant Sykes always started this hymn singing in a soft, intimate whisper leading the church to lean-in emotionally and spiritually to reflect on Christ’s suffering and death. His powerful baritone voice made you feel the passion as he rumbled the refrain, “Tremble, tremble, tremble”. Were you there when they crucified my Lord? As the song progresses and the orchestra comes in, Jubilant’s voice rises to a thunder as he reaches the final verse, “Were you there when He rose up from the grave?” and instead of trembling, he shouts, “sometimes I feel like shouting Glory, GLORY! GLORY!”

Were you there? In two weeks, we will celebrate again the glory of Christ’s resurrection as we come to Matthew 28. But before we get there, we have one more place to stop, reflect, and ask, “Were you there when they laid Him in the tomb?”

Matthew 27 has taken us on the journey through the last hours of Christ’s life

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Richard Sipes / Sermons / Burial, Cross, Jesus Christ, Matthew, Providence / 0

New Covenant Baptist Church Grand Junction Colorado

March 8, 2026

The Power of the Cross – Matthew 27:45-54

The Power of the Cross

Matthew 27:45-54

Matthew 27 tells us the story of Calvary, the place of the cross. There Jesus was crucified, having already been betrayed by one of his own disciples, Judas Iscariot. Jesus had been arrested while at prayer in Gethsemane. He stood trial before Caiaphas, the high priest, and the Jewish supreme court called the Sanhedrin. Early in the morning they came to the decision to put Jesus to death (Matt. 27:1) and handed him over to Pilate, the Roman Governor (Matt. 27:2). Jesus then stood trial before Pilate (Matt. 27:11). Even though Pilate knew it was out of envy that they handed Jesus over to him (Matt. 27:18), he eventually gave in and sentenced Jesus to be executed by crucifixion (Matt. 27:26).

The gospel accounts divide the six hours of Jesus’ crucifixion into two parts. According to Mark.15:25, Jesus was nailed to the cross at the “third hour” or nine o’clock in the morning. He hung there until the “ninth hour” which would be three o’clock in the afternoon. Jesus was on the cross for six hours.

Last time, in Matthew 27:27-44, we began to look at the Jesus the King on the cross. We saw the suffering of Jesus’ crucifixion during the first three hours. Jesus had already been beaten, humiliated, mocked, and spit upon when they led Him out to be crucified (Matt. 27:27-31). Carrying His own cross until he no longer could, they him led to Golgotha or Calvary (which means the place of the skull). There they crucified Him, nailing His hands and feet to the cross and lifting it up as the people scoffed and ridiculed Him (Matt. 27:32-44).

Starting in Matthew 27:45 we see the second half of Jesus’ ordeal on the cross.

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Richard Sipes / Sermons / Cross, Matthew / 0

February 28, 2026

The King on the Cross – Matthew 27:27-44

The King on the Cross

Matthew 27:27-44

How many times have we sung the beautiful, yet haunting words that George Bennard penned more than a hundred years ago?

On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross,
The emblem of suff’ring and shame;
And I love that old cross where the dearest and best
For a world of lost sinners was slain.^[1]

As the hymn says, the cross is an emblem of suffering and shame—a strange thing to love so much that we sing about it and rejoice in it. The cross was the means of the one of the most brutal means of execution ever devised: crucifixion. Unlike modern methods of capital punishment that are designed to produce a quick, painless death, crucifixion was intended to guarantee that the condemned person would die a slow, agonizing death. Crucifixion was a common method of execution in the first century, used by the Romans on some 20,000 people in Judea and Galilee alone. Why do we remember the name of only one of those crucified men? Why do we lift our voices to sing about Him?

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Richard Sipes / Sermons / Cross, King, Matthew / 0

February 22, 2026

What Shall I Do with Jesus? Matthew 27:11-26

What Shall I Do with Jesus?

Matthew 27:11-26

All throughout his Gospel, Matthew has been proving to us the identity of Jesus of Nazareth—that He is the Christ, the promised King of the Jews, Who is the Son of God. He is the Lord Himself who has come to “save His people from their sins” (Matt. 1:21). Jesus said, “For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance,” (Matt. 9:13). He said, “…the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many,” (Matt. 20:28). At the last supper having told His disciples to drink from the cup of the Lord’s Supper, Jesus said, “For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.”

Matthew’s whole Gospel account has been leading to its climax at the cross where Jesus died for the forgiveness of our sins. And with His trial before Pilate as our text today, we have come to the very threshold of His crucifixion. The chief priests, scribes, and elders of the Sanhedrin have condemned Jesus to death for blasphemy, but they must take Him to the Roman governor, Pilate for execution. We read in Matthew 27:1-2,

¹ When morning came, all the chief priests and elders of the people plotted against Jesus to put Him to death. ² And when they had bound Him, they led Him away and delivered Him to Pontius Pilate the governor. (Matt. 27:1-2).

After recording the end of the betrayer, Judas Iscariot (Matt. 27:3-10), Matthew resumes Jesus’ trial before Pilate in Matthew 27:11. Pilate’s trial of Jesus consists of a series of six questions from the governor. He asked two questions of Jesus. To one question, Jesus gives an answer; to the other, He is silent. Pilate directs the rest of the questions toward the multitude that had gathered for the trial under the leadership of the chief priests. Two of the questions the multitude answers with “Barabbas!” The other two, they answer with “Crucify Him!” One question identifies the Person of Christ as well as His purpose. Other questions expose the sinful hearts of those calling for Jesus’ death, the cowardice and pragmatism of Pilate, and the guilt of those gathered for the trial.[1] And one question puts every reader of the Gospel on trial. It’s a question that we must answer for ourselves, “What then shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?” (Matt. 27:22).

Shall I accept Jesus Christ for who He claims to be? Shall I reject Him as a liar and a blasphemer? Shall I try to ignore Christ and His claims? Shall I see in Him my only hope for forgiveness and eternal life? Shall I pretend He is something He is not?

Through his gospel account, Matthew has brought us to this point of decision. Matthew has shown us the miraculous birth of Jesus, His marvelous teachings, His powerful miracles, His tender compassion, His absolute sinlessness, His perfect righteousness, and His astounding claims. Now, as we walk through Jesus’ trial before Pilate, we also must answer Pilate’s question, “What then shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?”

Jesus’ trial before the governor begins with …

1. Pilate’s Interrogation (Matt. 27:11-14)

Matthew 27:11 says, “Now Jesus stood before the governor. And the governor asked Him, saying, ‘Are You the King of the Jews?’”

The “You” in Pilate’s question is emphatic, perhaps even a little derisive. Pilate incredulously looks at this beat-up, bound prisoner before him and asks Him, “You are the king of the Jews?”

Why does Pilate ask this question? Although Matthew doesn’t record the charges that the chief priests brought against Jesus, it’s clear that they accused Jesus of claiming to be the king of the Jews. Remember, in Matthew 26, at the Jewish trial, they charged Jesus with blasphemy for claiming to be the Christ, the Son of God. But a religious charge of blasphemy would mean nothing to the Roman governor. So, they made it appear that Jesus was some kind of revolutionary king inciting the people to rebel against Rome’s oppression.

The gospel of Luke clarifies that they brought three charges against Jesus, saying, “We found this fellow perverting the nation, and forbidding to pay taxes to Caesar, saying that He Himself is Christ, a King,” (Luke 23:2). The first two are blatant lies about Jesus. The third is true, but Jesus is not the kind of revolutionary king they accuse Him of being. Pilate focuses on the third charge, and so he asks Jesus, “Are you the king of the Jews?”

Jesus responds with clarity and affirmation, “It is as you say.” It’s the same confession that Jesus made before Caiaphas (Matt. 26:64). If Jesus had denied being a king, chances are the trial would have ended right then. But Jesus made “the good confession before Pontius Pilate” (1 Tim. 6:13). This, in fact, becomes the charge against Jesus for which they crucify Him. Notice Matthew 27:37, “And they put up over His head the accusation written against Him: THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS.”

John’s gospel tells us that Jesus told Pilate how His kingdom was not of this world (John 18:36). Jesus told Pilate, “You say rightly that I am a king. For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.” (John 18:37). He told Pilate that he had no authority over Him unless it had been given to him “from above” (John 19:11).

Jesus’ claim to be Christ the King is either true or it isn’t. And that, in a very real sense, is exactly what Pilate had to come to terms with. Everyone else must come to terms with it. You and I must come to terms with it. The one thing you cannot do is to ignore the claims of Jesus. Everyone who encounters Jesus must decide what they will do with Jesus Christ.

The second question that Pilate asks of Jesus is in Matthew 27:13. He asks, “Do You not hear how many things they testify against You?” He asked this because “while He was being accused by the chief priests and elders, He answered nothing,” (Matt. 27:12). As governor, Pilate had sat in judgment over many trials. And he knew that whenever a man was being charged with capital crimes—even if he were guilty of them—he would plead his case and challenge the charges that were made against him. It takes a great deal of self-control to remain silent when being accused. Especially when such accusations are so obviously false.

It is obvious that Jesus was no ordinary Man. Jesus was fully capable of refuting every single one of these accusations. He could have demonstrated how each one of them were false. He could have demonstrated how it was that He was being slandered in such things! He could have turned the tables and caused the chief priests and elders to look like fools. But, to do so would have meant that He wouldn’t have gone to the cross. And so, Jesus stood silent.

“But,” Matthew tells us, although the chief priests and elders multiplied their accusations against Jesus, “He answered him not one word, so that the governor marveled greatly,” (Matt. 27:14). No one who truly sees Jesus’ calm resolve in the face of these evil accusations can help but marvel at Him. Jesus was innocent of all the charges, yet He refused to defend Himself. He was willing to stand condemned so that you and I could be set free.

Look at what happens next in this trial. We see,

2. The Crowd’s Choice (Matt. 27:15-23)

At this point, Pilate knew two things. First, he knew that Jesus was innocent. Pilate’s wife will call Jesus a “righteous Man” in Matthew 27:19. In Matthew 27:23, Pilate asked the crowd, “… what evil has He done?” Second, Pilate knew that the religious leaders were trying to pull a fast one on him. In Matthew 27:18 Pilate knew “that they had handed” Jesus “over because of envy.” In other words, it’s because the religious leaders hated Jesus that they wanted Him dead. And so, Pilate initiated His plan to free Jesus.

The Passover was kind of like “national amnesty day.” At the feast, Rome would extend an act of kindness and good will to the Jewish people in an effort to keep them happy. Matthew writes, “Now at the feast the governor was accustomed to releasing to the multitude one prisoner whom they wished.” (Matt. 27:15). Pilate saw this as an opportunity to get out of doing what the chief priests wanted him to do, while at the same time, shifting the blame for it to the Jewish people themselves. If he could get the crowd to insist that Jesus be freed, the Jewish leaders could not hold it against the governor.

So Pilate gives them a choice. Matthew says, “And at that time they had a notorious prisoner called Barabbas.” (Matt. 27:16). Now understand. It wasn’t Pilate’s intention to release Barabbas. He was, as far as the Roman government was concerned, a notoriously bad criminal! John tells us that he was a “robber” (John 18:40). Luke tells us that he was thrown into prison “for a certain rebellion made in the city, and for murder” (Luke 23:19). Mark tells us that he was chained with a group of fellow rebels because “they had committed murder in the rebellion” (Mark 15:7). Pilate was certain that they’d never pick Barabbas—a vile criminal who was clearly worthy of death.

So, Matthew tells us, “Therefore, when they had gathered together, Pilate said to them, ‘Whom do you want me to release to you? Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?’” (Matt. 27:17).

Pilate knew it was out of envy that the leaders had handed Jesus over to him (Matt. 27:18). Pilate may not have been a good judge at Jesus’ trial, but apparently, he was shrewd enough to know the prideful and malevolent character of the chief priests and elders. He knows Jesus is innocent. In fact, Matthew 27:19 underscores that fact. It says, “While he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent to him, saying, “Have nothing to do with that just Man, for I have suffered many things today in a dream because of Him.”” (Matt. 27:19).

Pilate’s wife had obviously heard about Jesus, and He was much on her mind. Apparently, she had a dream about Jesus that greatly disturbed her. Whether this was a natural dream or something that God gave to her, we’re not told. But when morning came, she was so affected by the dream that she was willing to interrupt her husband in the midst of his judgment in order to give him this warning.

Now Pilate has yet another reason to declare Jesus innocent. He himself is convinced of Jesus’ innocence. He knows the Jewish leaders have handed Jesus over to him out of envy. And now his wife has this dream also confirming Jesus’ innocence. So Pilate offers the choice of Barabbas or Jesus. The right choice should have been obvious.

So, what a shock it must have been when the crowd, nevertheless, chose Barabbas for release—and chose Jesus for death! Why did the crowd ask for the murderer instead of Jesus? Matthew tells us, “But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitudes that they should ask for Barabbas and destroy Jesus.” (Matt. 27:20). For the most part, the multitudes of the common people had sided with Jesus. They marveled at His teachings and were astonished at His miracles. But a crowd can easily be turned into a frenzied mob by just a few loud persuasive agitators. And this multitude in Jerusalem—some of whom might have shouted about Jesus, “Hosanna to the Son of David! ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD!’”—now they are shouting for His crucifixion!

Pilate couldn’t believe it. Matthew 27:21 records that Pilate asked the question again, perhaps with a note of incredulity, “Which of the two do you want me to release to you?” Outrageously, they confirm their choice, “They said, ‘Barabbas!’” (Matt. 27:21). In a quandary now, Pilate asks them (Matt. 27:22), “What then shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?” And do you notice that they didn’t say, “Whatever you think best, sir”? No! “They all said to him, ‘Let Him be crucified!’” (Matt. 27:22). Even when Pilate tries to reason with the crowd by asking “Why, what evil has He done?” (Matt. 27:23), it didn’t work. They continued shouting all the more, “Let Him be crucified!“—Let Him be crucified! Let Him be crucified!” This became their chant.

They didn’t ask that He be sent away into exile. They didn’t ask that He be kept in prison. They didn’t even ask that they be permitted to stone Him. They asked for the most gruesome and cruel form of execution that the Roman government would allow—reserved only for the most notorious criminals. They demanded crucifixion.

Pilate was getting nowhere. The mob mentality was taking over. And here is another lesson for us. Will you join the crowd in rushing to a flawed judgment against Christ? Or will you stop and consider who Jesus really is? Will you reject Him, or will you receive Him?

Finally, in the trial of Jesus we see,

3. The Guilty Verdict (Matt. 27:24-26)

But here’s the irony. Even though they insist Jesus be condemned and executed, in reality, they pronounce the guilty verdict and the death sentence upon themselves.

Matthew 27:24 says, “When Pilate saw that he could not prevail at all, but rather that a tumult was rising, he took water and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, ‘I am innocent of the blood of this just Person. You see to it.’” He didn’t wish to put Jesus to death; because Jesus was a Man with whom he could find no fault. And yet, he saw that the crowd was dangerously determined to see Jesus dead.

So, losing any courage to do what is right, Pilate resorted to a pathetic act of avoidance. He called for water, washed his hands before the multitude as a symbolic act of disassociating himself from the crucifixion, and said, “I am innocent of the blood of this just Person. You see to it” (Matt. 27:24).

Was his action effective? Not at all. No amount of water would ever wash away his association with Jesus. There is only one innocent person here, and it’s not Pilate. MacArthur comments, “All the courts of men, all the efforts of men and demons combined together cannot come up with one single legitimate accusation against Christ, and the record stands that He was killed because they hated Him and rejected Him. It was the evil of their own hearts, not anything Christ had done.”[2]

Later on, after Jesus was raised from the dead, the gathered Christians would pray to God and say, “For truly against Your holy Servant Jesus, whom You anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, were gathered together, to do whatever Your hand and Your purpose determined before to be done” (Acts 4:27-28). And throughout the following centuries, countless numbers of Christians have taken the Apostolic Creed as their confession of faith—which says, among other things, that Jesus “suffered under Pontius Pilate”. Pilate washes his hands in vain. The old hymn is still true, “What can wash away my sin? Nothing but the blood of Jesus!”

Jesus is not someone you can simple wash your hands of. Each of us must make a decision of what we will do with Him. We may try to wash our hands of Him now—but we will not be able to avoid Him on the day of judgment.

The crowd of Jews could not avoid it. Their response to Pilate is the most chilling and dreadful curses that anyone could utter: “His blood be on us and on our children,” (Matt. 27:25). Here is the truth of the gospel. Jesus died for sin—not His own, for He had none—for ours. The Bible says that we have all sinned, so we are all responsible for Jesus’ death. It was your sin and mine that put Jesus on the cross. What you do with Jesus determines whether you stay in your sins or whether you are forgiven. Either Jesus’ blood cleanses us from our sins when we believe in Him, or we condemn ourselves by His blood when we reject Him.

Matthew 27:26, says, “Then he released Barabbas to them; and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered Him to be crucified.” The guilty man goes free, and the innocent man is condemned to death. Once again, there is only one innocent person here. The Jewish leaders are guilty of false accusations and persuading the crowd against Jesus. Barabbas is guilty of multiple crimes. The crowd is guilty of choosing Barabbas over Jesus. Pilate is guilty of condemning an innocent man to death. Jesus is the only innocent one here, and Pilate hands him over to be crucified.

What will you do with Jesus who is called the Christ? Here’s what the Bible says you can’t do with Him. “You can’t ignore the claims about Him. You can’t help but marvel at Him. You can’t set another in His place. You can’t help thinking of Him. You can’t stay indifferent toward Him. You can’t wash your hands of Him. And when all is said and done, you can’t claim to be innocent before Him.”[3]

What can you do with Jesus? Here is what you must do—as Peter preached before the Sanhedrin— “Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord,” (Acts 3:19).

Repent of your disbelief, turn from your sin, and be converted. Be baptized in Jesus’ name as a public confession that you have placed your faith in Him—that’s the answer to that great question, “What then shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?”

[1] Phil Newton, The Son on Trial, http://archive.southwoodsbc.org/sermons/matthew_27.11-26.php, accessed 02/21/2026.

[2] John MacArthur, What Shall I Do with Jesus? Part 1, https://www.gty.org/sermons/2393/what-shall-i-do-with-jesus-part-1, accessed 02/21/2026.

[3] Greg Allen,What Shall I Do with Jesus? https://bethanybible.net/index.php/2009/06/28/what-shall-i-do-with-jesus/, accessed 02/21/2026.

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Introduction to Colossians

Colossians 1:1-2

Why study Colossians?

1. The Author and His Authority (Col. 1:1)

2. The Church and Its Identity (Col. 1:2)

The Great Commission

Matthew 28:16-20

The Resurrection Conspiracy

Matthew 28:11-15

Rejoice! Christ Is Risen!

Matthew 28:1-10

1. Rejoice at the Day of the Resurrection (Matt. 28:1).

2. Rejoice at the Power of the Resurrection (Matthew 28:2-4)

3. Rejoice at the Message of the Resurrection (Matt. 28:5-8).

4. Rejoice in Worshipping the Risen Christ (Matt. 28:9-10).

Christ’s Death and Burial

John 19:31-37

This is the Day!

Psalm 118

The Significance of Jesus’ Burial

Matthew 27:55-66

The Power of the Cross

Matthew 27:45-54

The King on the Cross

Matthew 27:27-44

What Shall I Do with Jesus?

Matthew 27:11-26

1. Pilate’s Interrogation (Matt. 27:11-14)

2. The Crowd’s Choice (Matt. 27:15-23)

3. The Guilty Verdict (Matt. 27:24-26)

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