Rom 3:8 8 And why not say, "Let us do evil that good may come"?--as we are slanderously reported and as some affirm that we say. Their condemnation is just. Rumors, Accusations, & Reports Circulate Accusations Are Not Always True Usually – Based on A Twist of Something (cf. Rom. 5:20)

Jesus was constantly involved in controversy Many accusations were made against him Designed to discredit him with the populace

Accusations Against Jesus I. The Accusations II. Lessons We Learn

Accusations Against Jesus I. The Accusations II. Lessons We Learn

The Accusation: The Impression: The Basis: The Truth: 1 Blasphemy (Matt. 9:1-8; Mk 2:1-12; Lk. 5:17-26) The Accusation: He is a liar Making claims without evidence Has no respect for God The Impression: The Basis: Claimed to forgive sins The Truth: Could forgive sins Evidence: Miracle he worked

The Accusation: The Impression: The Basis: The Truth: 2 Eats with sinners (Matt. 9:11; Mk. 2:13-17; Lk. 5:27-ff) The Accusation: He approves of sinners He is just one of them The Impression: Sat at the table with “sinners” Spent time with the lowest class The Basis: The Truth: Spent time with those in sin to lead them to repentance (Mt. 9:13)

Sinners drew near to hear Jesus He saw value in one that was 3 Receives Sinners (Luke 15:2) The Accusation: He approves of sinners He is just one of them No better than they are The Impression: Sinners drew near to hear Jesus They were close by (v. 1) The Basis: The Truth: He saw value in one that was lost (sheep, coin, son)

The Accusation: The Impression: The Basis: The Truth: 4 Eating on Sabbath (Matt. 12:1-8; Mk. 2:23; Lk. 6:1-ff) The Accusation: Not obey the law of God No respect for the Sabbath Law The Impression: Disciple pluck grain & ate on Sabbath The Basis: The Truth: What disciples did was not a violation of law (Mt. 12:7)

The Accusation: The Impression: The Basis: The Truth: 5 Healing on Sabbath (Matt. 12:9-14; Mk. 3:1-6; Lk. 6:6-ff) The Accusation: Not obey the law of God No respect for the Sabbath Law The Impression: Healed a man with withered hand on the Sabbath The Basis: Not working on Sabbath Doing the same any Jew would have (Mt. 12:11-12) The Truth:

The Accusation: The Impression: The Basis: The Truth: 6 Cast out Demon by Beelzebub (Matt. 12:22-32; Mk. 3:20; Lk. 20:1-ff) The Accusation: Has no power of God Has power from Satan He is evil himself The Impression: The Basis: Cast out demons (Mt. 12:22) The Truth: Satan would not work against himself Thus, has to be power of God

The Accusation: The Impression: The Basis: The Truth: 7 Has a demon (John 7:20; 8:48) The Accusation: The Impression: He is evil himself Said they seek to kill him (7:19-20) He said they were of the devil (8:44) The Basis: Has no demons Miracles were evidence Jews - retaliating The Truth:

The Accusation: The Impression: The Basis: The Truth: 8 Is A Sinner (John 9:24) The Accusation: He is evil himself Not worthy of our attention Worthy of death The Impression: The Basis: Healed a man on Sabbath (v. 16) Miracle - not a sinner for God does not hear sinners (v. 31) The Truth:

The Accusation: The Impression: The Basis: The Truth: 9 Forbids Paying Taxes (Luke 23:1-2) The Accusation: No respect for government Trying to overthrow government The Impression: Little or none His claim to be a king The Basis: Believed in paying tax (Mt. 22:21) Claim to be king - Spiritual (John 18:36) The Truth:

The Accusation: The Impression: The Basis: The Truth: 10 Destroy the Temple & Rebuilt it (Mt. 26:60-61; Mk. 14:58) The Accusation: Crazy / Not respect temple Plans to tear down literal temple and build one back in 3 days The Impression: Said he would rebuild this temple in three days (John 2:19) The Basis: The Truth: Was not talking about literal temple Was talking about his body

The Accusation: The Impression: The Basis: The Truth: 11 Said John Would Not Die (John 21:20-23) The Accusation: The Impression: Would not let John die Discussion with Peter - about things none of his business Said: “If I will…” The Basis: The Truth: Never said John would not die Just gave an “if” illustration

Accusations Against Jesus I. The Accusations II. Lessons We Learn

Lessons About Accusations Cannot avoid all controversy / accusations Will be false accusation made (you, church, friends,…) What you say can be / may be twisted Animosity – Hatred is many times at the root Sometimes cause – not catching important words: “if” Don’t believe every accusation you hear Be careful how you repeat the accusations you hear

Accusations Against Jesus I. The Accusations II. Lessons We Learn