Series: All!
Jesus has all authority,
So that all nations
Might pledge all allegiance to him.
Title: “How to live with no regrets”
Scripture: Matthew 27:1-31; 26:69-75; John 21:15-19; 2 Cor 7:8-11; John 15:1-16
Bottom line: Don’t regret sin—Repent of it.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
SERMON OUTLINE & NOTES
MAIN REFERENCES USED
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
Discovery Bible Study process:
Retell the story in your own words.
Discovery the story
What does this story tell me about God?
What does this story tell me about people?
If this is really God’s word, what changes would I have to make in my life?
Who am I going to tell about this?
Final Questions (optional or in place of above)
What is God saying to you right now?
What are you going to do about it?
Find our sermons, podcasts, discussion questions and notes at https://www.gracetoday.net/podcast
Q. What do I want them to know?
A.
God’s mercy is available to all—but not automatic. (26:69-75; 27:1-10)
There’s a difference between godly and ungodly sorrow. (26:69-75; 27:1-10)
Jesus was innocent—yet he embraced the justice our sin deserved as our substitute in the shadows of the prophecies he fulfilled. (27:11-31)
Q. Why do I want them to know it?
A.
Because we all deny Jesus and need his forgiveness. Godly sorrow is key ingredient. (26:69-75; 27:1-10)
Because it’s our sin that put him there. We need to know what it cost for our freedom. (27:11-31)
Q. What do I want them to do about it?
A. Repent of your sins and turn fully to Jesus. (26:69-75; 27:1-10) (27:11-31)
Q. Why do I want them to do it?
A. Because it leads to no regrets. (26:69-75; 27:1-10) (27:11-31)
Q. How can they begin to do this?
A. By repenting right now for your sins—especially those he brings to mind right now—and resolving to reorder your life around not repeating them so that you can live with no regrets. (26:69-75; 27:1-10) (27:11-31)
Introduction
No regrets
There was a time when I yelled at Samantha. She was 3 at the time. I felt a lot of guilt. I apologized and she quickly forgave me and hugged me. No regrets. Imagine if I hadn’t apologized…
SERMON OUTLINE & NOTES
Bottom line: Don’t regret sin—repent of it.
Peter denies Christ (Matthew 26:69-75)
Judas betrays Christ (Matthew 27:1-10)
Peter (later) is restored to Christ by Christ (John 21:15-19)
Judas is not restored to Christ (Matthew 26:24)
Why not?
Godly remorse/sorrow vs worldly remorse/sorrow. (2 Corinthians 7:8-11)
How does this happen?
When we don’t abide in Christ, we die. (John 15:1-
Conclusion
Illustration?
Don’t regret sin—repent of it.
How?
Pray:
Confess = agree with God that what you’re being convicted of needs to be repented of.
Repent = goes beyond just agreeing with God to resolving to let God change you through a plan with accountability. #kairoscircle
Believe = Belief that God can and will forgive repentance in Jesus’ name
No regrets = Believing that God forgives and forgets (effectively); that he will not waste another minute with this sin; includes forgiving yourself
Pray
NOTES
My personal notes
JESUS ARRESTED: Judas betrays with soldiers and a large crowd sent by chief priests and elders.
Betrayed with a kiss which was a signal to help soldiers ID Jesus in the dark, torch-lit night. Jesus, known for being able to just slip through the crowd and avoid arrest. But now his time has come and he does not resist. In fact, we’ll see him turn the other cheek and not resist at all.
Jesus is arrested. We see him call them out for doing in secret what they were afraid to do in public. Fulfills prophecy.
Tells Peter to holster his sword. He’s not defenseless. It’s just that this isn’t the way to save the world.
“Am I leading a rebellion” - yes, actually. “That you have come out with swords and clubs” - ah, no, not that kind of rebellion.
Jesus is not rebelling against Rome or the Sanhedrin per se. E.g. the current government systems to overpower them and replace them. Jesus is rebelling against the forces of darkness, sin and death. He’s rebelling against the status quo in culture that goes against his kingdom. But he doesn’t fight fair—he fights by his rules—kingdom of God rules. Upsidedown rules.
the last are first
Fight on our knees
Turn the other cheek
Don’t resist evil AND resist evil
Start small and see great transformation come out
Goal isn’t to take over—he already rules; goal is to lead, feed, and protect
What scriptures are being fulfilled?
V. 24 “The son of man will go just as it’s written about him.”
Ex. Isaiah 52:13-53:12; Ps 22
Peter follows Jesus to court of Sanhedrin
Sanhedrin is trying to convict Jesus to crucify him. Couldn’t convict until Jesus confessed.
Jesus finally breaks his silence and admits he’s Messiah, son of God. Then he doubles-down. This is what convicts him in their eyes. But, he’s actually telling the truth!
Peter disowns Jesus. Jesus’ prophecy is fulfilled the same night. Peter leaves devastated.
Notes from Nicky Gumbel, Matthew 26:69-27:10
“Marvel at how your freedom was achieved
Jesus is the supreme liberator. Salvation history reaches its climax in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. We see here a glimpse of how much that cost Jesus: he is denied by one of his closest friends (26:69-75); he is betrayed by one of his disciples (27:1-10); he is handed over to the Roman authorities (v.2) and condemned (v.3a). Yet, Matthew sees that all this was to fulfil God's plan (V.9).
Jesus was taken captive in order that you might go free. He was bound (v.2) to set you free from the things that bind you. Jesus came to set you free from your sin, guilt, shame, addictions and fears.
Have you ever really messed up in your Christian life? Have you ever felt a failure and that you have badly let the Lord down? Have you ever 'wept bitterly' (26:75) as a result? I certainly have.
Two of Jesus' closest friends let him down badly. Sadly, we will all let Jesus down at points in our lives. These two examples help us learn how we should respond to such failures and disappointments.
There are many similarities between Judas and Peter. Both were disciples of Jesus. Both were told they would let him down (vv.24-25,34). Both fulfilled Old Testament prophecies through their actions (26:31; 27:9). Both deeply regret their actions (27:5; 26:75).
Yet there are also crucial differences between the two men. Peter responded to failure in the right way. Judas did not. As St Paul writes, 'Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death' (2 Corinthians 7:10).
Judas is an example of 'worldly sorrow. He went to the religious leaders and confessed his sin, but they just weighed him down with more guilt (Matthew 27.4). He was seized with remorse but sadly he was not able to throw himself on God's mercy and receive his forgiveness.
On the other hand, Peter is an example of 'godly sorrow.
Peter must have been so frightened to deny and disown Jesus three times. Perhaps, understandably, he feared being crucified with Jesus or perhaps he had doubts before this about whether Jesus really was who he claimed to be. But the cock crowing must have removed all his doubts. It left him feeling distraught: ‘He went outside and wept bitterly’ (26:75).
There is no more terrible feeling than the knowledge that we have let Jesus down. Thankfully, this is not the end of the story for Peter (see John 21). ‘Godly sorrow’ brought ‘repentance’, and his relationship with Jesus was restored. He was freed from his guilt and shame, and went on to become a great, holy, powerful and anointed leader of Jesus’ church.
You do not need to go around weighed down by guilt or shame about past sins and mistakes. Those whom Jesus sets free are free indeed (John 8:36). However much you have messed up and failed, it is never too late. Respond as Peter did and you can have a great future ahead of you in the service of Jesus.”
MAIN REFERENCES USED
“Preaching the Word” Commentary, Douglas Sean O’Donnell, Edited by Kent Hughes
“Matthew” by RC Sproul
“The Bible Knowledge Commentary” by Walvoord, Zuck (BKC)
“The Bible Exposition Commentary” by Warren Wiersbe (BEC)
“Exalting Jesus in Matthew” by David Platt (CCE)
Outline Bible, D Willmington
NIV Study Bible (NIVSB) https://www.biblica.com/resources/scholar-notes/niv-study-bible/
ESV Study Bible (ESVSB) https://www.esv.org
“The Bible in One Year 2023 with Nicky Gumbel” bible reading plan on YouVersion app
ChatGPT https://openai.com/blog/chatgpt
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