WILL YOU DENY JESUS CHRIST?

Peter answered a simple question with devastating words: “I am not.” That moment in John 18:17 is where we start, because it forces an uncomfortable kind of honesty. We are not talking about what we claim on paper, what title we hold in church, or how confident we sound in public. We are asking what happens when faith becomes costly, when belonging to Jesus draws heat, and when the easiest path is to blend in.

We walk through the crash of two close-to-Jesus stories: Judas, trusted enough to hold the money, who identifies Christ with a kiss in Luke 22:47-48; and Peter, the bold disciple who denies Jesus three times (Luke 22:57). Their choices are not ancient drama for us to judge from a distance. They are a warning about how fear, self-preservation, and greed can show up in a believer’s life, especially when pressure rises and courage feels expensive.

Then we bring the challenge into everyday life. What would tempt us to “deny” Christ in practice: stealing, falsifying numbers, lying to protect ourselves, or joining the crowd so we do not look like a nonconformist? Romans 8 asks what can separate us from the love of Christ, and we put that question next to real-world stress like persecution and professional compromise. Finally, we talk about the cost of following Jesus, counting the cost in Luke 14:28-30, and the reward Jesus promises in Matthew 19:29, including the hope of eternal life.

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Transcript

Will You Deny Jesus Christ?

Judas Betrays And Peter Denies

Are You Truly On The Lord’s Side?

What Price Would Change Your Loyalty?

Workplace Pressure And Crowd Approval

The High Cost Of Following Jesus

Count The Cost Then Choose Eternal Life

Prayer For Strength To Endure

SPEAKER_01 0:01

Praise the Lord. Hallelujah. We come to you with cavalry greetings and the living word of God. In the name of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. In Exodus chapter 32, verse 26. Exodus chapter 32, verse 26, Moses called out to the congregation, Whoever is on the Lord's side, come to me. Same question can be asked today, given the attitude of the multitude, professing to be children of God. From everlasting to everlasting, you remain God. Thank you for your sacrifice on the cross to redeem our souls. Father, we pray that through your words today, you will call us back into your food. We will not just return to you, Father, you will establish our faith permanently and for the rest of our lives. Till we see you in glory, Lord, we shall be yours and remains yours indeed. This we ask through our Lord and Savior, the same Jesus Christ, who died for the remission of sins. Amen. The topic of our message is will you deny Jesus Christ? Will you deny Jesus Christ? And our little text is taken from the book of John, chapter 18, we read verse 17. John 18, verse 17. Then the servant gate who kept the door said to Peter, You are not one of this man's disciples, are you? He said, I am not. Brethren, the events that preceded the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ came in many dimensions. One interesting fact that we cannot deny is that it was a litmus test that exposed the weakness of the disciples. Before examination days, in an academic environment, we know how students brag and on their mastery of their subjects. Oh, the grade A for that cause is sure banker. But when exam comes, then it's a different story. That from Judas, who was the treasurer of the disciples, he sold his master to his enemies. Luke chapter 22, verses 47 and 48. Luke chapter 22, verses 47 and 48 says, and while he was still speaking, behold, a multitude. And he who was called Judas, one of the twelve, went before them and drew near to kiss him. But Jesus said to him, Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss? Imagine kissing between a man and his boss is supposed to express the sentiments of love, affection, respect, greetings, friendship, peace, and good luck, and many others. Judas uses it to identify his leader and friend, the one who made him the keeper of the treasure of the entire globe. What a shame! And in the lead passage that we read, Peter, the first chosen of Christ in the inner chamber, denied him consistently thrice, as Christ Himself had predicted. In Luke chapter 22, verse 57. Luke 22, verse 57. But he denied him, saying, Woman, I do not know him. He was lucky that Jesus had prayed earlier for him. Even sworn enemies, Herod and Pilate, agreed in order to give legal framework to know Jesus Christ. In Luke chapter 23, verse 12. Luke 23, verse 12, the Bible says that that very day Pilate and Herod became friends with each other. For previously they had been at enemy with each other. Brethren, we can continue on the various roles, played individually and collectively in nailing Jesus Christ on the cross. That's why when Jesus Christ saw all that was happening to him on the cross, he pleaded on behalf of mankind to God for forgiveness. In Luke chapter 23, verse 34. Luke 23, verse 34. Then Jesus said, Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do. And they divided his garments and cast lots. I also pray that wherever we are all sinned, definitely the burden will be too much for us to bear. God should forgive us in the mighty name of Jesus Christ. Amen. Brethren, I solemnly ask you the question: Are you for our Lord Jesus Christ? I'm not asking for your Christian confession, no. Your position in the church, your Christian name, or your date of answering author call. Or we are your worship. You can even be an eloquent preacher. Those answers would rather be straightforward. What I'm asking, in essence, is will you ever deny Jesus Christ in your life? Judas was a disciple and probably the most trusted, that he was made a treasurer. He still served the most terrible role any man ever served for money. Now, for how much will you accept to do evil like stealing, falsifying figures, telling lies against the innocent? Just how much will you desire to be ready to forget your discipleship? A man said jokingly once that once the offer climbs to above 10 million naira, he will let go his wife for a night. How much can swing your own mind? Peter was the closest disciple to Jesus Christ. When difficult moments came, thrice, he denied ever knowing Jesus Christ. Imagine the difficulty that could come, and Jesus Christ will become unknown to you. In Romans chapter 8, verse 35. Romans 8 verse 35. The Bible says, Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation or distress or persecution or famine or nakedness or peril or sword? Please ask yourself the question too. Persecution made Peter to deny Jesus Christ. Lastly, for our study today, Pontus Pilate was an erudite judge, but he pervaded the course of justice just to please the crowd. He was even playing the riddle of who to release with the crowd on clemency. Christ or Barnabas a criminal. Well, in your profession, do you serve as though unto God, or you have joined others so that they won't label you a non-conformist? Yes, you have joined them to be sharing the loot that is putting your country or nation in trouble. Brethren, following Jesus Christ is not a tear party affair, no. In Matthew chapter 19, verse 21. Matthew 19, verse 21, the Bible says Jesus said to him, If you want to be perfect, go sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven, and come follow me. That was a tall order. Can you meet up with these conditions? Jesus Christ in the book of Luke, chapter 14, verse 26. Luke 14, verse 26 says, If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also. He cannot be my disciple. Brethren, are you still ready to follow Jesus Christ and stay with him? Come what may Apostle Paul affirmed in the book of Romans, chapter 8. Romans 8, verses 38 and 39. He says, For I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, no powers, not things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Jesus Christ our Lord. This is the confession of a candidate of heaven. Can you also affirm so? It will be in your interest to examine critically your relationship with Christ. Christ warned us in the book of Matthew, chapter 10, verse 33. Matthew 10, verse 33 that, but whoever denies me before men, him I will also deny before my Father who is in heaven. That's straight enough to know. Now the big question is, are you ready to pay the cost of following Jesus Christ? Yes, there is a cost. In Luke chapter 14, verses 28 to 30. Luke 14, verses 28 to 30, the Bible says, For which of you intending to build a tower does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it, lest after he has laid the foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, saying, This man began to build and was not able to finish. But there is also a huge gain. Yes, the gain cannot be compared with the cost. In Matthew chapter 19, verse 29. Matthew 19, verse 29, the Bible confirms that everyone who has left his houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lambs for my name's sake shall receive a hundredfold and inherit eternal life. Hallelujah. Do you want to inherit eternal life? Then you must be ready to pay the price of following Christ. He knows how difficult it could be, but his spirit, the Holy Spirit will help you once you make up your mind. He will strengthen you. You will not deny God. You can start asking in prayer now by confessing Jesus Christ and asking him to help you in the journey of faith that come what may, you are determined to inherit everlasting life. That's why he came to die for your sins as remittance for the sins of mankind. He will strengthen you and give you the crown of glory in the end. Congratulations, Jesus Christ is your friend and redeemer. Hallelujah. Want to thank you for your patience and interest in listening to this broadcast. We believe that you have been greatly blessed. Please help share with others. May our loyalty to God not be tested beyond our faith. You can also listen to this message and several other ones on our podcast streaming, codenamed Voice of Trinity. God bless you richly as you do so. Amen. My name is Benjamin Olasukami Olami Julom. Let us pray. Father, in the mighty name of Jesus Christ, our loving Father and our God, we thank you for this great message. Thank you for loving us to call us your friends. Father, we pray that the power to be able to love you to the end of our lives, you will grant us. Nothing and absolutely nothing will make us deny you, Lord. In your kingdom, you will make us reign with you. Thank you for doing this for us, Lord. When the saints triumphants shall appear with you in glory, our names and position will not be found missing. In Jesus' name, we have prayed. Amen.