The Cost of Pragmatism

This sermon examines the historical events surrounding the arrest and trial of Jesus as a definitive illustration of the dangers of utilitarian and pragmatic ethics. It argues that the decision to execute Jesus was driven by a consequentialist calculus that prioritized political stability and institutional power over divine law, resulting in the ultimate injustice of condemning the sinless Son of God. The discussion highlights how such moral frameworks remove all restraints on means, allowing deception, perjury, and murder to be justified by perceived greater goods. By contrasting this with the sovereignty of God, who brings good out of evil as seen in the life of Joseph, the sermon emphasizes that human attempts to override moral absolutes lead to spiritual and societal decay. The text concludes by urging believers to maintain their individual conscience against group pressure and to adhere strictly to God's Word rather than adapting to situational expediency.