Sermon Central
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Pathway To The Passion Pt-7 The Last Words Of Christ Series
Contributed by Brian Menear on Feb 3, 2007 (message contributor)
Summary: Christ spoke 7 "words" from the cross. These words are his last sermon to us.
The Last Words of Christ
The Gospels record 7 statements that Christ made from the cross.
These 7 statements are his final sermon to us. They speak just as loudly to us today as they should have spoke to those who were there to hear them.
The number “7” in the Bible represents perfection. Therefore, this was the perfect end for Jesus’ earthly ministry.
#1-Luke 23:34
“Father, Forgive Them For They Know Not What They Do”
-First words spoken, intercessory prayer for forgiveness
-Jews/Romans did not believe who Jesus was
-Applies to modern day unbelievers as well
-Concerned for God’s people even in midst of own suffering
-Praying what he had been teaching, praying for his enemies
#2-Luke 23:43
“Today You Will Be With Me In Paradise”
-Even on the Cross, still ministering
-Both thieves heard but only 1 believed and repented,
-Easy not to believe since others had abandoned him
-Faith in Jesus gained salvation to thief
-“You will” not “maybe”
-Not baptised but still going to heaven
#3-John 19:26,27
“Woman Here Is Your Son, Here Is Your Mother”
-Jesus was concerned for Mary’s future(Pain and Ridicule)
-Him telling her “Look at completion of my work and Gods plan”
-Completion offered salvation to entire world
-Imagine Mary’s pain
-Jesus knew she needed comfort. John looked after her from then on
#4- Mark 15:34 & Matthew 27:46
“My God, My God, Why Have You Forsaken Me”
-Jesus bore the weight of all sin past, present, and future
-Skeptics say contradicts Joshua 1:5 and Hebrews 13:5 “Never will I leave you; Never will I forsake you”
-Expressing in words of Psalm 22:1 the agony of separation from God
-Psalm 22 could almost read as Jesus’ words from the cross
16 My enemies surround me like a pack of dogs; an evil gang closes in on me.
They have pierced my hands and feet. 17 I can count every bone in my body.
My enemies stare at me and gloat. 18They divide my clothes among themselves
and throw dice for my garments.
Could Psalm 22 be a prophetic vision of the Crucifixion?
-We forget Jesus was human while on earth.
This statement was a human feeling of separation from God
-Any human can feel separated from God as they endure suffering
-Nobody realized what was going on before them. The most significant event in human history.
-The world would never be the same 3 days later
#5- John 19;28
“I Thirst”
-First words of concern for himself
-A thirst like no one had ever known or could ever know, bearing the sins of the world
-Thirst from loss of blood
-The Creator of the universe asking for a few drops of the very water he created
-How many of you have thirst that cannot be quenched?
(Money, Drugs, Alcohol, Sex, Material Things
-Jesus supplies living water to quench our thirst
#6- John 19:30
“It Is Finished”
-These words not only heard by those present, but echoed through heaven and hell
-Those words were a shout of victory over the enemy.
What was finished?
-The laws requirement(a blood sacrifice)
-Our redemption
-All The Father asked of the Son
-Satans power of death
-Finished was our salvation guarantee
-Finished was Gods plan, finished work (Hebrews)
(nothing needs added)
-Salvation was bought and paid for in full
#7-Luke 23:46
“Into Your Hands I Commit My Spirit”
-Jesus was giving his spirit and soul back to God
-He had returned to the peace of God
-His task complete, his mission ended, his purpose fulfilled, he closed his eyes, bowed his head and breathed his last breath.
-Curtain in Temple torn in 2(our open door to God)
51 At that moment the curtain in the Temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. The earth shook, rocks split apart, 52 and tombs opened. The bodies of many godly men and women who had died were raised from the dead
-No longer separated from God
-We can go directly into his presence
-We need no Priest, Rabbi, or Spiritual Leader
-We into his presence by the blood
Do you realize you need Gods forgiveness?
Do you realize Jesus is the 1 and only Savior?
Do you realize how much God loves you?
Do you realize Jesus took your punishment?
Do you realize Jesus knows exactly what you need?
Do you realize death and sins power was broken?
Do you realize you can entrust your life into Gods hands?
If you don’t know the Jesus we have been talking about these last few weeks, you need to know that he died for me, for you, for your family, for everyone.
He is calling you today. All yo have to do is answer and accept his love and accept him as your Savior. Come with a humble heart today and he will change your life.
Come now for the gift of eternal life.
