Sunday, April 9, 2023 AM
EASTER: It Is Finished!
Mike Teel, Pastor
FOCAL PASSAGE:
28 Later, knowing that everything had now been finished, and so that Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I am thirsty.” 29 A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus’ lips. 30 When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. —John 19:28-30
WHY WAS
NECESSARY?
1. SO WHY WAS IT SO IMPORTANT THAT JESUS
ON THE CROSS?
5 Therefore, when Christ came into the world, he said: “Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but a body you prepared for me; —Hebrews 10:5
–In that body God pitched His tent on earth for 33 years, and in that body, God found the perfect sacrifice for sin.
2. SIN HAS
US FROM GOD.
–The Bible tells us we are all sinners:
23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, —Romans 3:23
–Sin results in separation from God:
2 But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear. —Isaiah 59:2
–The cost of sin in our lives is death:
23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. —Romans 6:23
3. THINK ABOUT THE
AROUND THE CROSS THAT DAY …
–The Pharisees and Sadducees and their followers who were calling for Jesus’ crucifixion.
–Pilgrims who had traveled to Jerusalem to celebrate Passover and to renew their commitment to God.
But look more closely:
–Matthew, the Tax Collector
–James and John, the Sons of Thunder
–Peter, the impetuous one
–Perhaps the Woman at the Well
–or Nicodemus, the Pharisee
–Maybe the man who waited by the Pool of Bethesda or the blind man
–All sinners
JESUS’
!
1.
FROM THE CROSS
–He had said many things as He hung on the cross (5 up to this point).
–Knowing that God had orchestrated everything, and the time of His death was at hand the Scripture tells us.
28 Later, knowing that everything had now been finished, and so that Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I am thirsty.” 29 A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus’ lips. 30 When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. —John 19:28-30
–It is Finished – Tetelesia – Most in our church know it means “Paid in full or the debt has been paid.”
2. WHAT IT
FOR US
–Those of us who believe that Jesus was the One True Son of God and will ask Him to be our LORD and Savior our SIN has been forgiven.
–Our sins have all been forgiven (past, present and future) not by our performance or behavior but by the free gift of God.
–Jesus was the means that paid for the Gift of Eternal Life.
–Have you accepted this free Gift?
ARE YOU HERE THIS MORNING?
–Have you come because it is tradition for you and your family?
–Have we become so familiar with the Easter story that it no longer has an impact on us? Have we long stopped coming to Thank God for The Gift of Eternal Life.
–Think about this crowd that has gathered here this morning.
–You see, just like the crowd around the cross that Friday evening, we too are …
LIVE IT OUT
–Perhaps this morning we are more like the crowd that gathered around the cross that fateful day and heard Jesus say, “It Is Finished.”
–When was the last time you said, “God I am sorry for the condition I have allowed my life to become!” Forgive me, please! Cleanse me! Restore me!
–Perhaps you know a lot about the Bible, the Easter Story, Jesus but you have never really said to Him, “Jesus, I want you to be my personal LORD and SAVIOR.
–Old Ed could not get over the fact that one seagull gave its life to save a crew of eight – and he spent the rest of His days reflecting his “thankfulness.” What about you?
–Is it finished for you?