April 14, 2019
Words Matter : Paid in Full
April 14, 2019
Pastor Jonathan Falwell
Open:
Have you ever witnessed an attack that happened, unpremeditated, and (in your opinion), uncalled for? What did you do?
This is “holy week,” the week Jesus Christ rode a donkey into Jerusalem, had the last supper, was arrested by the Roman legions and taken before the rulers by the Sanhedrin. There He was judged guilty, beaten and crucified. We will be looking at all four gospels as we examine what Christ did for us, what He had the choice of doing, and how the words He spoke on that Friday made all the difference for us.
Key Verse: Luke 23:43: “And Jesus said to him, ‘Assuredly I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.’”
Focal Passages: Matthew 27:27-31, Mark 15:33-34, Luke 23:40-43, John 19:30.
Discuss:
Silenced:
- Read the text in Matt. 27:27-31. What action words show what the soldiers did to Jesus?
- How would you have reacted if a crowd treated you in this manner? Could you have been silent? What are some qualities it took (or would take) for someone to endure these actions without responding?
- Being fully God, (as well as fully man), what are some things Jesus could have said or done that would have ended the situation immediately?
- Who was He enduring this for?
Shunned:
- Read Mark 15:33-34. When Christ cried out the words “Why have you forsaken me?” what had just happened, spiritually speaking?
- Why would God have to turn His head away from looking at His only Son?
- Why can we not be in God’s presence without the benefit of the righteousness of Jesus Christ?
Secure:
- Read Luke 23:40-43. Think about the two thieves who were hanging on crosses on either side of Jesus. Who do they represent?
- It’s strange—people don’t see the thieves as being the two types of people on earth: those who reject Him, and the ones who recognize Him as Savior and confess Him. What are some of the things that comfort us as we read the words of the thief and of Jesus’ response?
- If His promise to the thief was that He would be with Him that day in Paradise, where does that leave those who believe there can be no salvation without baptism, or without works? Is it always possible to have one or both? What are some of those times?
Salvation:
- Read John 19:30. What was finished, as Jesus died?
- Read Col. 2:13-15. What was on His cross? Who was Paul writing to?
Close:
Often one overhears the remark, “Grandma, things were so different in your day! You just don’t understand us now!” Our experiences and wisdom are often thrown out with this statement. While young people may not understand it, things were not different in “our” day: there have always been only two classes of people: those who love Jesus and try to live their lives to please Him, and those who reject Him, following whatever false teacher makes them think themselves not in need of salvation from their sins.
Wherever you see people, you see the reason for the need of the cross. Without it, we would be dead in our sins, without a means of satisfying a God who transcends our thoughts, and who cannot look upon sin. Where would we be without a Savior? The old hymn says it best, “What can wash away my sins? Nothing but the blood of Jesus!” Few—if any—of us would willingly go through the pain and suffering He endured to pay the payment needed for our sins, so how can we love Him with a shallow love?
Are we a Peter, denying Him when peers ask if we are Christ-followers? Are we a Saul, who stands by while we see Christians persecuted, caught up in the mob-mentality, and even agreeing with the violence going on? Are we a Demas, who couldn’t turn down the pleasures of the world and turned away from following Him? Or are we a Paul, who is willing to forget those things which we have done and are so ashamed of, knowing they were nailed to the cross, and lifting up our own crosses—whatever they may be—and following Him daily?
Easter will be here in a few days, and we have a choice: will we follow Him, or will we call out “Jesus, remember me when You come into Your kingdom!”?