Famous Last Words:god's Family Series

FAMOUS LAST WORDS: GOD'S FAMILY

This morning we come to the third of the seven final statements that Jesus Christ made from the cross as we continue with our sermon series, “Famous Last Words.”

In the first sermon, we heard the word, forgiveness.

In the second sermon, we heard the word, salvation.

Today in this third sermon, we will hear words of family.

Seven times Jesus pushed up on His feet, grasping for breath. And in each of those moments, He uttered seven statements that are so profound with meaning and purpose that it would take a lifetime to ponder them. These seven statements are the famous last words of Jesus.

Famous last words…

We all know that words have tremendous power. It has been said that words are more powerful than the sword. Words have the power to heal or to wound. Words have the power to give hope, or to bring despair. Words have the power of peace or to destroy. But most importantly, words are important because words have the power to impact eternity.

As the Son of God, as the eternal King of kings, as the Living word of God, Jesus knew the importance of His words from the cross. And that is why He spoke them. Of all the famous last words that have ever been spoken, there are no words that can ever match the final eternal words Jesus spoke from the cross.

If you will take these final words of Jesus and apply them to your heart, His powerful words will impact your life for eternity.

John 19:23 Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took His garments and made four parts, to each soldier a part, and also the tunic. Now the tunic was without seam, woven from the top in one piece. 24 They said therefore among themselves, "Let us not tear it, but cast lots for it, whose it shall be," that the Scripture might be fulfilled which says: "They divided My garments among them, And for My clothing they cast lots." Therefore, the soldiers did these things. 25 Now there stood by the cross of Jesus His mother, and His mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. 26 When Jesus therefore saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing by, He said to His mother, "Woman, behold your son!" 27 Then He said to the disciple, "Behold your mother!" And from that hour that disciple took her to his own home. NKJV

Lord Jesus, may these words that we have read today speak into our hearts with the power of eternity so that your name will be glorified.

WORDS FROM THE CROSS

This is the type of scripture that you might hear for a Mother’s Day sermon. However, I have never used this scripture for a Mother’s Day message because these final words of

Jesus from the cross are more than just a sentimental message for Mother’s Day.

Within His words are several powerful principals that reveal the kind of life we are called to live as believers and followers of Christ.

The Bible speaks in Isaiah of how we are to build precept upon precept and line upon line and by doing so we can establish and understand the principals of how we are to live godly lives that honor the Lord and impact eternity. And that is the kind of message that is before us today.

AT THE CROSS

Jesus third statement from the cross was spoken for the sake of two people and yet what Jesus said to them can be applied to the life of every believer and follower of Christ.

So far in this series we have been looking at the cross. But, for now, allow the Holy Spirit let you see through the eyes of Jesus. What did He see? Who did He see?

From His viewpoint on the cross, Jesus sees the Roman soldiers. He sees the crowd and the Priests who are there to mock Him. But most importantly, standing near Him, He also sees five people that are dear to His heart.

Picture Jesus looking out at the crowd and He sees these five. Just five… five…

Where are the others? Where are the ones He called to follow Him? Where is Peter who said He would die with Him?

He sees only these five who have the faith and the courage to stand with Him at the cross. He sees these five who dare to stand close to the cross knowing that their closeness to Christ could result in their arrest and death.

That’s a message that still speaks to us today.

He sees His mother, Mary; His mother’s sister, Salome, the mother of James and John; He sees Mary Magdalene, Mary the wife of Cleopas, and John, His beloved disciple.