Sermon Central
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Christianity Is A Death Lesson 3 Series
Contributed by Elmer Towns on Aug 6, 2025 (message contributor)
Summary: Christianity is about the death of Jesus Christ. Jesus died voluntarily and was placed in a borrowed tomb.
A. INTRODUCTION
1. Christianity is about the death of Jesus Christ. The birth of every child implies an inevitable death, i.e., “We are all born to die.”
2. A cross death predicted, Deut. 21:22-23, “For it is written, ‘Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree’” (Gal. 3:13).
3. A substitutionary death was predicted. “But He was wounded for our transgressions” (Is. 53:5).
4. A death of prolonged, excruciating torture. “Pilate . . . scourged Him” (John 19:1).
5. A cross death was capital punishment for crimes against the state.
6. Christ was an innocent victim of religious hatred. Pilate the judge said, “I find no fault in Him” (John 19:6). “You take Him and crucify Him” (John 19:6).
B. THE EVENTS SURROUNDING HIS DEATH
1. Jesus was crucified on a small hill outside Jerusalem “called the Place of a Skull, which is called in Hebrew, Golgotha” (John 19:17).
2. Jesus was crucified at 9:00 am on Friday before the Jewish Passover. “It was nine o’clock in the morning when the crucifixion took place” (Mark 15:25, NLT).
3. Two thieves were crucified with Jesus, one on either side. “There they crucified Him, and the criminals, one on the right hand and the other on the left” (Luke 23:33).
4. Jesus was proclaimed a King. “A superscription was also written over Him . . . THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS” (Luke 23:38).
His indictment – blasphemy
Divine announcement – prediction
Jews’ irritation – not changed
5. Change in nature. “It was noon and darkness fell over the whole land” (Luke 23:49, NLT). “At that moment the curtain in the Temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, rocks split apart” (Matt. 27:51, NLT).
6. Two men were converted. A thief repented, “Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom” (Luke 23:42). Jesus said to him, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise’” (Luke 23:43). The centurion said, “Truly this was the Son of God” (Matt. 27:54).
7. He died of a broken heart. “But one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately blood and water came out” (John 19:34).
8. Jesus died voluntarily. “I lay down my life . . . no man taketh it from Me” (John 10:17-18). “It is finished” . . . and He gave up His spirit” (John 19:30).
9. Jesus’ body was wound in cloths. “Then they (Joseph and Nicodemus) took the body of Jesus, and bound it in strips of linen with the spices (75 lbs.)” (John 19:40).
10. Jesus was buried in a tomb near Golgotha. “So there they laid Jesus” (John 19:42).
a. A new tomb (carved recently, John 19:40).
b. A borrowed tomb (for Joseph, Matt. 27:60).
c. Never used (undefiled, Luke 23:53).
11. Eyewitnesses. “And the women . . . observed the tomb and how His body was laid” (Luke 23:55).
12. Governmental security of Jesus’ grave.
a. An official seal (Matt. 27:65).
b. Guards “setting the guard” (Matt. 27:66).
C. THE SUPERNATURAL RESULTS OF HIS DEATH
1. It was a substitutionary death.
a. Jesus dies for all. “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29).
b. Jesus died for the church. “Christ also loved the church, and gave Himself for her” (Eph. 5:25).
c. Jesus died for me. “The Son of God . . . gave Himself for me” (Gal. 2:20).
2. It was a redemptive death. Man was created free in the image of God, but with sin; man was cursed and put under the judgment of the law. “Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law” (Gal. 3:13).
3. His death satisfied the law against us. “His Son . . . the propitiation for our sins” (1 John 4:10, 2:2).
4. It was a reconciling death. “God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself” (2 Cor. 5:19).
If you have never really accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, would you do it right now? Do not delay or put it off. If you would like to receive Christ by faith, pray this simple prayer in your heart:
Dear Lord, I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died for my sins on the cross, and rose again the third day. I repent of my sins. By faith I receive the Lord Jesus as my Savior. You promised to save me, and I believe You, because You are God and cannot lie. I believe right now that the Lord Jesus is my personal Savior, and that all my sins are forgiven through His precious blood. I thank You, dear Lord, for saving me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
If you prayed that prayer, God heard you and saved you. I personally want to welcome you to the family of God and rejoice with you.
