Sermon Central
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In Safe Hands
Contributed by Jonathan Campbell on Jun 25, 2007 (message contributor)
Summary: Christ’s final words on the cross.
In Safe Hands
Luke 23:46 - "Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit".
1. THE PSALM CHRIST REPEATED
Psalm 31:5 - "Into thine hand I commit my spirit".
The Saviour could have spoken His own words but He didn’t. He quoted scripture. So must we if we want to be effective servants of God. Scripture should be often in our mouths. Other instances where Christ quoted from the Old Testament include Matthew 4:4,7, 10; 21:13,16,42; Mark 2:25.
2. THE PLACE CHRIST MENTIONED
"Thy hands".
Not the hands of men as referred to in Matthew 17:22 - "Jesus said unto them, The Son of man shall be betrayed into the hands of men". He is commending His spirit into the hands of God the Father. What kind of hands are these?
’Creative hands’: Psalm 95:5 - "his hands formed the dry land". Psalm 102:25 -"the heavens are the work of thy hands". Psalm 119:73 - "Thy hands have made me and fashioned me".
’Protective hands’: John 10:29 - "My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand". This is the safety and security His children enjoy, both in life and in death.
’Destructive hands’: Hebrews 10:31 - "It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God".
3. THE PERSON CHRIST ADDRESSED
"Father".
Many times the Saviour referred to His Father e.g. Matthew 11:25,26; 26:39,42. Is He your Father?
My God is reconciled; His pardoning voice I hear;
He owns me for His child; I can no longer fear:
With confidence I now draw nigh,
And “Father, Abba, Father,” cry.
4. THE PART CHRIST VALUED
"My spirit".
Notice He did not say "my body". The spirit of a person is infinitely more important than the body. It is that part of every human being which will live on forever in either heaven or hell. Ecclesiastes 12:7 - "Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it".
Where will you spend eternity?
This question comes to you and me!
Tell me, what shall your answer be?
Where will you spend eternity?
Eternity! Eternity!
Where will you spend eternity?
