Praying From The Cross Lesson 7 Series

A. INTRODUCTION

1. The seven sayings from the cross.

a. “Father forgive.” A forgiveness prayer to connect people to God.

b. “With Me in paradise.” A prayer of salvation.

c. “Woman, behold your son.” A prayer of relationship

d. “My God, why have you forsaken me?” A prayer of deliverance.

e. “I thirst.” A prayer of universal need.

f. “It is finished.” A triumphant prayer.

g. “Into Thy hand.” A prayer of final reunion.

2. Two apexes of prayer that changed everything for eternity.

a. “My God, why have You forsaken Me?” Jesus became sin.

b. “It is finished.” Everything about God’s ultimate plan is finished.

B. SEVEN PRAYERS

1. Forgiveness prayer – who did Jesus forgive?

a. Soldiers.

b. Pilate.

c. Jewish leaders.

d. Judas.

e. Disciples who ran away.

f. Me.

2. With Me in paradise.

a. Not a place.

b. The eternal promise “with Me.”

c. A thief will not have a second-rate heaven.

3. “Woman, behold your son.”

a. At least 7 children born to Joseph and Mary, the oldest was responsible (Matt. 13:55-56).

b. Jesus fulfills family duty as He died.

4. “My God why have you forsaken Me?” The greatest punishment was not physical, but spiritual.

5. “I thirst.” The only thing He felt was physical thirst.

a. Have you ever been so thirsty you hurt?

b. You must be empty before He will fill you.

6. “It is finished.” What was finished?

a. Sabbath, Old Testament.

b. Old Testament law nailed to cross (Col. 2:14-15).

c. Sacrifices in temple.

d. Victory over satan.

e. Plan of salvation.

f. Temple requirements.

g. Our salvation.

h. Physical sufferings. Jesus’ mission on earth.

7. “Into Thy hand I commend My spirit.”

a. Death didn’t take His life, He yielded.

b. Jesus was in control “No one can take my life from me. I sacrifice it voluntarily . . . I have authority to lay it down . . . to take it again” (John 10:18, NLT).

C. WHAT CAN WE LEARN FROM JESUS’ PRAYERS ON THE CROSS?

1. Pray at the beginning, middle and end of trouble.

2. You forgive others for your sake. Jesus forgave because it was His nature and it was why He was dying. You forgive not for their sakes, but for your sake. Without forgiveness you can’t get over your spiritual hurt, therapeutic but also it grows your spirituality.

3. It is alright to cry out to the Father when you hurt.

4. Never forget your family responsibilities.

5. Learn triumphant praying when God gives you great victory.

6. This is great possibility on being thirsty. God can’t fill you when your life is filled with self, stuff, agendas, etc.

7. Make your last prayer at night or at the end of life your best, i.e., yielding prayer.

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.

Video presentations of the PBC are available online at trbc.org/pbc

Television Airing Times for the PBC go to hopenow.tv for the current program schedule.

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Dr. Towns' email is ELTowns@liberty.edu