Note: All Scripture references in this lesson are from
The Bible by Jesus unless otherwise noted
A. MY LAST WEEK
“The religious leaders had announced that anyone seeing Me must report it to the authorities so I could be arrested” (John 11:58).
The Week That Changed The World:
April A.D. 32
Sunday, April 2 – Celebration – triumphant entry
Monday, April 3 – Demonstration – curse fig tree/cleansed temple
Tuesday, April 4 – Instruction – in temple & disciples
Wednesday, April 5 – Silence – no record of activity
Thursday, April 6 – Preparation – the first communion
Friday, April 7 – Crucifixion – arrest/trail/cross
Saturday, April 8 – Black Saturday – tomb guarded
Sunday, April 9 – Resurrection – My appearance
B. MY 7 SAYINGS FROM THE CROSS
The last words of a person, will reflect his character and purpose in life.
1. Forgiveness. “Father forgive them, they don’t know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34).
2. Acceptance. “This day you will be with Me in paradise” (Luke 23:43).
3. Human responsibility. “I said to John, ‘there is your mother’” (John 14:26).
4. Anguish-separation. “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me” (Matthew 28:48).
5. Physical suffering. “I am thirsty” (John 19:28).
6. Victory. “It is finished” (John 19:30). What was finished?
a. Salvation for us.
b. Messianic prophecy.
c. Demonstration of God’s love.
d. Satisfied God’s holiness.
e. Satisfied the law.
f. Physical suffering.
7. Benediction. “Father I commit My Spirit to You, then I breathed My last” (Luke 23:46).
C. FIVE ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF THE CROSS
Chafer lists 66
Harold Willmington lists 122
Charles Wesley, innumerable
1. Substitution for you. “I died for yours sins, just as the Scriptures teach” (1 Cor. 15:3).
2. Redemption – price paid. “You were redeemed with My precious blood” (1 Peter 1:18).
3. Propitiation – satisfy God’s punishment. “Sins . . . are forgiven by My blood . . . My Father’s wrath against sin is satisfied” (Rom. 3:24-25).
4. Law’s penalty forgiven. “My Father . . . wiped your record clean of all charges against you, forgiving you” (Col. 2:14-15).
5. Reconciliation – reunited with God. “Because you have received Me, into your life . . . the old life is gone . . . you have new life in Me . . . you are reconciled to My Father” (2 Cor. 5:17-19).
D. TAKE AWAY
1. My testimony. Hallelujah . . . I am gloriously saved.
2. My feelings. I am eternally grateful and thankful.
3. My response. I praise God for His mercy and forgiveness, I received Jesus and live for Him. I yield to the Holy Spirit to make me holy and fruitful.
4. Salvation is as simple as saying yes but it is infinite and complex involving all the networks of God’s design and nature.
5. My salvation and serving will always be opposed to the world, the flesh and the devil.
6. I must worship God, live for Him and serve Him.
7. But I must be very careful because there was a snake in the garden God created, and a Judas sitting with Jesus at the first communion service.
8. “Thank the Holy Spirit for victory over sin through Me, your Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ” (1 Cor. 15:57).
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.
Dr. Towns’ email is eltowns@liberty.edu.
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