The title of our sermon this morning is “It is finished. These were Jesus last words before He gave up His spirit. Jesus earthly journey was an exciting one! It started with humble beginnings as Jesus was born in a stable. After being born into this world, His life was put into turmoil as His family moved to Egypt to get away from the pending peril. After several years of living in this foreign country, Jesus family returned to the little town of Nazareth which was in northern district of Galilee. From there we learned that at the age of 12 years old, Jesus traveled to Jerusalem to celebrate the feast of Passover. When the feast ended, Mary and Joseph were separated from Jesus and Jesus was then found in the Temple with the religious leaders at the time.
Jesus at the age of thirty then officially started His ministry. One of His first acts was to be baptized by John the Baptist. After being baptized, He was lead into the wilderness to be tempted by Satan. After this temptation, we see Jesus gather together His disciples and we see His ministry exploded from there with countless miracles that took place over the next three plus years.
The religious and political leaders took note of Jesus and falsely accused Him of being an anti-government and religious rebel. Because of these accusations, Jesus suffered an illegal trial and was persecuted and put on the cross. During this time period, there was no way of death more scandalous than one on a cross. Such a death was dreadful; it was designed to tarnish the memory of the person dying. It was designed to bring shame to the family. Yet, Jesus endured such a death, and as a result you and I have the opportunity to have a relationship with our Heavenly Father!
Our text this morning addresses Jesus death on the cross. The bible says in the gospel of John 19:28-30 (NKJV) 28 After this, Jesus, knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, said, “I thirst!” 29 Now a vessel full of sour wine was sitting there; and they filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on hyssop, and put it to His mouth. 30 So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.
Notice how Jesus did not say that I am finished, no He said “It is finished.” Jesus died voluntarily. These are the most important words in our lives “ It is finished”. This morning we are going to talk about what Jesus meant by saying it is finished, we are going to talk about how our lives have a purpose, and that we are called to live obediently to the Lord.
I. Finished?
A. Closure
a. As we read our text, there is one question that comes through that just screams for an answer and that question is: What is finished?
b. There have no doubt been a countless number of theologians that have studied countless hours to answer this question.
B. Jesus purpose
a. Just like you and I have a purpose. Jesus too had a purpose. Of course, His purpose was one of supernatural proportions.
b. Jesus was purposed to:
i. Preach the gospel to the poor
ii. To destroy the enemies work
iii. To testify of the truth
iv. To save mankind and free them from sin
C. A closer look
a. Looking at this particular text in the Greek, It gives us some additional insight into what Jesus was saying.
b. Once again, I draw your attention to the final three words of our text which said “It is finished”.
c. These words, It is finished actually comes from one Greek word, Teleo
d. During the days of Jesus, a servant would come to their superior and use these words when reporting everything that you have assigned to me has been completed.
e. In fact, when we look at the bible dictionary it gives us a greater insight of the word Teleo which means to
i. To bring to a close, to finish, to end.
ii. To perform, execute, complete, fulfill
iii. To pay
f. In essence, Jesus was reporting to His Father that I have completed the work that you had assigned to Me.
D. Old Testament
a. As we read the Old Testament, there was instituted a sacrificial system in place. This system was when the people would bring an animal sacrifice to the priest and he would then kill the animal as an offering to the Lord.
b. These sacrifices were done for a number of reasons. For instance, if a person had sinned against the Lord the person would bring a sin sacrifice. There were instances where people brought their sacrifice as a thanksgiving for God’s goodness.
c. It was a custom that on the feast of Passover that a spotless or perfect lamb was brought in and the Priest would sacrifice this lamb after doing so, the Priest would offer three words.
d. It is finished.
e. So we can see that Jesus last words were not by coincidence, rather, it was a fulfillment of prophecy.
f. As a Pastor, I thank God that you are not bringing animals to me to sacrifice. Jesus has paid the price in full!!!!!
II. Life of purpose
A. Live today
a. Just as Jesus completed His life work, His purpose. We too must know that we have a purpose. We are on an assignment from the Lord.
b. This assignment no doubt will bring many mountain top moments and many valley experiences.
c. We need to hold strong to the Lord and place our faith and trust solely in Him!
B. Our purpose?
a. So the question becomes, What is my purpose? Why am I here?
b. We are called to glorify God in our lives.
i. The bible says in Psalm 34:3(NKJV) 3 Oh, magnify the LORD with me, And let us exalt His name together.
c. We are called to proclaim the good news.
i. Acts 1:8(NKJV) 8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
d. We are called to be servants.
i. Serving the Lord gives us a purpose in life. It gives us a focal point. The bible says in Ephesians 2:10(NKJV) 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
ii. We were created and called to do work for the kingdom.
e. There is a reward for completing God’s purpose in our life. The bible says in 2 Timothy 4:7-8 (NKJV) 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.
C. Irrevocable
a. This calling, this purpose that Jesus has for our lives is one that is comes without repentance.
b. In fact, the bible says in Romans 11:29(NKJV) 29 For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.
c. So maybe you find yourself today where you have made a mess of your life and you are now coming back to the Lord. Just know that God still has a purpose for you! He can still use you!
III. Live of obedience
A. Obedience is a choice
a. Obeying God is a choice that we make. Being obedient even in small matters is an essential step in receiving God’s blessings.
b. I can just image when Jesus invited Peter to be one of the disciple and Peter responds “ Well, I am pretty busy right now with my fishing business. You know Jesus, the fish don’t get cleaned by themselves.”
i. Should have Peter said anything but Yes, he would have missed out on one of the greatest opportunities of a lifetime.
c. Quite often, God’s greatest blessings come as a result of us willing to do what appears to us as very insignificant at the time.
B. Benefits others
a. Our obedience will not only benefit us, not doubt, but it will also benefit others.
b. We were talking about Peter a little while ago, think about how many people were touched because of Peter’s obedience.
i. I think of the sermon that he preached in the book of Acts chapter two where we see three thousands souls added to the kingdom.
ii. Or the people that his shadow healed.
c. When a Father or Mother obeys the Lord, the entire family benefits and reaps God’s blessing.
d. God’s call to obedience will always demand a response from us.
C. Obedience brings satisfaction
a. It is when we obey God that we will never be disappointed.
b. Obeying God is the best and wisest course of action in our lives.
c. The opposite is also true, if we are living in disobedience, then we will not experience peace in our lives.
d. Obedience will always lead to blessings. God rewards those with His peace, His joy, His satisfaction.
IV. Willing to sacrifice
A. Jesus sacrificed all
a. Jesus willingly and actively demonstrated to us the true meaning of sacrifice.
b. He paid the ultimate price which was His life in exchange for ours.
c. His sacrifice was motivated based on the love that He has for His Father and for you and I.
B. Called to sacrifice
a. We too are called to have a sacrifice of love in our lives.
b. This sacrificial love simply seeks to meet the needs that others have.
c. The bible says in Romans 12:1(NKJV) 12 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.
i. As believers, we are called to be passionate about our lives pleasing God. To be devoted to Him, to love Him, to praise Him. We do these things not under compulsion but out of love.
ii. We offer our bodies as a living sacrifice. This sacrifice is not a partial one. It is a full surrender.
iii. This sacrifice must be at any cost. There are no limits to our sacrifice.
C. Pick up your cross
a. We will close with this bible verse in Matthew 16:24-26 (NKJV) 24 Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. 25 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. 26 For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?
Closing:
It is finished, Jesus last words were powerful. They were a cry of victory not only for Himself as He finished the race, He completed His earthly mission. It was a cry of victory for all humanity, particularly those that open their hearts and lives for the Savior.
After hearing a sermon like this the question begs to be asked: Are you willing to give your life as a living sacrifice? Are you willing to forsake everything for the cause of the gospel? I trust that your answer without hesitation is a resounding YES! Yes, I will go, Yes, I will follow you! Amen!!!
