It Was Just The Beginning For Me
Text: John 19:30, “When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.”
I. “It Is Finished,” Finalized Salvation
Jesus finalizes salvation for all of mankind. His work on the cross is singular. It stands alone.
This was His cry of victory. Jesus Finalized Salvation for the world in three words
What was begun before the creation of the world was now finished - God’s redemptive plan.
By the way a finished product needs no change or alternate, it is sufficient within.
Note He left nothing undone, and by faith we can appropriate all that He did.
In Hebrews 9:12-14 It say’s, “Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us. [13] For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh: [14] How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?”
Note that three significant things are said in this verse.
1. Jesus Christ, the perfect High Priest, did not sacrifice the blood of animals for the sins of man; He sacrificed His own blood.
He offered up His life as a sacrifice to God—as the sacrifice for the life of the people. Jesus Christ bore the guilt and judgment for the sins of man. Why would He do this? Because He is the Son of God and He loves man. He is the Son of God who came to earth as the God-Man; He is the Ideal and Perfect Man. As the Ideal Man, whatever He does stands for and covers all men. Therefore, His blood covers the sins of all men who believe and trust Him. His sacrifice is the perfect and ideal sacrifice—the sacrifice that stands for and covers all men.
2. Jesus Christ, the perfect High Priest, entered into the Holy of Holies of heaven itself.
But note: He had to enter only once. The earthly High Priest had to make continued sacrifices, but Jesus Christ had to make only one sacrifice. Why? Because His sacrifice was the perfect and ideal sacrifice. Being perfect and ideal, it could stand forever for every man of every generation.
3. Jesus Christ, the perfect High Priest, obtained eternal redemption for us.
Sin, death, and condemnation have captured and kidnapped man. No man can escape from either one, no matter what he does. But Jesus Christ made it possible for man to be freed and delivered from all enemies. How? He paid the ransom price. He substituted Himself for man. He gave His life—sacrificed His life for man. He could do this because He is the perfect and ideal Man. Since He chose to sacrifice His life for man, He has become the perfect and ideal sacrifice. This is exactly what He has done. He has redeemed and ransomed man from sin, death, and condemnation.
Matt 26:28, “For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.”
Romans 5:9, “Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.”
Galatians 3:13, “Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree.”
1 Peter 1:18-19, “Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.” 1 Peter 1:18-19
II. “It Is Finished,” Was Really Just The Beginning
When Jesus said, “It Is Finished,” that was just the beginning for those who would trust Him!
2 Cor. 5:17, “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” When a man trust Christ as Savior then his whole being, nature, life, and behavior changes.
A New Creature! The new beginning, everything hinges on being “in Christ”
New lives for old! it is the very essence of the gospel. God does not path up the old lives; He gives new ones.
A. The New Beginning Is Wrought By Change In A Person.
When a person trust Christ as Savior there will be a tremendous change.
1. His new position “In Christ”
2. His new Personality “A New Creature”
3. His New Potential “All Things...New”
B. The New Beginning Will Give That Person An Acute Sense Of The Presence Of God.
As the Holy Spirit moves into the heart of the believer we become aware of God’s presence.
1.God’s Presence will sweeten the saints. So many saints are sour and bitter. And yet the presence of God will change your disposition.
2. God’s Presence will stir the saints. When the presence of God is in the midst; the saints will be stirred either to repent or rejoice.
3. God’s Presence will strengthen the saints. When you are in the presence of God, you become stronger. He gives strength to the minister that he may go into the world that is troubled and confused.
C. The New Beginning Will Give That Person A Working Knowledge Of Things As They Ought To Be.
When things are the way they ought to be it will have you
1. Seeking the Lord
2. Singing & giving praise unto the Lord
3. Giving unto the Lord
4. Witnessing for the Lord
D. The New Beginning Will Give That Person An Awareness Of One’s Role In The Divine Plan.
