It was just the beginning for me
John 19:30
One thing that we must realize today is that God loves us. It doesn’t matter what size or what color you are. God loves you. It doesn’t matter how old you are or how young you are, God still loves us. He loves you and I so much that he sent his only begotten son, Jesus, to die on the cross of Calvary. 2nd Peter 3:9 says, “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness, but he is longsuffering toward us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” I’m glad this morning that God doesn’t want anyone of us to perish. I’m glad this morning that God does not want any of us to die and go to hell.
There is one reason why Jesus Christ came into this world and one reason only and that was to bring us to God. He introduced us to God. God sent his Son because he didn’t want you and I to die and go to hell. He doesn’t want you, He doesn’t want your children, your parents, your sisters and brothers and friends, nor your co-workers to go to hell. Arent’ you glad this morning that God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that shosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life. He did not come here to judge you because of how you look. He did not come to judge you because of what you done in the past. He did not come to judge you because of how you act. Christ didn’t come ot codmen the world but he came to save the world. I don’t know about you, but I’m glad about that today.
The words “It is Finished,” finalized Salvation. Jesus finalized salvation for all mankind. His work on the cross is singular. It stands alone. These three words was his cry of victory. They thought that they had got rid of Jesus, but God said, “Oh No, he’s just getting started. They thought that they had an execution, but God said, Oh No, It’s a coronation. They thought that they had pulled the savior down, but God raised him up. They thought that it was finished. But God, said oh “No” it is just the beginning. I’m glad that it was just the beginning for me. Jesus finalized Salvation for the world in three words “It Is Finished”.
The bible says that He bowed his head, and gave up the ghost. He was voluntary in dying. His life was not forceibly taken from him but he gave it up. He said, Father into thy hands, I commit my spirit.
What was begun before the creation of the world was now finished. God’s redemptive plan. He left nothing undone. He left nothing to add, nor did he leave anything to take away. He left nothing undone. It was finished.
Hebrews 9:12:14 says, “Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once unto 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?”
This verse tells us that Jesus Christ who was the perfect high priest, did not sacrifice the blood of animals for the sins of man; He sacrificed his own blood. I heard somebody say the other day that his blood reaches to the highest mountain and it flows to the lowest valley. And one thing about it, it will never loose it’s power. The blood has power to pick men up and turn them around. It has power to plant your feet on higher ground. It has power to change you. It has that transforming power. It has that regeneration power. It has that Overcoming power.
He offered up His life as a sacrifice to God. Jesus bore the guilt and judgment for the sins of man. Why would he do this? Because he loves us. Somebody said, “I don’t know why Jesus loves me” I don’t know why he cares. I don’t know why he sacrificed his life for me, but I’m glad that he did.
Jesus Chris, the perfect High Priest, entered into the Holy of Holies of heaven himself. But Note: he had to enter only once. The earthly high Priest had to make continued sacrifice. He had to do it over and over again. But Jesus Christ made one sacrifice for the whole world. His sacrifice was the perfect and ideal sacrifice.
Jesus Christ, the perfect High Priest, obtained eternal redemption for us. Sin, death and condemnation had captured and kidnapped man. No man can escape from either one, no matter what he does. But thank God for Jesus Christ who made it possible for man to be freed and delivered from all enemies. He paid the rason price. He substituted Himself for my sins and your sins.
Matthes 26:28 “For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.”
So, this morning, I was to let you know that “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 have become new.” Things I used to do, I don’t do them any more. Places I used to go, I don’t go there any more. Things I used to say, I don’t say them any more.
I’m glad this morning that I am new in Christ. I’m glad this morning that Christ will give us a new life for that old sinful life. He doesn’t give us a fixed up life. He doesn’t give us a repaired life. He doesn’t give us a remodeled life. He doesn’t give us just a cleaned up life, but he gives us a new life.
I thank God that I have a savior that can give me a new beginning. The bible says that there is one mediator between God and mean and that’ the man Jesus Christ. There is no one else that can get you to heaven but him. There is no one else that can cover your sins with his blood except. Nobody but Jesus. He is the only one. He has prepared a place for us. It’s called the land of no mores. No more sin, no more death, no more pain, no more sorrow.
I’m glad this morning that I’ve been redeemed and set free. I have gone from corruptible to incorruptible. I’ve gone from the ungodly to being godly. I’ve gone from a sinner to a saint. Thanks to God for a new beginning.
Today as we take the Lord’s supper let us recognize and remember how they whipped him all night Long just so that you and I could have a new beginning.
How they nailed him to the tree…
How he hung his head and died.
How they piereced him in the side.
How they laid him in a borrowed tomb.
But early…. Early…. Early….
