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THE PREACHING OUR LORD’S FUNERAL
LUKE 23:26-49
You must look at all four gospel to get a composite picture of the death of Christ and then we only have fragmented scene.
C. We are told in the Garden that "He began of be in agony" We can’t go with Him through the Garden. I can’t hardly sing that song. We can’t go with Him through the garden. All we can do is stand outside in the darkness and listen to the cries of our Lord as He prays that prayer to His heavenly Father.
We can’t understand the suffering of the cross. I have heard a lot of preacher try to depict it by message. I went and saw the movie "The Passion of The Christ". It was bloody and graphic but it did not do justice to what our Lord suffered.
I love to sing the song, "THE NINETY AND NINE". It has soul searching words but it seems every time we sing it we leave out the third verse (You know Baptist thinks it is unscriptural to sing the third verse of any hymn) Smile! However, the third verse of that song is my favorite. He goes:
But none of the ransom ever knew
how deep were the waters cross,
or how dark was the night
the Lord passed through ere
He found His sheep that was lost.
D. We can say that our Lord did not have a very dignified funeral. He didn’t have the kind of service we are used to giving our loved ones but I do believe that there was a wonderful message preached at his funeral.
WE COULD PROBABLY SAY THAT THERE WAS MORE THAN ONE PREACHER AT HIS FUNERAL.
FOR EXAMPLE THE ROMAN CENTURION HAD A WORD TO SAY ABOUT OUR LORD’S DEATH.
Verse 49, Truly this was a righteous man. In Matt. gospel he say, "This was the Son of God." Either or both were great acknowledgement for a Centurion Soldier.
HOWEVER, I WOULD LIKE TO LOOK AT WHAT THE REPENTANT THIEF HAD TO SAY. I BELIEVE HE PREACHED A 5 POINT MESSAGE:
I. HE PREACHED THAT SIN WAS THE UNIVERSAL CAUSE OF DEATH.
VERSES 40,41 (Doest not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation? And we, indeed, justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds.) V-40-41
A. Now, Maybe you’re saying, "They were thieves, they had been tried and convicted and they deserved to die. But just remember, it was for your sin Jesus hung on the cross and for my sins.
I was guilty, with nothing to say and they were coming to take me away
when a voice from heaven was heard that said, Let him go take me instead.
and I should have been crucified - I should have suffered and died,
I should have hung on the cross in disgrace
but Jesus, God’s Son took my place.
Those crown of thorns, the spear deep in his side,
and the pain, well it should have been mine,
those rusty nails were meant for me
but he took them and let me go free.
All we like sheep have gone astray. All have sinned and come short of the glory of God.
II. HE PREACHED ON THE SINLESSNESS OF OUR LORD. (this man hath done nothing amiss.) v-41
The Scripture says of Jesus: (1) He knew no Sin.
(2) He did no Sin.
(3) He had no Sin.
2Co 5:21 For He has made Him who knew no sin, to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
A. He had to be the perfect lamb of God to be qualified to be the sacrifice for my sin.
III. HE PREACHED ON THE WAY OF SALVATION.
A. He preached that salvation is in a person.
He recognized Him as Lord. He recognized His kingdom.
B. He preached that salvation is by grace not by works.
C. He preached on our Lord’s willingness to forgive sinners.
D. He preached on the ability of our Lord to save.
(Our Lord took time out from dying to save a thief.)
E. He preached on the rewards of salvation.
(Today shalt thou be with me in Paradise.)
IV. HE PREACHED ON THE REALITY OF AND THE CONDITION OF LIFE AFTER DEATH. Today . . .
With Me . . . .In Paradise!
A. Can you imagine with me what it was like when this thief and Jesus walked through the door way of death into the Paradise of God?
V. HIS MESSAGE INCLUDED THE DANGER OF PROCRASTINATION.
(Only case of death bed repentance in the Bible)
CONCLUSION:
A. This passage is a flashing red light to warn against Procrastination.
