Good Friday Service | April 02, 2021

Good Morning Church!

We welcome you all in the name of Jesus. Today we will celebrate the cross on which Jesus died for our sins.

For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

Christ crucified explains the character of God  Christ crucified is the foundation of all our hopes, the fountain of all our joys. And by his death we live.

Today we will learn from the seven important words said on the cross by Christ Jesus before he died.

And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” And they cast lots to divide his garments.

As soon as Christ was fastened to the cross, he prayed for those who crucified him. The great thing he died to purchase and procure for us, is the forgiveness of sin. This He prays for. This shows the quality of our God, Christ Jesus.

Bible has several references where it shows the quality of God:

– Psalm 86:5

– Daniel 9:9

– 1 John 1:9

– Ephesians 5:1

– Matthew 6:14-15

– Psalm 32:1

– Luke 11:4

– Colossians 3:13

– Mar 1:25

– Psalm 103:12

– Hebrewa 8:12

– Matthew 18:21-22

– Proverbs 17:9

Rick Warren: Forgiveness must be immediate whether or not a person asks.

And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

Christ upon the cross, is gracious like Christ upon the throne. Though he was in the greatest struggle and agony, yet he had pity for a poor penitent. By this act of grace we are to understand that Jesus Christ died to open the kingdom of heaven to all penitent, obedient believers. It is a single instance in Scripture; it should teach us to despair of none, and that none should despair of themselves; but lest it should be abused, it is contrasted with the awful state of the other thief, who died hardened in unbelief, though a crucified Saviour was so near him. Be sure that in general men die as they live.

There was also an inscription over him, “This is the King of the Jews.”

We see rejection and belief between two criminals.

One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him, saying, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!”

We have few more cross references which shows us the generous and gracious nature of our God.

– Mark 15:32

– Psalm 103:15-16

– Revelation 13:8

– Hebrew 3:7

– Ephesians 2:8-9

When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son!”  Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother!” And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home.

Christ tenderly provided for his mother at his death. Sometimes, when God removes one comfort from us, he raises up another for us, where we looked not for it. Christ’s example teaches all men to honour their parents in life and death; to provide for their wants, and to promote their comfort by every means in their power.

With this, we can learn about three things:

1: Assurance.

– Psalm 22:18

– Deuteronomy 31:8

– Hebrews 13:5

2: Commandment.

3: Commitment

This word can be found in two verses…

And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” that is, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”

And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”

During the three hours which the darkness continued, Jesus was in agony, wrestling with the powers of darkness, and suffering his Father’s displeasure against the sin of man, for which he was now making his soul an offering. Never were there three such hours since the day God created man upon the earth, never such a dark and awful scene; it was the turning point of that great affair, man’s redemption and salvation. Jesus uttered a complaint from Ps 22:1. Hereby he teaches of what use the word of God is to direct us in prayer, and recommends the use of Scripture expressions in prayer. The believer may have tasted some drops of bitterness, but he can only form a very feeble idea of the greatness of Christ’s sufferings. Yet, hence he learns something of the Saviour’s love to sinners; hence he gets deeper conviction of the vileness and evil of sin, and of what he owes to Christ, who delivers him from the wrath to come. There was a thick darkness over the land, from noon until three in the afternoon. The Jews were doing their utmost to extinguish the Sun of Righteousness. The darkness signified the cloud which the human soul of Christ was under, when he was making it an offering for sin. He did not complain that his disciples forsook him, but that his Father forsook him. In this especially he was made sin for us.

Three things we can learn from this:

1: Relationship.

2: “My God.” Acknowledgement.

3: All knowing all powerful and compassionate.

Isaiah 53:10 explains this but also raises a question.

Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me.

My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, from the words of my groaning?

All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the Lord , and all the families of the nations shall worship before you. For kingship belongs to the Lord , and he rules over the nations. All the prosperous of the earth eat and worship; before him shall bow all who go down to the dust, even the one who could not keep himself alive. Posterity shall serve him; it shall be told of the Lord to the coming generation; they shall come and proclaim his righteousness to a people yet unborn, that he has done it.

After this, Jesus, knowing that all was now finished, said (to fulfill the Scripture), “I thirst.” John 19:28

After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished—that is, the moment for the fulfilment of the last of them; for there was one other small particular, and the time was come for that too, in consequence of the burning thirst which the fevered state of His frame occasioned that the scripture might be fulfilled saith, I thirst.

Three things we can learn about Jesus from this…

1: Physical nature.

2: Fulfillment of scriptures.

3: Suffering for our sins.

– Psalm 22:15

– Psalm 69:21

– Isaiah 53:12

– 1 Peter 2:24

When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, “It is finished,” and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

To understand the sixth word in one sentence is Jesus’ triumph over death.

It is finished; that is, the counsels of the Father concerning his sufferings were now fulfilled. It is finished; all the types and prophecies of the Old Testament, which pointed at the sufferings of the Messiah, were accomplished. It is finished; the ceremonial law is abolished; the substance is now come, and all the shadows are done away. It is finished; an end is made of transgression by bringing in an everlasting righteousness. His sufferings were now finished, both those of his soul, and those of his body. It is finished; the work of man’s redemption and salvation is now completed. His life was not taken from him by force, but freely given up.

What do we learn from death of Jesus?

1: Seek and save

– Luke 19:10

2: He provided atonement of sins for all who believed in Him.

– Romans 3:23-25

3: To recognize and reconcile.

– 2 Corinthians 5:18-19

– Matthew 27:51

– Hebrews 12:2-3

4: The fulfilment of prophecies.

5: The power of sin and satan’s grip on our lives.

– Ephesians 6:16

– 2 Corinthians 6:2

Then Jesus, calling out with a loud voice, said, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!” And having said this he breathed his last.

Now when the centurion saw what had taken place, he praised God, saying, “Certainly this man was innocent!” And all the crowds that had assembled for this spectacle, when they saw what had taken place, returned home beating their breasts.

We have here the death of Christ magnified by the wonders that attended it, and his death explained by the words with which he breathed out his soul. He was willing to offer himself. Let us seek to glorify God by true repentance and conversion; by protesting against those who crucify the Saviour; by a sober, righteous, and godly life; and by employing our talents in the service of Him who died for us and rose again.

“No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father.”

And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” that is, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”

My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, from the words of my groaning?

Then Jesus, calling out with a loud voice, said, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!” And having said this he breathed his last.

If we notice a difference in the last verse from others is that here Jesus calls God, His father.

Into your hand I commit my spirit; you have redeemed me, O Lord , faithful God.

This Psalm is a beautiful expression which was a very common in earlier days for jews to memorise this.

Today we dont need to practice any traditioins, rather commit ourselves unto Jesus and Jesus alone. The debt of our sins has been paid once and for all.

Are you happy that Jesus died for your sins? If you are then today is the day to thank Him by committing your life unto Jesus. But one important question… “How are you going to respond to Jesus’ sacrifice as an individual?” Today we have to make a decision that we need to respond to Jesus who died on the cross on the calvary. Surrender your life to Jesus today!

We hope you are encouraged with the seven sayings of Christ on the cross and that it has moved you. We look forwaed to see you on Sunday. God Bless!