WEBVTT 00:00:03.120 --> 00:00:08.240 Ministering to the heart of Western Arkansas's River Valley for over 165 years. 00:00:08.400 --> 00:00:13.919 Welcome to Chapter and First, the Bible teaching ministry of Fort Smith's First Baptist Church. 00:00:14.160 --> 00:00:19.440 You'll find sermons and teachings from Pastor Greg, our ministry staff, and guest speakers. 00:00:19.679 --> 00:00:21.199 Thank you for listening. 00:00:22.000 --> 00:00:23.679 Thank you, choir and church family. 00:00:23.920 --> 00:00:26.879 We are so grateful for the opportunity to worship the Lord. 00:00:27.039 --> 00:00:30.399 And today we're going to uh take the Lord's Supper. 00:00:30.800 --> 00:00:41.520 As you know, we've been in a series where we've been walking uh from the life of Jesus when he was born at Christmas time, and we are moving towards the time of Easter. 00:00:41.679 --> 00:00:54.719 And so last week we saw that moment where Jesus was meeting with his disciples and he cast that vision for uh what we would be doing after he had accomplished salvation and went to heaven. 00:00:54.960 --> 00:01:02.159 So today we find them still in the upper room, and they are observing what we call the Lord's Supper. 00:01:02.479 --> 00:01:36.480 As you know, that actually was a uh Old Testament tradition after the Passover when they came out of the land of Egypt and they were observing the Passover, and so Jesus had pulled his disciples together, and we talked about this a couple of weeks ago in the in uh when he entered into the city on the back of that donkey, and they made preparations for all of that, that he's taking what they refer to as the Lord's Supper, but in that moment, Jesus steps into the Lord's Supper, into the Passover Supper, and he turns it into what we call the Lord's Supper. 00:01:36.799 --> 00:01:47.040 There he makes clear to his followers that he is the Lamb of God who will take away the sins of the world, that he is the Passover Lamb. 00:01:47.280 --> 00:01:53.040 He has told them that he is about to head to the cross, and then they observe the Lord's Supper. 00:01:53.200 --> 00:02:07.040 And so today we're going to take the Lord's Supper, we're going to observe this about the Lord's death and his sacrifice for us, and then in the sermon time, we will watch Jesus go to the cross and die in our place. 00:02:07.359 --> 00:02:18.319 And so, as we take the Lord's Supper, it's great to think about this as an intro point into going to the cross because Jesus literally says, This is my body which is broken for you. 00:02:18.560 --> 00:02:26.080 So let me show you from the Gospels where Jesus himself speaks into what we call the Lord's Supper. 00:02:26.400 --> 00:02:31.039 You'll see on the screens the scripture there, I think. 00:02:34.879 --> 00:02:37.919 Okay, um there we go. 00:02:38.080 --> 00:02:51.199 Matthew 26, the Bible says, as they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, gave it to the disciples, and said, Take and eat, this is my body. 00:02:51.840 --> 00:03:04.400 Then Jesus took a cup, and after giving thanks, he gave it to them and said, Drink from it, all of you, for this is my blood that establishes the covenant. 00:03:04.719 --> 00:03:08.719 It is shed for many for the forgiveness of sins. 00:03:08.879 --> 00:03:16.800 And there Jesus affirms that what we are doing is representative of his death for us on the cross. 00:03:16.960 --> 00:03:33.680 But then Jesus says this, but I tell you, from this moment, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it in a new way in my Father's kingdom with you. 00:03:33.840 --> 00:03:43.120 And there he is giving prophecy of his second coming and of eternity spent with him because of the impact of salvation. 00:03:43.360 --> 00:03:57.360 Now in 1 Corinthians 11, the scripture that we normally use when we're observing the Lord's Supper, this is the Apostle Paul reminding the church, the churches in Corinth, what the Lord's Supper is and how it works. 00:03:57.520 --> 00:04:03.919 And so Paul says, For I, Paul, received from the Lord what I also passed on to you. 00:04:04.319 --> 00:04:11.919 On the night when he was betrayed, the Lord Jesus took bread, gave thanks, and broke it. 00:04:12.080 --> 00:04:27.920 And so here you get a connection between exactly what Jesus did and how the disciples went out and taught the church to do this, and we do today exactly as Paul instructed, following the instructions of Jesus. 00:04:28.319 --> 00:04:38.639 On the night when Jesus was portrayed, betrayed, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it, and said, This is my body which is broken for you. 00:04:39.040 --> 00:04:41.360 Do this in remembrance of me. 00:04:41.680 --> 00:04:51.839 In the same manner, after supper, Jesus also took the cup and said, This cup is the new covenant established by my blood. 00:04:52.160 --> 00:04:56.319 Do this as often as you drink it in remembrance of me. 00:04:56.639 --> 00:05:02.480 For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes. 00:05:02.720 --> 00:05:13.439 And there Paul states clearly when we take the Lord's Supper, we are proclaiming the death of Jesus Christ on the cross to pay the price for our sins. 00:05:13.680 --> 00:05:21.199 And of course, he died for our sins, and then he rose again, conquering death and sin to complete that gift of salvation. 00:05:21.439 --> 00:05:26.240 Jesus himself said, I'm not going to drink the wine again until we are in the new kingdom. 00:05:26.399 --> 00:05:45.839 And he gave that promise of eternity, and Paul reminds the churches in Corinth and us, as often as we eat this bread and drink this cup, we are telling the world that we believe Jesus conquered death and sin, made a way of salvation, and he is coming back again. 00:05:47.120 --> 00:05:54.879 In 1 Corinthians 11, Paul also gives us some instruction on how to take the Lord's Supper. 00:05:55.279 --> 00:06:09.199 Apparently, in those days, it had gotten to a point where the Lord's Supper had become more of a celebration church event kind of a thing than it was in the heart of a moment of worship. 00:06:09.439 --> 00:06:17.439 And so Paul is trying to call them back to the heart of what the Lord's Supper means, and he gives this instruction. 00:06:39.600 --> 00:06:59.680 What he's also instructing us as believers, if we come to the Lord's Supper and we have given our lives to Christ and trusted him to save us, and yet we are coming with unconfessed sin in our lives because we are living in rebellion, then we are sinning and breaking the picture of salvation. 00:06:59.920 --> 00:07:16.800 So he says, so a man should examine himself in this way, in an examined way, in a way where you have allowed the Holy Spirit to cleanse what might be in your life and give you the freedom to be in the presence of the Lord and worship him freely. 00:07:17.439 --> 00:07:20.879 In this way, he should eat the bread and drink the cup. 00:07:21.120 --> 00:07:28.480 For whoever eats and drinks without recognizing the body eats and drinks judgment on himself. 00:07:29.040 --> 00:07:33.920 This is why many are sick and ill among you, and many have fallen asleep. 00:07:34.240 --> 00:07:39.839 If we properly are evaluating ourselves, we would not be judged. 00:07:40.480 --> 00:07:48.160 But when we are judged, we are disciplined by the Lord so that we may not be condemned with the world. 00:07:48.399 --> 00:07:58.319 Therefore, my brothers, when you come together to eat, wait for one another, and then he gives some instructions about how we are doing this together as a body. 00:07:58.560 --> 00:08:06.800 So as we come to the Lord's Supper, we want to make sure that we're following that instruction because we've seen the seriousness that Jesus sets up the Lord's Supper. 00:08:07.040 --> 00:08:09.680 He teaches us that this is his body broken for us. 00:08:10.160 --> 00:08:15.040 He does it by preparing his disciples for his journey to the cross. 00:08:15.279 --> 00:08:26.800 And now, as Paul says, we, when we absorb the Lord, observe the Lord's Supper, we are looking back to the cross of Jesus, but we are projecting forward to eternity. 00:08:27.040 --> 00:08:28.959 And so let me give you just a couple of thoughts. 00:08:29.199 --> 00:08:48.960 First of all, if you are visiting with us, if you've not accepted Christ as your Savior, we've tried to explain this is for believers, but we are so glad you're here to see this moment, to learn about it, and to hear about the faith that we have placed in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. 00:08:49.120 --> 00:08:54.559 So we want you to worship along with us, to watch and see and listen and understand what's happening. 00:08:54.799 --> 00:09:05.759 If you are visiting with us, you're not a member of our church, but you are a follower of Christ and you've given your life to Him, we are more than comfortable with you taking the Lord's Supper today if you are comfortable in doing that. 00:09:05.919 --> 00:09:10.240 If you would rather wait till you get to your home church or whatever, that's fine as well. 00:09:10.480 --> 00:09:17.679 But worship along with us and walk through this moment with us, and at the end of the service, we will have an invitation. 00:09:17.919 --> 00:09:22.960 It will be an opportunity for you to trust Christ as your Savior and give your life to Him. 00:09:23.120 --> 00:09:34.399 So if you've never trusted Christ as your Savior, this is an incredible day for you to see and hear what Jesus did for all of us and what he did for you as he died on the cross for us. 00:09:34.559 --> 00:09:41.039 Now, the next thing we'd like to do is make sure that we are taking this in an examined fashion, as Paul said. 00:09:41.200 --> 00:09:44.480 So in just a moment, I'm going to ask you to bow your heads, and here's what we're going to do. 00:09:44.639 --> 00:09:46.240 I'm just going to give you a couple of moments. 00:09:46.399 --> 00:09:50.720 I want you to give your life to the Holy Spirit, open up the doors of your heart. 00:09:50.960 --> 00:09:53.120 He already sees it all anyway. 00:09:53.360 --> 00:09:57.840 So just go ahead and say, listen, Lord, show me what might be in my life. 00:09:58.000 --> 00:09:59.279 What unconfessed sin? 00:09:59.360 --> 00:10:00.399 What issue do I have? 00:10:00.559 --> 00:10:01.840 What do you want to deal with? 00:10:02.000 --> 00:10:04.559 And we'll give you a moment just to deal with that. 00:10:04.799 --> 00:10:09.519 If it's a simple thing that God points out, listen to him and confess that sin to him. 00:10:09.840 --> 00:10:19.919 Call it sin what it is and give it to him and ask him to forgive you, and he will forgive that and cleanse it so that you can freely come and worship him in this moment. 00:10:20.159 --> 00:10:26.480 If it takes a little longer than that, maybe it's a life issue that you've been struggling with, but Jesus points it out. 00:10:26.639 --> 00:10:27.360 Just do this. 00:10:27.600 --> 00:10:33.200 Make a commitment in this moment to deal with it this afternoon or tonight. 00:10:33.360 --> 00:10:36.320 And just make that commitment to him, Lord, I know it's there. 00:10:36.480 --> 00:10:39.200 You've told me before, you've pointed it out today. 00:10:39.519 --> 00:10:45.759 Lord, I promise here in this moment, I'm going to give that to you, and I'm going to deal with it with you as it comes. 00:10:46.000 --> 00:10:54.639 So what I'm going to do is just uh bow and start us in a little prayer, give you a few moments to pray that, and I will conclude that prayer time and we'll observe the Lord's Supper. 00:10:54.799 --> 00:10:55.919 So bow your heads with me. 00:10:56.080 --> 00:10:58.639 Lord, we come now as your children. 00:10:59.039 --> 00:11:01.279 And Lord, we give ourselves to you. 00:11:01.600 --> 00:11:05.840 We ask that you look into our lives and our hearts, that you speak into that. 00:11:06.080 --> 00:11:15.600 If there's anything that you see in our, each of our individual lives, if you'll just, as you do in love and in grace, point that out to us. 00:11:15.919 --> 00:11:19.200 Lord, we want to give that to you in this moment. 00:11:19.600 --> 00:11:28.639 And we want to worship you freely for the salvation and the forgiveness that you have given us through the sacrifice of Jesus. 00:11:30.000 --> 00:11:38.639 Lord, we thank you so much beyond what just mere words could ever say. 00:11:44.159 --> 00:11:48.480 We thank you that he loved us so much, he stepped out of heaven and he lived a sinless life. 00:11:48.960 --> 00:11:52.559 And then he voluntarily went to the cross. 00:11:53.600 --> 00:11:57.759 He chose to go out of grace and love for us. 00:11:58.399 --> 00:12:05.039 As your word says, and for the joy set before him, he endured the cross for us. 00:12:05.919 --> 00:12:08.720 And then he rose again, conquering death and sin. 00:12:09.360 --> 00:12:14.399 Lord, we thank you for your word that tells us and teaches us exactly how this works. 00:12:14.559 --> 00:12:20.799 We thank you for your word that encourages us and calls us to live and examine life and to surrender ourselves to you. 00:12:20.879 --> 00:12:44.000 And we thank you for your word that teaches us, like in 1 John, that if we are confess our sins, if we go into this examination time as Paul instructed, and we confess those sins to you, that you are faithful and just to forgive us of our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 00:12:44.480 --> 00:13:01.919 As we observe the covenant that is represented in the cup today, it pictures the blood of Jesus and it reminds us that that covenant means that you have sealed every promise to us as your children in the blood of Jesus Christ. 00:13:02.480 --> 00:13:07.440 And we stand on that covenant today and say thank you for salvation. 00:13:08.000 --> 00:13:09.919 Thank you for forgiving us. 00:13:10.399 --> 00:13:22.240 Thank you for the privilege of coming to your house, to your table with our brothers and sisters, and together worshiping you and saying thank you for Jesus. 00:13:22.960 --> 00:13:32.559 Lord, we pray now you'll take great pleasure from seeing your children come to your house in your name and to your table to say thank you for Jesus. 00:13:32.799 --> 00:13:40.960 It is in his saving name we pray, and all God's people said, I'm gonna ask our deacons to come and to help us now as we serve the Lord's Supper. 00:13:41.279 --> 00:13:44.000 And I think Jacob will lead us in worship. 00:13:46.960 --> 00:13:48.480 Will you sing with me? 00:19:46.960 --> 00:19:51.039 As the Bible says, as the scripture says, as we have read. 00:19:54.880 --> 00:19:58.240 On the night in which he was betrayed, the Lord Jesus took bread. 00:19:59.279 --> 00:20:01.680 He gave thanks and broke it. 00:20:02.559 --> 00:20:06.400 And he said, This is my body, which is broken for you. 00:20:38.000 --> 00:20:40.559 Lord, we thank you and we praise you. 00:20:41.359 --> 00:20:44.240 Thank you for what Jesus did for us on the cross. 00:20:44.559 --> 00:20:49.200 We thank you for the worship that we're allowed to accomplish. 00:20:49.680 --> 00:20:55.759 Being in your presence to say thank you for what Jesus did for us. 00:20:56.559 --> 00:21:02.799 Well, we pray now as we read from the scripture that journey to the cross. 00:21:03.119 --> 00:21:09.599 I pray that the Lord's Supper, as we've observed it, will help us to do exactly what Jesus said. 00:21:10.319 --> 00:21:11.200 Remember. 00:21:12.559 --> 00:21:15.440 Remember what he went through. 00:21:16.799 --> 00:21:29.119 Remember how purposefully he went to the cross with a design and a plan there to take on our sin and pay the price for that. 00:21:30.079 --> 00:21:40.400 Help us to remember the beatings and the cross and the blood and how that represents the ugliness of our sin. 00:21:41.519 --> 00:21:49.680 Help us to remember the picture of Jesus and love and mercy on the cross taking our place. 00:21:50.720 --> 00:21:59.359 And Lord, we pray as we prepare for next Sunday that we will not just see the cross, but we will see the empty tomb. 00:22:00.640 --> 00:22:06.799 That with the shed blood of Jesus, we see the power of the resurrection. 00:22:07.359 --> 00:22:20.960 With the covenant that is in his blood, the promises that he made to accomplish salvation, we pray we'll see the empty tomb and see the finished work of salvation. 00:22:21.920 --> 00:22:25.039 We pray on the cross we will see his mercy. 00:22:25.359 --> 00:22:28.319 And we pray at the empty tomb we will see his victory. 00:22:28.960 --> 00:22:37.359 And we pray these things in the loving, sacrificial name of Jesus and all God's people said. 00:22:38.880 --> 00:22:44.400 Well, today what I want to do is something a little bit different than I have normally done. 00:22:48.319 --> 00:23:01.839 Since we are walking this journey from Christmas to the cross, today what I'd like to do is I just want you to see in Scripture how Jesus went to the cross. 00:23:02.079 --> 00:23:06.559 I want you to see the description from the words of God. 00:23:07.039 --> 00:23:21.279 You know, movies depicted, shows depict it, and I think sometimes that's helpful because it helps us to see that this is more than just words on a page, the reality of that and what that means. 00:23:21.519 --> 00:23:28.960 But today what I want to do is just walk you through the sacrificial death of Jesus from God's word itself. 00:23:29.599 --> 00:23:33.680 Because it is the foundation of the gospel that we preach. 00:23:33.920 --> 00:23:37.759 When we observe the Lord's Supper, it is a picture of the gospel. 00:23:38.160 --> 00:23:39.279 It's what Jesus said. 00:23:39.519 --> 00:23:44.240 You are remembering his death and what he did for us on the cross. 00:23:44.480 --> 00:23:48.079 In every service, like just in a little while, I'll give an invitation. 00:23:48.160 --> 00:23:51.680 And when we give an invitation, we give the gospel the good news. 00:23:51.759 --> 00:23:57.599 And in that is this all of us are sinners, and all sin must be punished. 00:23:57.920 --> 00:24:11.920 But Jesus loved us so much that he stepped out of heaven and he went to the cross, and there he died in our place, so that he could take the full wrath and punishment of God for us as a substitute for our death. 00:24:12.079 --> 00:24:14.880 And then he rose again, conquering death and sin. 00:24:15.359 --> 00:24:21.519 You cannot preach the gospel without the explanation of the cross. 00:24:22.079 --> 00:24:29.119 The Bible says there is no remission or payment of sin without the shedding of blood. 00:24:29.839 --> 00:24:37.680 And we speak of the cross, we call people to the cross, we point out the sacrificial death and love of Jesus. 00:24:37.920 --> 00:24:52.400 But today we want to want to do is take some time from the Word of God and let's read and see how Scripture teaches us the truth of Jesus' sacrificial death on the cross. 00:24:52.640 --> 00:24:56.240 First, and I don't want you to have to turn to these scriptures. 00:24:56.400 --> 00:25:03.599 I have them on the screen, but I want you to follow with me as we unpack Jesus' journey to the cross here this morning. 00:25:03.839 --> 00:25:13.519 First, I want you to remember the fact that Jesus went to the cross willingly and intentionally on purpose. 00:25:14.000 --> 00:25:18.960 Jesus knew what he was doing, and he knew why he was going to the cross. 00:25:19.200 --> 00:25:35.440 And in preparing for that moment, in John chapter 10, he tells his disciples this is why the Father loves me, because I, Jesus, am laying down my life so that I might take it up again. 00:25:35.680 --> 00:25:39.200 And then in verse 18, he makes it abundantly clear. 00:25:39.759 --> 00:25:44.079 No one, no one took Jesus' life from him. 00:25:44.640 --> 00:25:52.640 He says, fellas, when you see this unfold, what's about to happen, I lay it down on my own. 00:25:53.200 --> 00:26:01.920 I, Jesus, have the right to lay my life down, and I have the right to take it up again, and I have received this command from my Father. 00:26:02.240 --> 00:26:09.119 So as we see Jesus and his journey to the cross, and we see those moments, over and over, he will repeat the truth of this. 00:26:09.440 --> 00:26:16.319 He is going intentionally and willingly and on purpose to accomplish God's plan of salvation. 00:26:16.559 --> 00:26:32.559 In fact, as he starts to head to the cross and he gets in these moments, like in the Lord's Supper, upper room, and other times, he intentionally explains in a very specific way to his disciples exactly what is about to happen. 00:26:32.799 --> 00:26:42.160 In Matthew chapter 16, verse 21, he tells them specifically that he is going to die on the cross and be raised again on the third day. 00:26:42.480 --> 00:26:49.599 He reiterates that very specific and clear message on Matthew 17 in verses 22 and 23. 00:26:49.759 --> 00:26:59.359 And then again, Matthew records that Jesus says this to them and explicitly and clearly explains he's going to the cross. 00:26:59.680 --> 00:27:01.920 Show that next scripture, please. 00:27:02.960 --> 00:27:15.039 While going up to Jerusalem, Jesus took the 12 disciples aside privately, and he said to them on the way, listen, we are going up to Jerusalem. 00:27:15.359 --> 00:27:25.119 The Son of Man, which is Jesus' reference to him, it's an Old Testament prophecy of the Messiah that he pulls out trying to explain what he's doing. 00:27:25.279 --> 00:27:34.880 And he says, The Son of Man will be handed over to the chief priests and the scribes, and they will condemn Jesus to death. 00:27:35.519 --> 00:27:45.920 Then they will hand him over to the Gentiles to be mocked, flogged, and crucified, and he will be resurrected on the third day. 00:27:46.240 --> 00:27:51.039 Jesus does not back away from this, and he makes it clear what's about to happen. 00:27:51.279 --> 00:27:59.920 He wants them to understand as every one of these moments unfold that this is on purpose and this is the plan of God. 00:28:00.319 --> 00:28:14.720 He was so clear with his disciples in one of these moments, the Bible records that Peter got so agitated and angry that he rebuked Jesus for describing all of this. 00:28:15.039 --> 00:28:22.079 And Jesus reaffirms again, repeatedly, he is going to Jerusalem. 00:28:22.400 --> 00:28:24.720 He is going to be prosecuted falsely. 00:28:24.960 --> 00:28:27.279 He is going to be beaten, mocked, and flogged. 00:28:27.440 --> 00:28:31.119 He will die on the cross, and then he will be raised again. 00:28:32.720 --> 00:28:36.880 Exactly what happens is what Jesus described. 00:28:37.039 --> 00:28:40.960 You know the story, they're in the upper room, they observe the Lord's Supper as we've just done. 00:28:41.200 --> 00:28:52.880 Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve, he leaves, he betrays Jesus, he tells them where Jesus is going to be so that they can arrest him and begin this process. 00:28:53.119 --> 00:28:59.759 They go to the Garden of Gethsemane, and there in that moment, Jesus asks his disciples to watch and pray with him. 00:29:00.000 --> 00:29:03.599 He gets aside to pray, and there he prays, Father. 00:29:04.400 --> 00:29:10.079 In an incredible moment, I'm not sure all of us could ever fully understand. 00:29:10.640 --> 00:29:13.440 Jesus knowing exactly what would happen. 00:29:13.680 --> 00:29:24.880 Jesus having read in Isaiah where it is prophesied he will be beaten beyond recognition, that you couldn't even recognize him as the person of Jesus. 00:29:25.200 --> 00:29:35.680 He had read Psalm 22 that describes in great detail, long before crucifixion was ever hatched as a plan of discipline. 00:29:36.000 --> 00:29:40.319 It describes the medical process of dying on a cross. 00:29:40.640 --> 00:29:47.039 Jesus was so familiar with Psalm 22 that he actually quotes it from the cross. 00:29:47.359 --> 00:29:57.839 Jesus, knowing what's going to happen, having already described it, he said, Father, if there's any other way, let this cup pass from me. 00:29:58.160 --> 00:30:00.160 But not my will, but yours. 00:30:00.720 --> 00:30:12.480 After he's completed his prayer, Judas brings a group of men who have been commissioned by the Pharisees and the Sadducees to arrest Jesus, and they take him to a mock trial. 00:30:12.799 --> 00:30:19.680 And there in that trial, Jesus makes very clear lies there and what his purpose is. 00:30:19.920 --> 00:30:22.000 They have arrested him for heresy. 00:30:22.160 --> 00:30:31.039 They have arrested him for claiming that he is the Son of God, that he is the deity of Yahweh, that he is his son, and they are putting him on trial for that. 00:30:31.119 --> 00:30:33.599 And they have false witnesses and all of that. 00:30:33.680 --> 00:30:38.480 And then they look to Jesus, and the high priest stood before everyone and he questioned. 00:30:38.640 --> 00:30:45.519 Now, this is a very specific role that authority is given to the high priest to question someone in this moment. 00:30:46.880 --> 00:30:54.799 Jesus has taken their abuse, he's taken their challenges, he's taken the false witnesses, and he's not said anything in his defense. 00:30:55.039 --> 00:31:00.640 And so the high priest says, Don't you have an answer to what these men are testifying against you? 00:31:01.039 --> 00:31:04.559 But he kept silent and he did not answer anything. 00:31:04.720 --> 00:31:11.440 And again the high priest questioned him, Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One? 00:31:11.599 --> 00:31:15.279 And he puts Jesus square on the moment. 00:31:16.240 --> 00:31:18.240 Are you the Messiah? 00:31:18.559 --> 00:31:21.680 And Jesus without hesitation says, I am. 00:31:22.160 --> 00:31:30.400 And he says, I am because it speaks back to that moment that everyone would know where Moses stood in front of the burning bush. 00:31:30.559 --> 00:31:34.960 And he said, How are people supposed to believe me that you have sent me? 00:31:35.119 --> 00:31:40.079 And God from the bush in his presence tells Moses, you tell them, I am. 00:31:41.599 --> 00:31:44.480 And Jesus states, I am. 00:31:45.599 --> 00:31:54.559 And all of you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of the power of God and coming with the clouds of heaven. 00:31:54.720 --> 00:32:00.559 And the high priest tore his robes and he hollers out to everyone, Why do we still need witnesses? 00:32:00.720 --> 00:32:04.480 He has just admitted, don't you hear his blasphemy? 00:32:05.279 --> 00:32:11.039 And he is convicted in their kangaroo court of blasphemy. 00:32:12.240 --> 00:32:13.839 Then what happens? 00:32:14.640 --> 00:32:26.960 Jesus is taken to the Roman leader, the Roman authority, Pontius Pilate, because they don't have the authority to put Jesus to death themselves. 00:32:27.359 --> 00:32:31.039 And so they present him to Pilate, and Pilate says, I don't have anything to do with this. 00:32:31.200 --> 00:32:32.640 This is Jewish law, it's not me. 00:32:32.799 --> 00:32:41.680 He sends him to Herod, who is the trumped-up puppet ruler, who is a Jewish ruler, and he is the puppet of Rome, and he does whatever, and I don't have anything to do with it. 00:32:41.759 --> 00:32:42.960 He sends him back to Pilate. 00:32:43.200 --> 00:32:46.640 Pilate says, Look, I don't have anything to do with this. 00:32:46.880 --> 00:32:54.640 And then he gives them, as is the custom of the day, the opportunity to trade Jesus' life for another criminal. 00:32:54.880 --> 00:33:00.319 As a part of those Passover festivities, Rome would allow them to select one criminal. 00:33:00.559 --> 00:33:06.640 And they called for a man named Barabbas, who was a murderer, and who was a rebel. 00:33:07.200 --> 00:33:13.200 And they say, we would rather have Barabbas than Jesus. 00:33:13.279 --> 00:33:23.440 And Jesus is then allowed, given back to the Roman, uh by the Romans, to the Jews, the leaders, the Pharisees, and the Sadducees to put him to the cross. 00:33:23.759 --> 00:33:33.759 And then the Bible tells us in the book of Hebrews, chapter 12, in an incredible way, for the joy set before him, Jesus endured the cross. 00:33:33.920 --> 00:33:35.839 And here's what that looks like. 00:33:36.079 --> 00:33:42.480 The soldiers at that point lead Jesus away into the courtyard in their headquarters. 00:33:42.640 --> 00:33:45.599 And they call the whole company together. 00:33:46.000 --> 00:33:49.039 They dress Jesus in a purple robe. 00:33:49.279 --> 00:33:53.839 They twisted together a crown of thorns and they put it on his head. 00:33:54.079 --> 00:33:56.319 Now these are not rose thorns. 00:33:56.559 --> 00:34:02.720 These are thorns as long as from the base of my palm to the tip of my middle finger. 00:34:02.960 --> 00:34:04.400 That's what those look like. 00:34:04.640 --> 00:34:08.400 They jammed that on his head and they began to salute him. 00:34:08.559 --> 00:34:10.320 Hail, King of the Jews. 00:34:10.639 --> 00:34:22.559 They kept hitting Jesus on the head with a reed, which is a mockery of worship, knowing the pain of those thorns in his head. 00:34:22.880 --> 00:34:28.480 One version in another one of the Gospels from Mark says that they would hit Jesus. 00:34:28.719 --> 00:34:30.719 They blindfold him in this process. 00:34:30.880 --> 00:34:34.719 They would hit him and they would say, Prophesy, who hit you now? 00:34:35.199 --> 00:34:38.880 They kept hitting him on the head with a reed and spitting on him. 00:34:39.199 --> 00:34:43.760 Getting down on their knees, they were in mockery, paying him homage. 00:34:44.239 --> 00:34:48.000 When they had mocked him, they stripped him of the purple robe. 00:34:48.159 --> 00:34:53.119 They put his clothes on him and they led him out to crucify him. 00:34:53.840 --> 00:35:02.400 After the beatings and the whippings and everything else, Jesus stumbling through the streets of Jerusalem to walk outside of the city. 00:35:02.639 --> 00:35:10.559 The Bible says they forced a man coming in from the country who was passing by to carry Jesus' cross. 00:35:10.800 --> 00:35:16.480 He was Simon, a Serenian, the father of Alexander and Rufus. 00:35:17.119 --> 00:35:24.960 And they brought Jesus outside of the city to the place called Golgotha, which means skull place. 00:35:25.760 --> 00:35:30.079 They tried to give him wine mixed with myrrh, and he did not take it. 00:35:30.719 --> 00:35:40.320 Then they crucified him and divided his clothes, casting lots for them to decide what each one would get. 00:35:41.199 --> 00:35:44.880 It was nine in the morning when they crucified him. 00:35:45.519 --> 00:36:06.000 The inscription of the charge, the custom of the day was to nail somewhere on the cross, if there was a piece above his head, or on the side, if their cross piece did not go that high, they would nail on there the bill of particulars and the crimes for which they were being crucified. 00:36:06.320 --> 00:36:11.199 And Pilate, in a mockery of the Jews, had this inscription written. 00:36:11.519 --> 00:36:15.519 The charge written against him was the king of the Jews. 00:36:16.559 --> 00:36:22.159 They crucified two criminals with him, one on his right and one on his left. 00:36:22.480 --> 00:36:28.639 So the scripture was fulfilled that says, and he was counted among outlaws. 00:36:29.360 --> 00:36:43.599 Those who passed by were yelling insults at Jesus, shaking their heads and saying, Ha! The one who would demolish the sanctuary and build it in three days. 00:36:43.760 --> 00:36:49.840 And they're mocking his prophecy that if they killed him, he would be resurrected in three days. 00:36:50.000 --> 00:36:54.079 They screamed, save yourself by coming down from the cross. 00:36:54.960 --> 00:37:03.920 In the same way the chief priests with scribes were mocking Jesus to one another and saying, He saved others, he cannot save himself. 00:37:04.559 --> 00:37:12.239 Let the Messiah, the king of Israel, come down now from that cross so that we may see and believe. 00:37:13.360 --> 00:37:21.360 And even those who were crucified with Jesus were taunting him from their crosses. 00:37:23.440 --> 00:37:35.440 In the midst of all of this, the Bible records and makes clear that Jesus never wavered from his purpose on the cross. 00:37:35.679 --> 00:37:46.480 They record statements that Jesus called out hanging on the cross so that we would know that Jesus never wavered from his purpose there. 00:37:47.119 --> 00:37:53.519 Luke records when they nailed the nails through his wrists and his feet. 00:37:54.079 --> 00:37:59.599 Jesus says, Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing. 00:38:00.480 --> 00:38:10.559 When the thieves mocking him on either side, and one of them says, Save us and take us off the cross, and the other one says, Hush, don't you know that we deserve to be here? 00:38:10.639 --> 00:38:11.920 But he does not. 00:38:12.559 --> 00:38:18.239 And Jesus spoke to this man and he said, Today you will be with me in paradise. 00:38:19.920 --> 00:38:34.079 As the time on the cross progressed, and Jesus is beginning to deal with the sin and the weight on it, and his body is beginning to break under the pressure of all this. 00:38:34.400 --> 00:38:39.280 He cries out, It is finished. 00:38:41.039 --> 00:38:45.360 Because he was on the cross for a purpose. 00:38:46.480 --> 00:38:51.519 And then the Bible records that Jesus says this as well on the cross. 00:38:52.639 --> 00:39:01.519 As you continue to read, he says, Father, into your hands I commend my spirit. 00:39:01.760 --> 00:39:08.000 Now remember, Jesus made clear to his disciples, no one takes my life. 00:39:08.719 --> 00:39:10.079 I lay it down. 00:39:10.480 --> 00:39:18.960 And here on the cross, Jesus hollers out, and everyone who is listening hears him say, Father, I am now giving you my spirit. 00:39:19.199 --> 00:39:40.480 This week, during the week, just as an encouragement to you, each day on our social media, I will take just a couple of minutes and I'll unpack each of the seven things that are recorded that Jesus said from the cross as a devotional this week and to remind us of the cross of Jesus as we head towards the empty tomb. 00:39:40.800 --> 00:39:50.719 The Bible continues in Mark chapter 15, when it was noon, darkness came over the entire land until three in the afternoon. 00:39:51.119 --> 00:40:05.840 And at three, Jesus cried out with a loud voice, Eloh, Elo, Lama Sabakfani, which is translated, My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? 00:40:06.320 --> 00:40:12.000 You see, Jesus is now bearing the full weight of sin. 00:40:13.119 --> 00:40:18.079 Some of those standing there, they heard this and they said, Look, he's calling out for Elijah. 00:40:18.320 --> 00:40:24.639 Someone ran and filled a sponge with sour wine, fixed it on a stick, on a reed, and offered him a drink. 00:40:24.800 --> 00:40:27.760 And he said, Let's see if Elijah comes to take him down. 00:40:28.000 --> 00:40:29.840 They're mocking him still. 00:40:30.400 --> 00:40:34.639 But Jesus let out a loud cry. 00:40:35.119 --> 00:40:38.000 Why is this recorded in the Gospels? 00:40:38.320 --> 00:40:43.039 Because Jesus said, I lay down my life. 00:40:43.679 --> 00:40:47.679 He says, Father, into your hands I commend my spirit. 00:40:47.920 --> 00:40:56.000 Jesus, in a moment of strength, the physical strength, hollers out so everyone knows he is still alive. 00:40:57.519 --> 00:41:00.000 And then he gave his life for our sins. 00:41:00.400 --> 00:41:02.159 And he breathed his last. 00:41:03.360 --> 00:41:17.599 In that moment, the Bible records that over in the temple, the veil that separated the priests and the people from the presence of God, the Holy of Holies, God tore it from the top and ripped it all the way down. 00:41:18.639 --> 00:41:23.199 And this is probably one of the greatest testimonies ever recorded in history. 00:41:23.679 --> 00:41:35.119 When the centurion who was standing opposite of Jesus and saw the way, he breathed his last, he said, This man was really God's son. 00:41:36.559 --> 00:41:44.639 And how he watched Jesus never waver in his purpose. 00:41:45.119 --> 00:41:50.079 As he saw the hand of God move in the darkness and all of those things. 00:41:50.880 --> 00:42:00.639 As he is standing there in the presence of Jesus and he sees the grace for Jesus to ask, do not lay this at their feet, the ones who are doing this to me. 00:42:00.719 --> 00:42:04.719 Father, they don't understand the magnitude of what's happening. 00:42:04.800 --> 00:42:05.440 Forgive them. 00:42:05.679 --> 00:42:13.280 As he looked at a pre- at a thief who was hanging on the cross next to him, and he says, You will be with me in paradise. 00:42:13.679 --> 00:42:19.519 This centurion who had seen untold numbers of people die on the cross. 00:42:19.760 --> 00:42:22.639 He was an expert in watching death on the cross. 00:42:22.960 --> 00:42:26.159 He had never seen this. 00:42:28.960 --> 00:42:31.760 He said, This was God's son. 00:42:34.400 --> 00:42:40.239 The Bible records that this happened for you and for me. 00:42:42.159 --> 00:42:45.840 This was God's body, which is broken for us. 00:42:47.119 --> 00:42:51.679 I told you at the beginning of the service there would be an opportunity for you to give your life to Christ. 00:42:52.400 --> 00:43:00.800 When you come to give your life to Jesus, you are trusting the truth of what is recorded in Scripture. 00:43:01.679 --> 00:43:06.639 And you are asking for forgiveness of your sins that Jesus died for you. 00:43:07.039 --> 00:43:11.679 And you are making the testimony of this centurion, this man really was God's son. 00:43:12.239 --> 00:43:17.440 From the beginning of the church until today, this has always been our message. 00:43:17.679 --> 00:43:37.199 On the day of Pentecost, just a short time later, the Bible records in Acts chapter 2, verse 22, that very first message publicly preached at the temple, offering salvation and explaining the impact of what had happened. 00:43:37.599 --> 00:43:43.280 Peter in preaching the gospel preached the gospel the way we preach the gospel today. 00:43:43.599 --> 00:43:46.000 Men of Israel, listen to these words. 00:43:46.320 --> 00:43:59.679 This Jesus the Nazarene was a man pointed out to you by God with miracles, wonders, and signs that God did among you through him, just as you yourselves know. 00:44:00.159 --> 00:44:02.719 No, they watched it happen. 00:44:03.760 --> 00:44:17.280 Though Jesus was delivered up according to God's determined plan and foreknowledge, he used useless people to nail him to a cross and kill him. 00:44:17.920 --> 00:44:26.559 And then God raised him up, ending the pains of death, because it was not possible for Jesus to be held by it. 00:44:27.920 --> 00:44:29.920 Jesus hung on that cross. 00:44:30.239 --> 00:44:33.119 He endured that to pay the price for our sins. 00:44:33.360 --> 00:44:40.880 And as we'll study next week, he rose again, conquering death and sin to offer us salvation. 00:44:41.760 --> 00:44:45.360 As Peter preached, that is the gospel. 00:44:46.159 --> 00:44:48.480 That is the gospel that we preach. 00:44:49.039 --> 00:44:52.000 That is the gospel that we sing in our song services. 00:44:52.480 --> 00:44:59.039 That is the gospel that we observe as Jesus said we would do and as Paul called us to do. 00:44:59.360 --> 00:45:03.119 And it is the gospel that we offer today. 00:45:04.239 --> 00:45:07.119 Jesus loved you and he died for you on the cross. 00:45:08.400 --> 00:45:11.039 He rose again, conquering death and sin. 00:45:11.679 --> 00:45:17.920 If you've never trusted Christ as your Savior, we want you to know from the Word of God what Jesus did for you. 00:45:18.159 --> 00:45:20.880 I'm going to ask you to bow your heads as we close. 00:45:22.159 --> 00:45:25.119 And just as we promised, we're going to give an invitation. 00:45:25.519 --> 00:45:38.719 It's an opportunity for you to place your faith and your life and your trust in what God's word prophesied and testified that Jesus did. 00:45:39.280 --> 00:45:42.079 You heard Peter say this was God's plan. 00:45:42.400 --> 00:45:45.119 He sent Jesus to the cross for you. 00:45:45.679 --> 00:45:51.199 And if you've never trusted Christ as your Savior, I want to invite you this morning. 00:45:52.400 --> 00:45:55.199 Recognize that he was the Son of God. 00:45:55.440 --> 00:46:03.039 Hear the witness of the centurion who stood at the foot of the cross and said, This was God's Son. 00:46:03.840 --> 00:46:06.719 Hear the message that Peter offers. 00:46:07.039 --> 00:46:12.719 Jesus died for you and then he rose again because the grave could not hold him. 00:46:13.679 --> 00:46:16.480 He conquered death and sin for you. 00:46:16.800 --> 00:46:20.800 If you've never trusted Christ as your Savior, in a moment I'm going to pray. 00:46:21.039 --> 00:46:36.800 And God's people who have trusted in this very message, they're going to stand and sing this song in the words of this song, giving testimony that they believe and have trusted that Jesus died for them. 00:46:37.360 --> 00:46:40.079 And we want to invite you to give your life as well. 00:46:40.320 --> 00:46:48.239 If you're watching online or by television, right there where you are, you don't have to be here in this building to give your life to Jesus. 00:46:48.559 --> 00:46:51.440 That centurion was standing at the foot of the cross. 00:46:51.599 --> 00:46:54.719 That thief was hanging on a cross next to Jesus. 00:46:54.960 --> 00:46:57.760 Right there where you are, you can give testimony. 00:46:58.000 --> 00:47:03.039 And you can surrender your life to Jesus, to the one who gave his life for you. 00:47:03.840 --> 00:47:06.159 You just recognize you're a sinner. 00:47:06.480 --> 00:47:08.639 Lord, I'm sorry I've sinned. 00:47:09.119 --> 00:47:14.880 You take your life, everything you've been, you are, and you ever will be, and you give it all to Jesus. 00:47:15.280 --> 00:47:18.239 Friends, he'll do more with your life than you could ever imagine. 00:47:19.119 --> 00:47:21.679 I'm going to pray, God's people are going to sing. 00:47:22.639 --> 00:47:26.559 And if you need Jesus, we have pastors here at the head of these aisles. 00:47:26.719 --> 00:47:29.519 Someone, if you come down out of the balcony, they'll meet you there. 00:47:30.079 --> 00:47:33.119 Come and give your life to Jesus who died for you. 00:47:33.440 --> 00:47:35.119 Lord, we thank you for your word. 00:47:35.760 --> 00:47:37.840 It does not pull any punches. 00:47:38.719 --> 00:47:43.199 It does not cover up what you went through for us. 00:47:43.920 --> 00:48:07.280 We thank you for your word that teaches us that this was not some accident or some conspiracy by the Pharisees, but God planned it from the beginning, and Jesus purposefully and intentionally and willfully and powerfully went to the cross, took on our sin, paid the price for our sin, and then rose again, offering us salvation, conquering death and sin. 00:48:08.239 --> 00:48:11.119 Lord, I pray that there's someone who doesn't know Christ. 00:48:11.360 --> 00:48:12.719 They've not trusted him. 00:48:13.360 --> 00:48:19.440 Through your word this morning, they will see how much Jesus loves them and give their life to him. 00:48:19.920 --> 00:48:20.800 This is our prayer. 00:48:20.880 --> 00:48:23.519 We prayed in the name of Jesus when all God's people said. 00:48:24.320 --> 00:48:29.039 We pray this message has been a blessing to you and helped to strengthen your walk with Jesus. 00:48:29.199 --> 00:48:32.079 Please know we want to minister to you and pray for you. 00:48:32.239 --> 00:48:39.679 Send an email to contact us at fsfbc.org and let us pray for you and help you in any way we can. 00:48:39.920 --> 00:48:46.239 Thank you for listening to Chapter and First, the Bible Teaching Ministry of Fort Smith's First Baptist Church.