WEBVTT 00:00:01.360 --> 00:00:04.719 Welcome to this week's message from the Church at Chelsea Westover. 00:00:04.879 --> 00:00:10.800 Our core values are vibrant worship, intimate fellowship, fulfilling service, and clear biblical truth. 00:00:10.960 --> 00:00:13.359 We pray that this message changes your life. 00:00:13.519 --> 00:00:17.760 Let's tune in to today's message and see what God has in store for you. 00:00:18.160 --> 00:00:22.239 I want you to turn with me in your Bibles this morning to Luke 23. 00:00:22.800 --> 00:00:24.079 Luke 23. 00:00:24.480 --> 00:00:28.320 And uh again, I am deedra so thankful. 00:00:28.480 --> 00:00:32.159 And that's a testimony within itself when you hear her testimony. 00:00:32.399 --> 00:00:36.479 When we ask her to come and be our missions director. 00:00:36.960 --> 00:00:41.280 And uh I saw the look that she gave me when she when I asked her that. 00:00:41.439 --> 00:00:43.920 And I said, Well, will you at least pray about it? 00:00:44.240 --> 00:00:46.159 She said, Well, that I will do. 00:00:46.399 --> 00:00:58.079 And so then we got her down here, and the lady offered her such a ridiculous opportunity to pay$500 down on a house, uh, and they'd start building it immediately. 00:00:58.399 --> 00:01:01.840 And she was praying that she'd get a confirmation that day. 00:01:02.079 --> 00:01:07.680 And I turned to her and I looked at her and I said, uh, duh, confirmation. 00:01:07.840 --> 00:01:08.799 She had been looking around. 00:01:08.959 --> 00:01:11.200 Another place said, We've got to have$4,000. 00:01:11.760 --> 00:01:14.239 This place where she lives in Chelsea Parks. 00:01:14.400 --> 00:01:16.079 Lady said, No, all I need is$500. 00:01:16.400 --> 00:01:17.599 We can start building the house. 00:01:17.680 --> 00:01:19.760 And if it falls through, it falls through. 00:01:19.840 --> 00:01:22.000 Uh, all you lose is$500. 00:01:22.560 --> 00:01:26.480 And I said, uh, Deedra, do you want me to pay the$500? 00:01:27.040 --> 00:01:32.079 I said, God has opened this door and let's not close it. 00:01:32.319 --> 00:01:36.159 So anyway, it was a joy to see how God used Deedra. 00:01:36.719 --> 00:01:38.879 Really taking her ministry to another level. 00:01:39.120 --> 00:01:40.079 It really has. 00:01:40.400 --> 00:01:42.799 And so, to God be the glory. 00:01:43.359 --> 00:01:47.120 Today we start our new series on the words from the cross. 00:01:47.680 --> 00:01:52.879 And the first word that we're going to be dealing with today is the word forgiveness. 00:01:53.200 --> 00:01:59.120 In Luke 23, the setting, the picture, is the crucifixion of Christ. 00:02:00.000 --> 00:02:10.159 And verse 34, then said Jesus, Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do. 00:02:11.039 --> 00:02:16.719 Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do. 00:02:16.879 --> 00:02:23.680 Today I want us to look at, and before I start, anyone that needs a worship guide, anybody needs a worship guide? 00:02:23.759 --> 00:02:26.319 All right, we've got a couple of hands right here. 00:02:26.560 --> 00:02:34.159 Uh make sure you have it because I want you to follow me on your on the back of your worship guide is our outline for the message. 00:02:34.479 --> 00:02:56.159 And uh Jesus is hanging on the cross, and as I said, the words from the cross encompass seven words that Jesus, now, that we know he said, we don't know exactly, but we do know scripturally that there were seven words spoken by Jesus during those horrible hours. 00:02:56.479 --> 00:03:05.520 But one of the, I think, what make the words of the cross so precious is I don't know if you've ever been around someone that was dying. 00:03:06.000 --> 00:03:09.599 I've been around several because of the ministry I'm in. 00:03:10.000 --> 00:03:22.960 And uh prior to them dying and they're able to comprehend what you're saying and to them and what they are saying to you, those are as precious words that could ever be spoken. 00:03:23.280 --> 00:03:24.319 Because why? 00:03:24.560 --> 00:03:29.919 Those are the last words of someone you love or someone you know. 00:03:30.319 --> 00:03:40.639 Well, Jesus' last words are unbelievably not just precious, but powerful for each of us. 00:03:40.879 --> 00:03:46.080 And there's not a more powerful word in the Bible than the word forgiven. 00:03:46.400 --> 00:04:00.800 Forgiveness is the greatest word ever written, ever penned by the authors that wrote through the direction and the power and the guidance of the Holy Spirit of God from God, the writing of the Word of God. 00:04:01.199 --> 00:04:07.439 So today we're gonna look at, first of all, the prayer of a forgiving love. 00:04:07.919 --> 00:04:15.759 When Jesus made that statement, Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do. 00:04:16.720 --> 00:04:18.959 He had just been spat upon. 00:04:19.439 --> 00:04:32.959 He had just been lacerated, his back beyond recognition, and unbelievably, all the nerve tendings were just ripped to pieces with the Cataline's tail, the Roman's whip. 00:04:33.199 --> 00:04:40.720 He had just had nails piercing his flesh and his skin and his hands and in his feet. 00:04:40.879 --> 00:04:47.040 He had had a crown of thorns beaten down upon his brow. 00:04:47.360 --> 00:04:49.120 All this had just happened. 00:04:49.199 --> 00:05:04.800 And even one of the worst things, when they raised the cross and put it in the ground, it was with such a thug, such a hit, that Psalms 22, 14 says, every bone in his body was out of joint. 00:05:06.160 --> 00:05:15.759 And with all that that had just happened to him, 24 hours of no sleep, brutality beyond expression. 00:05:16.480 --> 00:05:22.160 Now his first word, Father, forgive them. 00:05:25.920 --> 00:05:30.480 What an unbelievable picture of God's love. 00:05:30.800 --> 00:05:31.199 Dr. 00:05:31.279 --> 00:05:39.680 David Smith, in his Life of Christ book that he wrote, speaks of the kind of thing that often happened when criminals were crucified. 00:05:39.759 --> 00:05:42.959 And there were two thieves crucified that day with Jesus. 00:05:43.199 --> 00:05:49.120 He said they would shriek, they would cuss, they would try to spit on the people around the cross. 00:05:49.279 --> 00:05:58.399 I mean, it was a horrible scene, but yet, in that horrible situation, God says, Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do. 00:05:58.560 --> 00:06:02.720 Now notice number one, the prayer or forgiving love. 00:06:03.120 --> 00:06:06.319 When he makes that statement, the first word was a prayer. 00:06:06.480 --> 00:06:09.279 And in that prayer, I want us to look at three things. 00:06:09.439 --> 00:06:15.600 In this prayer that he prayed, the first word from the cross was a prayer to God, the Father, for forgiveness. 00:06:15.759 --> 00:06:31.199 And I thought immediately how important that is because the very first thought of Danny Lovett in God's mind was that I want him to be forgiven for his sins so he can spend an eternity with me. 00:06:31.519 --> 00:06:33.120 Wow, what a thought. 00:06:33.439 --> 00:06:40.399 The same, I mean, the first words from Christ's mouth on the cross expresses his heart. 00:06:40.800 --> 00:06:42.800 Father, forgive them. 00:06:43.360 --> 00:06:45.360 Father, forgive them. 00:06:45.759 --> 00:06:52.079 And we see, number one, in this prayer, the submissiveness of his petition. 00:06:52.319 --> 00:06:55.839 We see his submissiveness to God the Father. 00:06:56.000 --> 00:06:56.959 Notice what he says. 00:06:57.199 --> 00:06:59.279 Father, forgive. 00:06:59.680 --> 00:07:02.879 Notice he addresses his father later on. 00:07:03.199 --> 00:07:11.759 We'll see by considering another cry that he had from the cross when he said, My God, my God, why has thou forsaken me? 00:07:11.920 --> 00:07:16.560 And then another prayer, he prays, Into thy hands I commend my spirit. 00:07:16.720 --> 00:07:18.160 Those are words we'll be looking at. 00:07:18.240 --> 00:07:22.160 But right here, he's saying, Father, forgive them. 00:07:22.639 --> 00:07:38.480 And then in another incident in the garden, before he was arrested, remember in Matthew 27, 46, he says, and what a tremendous prayer he says there, my God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? 00:07:38.639 --> 00:07:46.079 That was on the cross, but then in the garden, he says, Father, if there be any other way, can this cup pass from me? 00:07:46.560 --> 00:07:49.839 But if not, thy will be done. 00:07:50.480 --> 00:07:55.199 So we see complete submissiveness of Jesus Christ to God the Father. 00:07:55.439 --> 00:08:06.319 A few hours again, we see that he's hanging there for hours on the cross, and his whole thought is to submit to God's will for his life. 00:08:06.480 --> 00:08:13.759 And he says, My meet is to do the will of the Father which sent me in Matthew, I mean, in John 4, 34. 00:08:13.839 --> 00:08:16.160 Now watch this, and you're gonna we're gonna throw it up there. 00:08:16.319 --> 00:08:19.759 In John 17, 4, here's what he also prays. 00:08:20.079 --> 00:08:23.360 And we call this, this is really the Lord's Prayer. 00:08:23.519 --> 00:08:31.759 Uh we call Matthew chapter 6 the Lord's Prayer, but really it's the disciples' prayer, and John 17 is the Lord's Prayer. 00:08:31.839 --> 00:08:33.120 And here's what he says. 00:08:33.279 --> 00:08:36.320 By the way, it's okay to call it the Lord's Prayer, Matthew 6. 00:08:36.480 --> 00:08:42.799 But notice what he says: I have glorified thee on the earth, and I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do. 00:08:43.039 --> 00:08:46.399 Now, here's what I want you to see in this one tremendous verse. 00:08:46.639 --> 00:08:54.480 You and I, just as Jesus Christ submitted to the will of God the Father, he was completely submissive to what God wanted him to do. 00:08:54.559 --> 00:08:56.480 And what was God's will for his life? 00:08:56.720 --> 00:08:58.480 That he would come to what? 00:08:58.799 --> 00:09:15.440 He would come to this earth and that he would live and minister at least three years, we know of, according to the scriptures, and then he would take the sins of the whole world upon him and take it to the cross and Calvary and crucify our sins. 00:09:16.240 --> 00:09:17.279 So that was his will. 00:09:17.519 --> 00:09:25.440 He was completely, even though in that one moment in the garden there, and some people say, well, he really didn't want to go through the pain. 00:09:25.519 --> 00:09:30.879 He didn't want to go through the agony of the cross when he prayed, if there be any other way, absolutely not. 00:09:31.279 --> 00:09:33.039 A guy said, No, you can't prove that. 00:09:33.200 --> 00:09:34.080 Yes, I can. 00:09:34.320 --> 00:09:38.399 Oh, it wasn't going to the cross, it wasn't the brutality, it wasn't all the pain. 00:09:38.559 --> 00:09:43.679 No, he knew that's, hey, no, he didn't want to avoid that because how do you know that? 00:09:43.840 --> 00:09:45.039 Hebrews 12, 2. 00:09:45.279 --> 00:09:54.720 Looking, Jesus said, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy set before him, went to the cross. 00:09:55.120 --> 00:09:58.720 It was a joy for him to go to the cross to die for me and you. 00:09:59.120 --> 00:10:08.320 What he was crying that he knew that he was going to have to be separated from God the Father for the first time and the only time for an eternity. 00:10:08.480 --> 00:10:10.159 And he could not stand it. 00:10:10.240 --> 00:10:16.159 He was hoping there'd be any other way except him being separated from his father. 00:10:17.519 --> 00:10:19.120 What a beautiful picture. 00:10:19.440 --> 00:10:23.840 But at the end he said, But not my will, but thy will be done. 00:10:24.080 --> 00:10:28.960 And so, with that complete submissiveness there, here's what God's asking us. 00:10:29.120 --> 00:10:30.000 Two things. 00:10:30.240 --> 00:10:33.519 One, that we glorify God the Father. 00:10:33.679 --> 00:10:34.960 Can I get an amen? 00:10:35.120 --> 00:10:40.399 Whether we eat or drink of whatsoever we do, we do all to the glory of God. 00:10:41.039 --> 00:10:41.440 Amen. 00:10:41.600 --> 00:10:43.039 1 Corinthians 10, 31. 00:10:43.200 --> 00:10:44.159 That is our purpose. 00:10:44.240 --> 00:10:45.440 And notice the second thing. 00:10:45.600 --> 00:10:52.720 Not only are we to bring glory to God the Father on this earth, whether I eat or drink of whatsoever do, I do all to the glory of God. 00:10:52.879 --> 00:10:56.320 Folks, that means everything you do, every relationship you have. 00:10:56.559 --> 00:11:10.720 You know, sometimes one of the prayers I ask myself when I get up and having my quiet time and I'm getting ready to leave, whether it's to go work out at the Y or go visiting, God, let me be pleasing to you. 00:11:10.879 --> 00:11:13.039 Let me say things that will honor you. 00:11:13.200 --> 00:11:14.960 Let me help people that will honor you. 00:11:15.120 --> 00:11:18.399 Everything I do today, let me draw attention to you. 00:11:19.120 --> 00:11:21.279 Now that's a powerful prayer, folks. 00:11:21.440 --> 00:11:23.919 And do you know what I say before I say amen? 00:11:24.080 --> 00:11:26.639 And convict me when I don't. 00:11:27.360 --> 00:11:29.679 Boy, boy, just like that. 00:11:30.320 --> 00:11:31.279 Wrong attitude. 00:11:31.360 --> 00:11:33.919 Why are you what are you thinking about that lady in front of you? 00:11:34.080 --> 00:11:35.279 Sure, she's a little slow. 00:11:35.440 --> 00:11:39.360 Sure, she's not going through the, she's waiting until the light turns red again. 00:11:39.519 --> 00:11:43.360 Yeah, all, but what uh what are you exemplifying? 00:11:44.480 --> 00:11:45.919 What kind of Christ like? 00:11:46.240 --> 00:11:49.039 You know, somebody, do you stop, let somebody go in front of you? 00:11:49.200 --> 00:11:50.320 Do you open the door for them? 00:11:50.480 --> 00:12:02.320 Do you help put when's the last time you've been in Walmart parking lot, and you don't you just love the people that decide after they unload their buggies, they just let them go? 00:12:03.679 --> 00:12:07.200 When's the last time you've you've taken, and I've watched my wife do this more. 00:12:07.360 --> 00:12:08.639 In fact, she convicted me. 00:12:08.720 --> 00:12:09.679 Now I'm doing it. 00:12:09.840 --> 00:12:17.440 I just go grab the, I go, I go buggy hunting and put the buggies in the in the proper place. 00:12:17.600 --> 00:12:18.799 But that's what we're talking about. 00:12:18.960 --> 00:12:23.600 Something that draws attention to Christ, whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do also the glory of God. 00:12:23.679 --> 00:12:24.879 Then notice the second thing. 00:12:25.039 --> 00:12:33.039 Here's what he wants he wants our complete submissiveness to bring honor and glory to him, but also to finish the work which he's gave us to do. 00:12:33.279 --> 00:12:33.840 Wow. 00:12:34.080 --> 00:12:39.279 Do you realize the exciting thing as I was watching these men and I was thinking about this point? 00:12:39.600 --> 00:12:48.720 God's submissive direction for the church at Chelsea Westover is to be doing missions in our community and abroad. 00:12:48.879 --> 00:12:52.000 That's our so what you just saw is what we're called to do. 00:12:52.240 --> 00:12:59.039 This is God's heartbeat for this church to carry the gospel to home and abroad. 00:12:59.200 --> 00:13:09.919 And we're not trying to, and we're fortunate, we are so blessed, we're able with uh through the Southern Baptist Convention, we got over 5,000 missionaries all over the world that we give to the convention. 00:13:10.080 --> 00:13:18.320 10% of that 30% goes there, and it's spread out to the national convention, to the missionaries, and also it's spread out to our local. 00:13:18.639 --> 00:13:25.120 So it helps, and our Shelby Baptist Association is phenomenal and how they help people, and we are part of that. 00:13:25.279 --> 00:13:36.399 But it's also, and when we take the special offerings, uh, Lottie Moon and uh uh yes, Annie Armstrong, all those go directly to the missionaries. 00:13:36.639 --> 00:13:41.679 So we are so involved, but the exciting thing is we just don't give our money, we go. 00:13:42.639 --> 00:13:46.480 And I encourage you to go on a short-term mission trip. 00:13:46.639 --> 00:13:48.639 Oh, it's uh it'll change your life. 00:13:48.720 --> 00:13:49.759 I'll tell you what it'll do. 00:13:49.840 --> 00:14:01.200 It'll humble you so quickly when you see how other people live in third world countries, you'll come back, you'll get on that plane, and when it starts landing in America, you'll say, God bless America. 00:14:02.240 --> 00:14:04.240 And you'll be very thankful. 00:14:04.720 --> 00:14:07.279 So, submissiveness. 00:14:07.840 --> 00:14:10.320 Totally the submissiveness of his petition. 00:14:10.480 --> 00:14:11.600 Notice the second thing. 00:14:11.840 --> 00:14:14.320 Notice what he says, Father, forgive them. 00:14:14.480 --> 00:14:15.360 Look at the word them. 00:14:15.759 --> 00:14:18.799 It is the inclusiveness of his intention. 00:14:19.039 --> 00:14:23.679 His inclusiveness of his intention is that everybody be saved. 00:14:23.919 --> 00:14:27.279 Now, I'm one of those that believe God died for everybody. 00:14:27.759 --> 00:14:39.360 The Bible says the Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness, but is long-suffering, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. 00:14:39.600 --> 00:14:42.080 2 Peter 3 9, I think it's up there. 00:14:42.320 --> 00:14:51.759 God, for God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 00:14:51.919 --> 00:14:58.159 For God sent not his son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through him might be saved. 00:14:58.720 --> 00:15:00.879 John 3, 16 and 70. 00:15:01.279 --> 00:15:03.360 God wants everyone to be saved. 00:15:03.440 --> 00:15:04.559 Is everyone going to be saved? 00:15:04.720 --> 00:15:05.679 Absolutely not. 00:15:05.919 --> 00:15:06.879 Because you have a choice. 00:15:07.039 --> 00:15:08.639 You can choose him or you can reject him. 00:15:08.879 --> 00:15:10.639 The greatest example is on the cross. 00:15:10.799 --> 00:15:13.200 He had a thief on the right and a thief on the left. 00:15:13.360 --> 00:15:17.120 One of the thieves rejected him, one of the thieves received him. 00:15:17.679 --> 00:15:20.000 And hey, you and I have a choice. 00:15:20.240 --> 00:15:23.759 Both of those thieves that day had the same choice. 00:15:24.000 --> 00:15:28.000 They both started out criticizing him, cursing him early in the morning. 00:15:28.240 --> 00:15:42.320 But by the time when the thief heard the tremendous, unbelievable agape love spoken and seen in Christ from the cross, the first word of his prayer, Father, forgive them. 00:15:42.559 --> 00:15:45.679 It so pierced his heart with the love of Christ. 00:15:45.840 --> 00:15:47.519 And Christ was lifted up. 00:15:47.600 --> 00:15:52.320 And he says in John 12, 32, if I be lifted up, I'll draw all men unto myself. 00:15:52.480 --> 00:16:02.720 And that thief on the left turned and he said, I mean, on the right, and he turned and he said to his buddy or the other thief, why are you doing this? 00:16:02.960 --> 00:16:05.039 He has done nothing wrong. 00:16:05.919 --> 00:16:08.480 He started witnessing to the other thief. 00:16:08.639 --> 00:16:10.639 That's when you know you get changed. 00:16:11.279 --> 00:16:11.919 Amen. 00:16:13.840 --> 00:16:17.200 Because he saw the love, the love of Christ. 00:16:17.440 --> 00:16:20.080 So the word them is for everyone. 00:16:20.240 --> 00:16:22.480 I think about Judas. 00:16:22.879 --> 00:16:28.240 It was for Judas Iscariot, the one that died, hung himself, and ended up going to hell. 00:16:28.480 --> 00:16:29.759 But he had a chance. 00:16:29.919 --> 00:16:33.519 Even in the Last Supper, he had a chance to be saved. 00:16:34.080 --> 00:16:35.519 God gave him that chance. 00:16:35.679 --> 00:16:38.080 And then I start thinking about the other examples. 00:16:38.320 --> 00:16:39.039 Pilate. 00:16:39.200 --> 00:16:40.320 Remember Pilate. 00:16:40.480 --> 00:16:43.440 Pilate had an opportunity to be saved. 00:16:43.600 --> 00:16:46.639 The one that ultimately had him crucified. 00:16:46.960 --> 00:16:48.639 He had a chance to be saved. 00:16:48.799 --> 00:17:00.399 And then I got to thinking about those priests, a lot of them that hollered, crucify him, crucify him, even plotted for his crucifixion. 00:17:00.720 --> 00:17:03.519 They had an opportunity to be saved. 00:17:03.759 --> 00:17:04.160 Why? 00:17:04.400 --> 00:17:11.119 Romans 5 8, but God commended his love toward us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 00:17:11.680 --> 00:17:14.079 Wow, what love. 00:17:14.720 --> 00:17:18.880 What unbelievable example of love. 00:17:19.440 --> 00:17:28.240 So, it included every man, woman, and child before and since the cross, for he hung there as the redeemer and savior of the whole world. 00:17:29.359 --> 00:17:34.480 Notice the third thing of this prayer. 00:17:34.720 --> 00:17:38.960 The redemptiveness of his contention. 00:17:39.200 --> 00:17:41.599 Notice verse 34, the next phrase. 00:17:41.759 --> 00:17:43.680 They know not what they do. 00:17:44.079 --> 00:17:46.720 Did they really not know what they were doing? 00:17:47.200 --> 00:17:48.400 I got to thinking about it. 00:17:48.480 --> 00:17:48.880 Good question. 00:17:49.039 --> 00:17:50.559 Did they really not know what they were doing? 00:17:50.720 --> 00:17:57.680 Did they really not know that they were crucifying the Messiah? 00:17:59.359 --> 00:17:59.680 No. 00:18:00.799 --> 00:18:03.039 They were blinded to the truth. 00:18:03.279 --> 00:18:04.319 They didn't know. 00:18:04.480 --> 00:18:07.440 In fact, I started looking at great examples there. 00:18:07.759 --> 00:18:19.680 I meant the soldiers, as familiar with all that was happening in Jerusalem and knew all about Jesus, they're, you know, his preaching must have been challenged again and again as they went to take him. 00:18:19.839 --> 00:18:26.640 And remember when they went and they tried to arrest him in the garden and he spoke, I am phoned, and they hit the ground. 00:18:26.799 --> 00:18:29.359 We talked about that a few weeks ago. 00:18:30.400 --> 00:18:33.359 Shouldn't that have gotten their attention a little bit? 00:18:34.799 --> 00:18:39.039 And then I got to thinking, oh, hey, there's Pilate. 00:18:39.279 --> 00:18:40.319 There's Pilate. 00:18:40.480 --> 00:18:41.759 And notice what he said. 00:18:41.920 --> 00:18:51.359 For having weighed the evidence right here in this chapter, verse 41, and weighing the evidence carefully, he said, This man has done nothing wrong. 00:18:51.839 --> 00:19:01.920 And then Judas, even Judas, the son of perdition, and Matthew 7, 4, said, I have sinned by betraying innocent blood. 00:19:03.279 --> 00:19:04.960 They ought to have known something. 00:19:05.119 --> 00:19:07.599 And then even the period of Pentecost. 00:19:08.400 --> 00:19:12.640 And when we see what took place in Pentecost, unbelievable. 00:19:13.200 --> 00:19:14.960 They should have known something. 00:19:15.599 --> 00:19:19.680 And we see that Peter expresses the same thought after the day of Pentecost. 00:19:19.839 --> 00:19:20.960 Listen to what he said. 00:19:21.200 --> 00:19:22.880 Addressing the religious leaders. 00:19:22.960 --> 00:19:32.319 He says, Brethren, in Acts 3.17, brethren, I know that you did it in ignorance, as did also your rulers. 00:19:32.559 --> 00:19:33.200 Wow. 00:19:33.759 --> 00:19:34.960 They didn't know. 00:19:35.279 --> 00:19:37.359 They didn't know, or they didn't want to know. 00:19:37.519 --> 00:19:44.720 Either way, Satan had blinded their knowledge and their senses of who this man really was. 00:19:44.880 --> 00:19:46.319 In fact, listen to what Paul said. 00:19:46.480 --> 00:19:50.880 Even Paul himself, before he got saved, was killing Christians. 00:19:51.039 --> 00:19:52.319 Do y'all realize that? 00:19:53.759 --> 00:19:57.200 And notice what even Paul said about himself. 00:19:57.440 --> 00:20:01.359 Paul could add, he said, none of the rulers of this age knew. 00:20:01.519 --> 00:20:06.000 For had they known, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. 00:20:06.240 --> 00:20:07.599 1 Corinthians 2.8. 00:20:07.759 --> 00:20:09.519 And then Paul said about himself. 00:20:09.759 --> 00:20:12.079 Paul knew something of his own heart. 00:20:12.160 --> 00:20:20.960 He said, as I look back upon the depths of my sin that I had to confess, I did it ignorantly in unbelief. 00:20:21.200 --> 00:20:23.279 1 Timothy 1.13. 00:20:24.319 --> 00:20:26.960 Even knowing the fact of sin. 00:20:27.119 --> 00:20:30.240 However, we cannot fathom the enormity of it. 00:20:30.400 --> 00:20:35.279 No man will ever live to know the depths of human sin in crucifying Jesus Christ. 00:20:35.440 --> 00:20:37.599 And we are included in that act. 00:20:37.839 --> 00:20:40.799 It was our sins that crucified him. 00:20:42.079 --> 00:20:43.599 It was our sins. 00:20:44.480 --> 00:20:50.160 So you may be sitting here this morning or watching by internet, and you really don't know him. 00:20:51.119 --> 00:20:53.759 Knowing Christ is not going to church. 00:20:54.000 --> 00:20:56.400 Knowing Christ is not doing rituals. 00:20:56.640 --> 00:21:00.720 Knowing Christ is an intimate relationship with our Savior. 00:21:01.119 --> 00:21:02.480 He's a real person. 00:21:02.799 --> 00:21:05.200 He's a real person, folks. 00:21:05.680 --> 00:21:07.920 I'm telling you, it's beautiful. 00:21:08.240 --> 00:21:09.440 It's beautiful. 00:21:10.079 --> 00:21:12.799 So we see the prayer of his forgiving love. 00:21:12.960 --> 00:21:14.000 Notice number two. 00:21:14.240 --> 00:21:16.880 We see the power of his forgiving love. 00:21:17.119 --> 00:21:19.039 Look at verse 34 again. 00:21:19.359 --> 00:21:24.400 Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do. 00:21:24.559 --> 00:21:28.000 The ultimate power in the universe is the power of forgiving love. 00:21:29.839 --> 00:21:32.240 It's all that love really is. 00:21:32.799 --> 00:21:34.640 Agape love is forgiving love. 00:21:34.720 --> 00:21:35.920 You know what agape love? 00:21:36.319 --> 00:21:38.720 There's four loves, definition for love. 00:21:38.880 --> 00:21:42.000 But agape is the love expressed on Calvary. 00:21:42.079 --> 00:21:43.039 It's unconditional. 00:21:43.200 --> 00:21:47.359 In other words, God gave his love to you, not asking anything in return. 00:21:47.519 --> 00:21:48.960 He loved you that much. 00:21:49.839 --> 00:21:54.960 But for you to receive that love means that you're willing to submit to His Lordship. 00:21:55.599 --> 00:21:58.319 You can't accept Christ on your terms. 00:21:58.559 --> 00:21:59.119 Hello. 00:22:00.319 --> 00:22:02.160 You accept Christ on his terms. 00:22:02.240 --> 00:22:04.079 That's what's wrong with a lot of decisions. 00:22:04.240 --> 00:22:07.359 I really believe I've been in ministry now almost 35 years. 00:22:07.599 --> 00:22:17.839 And I believe a lot of early decisions, emotional decisions, or decisions are made on our terms instead of Christ's terms. 00:22:18.160 --> 00:22:38.000 If you're not willing to present your body, a living sacrifice, wholly acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service, not to be conformed to this world, but to be metamorphosis, transformed by the renewing of your mind that you may prove what is that good, acceptable, and perfect will of God, Romans 12, 1 and 2, then you're not ready to be saved. 00:22:38.640 --> 00:22:41.119 Now you don't know all that at the beginning. 00:22:41.440 --> 00:22:50.960 All you got to know at the beginning is I'm sick and tired of the way I've been living in my sinful ways and my sinful life, and I know this is not what God has for me. 00:22:51.119 --> 00:22:54.079 I'm ready to give my life to Christ and live for Him. 00:22:54.319 --> 00:22:56.160 Now you're ready to be saved. 00:22:58.400 --> 00:22:59.920 It's giving that will. 00:23:00.319 --> 00:23:05.119 Not just the emotions, not just the knowledge, but the will. 00:23:06.400 --> 00:23:11.119 So, three things I learned about the power of this forgiving love. 00:23:11.279 --> 00:23:12.880 I mean, it is powerful. 00:23:13.039 --> 00:23:14.880 Three unbelievable things. 00:23:14.960 --> 00:23:16.079 Well, actually, two. 00:23:17.440 --> 00:23:19.039 It is magnetic. 00:23:19.680 --> 00:23:23.200 Jesus said, if I be lifted up, I would draw men to me. 00:23:23.519 --> 00:23:27.519 If I be lifted up from the earth, I will draw all peoples to myself. 00:23:27.680 --> 00:23:29.039 Now notice the if. 00:23:29.519 --> 00:23:32.640 If in this verse has the force of when. 00:23:33.119 --> 00:23:50.720 There was no doubt in Jesus' mind that he would be crucified, but he implies that the attraction right here of the cross, the attraction of the cross, would prove to be the mightiest and the most sovereign motive ever brought to bear in the human will. 00:23:51.119 --> 00:23:56.480 The reason we come to Christ is because we know he died on Calvary for us. 00:23:57.920 --> 00:23:59.359 He died for us. 00:24:00.799 --> 00:24:05.920 You know, I was with my little grandchildren just past week. 00:24:06.160 --> 00:24:16.480 And as Bracton, Braxton was crawling and just playing, having a ball, I was studying in and out different times on this message. 00:24:16.640 --> 00:24:25.359 And I thought to myself, that little boy, there is nothing I would die for that little boy. 00:24:25.680 --> 00:24:30.799 There's no doubt I'd die for little Braxton or Judah or even my children. 00:24:31.680 --> 00:24:34.319 But would I die for your children? 00:24:35.599 --> 00:24:37.519 Would you die for my children? 00:24:37.680 --> 00:24:39.119 Now, hopefully, yes. 00:24:43.200 --> 00:24:46.240 That if we really love God, we're willing to die for our brothers. 00:24:46.480 --> 00:24:46.799 Okay? 00:24:47.200 --> 00:24:49.359 But have you ever really thought that way? 00:24:49.519 --> 00:24:52.480 But in the reason you say, I don't want to think that way, I don't want that to happen. 00:24:52.640 --> 00:24:54.240 But that's exactly what God did. 00:24:54.400 --> 00:25:00.319 God gave up his only begotten son that whosoever believeth on him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 00:25:00.480 --> 00:25:04.079 He gave his very best, his only son, to die for you and me. 00:25:06.240 --> 00:25:08.160 Now that's forgiveness. 00:25:08.799 --> 00:25:10.160 That's ultimate forgiveness. 00:25:10.400 --> 00:25:11.279 That's love. 00:25:11.920 --> 00:25:12.880 That's love. 00:25:13.039 --> 00:25:19.359 And we see it so beautifully expressed, but it's the magnetism of it. 00:25:19.519 --> 00:25:23.599 The same redemptive magnetism can vibrate through you and me. 00:25:23.759 --> 00:25:25.200 In fact, do you know what scripture says? 00:25:25.359 --> 00:25:31.119 When you're on fire for God, do you know you draw people to Christ because you lift him up in your testimony? 00:25:31.680 --> 00:25:32.880 That's what we're to do. 00:25:32.960 --> 00:25:33.680 We're to live. 00:25:33.759 --> 00:25:34.880 We're ambassadors. 00:25:35.039 --> 00:25:39.039 We are to, those who look to him are radiant, they should never be ashamed. 00:25:39.200 --> 00:25:40.480 Psalms 34, 5. 00:25:40.559 --> 00:25:42.640 Jesus said, a light set on hill cannot be hid. 00:25:42.799 --> 00:25:44.240 Matthew 5, 16. 00:25:45.519 --> 00:25:47.279 We are a glowing light. 00:25:47.440 --> 00:25:58.400 When you, hey, when people see the joy of the Lord in your life, when they see the joy in you even in the midst of trouble, that's when they know something's different. 00:25:58.480 --> 00:26:02.480 And that is the magnetism that draws them to Christ. 00:26:03.039 --> 00:26:04.079 Can I tell you something? 00:26:04.160 --> 00:26:06.960 It's easy to be on the mountaintop and holler, hallelujah. 00:26:07.359 --> 00:26:10.960 But it was when you're in the valley, you're still saying hallelujah. 00:26:12.240 --> 00:26:15.839 That's when you know you're, hey, he's with you. 00:26:16.240 --> 00:26:17.200 And he is. 00:26:18.000 --> 00:26:18.640 Amen. 00:26:19.599 --> 00:26:22.799 Listen, for every mountaintop, you're gonna have five or six valleys. 00:26:23.359 --> 00:26:24.319 Get ready for it. 00:26:24.480 --> 00:26:28.000 Oh, I thought when I got saved, I was gonna live happily ever after. 00:26:28.160 --> 00:26:32.799 You will one day, but you've gotta get, hey, you still gotta live out the life. 00:26:34.720 --> 00:26:38.799 Life is filled with good, bad and ugly. 00:26:41.200 --> 00:26:52.160 But the exciting thing about life is when you go through life with Christ, you go through life with the ultimate joy and peace that passes all understanding that the world cannot understand. 00:26:52.319 --> 00:26:59.200 And when they see you in the troubled times, exalting Christ, praising him in the bad times, when you lose your job, you praise him. 00:26:59.359 --> 00:27:02.400 Hey, when your wife walks out on you, you praise him. 00:27:02.640 --> 00:27:08.799 Your husband walks out, God forbid be the one, but they do, you're still praising him, you're giving him all the glory. 00:27:08.960 --> 00:27:20.559 When you're at the lowest part of your life, you're looking up, saying, God, I don't understand it, but I know, we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to his purpose. 00:27:20.720 --> 00:27:29.039 Romans 8 28, and I'm gonna trust you, I'm gonna seek your counsel, I'm gonna seek godly counsel, and I'm gonna do it your way, regardless. 00:27:29.200 --> 00:27:33.440 And God, if it's my time to come see you, woo-hoo! Hallelujah, I'm coming. 00:27:35.599 --> 00:27:39.759 Hello! You can't threaten, threaten me with death. 00:27:43.599 --> 00:27:50.160 We've had some of our members have their granddaddies die and cousins die, but they're saved. 00:27:50.799 --> 00:27:56.079 David said he that his granddaddy just died, and his grandmother's taking it heart. 00:27:56.240 --> 00:27:58.559 They've been married 70 years. 00:27:59.039 --> 00:28:00.960 I think that's the longest I've ever heard of. 00:28:01.519 --> 00:28:02.240 70. 00:28:03.200 --> 00:28:05.039 Honey, we just getting started. 00:28:09.839 --> 00:28:11.599 70 years. 00:28:13.200 --> 00:28:13.839 Wow. 00:28:15.680 --> 00:28:18.480 Methodist preacher for most of those years. 00:28:20.000 --> 00:28:21.200 What a testimony. 00:28:21.359 --> 00:28:27.119 That's what we're talking about when Jesus said, If I be lifted up, I'll draw all men into me. 00:28:27.200 --> 00:28:28.160 Notice the second thing. 00:28:28.319 --> 00:28:36.400 Not only the magnetism of the cross, of that power of forgiving love, but the dynamics of the cross. 00:28:36.640 --> 00:28:38.559 Look at 1 Corinthians 1.18. 00:28:38.799 --> 00:28:44.400 For the preaching of the cross is to them that are lost foolishness. 00:28:44.720 --> 00:28:52.240 But to those who are, hey, lost foolishness, but to us who are being saved, it's the power of God. 00:28:53.200 --> 00:28:54.799 Woo! It's the power. 00:28:55.039 --> 00:28:56.960 It's the power of God. 00:28:57.599 --> 00:29:02.240 For I'm not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it's the power of God unto salvation to everyone. 00:29:02.400 --> 00:29:04.799 Believe to the Jew first, then to the Gentile. 00:29:04.960 --> 00:29:05.599 Hallelujah. 00:29:05.680 --> 00:29:07.200 Can I get an amen, church? 00:29:08.160 --> 00:29:10.079 It's the power of God. 00:29:11.519 --> 00:29:15.440 This is precisely what was demonstrated when Jesus cried. 00:29:15.680 --> 00:29:18.079 Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do. 00:29:18.160 --> 00:29:19.119 It's the power. 00:29:19.279 --> 00:29:21.519 The prayers of Jesus are always answered. 00:29:21.599 --> 00:29:26.319 And we see these answers through the power of the forgiving love in this picture. 00:29:26.480 --> 00:29:28.960 Thinking of the thief on the cross. 00:29:29.200 --> 00:29:33.839 He had been, hey, he had been cursing him in the morning, but now he's praising him. 00:29:34.160 --> 00:29:37.519 He turns, he looks, he believes, and he is saved. 00:29:37.680 --> 00:29:38.640 I want you to see this. 00:29:38.880 --> 00:29:39.680 You're right there. 00:29:39.920 --> 00:29:43.839 Just go over to verse 39. 00:29:44.640 --> 00:29:46.720