Rev. Rob Henderson
Shelby Wesleyan Church
https://www.angelfire.com/mi2/robhenderson/
robnaomi@oceana.net
August 27, 2000 am
John 19:30
The premise of the movie The Fugitive is that a doctor is wrongly accused of murdering his wife. By a stroke of luck Dr. Kimball is able to escape a prison van and then spends the rest of the movie on the lam and attempting to prove to the US Marshals who are chasing him that he is innocent. Dr. Kimball succeeds in leading them to the real murderers and he is exonerated.
I propose to you this morning that there are so many in our world who are living lives as a fugitive. They strive to prove their innocence but yet are found guilty. They spend their entire lives, their energies and even their entire fortunes trying to prove that they are worthy of a place in heaven. But when they die, there is a great big question mark that hangs over their coffin. And whispered in the funeral halls are the questions and the returned answers of silence.
Are you feeling as though something might be missing from your relationship with God? Do you seek a peace that passes all understanding? Would you be honest with yourself and God today? Perhaps your life is crumbling on the inside. Maybe financial strain or struggle is gripping your life. Maybe you are frustrated with where your faith has led you. Quite possibly, you feel as though your best efforts at your Christian faith has left you spiritually dry. You need a fresh start in your walk with God.
Today, I would like us to consider what one man said was perhaps the most profound words in all of scripture. And as we consider these few words of Christ let us consider our own stand before God. Just as Martin Luther spent many years laboring for the Church before discovering the way of salvation, and just as John Wesley struggled with his own Christian identity prior to his Aldersgate experience, maybe there are some here who have not truly experienced salvation in a real way.
Is that possible? Is it possible that maybe there might be some here who have been in the church for their whole lives and have not experienced the saving power of Jesus Christ? I trust that it is not so but yet more than that trust that if it is so that you would have the courage to step forward.
What saves my soul? What gives me the peace that passes all understanding? What releases me from the bondage of sin and death and sets my spirit free?
First of all, my sorry state before God and mankind will not save me. I could be the most pitiful leprous poverty stricken man in the world and gain the pity of everyone but this will not save me. God will not grant me salvation just because he feels sorry for me.
Secondly, my repentance does not save me. There are those who repent for their wrong-doing and confess their sin. Having a repentant spirit will not save me. I could be as sorry as sorry could be for my sin but yet it is not enough for me to be saved.
Thirdly, my obedience to God’s word does not save me. There are those who legitimately strive to be obedient to the Bible. Dr. Laura Schlesinger, the conservative radio talk-show host, is a wonderful breath of fresh air when it comes to Judeo-Christian values. I appreciate her Biblical views. However, her complete obedience to the Old Testament as an Orthodox Jew will not save her. In fact, I am saddened when Christians have elevated the Law of Moses over the work of Jesus Christ. My obedience does not save me.
So what saves me?
I am not saved because God feels sorry for me, nor am I saved due to my repentance, nor does my obedience save me.
I am saved “as a result of the supernatural miracle of God’s grace.” “The salvation that comes from God is not based on human logic, but on the sacrificial death of Jesus.” (Oswald Chambers)
Paul writes in Romans “For the wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
Look at that first part of this scripture: “For the wages of sin is death...” The only thing that any of us can earn here on earth is a spiritual death in an eternal hell. Our wages of sin is death. There will be payday someday. Sin earns us death.
Now look at the second part: “But the gift of God is eternal life...” Eternal life- in other words, our salvation from spiritual death is a gift from God.
Let me ask you this question: Is something a gift if it is earned? At Christmas time, do you give gifts to celebrate the gift that God gave us or do you expect the receiver of the gift to earn whatever it is you are giving them?
I recoil at the thought of companies that have the nerve to call the Christmas bonuses that they give out as “gifts” when they in fact withdraw money from those same accounts to cover unexpected shortfalls. A gift is freely given and freely accepted.
In order for a gift to be a gift there must be a giver and a receiver. A gift is not earned it is given.
And then check out that third part of this verse: “Through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
Our salvation is a gift from God but it comes at a price. And that price is the death of Jesus Christ. He died to save us from ourselves- our sinful selves.
The phrase “It is finished” comes from one Greek word- “tetelestai.” Tetelestai simply means “the price is all paid.” Warren Wiersbe tells us that in the temple, in the days of Christ, shepherds and priests used the word when they found a perfect sheep ready for sacrifice. They would call out “tetelestai” and then that particular animal would be used.
The price is all paid. Imagine you are the sinner coming to the temple to present a sacrifice for your sins. You give your lamb, deemed “tetelestai” and the sacrifice proceeds. The following year you return, or whenever you sense the need. Over and over you keep presenting your animal for sacrifice.
At the same time, the priest continues to perform his ritual duty of taking animals to an altar and sacrificing them for the sins of people. Over and over, he performs his work. The priest’s work was never done because the sacrifices were never final. Christ’s completed work on the cross- IT IS FINISHED! -assures us that we have an open path to God. (Warren Weirsbe)
What was finished? The mission of Jesus was to die a substitutionary death. From the cradle, Christ’s formost goal was to die for our sins. He lived a life without sin even though he was tempted in all areas that we are tempted. He performed miracles- healed the sick, turned the water into wine, walked on water, and countless other acts of compassion and power. Jesus told how he would be taken and yet his disciples did not want to believe him. He was arrested and charged with all sorts of crazy accusations and was found guilty and sentenced to death- death on a cross.
To be crucified was the worst possible way to die. Earlier in Jesus ministry he talks about “taking up their cross” and following him. He was already looking ahead to what he would have to do. Crucifixion was a slow agonizing way to die. As the body stretches to relieve one area and to breathe easier, another part of the body is pierced with pain.
It is during this time of dying that John hears Jesus speak his final dying words. “I am thirsty.”
Jesus had been offered earlier a drugged wine but he refused. He wanted full control of his faculties. . Like a person who has labored hard without any relief Jesus requests something to quench his thirst. He is given a sour wine vinegar.
After receiving the drink Jesus speaks his final words. Words that have echoed throughout the centuries. The final summation of his death. A statement that brings a closing to one chapter and opens a new. The Dispensation of the Law was closed and the Dispensation of Grace is opened.
For thousands of years prior to this moment, humanity had been lost. Despite the strict obedience to the ceremonial laws, despite the obediences to God’s commands whomever was on the verge of eternal doom and damnation because of sin. Sacrificing animals could not atone for sin, working and striving to do good could not atone for sin, and being sorry could not save anyone.
You see, God cannot forgive. “God forgives sin only because of the death of Christ.” When Jesus said “It is finished” he proclaimed redemption for all of mankind. The yoke of sin was broken and we have the right to be called the children of God.
I want to close with three points:
1. The cross completes God’s plan. God planned for Christ’s death. At the foundations of the world Jesus was chosen to die for our sins. Jesus completed the master plan that was at work. And as Jesus closed his eyes in death he said “It is finished.”
2. The cross fulfills God’s demand. Something needed to take the place of our sins. Just as a punishment is needed for the offender so a punishment or penance was needed for the sinner. But how could we mere human beings use our human efforts and earthly possessions to gain something so eternal and heavenly? Jesus Christ was the perfect sacrifice for our sin. Something or someone had to die. At just the right time Jesus came and died for you and me.
3. The cross reveals God’s grace. God is love. God loves us. Yet His holiness and our sinfulness keeps us separated. Despite our best efforts we cannot reach God even if we were to build a tower to heaven. “Forgiveness is the divine miracle of grace.” (Oswald Chambers) And Jesus paid the price to prove that grace.
What can save me from my sin? Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
Are you saved? Do you know that you are saved from sin? Do you know for sure? Are there any nagging doubts? Forget everybody else and be obedient to God
