WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.480 You are listening to a message from Southwood Presbyterian Church in Huntsville, Alabama. 00:00:06.980 --> 00:00:10.620 Our passion is to experience and express grace. Join us. 00:00:12.679 --> 00:00:15.720 Good Friday. What makes this Good Friday good? 00:00:17.280 --> 00:00:22.900 Is it candy? Certainly plenty of that to come. 00:00:23.900 --> 00:00:26.240 Not that. Maybe it's people. 00:00:26.239 --> 00:00:30.299 Maybe it's the focus. 00:00:32.140 --> 00:00:36.839 But more than that, it's the cross of Christ. 00:00:38.339 --> 00:00:42.200 This is good in the purest sense of the word. 00:00:42.599 --> 00:00:45.480 Not an enjoyment sense, but a holiness. 00:00:46.539 --> 00:00:47.399 The cross. 00:00:48.519 --> 00:00:52.959 The vertical relationship between man and God, 00:00:52.960 --> 00:00:57.640 which changes every relationship that we have here on earth. 00:00:58.219 --> 00:01:00.579 If one is right, the other is affected. 00:01:03.140 --> 00:01:07.400 So we have an opportunity to focus tonight. 00:01:08.159 --> 00:01:08.920 So let's do that. 00:01:08.980 --> 00:01:13.159 Let's look at Matthew chapter 27, verses 45 through 54. 00:01:13.159 --> 00:01:20.259 Now from the sixth hour, there was darkness over all the land until the ninth hour. 00:01:21.079 --> 00:01:24.560 And about the ninth hour, Jesus cried out with a loud voice saying, 00:01:24.659 --> 00:01:26.420 Eli, Eli, lama sagbaktani? 00:01:27.239 --> 00:01:30.659 That is, my God, my God, why have you forsaken me? 00:01:31.780 --> 00:01:34.140 And some of the bystanders hearing it said, 00:01:34.140 --> 00:01:35.980 This man is calling Elijah. 00:01:36.879 --> 00:01:39.680 And one of them at once ran and took a sponge, 00:01:40.319 --> 00:01:41.680 filled it with sour wine, 00:01:42.439 --> 00:01:44.540 put it on a reed, and gave it to him to drink. 00:01:45.400 --> 00:01:46.200 But the other said, 00:01:46.280 --> 00:01:49.340 Wait, let us see whether Elijah will come to save him. 00:01:49.879 --> 00:01:52.099 And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice 00:01:52.099 --> 00:01:54.060 and yielded up his spirit. 00:01:55.079 --> 00:01:55.760 And behold, 00:01:56.500 --> 00:01:58.640 the curtain of the temple was torn in two, 00:01:59.120 --> 00:02:00.099 from top to bottom, 00:02:00.599 --> 00:02:01.680 and the earth shook, 00:02:01.680 --> 00:02:03.540 and the rocks were split. 00:02:04.500 --> 00:02:06.080 The tombs also were opened, 00:02:06.760 --> 00:02:09.780 and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised. 00:02:09.900 --> 00:02:11.879 And coming out of the tombs after his resurrection, 00:02:12.060 --> 00:02:14.580 they went into the holy city and appeared to many. 00:02:15.700 --> 00:02:17.740 When the centurion and those who were with him, 00:02:18.140 --> 00:02:19.200 keeping watch over Jesus, 00:02:19.379 --> 00:02:22.080 saw the earthquake and what took place, 00:02:22.640 --> 00:02:25.400 they were filled with awe and said, 00:02:25.400 --> 00:02:29.860 Truly, this was the Son of God. 00:02:29.860 --> 00:02:32.560 darkness, 00:02:33.420 --> 00:02:35.260 cries, 00:02:36.920 --> 00:02:37.560 mocking, 00:02:39.560 --> 00:02:40.080 waiting, 00:02:41.380 --> 00:02:41.900 doubt, 00:02:43.520 --> 00:02:43.920 innocence, 00:02:45.400 --> 00:02:45.820 betrayal, 00:02:47.560 --> 00:02:48.100 pain, 00:02:48.680 --> 00:02:49.860 unimaginable pain, 00:02:50.520 --> 00:02:51.540 fear, 00:02:52.720 --> 00:02:53.040 hope, 00:02:54.420 --> 00:02:54.780 death, 00:02:56.240 --> 00:02:56.800 earthquakes, 00:02:58.060 --> 00:02:59.280 open tombs, 00:02:59.280 --> 00:02:59.780 peace, 00:02:59.780 --> 00:03:02.879 this was a day like no other. 00:03:04.400 --> 00:03:06.740 What would it have been like to be there? 00:03:08.259 --> 00:03:09.939 To see the darkness 00:03:09.939 --> 00:03:12.599 in the middle of the day? 00:03:13.680 --> 00:03:16.000 To hear the cries of Jesus on the cross? 00:03:17.379 --> 00:03:19.219 To hear those mocking one you loved, 00:03:19.259 --> 00:03:20.759 or perhaps to be the one mocking 00:03:20.759 --> 00:03:22.180 that you doubted? 00:03:23.800 --> 00:03:24.900 To see the innocence, 00:03:25.060 --> 00:03:26.900 to know he was innocent and he was betrayed, 00:03:26.900 --> 00:03:29.080 and to see his pain and his screams. 00:03:30.500 --> 00:03:31.980 He's looking up and screaming. 00:03:34.099 --> 00:03:36.659 And to see fear and hope and then death. 00:03:38.740 --> 00:03:40.159 The words of the centurion, 00:03:40.400 --> 00:03:40.480 they, 00:03:41.180 --> 00:03:42.140 in verse 54, 00:03:42.300 --> 00:03:42.420 they, 00:03:42.980 --> 00:03:44.060 and the people that were with him, 00:03:44.120 --> 00:03:44.960 they sum it up, 00:03:45.020 --> 00:03:45.900 what it would have been like. 00:03:46.439 --> 00:03:46.800 Truly, 00:03:46.939 --> 00:03:47.980 this was the Son of God, 00:03:48.060 --> 00:03:48.280 he said. 00:03:48.280 --> 00:03:48.420 Now, 00:03:48.460 --> 00:03:50.680 this was a man who had the respect 00:03:50.680 --> 00:03:52.159 and commanded so many. 00:03:52.260 --> 00:03:54.400 We don't know if he really believed. 00:03:54.620 --> 00:03:55.840 Some translations say, 00:03:56.500 --> 00:03:57.400 a son of God, 00:03:57.480 --> 00:03:59.740 but he was in shock. 00:04:00.400 --> 00:04:01.060 Utter shock. 00:04:02.340 --> 00:04:02.819 Imagine, 00:04:03.140 --> 00:04:03.500 if you're there, 00:04:03.599 --> 00:04:04.140 you see this, 00:04:04.200 --> 00:04:06.180 you turn and you see the temple curtain torn, 00:04:06.540 --> 00:04:08.500 this massive thick curtain 00:04:08.500 --> 00:04:09.680 that no man could rip, 00:04:09.780 --> 00:04:11.480 but it's torn straight down the middle. 00:04:12.120 --> 00:04:13.900 And what used to separate you 00:04:13.900 --> 00:04:15.180 from going into God, 00:04:15.280 --> 00:04:16.740 where you had one go on your behalf, 00:04:16.740 --> 00:04:18.180 you could now see straight through. 00:04:20.180 --> 00:04:23.540 It would definitely mess with your mind. 00:04:24.500 --> 00:04:25.340 Here's the truth. 00:04:26.699 --> 00:04:28.439 We remember that Jesus said, 00:04:28.920 --> 00:04:29.939 these things had to happen. 00:04:30.960 --> 00:04:31.259 Right? 00:04:32.620 --> 00:04:33.780 There's no life 00:04:33.780 --> 00:04:36.079 if there's no payment for sin. 00:04:36.860 --> 00:04:38.420 There's no payment for sin 00:04:38.420 --> 00:04:40.160 if there's no bloodshed 00:04:40.160 --> 00:04:41.920 and there's no forgiveness of sins, 00:04:42.340 --> 00:04:42.660 past, 00:04:42.819 --> 00:04:43.040 present, 00:04:43.100 --> 00:04:43.560 and future, 00:04:43.639 --> 00:04:44.720 unless the bloodshed 00:04:44.720 --> 00:04:46.680 is of one greater than time itself. 00:04:47.280 --> 00:04:49.360 And there is no one greater than time itself 00:04:49.360 --> 00:04:50.939 except for the author of time. 00:04:52.259 --> 00:04:53.500 Truly this was 00:04:53.500 --> 00:04:55.040 the Son of God? 00:04:56.800 --> 00:04:57.879 Is Jesus 00:04:57.879 --> 00:05:00.600 just a was 00:05:00.600 --> 00:05:02.079 to you today? 00:05:04.759 --> 00:05:06.680 Or as Revelation says, 00:05:06.900 --> 00:05:07.699 is he a was 00:05:07.699 --> 00:05:08.379 and is 00:05:08.379 --> 00:05:09.439 and is to come? 00:05:10.139 --> 00:05:11.079 He was there. 00:05:11.819 --> 00:05:12.639 He was here. 00:05:13.980 --> 00:05:14.920 He did die. 00:05:14.920 --> 00:05:16.460 And it was 00:05:16.460 --> 00:05:18.240 so that we will be with him forever. 00:05:18.379 --> 00:05:19.080 But for now, 00:05:19.699 --> 00:05:20.680 if we were there, 00:05:21.600 --> 00:05:22.240 silence. 00:05:24.199 --> 00:05:25.160 The disciples, 00:05:25.660 --> 00:05:26.900 we would see them scatter. 00:05:27.040 --> 00:05:28.680 We would see the fear in their eyes. 00:05:29.120 --> 00:05:30.140 We would see them weeping. 00:05:30.259 --> 00:05:31.480 We would see them hiding. 00:05:32.480 --> 00:05:33.900 We would see them trying to comfort. 00:05:35.439 --> 00:05:36.540 We would see some hope. 00:05:36.540 --> 00:05:39.319 And today, 00:05:39.480 --> 00:05:40.340 in our silence, 00:05:41.000 --> 00:05:42.260 in our hearts, 00:05:42.319 --> 00:05:42.960 don't we scatter? 00:05:43.740 --> 00:05:44.580 Don't we fear? 00:05:45.819 --> 00:05:46.600 Don't we weep 00:05:46.600 --> 00:05:47.379 if we admit it? 00:05:48.260 --> 00:05:49.020 Don't we hide 00:05:49.020 --> 00:05:49.640 and we comfort 00:05:49.640 --> 00:05:51.939 and we're just clinging on 00:05:51.939 --> 00:05:53.000 to find some hope? 00:05:54.580 --> 00:05:56.140 Do we really understand 00:05:56.140 --> 00:05:57.420 the meaning of this cross? 00:05:58.360 --> 00:05:59.280 We have an opportunity 00:05:59.280 --> 00:06:00.320 to focus on that. 00:06:00.980 --> 00:06:01.660 One of my friends 00:06:01.660 --> 00:06:02.860 texted me a few weeks ago 00:06:02.860 --> 00:06:03.660 that they saw 00:06:03.660 --> 00:06:05.560 that Hershey's was selling 00:06:05.560 --> 00:06:06.500 a chocolate cross. 00:06:07.320 --> 00:06:07.580 He said, 00:06:07.660 --> 00:06:08.720 is this sacrilegious? 00:06:11.140 --> 00:06:11.820 You know, 00:06:12.680 --> 00:06:14.360 we can't sugarcoat this. 00:06:14.820 --> 00:06:16.300 I'm not trying to knock Hershey's, 00:06:16.360 --> 00:06:17.380 but do we really get 00:06:17.380 --> 00:06:18.900 what's going on here? 00:06:20.040 --> 00:06:21.660 Dan Doriani writes 00:06:21.660 --> 00:06:22.600 that the cross 00:06:22.600 --> 00:06:24.400 was originally an emblem 00:06:24.400 --> 00:06:25.100 of pain, 00:06:25.340 --> 00:06:25.680 shame, 00:06:25.860 --> 00:06:26.440 criminality, 00:06:26.440 --> 00:06:27.040 and death. 00:06:28.660 --> 00:06:29.920 R.C. Sproul says 00:06:29.920 --> 00:06:30.620 that the cross 00:06:30.620 --> 00:06:31.940 is tragedy and victory 00:06:31.940 --> 00:06:32.860 in the same moment. 00:06:32.860 --> 00:06:34.180 It's scandal 00:06:34.180 --> 00:06:35.420 and honor, 00:06:35.580 --> 00:06:37.000 defeat and triumph, 00:06:37.300 --> 00:06:38.660 shame and esteem. 00:06:39.020 --> 00:06:39.960 The cross represents 00:06:39.960 --> 00:06:40.900 the great suffering 00:06:40.900 --> 00:06:41.520 of Christ 00:06:41.520 --> 00:06:42.780 and the suffering 00:06:42.780 --> 00:06:44.020 far transcends 00:06:44.020 --> 00:06:44.920 physical pain. 00:06:45.460 --> 00:06:46.199 It's more than 00:06:46.199 --> 00:06:47.060 a human death. 00:06:47.400 --> 00:06:48.439 It's an atonement. 00:06:49.680 --> 00:06:50.220 Atonement. 00:06:50.300 --> 00:06:51.620 What does that mean? 00:06:51.720 --> 00:06:51.939 It's, 00:06:52.400 --> 00:06:53.340 in Christian thought, 00:06:53.939 --> 00:06:54.500 an atonement 00:06:54.500 --> 00:06:55.439 is that act 00:06:55.439 --> 00:06:56.340 by which God 00:06:56.340 --> 00:06:56.759 and man 00:06:56.759 --> 00:06:57.480 are brought together 00:06:57.480 --> 00:06:58.740 in a personal relationship. 00:06:59.259 --> 00:07:00.360 The term was originally 00:07:00.360 --> 00:07:02.540 from an Anglo-Saxon word, 00:07:02.540 --> 00:07:04.100 meaning making at one. 00:07:04.580 --> 00:07:05.100 So, hence, 00:07:05.319 --> 00:07:06.240 at one-ment. 00:07:07.620 --> 00:07:08.180 So, 00:07:08.340 --> 00:07:09.800 it presupposes 00:07:09.800 --> 00:07:11.080 that there's a separation 00:07:11.080 --> 00:07:12.220 that has occurred 00:07:12.220 --> 00:07:12.939 between God 00:07:12.939 --> 00:07:13.420 and man 00:07:13.420 --> 00:07:15.900 and that human beings, 00:07:16.400 --> 00:07:17.800 if we're to know God, 00:07:18.460 --> 00:07:19.320 to have fellowship 00:07:19.320 --> 00:07:20.080 with God, 00:07:20.980 --> 00:07:21.640 there has to be 00:07:21.640 --> 00:07:22.200 an atonement 00:07:22.200 --> 00:07:23.259 to make us one, 00:07:23.900 --> 00:07:24.680 an at-one-ment. 00:07:24.680 --> 00:07:27.319 This was the most 00:07:27.319 --> 00:07:28.360 torturous instrument 00:07:28.360 --> 00:07:28.840 of death 00:07:28.840 --> 00:07:29.319 and punishment 00:07:29.319 --> 00:07:29.860 that existed. 00:07:30.019 --> 00:07:30.920 Think electric chair. 00:07:32.100 --> 00:07:32.300 Okay? 00:07:33.560 --> 00:07:34.500 This was, though, 00:07:34.560 --> 00:07:35.300 the only way 00:07:35.300 --> 00:07:36.040 for the way. 00:07:37.319 --> 00:07:38.740 And it was our sin 00:07:38.740 --> 00:07:40.160 that nailed him there. 00:07:41.340 --> 00:07:42.280 My sin, 00:07:42.860 --> 00:07:43.620 your sin, 00:07:44.620 --> 00:07:45.800 made God the Son 00:07:45.800 --> 00:07:46.879 bleed and die. 00:07:48.519 --> 00:07:49.519 Our sin 00:07:49.519 --> 00:07:51.639 caused the death. 00:07:51.639 --> 00:07:53.680 Our disobedience 00:07:53.680 --> 00:07:54.919 split his side. 00:07:55.519 --> 00:07:56.360 Our brokenness 00:07:56.360 --> 00:07:56.879 crowned him 00:07:56.879 --> 00:07:57.539 with thorns. 00:07:57.819 --> 00:07:58.419 Our darkness 00:07:58.419 --> 00:07:59.719 crucified the light, 00:07:59.839 --> 00:08:01.019 the one who is life. 00:08:01.919 --> 00:08:03.479 In him was the life. 00:08:04.779 --> 00:08:05.459 And the life 00:08:05.459 --> 00:08:06.079 was the light 00:08:06.079 --> 00:08:06.560 of men, 00:08:06.659 --> 00:08:07.240 but the light 00:08:07.240 --> 00:08:08.219 shines in the darkness 00:08:08.219 --> 00:08:09.060 and the darkness 00:08:09.060 --> 00:08:10.599 has not overcome it. 00:08:12.159 --> 00:08:13.719 Verse 45 says that, 00:08:14.339 --> 00:08:14.979 tells us about 00:08:14.979 --> 00:08:15.500 this darkness. 00:08:15.639 --> 00:08:16.500 From the sixth hour 00:08:16.500 --> 00:08:17.180 there was darkness 00:08:17.180 --> 00:08:18.120 over all the land 00:08:18.120 --> 00:08:19.019 until the ninth hour. 00:08:19.019 --> 00:08:20.939 This was not 00:08:20.939 --> 00:08:21.699 a normal darkness. 00:08:21.859 --> 00:08:22.859 It wasn't like a storm. 00:08:23.659 --> 00:08:24.259 This would have been 00:08:24.259 --> 00:08:25.019 understood as 00:08:25.019 --> 00:08:27.019 dark in daylight. 00:08:28.819 --> 00:08:30.019 Imagine the sun 00:08:30.019 --> 00:08:30.500 went out. 00:08:31.659 --> 00:08:32.360 And this would have 00:08:32.360 --> 00:08:33.039 meant that it was 00:08:33.039 --> 00:08:33.779 dark from noon 00:08:33.779 --> 00:08:34.659 until three o'clock. 00:08:34.779 --> 00:08:35.639 The Jews and the Greeks 00:08:35.639 --> 00:08:36.360 would have understood 00:08:36.360 --> 00:08:37.860 this darkness 00:08:37.860 --> 00:08:38.659 as an omen. 00:08:38.960 --> 00:08:39.679 It was an omen 00:08:39.679 --> 00:08:40.259 of judgment. 00:08:41.319 --> 00:08:41.939 Jesus here 00:08:41.939 --> 00:08:42.620 was enduring 00:08:42.620 --> 00:08:43.819 God the Father's 00:08:43.819 --> 00:08:44.720 judgment on sin. 00:08:45.740 --> 00:08:47.120 His cries of anguish, 00:08:47.120 --> 00:08:48.100 they were true 00:08:48.100 --> 00:08:49.300 because he was 00:08:49.300 --> 00:08:49.879 separated 00:08:49.879 --> 00:08:51.580 from God the Father 00:08:51.580 --> 00:08:52.220 in this moment 00:08:52.220 --> 00:08:53.399 in outer darkness 00:08:53.399 --> 00:08:55.060 so that we may be 00:08:55.060 --> 00:08:55.759 welcomed into the 00:08:55.759 --> 00:08:56.540 Father's arms 00:08:56.540 --> 00:08:58.420 in eternal light. 00:08:59.879 --> 00:09:01.080 Verse 46 00:09:01.080 --> 00:09:02.519 says that, 00:09:02.759 --> 00:09:03.480 Jesus cried out 00:09:03.480 --> 00:09:04.500 with a loud voice 00:09:04.500 --> 00:09:04.779 saying, 00:09:04.899 --> 00:09:05.580 Eli, Eli, 00:09:05.680 --> 00:09:06.740 lama sagwaktani. 00:09:07.800 --> 00:09:08.800 That is my God, 00:09:08.860 --> 00:09:09.360 my God, 00:09:09.440 --> 00:09:10.060 why have you 00:09:10.060 --> 00:09:10.920 forsaken me? 00:09:11.659 --> 00:09:12.200 Why have you 00:09:12.200 --> 00:09:13.019 forsaken me? 00:09:15.560 --> 00:09:16.040 Forsaken. 00:09:17.080 --> 00:09:17.960 What does that mean? 00:09:18.100 --> 00:09:19.560 It means to abandon. 00:09:19.740 --> 00:09:20.600 It means to leave. 00:09:20.680 --> 00:09:21.700 It means to reject. 00:09:23.240 --> 00:09:24.920 The innocent one 00:09:24.920 --> 00:09:26.240 who has known 00:09:26.240 --> 00:09:27.379 nothing but intimacy 00:09:27.379 --> 00:09:28.180 with his Father 00:09:28.180 --> 00:09:29.659 is for a moment 00:09:29.659 --> 00:09:31.360 completely rejected. 00:09:31.980 --> 00:09:33.000 And it's because of us. 00:09:34.500 --> 00:09:36.500 God can't look upon sin 00:09:36.500 --> 00:09:37.800 and smile. 00:09:38.460 --> 00:09:39.460 A righteous judge 00:09:39.460 --> 00:09:40.800 cannot not punish 00:09:40.800 --> 00:09:43.500 or he is no longer righteous. 00:09:44.500 --> 00:09:46.040 Yet Jesus chose 00:09:46.039 --> 00:09:47.039 to do this 00:09:47.039 --> 00:09:47.059 to do this 00:09:47.059 --> 00:09:47.980 for us. 00:09:50.120 --> 00:09:51.500 Dr. Doriani writes 00:09:51.500 --> 00:09:52.179 that at the moment 00:09:52.179 --> 00:09:53.559 when Jesus bore our sin, 00:09:53.659 --> 00:09:54.659 the Father was distant 00:09:54.659 --> 00:09:56.079 because he was too pure 00:09:56.079 --> 00:09:57.740 to look upon sin. 00:09:58.159 --> 00:09:59.240 So for those moments, 00:09:59.379 --> 00:10:00.599 Jesus was forsaken, 00:10:01.679 --> 00:10:02.159 abandoned, 00:10:02.620 --> 00:10:03.019 rejected. 00:10:03.679 --> 00:10:04.360 Yet the Father 00:10:04.360 --> 00:10:05.419 did not forsake him 00:10:05.419 --> 00:10:06.000 absolutely 00:10:06.000 --> 00:10:06.719 or forever. 00:10:07.079 --> 00:10:07.699 We know this. 00:10:07.959 --> 00:10:09.179 He still loved his son. 00:10:09.179 --> 00:10:10.679 He never forgot 00:10:10.679 --> 00:10:11.279 his plan 00:10:11.279 --> 00:10:12.120 to reconcile 00:10:12.120 --> 00:10:13.379 our lost race 00:10:13.379 --> 00:10:14.139 to himself. 00:10:14.759 --> 00:10:15.620 As soon as Jesus 00:10:15.620 --> 00:10:16.939 finished bearing our sin, 00:10:17.399 --> 00:10:18.859 fellowship would be restored 00:10:18.859 --> 00:10:19.779 perfectly 00:10:19.779 --> 00:10:20.979 and forever. 00:10:22.099 --> 00:10:23.179 After that cry, 00:10:23.279 --> 00:10:23.699 my God, 00:10:23.779 --> 00:10:24.199 my God, 00:10:24.259 --> 00:10:25.500 why have you forsaken me? 00:10:25.899 --> 00:10:27.099 Why me? 00:10:28.699 --> 00:10:29.939 He had pain. 00:10:30.899 --> 00:10:32.139 But after that moment 00:10:32.139 --> 00:10:34.000 came the death, 00:10:34.000 --> 00:10:35.320 that eerie 00:10:35.320 --> 00:10:37.559 silence of death. 00:10:38.779 --> 00:10:40.159 If you've ever been around it, 00:10:40.759 --> 00:10:41.320 you know it 00:10:41.320 --> 00:10:42.580 and you never forget it. 00:10:43.419 --> 00:10:44.080 Christ's body 00:10:44.080 --> 00:10:44.840 was lifeless 00:10:44.840 --> 00:10:46.179 and still. 00:10:47.639 --> 00:10:48.779 And in these moments, 00:10:49.000 --> 00:10:50.440 when it seems 00:10:50.440 --> 00:10:51.580 that God is gone, 00:10:52.519 --> 00:10:53.740 he's very present. 00:10:53.879 --> 00:10:54.879 He's overcoming death 00:10:54.879 --> 00:10:55.500 and killing it 00:10:55.500 --> 00:10:57.000 and allowing a relationship 00:10:57.000 --> 00:10:58.019 to take place 00:10:58.019 --> 00:10:59.120 between us 00:10:59.120 --> 00:11:00.340 and him. 00:11:00.340 --> 00:11:03.280 He's killing 00:11:03.280 --> 00:11:04.860 and conquering death. 00:11:05.440 --> 00:11:06.480 And in three days, 00:11:07.680 --> 00:11:08.620 everybody will see. 00:11:09.600 --> 00:11:10.379 But for now, 00:11:11.320 --> 00:11:11.860 silence, 00:11:12.759 --> 00:11:13.060 darkness, 00:11:14.200 --> 00:11:14.580 grief. 00:11:16.259 --> 00:11:17.840 But in the silence, 00:11:18.379 --> 00:11:19.540 God is working. 00:11:20.680 --> 00:11:21.940 In the darkness, 00:11:22.540 --> 00:11:23.600 God is working. 00:11:24.259 --> 00:11:25.500 In Jesus' cries, 00:11:25.660 --> 00:11:26.560 God is working. 00:11:27.480 --> 00:11:30.000 In Jesus' unimaginable pain, 00:11:30.340 --> 00:11:31.540 God is working. 00:11:32.860 --> 00:11:34.399 And in Jesus' death, 00:11:35.139 --> 00:11:36.019 God is alive. 00:11:37.720 --> 00:11:38.360 But why? 00:11:38.440 --> 00:11:39.300 Why that death? 00:11:40.139 --> 00:11:40.540 Again, 00:11:40.660 --> 00:11:41.100 atonement. 00:11:42.440 --> 00:11:43.740 Somebody had to take 00:11:43.740 --> 00:11:44.639 the wrath of God. 00:11:45.360 --> 00:11:46.440 Blood must be shed 00:11:46.440 --> 00:11:47.720 to forgive the offense. 00:11:48.379 --> 00:11:49.639 Light cannot exist 00:11:49.639 --> 00:11:50.120 in darkness. 00:11:50.800 --> 00:11:51.720 So he died. 00:11:52.879 --> 00:11:54.860 So that your sins 00:11:54.860 --> 00:11:56.240 can be forgiven. 00:11:56.780 --> 00:11:58.000 So that you may know 00:11:58.000 --> 00:11:58.980 the love of Christ. 00:11:58.980 --> 00:12:00.220 That you may know 00:12:00.220 --> 00:12:01.060 the love of God 00:12:01.060 --> 00:12:02.560 through faith in Jesus Christ. 00:12:02.940 --> 00:12:04.420 So that you can be certain 00:12:04.420 --> 00:12:05.519 that in your darkness, 00:12:05.899 --> 00:12:06.580 God is working. 00:12:07.420 --> 00:12:08.639 And in your cries, 00:12:08.800 --> 00:12:09.659 God is working. 00:12:10.039 --> 00:12:11.159 And in your pain, 00:12:11.379 --> 00:12:12.120 right now, 00:12:12.560 --> 00:12:13.600 God is working. 00:12:13.759 --> 00:12:14.659 And in your death, 00:12:15.500 --> 00:12:16.879 if you have faith in Christ, 00:12:17.580 --> 00:12:19.019 you may be alive 00:12:19.019 --> 00:12:20.139 forever 00:12:20.139 --> 00:12:21.279 with him. 00:12:21.279 --> 00:12:23.899 But don't miss the good 00:12:23.899 --> 00:12:25.319 in this Good Friday 00:12:25.319 --> 00:12:26.199 because sometimes 00:12:26.199 --> 00:12:26.839 in the darkness, 00:12:27.720 --> 00:12:28.659 it's hard to see 00:12:28.659 --> 00:12:29.059 the beauty, 00:12:29.179 --> 00:12:29.500 isn't it? 00:12:30.579 --> 00:12:31.819 One time I was driving 00:12:31.819 --> 00:12:32.899 down 431 00:12:32.899 --> 00:12:34.720 over the mountain 00:12:34.720 --> 00:12:37.759 and on one side 00:12:37.759 --> 00:12:38.459 of the mountain, 00:12:38.679 --> 00:12:39.639 there was light 00:12:39.639 --> 00:12:40.579 and sunlight 00:12:40.579 --> 00:12:41.159 coming down. 00:12:41.240 --> 00:12:41.839 It was beautiful. 00:12:42.259 --> 00:12:43.539 I could see every detail 00:12:43.539 --> 00:12:44.259 of the trees. 00:12:44.839 --> 00:12:45.919 But on this side, 00:12:46.019 --> 00:12:46.600 it was dark 00:12:46.600 --> 00:12:47.879 and everything was blurry. 00:12:47.879 --> 00:12:50.460 The same beauty existed, 00:12:50.799 --> 00:12:52.120 but the darkness clouded it. 00:12:53.480 --> 00:12:54.460 Well, in this darkness 00:12:54.460 --> 00:12:55.480 is light. 00:12:55.600 --> 00:12:56.379 In this darkness 00:12:56.379 --> 00:12:57.659 is beauty. 00:12:58.179 --> 00:12:59.080 Because the light 00:12:59.080 --> 00:13:00.379 was conquering the darkness 00:13:00.379 --> 00:13:01.600 and in the darkness, 00:13:01.799 --> 00:13:02.600 God is shining. 00:13:03.279 --> 00:13:03.939 And here's the beauty. 00:13:04.960 --> 00:13:06.799 That you, sinner, 00:13:07.159 --> 00:13:08.220 me, sinner, 00:13:08.840 --> 00:13:10.080 are guilty of killing 00:13:10.080 --> 00:13:10.879 the Son of God 00:13:10.879 --> 00:13:11.519 with our sins. 00:13:12.700 --> 00:13:13.299 Yet, 00:13:13.679 --> 00:13:15.019 you are offered freedom 00:13:15.019 --> 00:13:15.840 from the punishment 00:13:15.840 --> 00:13:17.000 that you deserve. 00:13:17.000 --> 00:13:17.919 Why? 00:13:18.059 --> 00:13:19.200 Because it is finished. 00:13:19.320 --> 00:13:20.059 To tell us die. 00:13:20.700 --> 00:13:22.200 It is finished. 00:13:22.659 --> 00:13:23.620 Every drop of blood 00:13:23.620 --> 00:13:24.139 has paid 00:13:24.139 --> 00:13:25.399 for every sin 00:13:25.399 --> 00:13:26.960 that you can possibly commit 00:13:26.960 --> 00:13:27.899 or conceive 00:13:27.899 --> 00:13:29.340 or think about. 00:13:29.940 --> 00:13:30.460 But, 00:13:31.259 --> 00:13:32.379 only if you receive 00:13:32.379 --> 00:13:32.940 that payment. 00:13:33.059 --> 00:13:34.279 You do have to take it. 00:13:35.240 --> 00:13:36.419 And that's called faith. 00:13:37.759 --> 00:13:38.360 Verse 50, 00:13:38.460 --> 00:13:39.100 you see that Jesus 00:13:39.100 --> 00:13:39.980 cried out again 00:13:39.980 --> 00:13:40.820 with a loud voice 00:13:40.820 --> 00:13:41.200 that says 00:13:41.200 --> 00:13:42.059 he yielded up 00:13:42.059 --> 00:13:42.960 his spirit. 00:13:43.299 --> 00:13:44.480 That means that he died. 00:13:44.480 --> 00:13:46.240 He was still in control. 00:13:47.000 --> 00:13:47.879 He had authority 00:13:47.879 --> 00:13:49.059 to give up his spirit. 00:13:50.500 --> 00:13:51.840 But you were worth it. 00:13:53.419 --> 00:13:54.679 But what did that accomplish? 00:13:56.679 --> 00:13:57.679 Two things. 00:13:58.240 --> 00:13:58.980 Two big words. 00:13:59.580 --> 00:14:00.179 Propitiation 00:14:00.179 --> 00:14:01.919 and expiation. 00:14:02.240 --> 00:14:03.059 That's what the atonement 00:14:03.059 --> 00:14:03.620 accomplished. 00:14:04.159 --> 00:14:05.120 The death of Christ, 00:14:05.960 --> 00:14:07.080 as R.C. Sproul writes, 00:14:07.159 --> 00:14:08.340 was both a propitiation 00:14:08.340 --> 00:14:09.460 and an expiation. 00:14:09.820 --> 00:14:10.860 Propitiation refers 00:14:10.860 --> 00:14:11.879 to the turning away 00:14:11.879 --> 00:14:12.419 of wrath 00:14:12.419 --> 00:14:13.399 by an offering. 00:14:13.399 --> 00:14:15.459 God's wrath 00:14:15.459 --> 00:14:16.699 is now satisfied. 00:14:17.559 --> 00:14:18.199 His justice 00:14:18.199 --> 00:14:18.799 is met 00:14:18.799 --> 00:14:19.720 by the sacrifice 00:14:19.720 --> 00:14:20.819 and the blood 00:14:20.819 --> 00:14:21.639 of Jesus Christ. 00:14:22.039 --> 00:14:23.000 Expiation refers 00:14:23.000 --> 00:14:23.740 to the covering 00:14:23.740 --> 00:14:24.399 of sins. 00:14:25.360 --> 00:14:26.379 By the atonement, 00:14:26.919 --> 00:14:27.919 the at-one-ment, 00:14:28.439 --> 00:14:29.000 our sins 00:14:29.000 --> 00:14:29.840 are now removed 00:14:29.840 --> 00:14:30.519 from us. 00:14:31.319 --> 00:14:31.899 The atonement 00:14:31.899 --> 00:14:32.899 satisfies both 00:14:32.899 --> 00:14:33.720 the demands 00:14:33.720 --> 00:14:35.559 of God the Father 00:14:35.559 --> 00:14:36.959 and the needs 00:14:36.959 --> 00:14:37.799 of Christ's people. 00:14:38.360 --> 00:14:39.379 That such a double 00:14:39.379 --> 00:14:39.960 transaction 00:14:39.960 --> 00:14:40.759 can be achieved 00:14:40.759 --> 00:14:41.539 by one person 00:14:41.539 --> 00:14:42.259 and one event, 00:14:42.699 --> 00:14:43.659 R.C. Sproul says, 00:14:43.719 --> 00:14:44.319 is a matter 00:14:44.319 --> 00:14:45.259 of eternal glory. 00:14:46.579 --> 00:14:47.240 This was no 00:14:47.240 --> 00:14:48.120 ordinary death. 00:14:48.939 --> 00:14:49.819 This was a payment. 00:14:50.339 --> 00:14:51.199 This was a mission. 00:14:51.740 --> 00:14:52.339 And the mission 00:14:52.339 --> 00:14:53.019 was accomplished. 00:14:53.219 --> 00:14:54.360 Paid in full. 00:14:54.659 --> 00:14:55.939 Completely successful. 00:14:56.319 --> 00:14:57.059 It is finished, 00:14:57.159 --> 00:14:58.219 as Dan Doriani writes, 00:14:58.319 --> 00:14:59.079 means that God's 00:14:59.079 --> 00:15:00.159 displeasure with us 00:15:00.159 --> 00:15:00.699 is finished. 00:15:01.559 --> 00:15:02.860 If you have faith, 00:15:03.860 --> 00:15:04.439 acknowledging 00:15:04.439 --> 00:15:05.740 your need 00:15:05.740 --> 00:15:06.399 for forgiveness 00:15:06.399 --> 00:15:07.439 and your inability 00:15:07.439 --> 00:15:08.240 to achieve it 00:15:08.240 --> 00:15:08.879 on your own, 00:15:09.379 --> 00:15:10.159 if you believe 00:15:10.159 --> 00:15:11.379 that He died for you, 00:15:11.539 --> 00:15:12.339 and you have 00:15:12.339 --> 00:15:13.579 certainty in the things 00:15:13.579 --> 00:15:14.259 not seen, 00:15:14.339 --> 00:15:15.459 the eternal things, 00:15:16.179 --> 00:15:17.019 then He promises 00:15:17.019 --> 00:15:17.959 to adopt you 00:15:17.959 --> 00:15:18.980 into His family 00:15:18.980 --> 00:15:20.139 as brothers, 00:15:20.419 --> 00:15:21.120 as sisters, 00:15:21.319 --> 00:15:21.899 as daughters, 00:15:21.899 --> 00:15:22.899 as sons of the 00:15:22.899 --> 00:15:23.839 Most High God, 00:15:23.959 --> 00:15:24.459 Yahweh, 00:15:25.019 --> 00:15:26.159 heirs of His kingdom. 00:15:27.599 --> 00:15:28.719 Do you believe 00:15:28.719 --> 00:15:29.699 this? 00:15:30.860 --> 00:15:31.740 Do you believe 00:15:31.740 --> 00:15:33.199 in Jesus Christ? 00:15:33.939 --> 00:15:34.519 Maybe you're here 00:15:34.519 --> 00:15:35.079 and you have 00:15:35.079 --> 00:15:36.599 and you've forgotten 00:15:36.599 --> 00:15:37.079 your way. 00:15:38.319 --> 00:15:39.000 Maybe you're here 00:15:39.000 --> 00:15:39.839 and you never have. 00:15:39.840 --> 00:15:42.360 it's never too late 00:15:42.360 --> 00:15:44.139 to turn to Christ 00:15:44.139 --> 00:15:45.720 until we don't have 00:15:45.720 --> 00:15:46.800 the opportunity anymore. 00:15:48.259 --> 00:15:48.460 You know, 00:15:48.540 --> 00:15:49.440 knowing someone 00:15:49.440 --> 00:15:51.120 who knows about Jesus 00:15:51.120 --> 00:15:52.340 is not the same thing 00:15:52.340 --> 00:15:53.240 as knowing Jesus. 00:15:54.100 --> 00:15:55.000 Reading a book 00:15:55.000 --> 00:15:56.940 is not the same thing 00:15:56.940 --> 00:15:57.960 as knowing the author. 00:15:57.960 --> 00:16:02.259 I was with a man 00:16:02.259 --> 00:16:03.100 this week, 00:16:03.280 --> 00:16:03.879 a dear man, 00:16:04.639 --> 00:16:05.340 and I asked him 00:16:05.340 --> 00:16:06.300 when he came to know Jesus 00:16:06.300 --> 00:16:06.820 and he said, 00:16:06.920 --> 00:16:07.060 well, 00:16:08.580 --> 00:16:09.680 later in life, 00:16:10.200 --> 00:16:11.040 but he realized 00:16:11.040 --> 00:16:11.940 that he was religious 00:16:11.940 --> 00:16:12.820 for so long 00:16:12.820 --> 00:16:14.100 that he had no relationship. 00:16:14.820 --> 00:16:15.580 Are you religious? 00:16:17.220 --> 00:16:18.519 America is very religious. 00:16:19.740 --> 00:16:20.259 There's a difference 00:16:20.259 --> 00:16:20.900 between religion 00:16:20.900 --> 00:16:21.660 and a relationship 00:16:21.660 --> 00:16:22.340 with the creator 00:16:22.340 --> 00:16:22.940 of the universe. 00:16:22.940 --> 00:16:24.160 For me, 00:16:24.820 --> 00:16:26.580 I sat at 16 years old 00:16:26.580 --> 00:16:27.780 not knowing anything 00:16:27.780 --> 00:16:28.380 about Jesus 00:16:28.380 --> 00:16:29.220 in a room of people 00:16:29.220 --> 00:16:29.880 who prayed to him 00:16:29.880 --> 00:16:30.380 for an hour 00:16:30.380 --> 00:16:31.040 and I realized, 00:16:31.260 --> 00:16:31.940 I have no idea 00:16:31.940 --> 00:16:32.680 who you're talking to. 00:16:33.640 --> 00:16:35.240 I started asking questions 00:16:35.240 --> 00:16:36.880 and I've been different 00:16:36.880 --> 00:16:37.440 ever since. 00:16:38.920 --> 00:16:39.800 Do you believe 00:16:39.800 --> 00:16:42.200 that if you just read 00:16:42.200 --> 00:16:43.060 the medicine bottle 00:16:43.060 --> 00:16:43.820 that tells how 00:16:43.820 --> 00:16:44.700 it's going to cure you, 00:16:45.460 --> 00:16:46.240 that it's the same 00:16:46.240 --> 00:16:47.040 as taking the pill? 00:16:47.039 --> 00:16:47.139 Well, 00:16:50.179 --> 00:16:50.599 Christianity 00:16:50.599 --> 00:16:52.639 is the difference, 00:16:52.799 --> 00:16:53.199 the difference 00:16:53.199 --> 00:16:53.919 between Christianity 00:16:53.919 --> 00:16:55.399 and every other religion. 00:16:56.079 --> 00:16:56.959 I've heard it said 00:16:56.959 --> 00:16:57.360 it's the difference 00:16:57.360 --> 00:16:58.159 between two words, 00:16:58.259 --> 00:16:59.019 doing and done. 00:16:59.279 --> 00:17:00.199 What are you doing 00:17:00.199 --> 00:17:01.740 to try to make 00:17:01.740 --> 00:17:02.379 that relationship 00:17:02.379 --> 00:17:03.179 right with God 00:17:03.179 --> 00:17:03.819 because Jesus 00:17:03.819 --> 00:17:05.019 has already done it. 00:17:05.420 --> 00:17:07.240 This is the only religion 00:17:07.240 --> 00:17:08.379 that offers 00:17:08.379 --> 00:17:09.200 true relationship 00:17:09.200 --> 00:17:09.859 with God 00:17:09.859 --> 00:17:11.259 on your behalf, 00:17:11.720 --> 00:17:12.879 asking nothing of you 00:17:12.879 --> 00:17:14.200 but to believe it. 00:17:14.200 --> 00:17:17.220 that we may be 00:17:17.220 --> 00:17:17.980 children of light 00:17:17.980 --> 00:17:19.100 shining as stars 00:17:19.100 --> 00:17:19.980 in this dark world. 00:17:20.059 --> 00:17:20.720 Do you believe that? 00:17:20.779 --> 00:17:21.200 Do you believe 00:17:21.200 --> 00:17:22.259 that you can shine 00:17:22.259 --> 00:17:23.319 the love and the redemption 00:17:23.319 --> 00:17:25.259 and forgiveness of Jesus 00:17:25.259 --> 00:17:26.140 everywhere you go? 00:17:26.220 --> 00:17:27.220 That's why he died. 00:17:27.360 --> 00:17:28.480 That you have a purpose 00:17:28.480 --> 00:17:29.220 right now. 00:17:29.500 --> 00:17:30.340 Whatever you do, 00:17:30.440 --> 00:17:31.440 wherever you work, 00:17:32.100 --> 00:17:33.039 he will use you 00:17:33.039 --> 00:17:34.140 to change this world. 00:17:34.460 --> 00:17:35.440 It can be a smile, 00:17:35.559 --> 00:17:36.440 it can be a hug, 00:17:36.860 --> 00:17:38.920 it can be a listening ear, 00:17:38.920 --> 00:17:40.460 it can be a shoulder 00:17:40.460 --> 00:17:41.140 to cry on 00:17:41.140 --> 00:17:42.140 but he's using you. 00:17:42.220 --> 00:17:42.860 I'll tell you what, 00:17:42.900 --> 00:17:43.920 it's not a paycheck. 00:17:44.200 --> 00:17:46.539 You don't have to work 00:17:46.539 --> 00:17:47.420 for God's love. 00:17:48.000 --> 00:17:49.480 This father loves you perfectly 00:17:49.480 --> 00:17:51.039 and the only time 00:17:51.039 --> 00:17:52.519 that he had that wrath 00:17:52.519 --> 00:17:54.019 against you, 00:17:54.880 --> 00:17:56.220 his son took it 00:17:56.220 --> 00:17:57.279 for you. 00:17:57.720 --> 00:17:58.680 If you've ever held 00:17:58.680 --> 00:17:59.900 a baby in your hands 00:17:59.900 --> 00:18:02.759 and think how beautiful it is, 00:18:03.080 --> 00:18:04.480 that's what God thinks of you 00:18:04.480 --> 00:18:05.160 if you have faith 00:18:05.160 --> 00:18:05.819 in Jesus Christ 00:18:05.819 --> 00:18:06.580 and it's all because 00:18:06.580 --> 00:18:07.259 of what happened 00:18:07.259 --> 00:18:07.920 on that cross. 00:18:09.720 --> 00:18:10.620 You're free 00:18:10.620 --> 00:18:12.240 to love 00:18:12.240 --> 00:18:13.600 and to be loved. 00:18:14.200 --> 00:18:14.920 And to hurt 00:18:14.920 --> 00:18:16.039 and to be healed 00:18:16.039 --> 00:18:17.180 and to hope. 00:18:20.259 --> 00:18:22.019 After Jesus died, 00:18:23.360 --> 00:18:24.259 three significant things 00:18:24.259 --> 00:18:24.600 happened. 00:18:25.420 --> 00:18:26.059 The curtain temple 00:18:26.059 --> 00:18:26.640 was torn 00:18:26.640 --> 00:18:28.140 from top to bottom. 00:18:29.480 --> 00:18:30.740 This meant that now 00:18:30.740 --> 00:18:32.259 we can approach 00:18:32.259 --> 00:18:32.980 the throne of grace 00:18:32.980 --> 00:18:33.720 with confidence 00:18:33.720 --> 00:18:35.420 because there is one 00:18:35.420 --> 00:18:36.900 who is both man 00:18:36.900 --> 00:18:37.860 and God, 00:18:38.160 --> 00:18:39.059 whose sacrifice 00:18:39.059 --> 00:18:39.880 paid for the sins 00:18:39.880 --> 00:18:40.400 of the people 00:18:40.400 --> 00:18:40.900 temporarily 00:18:40.900 --> 00:18:42.420 and eternally 00:18:42.420 --> 00:18:42.860 forever. 00:18:43.480 --> 00:18:44.240 And he reigns 00:18:44.240 --> 00:18:44.660 in heaven 00:18:44.660 --> 00:18:46.480 guaranteeing 00:18:46.480 --> 00:18:48.019 that that is true. 00:18:48.960 --> 00:18:49.740 And the temple 00:18:49.740 --> 00:18:50.480 being torn 00:18:50.480 --> 00:18:51.600 shows that you can 00:18:51.600 --> 00:18:52.620 walk straight to God. 00:18:52.700 --> 00:18:52.840 Now, 00:18:53.019 --> 00:18:54.180 you don't need anybody 00:18:54.180 --> 00:18:55.540 but the great high priest 00:18:55.540 --> 00:18:56.280 Jesus Christ. 00:18:56.820 --> 00:18:57.300 Then there was 00:18:57.300 --> 00:18:57.720 an earthquake 00:18:57.720 --> 00:18:58.880 because the foundation 00:18:58.880 --> 00:19:00.140 of the entire cosmos 00:19:00.140 --> 00:19:00.780 was shaken. 00:19:01.560 --> 00:19:02.960 Sin has been forgiven 00:19:02.960 --> 00:19:04.220 and now Jesus 00:19:04.220 --> 00:19:05.380 is going to make 00:19:05.380 --> 00:19:07.039 all things new. 00:19:07.740 --> 00:19:08.480 All of them. 00:19:10.340 --> 00:19:11.039 You ever thought 00:19:11.039 --> 00:19:11.539 about that? 00:19:12.319 --> 00:19:13.220 I want to visit 00:19:13.220 --> 00:19:13.799 another planet 00:19:13.799 --> 00:19:14.680 with Jesus one day. 00:19:14.880 --> 00:19:15.240 I can. 00:19:16.019 --> 00:19:16.539 You can. 00:19:17.539 --> 00:19:18.440 He controls 00:19:18.440 --> 00:19:19.120 everything. 00:19:21.400 --> 00:19:22.400 And then the tombs 00:19:22.400 --> 00:19:22.819 were opened. 00:19:23.680 --> 00:19:24.559 People really walked 00:19:24.559 --> 00:19:25.420 out of the grave. 00:19:26.700 --> 00:19:27.360 Christians who had 00:19:27.360 --> 00:19:28.039 fallen asleep 00:19:28.039 --> 00:19:28.720 as they call it. 00:19:28.880 --> 00:19:29.360 This was a 00:19:29.360 --> 00:19:30.240 cataclysmic 00:19:30.240 --> 00:19:31.120 event. 00:19:32.799 --> 00:19:33.519 God is Father, 00:19:33.660 --> 00:19:33.839 Son, 00:19:33.900 --> 00:19:34.579 and Holy Spirit 00:19:34.579 --> 00:19:35.559 and Jesus is God 00:19:35.559 --> 00:19:36.220 and his death 00:19:36.220 --> 00:19:37.420 offers us 00:19:37.420 --> 00:19:38.160 cleansing 00:19:38.160 --> 00:19:39.120 forever. 00:19:39.859 --> 00:19:40.359 Relationship 00:19:40.359 --> 00:19:41.180 with God. 00:19:41.519 --> 00:19:42.079 He really is 00:19:42.079 --> 00:19:42.920 who he said he was. 00:19:43.859 --> 00:19:44.920 And he's not just a was. 00:19:46.220 --> 00:19:47.240 He's the son of God. 00:19:47.359 --> 00:19:48.339 Not a son 00:19:48.339 --> 00:19:49.380 or a God. 00:19:50.519 --> 00:19:51.559 He offers you 00:19:51.559 --> 00:19:52.259 eternal life 00:19:52.259 --> 00:19:52.920 and he paid 00:19:52.920 --> 00:19:53.920 the death penalty 00:19:53.920 --> 00:19:54.759 for your sins. 00:19:55.079 --> 00:19:56.200 And he offers you 00:19:56.200 --> 00:19:57.539 his perfect righteousness. 00:19:58.200 --> 00:19:58.700 I don't want to 00:19:58.700 --> 00:19:59.779 sugar coat this cross. 00:19:59.779 --> 00:20:00.639 I don't want to 00:20:00.639 --> 00:20:01.519 put chocolate on it. 00:20:02.539 --> 00:20:03.240 On this cross, 00:20:03.339 --> 00:20:04.420 this instrument of death 00:20:04.420 --> 00:20:05.480 and destruction, 00:20:05.720 --> 00:20:06.519 Jesus absorbed 00:20:06.519 --> 00:20:07.480 the wrath of God 00:20:07.480 --> 00:20:09.720 that you deserve, 00:20:09.839 --> 00:20:10.559 that I deserve, 00:20:11.059 --> 00:20:12.680 and he offers you 00:20:12.680 --> 00:20:13.759 eternal life. 00:20:15.220 --> 00:20:16.039 This is serious, 00:20:16.180 --> 00:20:16.420 y'all. 00:20:17.299 --> 00:20:17.839 It's serious. 00:20:20.240 --> 00:20:21.379 Do you know Jesus 00:20:21.379 --> 00:20:22.039 as your Savior? 00:20:22.359 --> 00:20:22.940 Know him. 00:20:23.339 --> 00:20:24.339 Does he know you? 00:20:26.500 --> 00:20:27.680 If you don't, 00:20:28.619 --> 00:20:29.539 remember the Passover? 00:20:29.779 --> 00:20:30.599 There was the angel 00:20:30.599 --> 00:20:31.240 of destruction 00:20:31.240 --> 00:20:32.839 and it passed over 00:20:32.839 --> 00:20:34.319 all of those 00:20:34.319 --> 00:20:36.279 who had the blood 00:20:36.279 --> 00:20:36.740 of the lamb 00:20:36.740 --> 00:20:38.059 on their doorposts. 00:20:39.740 --> 00:20:40.779 If you don't 00:20:40.779 --> 00:20:41.759 know Jesus, 00:20:42.759 --> 00:20:43.680 you're saying, 00:20:43.819 --> 00:20:44.299 I don't want you 00:20:44.299 --> 00:20:45.639 to pass over my sins. 00:20:46.180 --> 00:20:47.399 I think I can do it better. 00:20:47.779 --> 00:20:48.759 I think that 00:20:48.759 --> 00:20:49.740 wasn't enough. 00:20:50.139 --> 00:20:51.139 I'll take it from here. 00:20:51.140 --> 00:20:55.120 And the wrath 00:20:55.120 --> 00:20:55.960 that you will absorb 00:20:55.960 --> 00:20:56.640 is in a place 00:20:56.640 --> 00:20:57.140 called hell 00:20:57.140 --> 00:20:58.580 that is a very real place. 00:20:59.500 --> 00:21:00.620 I don't want anybody 00:21:00.620 --> 00:21:01.160 to go there. 00:21:02.680 --> 00:21:03.840 Jesus spent more time 00:21:03.840 --> 00:21:04.640 talking about that 00:21:04.640 --> 00:21:05.580 than any other place. 00:21:06.840 --> 00:21:07.880 And I don't say that 00:21:07.880 --> 00:21:08.560 to scare you. 00:21:08.820 --> 00:21:10.040 I say that to let you know 00:21:10.040 --> 00:21:11.580 that Jesus is the only way. 00:21:13.980 --> 00:21:14.880 And I don't want you 00:21:14.880 --> 00:21:16.240 to choose to pass over that. 00:21:16.240 --> 00:21:16.900 The free gift 00:21:16.900 --> 00:21:17.819 offered to you 00:21:17.819 --> 00:21:20.000 because it would be 00:21:20.000 --> 00:21:21.000 payable at your death. 00:21:21.400 --> 00:21:22.019 Hell is also 00:21:22.019 --> 00:21:22.680 what he took 00:21:22.680 --> 00:21:23.279 on the cross 00:21:23.279 --> 00:21:25.980 so that you don't have to. 00:21:26.059 --> 00:21:26.500 Did you know that 00:21:26.500 --> 00:21:27.200 John Calvin, 00:21:27.259 --> 00:21:28.039 the great theologian, 00:21:28.120 --> 00:21:28.799 he struggled 00:21:28.799 --> 00:21:29.539 with the Apostles' 00:21:29.680 --> 00:21:30.359 Creed phrase, 00:21:30.720 --> 00:21:31.620 he descended into hell. 00:21:32.200 --> 00:21:33.480 Not the accuracy of it, 00:21:33.640 --> 00:21:34.740 but where it was placed 00:21:34.740 --> 00:21:36.359 in the actual creed. 00:21:36.420 --> 00:21:36.779 Rather than 00:21:36.779 --> 00:21:37.539 the traditional order 00:21:37.539 --> 00:21:38.079 which says, 00:21:38.480 --> 00:21:39.039 who suffered under 00:21:39.039 --> 00:21:39.759 Pontius Pilate, 00:21:39.859 --> 00:21:40.400 was crucified, 00:21:40.720 --> 00:21:40.960 dead, 00:21:40.960 --> 00:21:41.480 and buried, 00:21:41.799 --> 00:21:42.860 he descended into hell. 00:21:43.340 --> 00:21:44.279 Calvin wanted it 00:21:44.279 --> 00:21:45.079 to be reordered 00:21:45.079 --> 00:21:46.019 to say, 00:21:46.779 --> 00:21:47.440 who suffered under 00:21:47.440 --> 00:21:48.200 Pontius Pilate, 00:21:48.460 --> 00:21:49.120 was crucified, 00:21:49.700 --> 00:21:50.620 descended into hell, 00:21:51.019 --> 00:21:51.279 dead, 00:21:51.360 --> 00:21:51.720 and buried. 00:21:52.299 --> 00:21:52.700 Why? 00:21:53.400 --> 00:21:54.579 Because Jesus received 00:21:54.579 --> 00:21:55.579 the punishment of hell 00:21:55.579 --> 00:21:57.600 while he was on the cross. 00:21:58.360 --> 00:21:58.900 The punishment 00:21:58.900 --> 00:22:01.640 that he saves us from. 00:22:02.420 --> 00:22:03.160 But he saves us 00:22:03.160 --> 00:22:04.319 for something great, 00:22:04.400 --> 00:22:05.579 to renew the world 00:22:05.579 --> 00:22:06.779 until he renews 00:22:06.779 --> 00:22:07.680 the entire cosmos. 00:22:08.440 --> 00:22:09.180 On the cross 00:22:09.180 --> 00:22:09.960 in the silence, 00:22:09.960 --> 00:22:11.759 God was reconciling 00:22:11.759 --> 00:22:12.680 sinners to himself 00:22:12.680 --> 00:22:13.740 as he absorbed 00:22:13.740 --> 00:22:15.220 the wrath of God, 00:22:16.120 --> 00:22:17.319 suffered the hell 00:22:17.319 --> 00:22:18.019 that we deserve, 00:22:18.660 --> 00:22:19.920 and now offers us 00:22:19.920 --> 00:22:20.680 the eternal life 00:22:20.680 --> 00:22:22.220 that only he could hurt. 00:22:23.380 --> 00:22:24.860 But now death is dead. 00:22:26.000 --> 00:22:26.799 Love has won. 00:22:27.660 --> 00:22:29.840 Christ has conquered. 00:22:31.559 --> 00:22:33.759 Is Jesus just a was, 00:22:34.259 --> 00:22:35.160 as the centurion 00:22:35.160 --> 00:22:36.200 and those looking on said, 00:22:36.200 --> 00:22:38.900 or is he your Savior 00:22:38.900 --> 00:22:39.680 who was, 00:22:39.960 --> 00:22:40.759 and is, 00:22:40.960 --> 00:22:42.460 and is to come. 00:22:42.680 --> 00:22:43.579 There's no more payment 00:22:43.579 --> 00:22:45.059 necessary because it is finished. 00:22:45.840 --> 00:22:47.059 And if you let Jesus 00:22:47.059 --> 00:22:47.759 pay the debt, 00:22:48.380 --> 00:22:49.019 you are free. 00:22:50.360 --> 00:22:51.539 Free to have a relationship 00:22:51.539 --> 00:22:52.120 with God. 00:22:52.880 --> 00:22:53.740 Free to have purpose 00:22:53.740 --> 00:22:54.700 and meaning in life 00:22:54.700 --> 00:22:55.460 like no other. 00:22:56.019 --> 00:22:56.920 And free to live forever. 00:22:57.880 --> 00:22:59.860 How do you accept that gift? 00:23:00.420 --> 00:23:01.400 You simply ask, 00:23:01.480 --> 00:23:02.059 help me, 00:23:02.660 --> 00:23:02.960 Lord. 00:23:02.960 --> 00:23:06.840 ask him to give you that gift. 00:23:07.840 --> 00:23:08.860 I love you. 00:23:09.840 --> 00:23:10.860 You're not alone. 00:23:12.180 --> 00:23:13.500 You have a purpose. 00:23:14.880 --> 00:23:16.700 You have a place 00:23:16.700 --> 00:23:17.539 to belong 00:23:17.539 --> 00:23:19.019 in God's people. 00:23:21.019 --> 00:23:23.079 Don't wait to ask. 00:23:23.740 --> 00:23:24.779 It's never too late. 00:23:25.860 --> 00:23:26.779 Let me pray for us. 00:23:27.500 --> 00:23:27.779 Father, 00:23:28.779 --> 00:23:30.839 you're real. 00:23:32.579 --> 00:23:33.579 And people in here 00:23:33.579 --> 00:23:34.079 need you 00:23:34.079 --> 00:23:36.720 in so many different ways. 00:23:36.819 --> 00:23:37.720 I don't know where they are, 00:23:37.799 --> 00:23:38.599 but I know they hurt 00:23:38.599 --> 00:23:39.420 because they're human. 00:23:40.859 --> 00:23:41.740 And Lord Jesus, 00:23:41.899 --> 00:23:42.359 I pray 00:23:42.359 --> 00:23:44.379 that if anyone in here 00:23:44.379 --> 00:23:45.139 does not know you, 00:23:45.200 --> 00:23:46.019 that they would simply 00:23:46.019 --> 00:23:46.839 right now 00:23:46.839 --> 00:23:48.399 ask, 00:23:49.059 --> 00:23:50.399 come into my life. 00:23:50.400 --> 00:23:53.640 thank you for dying for me. 00:23:54.280 --> 00:23:55.280 Give me the purpose 00:23:55.280 --> 00:23:55.800 and meaning 00:23:55.800 --> 00:23:56.660 I'm looking for 00:23:56.660 --> 00:23:58.120 in everything besides you. 00:23:59.360 --> 00:24:00.280 And if they're here 00:24:00.280 --> 00:24:00.940 and they've known you 00:24:00.940 --> 00:24:01.620 for a lifetime, 00:24:01.940 --> 00:24:03.200 give them the fervor 00:24:03.200 --> 00:24:05.120 that only you can give 00:24:05.120 --> 00:24:06.019 of the Holy Spirit. 00:24:06.759 --> 00:24:07.360 Remind them 00:24:07.360 --> 00:24:08.800 of who you've called them to be 00:24:08.800 --> 00:24:10.040 and fill them, 00:24:10.180 --> 00:24:10.600 Lord Jesus, 00:24:10.759 --> 00:24:11.519 with the power 00:24:11.519 --> 00:24:13.360 that we will hear about 00:24:13.360 --> 00:24:14.400 on Sunday. 00:24:15.680 --> 00:24:16.560 We love you 00:24:16.560 --> 00:24:18.019 and we lift these things to you 00:24:18.019 --> 00:24:19.460 only in the name 00:24:19.460 --> 00:24:22.700 of the atoning one himself, 00:24:23.160 --> 00:24:24.160 Jesus Christ, 00:24:24.660 --> 00:24:26.240 who we believe. 00:24:26.980 --> 00:24:28.940 Thank you for paying our debt. 00:24:29.860 --> 00:24:31.140 It is in his name 00:24:31.140 --> 00:24:32.960 that I walk straight 00:24:32.960 --> 00:24:34.100 into the Holy of Holies 00:24:34.100 --> 00:24:34.539 and say, 00:24:35.200 --> 00:24:36.360 I love you, Dad. 00:24:37.600 --> 00:24:37.920 Amen. 00:24:41.920 --> 00:24:43.200 For more information, 00:24:43.579 --> 00:24:44.500 visit us online 00:24:44.500 --> 00:24:45.799 at southwood.org. 00:24:49.460 --> 00:24:51.440 Thank you. 00:25:01.920 --> 00:25:02.720 Amen. 00:25:03.079 --> 00:25:03.160 Amen. 00:25:03.160 --> 00:25:03.220 Amen.