Christ: The Head of the Church

 Temple Baptist Church - 6-14-2026

Matthew 16:13-23
 

Introduction:

A. While preaching a series on the local church, I feel the need to deal with the Church, the Body of Christ. Many preachers deny that doctrine while defaming those of us who believe it. While they defame us, they have no answers to specific Bible verses dealing with Christ’s Church.

 

B. In the context of my message for this morning, we find the proper identification of the Christ, the “Rock” upon which the church is built. “Thou art Peter (Petros - a little piece of rock), and upon this “rock” (petra – bedrock, a massive rock) I will build my church.” The foundation of the Church is not the confession of Peter, but the Person of Christ. Peter fully understood what Christ said to him and recorded it in 1 Peter.

 

1 Peter 2:4-6 To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious, (5) Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. (6) Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.

 

1 Corinthians 3:9-11 For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building. (10) According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. (11) For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

 

C. What the Church is not. (I am speaking of the Body of Christ)

 

1. The Church is not man-made but is divinely given.

 

2. The Church is not Christendom in general. It is not universal: the Fatherhood of God and the Brotherhood of Man. It is the totality of the saved in this dispensation; every born-again believer makes up the entirety of the Church.

 

D. Exactly what is the Church? There is much confusion and contention concerning what the Church is or is not. God is certainly not the Author of confusion, and the Word of God is clear concerning the Church and its meaning. The word "church " in the New Testament has a dual meaning, with context differentiating between the two.

 

1. The Holy Spirit baptizes the believer into the Body, the Church. The word “Spirit” is capitalized, referring to the Holy Spirit. 1 Corinthians 12:13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.

 

2. A glorious church is not the local church as it contains both saved and lost at times. To name a few: Diotrephes, Hymenaeus, Alexander the Coppersmith, etc. Ephesians 5:25-27 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; (26) That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, (27) That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

 

3. In the local church, we have Jew and Gentile, bond and free, male and female. In the Body of Christ, also called the Church, we are all equal. Galatians 3:26-29 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. (27) For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. (28) There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. (29) And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.

 

Church defined - ἐκκλησία ekklēsia ek-klay-see'-ah From a compound of G1537 and a derivative of G2564; a calling out, relative to a specific time and place.

 

1. The Church, the “Body of Christ,” is made up of every born-again believer in this dispensation. The “Body of Christ” is not the local church! The collective body of believers, or of those who have turned to Christ in repentance and faith, makes up the Body of Christ.

 

2. The Church, the Body of Christ, will be called out at the right time to the right place. The Body of Christ belongs to Him!

 

1 Corinthians 12:12-13 For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. (13) For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.

 

a) The right time for our assembly. 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17a For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: (17) Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air…

 

b) The right place of our assembly. 1 Thessalonians 4:17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

 

John 14:3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

 

c) The right reason for our assembly. Ephesians 5:25-27 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; (26) That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, (27) That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

 

E. Having seen what the Church is not and what the Church is, let us return to our text and see what Christ Himself says concerning His Church.

 

1. The Church is built upon Christ. “Upon this rock” The Rock that cannot be moved!

 

1 Corinthians 3:11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

 

Ephesians 2:19-22 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.

 

1 Peter 2:6-8 Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded. Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.

 

2. The Church is built by Christ ("I will build"). It is Christ who died for and saves us! Salvation is an act of God that takes place when the believer comes to God in repentance and faith.

 

Ephesians 2:8-10 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

 

1 Corinthians 3:5-9 Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man? I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour. For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building.

 

Acts 2:6-7 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.

 

Psalms 127:1 Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it:

 

3. The Church belongs to Christ ("I will build my church"). As the Body of Christ belongs to Christ, so does the local church. The local church is not mine, nor is it yours. It is a place to be respected and cherished.

 

Mark 12:10 And have ye not read this scripture; The stone which the builders rejected is become the head of the corner:

 

Ephesians 1:22 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,

 

Ephesians 4:14-16 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

 

Colossians 1:17-18 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.

 

4. The Church is loved by Christ (“my church”). Christ loves the Church, His Body, and also what we are doing here this morning!

 

Ephesians 5:25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;

 

1 Peter 1:18-19 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:

Revelation 1:5 And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,

 

5. The Church is not merely something Christ owns and loves; it is also something Christ uses. ("And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven..."). The dispensation of the Gospel has been given to both the believer and the local church.

 

Matthew 28:18-20 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. (19) Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: (20) Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

 

2 Corinthians 4:3-4 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: (4) In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

The Importance of the Resurrection

 Temple Baptist Church - 6-3-2026

1 Corinthians 15:12-23

 

Introduction: Last week, we found the perversion of the Gospel, called “another gospel,” spreading throughout Asia and now evidently creeping into the Corinthian church.  Tonight, we find the reason for Paul’s doctrinal definition (verses 3-4) and determined defense of the Gospel in chapter 15.  The importance of the resurrection!

A.  The resurrection of Jesus Christ is often called the “Capstone of the Gospel.”  Without the resurrection, the Gospel is not completed as stated:

 

1 Corinthians 15:3-4  For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;  (4)  And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

 

B.  An incomplete Gospel spells an unfinished work and, therefore, a failed means of salvation.

 

C.  The importance of the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead is also found in the satanic attacks made by wicked men.

 

1.  Hidden by the Saved. 

 

a)  The Gospel is found in our newness of life lived before the world. 2 Corinthians 4:3 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: 

 

b)  The Gospel is found in our sharing to those who are lost.  John 5:29  And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.

 

2.  Attacked by Satan.  2 Corinthians 4:3  In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

 

a)  Satan blinds through the perversion of the Gospel.  Either by teaching a spiritual resurrection only or a denial of the resurrection.

 

b)  Satan blinds through the denial of his followers.

 

2 Timothy 2:17-18  And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus;  (18)  Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.

 

D.  Evidently, the Corinthian believers had some measure of influence that denied the resurrection.

 

1 Corinthians 15:12  Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead?

 

E.  The importance of the Gospel: 

 

1.  If Christ be not risen, then He is not who He said that He was! – vs. 13.  “then is Christ not risen”

 

Romans 1:4  And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:

 

2.  If Christ be not risen, then we preachers are wasting both our time and yours. – vs. 14  “then is our preaching vain” We preachers need to get a job!

 

3.  If Christ be not risen, then you are simply deceived and no better off than the rest of the world. – vs. 14.  “and your faith is also vain”  You are wasting your time coming to church to hear God’s Word. 

 

4.  If Christ be not risen, then we are liars of the worst kind. – vs. 15.  “Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God”  Testified - to make a solemn declaration under oath, for the purpose of establishing or making proof of some act to a court.

 

5.  If Christ be not risen, then our sins remain. – vs. 17.  “ye are yet in your sins”

 

6.  If Christ be not risen, then our loved ones are gone forever. – vs. 18.  “Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished”

 

7.  If Christ be not risen, then we are the most miserable of all people. – vs. 19.  “we are of all men most miserable”  Let us eat, drink, and be merry like the rest of the world.

 

8.  But Christ arose, and all is well!  1 Corinthians 15:20-22  But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.  (21)  For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.  (22)  For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.

 

a.  In The Resurrection, We Find Victory – vs. 20  He is who He said He was!

 

1 Corinthians 15:55-57  O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? 56  The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. 57  But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

 

b.  In The Resurrection, We Find Encouragement – vs. 22  The gospel does work and sinners are eternally changed!

 

Mark 16:15  And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

 

Romans 1:16   For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

 

c.  In The Resurrection, We Find Hope – vs. 23-26

 

1)  The Resurrection Is The Seal Of God’s Acceptance Of The Sacrifice Of Christ

 

2)  The Resurrection Is The Seal Of Our Salvation In Christ

 

3)  The Resurrection Is The Seal Of Our Security For Eternity

 

a)  Faith is not a farce, but a force.

 

2b)  Forgiveness is not a fallacy, but a fact.

 

c)  Faithful aren't finished, but forever.

 

d)  Future isn't a forfeit, but fantastic. 

The Precious Blood of Christ

 Temple Baptist Church - 4-19-2026

John 20:15-17

 

Introduction:

 

A.  Last week, I mentioned the two ascensions of Christ.  Throughout all my years of sitting under fundamental preaching, I have never heard verse 17 explained or preached on, and yet it is one of the most important verses in the Bible!

 

B.  In verse 17, we find the resurrected Jesus as a purified High Priest.  So holy that Sinful man could not touch him!  In one verse (There are others, but for time’s sake, I will only mention the following), we find the holiness of our resurrected High Priest.

 

Romans 1:4  And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:

 

C.  The blood of Christ that was shed paid the price for sin once, forever.

 

1.  The Approval of Christ’s sacrifice.

 

Isaiah 53:10-11  Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand.  (11)  He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.

 

2.  The Acceptance of Christ’s blood, which is now shed, would soon be offered.

 

Hebrews 9:11-12  But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building;  (12)  Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.

 

D. Some teach that salvation came through the shedding of blood, the death of Christ. 

 

1.  Some of these teach that the blood of Christ ran into the ground and perished.  This is a cardinal theological error!

 

1 Corinthians 11:24-25  And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.  (25)  After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.

 

1 Peter 1:18-19  Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;  (19)  But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:  (20)  Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you,

 

2.  The Blood of Christ HAD to be applied; else His death-burial-resurrection would have been in vain.  These men try to separate the shedding of Christ's blood from its application.

 

3.  This false teaching concerning the lack of importance of the application of Christ’s blood destroys the Old Testament type.  The High Priest’s work was not done on the day of atonement, when the paschal lamb was slain, until that blood was applied to the Mercy Seat in the Holy of Holies!

 

4.  The Book of Hebrews explains the application of the blood clearly.

 

Hebrews 9:6-7  Now when these things were thus ordained, the priests went always into the first tabernacle, accomplishing the service of God.  (7)  But into the second went the high priest alone once every year, not without blood, which he offered for himself, and for the errors of the people:

 

E.  Having said these things, we find the work of Christ finished by our High Priest. 

 

John 20:15-18  Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away.  (16)  Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master.  (17)  Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.  (18)  Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that he had spoken these things unto her.

 

1.  In verse 17, I do not doubt that Mary Magdalene, who loved her Lord so much, tried to touch Him by either falling at His feet or hugging His neck.  These were expressions of love.  She was not allowed to touch Christ. 

 

2.  The Old Testament priest was washed and clothed at the Laver.  Then, as a purified high priest, he took the censor, got burning coals off the bronze altar, went into the holy place, placed incense on the hot coals, then, blood in hand, went in through the veil and applied the blood of the sacrifice to the mercy seat above the ark of the covenant.

 

F.  Both of Christ’s ascensions were of great importance.

 

1.  The First Ascension:  As our High Priest, the Priestly work had to be done, and only Christ Jesus could do it.

 

a)  From a purified High Priest who could not be touched - John 20:17  Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.

 

Hebrews 9:11-12  But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building;  (12)  Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.

 

Hebrews 9:24-26  For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us:  (25)  Nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holy place every year with blood of others;  (26)  For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.

 

b)  To a merciful High Priest who can be touched.  Hallelujah!  John 20:27  Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing.

 

Matthew 28:9  And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him.

 

Hebrews 4:15-16  For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.  (16)  Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

 

2.  The Second Ascension:  At the end of His appearance here on earth after the resurrection, Christ Jesus ascended back to heaven as our High Priest representing us to God, as our Intercessor making intercession for us to God, and as our Advocate speaking to God for us.  Thus, the promise (John 14) that, if He went away, He would come again as King of kings and Lord of lords for His children.

 

Acts 1:9-11  And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.  (10)  And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel;  (11)  Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.

 

Hebrews 8:1-2  Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens;  (2)  A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man.

 

G.  The Blood had to be applied.  Hebrews 9:12 Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.

 

(People continue to look for the Ark of the Covenant but cannot find it because it is now in heaven’s Temple.)  Revelation 11:19  And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament: and there were lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail.

 

H.  Our sin had to be atoned.  The only mention of “atonement” is in the New Testament, as well as the last mention of “atonement” found in the bible.

 

Romans 5:9-11  Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.  (10)  For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.  (11)  And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement. 

 

Atonement – restoration to reconciliation.

 

J.  The Blood must then be Available.  Christ’s blood was shed and applied for the redemption of all mankind, from Adam to the last person who will ever live.  The Blood of Christ is AVAILABLE to all.

 

1 Peter 1:20-21  Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, (21)  Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.  (22)  Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:  (23)  Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.  (24)  For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away:  (25)  But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.

 

K.  The Blood makes eternal life assured.  It will always be there on the Mercy Seat.  An eternal blood brings about an eternal salvation.

 

Hebrews 9:12  Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.

 

1.  The Price of The Blood – Acts 20:28  Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.

 

2.  The Purity of The Blood – Matthew 27:4  Saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they said, What is that to us? see thou to that.

 

2 Corinthians 5:21  For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

 

3.  The Purpose of The Blood – Colossians 1:20  And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.

 

4.  The Product of The Blood – Ephesians 1:7  In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;

 

5.  The Preciousness of The Blood – Hebrews 9:12  Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.

 

Revelation 1:5  And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,

 

6.  The Preeminence of The Blood – Hebrews 9:12  Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.

 

7.  The Permanence of The Blood – Hebrews 9:12  Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.

 

8.  The Power of The Blood – Romans 5:9  Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.

 

9.  The Pardoning of The Blood – Romans 3:25  Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;

 

10.  The Preaching of The Blood – 1 Corinthians 1:21  For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.

7 Sayings of the Cross – Part 5 - I Thirst

Temple Baptist Church - 3-22-2026

John 19:28-30; Isaiah 52:14-53:11

 

Introduction:

A.  Calvary is an inexhaustible subject as it involves the infinite love, mercy, grace, and sacrifice of God for sinful man. 

 

Romans 5:8  But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 

 

Sinful man, loved by a holy God in spite of fault and failure.  The reconciliation of the irreconcilable!   Oh, what a Saviour Jesus Christ is!

 

B.  “After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished!”  Thus far, we have seen:

 

1.  Calvary’s Pardon as Jesus Christ cried out for the forgiveness of those who knew not what they did.   “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do!”

 

2.  Calvary’s Promise as Jesus Christ responded to the penitent cry of a dying thief.  “Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise,” thus giving hope to all who put their faith in Him.

 

3.  Calvary’s Provision as Jesus Christ placed His loving mother into the hands of John the beloved.  “Woman, behold thy son…Behold thy mother.”  Dying, our Lord entrusted His earthly family to His earthly church.

 

4.  Calvary’s Price as our Lord became sin for us who knew no sin that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him!  “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?”  Because Jesus Christ literally became sin for us that we might one day live forever with Him.

 

5.  Now we come to Calvary’s Pain, as, in the darkness of the noonday, Jesus Christ’s voice was heard once more.  “I thirst.”  Sin is now taken care of from God’s side of the cross, and, for the first time, we see the human side. 

 

C.  All things are now accomplished!  Jesus Christ has done all that He came to do.  He has left nothing undone, including the care of His earthly mother.  I continue to emphasize “His earthly mother” because Jesus Christ—as Jehovah God—had no mother!  He has now become sin for us and is “forsaken” by the Father.  As we were separated from the Father by our sin, Jesus Christ is now separated from the Father by our sin! 

 

Romans 14:8-9  For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's.  (9)  For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living.

 

D.  At Calvary, we find the climax of Jesus Christ’s earthly ministry; the culmination of God’s Salvation Plan, which was pre-determined from the foundation of the world.  During these hours of darkness, we find the payment of sin manifested in a twofold suffering. 

 

E.  “I thirst!”  For the first time, Jesus Christ requested something for Himself!  In Matthew 27, before His crucifixion, the Roman soldiers offered Him vinegar mingled with gall, which would have dulled the pain and lessened the suffering.  Jesus Christ refused the sedation offered! 

 

Matthew 27:33-35a  And when they were come unto a place called Golgotha, that is to say, a place of a skull,  (34)  They gave him vinegar to drink mingled with gall: and when he had tasted thereof, he would not drink.  (35)  And they crucified him…  

 

F.  That the scripture might be fulfilled - Psalms 69:21  They gave me also gall for my meat; and in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink. 

 

Our Lord fulfilled every Old Testament prophecy during His earthly life. This was proof positive that Jesus Christ was Jehovah God in the flesh!

 

G.  An ordinary man would not have made it to this point!  Isaiah 52:14, 53:5  “As many were astonied at thee; his visage was so marred more than any man, and his form more than the sons of men… But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.” 

 

No man has ever been beaten as Christ was beaten!  He was unrecognizable as a man before He went to the cross.

 

Isaiah 52:13-15  Behold, my servant shall deal prudently, he shall be exalted and extolled, and be very high.  (14)  As many were astonied at thee; his visage was so marred more than any man, and his form more than the sons of men:  (15)  So shall he sprinkle many nations; the kings shall shut their mouths at him: for that which had not been told them shall they see; and that which they had not heard shall they consider.

 

Isaiah 53:1-5  Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed?  (2)  For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him.  (3)  He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.  (4)  Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.  (5)  But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

 

 

H.  The pain and suffering were beyond our human imagination!  I have read much concerning the suffering from a medical viewpoint, and the agony must have been beyond anything that we have ever experienced.  I do not want to major on these physical sufferings, but do want us to realize that no man has ever or ever will suffer as He suffered.

 

J.  The Roman soldiers could not kill Him!  The crucifixion could not kill Him! 

 

John 10:17-18  Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again.  (18)  No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father. 

 

We will find in a later message that Jesus Christ had to dismiss (lay down) His life for us.  His death was entirely voluntary!

 

K.  The Sufferings of Christ were manifold:  **Isaiah 52:14-53:11

 

1.  The Sufferings of Gethsemane – The Sorrow of the Soul

 

a.  Suffering at the hands of Sorrow of the Soul - Matthew 26:38  Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me.

 

b.  Suffering at the hands of Sleeping Saints - Matthew 26:40  And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour?

 

c.  Suffering at the hands of Sinners - Matthew 26:45  Then cometh he to his disciples, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.

 

d.  Suffering at the hands of a Supposed Saint - Matthew 26:47-49  And while he yet spake, lo, Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and elders of the people.  (48)  Now he that betrayed him gave them a sign, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he: hold him fast.  (49)  And forthwith he came to Jesus, and said, Hail, master; and kissed him.

 

2.  The Suffering of Separation – The Sorrow of the Spirit

 

a.  The Son of God, for the first and last time in all eternity, separated from God the Father.  The great Three In One no longer in unity!  The great I AM became sin for us that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him!

 

b.  The suffering of separation from God the Father!  I believe that the greatest of all of the sufferings of Christ were shown in the statement, “My God, My God, why hast thou forsaken me?” 

 

c.  In hell, the rich man of Luke 16 was separated from Abraham’s Bosom by a gulf that was “fixed” by God.  It was a gulf that could not be breached.  Sin separates and this division must be reconciled in order for men to eternally live with the Lord.  At Calvary, we find a great gulf “fixed” by God that could not be breached until sin had been paid for once and for all.

 

3.  The Sufferings Of Golgotha – The Sorrow of the Flesh

 

a.  He was lied about - Mark 14:55-56  And the chief priests and all the council sought for witness against Jesus to put him to death; and found none.  (56)  For many bare false witness against him, but their witness agreed not together.

 

b.  They spit upon Him - Matthew 27:30  And they spit upon him, and took the reed, and smote him on the head.

 

c.  They smote Him - Matthew 26:67  Then did they spit in his face, and buffeted him; and others smote him with the palms of their hands,

 

d.  They mocked Him - Luke 23:11  And Herod with his men of war set him at nought, and mocked him, and arrayed him in a gorgeous robe, and sent him again to Pilate.

 

e.  They scourged Him - John 19:1  Then Pilate therefore took Jesus, and scourged him.

 

f.  They crowned Him with thorns - Mark 15:17  And they clothed him with purple, and platted a crown of thorns, and put it about his head,

 

g.  They smote Him on the crown of thorns - Mark 15:19  And they smote him on the head with a reed, and did spit upon him, and bowing their knees worshipped him.

 

h.  They rejected Him for a thief - Luke 23:18  And they cried out all at once, saying, Away with this man, and release unto us Barabbas:

 

i.  They caused Him to bear His cross - John 19:17  And he bearing his cross went forth into a place called the place of a skull, which is called in the Hebrew Golgotha:

 

j.  They nailed Him to the tree - Psalms 22:16  For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet.

 

k.  They pierced His side - John 19:34  But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water.

 

Conclusion:  So few words to describe such suffering.  “They crucified him…I thirst!”  What the world normally watched in the light, God shrouded with darkness.

HH…

HH11111

1.  The Magnitude Of That Thirst can never be fully realized.

 

2.  The Meaning Of That Thirst takes us to the depths of hell and a rich man who cried for water out of his torments.

 

3.  The Message Of That Thirst is once again that Christ died for the sins of the world!  They crucified Him – Three little words!  Psalms 22:14  I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint: my heart is like wax; it is melted in the midst of my bowels. 

 

He suffered physically in almost every way—I know that Christ's death and suffering were different from others, but here is a description of what crucifixion would feel like to the human body, and Christ experienced that.

 

Jesus is offered wine mixed with myrrh, a mild sedative. He refuses to drink. He is laid on the cross on His back. His flesh is in ribbons, and the pain is excruciating. The Roman soldier drives a heavy, square, wrought-iron nail through one hand and deep into the wood. He moves to the other side and repeats the action, being careful not to pull the arms too tightly, but to allow some flexion and movement. The left foot is pressed backward against the right foot, and with both feet extended, toes down, a nail is driven through the arch of each, leaving the knees moderately flexed. The cross is then lifted into place and drops into its socket. His weight falls helplessly upon the nailed hands and feet. The Victim is now crucified. As He slowly sags down with more weight on the nails in His hands, excruciating pain shoots along the fingers and up the arms to explode in the brain—the nails in the hands and feet put pressure on the nerves. As He pushes Himself upward to avoid this stretching torment, He places His full weight on the nail through His feet. Again, there is the searing agony of the nail tearing through the nerves between the metatarsal bones of the feet. At this point, as the arms fatigue, great waves of cramps sweep over the muscles, knotting them in deep, relentless, throbbing pain. With these cramps, He cannot push Himself upward. Hanging by His arms, His pectoral muscles are paralyzed, and the intercostal muscles cannot act. Air can be drawn into the lungs but cannot be exhaled. Jesus fights to raise Himself to get even one short breath. Finally, carbon dioxide builds up in the lungs and bloodstream, and the cramps partially subside. Spasmodically, He is able to push Himself upward to exhale and draw in the life-giving oxygen. It was undoubtedly during these periods that He uttered the seven short sentences recorded. Now follows hours of limitless pain, cycles of twisting, joint-rending cramps, intermittent partial asphyxiation, and searing pain where tissue is torn from His lacerated back as He moves up and down against the rough timber. Then another agony begins—a terrible crushing pain deep in the chest as the pericardium slowly fills with serum and begins to compress the heart. One remembers again the 22nd Psalm, the 14th verse: "I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint; my heart is like wax; it is melted in the midst of my bowels." It is now almost over. The loss of tissue fluids has reached a critical level; the compressed heart struggles to pump heavy, thick, sluggish blood into the tissues; the tortured lungs make a frantic effort to gasp in small gulps of air. The markedly dehydrated tissues flood the brain with stimuli. Jesus gasps His fifth cry, "I thirst." One remembers another verse from the prophetic 22nd Psalm: "My strength is dried up like a potsherd; and my tongue cleaveth to my jaws; and thou hast brought me into the dust of death." A sponge soaked in vinegar is lifted to His lips. He apparently does not take any of the liquid. Jesus’s body is now in extreme distress, and death nears. He can feel the chill of death creeping through His tissues. His mission of atonement has completed as He cries, "It is finished." With one last surge of strength, He once again presses His torn feet against the nail, straightens His legs, takes a deeper breath, and utters His seventh and last cry, "Father! Into thy hands I commit my spirit." Now He wills His body to die for you and for me!