It Is Finished

 Temple Baptist Church - 11-13-2024

John 19:28-30

 

Introduction:

 

A. Tonight, I want to look at the 6^th saying from the cross: “It is finished.”

 

1. These three words in English are one word in the Greek: τελέω teleō tel-eh'-o. To complete, execute, conclude, discharge (a debt): - accomplish, make an end, expire, fill up, finish, go over, pay, perform.

 

2. “It is finished” is the proper translation as it implies that the task at hand is done and NOTHING is to be added or taken away from it. Christ had done everything that He was to accomplish. His Purpose fulfilled in “It is finished!”

 

Isaiah 50:5-7 The Lord GOD hath opened mine ear, and I was not rebellious, neither turned away back. (6) I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: I hid not my face from shame and spitting. (7) For the Lord GOD will help me; therefore shall I not be confounded: therefore have I set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be ashamed.

 

John 18:37 Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.

 

B. In 1921, Jennie Evelyn Hussey wrote the hymn “Lead Me To Calvary. It starts out:

 

“King of my life I crown Thee now— Thine shall Thy glory be;

Lest I forget Thy thorn-crowned brow, Lead me to Calvary.

Lest I forget Gethsemane; Lest I forget Thine agony;

Lest I forget thy love for me, Lead me to Calvary.”

 

C. Here we find words of finality! Years ago, I heard Dr. James Crumpton preach on this subject and remember well his emphasis on the Greek word used here: “teleo.” The last stroke of the artist’s paint brush! Observed with scrutiny, the artist would lay down the paint brush never to take it up again. Thus, Calvary.

 

Isaiah 53:1-11 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. (6) All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. (7) He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth. (8) He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken. (9) And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth. (10) 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.

 

D. Jesus Christ, Jehovah God incarnate, The Word made flesh, came to die for the sins of the world. He came to finish the work that the Father gave Him to do. In the phrase “it is finished” we find accomplishment. His life; His work finished and summed up in one short phrase. “It is finished!”

 

1. Calvary, where redemption’s price was paid.

2. Calvary, where the Just became the Justifier.

3. Calvary, where the Innocent took the place of the guilty.

4. Calvary, where the blood shed covers my sin, my guilt, and my shame.

5. Calvary, where God’s mercy is great, and His grace is free.

6. Calvary, where the burdened soul finds true liberty!

 

E. It is here that we find, not a distressed voice and not a cry of defeat, BUT a clarion cry of victory! “IT IS FINISHED!”

 

F. In these three words, we find:

 

1. The Word Prophecy Fulfilled and Verified – Genesis 3:15 And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.

 

John 19:28 After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst.

 

There were hundreds of prophecies written concerning Jesus Christ and He fulfilled every prophecy, every promise, every “jot and tittle” perfectly and completely! God’s Word can be depended upon not only in the performance of this life but also the expectation of the life to come. Jesus Christ left nothing undone!

 

2. The Work Of Propitiation was Finished – John 4:34 Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.

 

1 John 2:1-2 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: (2) And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.

 

John 1:29 The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.

 

At Calvary, we find the finishing of 4,000 years of sacrifices! Millions and millions of lambs had died while awaiting the death of THE Lamb of God who would take away the sins of the world. Mankind had long awaited Messiah’s coming and we look back to His coming in wonder and amazement. When Jesus said, “It is finished,” He was saying that the substitutionary work on the cross for us had been accomplished.

 

Peter said, in I Peter 3:18, “For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit.”

 

Jesus Christ became both the “Lamb” who died and the “Scapegoat” who carried our sins far away. Thank You, Lord Jesus, for taking my place and dying for my sins!

 

3. The Way Of Salvation Established – John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

 

Proverbs 16:25 There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.

 

1 Corinthians 1:17-18 For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect. (18) For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.

 

Man can teach and preach anything that he chooses but it does not change the fact that salvation is through Jesus Christ and Him alone! Not a church, not a denomination, not a movement, not a baptism, not a sacrament, not a dogma, and not an individual theology—but the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Man can go his own way but he will not go to heaven until he comes God’s way!

 

4. The Wages Of Sin Paid In Full – Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

 

Ezekiel 18:20a The soul that sinneth, it shall die.

 

Jesus Christ became the “Sinner’s Substitute.” Our sin separated us from a holy God and Jesus Christ, our Propitiation, reconciled us back to Him through the finished work of Calvary.

 

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.

 

Hebrews 9:26 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.

 

The cross upon which Jesus died was an “altar” and He was the “sacrifice.”

 

5. The Unbeliever Condemned – John 3:16-18 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (17) For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. (18) He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

 

1 John 5:10 He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son.

 

John 3:19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.

 

As Christ suffered for us as no man ever suffered, so the sinner who rejects Christ will one day suffer for all of eternity!

 

6. The Works Of The Devil Destroyed – 1 John 3:8 He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.

 

Revelation 20:10 And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.

 

God will destroy Satan’s position, his purpose, his power, his people, and ultimately his person. Because of Calvary, one day there will be no more Satan!

 

7. The Promise Of Eternity Secured – Revelation 5:9 And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;

 

Because of the finished work of Christ on Calvary, one day we that are saved will be “finally home!

Barabbas

Temple Baptist Church - 10-16-2024

John 18:38-40

 

Introduction:

 

A.  Tonight, I want to look at a man named Barabbas.  I have never preached on him so tonight will be a first for me and possible most of you.

 

B.  The crowd delivered Christ to Annas—who was the father in law to Caiaphas.  Then Annas sent Christ bound to his son in law, Caiaphas the high priest.  Then Caiaphas sent Christ to the judgment hall where Pontius Pilate—Procurator (the fifth governor prefect of Judaea), who was the proxy of Tiberius Caesar of Rome.  Pontius Pilate was placed between Tiberius Caesar and the Jews.

 

C.  After questioning Christ,  Pontius Pilate asked the question, “What is truth?”, washed his hands of the whole fiasco, declared that he found in Christ no fault at all, and asked the question: “But ye have a custom, that I should release unto you one at the passover: will ye therefore that I release unto you the King of the Jews?”

 

D.  In answer to this final question, the Jews said, “ Not this man, but Barabbas.”

 

1.  There were three men in the “inner prison” in stocks awaiting crucifixion, the most horrible of deaths, the next day!

 

2.  They were three men who knew what they did (two thieves and a murderer) and that their death was just under the law.

 

3.  They were three men who were helpless and hopeless who knew nothing of what was transpiring this evening before crucifixion.

 

4.  Two would die for their evil deeds with one thief saying “And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds.”

 

5.  One, the most deserving of the three, would live and did not know it.  Though undeserving, he would walk free!

 

E.  In Barabbas, we find a beautiful type of the redemption of the believer!  There is perhaps no greater person that exemplifies the substitutionary death of the Believer by Christ in the New Testament better than Barabbas. Nothing is said anywhere in Scripture about Barabbas except in the four parallel or corresponding Gospels.  All four Gospels give us an enlightened view of this man.

 

1.  Barabbas (Bar-Abbas) was the son of Abbas.  The word “Bar” simply means “the son of.”  Our Lord called Simon Peter Barjona in Matthew 16:17, meaning Simon the son of Jonas or Jonah.

 

2.  We do not know who his mother was, his age or from where he came. He appears suddenly and just as suddenly, after his release, disappears.

 

3.  A beautiful type of the sinner in general.  Here, we find the substitutionary death of Christ on the cross for sinners in general.

 

F.  Who and what was Barabbas?

 

1.  Barabbas was a wicked man who deserved death.

 

a.  He was arrogant.  Matthew 27:16  And they had then a notable prisoner, called Barabbas (prominent-arrogancy).

 

b.  He was a robber.  John 18:40  Then cried they all again, saying, Not this man, but Barabbas. Now Barabbas was a robber.

 

c.  He was an insurrectionist and a murderer.  Mark 15:7  And there was one named Barabbas, which lay bound with them that had made insurrection with him, who had committed murder in the insurrection.

 

d.  Christ loved sinners, including Barabbas.  He loves you and me! 

 

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

 

1 Timothy 1:15-16  This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.  (16)  Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.

 

2.  Barabbas was a condemned man, found guilty at the judgment hall.  He was bound in prison, and awaited execution! 

 

Mark 15:7  And there was one named Barabbas, which lay bound with them that had made insurrection with him, who had committed murder in the insurrection.

 

John 3:17-21  For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.  (18)  He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.  (19)  And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.  (20)  For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.  (21)  But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.

 

Romans 3:23  For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

 

Romans 6:23  For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

 

3.  Barabbas was a fortunate man who would soon be released from the penalty of his sin. 

 

a.  The cross upon which Christ was crucified was meant for Barabbas.  “A holy man for a horrible man!”  The precious Son of God for Sinful man.

 

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.

 

 

b.  When He was on the cross, I was on His mind! Christ died on a cross that was meant for you and me. 

 

John 17:19-20  And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.  (20)  Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;

 

c.  We were condemned to death because of our sin. 

 

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.

 

d.  When Christ was to be crucified, Barabbas was released from the penalty of his sins and released, made free.

 

4. Barabbas had no part in his release as it was purchased by the death of a Substitute.  Barabbas never expected to be set free.  He was condemned to death and no power on earth could stop it.  But God!

 

a.  Salvation is a gift that God gives.  Ephesians 2:8-9  For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:  (9)  Not of works, lest any man should boast.

 

b.  Salvation is a free gift through a finished work.  Romans 3:23-28  For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;  (24)  Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:  (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;  (26)  To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.  (27)  Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith.  (28)  Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.

 

5.  Barabbas, after his release, was never mentioned again in the Bible nor charged again with his sin.  He was free indeed!

 

Psalms 103:12  As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.

 

Isaiah 38:17  Behold, for peace I had great bitterness: but thou hast in love to my soul delivered it from the pit of corruption: for thou hast cast all my sins behind thy back.

 

Isaiah 43:25  I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins.

 

Conclusion:  Barabbas is representative of all of us.  I do not know what happened to Barabbas, but I do know that Jesus died in his place. Jesus also died in my place, for my forgiveness and for my freedom. By His death and resurrection all who receive Him as Savior can have their sins forgiven, regardless of how bad their past has been, and can start a new life. What an offer! What an opportunity!

The Rending of the Veil

 Temple Baptist Church - 4-5-2023

Mark 15:33-39

Introduction: 

 

A.  Almost 2,000 years ago on our Wednesday evening, at app. 9:00 PM, our Lord Jesus Christ died on an old rugged cross for the sins of the world.  “But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.”  (Galatians 6:14)  

 

B.  “On a hill far away, stood an old rugged cross; the emblem of suffering and shame.”  Jesus Christ, God’s only begotten Son, died for you; He died for me;  He died for whosoever will and also for whosoever will not.

 

C.  When the sacrifice of God’s Son was completed, He cried , “It is finished” and “gave up the ghost.”  It was over!  God’s satisfaction was manifested through the rending of the Veil. 

 

Mark 15:38  And the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom. 

 

D.  Of all the wonderful signs which accompanied our Lord's death, none was more significant than the rending of the veil in the temple.

 

1.  At midday, there was a darkness that could be felt that lasted for three hours.  This must have must have been horrifying event for the people.

 

2.  There was a tremendous earthquake that no doubt scared the people.

 

3.  But the rending of the veil of the Temple, from top to bottom, which must have pierced the heart of every Jew. The veil, for the last 1500 years, had separated sinful man from a thrice holy God!

 

4.  The way into the presence of God was something allowed to the High Priest one day a year as he placed the blood of Atonement on the Mercy Seat in the Holy of Holies.  A place that no man or woman could every hope or want to be because of the penalty of death.

 

E.  The rending of the veil became a quick and well-known fact by all!  I promise you that the news of this mighty act of God, top to bottom, spread like wildfire.

 

F.  The significance of the rending of the veil:

 

1.  The end of Ceremonial Law that had ruled for 1500 years. 

 

2.  The end of the Aaronic Priesthood (the High Priest).

 

3.  The end of the Levitical Priesthood.

 

4.  The end of the Mercy Seat on earth.

 

5.  The end of the sprinkling of the blood of bulls and goats.  The end of the smell of blood and death, the bleating and death of innocent lambs

 

6.  The end of the offering of incense by the priesthood.

 

7.  The end of the lighting of the Menorah.

 

8.  The end of the bread placed on the Table of Shewbread.

 

9.  The end of the Brazen Altar and its myriad of sacrifices.

 

10.  The end of the washings at the Laver.

 

11.  Figures, shadows gone, and the type fulfilled in the antitype. 

 

12.  The satisfaction of God the Father in the matter of sin.

 

13.  The beginning of the New Covenant through the blood of Christ once it was applied.

 

14.  The end of separation and the beginning of reconciliation.

 

15.  Salvation full and free to all who labor and are heavy laden!

 

16.  The rending from top to bottom made manifest that the sacrifice of Jesus Christ was both sufficient and accepted.  The Way (John 16:6) eternally established.

 

G.  The Veil played an essential part in the Jewish system of worship for over 1500 years.  The Vail was first used in the Tabernacle in the wilderness and, later in the Temple of Solomon.  When Zerubbabel’s Temple was built, which remained until 70 AD, the Veil was placed once again into it’s position between the Holy Place and The Holy Of Holies. 

 

1.  It is a type of sin – noted for its toughness and hardness.

 

2.  It is a type of Christ’s flesh – taking on our sin debt and opening the way to God.

 

H.  To fully understand the meaning of the Vail, I want to go to the beginning or the First Mention Principle of Bible Interpretation. 

 

1.  Blue is the color of Deity:  God in flesh!

 

2.  Purple is the color of Royalty:  King of the Jews!

 

3.  Scarlet is the color of the Blood:  rejected and crucified!

 

4.  Fine linen speaks of the Purity of Christ:  the sinlessness of His nature, life, and righteousness. 

 

5.  Fine twined (the Veil was made of thread six times doubled and was four fingers thick) speaks of His strength, courage and steadiness.

 

 

6.  Cherubims were the defenders of God’s holiness.  (The Vail represents man’s sinfulness that separated him from the holiness of Almighty God.)

 

J.  Four Things the Veil Demanded!

 

1.  The Veil Demanded Separation – no one could just “walk in” when they desired.  To just walk in way certain death!  Sinful man was separated from a holy God and though the priests ministered daily in the Holy Place, they could not go into the Holy of Holies.

 

a.  The Rending Of The Veil allows sinful man to be saved and have a personal relationship with God.

 

b.  The Rending Of The Veil gave every child of God not only a daily access into the Holy of Holies but moment by moment access.

 

Numbers 4:20  But they shall not go in to see when the holy things are covered, lest they die.

 

 

2.  The Veil Demanded Selection – Only one chosen man could enter in and then only once a year.  The High Priest of that particular year carried out the priestly work of the Atonement.

 

The Rending Of The Vail allows each believer to take care of his personal sin through confession and repentance.

 

Hebrews 5:1  For every high priest taken from among men is ordained for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins:

 

3.  The Veil Demanded Sanctification – the high priest must be both ceremonially an spiritually clean before entering. 

 

The Rending Of The Veil allowed our Lord to become our Saviour and Advocate. 

 

1 Corinthians 1:30  But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:

 

4.  The Vail Demanded Sacrifice – only the high priest could enter into the Holy of Holies and then only with blood. 

 

The Rending Of The Veil gives boldness to the believer to come to God with his or her inner most desires and burdens.  A personal relationship with a personal Lord and Savior.

 

Hebrews 10:19-20  Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his