7 Sayings of the Cross – Part 7 - “Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit.”

Temple Baptist Church - 4-5-2026

Luke 23:44-24:12

 

Introduction:

A.  Today, we celebrate Resurrection Sunday, the Capstone of the Gospel.  I thank God this morning for a finished work that saves the eternal souls of the repentant, believing individual.

 

B.  This morning, I read the Gospel to you.  We normally preach on the cross, then on the resurrection.  For the first time, because I started on the 7 sayings of Christ a week later than usual, it opened up the totality of the Gospel in one message.  Paul emphasized the Gospel’s importance in Romans chapter one.

 

Romans 1:16-17  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.  (17)  For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

 

C.  In First Corinthians chapter, Paul gave the Definition of the Gospel.

 

1 Corinthians 15:1-4  Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;  (2)  By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.  (3)  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:

 

D.  In our text, we find the demonstration of the Gospel made plain and simple. 

 

1.  Luke 23:44-46, the death of Christ according to the Scripture. 

 

2.  Luke 23:50-53, the burial of Christ.

 

3.  Luke 24:1-3, the resurrection of Christ according to the Scriptures.

 

E.  Now, let us look at the Scriptural account found in these verses.

 

1.  The Death of Christ and the Believer.

 

Luke 23:44-46  And it was about the sixth hour, and there was a darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour.  (45)  And the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was rent in the midst.  (46)  And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost.

 

a.  At the instant Christ died, His spirit left the body.  “Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost.”

 

b.  His spirit returned to God the Father, who gave it.  “Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit.”

 

c.  In like manner, at the moment of our deaths, our spirits will leave our bodies.

 

2 Corinthians 5:6-8  Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord:  (7)  (For we walk by faith, not by sight:)  (8)  We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.

 

d.  Our spirit will go back to God, who gave it.

 

Genesis 2:7  And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.

 

Ecclesiastes 12:7  Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.

 

2.  The Burial of Christ and the Believer.

 

Luke 23:50-53  And, behold, there was a man named Joseph, a counsellor; and he was a good man, and a just:  (51)  (The same had not consented to the counsel and deed of them;) he was of Arimathaea, a city of the Jews: who also himself waited for the kingdom of God.  (52)  This man went unto Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus.  (53)  And he took it down, and wrapped it in linen, and laid it in a sepulchre that was hewn in stone, wherein never man before was laid.

 

a.  The dead body of Christ was hidden from the sight of men in a sepulchre.  “in a sepulchre that was hewn in stone.”

 

b.  Our dead bodies will be placed in a grave, hidden from the eyes of men.

 

Genesis 23:4  I am a stranger and a sojourner with you: give me a possession of a buryingplace with you, that I may bury my dead out of my sight.

 

c.  Now for a major but all-important difference between the death of Christ and the believer.  Christ’s body suffered no corruption!  “But he, whom God raised again, saw no corruption.”  Sin had no hold on Christ!

 

Acts 13:36-37  For David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell on sleep, and was laid unto his fathers, and saw corruption:  (37)  But he, whom God raised again, saw no corruption.

 

d.  Our bodies immediately begin to corrupt at death because of Adamic sin.  “For David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell on sleep, and was laid unto his fathers, and saw corruption:”

 

John 11:39  Jesus said, Take ye away the stone. Martha, the sister of him that was dead, saith unto him, Lord, by this time he stinketh: for he hath been dead four days.

 

e.  At the moment of death, Christ went to Abraham’s Bosom, then led those Old Testament saints to heaven with Him.  Both places of comfort and joy.

 

Luke 23:43  And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.

 

Ephesians 4:8  Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.

 

f.  At the moment of death, we will be with the Lord.

 

2 Corinthians 5:6  Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord:

 

3.  The Resurrection of Christ and the Believer.

 

a.  The resurrection of Christ was a bodily resurrection.

 

Luke 24:2-3  And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre.  (3)  And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus.

 

Luke 24:6  He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee,

 

b.  The believer’s resurrection will be a bodily one.

 

1 Thessalonians 4:14-17  For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.  (15)  For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.  (16)  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: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

 

c.  As Christ’s body was His body, our bodies will be ours, but now incorruptible and eternal.

 

1 John 3:1-2  Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.  (2)  Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.

 

d.  Salvation is based upon a finished work and God’s amazing grace.

 

Romans 10:5-13  For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them.  (6)  But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise, Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down from above:)  (7)  Or, Who shall descend into the deep? (that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead.)  (8)  But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;  (9)  That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.  (10)  For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.  (11)  For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.  (12)  For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.  (13)  For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

 

Conclusion:  A perfect Gospel.  “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:”

7 Sayings Of The Cross – Part 2 - Today Thou Shalt Be With Me In Paradise

 Temple Baptist Church - 3-1-2026

Luke 23:32-43

(Temple 3-1-26)

 

Introduction:

A.  As we continue toward Easter Sunday, I want to continue looking at the 7 distinct times that our Lord Jesus Christ spoke from the cross.  Each of these 7 says are independent of each other and, yet, together, they speak volumes about the heart of the One who died for our salvation.

 

B.  Last week, we looked at “Father, forgive them.” 

 

1.  He came to die for sin and to bring about reconciliation for mankind.  It also taught us a lesson in forgiveness, as the Lord personally and temporally forgave those who crucified Him, even though He knew they would not repent or ask for forgiveness. 

 

a)  In eternity, there would be no forgiveness for those who crucified Him, the soldiers who continued to rail on Him, the crowd that loved His crucifixion, and the second thief who also railed on Him.

 

b)  The false doctrine of the Fatherhood of God and the brotherhood of man is exposed in the wickedness of these. Without repentance and faith, hell and ultimately the Lake of Fire would be their eternal home. 

 

c)  King Herod did not get saved, Pilate did not get saved, the Pharisees did not get saved, the crowd who cried “crucify Him” did not get saved, the soldiers who beat-scourged-nailed Him to the cross did not get saved, the second malefactor who railed on Him did not get saved, the crowd that watched Him did on the cross did not get saved.

 

d)  Do not presume that you will get saved without repentance and faith.

 

2.    This morning, I want to look at the 2nd saying, possibly the most notable: “And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.”  In these verses, we find a true deathbed profession.  Most people who are dying are too busy dying to trust Christ.  I believe some do truly get saved just before they die, but, as a general rule, how you live is how you die!

 

C.  Here we find two thieves who were to die with Christ.

 

1.  One Mocked Christ – vs. 39  He asked Christ to save them and still died lost.  A prayer will not save the sinner.  Salvation is a heart condition!  This thief died unrepentant and lost.  His prayer was to save “us.”

 

2.  One Recognized Christ – vs. 40  This thief recognized who Christ was; recognized what he was; and asked for salvation. Vs. 41-42

 

D.  What a bold request! “Lord, remember me!” He was a convicted thief with nothing to offer.  He was condemned to death with no reprieve.  Helpless, hopeless, he was now to die.  He had lived his life for self and now requested salvation.  Can a sinner be saved upon his deathbed?  The answer is a resounding “Yes!”

 

E.  What a glorious reply!   “Today shalt thou be with me in paradise!”  Our Lord answered his request in the affirmative.  I am so glad that we serve a merciful God who does not give us what we deserve.  What a wonderful Lord and Saviour is Jesus Christ.

 

F.  Notice that the grace of God extended was singular in number: “thou.”  A nameless, condemned thief, helpless thief!  Helpless but, thank God, not hopeless!  Let us look at that statement for a few minutes.

 

G.  The Request Of The Sinner – “Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom”

 

1.  Realization – “fear God”

 

2.  Repentance – “indeed justly”

 

3.  Recognition – “Lord”

 

4.  Request – “remember me”

 

H.  The Reply Of The Saviour – “Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise”

 

1.  Recognition – “unto thee”

 

2.  Reliability – “Verily”

 

3.  Reassurance – “shalt thou be”

 

J.  His salvation was instantaneous: “today!”  His salvation was assured: “thou shalt be!”  His salvation was eternal: “in paradise!”

 

1.  The heresy of Good Works was refuted – for there was nothing that the thief could do as death was imminent. 

 

2.  The heresy of Sacraments was refuted - for the thief was saved without last rites, baptism, the Lord's Supper, church, or ceremony.

 

3.  The heresy of purgatory was refuted - for this vile sinner was instantly transformed into a saint and made fit for paradise apart from his personal expiation for a single sin.

 

4.  The heresy of universalism was refuted - for only one was saved of all who might have been saved that day.  "Today shalt thou be with me in paradise."

 

5.  The heresy of soul-sleep was refuted - for the clear implication of the entire incident is that the redeemed thief would be in conscious presence and fellowship with his Saviour in paradise even while his body corrupted in the grave.

 

K.  Why save a dying thief?

 

1.  This saying shows the Love of God for sinners.  He saved this thief because He loved him! It matters not who you are or what you have done, God loves you.  Jesus is truly a Friend of publicans and sinners.  He loves me, He loves, He loves me, I know!  The Bible tells me so.

 

1 John 4:9-10  In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.  (10)  Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

 

2.  This saying shows the Individuality of salvation.  He saved the thief because He was dying for HIM!  Salvation will never belong to a person until that person realizes that Christ died for them personally.  Yes, He did for the sins of the whole world, but He died for me, making salvation personal.

 

1 Timothy 1:15  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.

 

1 Timothy 2:4  Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

 

3.  This saying shows clearly the Way of salvation.  Not many ways, but one way, and that way is through faith in Christ and faith alone. 

 

a.  Salvation is not by works - 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.

 

Titus 3:5  Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

 

b.  Salvation is through Christ alone - 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.

 

c.  Salvation is a free gift - Romans 5:18  Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.

 

d.  Salvation is for the asking - Romans 10:13  For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

 

4.  This saying gives Hope to all of mankind!  He saved a thief so that men might not despair.  The BLESSED HOPE gave the thief a blessed hope!  There is hope in Christ.

 

a.  Some might say, “It is too late for me.”  It was not too late for the thief.  If you are breathing, you are a candidate for salvation.

 

b.  Some might say, “I have done too much wrong to be saved.” 

 

c.  There is hope in Jesus Christ for even the vilest sinner on his way to his death.

 

5.  This saying Warns mankind not to presume!    Oh, preacher, I’ll make it somehow.  I have plenty of time.  I will one day give my life to Christ!

 

a.  The Presumption of Salvation - Christ only saved one of the thieves!  They presume that they will “slip into heaven” at the last moment.  Two men; two choices; and two destinies!

 

b.  The Presumption of Judgment.  That God will not put you in Hell.  Most people do not think that they will perish in hell.  Bad things always happen to other people.

 

Conclusion:

 

One thief railed on Christ.  “If thou be Christ.”

 

One Thief wailed to Christ.  “Lord, remember me.”

 

One was nailed for sin.  He was nailed for my sin.  He was nailed for yours!

7 Sayings of the Cross – Part 1 - Father, Forgive Them; For They Know Not What They Do!

Temple Baptist Church - 2-22-2026

Luke 23:26-34

Introduction:

A.  As we quickly approach Resurrection Sunday, 2026, I want our hearts and minds to center upon Calvary.  My pastor, Dr. Harold B. Sightler, advised his preacher boys to stay close to the cross in our preaching. 

 

B.  As we begin looking at the sayings of our Lord Jesus Christ on the Cross, it begins with these amazing, loving, kind, and enduring words: “Father, Forgive Them; For They Know Not What They Do!”  Paul, in the book of Hebrews, describes this moment:

 

Hebrews 12:3  For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.  (Contradiction: a statement or phrase whose parts contradict each other.  Christ has been abused above all measure and unjustly so.  In the moment of the world’s hatred of and cruelty against Christ, He asks the Father to forgive the perpetrators.)

 

1.  There is Conviction in the Cross.  John 12:32  And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.

 

2.  There is Conversion in the Cross.  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.

 

3.  There is Confidence in the Cross.  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.

 

4.  There is Condemnation in the Cross.  1 Corinthians 1:22-25  For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom:  (23)  But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness;  (24)  But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.  (25)  Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

 

C.  Seven times our Lord spoke from the cross.  These seven sayings speak volumes concerning our salvation. 

 

1.  The first saying of Christ from the cross was a petition for forgiveness.  How appropriate!  Jesus died to save, not to condemn.

 

2.  The cross of Christ is all about the reconciliation of sinful man with a thrice holy God.

 

D.  At Calvary, we find the love of God for each and every one of us. 

 

1.  Calvary is the ultimate proving of the love of God for sinful mankind.  If you want to know how God feels about you, go to Calvary!  Greater love hath no man than this:  the one should die for his friend. 

 

2.  Calvary’s love is the greatest and most compelling of all loves as the Worthy died for the unworthy; the Holy died for the unholy; the Righteous died for the unrighteous.

 

E.  The reason for forgiveness is sin.  The fact of sin is what compelled the Father to send forth His only begotten Son.  This morning, I want to look at God's forgiveness.  “For they know not what they do!”

 

1 Corinthians 2:7-8  But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:  (8)  Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.

 

1.  Some believe that ignorance brings forgiveness.  As ignorance of the law is not an excuse in our judicial system, neither is it an excuse in the court of heaven!

 

2.  Their ignorance was not that they did not know that the man they were crucifying was innocent. 

 

a)  Judas Iscariot declared Him to be innocent.  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.

 

b)  Both Herod and Pilate had declared Jesus to be innocent.  Luke 23:14-15  Said unto them, Ye have brought this man unto me, as one that perverteth the people: and, behold, I, having examined him before you, have found no fault in this man touching those things whereof ye accuse him:  (15)  No, nor yet Herod: for I sent you to him; and, lo, nothing worthy of death is done unto him.

 

F.  “For they know not what they do!” What was their ignorance?  Their ignorance is the same as the ignorance of modern men.  I want to look at three areas of ignorance that will lead mankind to hell instead of to heaven.

 

1.  They were ignorant of Who He was!  Matthew 27:29  And when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put it upon his head, and a reed in his right hand: and they bowed the knee before him, and mocked him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews! (He was almighty Jehovah God in the flesh!  King of kings and Lord of lords!  They mocked Him!  The world still does not know who He is!  He was the Almighty, and He still IS the Almighty!)

 

Hebrews 11:6  But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

 

a.  “without faith”  Saving faith is based upon faith, not sight!  God cannot be seen but fully reveals His person through nature and the Bible!  That is the only revelation that man will ever get.  It was and is enough for me!

 

b.  “that He is”  Man cannot deny Him for He is!  Man cannot ignore Him for He will not go away!  God's existence is not nullified because man chooses to turn away from Him.  Jesus Christ is “the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.”

 

c.  “he is a rewarder of them.”  Jesus Christ is not only the Saviour of the world, but He will also save all who come to Him by faith.  He is not a “saviour”; He is THE Saviour.  The One and Only!

 

2.  They were ignorant of what He was doing!  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.  (He was paying for the sins of the whole world.  The soldiers knew that He was innocent but did not know that He had become sin for them!  They did not know that He was dying for them!  The world still has no concept, as they are religionists instead of saved.  Their hope is in their religion and good works, not in the finished work of Calvary!)

 

John 3:14-17  And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:  (15)  That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.  (16)  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.

 

a.  “as Moses lifted up … even so must the Son of man be lifted up.”  Calvary paid for sin’s consequence.  The wages of sin are still death and have never changed!  In Genesis, chapter 3, God took the life of the innocent to cover the sin of the guilty.  That’s Calvary!

 

b.  “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son.”  At Calvary, we find propitiation.  Appeasement!  God looked upon His Son’s sacrifice and was satisfied.  Calvary covers it all!  Calvary is sufficient! 

 

c.  “The world through him might be saved.”  God is not willing that any perish and gave His Son to die for the sins of the whole world.  “Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.” (1 Timothy 2:4)    “And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.”  (1 John 2:2) 

 

3.  They were ignorant of what they were!  Romans 3:23  For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.  (These men were the best of the best!  They were the “seals, green berets, delta force of the day.  They were the Pretorian Guard!  They were invincible!  They did not understand that they were sinners who would one day stand before an angry God!  People today believe that they will just cease to exist after death or that they will be justified before God by who they are but have no understanding that they will one day stand in their sin before a thrice-holiest God and be judged!)

 

a.  They no doubt knew that they were not perfect men, as they were soldiers and had done many things worthy of death.  They were “sinners,” BUT not lost sinners.

 

b.  They no doubt knew that they had sinned against mankind, but not that they had sinned against a thrice-holiest God.

 

c.  They did not realize that, because of their sinfulness against God, they needed to be saved from their sin.

 

4.  They were certainly not repentant of their sins against our Lord Jesus Christ!  They scourged Him, they beat Him, they spat upon Him, they placed on His head a crown of thorns, they crucified Him, they railed on Him, they gambled over His robe, and—as far as the Bible is concerned—they never got right with Him.  He forgave them anyway, but only in a temporal sense!  Forgiveness can only come through faith in the shed blood of Christ.  Hebrews 9:22b  And without shedding of blood is no remission.

 

a.  Our Lord’s forgiveness was personal and temporal, not eternal!  If they remained lost, they still faced their works at the Great White Throne Judgement.  Revelation 20:12  And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.

 

b.  Our Lord’s forgiveness was an example to us!  Forgiveness is as much for the victim as it is for the perpetrator!  When people hurt us, they may never make it right with us, but if we forgive them, we have done what we can and can live with it.  “Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.”

 

Conclusion:  “Father, Forgive Them; For They Know Not What They Do!” 

 

John 15:13  Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. (The Lord Jesus Christ died for the sins of all men and will forgive those who come to Him by faith.)

 

Matthew 6:12  And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.  (We are to forgive those who sin against as God forgives us.)

Abiding In Christ - Abiding In His Presence

Temple Baptist Church - 1-25-2026

Luke 10:38-42

 

Introduction: 

A.  I have been preaching for a couple of weeks on the subject of “Thriving In 2026” by “Abiding In Christ.”  Too many of God’s children choose to survive when God wants them to thrive!  How does the child of God thrive?  By abiding in Christ Jesus!  In John chapter 15, verses 1-10, the word “abide” is mentioned eight times.

 

B.  Being saved and abiding in Christ are two separate things. 

 

1.  Salvation is in an unconditional covenant where a person comes to Christ in repentance and faith, and then is the recipient of Eternal Life!  Nothing in this world can change that relationship.

 

Romans 8:38-39  For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,  (39)  Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

 

2.  Abiding in Christ is a conditional covenant whereby a saved man or woman remains constant in Christ.  One of the greatest examples is the Apostle Paul.

 

Philippians 1:21  For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

 

Colossians 3:4  When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.

 

2 Timothy 4:6-7  For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.  (7)  I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:

 

Though our Lord Jesus Christ is always present with us. Hebrews 13:5  Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

 

We are not always present with Him.  What a contrast we find in Demas.  2 Timothy 4:10a  For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world …

 

C.  In our text, we find the Lord comfortably sitting in the home of Lazarus, Martha, and Mary.  This home and family were very special to our Lord.  Not that the Lord loves some more than others, but some just love the Lord more than others.  Our Lord frequented this home.

 

D.  What a testimony the Lord’s friend, Lazarus, had.  Many Jews came to see the one whom Jesus raised from the dead in John, chapter 12. The religious crowd conspired to put Lazarus to death because many believed in Christ because of him.

 

E.  In our text, Lazarus is not mentioned, though I am sure that he was at home.  Only Martha and Mary are mentioned. 

 

1.  TWO VERY IMPORTANT things are mentioned here: One Serving and one Sitting, One Cumbered and one present: Communing, Continuing, and Contented.  These three conditions are equally important and should go hand in hand!

 

2.  Martha is cumbered in her serving while Mary is content in her sitting!  Thus, we find the children of God in our day.

 

3.  The message is more about Martha than Mary, though Mary was the epitome of what the message is about.

 

F.  Are we cumbered in our serving or content in our sitting?  I want to look at these two wonderful women and contrast them.

 

G.  In verse 38, Martha “received him into her house.” 

 

1.  Let us look at Martha first.

 

a.  Martha was a Good woman!  Martha was a Godly woman!  Martha Loved the Lord! 

 

b.  As with Peter, we often look at Martha the wrong way or in a bad light.  She made sure that the Lord had every comfort when He came into her home.  She made sure that His every need was met when He came for a visit. 

 

c.  But Martha was “cumbered ABOUT much serving.”  Notice with me the wording: “Cumbered ABOUT much serving,” not “Cumbered WITH much serving!”  Martha was complaining about Mary’s lack of service!

 

1)  The same thing is expressed in John 21 as the Lord is restoring Peter to a place of service, and Peter questioned John’s relationship with the Lord.

 

John 21:21-22  Peter seeing him saith to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do?  (22)  Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me.

 

2)  Martha’s serving was no doubt based on love.  She made sure that the Lord had everything that He needed and provided it with joy.  But Martha had stopped serving and started observing. She was worried about what the Lord needed, but not necessarily what He longed for.

 

3)  I thank God for those who serve.  I preached a few weeks ago on a servant’s heart.  God knows we need those who are willing to serve rather than be served.  Martha was a worker!

 

4)  But Martha allowed her service to separate her from her presence with Christ.

 

5)  I imagine that Martha was tired and more than a little more than just frustrated.  Here, she was HAVING TO DO all the work while Mary sat in the living room and enjoyed listening to the Lord talk. 

 

1a)  Ladies, does that remind you of how it is when company comes, you are left alone in the kitchen to both cook and clean while the other ladies sit and talk?

 

2a)  Cumbered – a so-called archaic (old, outdated) word for burdened, hindered, troubled.    I hate it when people say the Word of God is outdated!  “Cumbered with heavy clothing” means that too much clothing hinders the task ahead.  So many are trying to serve Christ but find service a burden instead of a blessing. 

 

3a)  Too many children of God are spending their time in service FOR Christ without spending time WITH Christ!

 

d.  Verse 41, we find a loving rebuke as the Lord describes Martha as careful and troubled about many things.  Three things in verse 41 divide her from the “best” that Mary had:

 

1)  The double address “Martha, Martha” expresses affection, not irritation.  Martha’s priorities were misplaced.  Often, our priorities are out of order, and such was Martha’s.

 

2)  The text uses the word “careful” – full of care; anxiousness that brings about distraction. A verse we use on our prayer list includes the word “careful.” 

 

Philippians 4:6  Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

 

3)  Troubled – disturbed or agitation; the only mention in the Bible.  Her worry agitated Martha to the point of rebuking Mary. 

 

4)  Many things – Martha’s problem was not immoral; it was the crowdedness of her soul.  “Too many minds” is an expression I have heard that means distraction from a point that needs to be addressed.  It contrasts “one thing is needful.”

 

5)  Again, I am not dissing service or duties, but Martha allowed her duties to eclipse her devotion to Christ Himself.

 

6)  We find Martha’s occupation for Christ, while contrasted with Mary’s occupation with Christ.

 

2.  Mary had the same spiritual attributes that Martha had:  Mary was a Good woman!  Mary was a Godly woman!  Mary Loved the Lord!  But the similarities stop there.  While Martha was cumbered, Mary was contented.  Mary was content to sit at the Lord’s feet.

 

a.  We See That Mary Longed To Be Present With Christ. 

 

b.  Mary was Continuing, Communing, and Contented  – vs. 39  While Martha wanted Christ in her home, Mary wanted to be with Christ!

 

Luke 8:35  Then they went out to see what was done; and came to Jesus, and found the man, out of whom the devils were departed, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed, and in his right mind: and they were afraid.

 

Proverbs 8:34  Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors.

 

c.  Mary was Worshipping – vs. 39  “sat at Jesus’ feet”  Here, we find that place of obeisance and humility.  Servants sat at the feet of their masters, showing both obedience and affection.  Mary Magdalene anointed Jesus' feet.

 

Luke 7:44-45  And he turned to the woman, and said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head. 45  Thou gavest me no kiss: but this woman since the time I came in hath not ceased to kiss my feet.

 

John 21:15  So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.  (Tell me that you love me, Peter!  Tell me that you love me more than anything else in the world, Peter!!)

 

d.  We See That Mary Hearing Christ – vs. 39

 

1)  Martha was burdened in verse 41: “careful and troubled about many things.”  Serving our Lord had lost its blessing and became a burden to Martha.  She was not serving because she wanted to serve.  She was serving because, as the woman of the house, she had to serve.  How many times has the work of the Lord become a burden to God’s people?  We do what we are expected to do just because we are expected to do so!  The service of the “bond slave” becomes a thing of the past as we labor, seemingly unrewarded, in these last days.

 

2)  But Mary was Blessed – vs. 42  “good part, which shall not be taken away”  I also have no doubt that Mary spent many hours laboring beside Martha.  Her sitting at the feet of our Lord had nothing to do with laziness.  It had to do with her fervent desire to both be with Him and hear His gracious words.

 

Matthew 4:4  But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.

 

Job 23:12  Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.

 

e.  We See That Mary Lingered With Christ – vs. 40  Mary was abiding – vs. 40  “my sister hath left me”  Mary sought that “good part, which shall not be taken away from her!”  Time spent with Christ is not time wasted for Christ!  Yes, we could be doing a multitude of other things that are both needed and profitable, but that time spent with Him is sublime!

 

Psalms 16:11  Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.

 

Psalms 95:2  Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms.

 

Psalms 100:2  Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.

 

Psalms 140:13  Surely the righteous shall give thanks unto thy name: the upright shall dwell in thy presence.

 

Conclusion:  There is a song I love to hear, especially the chorus, which fits this message perfectly. It is titled “When I’m With Him,” and the chorus goes like this:

 

When I’m with Him;

When I’m with Him;

The fairest pleasures of the world grow dim;

And in him heart, I feel the thrill of glory;

When I’m with Him, when I’m with Him.