Good Friday Sermon, Sixth Word from cross by Savior Jesus

It is finished, John 19:30

3 times God used same word in history.

in Genesis - to describe the completion of creation

in the apocalypse - when all the creation would be done away with New creation

All things done for the Redemption of humanity.

Greek word for ‘IT IS FINISHED ‘ is “Tetelestai”

What does Jesus mean?

What is Finished?

What is the “IT”.

Let us start with understinding the event where jesus speaking these words, “it is finished”

It is the 1 st century AD

around spring time

outside Jerusalem on an hill

three men are hanging naked on crosses, their bodies exposed, bloody and broken.

a small group of people had gathered at the foot of the crosses

soldiers, family memebers of the three hanging on the cross brave enought to witness the scene.

the man in the middle, who does not look mothan 30, drinks some wine vinegar offered upto him from a filthy sponge and Utters three words, “IT IS FINISHED” in Greek single word ‘Telelestai’.

What would people have made of IT at the time?

is the IT, jesus life on earth?

is the IT, his teachings?

is IT, his own suffering?

is IT something to do with the OT Romans 10:4 “For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes,” - The OT cerimonial law is Finished.

is IT, something was happening to our sinas Jesus hung dying on that cross, 1 Peter 2:24 “He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree; so that, having died to sins, we might live for righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.” - The power of Sin is finished.

is IT something to with salvation - The work of Salvation is finished.

IT was the declaration on the part of the divine Redeemer that all for which he came from heave to earch to do was now done.

How can we understand Now

It is Finished: a Triumphant Declaration (John 19:30 “When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, “It is finished.” Then bowing his head, he gave up his spirit.”

a. it is finished is a victory cry, not a surrender

Jesus fulfilled all Old Testament prophecies about the Messiah.

The work of Salvation is completed - nothing can be added to it.

The believers don’t need to strive for salvation, - it is a free gift through faith in christ.

2. Culmination of Redemption (Revelation 21:6 “Then he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. I will freely give to the thirsty from the spring of the water of life.”

God declares, It is done at the end of time, echoing Christs wordson the cross

The Cross guarantees our future - God’s redemption plan is fully secured.

Believers can live with confidence , knowing the victory is already won.

3. Completion of sacrifice (Hebrews 10:12–14 “But this man, after offering one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God. He is now waiting until his enemies are made his footstool. For by one offering he has perfected forever those who are sanctified.” “Since the law has only a shadow of the good things to come, and not the reality itself of those things, it can never perfect the worshipers by the same sacrifices they continually offer year after year. Otherwise, wouldn’t they have stopped being offered, since the worshipers, purified once and for all, would no longer have any consciousness of sins? But in the sacrifices there is a reminder of sins year after year. For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. Therefore, as he was coming into the world, he said: You did not desire sacrifice and offering, but you prepared a body for me. You did not delight in whole burnt offerings and sin offerings. Then I said, “See— it is written about me in the scroll— I have come to do your will, God.” After he says above, You did not desire or delight in sacrifices and offerings, whole burnt offerings and sin offerings (which are offered according to the law), he then says, See, I have come to do your will. He takes…”

In the OT, priests had to continually offer sacrifices for sin.

Jesus, the perfect High priest paid for sin - no more sacrifices are needed.

Believers need not to earn God’s favour - rest in christ’s finised work.

4. Conquest over powers (Colossians 2:13–15 “And when you were dead in trespasses and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, he made you alive with him and forgave us all our trespasses. He erased the certificate of debt, with its obligations, that was against us and opposed to us, and has taken it away by nailing it to the cross. He disarmed the rulers and authorities and disgraced them publicly; he triumphed over them in him.”

Sin, death and the devil were defeated at the cross.

Jesus canceled our debt and disarmed the powers of darkness

Believers can walk in victory, we no longer bound by sin or fear

5. Condemnation conquered (Romans 8:1–2 “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus, because the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and death.”

There is now no condemnation for those in Christ jesus, The law’s demands have been fulfilled through christ.

Believers can live in the freedom of grace - stop carrying guilt that jesus already paid for.

We need to live in the Light of “it is Finished”

Jesus words are an invitation to rest in His completed work

We are forgiven, free, and secure in christ

Stop striving for salvation - receive by faith

Live in Victory, knowing sin and death has been conquered

Share the good news - Jesus finished the work so others may be save.

Tetelestai: The Great Declaration

Bible Passage: John 19:30

Summary: In John 19:30, Jesus utters the powerful word "Tetelestai," meaning "It is finished." This proclamation signifies the completion of His sacrificial work for humanity, fulfilling the prophecies of Scripture and sealing the new covenant with His blood.

Application: This passage offers profound comfort and hope for Christians, reminding them that their sins are forgiven and that Jesus has accomplished all necessary for salvation. In moments of doubt or struggle, believers can find peace in knowing that their salvation is already complete through Christ's sacrifice.

Teaching: The sermon could teach that Christ's death was not a defeat, but the ultimate victory over sin, death, and Satan. His declaration that "It is finished" assures us that our salvation is secure and we are no longer bound by our failures.

How this passage could point to Christ: The theme connects to the broader narrative of Scripture where Christ's life, death, and resurrection fulfill the Old Testament sacrificial system. He is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world and restores the relationship between God and humanity forever.

Big Idea: The essence of Jesus's final words on the cross is that our salvation is complete in Christ; believers can live in the freedom and assurance that comes from His accomplished work.

Recommended Study: As you prepare your sermon, consider delving into the Greek word "Tetelestai" in your Logos library, examining how it was used in various contexts in the first century to deepen the congregation's understanding of its significance. Explore the surrounding verses in John 19 for a cohesive narrative of Christ's passion, and consult commentaries that address the theological implications of Jesus's statement in relation to Old Testament sacrifices to emphasize the finality of His work.

1. Thirsting Fulfillment

John 19:28

Perhaps you can explore how Jesus's words of "I thirst" demonstrate His complete humanity and the weight of the suffering He took on for humanity. He fulfills Scripture even in His thirst, pointing back to Old Testament prophecies. This moment reminds believers of the extensive lengths Jesus went to and His willingness to suffer for the sake of completing the work of salvation.

2. Taste of Redemption

John 19:29

You could consider how the act of offering sour wine to Jesus signifies the bitterness of sin and the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies, where even in His final moments, the details of His death were preordained. Reflect on how this act shows Jesus's submission and the extent of His sacrifice to accomplish our redemption.

3. Triumphant Completion

John 19:30

Perhaps focus on the declaration of "It is finished" as the culmination of God's redemptive plan through Jesus. This wasn't just a conclusion but an announcement of victory, affirming to believers that salvation is complete and achieved not through their efforts but through Christ alone.