Seven Last Words Part 2

Sermon Series: My Cup Runneth Over

Sermon Title: Seven Last Words Part Two

Sermon Main Idea: Til the end, Jesus relied on God the Father.

Scripture: Various

Date: April 13, 2025

Palm Sunday people had no idea what was about to happen. As Jesus descended into Jerusalem, everyone thought one thing was about to happen. Roman oppression would be remedied. Corruption in the temple would be removed. That the poor would stop being over taxed. The oppression of those not in power would be ended. They all looked to Jesus to be this conquering, victorious, Savior! Son of David. A new JEWISH NATION state would be established.

We know now, looking back, that didn’t happen.

Jesus wasn’t there to conquer Rome, but to conquer the sinful spirit behind all evil powers.

Jesus relied on God not to conquer or overthrow the Roman government, but to endure until the end and be the answer for all to overcome sin and death.

Matthew 27:45–46 ESV

45 Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land until the ninth hour. 46 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” that is, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”

“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”

While Jesus was uniquely suffering as He offered Himself up for the sins of His people. So often we see this cry as unique to Jesus. BUT THIS PHRASE IS NOT UNIQUE TO JESUS.

Jesus is quoting the words of David from Psalm 22. David is expressing his own feelings of being abandoned by God. David is surrounded by enemies and his body is in dreadful pain. There were various times in battle and even in his own city where he was experiencing defeat. At times people ransacked his home, people who were his own people turned on him, and he for real felt abandoned. David is feeling something similar to what Jesus was feeling. Like Jesus, David was feeling abandoned. Like Jesus, David was being mocked by people calling on him to save them. Like Jesus, David was surrounded by evildoers

The book of Job recounts a man who faced unimaginable suffering. Job's lament to God, 'Why have you forsaken me?' reflects his deep anguish amid loss and pain. Yet, it’s also a story about perseverance and faith. Even when it seemed God was silent, Job’s journey reminds us to hold onto hope during our darkest moments, for God’s presence and purpose are often revealed in the struggle.

Consider the story of Mother Teresa, who spent her life serving the poorest of the poor in Calcutta. Yet, in her letters, she wrote of feeling abandoned by God during some of her deepest struggles. Like Jesus, she faced seasons of doubt and loneliness. This profound contrast—serving while feeling forsaken—speaks to the human experience of searching for God’s presence, even when we feel adrift in our faith.

Jesus, Job, David, Mother Teresa, and all of us have felt abandoned by God. It is important to take a moment to distinguish the difference between feelings and reality. The biblical text and the theology of every writer of Scripture, saw the feelings of abandonment as part of the human experience.

But they also acknowledged the REALITY that God did NOT abandon them in their suffering.

You and I have times where we “feel” alone, but really aren’t. In fact, one of the beautiful things about Psalm 22 is it bounces between feelings of abandonment and then confidence in God.

In a small town, an ice cream shop had a line that constantly wrapped around the block. People were convinced that the shop had the best ice cream. One day, the owner posted a sign that read: 'Our ice cream is delicious, but please consult your taste buds, not just your feelings!' The townspeople learned that their feelings led them to the shop, but real happiness came from sharing it with friends. Like faith, our feelings can guide us, but it’s important to taste the truth rather than just go by how we feel.

Distinguishing between the two is important. But here are some of the facts surrounding Jesus on the cross.

John 19:28–30 (ESV)

28 After this, Jesus, knowing that all was now finished, said (to fulfill the Scripture), “I thirst.” 29 A jar full of sour wine stood there, so they put a sponge full of the sour wine on a hyssop branch and held it to his mouth. 30 When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, “It is finished,” and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

Fact One.

“I thirst.”

Jesus was a man with real human needs. Like thirst. Enduring the pain, work, torture had led to him to thirst. He didn’t just feel thirsty. Fact…he was thirsty. We know He poured Himself out spiritually and ,metaphorically. Jesus also physically poured Himself put.

Blood. Sweat. Adrenaline. He was emptied out.

There was no emptying of any divine attributes, but an emptying of privileges, an emptying of status, of exaltation, of glory, for the sake of redemption and for the sake of the ultimate glory of the Father.

R. C. Sproul

Fact Two.

“It is finished,”

Jesus’ atoning work was done. God’s incarnation purpose had been accomplished. All temptation to fight, avoid arrest, defend and stand up for Himself, was resisted. The perfect, atoning sacrifice has now been given. If Jesus, who was really tempted, hypothetically, would have given into temptation and called down angels to attack the Romans and fight His way into victory, the atoning sacrifice would not have been finished.

Half-finished work generally proves to be labor lost.

Abraham Lincoln (Sixteenth President of the United States)

There was a time before all things were accomplished.

There was a time when all things were accomplished.

As HE is saying these words, He is declaring the work done. This was the moment He knew he had finished the race. He had endured. He had made it. He surrendered all. This was the moment where “He who knew no sin became sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.”

Luke 23:44–46 (ESV)

It was now about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour, while the sun’s light failed. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. Then Jesus, calling out with a loud voice, said, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!” And having said this he breathed his last.

Fact Three

“Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!”

Even in his last moments of intense suffering, Jesus was giving everything to God. He committed his life to God during his years of ministry, and at the end, he committed his spirit to God in the last moment of LIFE!

Application:

Palm Sunday is the week before Resurrection Sunday. It is the day everyone is expecting Jesus to take out the Romans. It is the day everyone is praising Jesus for the things that they incorrectly believed Jesus was going to do for them. Little did they know He was going to do something far greater than instantly solve all their worldly problems.

Today, people, we stand on the streets of life worshipping God when things are going to our plan. We worship God when we aren’t experiencing pain. We worship God when our bank account is happy and our calendar is balanced. You worship God when you are feeling good. And this is good. But God didn’t send Jesus to make you feel good. He didn’t die not he cross to prevent you from ever experiencing pain. He didn’t die not he cross to help you accomplish your plans or make your bank account happy.

He died on the cross to atone for your sins.

God is more concerned with the state of people’s hearts than with the state of their feelings.

A. W. Tozer

Which means that life is still going to have good days and bad days and we need to be fully aware of the suffering that will take place! We need to be ready to look ourselves in the mirror and face the hard times and the days where our feelings and emotions get the best of us. We need to be equipped to say, emotion (fear, doubt, jealousy, envy, anger, anxiety, sorrow), You’re not the boss of me because even though it may feel like God has left you alone, HE HAS NOT!

Feelings come. Facts remain.

In your family, you may face daily stresses that feel overwhelming—whether it’s managing a busy schedule, dealing with conflicts, or financial pressures. Just as Jesus relied on God until the end, you too can turn to Him in prayer at the start and end of each day. Establish a family prayer time to lay your concerns before God. Share your worries together and trust that He is present in your struggles. This will not only draw you closer to God but also strengthen the bonds within your family as you support one another.

At work or at school, it’s easy to get caught up in the pressures of deadlines, performance evaluations, and workplace politics, leading to feelings of inadequacy or burnout. Jesus’ reliance on God reminds you to seek divine guidance in your tasks. Dedicate a few moments each morning to pause and pray for wisdom and calmness in your work. Instead of reacting to stress, respond with intentionality. Set a small goal to encourage a coworker or offer help to someone in need; this practice can help you remember that your ultimate value comes from God, not your job performance.

In church, the challenge of feeling disconnected or overwhelmed in a large congregation can stifle your growth. Jesus’ reliance on God can inspire you to take a more active role in small group activities or volunteering. Join a Bible study or a service team where you can engage with others. This fellowship will allow you to both rely on God for your spiritual needs and support others as they navigate their own challenges. Embrace the idea that just as Jesus relied on community, you can find strength and encouragement in the body of Christ.

The great thing to remember is that, though our feelings come and go, God’s love for us does not.

C. S. Lewis

Conclusion:

When Jesus utters the words, 'It is finished' at His crucifixion. This declaration was not just about His suffering; it signified the completion of God's plan for our redemption. Every sin was paid for, and the door to salvation swung wide open. Imagine a debt heavily burdening a person, and then suddenly, it is erased. We need to embrace the reality of this finished work; our salvation is secure, a truth to hold tightly in a world filled with uncertainty.

His belief never wavered, indeed it came through the terrible experience strengthened. But his feelings came and went. Learning to distinguish between the two, and to maintain belief and hope with or without the accompanying feelings, is itself part of Christian maturity.

N. T. Wright

Emotions are a tricky thing. Emotions can make us think there is no hope. Emotions get us to make poor choices. Emotions come and go, but if we let them, they can lead us to do some VERY tragic things. The great trick of the evil one is to trick us into believing emotions over reality. Wouldn’t it be great if you had the knowledge of both good and evil? God must be trying to prevent you from experiencing something great, He is holding you back? You really want to have the knowledge of God? Feelings will let us believe and make poor life choices. Choices that we as individuals will regret. And choices that all of humanity has regretted.

Especially, if they aren’t tempered by a confidence in reality. God made me. God is for me. God has not abandoned me. God wants what is best for me.

Jesus shows us in these words on the cross, that there is a difference between feeling and fact. He felt alone because of how things were that He was going through, but deep down He knew God was with Him. Even when he felt abandoned and forsaken, he still leaned on God, talked to God, and gave it all to God. Til the end, Jesus relied on Father.

Today, the message was for anyone who has been tempted in their emotions…even felt abandoned by God. Today, is to remind you to trust that God is for you, even when you feelings tell you He is not. If anyone needs prayer this morning, come now and a member will pray for you!