Good Friday 2026 (Sterling Preaching)

Welcome

Welcome to Poquoson Baptist Church! My name is Hopson Boutot, I’m one of the pastors here.

Today is a special day—a day when we remember the death of Jesus Christ two thousand years ago.

While Christians seek to remember Jesus’ death in our place every day, there is something uniquely fitting about setting aside a day like this—what we call Good Friday.

If you’ve ever wondered why we would call the day or our Lord’s death good, consider these words from the hymnwriter John Newton:

In evil long I took delight,

Unawed by shame or fear,

Till a new object struck my sight,

And stopped my wild career.

I saw One hanging on a tree,

In agony and blood,

Who fixed His languid eyes on me,

As near His cross I stood.

Sure, never to my latest breath,

Can I forget that look;

It seemed to charge me with His death,

Though not a word He spoke.

My conscience felt and owned the guilt,

And plunged me in despair,

I saw my sins His blood had spilt,

And helped to nail Him there.

A second look He gave, which said,

“I freely all forgive;

This blood is for thy ransom paid;

I die that thou mayst live.”

Thus, while His death my sin displays

In all its blackest hue,

Such is the mystery of grace,

It seals my pardon too.

With pleasing grief and mournful joy,

My spirit now is fill'd,

That I should such a life destroy,

Yet live by Him I kill'd. [1]

Tonight we have a twofold aim:

First, as Newton wrote, we want to see our sin in all its blackest hue.

As we hear the story of Jesus’ crucifixion from John’s gospel, remember: we are the reason He suffered. We are the heavy cross He had to bear. We are the whip, the nail, the hammer, and the spear. We are the blood-stained crown of thorns He had to wear. [2]

Second, as Newton wrote, we want to see the mystery of grace.

Our sin was so great Jesus had to die for us, but His grace is so amazing He was glad to die for us.

May that grace comfort our hearts tonight.

Let’s pray

Prayer

Today, O good Jesus,

for us you did not hide your face from shame and spitting.

Today, Jesus our Redeemer,

for us you were mocked, abused, and crowned with thorns.

Today, O good Shepherd,

you laid down your life for the sheep.

Today you were laid in the guarded tomb,

and the saints burst open their tombs.

Today, O good Jesus, arrest us with your grace,

that we may leave this place mourning our sin

yet rejoicing in our Savior.

Amen. [3]

Scripture Reading (John 19:1-11) Phyllis Higgins

Prayer for Humility

Stricken, Smitten, and Afflicted

(Remain seated)

Scripture Reading (John 19:12-16a) Jerry Brewton

Prayer of Confession

Man of Sorrows, What A Name

(Stand to sing)

Scripture Reading (John 19:16b-22) Veronica Espinoza

Prayer for Faith

When I Survey the Wondrous Cross

(Remain seated)

Scripture Reading (John 19:23-30) Wyatt Puryear

Prayer of Thanksgiving

The Power of the Cross

(Stand to sing)

Communion Meditation Sterling Tollison

John 19:30—“What Was Finished?”

It Was Finished Upon That Cross

(Stand to sing)

(Elders come to the front row during this song)

The Lord’s Supper

Doxology

Benediction (1 Peter 2:24) Hopson Boutot