Sermon Tone Analysis

The last words of a famous and admired person has always held a great interest for people.

We assume that they are the summary thoughts of an entire life.

With nothing to more to prove or to accomplish, they speak with supreme honesty.

Their last words are thought to be a gift, a legacy to the living about the most important issues from that person point of view.

If you were going to die within the next ten minutes, what would your last words be?

Even the Bible recognizes the importance of last words.

The writer of 2 Samuel says, "These are the last words of (King) David" (23:1-7).

Now, the greatest, most important words ever spoken by a human being, just before death, came from the lips of Jesus while he hung upon the cross.

When we examine the four gospels we see that Jesus is quoted seven times; seven phrases, each of great meaning and importance for us today.

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"Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing."

Lk 23:34

"Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed.

When they came to the place called the Skull, there they crucified him, along with the criminals-one on his right, the other on his left.

Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”

And they divided up his clothes by casting lots."

Lk 23:32-34

!! "Father, forgive them"

Forgive them for what they are doing to me right now at this moment.

"for they do not know what they are doing"

Did not understand the extent of their evil hearts nor recognize Him as the true Messiah.

"For if they had understood it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory” 1 Cor.

2:8.

They committed many sins that day for which they will be held accountable on the day of Judgement, but they will not consciously and intentionally crucify the Messiah.

!! We see the great intercessor at work

Prophecy: "For he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors."

Is 53:12

"If anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense (Satan is the accuser)-Jesus Christ, the Righteous One." 1 Jn 2:1-2

"But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail" Lk 22:32.

John 17:6-26

!! We see his motivating example of forgiving others

He taught us to pray in the Lord's prayer, "Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us.." Luke 11:4

Stephen learned this, "Then he fell on his knees and cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.”

When he had said this, he fell asleep."

Ac 7:60

The best passage showing what is expected of the true believer in Christ, "Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another.

Forgive as the Lord forgave you."

Col 3:13

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"I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise".

"One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren't you the Christ?

Save yourself and us!”

But the other criminal rebuked him.

“Don't you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence?

We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve.

But this man has done nothing wrong.”

Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.

Jesus answered him, “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise."

Lk 23:39-43

!! Saved by faith seen in:

Fear and respect of God.

Confession and Repentance from sin.

"I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn from their ways and live."

Eze 33:11

Belief in Jesus as Messiah and king.

!! Paradise

"To him who overcomes, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.

" Rev 2:7

"He was caught up to paradise.

He heard inexpressible things, things that man is not permitted to tell." 2 Co 12:4

!! Raises three issues

Baptismal regeneration.

Deathbed repentance is possible, but presumptuous.

Soul sleep

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"Dear woman, here is your son,” and to the disciple, “Here is your mother."

John 19:27

"When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, “Dear woman, here is your son,” and to the disciple, “Here is your mother.”

From that time on, this disciple took her into his home."

John 19:26-27

!! The importance of providing for one's own.

"If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever." 1 Ti 5:8

Many reasons to buy an insurance policy.

The most common reasons is to provide for the family if the husband dies.

!! This signifies that their human relationship has ended.

He is to be her son no more.

He is now her Lord and her God.

She will be honored in heaven for her godly life and remembered as the mother of Jesus, but will not hold a special position in as the Mother of God.

In the Roman Catholic Church, she is called the “Queen of Heaven” and “Fountain of Grace.”

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"My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" Mt 27:46

"From the sixth hour (noon) until the ninth hour darkness came over all the land.

About the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?"-which

means, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" Mt 27:45-46

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He acutely felt the abandonment of God

When Jesus was being tempted in the desert 40 days, God sent an angel to strengthen him.

When he agonized in the garden of Gethsemane God sent another angel to strengthen.

In the case of church martyrs, God filled their mind with comfort and with joy in the midst of their sufferings.

The father is called the God of all comfort, the Holy Spirit is referred to as the divine comforter, but, none of this was provided.

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He absorbed the wrath of God against sin

"God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood.

He did this to demonstrate his justice, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished- he did it to demonstrate his justice at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus."

Ro 3:25-26

"Yet it was the Lord’s will to crush him and cause him to suffer, and . . . the Lord makes his life a guilt offering."

Is 53:10

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"I am thirsty."

Jn 19:28

"Later, knowing that all was now completed, and so that the Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I am thirsty."

Thirst is often the result of great bodily pain; as wounded soldiers on the battlefield experience a burning thirst for water.

"They put gall in my food and gave me vinegar for my thirst."

Ps 69:21

Jesus teaches us how to bear suffering with true patience and submission.

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“It is finished.”

Jn 19:30

"When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.”