Famous Last Words

Introduction

Today is a bittersweet day for our family. It is bitter because this will be the last Sunday where I stand in this pulpit as the Pastor of Bethany Baptist Church. It is sweet because we know that God has some awesome plans in store both for Bethany Baptist Church and our family.

The last things that are said are often the first things remembered by people.

Some are funny = the redneck who says, “Watch this!”

Some are arrogant = Major General John Sedgewick of the Union Army who said, “They couldn’t hit an elephant from this dist...” as he was shot.

Some are sad = Jim Belushi who said as he died, “Just don’t leave me alone.”

Some are inspiring = Todd Beamer on Flight 93 on 9/11 who said, “Are you ready? Let’s roll!”

I know that with my last words, they will probably be the first that are remembered as we leave this place. What I would leave with you is not my own, but the last words of Jesus Christ before He left this earth. They can be found in .

Words of Peace

Luke 24:36–42 CSB

As they were saying these things, he himself stood in their midst. He said to them, “Peace to you!” But they were startled and terrified and thought they were seeing a ghost. “Why are you troubled?” he asked them. “And why do doubts arise in your hearts? Look at my hands and my feet, that it is I myself! Touch me and see, because a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you can see I have.” Having said this, he showed them his hands and feet. But while they still were amazed and in disbelief because of their joy, he asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” So they gave him a piece of a broiled fish,

The followers of Jesus were still worried about what this newfound faith was going to do to and for them. The first message that Jesus gave His followers was a message of peace.

Are there times in your life when you just need a dose of peace? Maybe there are family issues, money issues, job issues, relationship issues. Jesus can bring peace to the most hostile situations.

The peace that Jesus brings goes past any understanding and explanation of man.

Philippians 4:6–7 CSB

Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

Jesus wanted His followers to know that they could trust Him and lean on the peace that He gives to get through life. He will do the same for us.

Words of Promise

Luke 24:44–49 CSB

He told them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you—that everything written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures. He also said to them, “This is what is written: The Messiah would suffer and rise from the dead the third day, and repentance for forgiveness of sins would be proclaimed in his name to all the nations, beginning at Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. And look, I am sending you what my Father promised. As for you, stay in the city until you are empowered from on high.”

The value of a promise can be great. It can also be worth nothing. How many times have you trusted someone only to have them go back on their words and break promises they had made? To regain trust from broken promises can sometimes be impossible.

Jesus gave His followers a few reasons to know that they could trust God with everything that they had because He had never broken a promise.

Jesus reminded them that the things that happened to Him were foretold by God through the Old Testament.

Jesus showed the value of the Old Testament and opened their minds to understand all of the Scriptures.

Jesus showed that God could be trusted at His word.

Jesus showed that God was in complete control. History is God putting the puzzle together one piece at a time.

Jesus showed that God would not leave them alone. The Holy Spirit would guide them in truth and enable them to fulfill all of God’s plans for their lives. The Holy Spirit is needed because the task that we have been called to as Christ’s followers is one that is too great for us to accomplish in our own power.

Words of Push

Luke 24:47-49

Luke 24:47–49 CSB

and repentance for forgiveness of sins would be proclaimed in his name to all the nations, beginning at Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. And look, I am sending you what my Father promised. As for you, stay in the city until you are empowered from on high.”

These verses mirror the same words that Jesus spoke in . The spreading of the gospel to all nations and people groups is the task of all followers of Jesus Christ. Some might believe that they are too old, too uneducated, not equipped correctly, made too many mistakes in the past. The truth is that as long as God puts breath in our lungs and makes our hearts beat, He wants us to be part of spreading the gospel across the world.

Jesus never intended Christianity to be something that sat behind the walls of a building and discussed by people. Christianity is about the love of God penetrating and defeating the power of sin, death, and hell.

Conclusion

One phrase that comes up over and over in and 3 where the resurrected and ascended Jesus is speaking to the churches is “anyone who has an ear should listen to what the Spirit says to the churches.”

Have you heard from God this morning? Have you heard Him calling you to the peace that passes all understanding? Have you heard Him giving you a promise to your path? Have you felt God pushing you to step out of the ordinary and experience Him in an extraordinary way?

Don’t just hear these final words of Jesus… listen to them and walk in them.