Good Friday 2019

Good evening. Scripture says this:

· Good evening. Scripture says this:

Good evening. Scripture says this:

Isaiah 53:1–10 CSB

Who has believed what we have heard? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed? He grew up before him like a young plant and like a root out of dry ground. He didn’t have an impressive form or majesty that we should look at him, no appearance that we should desire him. He was despised and rejected by men, a man of suffering who knew what sickness was. He was like someone people turned away from; he was despised, and we didn’t value him. Yet he himself bore our sicknesses, and he carried our pains; but we in turn regarded him stricken, struck down by God, and afflicted. But he was pierced because of our rebellion, crushed because of our iniquities; punishment for our peace was on him, and we are healed by his wounds. We all went astray like sheep; we all have turned to our own way; and the Lord has punished him for the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth. Like a lamb led to the slaughter and like a sheep silent before her shearers, he did not open his mouth. He was taken away because of oppression and judgment; and who considered his fate? For he was cut off from the land of the living; he was struck because of my people’s rebellion. He was assigned a grave with the wicked, but he was with a rich man at his death, because he had done no violence and had not spoken deceitfully. Yet the Lord was pleased to crush him severely. When you make him a guilt offering, he will see his seed, he will prolong his days, and by his hand, the Lord’s pleasure will be accomplished.

Who has believed what we have heard? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed? He grew up before him like a young plant and like a root out of dry ground. He didn’t have an impressive form or majesty that we should look at him, no appearance that we should desire him. He was despised and rejected by men, a man of suffering who knew what sickness was. He was like someone people turned away from; he was despised, and we didn’t value him. Yet he himself bore our sicknesses, and he carried our pains; but we in turn regarded him stricken, struck down by God, and afflicted. But he was pierced because of our rebellion, crushed because of our iniquities; punishment for our peace was on him, and we are healed by his wounds. We all went astray like sheep; we all have turned to our own way; and the Lord has punished him for the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth. Like a lamb led to the slaughter and like a sheep silent before her shearers, he did not open his mouth. He was taken away because of oppression and judgment; and who considered his fate? For he was cut off from the land of the living; he was struck because of my people’s rebellion. He was assigned a grave with the wicked, but he was with a rich man at his death, because he had done no violence and had not spoken deceitfully. Yet the Lord was pleased to crush him severely. When you make him a guilt offering, he will see his seed, he will prolong his days, and by his hand, the Lord’s pleasure will be accomplished. (, CSB)

Tonight, we come to a funeral. We look here upon an instrument of death, upon which the greatest injustice in history was carried out.

· Tonight, we come to a funeral. We look here upon an instrument of death, upon which the greatest injustice in history was carried out.

· The cross is a horrific, painful way to die. This evening, we want to look at the horror of the cross. We want to focus on the greatest sacrifice ever made. We want to get a sense of the price that was paid on our behalf.

The cross is a horrific, painful way to die. This evening, we want to look at the horror of the cross. We want to focus on the greatest sacrifice ever made. We want to get a sense of the price that was paid on our behalf.

· Drink in the pain, the suffering, the heartache. Focus on every word that is read and every word that is spoken and sung.

Embrace the pain, the suffering, the heartache. Focus on every word that is read and every word that is spoken and sung.

· Allow the Spirit of God to remind you of what He did for you.

Allow the Spirit of God to remind you of what He did for you.

Let’s pray…

· Let’s pray…

We don’t worship the cross.

· Tonight, we will spend time reflecting on the horror of the cross.

· We don’t worship it. Instead, we look to the cross as one of the most horrific and yet beautiful objects in history.

We don’t worship it. Instead, we look to the cross as one of the most horrific and yet beautiful objects in history.

Instead, we look to the cross as one of the most horrific and yet beautiful objects in history.

For us, it both shows the horror of our sin and the depth of God’s love.

· For us, it both shows the horror of our sin and the depth of God’s love.

Although we often clean it up and wear gold and silver crosses around our necks, there isn’t anything beautiful about this instrument of torture and death.

As we prepare to focus on His sacrifice, remember what the cross means to us as we sing, “Old Rugged Cross”

· As we prepare to focus on His sacrifice, let’s stand and sing, “Old Rugged Cross”

Old Rugged Cross

Tonight, as we reflect on the cross, we will be taking the Lord’s Supper.

· Tonight, as we reflect on the cross, we will be taking the Lord’s Supper.

This was a practice that was established by Jesus on the night before His death.

· This was a practice that was established by Jesus on the night before His death.

Here’s what Scripture says about it:

· Here’s what Scripture says about it:

For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: On the night when he was betrayed, the Lord Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, broke it, and said, “This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, and said, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes. (, CSB)

1 Corinthians 11:23–26 CSB

For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: On the night when he was betrayed, the Lord Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, broke it, and said, “This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, and said, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.

· Tonight, as we take the elements of the Lord’s Supper, we are going to take them a little differently; I want to talk about the Body of Christ first, allow us to take the bread, and then we’ll talk about the blood of Christ.

Tonight, as we take the elements of the Lord’s Supper, we are going to take them a little differently; I want to talk about the Body of Christ first, allow us to take the bread, and then we’ll talk about the blood of Christ.

Jesus said that the bread we are eating tonight symbolizes His body, which was broken for us.

· Jesus said that the bread we are eating tonight symbolizes His body, which was broken for us.

· How was His body broken?

How was His body broken?

· Physicians give us great detail about what happened to Him that night

Physicians give us great detail about what happened to Him that night

We know that before Jesus was crucified, he was flogged.

· We know that before Jesus was crucified, he was flogged.

o Flogging was a legal preliminary to every Roman execution… The usual instrument was a short whip with several single or braided leather pieces, in which small iron balls or sharp pieces of sheep bones were tied at intervals. Occasionally, staves also were used. (8,12) For scourging, the man was stripped of his clothing, and his hands were tied to an upright post. (11) The back and legs were flogged either by two soldiers or by one who alternated positions. (5,7,11,28) The severity of the scourging depended on the disposition of the lictors and was intended to weaken the victim to a state just short of collapse or death.

Flogging was a legal preliminary to every Roman execution… The usual instrument was a short whip with several single or braided leather pieces, in which small iron balls or sharp pieces of sheep bones were tied at intervals. Occasionally, staves also were used. (8,12) For scourging, the man was stripped of his clothing, and his hands were tied to an upright post. (11) The back and legs were flogged either by two soldiers or by one who alternated positions. (5,7,11,28) The severity of the scourging depended on the disposition of the lictors and was intended to weaken the victim to a state just short of collapse or death.

o The impact from the lead balls would have caused painful bruising, and the bone and leather would have dug into the skin, completely exposing all the tissue in the back, even as far as shredding the very muscle tissue itself.

The impact from the lead balls would have caused painful bruising, and the bone and leather would have dug into the skin, completely exposing all the tissue in the back, even as far as shredding the very muscle tissue itself.

· As if that weren’t enough, he was then forced to carry a section of a rough-hewn cross, this old, rugged cross. Every step would continue tearing of His flesh.

As if that weren’t enough, he was then forced to carry a section of a rough-hewn cross, this old, rugged cross. Every step would continue tearing of His flesh.

· When they finally reached the hill where He would be crucified, His hands and feet were bent into unnatural positions and pinned in place with large nails.

When they finally reached the hill where He would be crucified, His hands and feet were bent into unnatural positions and pinned in place with large nails.

· Jesus would hang there for around six hours, alternating His weight between the nails in His hands and forcing Himself upward against the nails in His feet to try to exhale and get a breath.

Jesus would hang there for around six hours, alternating His weight between the nails in His hands and forcing Himself upward against the nails in His feet to try to exhale and get a breath.

Every time he would move, though, that rough beam was grating across His open back.

· Every time he would move, though, that rough beam was grating across His open back.

After fighting this way for six hours, we see that Jesus’ body has finally had enough.

· After fighting this way for six hours, we see that Jesus’ body has finally had enough.

· Although it is impossible to pinpoint precisely why He died, it was likely a combination of shock, blood loss, asphyxiation, and possible cardiac arrest.

Although it is impossible to pinpoint precisely why He died, it was likely a combination of shock, blood loss, asphyxiation, and possible cardiac arrest.

In other words, Jesus death may have been a heart attack while He suffocated because He was so exhausted from the beating and blood loss that He could no longer push Himself up for breath.

· In other words, Jesus death may have been a heart attack while He suffocated because He was so exhausted from the beating and blood loss that He could no longer push Himself up for breath.

· His body was broken one last time as Scripture records,

His body was broken one last time as Scripture records,

But one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at once blood and water came out. (, CSB)

John 19:34 CSB

But one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at once blood and water came out.

But one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at once blood and water came out. (, CSB)

· To make sure He was dead, a soldier pierced the side of Christ, likely rupturing the area around His heart that was full of fluid, causing water and blood to flow from the wound.

To make sure He was dead, a soldier pierced the side of Christ, likely rupturing the area around His heart that was full of fluid, causing water and blood to flow from the wound.

Why? Why would anyone willingly go through such a horrific beating and bruising? We read this in the passage we opened our service with

· Why? Why would anyone willingly go through such a horrific beating and bruising?

Isaiah 53:5 CSB

But he was pierced because of our rebellion, crushed because of our iniquities; punishment for our peace was on him, and we are healed by his wounds.

But he was pierced because of our rebellion, crushed because of our iniquities; punishment for our peace was on him, and we are healed by his wounds. (, CSB)

He died this horrific death for ME! He was beaten, spat upon, bruised, broken, hung on a cross naked and ashamed for My SIN!

· He died this horrific death for ME! He was beaten, spat upon, bruised, broken, hung on a cross naked and ashamed for My SIN!

His Body was broken for me.

· His Body was broken for me.

· Do you have the picture in your head? Does your stomach turn at what God did for you?

Do you have the picture in your head? Does your stomach turn at what God did for you?

Dwell on this…It should have been your body, you should have hung there exposed for all the world to see!

· Dwell on this…It should have been your body, you should have hung there exposed for all the world to see!

· It was for your sin that His body was given.

It was for your sin that His body was given.

· Think on that now as we take the bread. Before you eat this small piece of bread, allow the Holy Spirit to examine your own heart. Are you living a life that is worthy of that kind of horror? Confess any sin He brings to your mind before you take this bread and eat it.

Think on that now as we take the bread. Before you eat this small piece of bread, allow the Holy Spirit to examine your own heart. Are you living a life that is worthy of that kind of horror? Confess any sin He brings to your mind before you take this bread and eat it.

· If you have never committed your life to the one who gave His for you, then don’t eat. This is something that we who have given our hearts to Christ do to remember what He has done.

If you have never committed your life to the one who gave His for you, then don’t eat. This is something that we who have given our hearts to Christ do to remember what He has done.

**Pass Out Bread**

· Pray with me…

Pray with me…

Scripture says this,

· Scripture says this,

For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: On the night when he was betrayed, the Lord Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, broke it, and said, “This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” (, CSB)

1 Corinthians 11:23–24 CSB

For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: On the night when he was betrayed, the Lord Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, broke it, and said, “This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”

For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: On the night when he was betrayed, the Lord Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, broke it, and said, “This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” (, CSB)

· <Take bread>

· His sacrifice caused his body to be completely broken as he took all the punishment you and I deserved for our sin.

His sacrifice caused his body to be completely broken as he took all the punishment you and I deserved for our sin.

· On the cross, he truly paid it all.

On the cross, he truly paid it all.

Jesus Paid It All

There is more to His sacrifice than just His broken body. Remember that He also points us to His blood.

· There is more to His sacrifice than just His broken body. Remember that He also points us to His blood.

· Why is it important that His blood was shed?

Why is it important that His blood was shed?

According to the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness. (, CSB)

Hebrews 9:22 CSB

According to the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.

· You and I could not be forgiven of our sins if Jesus’ blood was not shed.

You and I could not be forgiven of our sins if Jesus’ blood was not shed.

· It’s as simple as that.

It’s as simple as that.

Where was the blood that day?

· Where was the blood that day?

The pouring out of His blood actually began the night before. After taking the Passover meal with His disciples, Jesus went to a Garden to pray.

· The pouring out of His blood actually began the night before. After taking the Passover meal with His disciples, Jesus went to a Garden to pray.

· We looked briefly at this Sunday.

We looked briefly at this Sunday.

The anguish over what would transpire for the next few hours was so great that Luke records:

· The anguish over what would transpire for the next few hours was so great that Luke records:

Being in anguish, he prayed more fervently, and his sweat became like drops of blood falling to the ground. (, CSB)

Luke 22:44 CSB

Being in anguish, he prayed more fervently, and his sweat became like drops of blood falling to the ground.

Being in anguish, he prayed more fervently, and his sweat became like drops of blood falling to the ground. (, CSB)

· Physicians say what was likely happening here was that His body was under so much strain that the capillaries throughout His body began to burst, so his blood would be poured out, mixing in with His sweat.

Physicians say what was likely happening here was that His body was under so much strain that the capillaries throughout His body began to burst, so his blood would be poured out, mixing in with His sweat.

· From there, the blood continues to flow. Repeated beatings and scourgings continue throughout the night and early morning.

From there, the blood continues to flow. Repeated beatings and scourgings continue throughout the night and early morning.

· We cannot imagine the amount of blood He lost as a result of those.

We cannot imagine the amount of blood He lost as a result of those.

· If that were not enough, we find that the beatings included a crown of thorns to cause the blood to flow around His scalp:

If that were not enough, we find that the beatings included a crown of thorns to cause the blood to flow around His scalp:

Matthew 27:29 CSB

They twisted together a crown of thorns, put it on his head, and placed a staff in his right hand. And they knelt down before him and mocked him: “Hail, King of the Jews!”

They twisted together a crown of thorns, put it on his head, and placed a staff in his right hand. And they knelt down before him and mocked him: “Hail, King of the Jews!” (, CSB)

We cannot understand the horror of the blood that flowed from His wounds while He was on the cross.

· We cannot understand the horror of the blood that flowed from His wounds while He was on the cross.

Can you picture it? His blood was shed for you.

· Can you picture it? His blood was shed for you.

· He had done nothing wrong, yet He shed His blood on your behalf; so that you could live!

He had done nothing wrong, yet He shed His blood on your behalf; so that you could live!

1 Peter 1:18–19 CSB

For you know that you were redeemed from your empty way of life inherited from your fathers, not with perishable things like silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of an unblemished and spotless lamb.

For you know that you were redeemed from your empty way of life inherited from your fathers, not with perishable things like silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of an unblemished and spotless lamb. (, CSB)

He didn’t deserve to die, and you didn’t deserve to live.

· He didn’t deserve to die, and you didn’t deserve to live.

· And yet, He did. He shed His blood for you. He gave His very life for you, so that you might live.

And yet, He did. He shed His blood for you. He gave His very life for you, so that you might live.

With that in mind, I want us to sing. This song is a song about the blood of Christ.

· With that in mind, I want us to sing. This song is a song about the blood of Christ.

· Drink in the words about what His blood accomplished.

Drink in the words about what His blood accomplished.

There Is a Fountain

With that in mind, we want to take the cup. This is just a little cup of grape juice, but it pictures the shed blood of Christ.

· With that in mind, we want to take the cup. This is just a little cup of grape juice, but it pictures the shed blood of Christ.

Prayerfully examine yourself in light of His blood for you.

· Prayerfully examine yourself in light of His blood for you.

**Pass Out Cup

Pray again with me…

· Pray again with me…

· Remember what Jesus said to His disciples:

Remember what Jesus said to His disciples:

1 Corinthians 11:25 CSB

In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, and said, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.”

· <Take Cup>

1 Corinthians 11:26 CSB

For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.

For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes. (, CSB)

· What now? You’re here tonight, and maybe your stomach has turned as you have heard the graphic details of His death.

What now? You’re here tonight, and maybe your stomach has turned as you have heard the graphic details of His death.

You may have even been moved to tears by His sacrifice on your behalf.

· You may have even been moved to tears by His sacrifice on your behalf.

Don’t forget it. Don’t leave here tonight, go home, and go back to life as normal.

· Don’t forget it. Don’t leave here tonight, go home, and go back to life as normal.

· Jesus did this for you—the least you can do is live every moment for Him.

Jesus did this for you—the least you can do is live every moment for Him.

May we never forget what He has done for us on the cross.

· May we never forget what He has done for us on the cross.

· When we began tonight, I mentioned that we are here for a funeral. For us, however, the cross represents more than the death of Christ; it represents the death of our old way of living. “

When we began tonight, I mentioned that we are here for a funeral. For us, however, the cross represents more than the death of Christ; it represents the death of our old way of living. “

I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. (, CSB)

Galatians 2:20 CSB

I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. (, CSB)

· The death Christ died made a way for me to die. When I chose to follow Him, my old way of life died and was nailed on that cross with Him.

The death Christ died made a way for me to die. When I chose to follow Him, my old way of life died and was nailed on that cross with Him.

It requires us, as we saw on Sunday, to surrender what we want to give him the honor and glory he deserves.

· It requires us, as we saw on Sunday, to surrender what we want to give him the honor and glory he deserves.

· With that in mind, let’s sing a song, expressing our desire to surrender to him.

With that in mind, let’s sing a song, expressing our desire to surrender to him.

I Surrender All

· Tonight, we have been at a funeral.

Tonight, we have been at a funeral.

It is dark, it is somber, but it isn’t the end.

· It is dark, it is somber, but it isn’t the end.

As we dismiss this evening, I would invite you to turn your attention to the screen and remember that although Friday is dark, Sunday is coming…

· As we dismiss this evening, I would invite you to turn your attention to the screen and remember that although Friday is dark, Sunday is coming…

Sunday’s Coming Video