Good Friday

Four Questions to Ask:

What is my message about? Jesus willingly died on the cross in our place so that we could have new life

Why is it important? He paid the price for our sins which means we are forgiven.

What do I want them to do? Jesus is the greatest gift they’ve ever been given.

What is the single most persuasive idea? Jesus would offer new life to a criminal on a cross next to Him even in the midst of extreme pain, humiliation, and burden.

Section 1: Why is this so important?

Here’s why you need to listen

If you don’t listen to this, you forfeit something. There is something at stake.

The next few minutes are worth your time

I’m not the hero of this story…you are

I want to create common ground

Here’s a story that shows we have something in common

There is a problem or challenge we both share

We’re about to discover the solution, together

Section 2: The Answer

I’m going to unpack the solution to the tension I created in the intro

Here is the bottom line

I’ll repeat the bottom line several times from this point forward

I’ll illustrate the bottom line

I’ll show it, not just say it

I’ll show you why you must buy into the solution I’m presenting

Here are the results

Don’t you want to be a part of this?

We’re in this together

Section 3: Imagine!

Repeat the bottom line

Tell a story to illustrate what could happen

Tell them what they can do this week to act on this

TENSION

THE ANSWER

New Living Translation Chapter 23

32 Two others, both criminals, were led out to be executed with him. 33 When they came to a place called The Skull, they nailed him to the cross. And the criminals were also crucified—one on his right and one on his left.

Who were the guys who were crucified on either side of Jesus?

Both were criminals (Matthew describes them as robbers or rebels)

The Cross

Definition: A cross was a means of execution in new testament times. A criminal would be staked to a cross by the hands and feet and hung up to die (by asphyxiation).

As you may know, most people who were crucified died from not being able to support themselves to breath

Known as the most horrifying way to die

New Living Translation Chapter 23

35 The crowd watched and the leaders scoffed. “He saved others,” they said, “let him save himself if he is really God’s Messiah, the Chosen One.” 36 The soldiers mocked him, too, by offering him a drink of sour wine. 37 They called out to him, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!” 38 A sign was fastened above him with these words: “This is the King of the Jews.”

39 One of the criminals hanging beside him scoffed, “So you’re the Messiah, are you? Prove it by saving yourself—and us, too, while you’re at it!”

Criminal #1:

Scoffs at Jesus “You’re the Messiah…prove it by saving yourself...”

If Jesus would’ve saved Himself He wouldn’t have saved us from our sins

New Living Translation Chapter 23

40 But the other criminal protested, “Don’t you fear God even when you have been sentenced to die? 41 We deserve to die for our crimes, but this man hasn’t done anything wrong.” 42 Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.”

43 And Jesus replied, “I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

Big Idea: It’s your choice.

V.43

Jesus offered one of the criminals new life in His Kingdom

Jesus does the same for you and me!

Illustration:

When I’m suffering and in pain I don’t typically prioritize the needs of others

I certainly don’t walk in love

Application:

No matter what you’ve done or haven’t done - the offer from Jesus is new life in His Kingdom

You don’t have to have a perfect track record

You don’t have to know all the answers (no one does)

All you must do is what that man on the cross did - reach out to Jesus to be the Lord and leader of your life

IMAGINE

In just a moment we are going to move into a time of reflection followed by communion but before we do so I want to give everyone an opportunity to make Jesus the Lord and leader of their life.

New Living Translation Chapter 3

23 For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. 24 Yet God, in his grace, freely makes us right in his sight. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins. 25 For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood.

We have all sinned

We all fall short of God’s standard

God makes us right with Him through Jesus

Jesus died for your sin

We are made right with God when we believe that Jesus sacrificed His life for us

Salvation:

Give your life to Jesus and ask Him to be the Lord & leader of your life

Prayer

Cross Moment Instruction:

Ushers will dismiss everyone row by row

Take a moment to write down one sin of yours that you can think of that Christ gave His life for

Nail your sin onto the cross

Quietly go back to your seat

Once everyone has taken part we will raise the cross and have a moment of silence as we reflect with thanksgiving for all that Jesus did for us

Communion:

Over the course of the next song I want to invite you at your own pace to receive communion as you embrace the love and kindness of Jesus in your life