I'll Be Back

Opening Story

Ill be back. A phrase made famous by Arnold back in 1984. But there is only one person in history who truly came back when they said they would. Tonight you need to determine wether or not they were telling the truth or if they were simply crazy.

Question

If Christ is truly our Savior and truly who He said He is. You and I must choose to surrender to Him.

Text

Luke 23:32–46 CSB

32 Two others—criminals—were also led away to be executed with him. 33 When they arrived at the place called The Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals, one on the right and one on the left. 34 Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, because they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided his clothes and cast lots. 35 The people stood watching, and even the leaders were scoffing: “He saved others; let him save himself if this is God’s Messiah, the Chosen One!” 36 The soldiers also mocked him. They came offering him sour wine 37 and said, “If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself!” 38 An inscription was above him: This Is the King of the Jews. 39 Then one of the criminals hanging there began to yell insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!” 40 But the other answered, rebuking him: “Don’t you even fear God, since you are undergoing the same punishment? 41 We are punished justly, because we’re getting back what we deserve for the things we did, but this man has done nothing wrong.” 42 Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” 43 And he said to him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.” 44 It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three, 45 because the sun’s light failed. The curtain of the sanctuary was split down the middle. 46 And Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I entrust my spirit.” Saying this, he breathed his last.

Luke 18:31–33 CSB

31 Then he took the Twelve aside and told them, “See, we are going up to Jerusalem. Everything that is written through the prophets about the Son of Man will be accomplished. 32 For he will be handed over to the Gentiles, and he will be mocked, insulted, spit on; 33 and after they flog him, they will kill him, and he will rise on the third day.”

In verse 31 Jesus explains to his disciples that everything that is written about Him will happen.

Verse 32 He says He will be handed over to the Gentiles.

To be delivered over to Gentile authorities, then, was to be under the judgment of God. Dr. R.C. Sproul writes in his commentary Mark, “To be placed into the hands of the Gentiles was to be sent outside the covenant community, outside the camp, outside the place where the presence of God was concentrated and focused.”

Communion

Father, we come to this tableas Your guests resting only in the worthiness of Your Son. As we look upon the emblems of our Savior's death may we remember why He died to cleanse and to heal; to satisfy your righteousness and justice. We remember His eternal love and boundless grace. May we receive the assurance of forgiveness, eternal life,and the hope of glory. As the bread and cup nourish our body, so may Your indwelling Holy Spirit strengthen our soul, until the day of Christ'sappearing when we will hunger and thirst no more, and sit with Him at His heavenily table. Amen.

Breaking of the Bread:

The Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread; and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, "Take,eat; this is My body whichis broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me" (1 Corinthians 11:23-24).

The body of our Lord Jesus Christ, which is given for us. Let us eat together.

Drinkingof the Cup:

In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying “This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes. (1 Corinthians 11:25-26)

The blood of our Lord Jesus Christ through which we have the forgiveness of sins. Let us drink together.