Completing Our Mission: Trust, Forgiveness, and Salvation
Summary
In today's sermon, I explored the profound significance of Jesus' last words on the cross, particularly the phrase "It is finished." This statement marks the completion of a task that involved immense struggle and sacrifice, much like the completion of a great work of art or a project that demands our all. The completion of such tasks brings a sense of accomplishment and significance, but none can compare to the completion of Jesus' mission on the cross, where prophecy was fulfilled, and salvation was made available to all who believe.
I delved into the concept of life in its fullness as promised by Jesus in John 10:10, emphasizing that this abundant life is not just about our time on earth but also about eternal life. This eternal life is accessed through faith in Christ, and it is not based on our good works or religious activities. The true key to eternal life is Jesus Himself, and without Him, all our efforts are in vain.
I shared a personal story about how God has used the symbol of a sparrow to speak to me at critical moments in my life, reminding me of His care and the value He places on us. This led to a call to trust in Jesus, whether for salvation or for the strength to forgive and endure suffering.
Throughout the sermon, I emphasized the importance of forgiveness, salvation, relationships, and trust. I challenged the congregation to consider who they need to forgive, how they can lead others to salvation, and who God has placed in their lives to care for. I also spoke about the necessity of embracing suffering as a means to develop perseverance, character, and hope.
Finally, I urged everyone to consider what God has called them to complete and to trust Him fully, even in moments of abandonment, as Jesus did on the cross.
Key Takeaways:
- The phrase "It is finished" signifies the completion of Jesus' redemptive work on the cross, a task that holds unparalleled significance in history and in our personal lives. As believers, we are called to find our own moments of completion in the tasks God has set before us, knowing that our efforts contribute to the greater narrative of God's kingdom. [01:08:11]
- Forgiveness is not just a command; it is the gateway to experiencing the fullness of life that Jesus offers. When we withhold forgiveness, we hinder our own spiritual progress and block the flow of God's grace in our lives. The act of forgiving is a powerful testimony to the grace we have received through Christ. [44:24]
- Salvation is not a private affair but a communal responsibility. As we have received the key to eternal life through Jesus, we are entrusted with the mission to share this key with others, leading them to the same hope and assurance we have found. Our lives and testimonies are the tools through which others can encounter the saving grace of Jesus. [49:44]
- Relationships within the body of Christ are a reflection of Jesus' care and concern. As He entrusted His mother to John, we too are called to take care of one another, especially in times of need. This mutual care is a testament to the love that defines us as followers of Christ. [55:17]
- Trusting God is the ultimate expression of faith, especially in moments of suffering and abandonment. As Jesus entrusted His spirit to the Father, we too must learn to commit every aspect of our lives to God's care, confident that He will never forsake us and that our trust is not in vain. [01:09:41]
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. John 19:25-30 (NIV)
> Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to her, "Woman, here is your son," and to the disciple, "Here is your mother." From that time on, this disciple took her into his home. Later, knowing that everything had now been finished, and so that Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, "I am thirsty." A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus' lips. When he had received the drink, Jesus said, "It is finished." With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.
2. John 10:10 (NIV)
> The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
3. Luke 23:32-34 (NIV)
> Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed. When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, 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.
### Observation Questions
1. What were Jesus' last words on the cross, and what did they signify? ([28:31])
2. According to John 10:10, what kind of life does Jesus promise to those who believe in Him?
3. In Luke 23:32-34, what did Jesus ask the Father to do for those who were crucifying Him, and why? ([44:24])
4. Who did Jesus entrust His mother to while He was on the cross, and what does this signify about relationships within the body of Christ? ([28:05])
### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the phrase "It is finished" reflect the completion of Jesus' mission and its significance for believers today? ([30:09])
2. What does Jesus' promise of "life to the full" in John 10:10 imply about the nature of eternal life and its impact on our earthly lives? ([32:04])
3. How does Jesus' act of forgiveness on the cross in Luke 23:34 serve as a model for our own need to forgive others? ([44:24])
4. What can we learn from Jesus entrusting His mother to John about the importance of caring for one another within the church community? ([28:05])
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt a sense of completion in a task or project. How did that experience compare to the significance of Jesus' declaration, "It is finished"? ([30:09])
2. Jesus promises an abundant life in John 10:10. What steps can you take this week to experience more of this fullness in your daily life? ([32:04])
3. Is there someone in your life whom you need to forgive? What practical steps can you take to extend forgiveness to them, following Jesus' example on the cross? ([44:24])
4. Jesus entrusted His mother to John, highlighting the importance of relationships. Who in your church community can you reach out to and support this week, especially those in need? ([28:05])
5. Jesus' mission was completed on the cross, but He also calls us to complete the tasks He has given us. What is one specific task or calling you feel God has placed on your heart, and how can you take steps to complete it? ([30:09])
6. Trusting God in moments of suffering and abandonment can be challenging. How can you practice trusting God more deeply in your current struggles or challenges? ([01:00:10])
7. Jesus' act of forgiveness on the cross was a powerful testimony. How can your own acts of forgiveness serve as a testimony to others about the grace you have received through Christ? ([44:24])
Devotional
Day 1: Completion in Christ's Redemptive Work
The phrase "It is finished" echoes through time as the declaration of Jesus' fulfillment of His redemptive mission. This statement is not merely the end of a physical life but the culmination of a divine plan set in motion from the foundation of the world. It signifies that the debt of sin has been paid in full, the prophecies have been satisfied, and the doorway to reconciliation with God has been flung wide open. Believers are invited to find their own moments of completion, not in the sense of finishing earthly projects, but in the spiritual realm where their actions contribute to the unfolding of God's kingdom. This completion is not about personal glory but about participating in the divine narrative, where every act of love, every moment of obedience, and every sacrifice is a brushstroke in the masterpiece God is painting. [07:40]
"For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit," (1 Peter 3:18 ESV).
Reflection: What is one task or mission God has placed before you that you need to bring to completion, and how can you align your efforts with God's greater purpose?
Day 2: The Gateway of Forgiveness
Forgiveness is a transformative act that not only releases others from the debt they owe us but also liberates our own hearts to experience the fullness of life that Jesus promises. It is not simply a moral obligation but a spiritual conduit through which the grace of God flows into and through our lives. When we forgive, we mirror the grace we have received through Christ, and we open ourselves up to deeper relationships, healing, and the peace that surpasses all understanding. This act of forgiveness is a testament to the world of the power of the gospel and the reality of transformation it brings. [44:24]
"Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you," (Colossians 3:13 ESV).
Reflection: Who do you need to forgive in your life, and what steps can you take today to move towards forgiveness and reconciliation?
Day 3: Communal Responsibility of Salvation
Salvation, while a deeply personal experience, is not meant to be kept as a private treasure. It is a gift that comes with the responsibility to be shared. As recipients of the key to eternal life through Jesus, believers are entrusted with the mission to guide others to the same hope and assurance. The life and testimony of a believer are not just personal stories but tools in God's hands, used to draw others into the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. This communal aspect of salvation reminds us that faith is not a solitary journey but one that is enriched and authenticated by the relationships and the sharing of the gospel within the community. [49:44]
"And he said to them, 'Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation,'" (Mark 16:15 ESV).
Reflection: How can you actively participate in leading someone towards salvation this week, and what practical step will you take to share the hope you have in Christ?
Day 4: Mutual Care in the Body of Christ
The relationships within the body of Christ are a tangible expression of Jesus' love and care. As believers, we are called to embody this love by caring for one another, especially in times of need. This mutual care is not just a practical assistance but a spiritual mandate that reflects the interconnectedness of the church. When one member suffers, all suffer together; when one is honored, all rejoice together. This care is a testament to the love that defines followers of Christ and a witness to the world of the transformative power of the gospel in creating a community that looks after its own. [55:17]
"So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith," (Galatians 6:10 ESV).
Reflection: Who in your church community is in need of care, and what specific action can you take to support them this week?
Day 5: Trusting God in Suffering and Abandonment
Trusting God is the ultimate expression of faith, particularly in moments of suffering and abandonment. Just as Jesus entrusted His spirit to the Father in His darkest hour, believers are called to commit every aspect of their lives to God's care. This trust is not a passive resignation but an active reliance on the One who has promised never to forsake us. In the midst of trials, this trust becomes the bedrock of hope, the assurance that our faith is not in vain, and that God is working all things together for good for those who love Him. [01:09:41]
"Though he slay me, I will hope in him; yet I will argue my ways to his face," (Job 13:15 ESV).
Reflection: In what area of your life do you find it most challenging to trust God, and what can you do to surrender this area to Him more fully?
Quotes
1) "Jesus gave us a great example here finishing the job. Don't fall short of the finish line but the ministry that God has given each of you... He endured the suffering and the pain... and on our behalf he says FTJ, I finished the job, it is finished." [01:08:11]
2) "The greatest statement you can make today is God has called you to a life of sacrifice... The greatest thing that you can say to God is this: I trust you. I trust you with my money better than I trust me... I trust you with my life a whole lot better than I trust me." [01:11:12]
3) "Maybe you're saved and maybe you're here and you've got this key but you walk through that first door, you just sort of take in the high roads... Jesus is shaking these at you saying I've got the opportunities before you here they are but you are required to take this key." [01:12:41]
4) "Our hope today, it's based on one simple thing, and that is the fact that on the third day that tomb was empty... We are the only religion in the world that has a risen Savior that we worship... Jesus Christ, He's our resurrected king." [01:13:53]
5) "When the door to eternal life is open by the key of Jesus for the believer, we know that our story is to be continued... for the Christian it's 'I'll see you later'... it's as if he was saying y'all just hold tight because it's going to take three days and I'm going to be resurrected from the dead." [01:15:27]
6) "You see if you're saved today... you say well pastor Robert I know I'm a Christian I just feel like I'm not living a blessed life... Jesus said these words he'll give us the keys to the kingdom but we have to prove faithful before he will open the doors for us." [45:47]
7) "The second key that leads to a life of abundance is the key of salvation. The same salvation that was found in us, may it find others through us... Jesus specifically became all things to all men... and through that this man was saved." [54:02]
8) "I wonder right now what ministry what has God has called you to that you started but you didn't finish... What has he called you to, Christian? There's some of you he's called you to a ministry... you started and it got a little tough so you abandoned it." [01:08:11]
9) "The last thing that Jesus said is documented before he took his last breath... 'Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.'... What a powerful picture of trust that Jesus had in his Father... My spirit is going to be with you." [01:09:41]
10) "This morning on Resurrection Sunday... I get to this door over here on the outside and I looked down and on the ground was a little sparrow that was dead... Why a sparrow? Because Jesus Christ says aren't two sparrows... worth only a penny but aren't you worth more than them." [01:22:41]
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