Embracing the Victory of Christ: It Is Finished
Summary
Summary:
Good morning, Daystar Church! Today, we celebrate the transformative power of Jesus' words on the cross, "It is finished." These words signify the completion of His mission to redeem humanity, offering us freedom from sin and the promise of eternal life. Jesus' declaration, "It is finished," is not just a historical statement but a present reality that impacts our lives today. It means that the debt of sin has been paid, justice has been satisfied, and the power of death, hell, and the grave has been defeated.
The Greek word "tetelestai," which Jesus used, was commonly understood in various contexts, such as a servant completing a task, a judge declaring a debt paid, or an artist finishing a masterpiece. In each case, it signifies completion and fulfillment. Jesus fulfilled over 380 prophecies, satisfying the requirements of the law and paying the debt we owed. His sacrifice on the cross was the ultimate act of love and justice, ensuring that we no longer have to live under the control of sin.
As believers, we stand on the foundation of what Jesus accomplished on the cross. Our righteousness is not based on our deeds but on His finished work. We are called to live in victory, free from the guilt and shame of our past. Jesus' victory over death and hell assures us that we have been transferred from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of His Son. We are no longer bound by the enemy's lies and condemnation.
Today, I encourage you to embrace this victory and walk in the freedom that Jesus has provided. Let go of the past, and live in the triumph that comes from knowing that the same power that raised Jesus from the dead is alive in you. You are a new creation, and greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world. Let us pray for strength to overcome the challenges we face and to live as victorious children of God.
Key Takeaways:
1. The Power of "It is Finished": Jesus' declaration on the cross, "It is finished," signifies the completion of His mission to redeem humanity. This statement assures us that the debt of sin has been paid, and we are free from its control. Embrace this truth and live in the freedom and victory that Jesus has provided. [02:54]
2. Fulfillment of Prophecies: Jesus fulfilled over 380 prophecies, demonstrating that He is the promised Messiah. His life, death, and resurrection were foretold in the Scriptures, and He accomplished everything the Father sent Him to do. This fulfillment assures us of the reliability of God's Word and His faithfulness to His promises. [08:42]
3. Satisfaction of Justice: God's justice required a payment for sin, and Jesus satisfied this requirement through His sacrifice. He ended the law's demands, allowing us to be right with God through faith in Him. This truth liberates us from the burden of trying to earn our salvation and invites us to rest in His finished work. [15:05]
4. Freedom from Debt: Jesus paid the debt we owed for our sins, canceling the record of charges against us. This act of grace frees us from guilt and shame, allowing us to live as new creations in Christ. We are no longer bound by our past but are invited to walk in the light of His forgiveness. [20:58]
5. Victory Over Death and Hell: Jesus' victory on the cross defeated the power of death, hell, and the grave. As believers, we are transferred from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of His Son. We are called to live in triumph, knowing that greater is He that is in us than he that is in the world. [27:50]
Youtube Chapters:
- [0:00] - Welcome
- [00:56] - Series Introduction: To Hell and Back
- [01:44] - The Significance of "It is Finished"
- [02:15] - Jesus' Fulfillment of Prophecies
- [02:54] - Understanding Tetelestai
- [03:44] - Trustworthy Translations
- [04:29] - The Meaning of Tetelestai
- [05:07] - Jesus' Prophetic Declaration
- [06:21] - Temporary Sacrifices and Permanent Redemption
- [07:37] - Fulfillment of God's Promises
- [08:42] - Jesus' Explanation to the Disciples
- [09:56] - Satisfying Justice
- [11:27] - Immutable Laws of God
- [13:08] - The Weakness of Our Sin Nature
- [15:05] - Christ's End to the Law
- [17:42] - Understanding Different Laws
- [19:42] - Paying the Debt We Owed
- [22:19] - Transferred to the Kingdom of Light
- [24:17] - Victory Over Death and Hell
- [27:19] - Living in Victory
- [29:24] - Temptation and Condemnation
- [31:00] - Embracing the Truth of Jesus
- [32:20] - Public Defeat of the Enemy
- [33:41] - Prayer for Victory
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. John 19:28-30
2. Colossians 2:13-15
3. Romans 10:4
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Observation Questions:
1. What did Jesus mean when He declared "It is finished" on the cross, and how did the people around Him interpret this statement? [02:54]
2. How does the Greek word "tetelestai" enhance our understanding of Jesus' declaration on the cross? [04:29]
3. According to the sermon, what are some of the different contexts in which the word "tetelestai" was used in ancient times? [05:07]
4. What does the sermon say about the reliability of the Bible translations we have today? [03:44]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does Jesus' fulfillment of over 380 prophecies strengthen the reliability of God's Word and His promises? [08:42]
2. In what ways does Jesus' declaration "It is finished" signify the satisfaction of God's justice? How does this impact our understanding of salvation? [15:05]
3. How does the concept of Jesus paying our debt change the way we view our past sins and guilt? [20:58]
4. What does it mean for believers to be transferred from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of His Son, and how should this transformation affect our daily lives? [22:19]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt controlled by guilt or shame. How can embracing the truth of "It is finished" help you live in freedom from those feelings? [20:58]
2. Jesus fulfilled numerous prophecies and promises. How can this assurance of God's faithfulness encourage you in a current situation where you are waiting on God's promises? [08:42]
3. The sermon mentions that Jesus' sacrifice ended the law's demands. How does this truth affect your approach to living a righteous life? Are there areas where you still feel the need to "earn" God's favor? [15:05]
4. Consider the statement that believers have been transferred into the kingdom of light. What practical steps can you take this week to live as a child of light, free from the past? [22:19]
5. The sermon encourages us to live in victory over death and hell. What specific fears or challenges are you facing that you need to overcome with the assurance of Jesus' victory? [24:17]
6. How can you remind yourself daily that the same power that raised Jesus from the dead is alive in you? What practices or habits can help reinforce this truth in your life? [27:50]
7. Reflect on the concept of temptation and condemnation as described in the sermon. How can you better recognize and resist these tactics of the enemy in your life? [29:24]
Devotional
Day 1: The Finality of Redemption
The phrase "It is finished" spoken by Jesus on the cross signifies the completion of His mission to redeem humanity. This declaration is not merely a historical statement but a present reality that impacts believers today. It means that the debt of sin has been paid, justice has been satisfied, and the power of death, hell, and the grave has been defeated. The Greek word "tetelestai," used by Jesus, was commonly understood in various contexts, such as a servant completing a task, a judge declaring a debt paid, or an artist finishing a masterpiece. In each case, it signifies completion and fulfillment. Jesus' sacrifice on the cross was the ultimate act of love and justice, ensuring that believers no longer have to live under the control of sin. [02:54]
Hebrews 9:12-14 (ESV): "He entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption. For if the blood of goats and bulls, and the sprinkling of defiled persons with the ashes of a heifer, sanctify for the purification of the flesh, how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you still feel bound by sin or guilt? How can you embrace the truth that Jesus has already paid the debt for you?
Day 2: Prophetic Fulfillment and Assurance
Jesus fulfilled over 380 prophecies, demonstrating that He is the promised Messiah. His life, death, and resurrection were foretold in the Scriptures, and He accomplished everything the Father sent Him to do. This fulfillment assures believers of the reliability of God's Word and His faithfulness to His promises. The prophecies serve as a testament to God's sovereign plan and His ability to bring it to fruition. As believers, this should strengthen our faith and trust in God's promises for our lives, knowing that He is faithful to complete what He has started. [08:42]
Luke 24:44-45 (ESV): "Then he said to 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 and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.' Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures."
Reflection: Reflect on a promise from God that you are holding onto. How does knowing that Jesus fulfilled all prophecies encourage you to trust in God's promises for your life today?
Day 3: Justice Satisfied
God's justice required a payment for sin, and Jesus satisfied this requirement through His sacrifice. He ended the law's demands, allowing believers to be right with God through faith in Him. This truth liberates us from the burden of trying to earn our salvation and invites us to rest in His finished work. Understanding that justice has been satisfied through Jesus' sacrifice should bring peace and assurance to believers, knowing that they are justified before God not by their works but by faith in Christ. [15:05]
Romans 3:25-26 (ESV): "Whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God's righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus."
Reflection: In what ways do you find yourself trying to earn God's approval? How can you rest in the assurance that Jesus has already satisfied the demands of justice on your behalf?
Day 4: Freedom from the Past
Jesus paid the debt we owed for our sins, canceling the record of charges against us. This act of grace frees believers from guilt and shame, allowing them to live as new creations in Christ. We are no longer bound by our past but are invited to walk in the light of His forgiveness. Embracing this freedom means letting go of the past and living in the triumph that comes from knowing that the same power that raised Jesus from the dead is alive in us. [20:58]
Colossians 2:13-14 (ESV): "And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross."
Reflection: Is there a past mistake or regret that you struggle to let go of? How can you actively choose to walk in the freedom and forgiveness that Jesus offers you today?
Day 5: Living in Victory
Jesus' victory on the cross defeated the power of death, hell, and the grave. As believers, we are transferred from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of His Son. We are called to live in triumph, knowing that greater is He that is in us than he that is in the world. This victory assures us that we are no longer bound by the enemy's lies and condemnation. Embracing this victory means living with confidence and boldness, knowing that we are empowered by the same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead. [27:50]
1 Corinthians 15:54-57 (ESV): "When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: 'Death is swallowed up in victory.' 'O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?' The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you feel defeated or discouraged? How can you remind yourself of the victory you have in Christ and live boldly in that truth today?
Quotes
1) "He was just getting started. What he was doing in the world was changing all of humanity. He was paying the price for the redemption of all human souls. The word he actually said was a very common word. Now, when you read your Bible, by the way, you can trust this translation. If you're reading, I'm reading the NLT. If you're reading the NIV, the King James Version, the New King James, you can trust these translations. Because we have thousands of manuscript copies that have been found all over the desert and in caves and in different parts of the world. And when they're all put together, guess what? They say the same thing. It's entirely trustworthy." [03:44] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2) "Tetelestai, it's finished. You have paid your debt to society. Your debt is canceled. In fact, he would stamp it on a legal document, the word tetelestai. That's not the only place it was stamped. Accountants would stamp it on documents that had to do with debt and account. In fact, they have found papyri, which is, you know, paper made out of plants that were used in the ancient days. Archaeologists have found lots of papers. Lots of pages where they stamped on a, on a debt or a tax document, tetelestai. I don't know if you can see where this is going, but Jesus was prophesying, even as he hung on the cross that I'm paying your debt for you, that what you, what God, the father sent me to accomplish, I've already accomplished that." [05:07] (41 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3) "And what he finished on the cross is the foundation you're standing on. If you're a believer, you have nothing else. Your righteousness, the Bible says like filthy rags in the sight of God, all the good deeds you could do, all the money you could give, all the undoing of things you did in the past. How many know that's limited anyway, you can't undo all those things, but all of that, none of that is worthy. All of your future is, is, is founded in what Jesus did on the cross." [07:37] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4) "He gave Jesus a body, and through that body, he declared an end to sin's control. You don't have to be controlled by sin. You just heard Sadie share her testimony how that alcohol controlled her. For you, it might be rage or anger. It could be pornography. It could be just buying money. You just use a credit card, swipe Zillow. You know, we all have these different things that control us. And what the Bible says is that Jesus came so sin doesn't control us over more. He gave his son as a sacrifice for our sins." [14:23] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5) "You owe him for everything you did wrong. Every sin you committed, every time you disobeyed, every time you rebelled, every time you hurt someone else, you owe for that. You are in deep, deep debt to God. Turn to someone. Just tell them you're in deep, deep debt, both to God. You are. If it was up to you, you'd never get there. But look at this. Are y'all ready for this? I need 10 nerds, okay, to get with me on this, okay? This is going to be so good. Watch this. Paul says, we owe to debt because we've broken God's law. Check." [20:22] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6) "And Paul goes on and tells us this in Colossians. He has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his dear son who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins. You see, I think I'm pretty sure that most of us, when we come to Christ, we recognize that he rescued us and that we have been in a kingdom of darkness. Is that? Isn't that easy to get your head around? You've been making mistakes. You've been in guilt and regret and sin, and he rescued you from that. But I think we stopped short of realizing now we've been transferred into the kingdom of Jesus Christ." [21:33] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7) "And here's something Satan hopes you never know. That Jesus canceled the record of charges against you. He took it away by nailing it to the cross. And when he did that, he disarmed your enemy. Your enemy doesn't have. Once you realize that record of wrongs has been nailed to the cross. Your enemy's got nothing else to shoot you with. He's been disarmed. And all the spiritual rulers and authorities have all been disarmed. And God. God shamed them publicly by his victory over them on the cross. Somebody get excited. They have been publicly defeated." [31:41] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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