Good Friday | It Is Finished! | Pastors Tim & Tina Notz, Pastor Steve Miles

Devotional

Day 1: The Humble Obedience of Christ

The mind of Christ Jesus is one of profound humility and selfless obedience. Though He existed in the very form of God, He did not cling to His divine rights and privileges. Instead, He willingly laid them aside, taking on the nature of a servant. He humbled Himself completely, becoming obedient to the point of death—the most shameful death imaginable on a cross. This ultimate act of surrender was motivated by a love that sought our redemption above all else. [16:48]

Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. (Philippians 2:5-8 ESV)

Reflection: Where is God inviting you to lay down your own rights or comforts this week, in order to serve someone else with the humble, selfless love of Christ?

Day 2: The Extent of His Sacrificial Love

The suffering Jesus endured was not merely physical; it was a complete and total pouring out of Himself. His passion was a deliberate choice, a willing embrace of agony for the sake of love. From the garden to the cross, He experienced betrayal, abandonment, mockery, and excruciating pain. He was disfigured beyond human recognition, bearing the full weight of sin and separation. This was the fullest extent of His love for you, a love that chose the cross. [42:25]

But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed. (Isaiah 53:5 ESV)

Reflection: As you consider the specific details of His suffering, what new aspect of His love for you personally becomes most real and impactful?

Day 3: The Finished Work of Redemption

When Jesus declared, “It is finished,” He proclaimed the completion of His mission. The work of atonement was fully accomplished. The curtain in the temple was torn in two, symbolizing that the barrier between God and humanity was removed. His death was the final, sufficient sacrifice, opening up a way for all to have direct access to the Father. This was not a defeat but a glorious victory, securing eternal life for all who would believe. [50:03]

And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice and yielded up his spirit. And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. And the earth shook, and the rocks were split. (Matthew 27:50-51 ESV)

Reflection: In what area of your life do you need to stop striving and instead rest in the reality that His work on the cross is truly finished and completely sufficient?

Day 4: The Personal Choice to Confess and Believe

The gift of salvation is received through a personal response. It requires an honest confession of our need and a faith that believes in the power of His blood to cleanse. This is an individual decision, not based on heritage or good works, but on the simple, profound act of trusting in Christ alone. It is an invitation to cross from death into life, to be washed clean and made new. This choice determines our eternal destiny. [54:52]

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9 ESV)

Reflection: If you were to answer the question honestly tonight, “Where will I spend eternity?” what would your answer be, and what is holding you back from full assurance?

Day 5: Living in the Worthy Lamb’s Victory

Because Jesus is the risen and exalted Lord, He is supremely worthy of our whole-life worship. His victory is not just a past event but a present reality that transforms how we live. We are called to follow Him, not out of obligation, but out of a deep, grateful love that responds to His sacrifice. Knowing Him more deeply through His Word fuels our passion and enables us to live boldly for His glory. [01:00:23]

“Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!” (Revelation 5:12 ESV)

Reflection: What is one practical step you can take this week to move from simply knowing about Jesus to actively knowing Him more deeply and following Him more closely?

Sermon Summary

Philippians 2 calls believers to the mind of Christ, who emptied himself, took the form of a servant, and humbled himself to death on a cross. The narrative moves from the Passover meal and Judas’s betrayal through the arrest, the high priest’s interrogation, and Peter’s threefold denial, into the relentless physical and spiritual assault that preceded crucifixion. Scourging, mocking, a crown of thorns, and repeated blows left the body disfigured and exhausted; soldiers forced Simon of Cyrene to carry the cross and drove nails through hands and feet. Even as bystanders and religious leaders taunted him, Jesus spoke from the cross, voiced human thirst, and bore the full weight of judgment.

Isaiah’s prophecy and Matthew’s Gospel converge in the description of a marred face and a suffering servant who willingly obeyed the Father to the point of death. The crucifixion aimed to be excruciating and humiliating, yet it fulfilled a divine purpose: the shedding of blood that opens direct access to God. The tearing of the temple curtain symbolizes that access—sin’s barrier removed so that any repentant person may approach God through faith.

Scriptural truth undergirds the call to respond: Romans 6:23 defines sin’s penalty as death, while 1 John 1:9 frames forgiveness as conditional on confession. The choice stands starkly before each person—either remain separated by sin or cross the bridge Jesus became by his death and resurrection. The invitation moves from intellectual assent to an honest, decisive confession of sin and reception of Christ’s lordship.

Practical next steps include public affirmation, intentional discipleship, and immersion in Scripture. New believers receive guidance, resources, and encouragement to cultivate abiding faith by reading the Gospel of John and practicing repentance. The closing worship centers on gratitude for the cross, the uniqueness of Jesus’ sacrifice, and the eternal implications of the decision to follow him.

Key Takeaways

1. Christ completed the redemptive work Jesus finished the work required to restore the relationship between God and sinners. That completion means the full penalty for sin transferred to him and the way into God opened by his resurrection. Because the work stands finished, salvation becomes an offered reality to be received by faith rather than earned by deeds. [21:40]
2. Atonement cost intense suffering The atonement involved brutal physical torment and a demonic opposition that sought to destroy and shame him. The scourging and mockery reveal the depth of suffering willingly endured to satisfy divine justice and display divine love. Recognizing the severity of that cost prevents cheapening the cross and invites a serious, grateful response. [38:22]
3. The torn curtain invites access The torn temple curtain symbolizes the removal of the barrier between God and humanity; no longer does ritual mediation alone grant entry. Anyone who comes through Christ’s shed blood may stand in God’s presence with confidence, not by merit but by mercy. This reality demands both awe and boldness in approaching God. [49:45]
4. Faith requires honest, decisive confession Forgiveness depends on an honest confession—an active choice to acknowledge guilt and trust Christ’s cleansing. The conditional “if we confess” highlights human responsibility within God’s promise to forgive and purify. True confession catalyzes transformation, not merely a transaction, and leads to a lifelong commitment to follow. [52:09]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[16:23] - Philippians 2: Christ's humility
[21:40] - It Is Finished: Theme
[22:55] - Last Supper and betrayal
[32:05] - Arrest and the high priest's trial
[33:14] - Peter's three denials
[37:57] - Scourging and mocking explained
[44:20] - Simon of Cyrene carries cross
[44:45] - Nailing and crucifixion details
[49:45] - Curtain torn: access to God
[50:27] - Wages of sin, the choice
[54:52] - Invitation to confess and believe
[61:12] - New believer resources and next steps
[65:00] - Closing prayer and dismissal

Bible Study Guide

Bible reading: Philippians 2:5-8 (ESV)
Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

Observation questions

According to the passage, what specific actions did Jesus take that demonstrate his humility?
What details are given about the physical suffering Jesus endured before and during the crucifixion? [38:22]
What was the significance of the temple curtain being torn in two at the moment of Jesus' death? [49:45]
What condition does 1 John 1:9 place on receiving forgiveness from God? [52:09]

Interpretation questions

Why was it necessary for Jesus to suffer such an excruciating and humiliating death, rather than a quick or private one? [39:00]
The passage says Jesus "emptied himself." What does this mean in the context of his divine nature and his mission on earth?
How does the tearing of the temple curtain change the way humanity can relate to God? [50:03]
The choice presented is to either "remain separated by sin or cross the bridge Jesus became." What makes this a difficult choice for some people to make? [51:46]

Application questions

The penalty for sin is death, a complete and eternal separation from God. [50:45] When was the last time you seriously considered the eternal consequences of your own sin, and how does that reality affect your daily choices?
Jesus' sacrifice was a complete and finished work. [21:40] In what ways do you sometimes try to add to his work or feel you need to earn God's favor, instead of simply receiving it by faith?
The torn curtain means we can now approach God with confidence. [50:03] How does this truth affect the way you pray? Do you come boldly or do you still feel distant?
Forgiveness is conditional on an honest confession of our sins. [52:09] What is one area of your life where you need to be more honest with yourself and with God in your confession?
The call is to move from intellectual agreement to a decisive confession. [54:52] If you have never made that decision, what is holding you back from doing so tonight? If you have, how can you continue to live out that commitment daily?
New believers are encouraged to read the Gospel of John to get to know Jesus more. [01:02:11] What is one practical step you can take this week to go deeper in your relationship with him, whether you are a new believer or have been following him for years?
The crucifixion was meant to be both excruciating and humiliating. [39:00] How does understanding the depth of his suffering increase your gratitude for what Jesus did for you?

Sermon Clips

So your sins have separated you from god. And Jesus created a bridge when he went on that cross. You on one side, god on the other side. He was the bridge. His blood and only his blood washes our sins away. Going to church will never save you. Being a certain denomination doesn't save you. Only the blood of Jesus saves you and I. [00:54:02] (36 seconds) #BloodOfJesusSaves

See, these weren't just mean men. I mean, men men when they're riled up, yes, they can be aggressive. But there was a demonic spirit behind this. These were men that were filled with demonic spirits, and those demonic spirits were unleashing their hatred upon Jesus, the son of god. It was an all out demonic attack. And when Jesus was brought out into the public, he was completely, especially in his face, completely disfigured. [00:40:26] (40 seconds) #DemonicRejectionOfJesus

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Good Friday | It Is Finished! | Pastors Tim & Tina Notz, Pastor Steve Miles | 04-03-2026