Church 4/12/2026
Offertory scripture:
Offertory scripture:
“He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.””Psalms 91:1-2 NKJV
Thesis: Jesus speaks to us from the cross.
What Jesus said in the cross is like a condensed gospel.
Point 1: The first statement speaks of forgiveness.
“Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.” And they divided His garments and cast lots.”Luke 23:34 NKJV
Jesus: “Father, forgive them. They don’t know what they’re doing.”
We all sin.
“for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,”Romans 3:23 NKJV
The wages of sin are death.
“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”Romans 6:23 NKJV
But the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus.
“And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world.”I John 2:2 NKJV
How can we receive forgiveness of sin & relationship with God.
“that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.”Romans 10:9 NKJV
Humility is saying what God says. Not what you think.
“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”I John 1:9 NKJV
Point 2: The second statement reminds us of life beyond death.
“And Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.””Luke 23:43 NKJV
““O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?””I Corinthians 15:55 NKJV
Death does not sting so bad when you are in Christ.
““Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. And where I go you know, and the way you know.” Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”John 14:1-6 NKJV
“And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.””Revelation 21:4 NKJV
Point 3: The third statement reminds us God doesn’t leave us alone.
“When Jesus therefore saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing by, He said to His mother, “Woman, behold your son!” Then He said to the disciple, “Behold your mother!” And from that hour that disciple took her to his own home.”John 19:26-27 NKJV
“And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever—”John 14:16 NKJV
Helper = Holy Spirit = Paraclete = One who comes alongside
Point 4: The fourth statement reminds us Jesus experienced separation from God so we don’t have to.
“And at the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?” which is translated, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?””Mark 15:34 NKJV
God abandoned Jesus so He wouldn’t abandon us when we sin.
“Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, And uphold me by Your generous Spirit.”Psalms 51:12 NKJV
Point 5: The fifth statement reveals God is aware of your needs and hurts.
“After this, Jesus, knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, said, “I thirst!””John 19:28 NKJV
The above statement says that if you have a pain or a need, God wants to help you.
“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.””Matthew 11:28-30 NKJV
“And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”Philippians 4:19 NKJV
Point 6: The sixth statement reminds us that victory has been accomplished.
“Therefore, as through one man’s offense judgment came to all men, resulting in condemnation, even so through one Man’s righteous act the free gift came to all men, resulting in justification of life. For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man’s obedience many will be made righteous.”Romans 5:18-19 NKJV
The decision to follow Jesus Christ is huge. And this decision will affect those around us.
Paul: imitate me as I imitate Christ.
Point 7: The seventh statement reveals that to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.
“And when Jesus had cried out with a loud voice, He said, “Father, ‘into Your hands I commit My spirit.’ ” Having said this, He breathed His last.”Luke 23:46 NKJV
Previous in the eyes of the Lord is the death of His saints.
“We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.”II Corinthians 5:8 NKJV