SERIES: Famous Last Words
TITLE: Trust and Triumph
Scripture: Luke 23:44-46; 24:1-2
I. TRUST IN DEATH
Major question: What will be your final words?
John 10:17-18 records Jesus saying, “I lay down my life.” Make no mistake! This was not a (surprise). This was not a (defeat).
When Jesus died on the cross, it was not a wrenching struggle against His killers. He didn’t display any frenzied death throes. His death was a deliberate act of His own sovereign will.
The saying, “Father, into your hands…” is lifted from Psalm 31:5. There are several differences though:
1. He adds something to it: (Father).
2. He omits something at the end: He omits the reference to (ransom). Why? Because He had no need for it.
II. TRIUMPH IN RESURRECTION
There have been theories advanced to dismiss the resurrection:
1. The swoon theory- Our faith is based on a (mistake).
2. The kidnap theory- Our faith is based on a (lie).
3. The hallucination theory- Our faith is based on a (fairy tale).
Purpose not to defend event. Present to you why so important:
1) Absolutely essential to believe in the resurrection. “If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins…If for this life only we had hoped in Christ, we are of all men most to be pitied.” [I Cor.15:17,19]
2) It has been called “the center of the center, the real heart of Christianity.”
3) Real hard truth: if Jesus did not raise from the dead, Christianity is not worth the paper it is written on.
Anyone who has truly, with an open heart, investigated the facts, cannot deny the resurrection.
NEXT WEEK: Theme: Freedom!
Title: The Great Exchange
Scripture: Galatians 2: 15-21
