- Introduction: The Power of Headlines
- Discuss how certain headlines throughout history have stopped time and captured the world's attention. Examples:
- 1912: "Titanic sinks four hours after it hit the iceberg"
- 1929: "Wall Street Crashes"
- 1941: "Pearl Harbor Bombed"
- 1963: "JFK Assassinated"
- 1969: "Neil Armstrong walks on the moon"
- 2001: "War on America" (9/11)
- Introduce the ultimate headline: "Millions have disappeared..." (referring to the Rapture).
- The Greatest Headline Ever: "It Is Finished"
- Focus on the moment when Jesus declared, "It is finished" (John 19:30).
- Emphasize that these words were not a sigh of surrender, but a shout of triumph.
- Jesus’ declaration was not the end of a process, but the completion of God's eternal plan.
- The Meaning of "It Is Finished"
- A. Fulfillment of Prophecies
- Jesus knew all things were accomplished (John 19:28).
- Every prophecy was fulfilled through His sacrifice.
- B. Total Control
- Jesus was in control of the entire situation.
- Everything was completed according to God's plan.
- C. Triumph Over Powers and Principalities
- "It is finished" signifies the defeat of the powers of darkness, victory over death, hell, and the grave.
- Jesus’ death fulfilled the legal requirements of the law, breaking the chains of sin.
- What "It Is Finished" Means for Believers
- A. Saved from the Power of Sin
- Jesus has broken the power of sin and transformed lives.
- Romans 6:14: "For sin shall not have dominion over you."
- B. Saved from the Price of Sin
- Jesus paid the penalty for sin (Romans 6:23).
- The price has been fully paid; debt forgiven (Colossians 2:14).
- C. Saved from the Pain of Sin
- Jesus’ sacrifice provides freedom from guilt and shame (Romans 8:1).
- "There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus."
- D. The Gift of Eternal Life
- Salvation is a gift of God (Ephesians 2:8-9).
- All believers can receive this gift by accepting Jesus into their hearts.
- Living in the Victory of "It Is Finished"
- A. The New Identity of the Believer
- Because of Christ, believers are adopted into God’s family (Romans 8:15).
- Christians should live with the confidence of being God’s children, heirs of His promises (Romans 8:17).
- B. Embracing Freedom
- Jesus has set us free from bondage (Galatians 5:1).
- Believers should not carry burdens Jesus has already defeated.
- C. Living with Confidence and Peace
- Christ’s victory brings peace beyond understanding (Philippians 4:7).
- Believers should live with joy and confidence, knowing they have been set free.
- The Responsibility of the Believer
- A. The Power of Testimony
- Revelation 12:11: "They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony."
- Share the good news of Jesus with others, telling of the freedom and victory He brings.
- B. Living Like It’s Finished
- Don’t carry what Jesus already finished. Live in His victory and declare, "It is finished."
- Conclusion: The Call to Live in the Victory of the Cross
- Challenge the congregation to embrace the truth of "It is finished" in their own lives.
- Invite those who have not received Jesus to accept the gift of salvation.
- Encourage believers to share the good news with others.
Scripture References:
- John 19:28-30 — Jesus declares, "It is finished."
- Genesis 3:15 — Prophecy of the seed of the woman.
- Psalms 118:24 — "This is the day the Lord has made."
- Isaiah 53:5 — "By His stripes we are healed."
- Romans 6:14 — "For sin shall not have dominion over you."
- Romans 6:23 — "The wages of sin is death."
- Colossians 2:14 — "Having canceled the written code."
- Romans 8:1 — "There is therefore now no condemnation."
- Ephesians 2:8-9 — "It is by grace you have been saved."
- Romans 8:15 — "The Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship."
- Romans 8:17 — "Now if we are children, then we are heirs."
- Galatians 5:1 — "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free."
- Philippians 4:7 — "And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding."
- Revelation 12:11 — "They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony."