Centennial Park Baptist Church – Sunday, January 20th, 2008 – 10:30 a.m.

 

FATHER FORGIVE THEM

 

THE SEVEN CROSS-WORDS

 

1. Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do. }                     SALVATION - JESUS

2. Truly I say to you, today you shall be with me in paradise. }  HEART OF GRACE

 

3. Woman, behold your son; behold your mother  }                              RELATIONSHIP – JESUS

                                                                                                            HEART OF GIVING

 

4. My God, my God, why has Thou forsaken me? }                              SUFFERING – JESUS

5. I thirst  }                                                                                           HEART OF GRIEF

 

6. It is finished  }                                                                                  SOVEREIGNTY – JESUS

7. Father, into Thy hands I commend my spirit }                                    HEART OF GLORY

 

Jesus’ 7 cross-words are the most important sentences ever written, for these reasons:

 

WHO SPOKE THEM:  The infinite God-man

WHEN:  As He was making the greatest transaction in history

WHERE:  On an instrument of torture and death

WHY?  To carry eternal truth

 

WORD # 1 – FATHER, FORGIVE THEM – Luke 23: 33-34

 

 33 And when they came to the place called “The Skull”, there they crucified Him and the criminals, one on the right and the other on the left.  34 But Jesus was saying,” Father, forgive them; for they know not what they are doing.” And they cast lots, dividing up His garments among themselves.

 

  1. CHRONOLOGY - even as people were doing unspeakably vile things to Him

 

  1. PROXIMITY - It is easier to forgive somebody when they’re on the other side of the world!

 

  1. TOTALITY - Death of intense suffering and shame

-         not crying for pity

-         not pronouncing curses and judgment on His crucifiers. 

 

Jesus was a praying person. – Jesus’ public ministry had opened with prayer – Luke 3:21

Here we see it closing in prayer – See Hebrews 5:7

 

2 lessons about prayer:

 

  1. Prayer involves ATTITUDE - Jesus was led by grace.  He spoke by grace.  He forgave by grace.  He loved by grace.

 

  1. Prayer is an act of SELF-GIVING.  Prayer is repeated over and over – “ was saying”

 

D. PROPHECY - Isaiah 53: 12 – “ He intercedes for their transgressions”

            - see also Hebrews 7: 25

 

E. INTEGRITY.  Here Jesus was PRACTICING what He PREACHED.  Sermon on the Mount – Matthew 5:44 – “ But I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you.”

 

JESUS TAUGHT THE TRUTH, AND WAS TRUTH.

 

F. TODAY

 

Truth #1 – In our weakest, most limited condition, we can always talk to the Father. We can always come to Him in prayer. 

 

Truth #2 – The greatest ministry we can perform is the ministry of praying for others.

 

Truth #3 – God’s forgiveness covers every sin, including sins of ignorance – Acts 17:30; Psalm 19: 12 – “ He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross.” – I Peter 2:24  Christ bore your “future” sins as truly as your past ones – were not all your sins “future” sins when Jesus died?

 

SINLESS?  NO           SIN  LESS?  YES

 

Truth # 4 – CHRISTIANS SHOULD BE FORGIVEN FORGIVERS!!

 

What causes unforgiveness and bitterness?

-         Undeserved treatment from family, friends, colleagues, church family

-         Unexpected restriction of circumstances

-         Untrue accusations

-         Unfair abandonment

 

How do we overcome the destructive emotions of unforgiveness and bitterness?

·        RECOGNIZE them

 

·        RELEASE them

 

·        REPLACE them with the fruit of the Spirit – Galatians 5:22 -23

 

·        REJOICE

 

According to Colossians 3: 12-14, what attitudes and virtues are to be characteristic of a Christian, who is in conflict with another believer:

Colossians 3: 12-14 – Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering, bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you must also do.  But above all these things, put on love, which is the bond of perfection.”

 

Consider the relationships in your life.  Are there matters of resentment, anger, hurt or mistreatment that have disrupted these relationships?  Jesus’ 1st cross-word teaches us that forgiveness is the only meaningful solution to these issues.  What steps will you take to reconcile with those who have hurt you?  I would suggest memorizing Jesus’ words so that they become etched forever on your mind.  Hopefully they will help you to comprehend, appropriate and show forth the forgiveness of God as never before.