Message for THE LORD’S DAY MORNING, March 31, 2013 (Resurrection Sunday) Christian Hope Church of Christ, Plymouth, North Carolina by Reggie A. Braziel, Minister

“It Is Finished”“It Is Finished”“It Is Finished”“It Is Finished” John 19:28-30 NKJV Please turn with me in your Bibles to the Gospel of John, chapter nineteen. JOHN 19:28JOHN 19:28JOHN 19:28JOHN 19:28----30 (NKJV30 (NKJV30 (NKJV30 (NKJV))))

28 After this, Jesus, knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, said, “I thirst!” 29 Now a vessel full of sour wine was sitting there; and they filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on hyssop, and put it to His mouth.

30 So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is “It is “It is “It is

finished!” finished!” finished!” finished!” And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.

P R A Y E R ********************************************************************************* I N T R O D U C T I O N

“It is finished!”“It is finished!”“It is finished!”“It is finished!”

Just three simple words. But they are more than words. They are perhaps THE GREATEST WORDS EVER SPOKEN, THE GREATEST WORDS EVER SPOKEN, THE GREATEST WORDS EVER SPOKEN, THE GREATEST WORDS EVER SPOKEN, BY THE GREATEST MAN WHO EVERBY THE GREATEST MAN WHO EVERBY THE GREATEST MAN WHO EVERBY THE GREATEST MAN WHO EVER

LIVED.LIVED.LIVED.LIVED.

This is the SIXTH of the SEVEN statements SIXTH of the SEVEN statements SIXTH of the SEVEN statements SIXTH of the SEVEN statements Jesus uttered from

the cross. When Jesus said, “It Is Finished” “It Is Finished” “It Is Finished” “It Is Finished” He didn’t speak in

a whispered tone of a defeated martyr, he SHOUTED A VICTORYhe SHOUTED A VICTORYhe SHOUTED A VICTORYhe SHOUTED A VICTORY

CRY……. CRY……. CRY……. CRY…….”IT IS FINISHED!””IT IS FINISHED!””IT IS FINISHED!””IT IS FINISHED!”

For just a few minutes this morning, let’s think about WHAT THE WORDSWHAT THE WORDSWHAT THE WORDSWHAT THE WORDS

“IT IS FINISHED” MEANT TO JESUS“IT IS FINISHED” MEANT TO JESUS“IT IS FINISHED” MEANT TO JESUS“IT IS FINISHED” MEANT TO JESUS……….and WHAT THOSE THREE WORDS……….and WHAT THOSE THREE WORDS……….and WHAT THOSE THREE WORDS……….and WHAT THOSE THREE WORDS

MEAN TO US.MEAN TO US.MEAN TO US.MEAN TO US.

I.I.I.I. What “It Is Finished” Meant To JesusWhat “It Is Finished” Meant To JesusWhat “It Is Finished” Meant To JesusWhat “It Is Finished” Meant To Jesus

1. The words “It Is Finished” comes from one Greek word, TETELESTAI TETELESTAI TETELESTAI TETELESTAI (tet (tet (tet (tet---- uh uh uh uh---- lest lest lest lest---- eye) eye) eye) eye)

2. That word “tetelestai” was a term used quite often in the Greco-Roman world of Jesus’ day. And when you examine the various uses of the word, you can easily see that all of them were illustrative of JESUS’ “finished work” on the cross.illustrative of JESUS’ “finished work” on the cross.illustrative of JESUS’ “finished work” on the cross.illustrative of JESUS’ “finished work” on the cross.

(A) AN ARTIST(A) AN ARTIST(A) AN ARTIST(A) AN ARTIST might have used the word “tetelestai”“tetelestai”“tetelestai”“tetelestai” when he

finished a painting to indicate the final brush stroke has been taken, “ITITITIT IS FINISHED!” IS FINISHED!” IS FINISHED!” IS FINISHED!”

JESUS, THE MASTER ARTISAN declared from the crossJESUS, THE MASTER ARTISAN declared from the crossJESUS, THE MASTER ARTISAN declared from the crossJESUS, THE MASTER ARTISAN declared from the cross

that the picture of sal that the picture of sal that the picture of sal that the picture of salvation which was begun in vation which was begun in vation which was begun in vation which was begun in

eternity past, was NOW COMPLETE! The final brush eternity past, was NOW COMPLETE! The final brush eternity past, was NOW COMPLETE! The final brush eternity past, was NOW COMPLETE! The final brush

stroke has been taken! IT IS FINISHED!!! stroke has been taken! IT IS FINISHED!!! stroke has been taken! IT IS FINISHED!!! stroke has been taken! IT IS FINISHED!!!

(B) A SERVANT (B) A SERVANT (B) A SERVANT (B) A SERVANT might have used the word “tetelestai” “tetelestai” “tetelestai” “tetelestai” when he

completed a task his master had assigned him to do. The servant would say, “Master, it is finished! I have completed the work you sent me to do.” JESUS, THE SUFFERING SERVANT JESUS, THE SUFFERING SERVANT JESUS, THE SUFFERING SERVANT JESUS, THE SUFFERING SERVANT completed the work

His heavenly Father sent Him to do. “For the Son of

Man came to seek and to save that which was lost.”

“Master, IT IS FINISHED!” I have cIT IS FINISHED!” I have cIT IS FINISHED!” I have cIT IS FINISHED!” I have completed the workompleted the workompleted the workompleted the work

You sent me to do.” You sent me to do.” You sent me to do.” You sent me to do.”

(C) A JUDGE (C) A JUDGE (C) A JUDGE (C) A JUDGE might have used the word tetelestaitetelestaitetelestaitetelestai when issuing

a ruling that a sentence had been completed. The judge would say, “Justice has been served, the requirements of the Law have been met, TETELESTAI, “IT IS FINISHED.” TherTherTherThere is only one Lawgiver and Judgee is only one Lawgiver and Judgee is only one Lawgiver and Judgee is only one Lawgiver and Judge----------------only one whoonly one whoonly one whoonly one who

is able to save or destroy, and that is GOD. is able to save or destroy, and that is GOD. is able to save or destroy, and that is GOD. is able to save or destroy, and that is GOD. When When When When

Christ died on the cross He appeased the wrath of Christ died on the cross He appeased the wrath of Christ died on the cross He appeased the wrath of Christ died on the cross He appeased the wrath of

His Heavenly Father by paying the penalty for theHis Heavenly Father by paying the penalty for theHis Heavenly Father by paying the penalty for theHis Heavenly Father by paying the penalty for the

sins of the whole world. sins of the whole world. sins of the whole world. sins of the whole world.

Jesus cried, “The death sentence has now beenJesus cried, “The death sentence has now beenJesus cried, “The death sentence has now beenJesus cried, “The death sentence has now been

carried out, the sentence for man’s sin has been carried out, the sentence for man’s sin has been carried out, the sentence for man’s sin has been carried out, the sentence for man’s sin has been

completed. completed. completed. completed. TETELESTAI……..”IT IS FINISHED!” TETELESTAI……..”IT IS FINISHED!” TETELESTAI……..”IT IS FINISHED!” TETELESTAI……..”IT IS FINISHED!”

(D) A HIGH PRIEST (D) A HIGH PRIEST (D) A HIGH PRIEST (D) A HIGH PRIEST might have used the word tetelestai tetelestai tetelestai tetelestai when

he found the perfect, unblemished lamb for sacrifice. The priest would say to the person who brought the lamb, that it was an acceptable sacrifice, TETELESTAI, “It is finished!” JESUS CHRIST was the “perfect lamb of God” slain forJESUS CHRIST was the “perfect lamb of God” slain forJESUS CHRIST was the “perfect lamb of God” slain forJESUS CHRIST was the “perfect lamb of God” slain for

the sins of the world. the sins of the world. the sins of the world. the sins of the world.

I Peter 1:18,19 says, knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Chbut with the precious blood of Chbut with the precious blood of Chbut with the precious blood of Christ, rist, rist, rist,

as of a lamb without blemish and without spot. as of a lamb without blemish and without spot. as of a lamb without blemish and without spot. as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.

As Jesus was about to draw His final breath on the cross He shouted, “IT IS FINISHED!” “IT IS FINISHED!” “IT IS FINISHED!” “IT IS FINISHED!” The sacrifice of

the perfect Lamb of God is now complete! (E) A MERCHANT (E) A MERCHANT (E) A MERCHANT (E) A MERCHANT might have said TETELESTAITETELESTAITETELESTAITETELESTAI after stamping

a bill as “paid in fullpaid in fullpaid in fullpaid in full.”

When JESUS cried “IT IS FINISHED” from the cross,

He was saying, “THE DEBT OF SIN has been PAID IN

FULL!

(F(F(F(F) AND A SOLDIER ) AND A SOLDIER ) AND A SOLDIER ) AND A SOLDIER might have said TETELESTAITETELESTAITETELESTAITETELESTAI as a “battle cry”

over a defeated foe! The soldier would shout “YOU AREYOU AREYOU AREYOU ARE

FINISHED!” “YOU HAVE BEEN DEFEATED.” FINISHED!” “YOU HAVE BEEN DEFEATED.” FINISHED!” “YOU HAVE BEEN DEFEATED.” FINISHED!” “YOU HAVE BEEN DEFEATED.”

When Jesus cried, “IT IS FINISHED” from When Jesus cried, “IT IS FINISHED” from When Jesus cried, “IT IS FINISHED” from When Jesus cried, “IT IS FINISHED” from the cross, the cross, the cross, the cross,

it was NOT a cry of despair or defeat! It was His it was NOT a cry of despair or defeat! It was His it was NOT a cry of despair or defeat! It was His it was NOT a cry of despair or defeat! It was His

“battle cry of victory!” “battle cry of victory!” “battle cry of victory!” “battle cry of victory!”

“SATAN, you are FINISHED! You have been defeated!” “SATAN, you are FINISHED! You have been defeated!” “SATAN, you are FINISHED! You have been defeated!” “SATAN, you are FINISHED! You have been defeated!”

“DEAT “DEAT “DEAT “DEATH, you are FINISHED! You have been defeated!”H, you are FINISHED! You have been defeated!”H, you are FINISHED! You have been defeated!”H, you are FINISHED! You have been defeated!”

“SIN, you are FINISHED! You have been defea “SIN, you are FINISHED! You have been defea “SIN, you are FINISHED! You have been defea “SIN, you are FINISHED! You have been defeated!ted!ted!ted!

TETELESTAI!TETELESTAI!TETELESTAI!TETELESTAI!

I HAVE COMPLETED THE PICTURE OF SALVATION!I HAVE COMPLETED THE PICTURE OF SALVATION!I HAVE COMPLETED THE PICTURE OF SALVATION!I HAVE COMPLETED THE PICTURE OF SALVATION!

I HAVE COMPLETED THE WORK MY MASTER SENT ME TO DO!I HAVE COMPLETED THE WORK MY MASTER SENT ME TO DO!I HAVE COMPLETED THE WORK MY MASTER SENT ME TO DO!I HAVE COMPLETED THE WORK MY MASTER SENT ME TO DO!

I HAVE MET ALL THE REQUIREMENTSI HAVE MET ALL THE REQUIREMENTSI HAVE MET ALL THE REQUIREMENTSI HAVE MET ALL THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE LAW! OF THE LAW! OF THE LAW! OF THE LAW!

I HAVE COMPLETED THE PERFECT SACRIFICE!I HAVE COMPLETED THE PERFECT SACRIFICE!I HAVE COMPLETED THE PERFECT SACRIFICE!I HAVE COMPLETED THE PERFECT SACRIFICE!

I HAVE “PAID THE DEBT OF SIN” IN FULL!I HAVE “PAID THE DEBT OF SIN” IN FULL!I HAVE “PAID THE DEBT OF SIN” IN FULL!I HAVE “PAID THE DEBT OF SIN” IN FULL!

I HAVE CONQUERED THE ENEMY!I HAVE CONQUERED THE ENEMY!I HAVE CONQUERED THE ENEMY!I HAVE CONQUERED THE ENEMY!

IT IIT IIT IIT IS FINISHED! IT IS FINISHED!S FINISHED! IT IS FINISHED!S FINISHED! IT IS FINISHED!S FINISHED! IT IS FINISHED!

******************************************************************************************************************************************************** Secondly, let’s consider………..

II.II.II.II. What Those Three WordWhat Those Three WordWhat Those Three WordWhat Those Three Words, “It Is Finished” Means To Uss, “It Is Finished” Means To Uss, “It Is Finished” Means To Uss, “It Is Finished” Means To Us

(A) (A) (A) (A) For one thing, those three words, “It Is Finished” means CHRISTCHRISTCHRISTCHRIST

ACCOMPL ACCOMPL ACCOMPL ACCOMPLISHED WHAT WE OURSELVES COULD NEVER ISHED WHAT WE OURSELVES COULD NEVER ISHED WHAT WE OURSELVES COULD NEVER ISHED WHAT WE OURSELVES COULD NEVER

ACCOMPLISH! ACCOMPLISH! ACCOMPLISH! ACCOMPLISH!

You could be the nicest, most moral and decent human being on the face of the earth……you could do more good works than any human being who ever lived……and still not save your soul. Brothers and sisters, don’t ever believe for one solitary moment that God could have ever forgiven us of our sins apart from the cross of Christ. “For withou“For withou“For withou“For without the shedding of blood there is no t the shedding of blood there is no t the shedding of blood there is no t the shedding of blood there is no

forgiveness.” (Hebrews 9:22) forgiveness.” (Hebrews 9:22) forgiveness.” (Hebrews 9:22) forgiveness.” (Hebrews 9:22)

Yes, it is true that GODGODGODGOD CREATED US. CREATED US. CREATED US. CREATED US. And yes, it is true that

GOD LOVES USGOD LOVES USGOD LOVES USGOD LOVES US, but make no mistake about it, if JESUS CHRIST

had NOT gone to the cross of Calvary, GOD would never have forgiven you and me of our sins in a thousand lifetimes.

Christ “FINISHED” the work we could NOT do!Christ “FINISHED” the work we could NOT do!Christ “FINISHED” the work we could NOT do!Christ “FINISHED” the work we could NOT do!

Christ “WON THE BATTLE” weChrist “WON THE BATTLE” weChrist “WON THE BATTLE” weChrist “WON THE BATTLE” we could NOT win! could NOT win! could NOT win! could NOT win!

Christ “PAID THE DEBT” we couldn’t possibly pay! Christ “PAID THE DEBT” we couldn’t possibly pay! Christ “PAID THE DEBT” we couldn’t possibly pay! Christ “PAID THE DEBT” we couldn’t possibly pay!

(B) (B) (B) (B) Something else those three words, “It Is Finished” means to

us is that WE CAN LIVE IN VICTORY INSTEAD OFWE CAN LIVE IN VICTORY INSTEAD OFWE CAN LIVE IN VICTORY INSTEAD OFWE CAN LIVE IN VICTORY INSTEAD OF DEFEAT! DEFEAT! DEFEAT! DEFEAT!

You and I can “rest” in the truth that we have a Savior who had done all……paid all……and accomplished all that is necessary for our salvation! We do not need to live in the fear that SIN, SATAN or the LAW will defeat us when we stand before Jesus Christ. ROMANS 8:1 (NKJV) 8 There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. ROMANS 8:31-34 (NKJV) 31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? 33 Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us. Many Christians live in defeat every day. They beat themselves up and punish themselves for sins in their life as though some of their sins remain unforgiving. If you are one of those brothers or sisters who is living in defeat, let me ask you something. When Christ died on the cross, how many of your sins did He pay for? Some of them? Half of them? The sins of your past, but not the sins of your present and future? HE PAID THE DEBT ALL YOHE PAID THE DEBT ALL YOHE PAID THE DEBT ALL YOHE PAID THE DEBT ALL YOUR SINS!UR SINS!UR SINS!UR SINS!

The sins of your PAST….FORGIVEN! The sins of your The sins of your PAST….FORGIVEN! The sins of your The sins of your PAST….FORGIVEN! The sins of your The sins of your PAST….FORGIVEN! The sins of your

PRESENT….FORG PRESENT….FORG PRESENT….FORG PRESENT….FORGIVEN! The sins of your FUTURE….FORGIVEN!IVEN! The sins of your FUTURE….FORGIVEN!IVEN! The sins of your FUTURE….FORGIVEN!IVEN! The sins of your FUTURE….FORGIVEN!

C O N C L U S I O N

JESUS finished the work on the cross, but the cross didn’t finish JESUS. All four gospel writers tell us that on the third day after His crucifixion that Jesus Christ arose victorious over the grave. And so today we celebrate the glorious DEATH, BURIAL and RESURRECTION of Christ our Savior. Later on in our worship service we are going to be offering the LORD’S INVITATION. Until then let me give you something to think about. The Bible teaches us that one day your life here on earth will come to an end. And when your life is over you will either go to heaven to live with God forever, or you will go to hell and be eternally separated from God. Where you spend your eternity is entirely up to you and it all depends on WHAT YOU DO WITH JESUS CHRIST! WHAT YOU DO WITH JESUS CHRIST! WHAT YOU DO WITH JESUS CHRIST! WHAT YOU DO WITH JESUS CHRIST! It doesn’t depend on HOW NICEHOW NICEHOW NICEHOW NICE

YOU ARE…..HOW MORAL YOU ARE……HOW GOOD YOU ARE……or HOWYOU ARE…..HOW MORAL YOU ARE……HOW GOOD YOU ARE……or HOWYOU ARE…..HOW MORAL YOU ARE……HOW GOOD YOU ARE……or HOWYOU ARE…..HOW MORAL YOU ARE……HOW GOOD YOU ARE……or HOW

MANY GOOD DMANY GOOD DMANY GOOD DMANY GOOD DEEDS YOU DO……..IT ALL DEPENDS ON WHAT YOU CHOOSEEEDS YOU DO……..IT ALL DEPENDS ON WHAT YOU CHOOSEEEDS YOU DO……..IT ALL DEPENDS ON WHAT YOU CHOOSEEEDS YOU DO……..IT ALL DEPENDS ON WHAT YOU CHOOSE

TO DO WITH JESUS CHRIST!TO DO WITH JESUS CHRIST!TO DO WITH JESUS CHRIST!TO DO WITH JESUS CHRIST!

JESUS “chose” to die for you while you were yet a sinJESUS “chose” to die for you while you were yet a sinJESUS “chose” to die for you while you were yet a sinJESUS “chose” to die for you while you were yet a sinner!ner!ner!ner!

JESUS “chose” to lay down His own life for you!JESUS “chose” to lay down His own life for you!JESUS “chose” to lay down His own life for you!JESUS “chose” to lay down His own life for you!

JESUS “chose” to pay the penalty for your sins!JESUS “chose” to pay the penalty for your sins!JESUS “chose” to pay the penalty for your sins!JESUS “chose” to pay the penalty for your sins!

And so today, YOU MUST CHOAnd so today, YOU MUST CHOAnd so today, YOU MUST CHOAnd so today, YOU MUST CHOOSE WHAT YOU WILL DO WITH JESUS!OSE WHAT YOU WILL DO WITH JESUS!OSE WHAT YOU WILL DO WITH JESUS!OSE WHAT YOU WILL DO WITH JESUS!

When the invitation is offered, HE WILL BE WAITING FOR YOU WITHWhen the invitation is offered, HE WILL BE WAITING FOR YOU WITHWhen the invitation is offered, HE WILL BE WAITING FOR YOU WITHWhen the invitation is offered, HE WILL BE WAITING FOR YOU WITH

OPEN ARMS to come “JUST AS YOU OPEN ARMS to come “JUST AS YOU OPEN ARMS to come “JUST AS YOU OPEN ARMS to come “JUST AS YOU ARE!”ARE!”ARE!”ARE!”