Last Words 2 - Why have your forsaken me?

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'Last Words' is a two week Easter series looking at two of Jesus' final sayings on the cross. #2 Why have you forsaken me is taken from Matthew 27:46 "And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” that is, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” Two key questions to ask are;

1. What happened to Jesus?
   • e was forsaken.
   • He questioned and trusted.
2. What does that mean for us?
   • Assurance - We can beconfident of God’s love.   
   • Acceptance - We never have to know his turning away.
   • Authentic - We can be honest about our struggles.

KEY VERSES

• Matthew 27:46 "And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” that is, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” 
• Hebrews 4:15–16 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. 
• Romans 3:23–25 (ESV) 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith…
• 1 Peter 2:24 (ESV) 24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. 
• Habakkuk 1:13 (NIV) 13 Your eyes are too pure to look on evil; you cannot tolerate wrongdoing.
• Psalm 22 (ESV) 1 My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, from the words of my groaning? 2 O my God, I cry by day, but you do not answer, and by night, but I find no rest...23 You who fear the Lord, praise him! 24For he has not despised or abhorred the affliction of the afflicted, and he has not hidden his face from him, but has heard, when he cried to him.
• Hebrews 13:55  “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

Last Words 1 - Father, forgive them

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'Last Words' is a two week Easter series looking at two of Jesus' final sayings on the cross. #1 Father, forgive them is taken from Luke 23:34 "And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” In His prayer, Jesus;

1. Reveals our greatest need (forgiveness)
2. Deals with our greatest greatest problem (getting us forgiven!)
3. Models forgiveness
   • He prays to the Father - here Jesus is praying that the greatest problems his enemies face are conquered. He is praying FOR them, not just forgiving them.
   • He prays for their good - by praying to the Father He is praying for their blessing and intimacy with God to be restored! That's good stuff!
   • He prays for restoration - by praying for their forgiveness He is basically saying 'I want you as a brothers and sisters for eternity!' Wow!

 

Key Verses 

• Mtt 5:34 ESV 43 “you have heard that it was said, ‘you shall love your neighbour and hate your enemy.’ 44 but I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you...
• Luke 6:28 NIV 'bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.'
• Rom 12v17-18 NIV 17 do not repay anyone evil for evil…18 if it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.'Col 3:13 NIV 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the lord forgave you.'