At The Cross Part 3 | Matthew 27:45-56

Scripture

• Matthew 27:45–56

About this sermon

Introduction: Our God was giving His testimony to His Son at the cross. He was testifying regarding His Son providentially. He was testifying regarding His Son supernaturally. Last week and this morning we have been looking at that supernatural testimony. So far, we have seen three. I. A SUPERNATURAL TESTIMONY OF JUDGMENT (vs.45-49) II. A SUPERNATURAL TESTIMONY OF AUTHORITY (vs.50) Our Lord dies in a way unlike anyone else who has ever lived. God gives us truth that allows us to see that Jesus dismissed His life in a way that was sovereign. III. A SUPERNATURAL TESTIMONY OF FORGIVENESS (vs.51a) When Matthew tells us about the veil of the temple being torn in two from top to bottom, we are now looking at what follows the death of Christ. God was testifying WHILE JESUS WAS DYING, and now we see that God’s testimony continue AFTER JESUS DIED. The first two supernatural testimonies had to do with who Jesus was and what He was doing. What follows testifies to what He accomplished. With the rending of the veil the message of open access to God through the work of His Son is clearly communicated. It represents the ending of one era of redemptive history, and the opening of a new era of redemptive history. Salvation has always been by the grace of God. Salvation has always been by God’s provision for man’s sins in His Son. But now the payment for sins was offered. No more need for a temple and the sacrifices offered there. No more need for Israel’s priesthood. Jesus is the sacrifice and Jesus is the priest — the one mediator between God and men. Now those have been forgiven have direct access to God in Christ. IV. A SUPERNATURAL TESTIMONY OF LIBERATION (vs.51b-53) That brings us tonight to the 4th supernatural testimony that God gave to who His Son is and what He accomplished. It was a testimony of liberation. WHAT HAS CHRIST ACCOMPLISHED FOR US? HE HAS ACCOMPLISHED DELIVERANCE FOR US. HE HAS ACCOMPLISHED A GREAT VICTORY FOR US. HE HAS DEFEATED OUR GREAT SPIRITUAL ENEMIES The enemy of Satan. The enemy of sin. The enemy of death. The result is that we are FREE. But that freedom has more than one aspect. We are immediately free in the sense of slavery. But we are also looking forward to the day when that freedom is fully manifested — when the spoils of Christ’s victory are fully experienced by His people. This is why the New Testament speaks to us concerning our hope. ESV Romans 8:18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. 19 For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. 20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. 23 And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. That includes the hope of resurrection. ESV 2 Corinthians 5:1 For we know that if the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. 2 For in this tent we groan, longing to put on our heavenly dwelling, 3 if indeed by putting it on we may not be found naked. 4 For while we are still in this tent, we groan, being burdened-- not that we would be unclothed, but that we would be further clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. 5 He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee. What happens just following the death of Christ speaks of who He is and the liberation He has won.

Topics

• Jesus Christ