THE TRUTH ABOUT: Jesus' Death

Matthew 4:8–10 (ESV) It was now about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour, while the sun’s light failed. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. Then Jesus, calling out with a loud voice, said, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!” And having said this he breathed his last.

• FACTS: the accurate personal assessment informing practical next steps leading to natural outcomes.

• LIES: the deceived assessment demanding destructive next steps leading to “less-than” outcomes.

• THE TRUTH: the revelation of God’s assessment inviting  faith-filled obedient participation in next steps leading to  supernatural “more-than” outcomes.

Do not be limited by facts. 

Don’t be deceived by lies. 

Hear from Heaven and act.

The Facts About Jesus Death

• Assessment: Dead

• Unexpected!

• Matthew 4:8–10 (ESV) It was now about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour, while the sun’s light failed. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. Then Jesus, calling out with a loud voice, said, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!” And having said this he breathed his last.

• Next Steps: Burial

• We see, we act. We rarely take the time to listen.

• Luke 23:50–56 (ESV) Now there was a man named Joseph, from the Jewish town of Arimathea. He was a member of the council, a good and righteous man,  who had not consented to their decision and action; and he was looking for the kingdom of God.  This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus.  Then he took it down and wrapped it in a linen shroud and laid him in a tomb cut in stone, where no one had ever yet been laid.  It was the day of Preparation, and the Sabbath was beginning.  The women who had come with him from Galilee followed and saw the tomb and how his body was laid.  Then they returned and prepared spices and ointments. On the Sabbath they rested according to the commandment.

• Outcome: Return To Old Life

• “He’s dead. There’s no changing that”

• “I guess it wasn’t meant to be”

• John 21:2–3 (ESV) Simon Peter, Thomas (called the Twin), Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples were together.  Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We will go with you.” They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.

SLIDE:  The Lies About Jesus Death

• Assessment: He’s Not God, He’s Just A Man

• Matthew 27:39–44 (ESV) And those who passed by derided him, wagging their heads  and saying, “You who would destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save yourself! If you are the Son of God, come down from the cross.”  So also the chief priests, with the scribes and elders, mocked him, saying,  “He saved others; he cannot save himself. He is the King of Israel; let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him.  He trusts in God; let God deliver him now, if he desires him. For he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’ ” And the robbers who were crucified with him also reviled him in the same way.

• Next Steps: Conspiracy

• Matthew 28:11–15 (ESV) While they were going, behold, some of the guard went into the city and told the chief priests all that had taken place.  And when they had assembled with the elders and taken counsel, they gave a sufficient sum of money to the soldiers  and said, “Tell people, ‘His disciples came by night and stole him away while we were asleep.’  And if this comes to the governor’s ears, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble.”  So they took the money and did as they were directed. And this story has been spread among the Jews to this day. 

• Outcome: Unbelief

• 2 Corinthians 4:4 (ESV) In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.

SLIDE The Truth About Jesus Death

• God’s Assessment: He’s Alive

• John 10:17–18 (MSG) This is why the Father loves me: because I freely lay down my life. And so I am free to take it up again.  No one takes it from me. I lay it down of my own free will. I have the right to lay it down; I also have the right to take it up again. I received this authority personally from my Father.”

• John 21:4–8 (ESV) Just as day was breaking, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus.  Jesus said to them, “Children, do you have any fish?” They answered him, “No.”  He said to them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in, because of the quantity of fish.  That disciple whom Jesus loved therefore said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” 

• Next Steps: Embrace & Obey

• John 21:7–8 (ESV) When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment, for he was stripped for work, and threw himself into the sea.  The other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land, but about a hundred yards off.

• Acts 1:4–5 (ESV) And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, “you heard from me;  for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”

• Outcome: Power Like Jesus

• Acts 2:1–2 (ESV) When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place.  And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting.

Where are you with God?

• Do not be limited by facts. 

• Don’t be deceived by lies. 

• Hear from Heaven and act.