Every Nation Faith City - Potchefstroom

It is Finished - A special Message on Good Friday

What Jesus Finished by Dying on the Cross?


Jesus: “I came to FINISH THE WORK my Father sent me to do.” John 4:34


ON THE CROSS

“Knowing that everything was now completed, and that the Scriptures would be fulfilled, Jesus said, ‘I am thirsty’ . . . Then after he was given a drink, he shouted, “IT IS FINISHED!” And with that, he bowed his head and GAVE UP his spirit.” John 19:28-30

‘TETELESTAI’ (“IT IS FINISHED”) WAS USED MANY WAYS

• Servant: The job has been completed!

• Judge: Justice has been served!

• Accountant: The debt has been paid in full!

• Artist: The work of art has been finished!

• Priest: The offering has been given!


WHAT DID JESUS “FINISH” ON THE CROSS?

1. HE PAID MY PENALTY AND CANCELLED MY DEBT

“The law of Moses could not save us, because of our sinful nature. But God put into effect a different plan to save us. He sent his own Son in a human body like ours . . . and gave his Son as a sacrifice for our sins. God did this so that the requirement of the law would be fully accomplished FOR us . . .” Romans 8:3-4 (NLT)

“Christ died to set people free from the penalty of the sins they committed
under that first covenant.” Hebrews 9:15 (NLT)

“God wiped out the charges and cancelled the record of all the times we’ve disobeyed God’s commandments. Jesus took our guilt on his own body and nailed it to the cross”. Colossians 2:14

“After Jesus had FINISHED HIS WORK, he became the source of
eternal salvation for everyone who obeys him.”
Hebrews 5:9 (GW)

2. HE DEFEATED THE FEAR OF DEATH

“The sin of one man, Adam, caused death to rule over us, but all who receive God’s wonderful, gracious gift of righteousness will live in triumph over sin and death through this one man, Jesus Christ.” Romans 5:17 (NLT)

“Jesus became flesh and blood by being born in human form. For only as a human being could he die, and only by dying could he break the power of the Devil, who had the power of death. Only in this way could he deliver those who have lived all their lives as slaves to the fear of dying.”
Hebrews 2:14-15 (NLT)


3. HE BROKE SATAN’S POWER TO MESS UP MY LIFE

“God rescued us from the dark power of Satan and brought us into the kingdom of his dear Son.” Colossians 1:13 (CEV)

• Because of the Cross, I can RESIST TEMPTATION
“. . .You can trust God to not allow any temptation greater than your power to resist it. Also, when you are tempted, God will provide a way of escape so that you can defeat it.” 1 Corinthians 10:13

• Because of the Cross, I can REJECT CONDEMNATION
“God took away Satan’s power to accuse you of sin, and God openly displayed to the whole world Christ’s triumph at the cross where your sins were all taken away.” Colossians 2:15 (LB)


4. HE CREATED A FAMILY OF EVERY NATION AND RACE

“Christ has made peace between Jews and Gentiles by making us all one family, breaking down the wall of hostility that separated people . . . Now we are no longer considered foreigners or outsiders, but we all can be fellow citizens and members of God’s family!”
Ephesians 2:14+19 (LB/NCV)


5. HE PAID FOR MY SALVATION FOREVER!

“You can be certain of this: God who began his good work within you, will continue his work in you until it is FINALLY FINISHED on that day when Christ Jesus comes back again!” Philippians 1:6

“Saving is ALL his idea, and ALL his work. All we do is trust him enough to let him do it. It’s God's gift from start to FINISH!” Ephesians 2:8 (The Message)