Highlands Fellowship GOOD FRIDAY SERVICE Transcript

Well, hey everybody and welcome to this Good Friday evening service as we remember the crucifixion of Jesus, which was the ultimate act of love. Jesus has given us clear instructions to remember his body that was given for us and his blood that was shed for the forgiveness of sin. And my prayer is that Jesus' sacrifice would be at the forefront of our minds during our time together and that our hearts would be open to what it is that God would have for us this evening. Because here's the truth. Jesus died so that we could be forgiven and that we could have eternal life. And he's done everything that needs to be done to make that possible.

Everything except one thing. We have to accept it. We have to believe in him, to trust in him, and have faith that Jesus paid the price with his death. And he was the perfect sacrifice for our sins. The problem is we like to hold on to things, don't we? We like to hold on to doubt, we like to hold on to skepticism, we like to hold on to control, to worldly possessions, to our own desires. And as long as we hold on, it's hard to to fully follow a savior who was crucified for us.

So tonight, what I want to do is I want to ask you a question, one that will guide our time together this evening. And here's the question. What must I release in order to truly follow a crucified savior? What must I release in order to truly follow a crucified savior? And as we wrestle with that question, I think it brings up even bigger questions, right? Ultimately, every single one of us has to answer the most fundamental question of life. Do you really trust God?

From the very beginning, that has been the question. In the garden, the enemy didn't come with force, but he came with a question. Did God really say? In other words, can you trust him? And that same question echoes at the cross. Because the cross is is where everything seems to fall apart. Darkness covers the land. The son of God is mocked. He's beaten, rejected, and crucified.

And from the cross, Jesus cries out in Matthew chapter 27 verse 46, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" And that cry gives voice to to something that we all experience. Even Jesus, who is fully God and fully man, experienced the weight of separation. The heaviness and the depth of pain. When life goes dark, when we don't understand, when prayers go unanswered, when when pain doesn't make sense, we ask the same question. Why? Why?

Even in the midst of our deepest doubts, the cross shows us something absolutely incredible. That God sees more than we do. We don't see the whole story. As scripture reminds us in 1 Corinthians chapter 13 verse 12, "Now we see only a reflection as in a mirror." Like right now, we only see part. There are things that we cannot fully understand. God's ways are higher than our ways.

But even in our uncertainty, we can hold on to what we do know. And that is that God is good, that God is for us, and God is with us. And in that truth, the cross becomes more than a place of suffering. It actually becomes a place where trust is tested and trust is formed. Here's something that I want you to remember tonight. Is that Jesus chose to go to the cross. Jesus chose to go to the cross.

Jesus didn't stumble into the cross. He chose it. The cross in the first century was not a symbol of hope like it is for us today. It was a symbol of horror. It was an instrument of shame, a tool of execution, like a public declaration that someone was worthless. People didn't wear crosses. They feared them.

And yet Jesus willingly took it up and he chose to die on it. He endured mockery from the crowd, rejection from the religious leaders, physical torture from soldiers, and public humiliation in front of absolutely everyone, and still he stayed. Not because he lacked the power to come down, but because he was committed to something greater. Isaiah had prophesied it centuries earlier in Isaiah chapter 53, verse 3, where he said he would be despised and rejected. And then in verse 5, he said, "Pierced for our transgressions, crushed for our iniquities." The cross was not an accident. It was the plan.

And at the center of that plan is this truth. Jesus didn't just die on a cross, but he carried the full weight of sin and judgment for us. This is why he cried out in agony. He wasn't just experiencing physical pain, although he was experiencing tons of physical pain. He was entering into the full consequence of sin. Scripture tells us in second 2 Corinthians chapter 5, verse 21, that God made him who had no sin to be sin for us.

And on the cross, our guilt was placed on him. Our shame was carried by him, and our judgment was absorbed by him. And what looked like defeat was actually redemption. And what looked like darkness was salvation unfolding. Here's something else I want you to understand this evening. Is that Jesus calls us to take up the cross as well.

So, Jesus chose to go to the cross for the punishment of our sin, and then Jesus turns to us and he says something shocking. And Luke chapter 9 verse 23 says this, "Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me." When he said that, the cross wasn't a metaphor at that time. It was real. The the people listening knew exactly what he meant. To take up a cross meant a one-way journey. No turning back. It meant death to self.

And this is where we often misunderstand discipleship, I think. We think that following after Jesus means just basically just adding him to our lives. Well, Jesus says it means surrendering our lives to him. Like your cross your cross is not a bad day, okay? Your cross is not dealing with somebody that has a difficult personality. Your cross isn't an inconvenience. No. Your cross is surrender.

It's laying down your right to control your life. It's saying, as Jesus did, "Not my will, but your will be done." And Jesus modeled this in the garden even before he ever carried the cross physically. And he calls us to do the same thing. So, I have to ask you, what do you need to lay down to follow Jesus fully? Because you cannot carry a cross while you're just clinging to everything else. Following Jesus always involves letting go.

So, what do you need to lay down and what do you need to take up? Let me give you a few ideas. Number one is this. Lay down control and trust his will. You know, we want control so bad. We we want to understand, we want clarity, we want answers. But faith often means taking the next step without fully understanding. The cross reminds us that that we don't see the whole picture. So, we trust the one who does.

Number two is lay down reputation and embrace humility. You know, the cross was designed for public humiliation. And Jesus, he was mocked. If you are really the son of God, why don't you save yourself and come down? And he said nothing. Why? Because he was not driven by the approval of people. If we follow Jesus, we must release the need to protect our image. And that's what we're talking about here. Humility is not weakness. It's surrender.

Number three, lay down sin and receive forgiveness. From the cross, Jesus prayed, "Father, forgive them, for they don't even know what they're doing." In the middle of injustice, he still offers mercy. And when he did that, he revealed our greatest need. And that is the forgiveness of sin. And it also gives us our calling. If we have been forgiven, we must forgive. Not because it's easy, but because it's necessary.

Forgiveness means praying for those who hurt you, releasing bitterness and choosing peace over revenge, just to name just a few things. But we don't carry sin. We lay it down. We give it to the Lord. And then number four is this, lay down self-preservation and choose obedience. At the cross, Jesus did not save himself so that he could save us. And everything in us wants to protect ourselves, to avoid pain, avoid discomfort, avoid sacrifice.

But obedience to Jesus Christ often leads us through difficulty. Jesus said yes to the cross. And now we are called to say yes to him. So, what do you need to lay down in order to follow Jesus fully? Here's something else that I want you to remember tonight. It's that Jesus accomplished his task on the cross. As Jesus breathed his last, he declared, "It is finished." Not, "I am finished," but "It is finished."

The work was complete, the debt was paid, sin was defeated, the cross was not the end, but it was the fulfillment of everything that God had promised. I mean I mean think about that for just a moment. All the prophecies, all of the promises, every scripture that pointed to a savior was fulfilled. Every need of humanity that only God could meet was fulfilled. Every chain that enslaved by sin was broken. And because Jesus accomplished his task, we no longer live for an unfinished purpose.

The resurrection power, it proves that his work was perfect. It was complete and sufficient. And because of that, he invites us into a life of purpose. Scripture calls us to respond, to strengthen what remains in our lives, and to complete what God has started in us. So, the question for each of us is this. What is your unfinished business? What is your unfinished business?

Where has God called you to step forward, to take action and follow through? Finishing strong requires a commitment. Not just starting something, but completing it. Finishing strong also requires taking the next step. Not taking 10 steps right now, or or trying to plan your whole life out, but just taking the next step in faith that God has given you. Because God doesn't show you everything. He gives you just enough light for the next step.

So, what is your next step? Is it forgiveness that you need to extend to someone? Is it a relationship that needs restoration in your life? Is it a calling or purpose that God has placed in your heart that you've been putting off for some time? I mean, the cross reminds us that we don't have to do it alone. Jesus invites us to take hold of the victory that he has already won and move forward in faith with him.

You know, over the past few weeks I've spent a lot of time studying and thinking about the cross and what Jesus was actually doing when he willingly went to the cross to die for us. And what stands out is this. The cross isn't just about what Jesus accomplished. It's also about the invitation that he gives each of us today. Which brings us to the final point. The invitation of the cross.

When Jesus was crucified, he wasn't alone. There were two criminals hanging beside him. Both were guilty. Both were broken. Both were equally close to Jesus, but they responded very differently. One of them mocked him, even in his suffering, even at the edge of death, his heart was hard. He wanted relief, but he didn't want repentance. He wanted to be out of his situation, but he did not want to surrender.

But the other criminal? Something shifted in him. He saw Jesus for who he truly was. He admitted his own guilt. He didn't make excuses, he didn't blame anyone else. He simply said in Luke chapter 23 verses 41 through 43, "We are getting what our deeds deserve, but this man, Jesus, has done nothing wrong." And so he turns to Jesus and he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." And in one of the most powerful moments in scripture, Jesus responds, "Today, you will be with me in paradise."

Don't miss this, okay? Don't miss this. That man had nothing to offer. No good works left to do. No time to fix his past, no ability to prove himself. All he could do was surrender. And that was enough. That's the invitation of the cross. It's not about having it all together. It's not about cleaning yourself up first. It's not about earning your way to God. It's about recognizing your need and turning to Jesus and surrendering your life to him.

And this brings us right back to that question that I started with. What must we release? What must I release in order truly follow a crucified savior. Because here's the reality. Both criminals were close to Jesus, but only one surrendered. So, what is it for you? What are you still holding on to? Is it control? Is it doubt? Is it pride? Is it a sin that you don't want to let go of? Is it unforgiveness? Is it fear or bitterness or self-reliance?

Like, what do you need to lay down so that you can fully receive what Jesus has already done for you? Because the same invitation given on that cross is still being offered today. And the question is, how will you respond? How will you respond? Will you walk away tonight unchanged? I mean, thinking about it, maybe even agreeing with parts of it, but still holding on to your life the way that it is? Or, will you come to Jesus in surrender?

Like, you can release what you've been what you've been holding on to so tightly and place your trust in Jesus Christ. Because surrender isn't just a feeling. It's a decision. It's saying, "I'm not going to be the one in charge anymore. Jesus, you are in charge." And here's the truth. There is no neutral response to the cross. Just like the two criminals, you don't get to stay in the middle. You either reject him or you receive him.

So, if that's you tonight, and and you feel a pull in your heart right now, if you know that God is stirring something inside of you, and if you're ready to stop holding on to what what you've got in your life, and you're going to be trusting in Jesus Christ with your life right now, where you are, you can respond to him. So today lay it down. Trust him when life goes dark, and follow him fully. Take up your cross and follow him. Because you cannot follow a crucified savior while you're holding on so tightly to everything else.

But, here's the hope. When you lay your life down, you don't lose your life, but you actually find it. Because on the other side of the cross, it's not just death. It's life. It's freedom. It's forgiveness. It's restoration. And it is the presence of a savior who walked through darkness so that you never have to walk through it alone. Would you pray with me today?

God, we thank you so much for your word, for the gift of your son, Jesus Christ, who went to the cross, chose to go to the cross, to be crucified, sacrificed really for the forgiveness of sin. And today we have an opportunity to respond to it. Each and every day we have an opportunity to respond to this free gift of grace that you give through your son, Jesus Christ. If there's somebody here today who has never responded to this, and have never said, "I want to give my heart and life over to Jesus Christ." Right now is your opportunity. Don't let another minute go by without giving your heart and life over to Jesus Christ and following him with everything you've got. Fully surrendering your life to him.

Because we think sometimes when we lay down our lives and give it over to Christ, that that is the end. We are done. No more fun, no more games. It's just, you know, no more fun. But the reality is the commands that God gives us in scripture are not there to hold us back. But they are there to truly bless our lives. And I've seen so many people who have tried it their own way only to live in regret and shame and disappointment. But when they give their heart and life over to Jesus Christ they live life in a better way. With joy and peace and patience, kindness love. The fruits of the spirit. It's just better.

And so I'm going to give you an opportunity to give your heart and life over to Jesus Christ. To say, I admit that I'm a sinner, just like that criminal did on the cross. He said, I've done wrong. I'm getting what my sins deserve. I'm getting death. I've done wrong as well, and I admit to that. And God, I trust you that you sent your son Jesus to die on the cross to be the sacrifice for my sins. And I believe that your death covers my sin. And I want to give my life to you and follow you with everything I've got.

If you've prayed that prayer, welcome to the family of God. We're so glad that you're part of the family and that you're following Jesus Christ, but don't do it alone. Let's walk together. Maybe there's somebody here today who maybe you accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior years ago. But as scripture teaches we have to take up our cross daily and follow after Jesus if we're going to be his disciples. Help us to remember that. Help us to remember that this is a daily decision to lay our stuff down at the foot of the cross and to follow you. Fully surrendered to the life that you've called us to.

So God, we're asking you to do a work in our hearts that only you can do. By the power of your spirit, work in our hearts and in our lives. Give us the strength, and courage, the boldness to continue to follow after you with everything we've got. Because God, we love you and we thank you for dying on the cross for our sins. It's in the name of Jesus we pray and everybody said, amen.