1 00:00:14,099 --> 00:00:17,339 Welcome to the Lansdale Life Church podcast. 2 00:00:18,359 --> 00:00:24,100 If you're seeking a closer relationship with Jesus Christ, this podcast is for you. 3 00:00:24,900 --> 00:00:26,580 Thank you for joining us today. 4 00:00:34,920 --> 00:00:42,140 Thanks for coming out today and just commemorating Christ in this way as we 5 00:00:42,859 --> 00:00:51,880 realize this is such a heavy day. The Lord always, the Spirit always just weighs on me during this day. 6 00:00:57,560 --> 00:01:01,200 And I can't make much sense of it, you know, because we know the outcome. 7 00:01:02,500 --> 00:01:11,379 I was reminded this morning how, you know, Jesus, when He was going to raise Lazarus from the dead, 8 00:01:13,240 --> 00:01:18,780 it was the first time that He was recorded to cry, you know, and yet He knew the outcome, 9 00:01:19,480 --> 00:01:26,219 yet He was still brought to tears because of the heaviness of the situation, the grief. 10 00:01:26,439 --> 00:01:35,859 And as we just remember what the Lord has done for us today, and He paid it all. 11 00:01:36,439 --> 00:01:44,180 Like we were singing, like, this was it, you know. And so we're going to be taking a look 12 00:01:45,140 --> 00:01:49,540 in Matthew chapter 27 and reading this account. 13 00:01:53,359 --> 00:01:59,959 And today's going to be a little different for a Good Friday. We're going to 14 00:02:01,120 --> 00:02:06,739 have communion together later on, which is not highly unusual. I think we usually do. 15 00:02:08,039 --> 00:02:14,319 But also, today we're staying longer till 3 p.m., whoever can or wants to. 16 00:02:14,860 --> 00:02:22,060 There was a few requests made of those who wanted to stay behind and just pray for a while. So 17 00:02:22,060 --> 00:02:27,520 to commemorate this three hours of darkness before Christ gave up His Spirit, 18 00:02:28,799 --> 00:02:33,800 it's interesting because the Lord was already telling me, you know, it would be great to have 19 00:02:33,800 --> 00:02:39,020 a three-hour time together, whoever can be here. And then suddenly someone asked, 20 00:02:39,300 --> 00:02:45,020 is it okay if we stay and pray till 3 p.m.? And I said, well, there's the answer to that, you know. 21 00:02:46,380 --> 00:02:51,900 So if you can or want to stay for a while afterwards, you know, again, there's no pressure. 22 00:02:52,879 --> 00:02:59,800 And we're just going to pray together and, you know, possibly even open up prayers yourself if 23 00:02:59,800 --> 00:03:06,639 you want to rise up and pray. But it's just a great memorial right now to just remember. In fact, 24 00:03:06,719 --> 00:03:13,319 one of those songs said, is it good to remember? It is. You know, it really is. I mean, we know 25 00:03:13,319 --> 00:03:19,500 Sunday's coming. Praise the Lord. You know, we sang a song last Sunday about that. 26 00:03:20,180 --> 00:03:25,599 That, you know, Good Friday is good because Sunday's coming. You know, it didn't end on 27 00:03:25,599 --> 00:03:34,159 Good Friday. But as we just remember this time and thank the Lord really for 28 00:03:34,959 --> 00:03:43,379 just giving it all, giving Himself completely for each and every one of us. Amen. So let's take a 29 00:03:43,379 --> 00:03:51,199 look at Matthew 27. And, you know, it's interesting as you read through the Gospels, as you know, 30 00:03:51,800 --> 00:03:58,099 there's different accounts. And the account of Christ crucifixion is no different. It's, 31 00:03:58,560 --> 00:04:03,259 you know, each Gospel has its own little accents. And we're going to touch on that after this, 32 00:04:03,979 --> 00:04:10,539 some of the key words that the Lord had said on the cross that are missed in Matthew, but 33 00:04:10,539 --> 00:04:15,759 thank God they're captured in the other Gospels. And we're going to look at those seven statements 34 00:04:16,319 --> 00:04:24,139 of Christ on the cross after we're finished reading through this section. So we're going to pray. 35 00:04:24,500 --> 00:04:31,980 And if you want to put your finger there on Matthew 27, verse 32. 36 00:04:35,199 --> 00:04:36,600 Yeah, Father God, just 37 00:04:38,960 --> 00:04:45,959 we just can't thank You enough, Lord. Our whole debt was paid, Lord. 38 00:04:48,560 --> 00:04:55,019 The heavyweight of sin, Lord God, You paid on the cross. You became that perfect 39 00:04:56,060 --> 00:05:05,920 sacrifice on the cross. And so, Lord, as we silence whatever that sound is out there, 40 00:05:06,600 --> 00:05:14,899 in Jesus' name, Lord, we ask You that we could really focus fully on You today and 41 00:05:15,879 --> 00:05:23,379 really just let Your Spirit communicate with us, Lord God. And may Your death on the cross 42 00:05:23,379 --> 00:05:26,019 resonate in our hearts, Lord God, 43 00:05:28,920 --> 00:05:37,240 because this was no small thing that You did. And so, we thank You in Jesus' name, amen. 44 00:05:39,660 --> 00:05:49,740 So, Matthew 27, verse 32. Now, as they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name. 45 00:05:50,460 --> 00:05:57,699 Him, they compelled to bear his cross, Christ's cross. And when they had come to a place called 46 00:05:57,699 --> 00:06:06,019 Golgotha, that is to say, place of a skull, they gave him sour wine mingled with gall to drink. 47 00:06:07,139 --> 00:06:13,560 But when he had tasted it, he would not drink it. And you know, I just want to take, this is 48 00:06:13,560 --> 00:06:19,819 the only real stop we're going to have right here. But you know, this gall would have been 49 00:06:19,819 --> 00:06:26,860 like a novocaine, a painkiller. And they're offering him something to take the edge off 50 00:06:26,860 --> 00:06:34,040 of what he's going through. You know, already he had been beat. Already he had a crown embedded 51 00:06:34,040 --> 00:06:40,399 into his scalp. And these weren't small thorns. These were deep things that got hammered into 52 00:06:40,399 --> 00:06:49,740 his scalp. You know, so he was in great, great pain. And they offered him something that would 53 00:06:49,740 --> 00:06:56,720 take that edge off, you know. And the Lord wanted to feel every aspect of it. Think about that. 54 00:06:58,000 --> 00:07:05,319 He didn't want this to be an easy thing. You know, your sins, He wanted to feel them in every 55 00:07:05,319 --> 00:07:12,220 aspect. So he didn't take anything that would alleviate this. I love what Peter says. 56 00:07:14,300 --> 00:07:21,579 He says, therefore, gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, rest your hope fully upon the 57 00:07:21,579 --> 00:07:28,720 grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. And in another place, 58 00:07:28,720 --> 00:07:35,620 he says, be sober, be vigilant, because your adversary, the devil, walks about like a roaring 59 00:07:35,620 --> 00:07:43,100 lion seeking whom he may devour. You know, Christ had to be on point during this time. You know, 60 00:07:43,100 --> 00:07:50,800 he was fully man and fully God. And he needed to say the things that were meant to be said 61 00:07:50,800 --> 00:07:57,699 and not say anything else, not do anything else. So the last thing he would want to be 62 00:07:57,699 --> 00:08:05,839 is intoxicated by anything. And so I know I can learn a lot from him through this. If I'm going 63 00:08:05,839 --> 00:08:12,100 through a trial to try to numb that with something that will make me respond to pain 64 00:08:12,100 --> 00:08:18,300 in an unrighteous way, the Lord said, no, I'm going to feel this and I'm going to demonstrate 65 00:08:18,300 --> 00:08:24,620 what it is to go through all of this sober minded and alert. Are you glad of that? 66 00:08:25,579 --> 00:08:34,600 So let's continue in verse 35. And then they crucified him and divided his garments, casting lots 67 00:08:35,259 --> 00:08:40,720 that it might be fulfilled, which was spoken by the prophet. They divided my garments among them. 68 00:08:41,539 --> 00:08:47,220 And for my clothing, they cast lots. And that was quoted in Psalm 22 by David 69 00:08:48,180 --> 00:08:55,600 in a prophecy, sitting down, they kept watch over him there and they put up over his head 70 00:08:55,600 --> 00:09:02,179 the accusation written against him. Jesus, this is Jesus, the King of the Jews. 71 00:09:03,299 --> 00:09:08,940 And verse 38, and then two robbers were crucified with him, one on the right 72 00:09:09,580 --> 00:09:19,500 and one on the left, again, fulfilling prophecy that he was tortured among the transgressors. 73 00:09:19,860 --> 00:09:27,600 So he was found among those who were sinners and those who passed by blasphemed him, 74 00:09:28,360 --> 00:09:34,620 wagging their heads and saying, you who destroy the temple and build it up in three days, 75 00:09:34,620 --> 00:09:42,000 save yourself. If you are the son of God, come down from the cross. Likewise, the chief priest also 76 00:09:42,000 --> 00:09:51,200 mocking with the scribes and elders said he saved others himself. He cannot save. If he is the 77 00:09:51,200 --> 00:09:59,740 King of Israel, let him come down from the cross and we will believe him. He trusted in God, 78 00:09:59,740 --> 00:10:08,100 let him deliver him now if he will have him. For he said, I am the son of God. And verse 44, 79 00:10:08,700 --> 00:10:16,600 and when the robbers who were crucified with him reviled him with the same thing, thank God 80 00:10:17,259 --> 00:10:23,899 that Luke captures one of those criminals who actually repented and cried out to the Lord 81 00:10:23,899 --> 00:10:31,000 for forgiveness. We're going to see that soon. And verse 45, now from the sixth hour until the 82 00:10:31,000 --> 00:10:38,860 ninth hour, there was darkness over all the land and about the ninth hour, Jesus cried out with 83 00:10:38,860 --> 00:10:46,960 a loud voice. By the way, this crucifixion began at six in the morning. And so when it says the 84 00:10:46,960 --> 00:10:52,820 sixth hour, it was 12 noon. That's why we met here today at 12 noon. And that's why we're 85 00:10:52,820 --> 00:10:59,179 talking about staying till 3 p.m. because it was a three hour period of time that it was 86 00:10:59,179 --> 00:11:05,720 darkness on the earth. And about the ninth hour, Jesus cried out with a loud voice saying, 87 00:11:08,480 --> 00:11:15,659 that is my God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Again, a prophecy of David in Psalm 22. 88 00:11:16,600 --> 00:11:23,480 And some of those who stood there when they heard that said, this man is calling for Elijah. 89 00:11:24,720 --> 00:11:31,279 Immediately one of them ran and took a sponge, filled it with sour wine and put it on a reed 90 00:11:31,279 --> 00:11:39,679 and offered it to him to drink. The rest said, let him alone, let us see if Elijah will come 91 00:11:39,679 --> 00:11:47,039 to save him. Isn't that interesting? And here Jesus was saving Elijah. Elijah, of course, 92 00:11:47,360 --> 00:11:55,700 was somewhere in Sheol waiting for his redemption and Christ was about to save him. 93 00:11:57,559 --> 00:12:03,500 And then behold the veil of the temple, I'm sorry, verse 50. And Jesus cried out again with 94 00:12:03,500 --> 00:12:10,220 a loud voice and he yielded up his spirit. And then behold, the veil of the temple was torn 95 00:12:10,220 --> 00:12:18,539 into from top to bottom and the earth quaked and the rocks were split and the graves were open. 96 00:12:19,220 --> 00:12:24,559 And many bodies, let's stop there, the graves were open. This next part of this verse happens 97 00:12:24,559 --> 00:12:30,919 after his resurrection. And many bodies of the saints who have fallen asleep were raised and 98 00:12:30,919 --> 00:12:37,919 coming out of the graves after his resurrection, they went into the holy city and appeared to many. 99 00:12:40,360 --> 00:12:47,559 So when the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and the things 100 00:12:47,559 --> 00:12:55,940 that had happened, they feared greatly saying, truly, this was the Son of God. And many women 101 00:12:55,940 --> 00:13:03,120 who followed Jesus from Galilee ministering to him were there looking on from afar, 102 00:13:04,019 --> 00:13:11,720 among whom Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joseph and the mother of Zebedee's sons. 103 00:13:13,759 --> 00:13:22,259 Amen. I'm going to stop there. And so we see this picture of how Matthew captures many of these 104 00:13:22,259 --> 00:13:29,700 things. But I think it's always prudent on Good Friday to remember the seven statements recorded 105 00:13:30,559 --> 00:13:35,379 of what Christ said on the cross. Because I think they're all significant. In fact, 106 00:13:35,620 --> 00:13:38,899 I think it would be a good idea when we go into prayer, whoever can stay, 107 00:13:39,240 --> 00:13:45,960 that we can even look at these seven statements and meditate on those and perhaps pray into these 108 00:13:45,960 --> 00:13:52,360 things. And the things he said was, Father, forgive them for they know not what they do. 109 00:13:53,679 --> 00:14:00,519 And the mocking, looking upon the people who had just scorched him, who hammered that crown 110 00:14:00,519 --> 00:14:08,460 into his head, who hammered those nails into his wrists or hands, into his feet or 111 00:14:09,100 --> 00:14:15,960 lower legs, hammered these things. He's looking at them and he's saying, Father, forgive them. 112 00:14:16,139 --> 00:14:23,899 Could you imagine? I mean, just in the midst of that pain, he could forgive. 113 00:14:25,720 --> 00:14:28,860 And you know, it's awesome, you know, the story of 114 00:14:29,500 --> 00:14:36,759 Stephen when he was stoned to death and in Acts chapter seven, the Lord gave him that word to 115 00:14:36,759 --> 00:14:43,759 say about those who were killing him with stones. He said, Father, forgive them. 116 00:14:44,500 --> 00:14:50,639 You know, I know I can learn more of what Christ did on the cross in forgiveness. In fact, 117 00:14:50,720 --> 00:14:55,460 that's the first ministry he gave the disciples. When he rose from the dead, 118 00:14:55,539 --> 00:15:00,580 he breathed on them, received the Holy Spirit. And he said, forgive each other's sins. 119 00:15:01,360 --> 00:15:08,960 Those you forgive, you are released from those you hold on to. In a sense, when we hold on to 120 00:15:08,960 --> 00:15:16,600 unforgiveness, we are ensnared by our own unforgiveness. And so Jesus said, forgive them. 121 00:15:17,100 --> 00:15:20,980 And I believe with these two criminals, right? One on either side of Christ, 122 00:15:21,820 --> 00:15:28,660 when that one criminal heard this and was just watching the demeanor of Jesus Christ on the 123 00:15:28,899 --> 00:15:37,860 cross, after all of that torture with loving eyes, looking upon the very people who did all this, 124 00:15:38,460 --> 00:15:46,320 when he heard that, I believe the Spirit of God just grabbed him and shook him. And he realized, 125 00:15:46,480 --> 00:15:52,080 no, no, no, this man doesn't belong here, remember? And he said to the other criminal, 126 00:15:52,279 --> 00:15:57,620 he yelled over at him and started rebuking him for mocking Jesus, even though we just read, 127 00:15:57,620 --> 00:16:04,639 he was also doing it moments earlier. And yet he was, he repented. And he said, 128 00:16:05,080 --> 00:16:11,620 remember me when your kingdom comes. And Jesus said, truly, I say today, 129 00:16:12,340 --> 00:16:19,399 truly, I say to you that today you will be with me in paradise. I think that there is the most 130 00:16:19,399 --> 00:16:30,980 profound promise to mankind, because this guy had no time to fix his life up. He had no time 131 00:16:30,980 --> 00:16:37,100 to go back and ask for forgiveness to everyone who he had offended, to try to repay whatever reason 132 00:16:37,100 --> 00:16:42,799 he was hanging on a cross, to say sorry to whoever he may have murdered, to any of that. 133 00:16:42,799 --> 00:16:50,639 It was too late for all of that. All he could do in the throes of death is receive Jesus Christ. 134 00:16:50,840 --> 00:16:55,279 And I just want to say, if you're ever with anyone and they're in the throes of death, 135 00:16:55,879 --> 00:17:01,799 preach the gospel, whether they're in a coma, whether they're alert, whether they respond, 136 00:17:02,320 --> 00:17:08,960 preach the gospel to receive Jesus Christ. Because in the inner hearing of their heart and mind, 137 00:17:08,960 --> 00:17:16,619 they can hear, and they can receive, and they can be saved. It's never too late. Isn't that amazing? 138 00:17:17,180 --> 00:17:24,539 It's never too late. That was the next thing he said. And then as he was still aware of his 139 00:17:24,539 --> 00:17:30,700 mother there, and this was probably when they were still fairly close up, he saw his mother there. 140 00:17:31,579 --> 00:17:38,059 And he said, woman, behold your son, meaning John, the disciple John, not John the Baptist, 141 00:17:38,059 --> 00:17:46,039 the disciple John. Because John was the only recorded male disciple who was standing there 142 00:17:46,039 --> 00:17:53,079 at the foot of the cross. The others had ran away. And then he said to John, behold your mother. 143 00:17:53,660 --> 00:17:59,559 You know, in those last moments of life, he cared for those who cared for him, 144 00:17:59,900 --> 00:18:05,380 and he cared for those who didn't care for him, who killed him. But he made sure that his mother 145 00:18:05,380 --> 00:18:13,019 was cared for. And in the gospel, John, it says from that moment on, that disciple, 146 00:18:13,240 --> 00:18:20,660 meaning himself, took Mary into his home. And so John became the caregiver to Mary. 147 00:18:21,400 --> 00:18:25,799 And then the next thing, and this is when it becomes darkness. This is where we just read, 148 00:18:25,799 --> 00:18:31,980 darkness came upon the earth in that sixth hour, 12 noon. 149 00:18:34,140 --> 00:18:42,579 And Jesus cried out, my God, my God, why have you forsaken me? And that again is recorded 150 00:18:42,579 --> 00:18:51,599 by David in the Psalm 22, 22, 1 actually. And I could not imagine, imagine being David 151 00:18:51,599 --> 00:18:59,680 and he's saying things. And he felt forsaken at that time from God. And David had a lot of 152 00:18:59,680 --> 00:19:04,619 reasons to feel that way. I thought I'm going to be king. I'm running, I'm running, hiding in caves, 153 00:19:05,180 --> 00:19:11,240 hiding for my life from this crazy man, Saul, trying to kill me. And I did nothing wrong. 154 00:19:12,180 --> 00:19:17,940 My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Little did he know he was speaking prophecy 155 00:19:18,740 --> 00:19:25,059 that would come 1800 years later, no, not that long, I'm sorry, about, 156 00:19:26,220 --> 00:19:36,099 yeah, about 1600 years later about Jesus Christ being hanging on the cross. He was speaking, 157 00:19:36,279 --> 00:19:44,460 not for himself only, but for the future Messiah. He was crying out in this way. But you know, 158 00:19:45,220 --> 00:19:51,579 you know, we could debate this, but I do not believe Jesus actually thought he was forsaken. 159 00:19:52,400 --> 00:20:01,940 But he had to feel just like we feel forsaken. He had to feel that because it was dark, right? 160 00:20:02,640 --> 00:20:08,059 And remember Jesus Christ, you know, his face shines down upon us, you know, when that 161 00:20:08,059 --> 00:20:13,500 darkness came, you ever remember, you ever notice how things seem awful scary in the 162 00:20:13,500 --> 00:20:18,259 throes of nighttime. They really do. You're just like, wow, this is everything's worse. 163 00:20:19,339 --> 00:20:23,900 Jesus knew he said to his disciples, you're all going to scatter, but I'm not alone. 164 00:20:24,700 --> 00:20:32,059 Because my father is with me. He knew his father was there, but he needed to sense that forsakeness 165 00:20:32,059 --> 00:20:37,380 on behalf of us when we feel that way. But you know, it's interesting. We don't have the verse, 166 00:20:37,380 --> 00:20:47,200 but David goes on in the same Psalm 22 that says, you will never turn your face away from those who 167 00:20:47,200 --> 00:20:53,480 are oppressed and persecuted. So even David realized, I just said that in verse one, 168 00:20:53,559 --> 00:20:58,720 but I realized it's not true in verse 24 because he never forsakes. In fact, the word says, 169 00:20:58,720 --> 00:21:07,420 I will never leave you nor forsake you. But Jesus had to feel the separation from his father 170 00:21:07,420 --> 00:21:17,579 on behalf of us. And then the next thing he said, I thirst. You know, he craved anything to drink. 171 00:21:17,799 --> 00:21:25,559 You know, crucifixion, the dehydration, they say the tongue just swells up because all the fluids 172 00:21:25,559 --> 00:21:31,500 have left the body almost. And he can probably, the fact he could still speak is a miracle. 173 00:21:32,299 --> 00:21:39,980 And he said, I thirst. And they raised up to him a sponge filled with sour wine. And there's 174 00:21:39,980 --> 00:21:47,740 so many significant things about this sour wine, because it's really a picture of, you know, 175 00:21:47,740 --> 00:21:55,759 he took what was old and decayed, meaning the law, the things that were 176 00:21:56,779 --> 00:22:03,579 no longer going to be significant because Christ was fulfilling all the law and he was becoming 177 00:22:03,579 --> 00:22:11,640 the new wine. Not the sour, the old wine, but he was presenting a new covenant in new wine. And 178 00:22:11,640 --> 00:22:19,619 so he drank that. And then he said, it is finished. And then he said, father, into your hands, 179 00:22:19,799 --> 00:22:28,059 I commit my spirit. So wonderful, those words. And so as we think about this, these three hours 180 00:22:28,059 --> 00:22:33,420 of darkness, I thought it would be a good idea just to look at a few things regarding this, 181 00:22:34,140 --> 00:22:42,720 regarding that, why was it so important to God to specifically make the earth go dark? And you know, 182 00:22:43,240 --> 00:22:50,640 there was, there was records around the world of this event. Okay, I'm not going to overplay this 183 00:22:50,640 --> 00:22:56,440 because, you know, many things become, you know, sometimes people have a tendency of making things 184 00:22:56,440 --> 00:23:02,220 fit even when they don't. But there were definitely early records of this significant, 185 00:23:03,220 --> 00:23:08,460 some thought it was like an eclipse. Well, how do you see an eclipse in China when you were also 186 00:23:08,460 --> 00:23:13,720 seeing it in Jerusalem, right? It can't happen at the same time. There was reports of this 187 00:23:13,720 --> 00:23:21,339 darkness, but also a great earthquake. So this is, you know, significant, this darkness. But I 188 00:23:21,339 --> 00:23:26,119 think it's, it's so much more than what it just seems like, because I think it's, 189 00:23:26,359 --> 00:23:37,240 he's trying to show us something in this darkness. In 1 John 1.5 John says, this is the message which 190 00:23:37,240 --> 00:23:46,640 we have heard from him and declare to you that God is light and in him is no darkness at all. 191 00:23:47,319 --> 00:23:54,279 So the Lord brings the light. Suddenly he's bringing the darkness. And I think it's a picture 192 00:23:54,279 --> 00:24:03,759 of saying, this is what humanity's destiny is apart from me. And I am taking it all upon myself. 193 00:24:04,079 --> 00:24:10,920 I am taking on all the things that would bring your life darkness and dread and misery. Right 194 00:24:10,920 --> 00:24:19,700 now it's all on me. All the weight of all humanity's sins were coming upon him. It's almost like, 195 00:24:19,700 --> 00:24:25,920 like a black hole you've heard in, in space, these black holes, they just suck everything in 196 00:24:25,920 --> 00:24:33,119 all around them and, and galaxies collapse into this black hole. Jesus Christ was just 197 00:24:33,920 --> 00:24:43,079 taking in all of humanity's sins from before and forever. He was absorbing all of it, even Elijah. 198 00:24:44,140 --> 00:24:51,180 He was taking in Elijah's sins and Moses and Abraham's and all of ours. It was all coming 199 00:24:51,180 --> 00:24:59,380 upon him in that instant of time. So I think it's a picture really of humanity apart from him. 200 00:24:59,380 --> 00:25:07,039 And he was saying, no, I have this. It's all coming upon me. And also you almost sense that it's like 201 00:25:07,039 --> 00:25:14,940 a reset button. You know, when God spoke everything in to existence, remember what he first said? 202 00:25:15,759 --> 00:25:24,119 Let there be light. I love Genesis 1, 1 to 4. In the beginning, God created the heavens and the 203 00:25:24,119 --> 00:25:34,579 earth was without form and void and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the spirit of God 204 00:25:34,579 --> 00:25:40,779 was hovering over the face of the waters. And then God said, let there be light. And there was 205 00:25:40,779 --> 00:25:47,079 light. And God saw the light that it was good. And God divided the light from the darkness. 206 00:25:47,079 --> 00:25:55,759 In the very beginning, he chose not to expose light into creation until he said, let there be light. 207 00:25:56,119 --> 00:26:02,099 Now he's saying, let there be darkness because I want everyone to know without me, there is 208 00:26:02,099 --> 00:26:12,859 no light. He is the light. He is the only light. We cannot see or even have existence apart from him. 209 00:26:12,859 --> 00:26:21,839 I love this other verse that also resonates about this. John 1, 5 and 9 says, 210 00:26:22,640 --> 00:26:28,259 and the light shines in the darkness and the darkness did not comprehend it. 211 00:26:28,920 --> 00:26:34,460 That was the true light, which gives light to every man coming into the world, 212 00:26:35,400 --> 00:26:40,240 coming into the world like he is the light of all living life. 213 00:26:40,240 --> 00:26:50,539 Did you ever hear of the zinc spark? So neither did I until a few years ago. But I had heard that 214 00:26:50,539 --> 00:27:00,940 when a sperm meets the egg and conception, thanks for that word Jill, 215 00:27:02,319 --> 00:27:08,140 conception happens in that very instant. There's a spark. Now it's not to the visible eye, 216 00:27:08,140 --> 00:27:15,920 but to highly sophisticated laboratory instruments, they can pick up this spark. It's like a calcium 217 00:27:15,920 --> 00:27:24,319 that ignites as soon as that sperm enters the egg. And in a sense, it's why all life is a gift from 218 00:27:24,319 --> 00:27:32,059 God. And we see this that he is the light. And so Jesus is saying, apart from me, there is no light. 219 00:27:32,059 --> 00:27:40,579 In fact, he even said about himself in John 8, 12, I am the light of the world. Think about that. 220 00:27:41,299 --> 00:27:46,599 I am the light of the world. He who follows me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light 221 00:27:46,599 --> 00:27:54,539 of life. So here he is, the light of the world about to go out in the flesh. 222 00:27:55,259 --> 00:28:04,400 He wanted to garnish this very moment with darkness because he is the only light. Without him, 223 00:28:04,400 --> 00:28:11,700 there is no light. We have no life or light in us. And this is what he's trying to say is that 224 00:28:12,460 --> 00:28:19,839 this is a significant period of time right this moment. And isn't it amazing that as soon as he 225 00:28:19,839 --> 00:28:28,160 said, Father, into your hands, I commit my spirit. And he left that the lights went back on. 226 00:28:29,000 --> 00:28:35,380 Because that was at that point, 3 p.m. And and there was a light again. And everyone just saw 227 00:28:35,380 --> 00:28:45,140 like, what? Like, how did that just happen? And the earthquakes and the temple veil was torn from 228 00:28:45,140 --> 00:28:49,940 top to bottom. And they're hearing all this, like, there's something going on in this city. 229 00:28:50,500 --> 00:28:57,599 And they were just pierced with recognition that this is a holy moment. There's something 230 00:28:57,599 --> 00:29:04,359 supernatural way beyond my perception that's happening here. And I'm not sure what it was. 231 00:29:04,519 --> 00:29:13,500 They were not sure until he rose from the dead. You know, as we, as we, I wouldn't say celebrate 232 00:29:13,500 --> 00:29:18,980 this day, but in a sense, because we know the outcome. But as we remember this day 233 00:29:19,740 --> 00:29:27,940 of darkness and these three hours of darkness of what the Lord garnished his crucifixion with. 234 00:29:28,900 --> 00:29:37,579 I can't help but remember that there was a time in the history of Israel when the Lord was 235 00:29:37,579 --> 00:29:44,059 bringing the plagues, the ten plagues into Egypt. And you remember what the ninth plague was? 236 00:29:45,619 --> 00:29:52,640 Thick darkness, darkness. The word says that could be felt. I don't know how you feel darkness, 237 00:29:53,160 --> 00:29:59,240 but it's so heavy. It's probably just like a heavy dark blanket, but it was dark. It was 238 00:29:59,240 --> 00:30:05,779 pitch black. They couldn't even see each other, the Egyptians, right? But in the land of Goshen, 239 00:30:07,680 --> 00:30:14,839 they had light. The land of Israel, they did not experience this darkness. They had pure light. 240 00:30:16,019 --> 00:30:22,380 And as we think about this, we as light bearers, because Jesus said, you are the light of the 241 00:30:22,380 --> 00:30:25,599 world. I'm the light of the world. Guess what? You're the light of the world too, 242 00:30:25,960 --> 00:30:33,099 right? You carry the light of Christ. You know, when we commemorate this day of darkness 243 00:30:33,099 --> 00:30:38,240 because of what Christ paid for us, we realize this isn't our destiny right here. 244 00:30:38,799 --> 00:30:44,099 This is how we can build gratitude for what he's done so that when we step into 245 00:30:44,099 --> 00:30:50,039 Easter or resurrection day, we can be the light to the world. Just as Israel said, 246 00:30:50,119 --> 00:30:54,960 you know, it's dark. I hear it's pitch black over there in Egypt, but we see one another 247 00:30:54,960 --> 00:31:02,460 perfectly. You know, we can look from afar and remember this place of darkness where each one of 248 00:31:02,460 --> 00:31:11,019 would have been had we not received Jesus Christ. If we did not have the light of Jesus Christ in us, 249 00:31:11,319 --> 00:31:18,220 that is our destiny. Darkness, misery, dread. You know, it's no joke. I mean, 250 00:31:18,240 --> 00:31:27,799 this is really what it is apart from Jesus Christ. You know, Jesus is the light. I love in Revelation 251 00:31:27,799 --> 00:31:33,339 21. It actually talks about how in this holy city, there is no lights. You know, 252 00:31:33,339 --> 00:31:39,119 we have lights here. We have lights out there in the sun. Well, in the time to come, 253 00:31:39,740 --> 00:31:47,960 the illumination is Jesus himself. Isn't that like what? He is our light. He doesn't need 254 00:31:47,960 --> 00:31:55,779 fixtures. He doesn't need a body up in the space to be radiating light and warmth to us. 255 00:31:55,779 --> 00:32:04,160 He is it. Isn't that amazing? You know, he was before all things. He created all things. 256 00:32:04,259 --> 00:32:13,920 All things were made for him and by him, and he holds all things together. He is the word of God. 257 00:32:15,440 --> 00:32:25,759 And so what we're going to do now is we're going to do a song of worship. Is that okay? And 258 00:32:30,039 --> 00:32:35,799 perhaps if you've never received Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, you know, 259 00:32:35,900 --> 00:32:45,519 what a perfect day to do this. What a perfect day to remember, you know, that is my destiny. 260 00:32:45,900 --> 00:32:53,259 Darkness. It's a dark destiny apart from Jesus Christ. You have no bright future. I'm sorry to 261 00:32:53,259 --> 00:33:01,319 say this, and I know it sounds harsh, but Jesus said that wide is the gateway and many go through 262 00:33:01,319 --> 00:33:09,059 it. The majority of humanity will enter through destruction because narrow is the way Jesus 263 00:33:09,059 --> 00:33:16,380 Christ. There's only one way. He said, I am the way. I am the truth and I am the life. 264 00:33:16,380 --> 00:33:25,299 No man comes to the father except through me. He is the door. He is the gate. He is the only way. 265 00:33:25,680 --> 00:33:32,019 Think about that. He's the only light. He's the only life. It's only Jesus Christ. 266 00:33:35,259 --> 00:33:41,119 In fact, in the word, it says it's better to be in the house of mourning 267 00:33:42,420 --> 00:33:51,519 than in a house of celebration because in that place of mourning, we reflect on our lives 268 00:33:54,000 --> 00:34:01,759 and realize, is my life what it can be? Is my life what it should be? 269 00:34:02,799 --> 00:34:08,780 Do I know my destiny? Do I know my future? You can. 270 00:34:11,119 --> 00:34:14,719 But when you're at a funeral, don't you just, I even thought of myself when I was getting 271 00:34:14,719 --> 00:34:17,559 dressed in a black suit. I'm like, this is, 272 00:34:21,179 --> 00:34:29,260 this is my funeral because Paul said, I have been crucified with Christ. I no longer live 273 00:34:29,260 --> 00:34:36,139 for Christ who lives in me. This is, this is my death. I died with Christ and so did you. 274 00:34:36,139 --> 00:34:45,280 When you receive Jesus Christ, you die with him so that you can live and rise again. 275 00:34:48,960 --> 00:34:51,860 What a day to receive Jesus Christ. 276 00:34:57,880 --> 00:34:59,739 Spirit, God, we ask you 277 00:35:04,759 --> 00:35:13,260 to weigh heavy on us right now with, with perhaps darkness that we can feel if we've, 278 00:35:13,260 --> 00:35:16,699 if we've never received the light. 279 00:35:19,579 --> 00:35:25,339 May this be the darkest day of our lives right here, right now. 280 00:35:31,579 --> 00:35:36,859 Lord, show me how desperate and lost I am right now. 281 00:35:41,179 --> 00:35:49,139 I don't want to leave here thinking I'm going to be okay if I've never received the light, 282 00:35:49,699 --> 00:35:53,000 received your life because I'm not. 283 00:35:58,700 --> 00:36:06,840 Father, God, just show me my days, how limited they are. 284 00:36:10,079 --> 00:36:17,440 And Father, God, if this is the opportunity to say yes to you and receive the gift of salvation, 285 00:36:19,199 --> 00:36:24,179 I want to cry out to you now and to say, Lord, give me your life. Today, 286 00:36:24,639 --> 00:36:28,940 I surrender my life to you to receive yours. 287 00:36:32,199 --> 00:36:37,980 In Jesus name, amen. If you've, if you've prayed anything like that or still want to, 288 00:36:38,059 --> 00:36:43,480 you can come up and see me afterwards. But it's something I had to do. And I actually did it 289 00:36:43,480 --> 00:36:51,579 twice. I prayed at once and I didn't believe it. It took a year to finally be fighting with God 290 00:36:51,579 --> 00:36:59,159 and surrender. Then I knew when I was a basket case bawling my eyes out saying, oh, 291 00:37:02,000 --> 00:37:05,380 that's what it feels like when sin leaves the building. 292 00:37:07,140 --> 00:37:13,119 When the heavy weight, the burden of depravity gets lifted away. 293 00:37:13,800 --> 00:37:15,639 That could be you today. 294 00:37:19,940 --> 00:37:27,460 And Lord, we thank you for this precious gift that you've given us, your own self, 295 00:37:27,840 --> 00:37:35,699 that you came to die for us. He who knew no sin became sin on the cross for us 296 00:37:35,699 --> 00:37:39,860 so that we can become the righteousness of God. Thank you, Lord, for that. 297 00:37:44,300 --> 00:37:49,699 Thanks for joining us at Lansdale Life Church as we praise God and discuss His word. 298 00:37:50,400 --> 00:37:55,880 Don't forget to join us for worship live Sunday mornings at 10 a.m. Eastern on YouTube. 299 00:37:55,880 --> 00:37:58,980 Be blessed and have a great day!