Good Friday -- "It Is Finished"
Gathering
Take time to gather informally and preview the service outline. If you'd like to participate in communion, please be prepared to do so.
Service
I. Opening
Welcome and Introduction: Welcome to our Good Friday service. We gather to reflect deeply on the magnitude of Christ's sacrifice for us—a total, selfless act that changed the course of history and our lives forever. We explore themes of sacrifice, redemption, and the ultimate victory over death that Jesus secured for us.
Opening Prayer: Lord, we remember Your sacrifice. You bore our sins, our pain, and our burdens on the cross, saying, 'It is finished.' Help us grasp the depth of Your love and the finality of Your victory over sin and death. In Your name, we pray, Amen.
Scripture: John 19:28-30 -- Later, knowing that everything had now been finished, and so that Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, 'I am thirsty.' A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus’ lips. When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.
II. Worship and Praise
Let's enter into a time of worship. As we enjoy Big Bad John by Jimmy Dean on the Ed Sullivan Show recirded so long ago--contemplate the themes of heroism and sacrifice depicted in the song. While vastly different in context, the song can remind us of the ultimate sacrifice made by Jesus, the true hero for all humanity. Reflect on His willingness to lay down His life for us, bearing the weight of the world's sins.
Video Link: Jimmy Dean "Big Bad John" on The Ed Sullivan Show (youtube.com)
Reflection: Here’s some points of reflection that can help deepen your engagement with the song's themes and how they relate to Good Friday:
- Consider the parallels between the sacrificial act in the song and Jesus' sacrifice on the cross.
- Reflect on what "It is finished" means to you personally in light of Jesus' ultimate sacrifice.
- Think about how you can live in response to the depth of Jesus' love and sacrifice for us.
III. Communion
Communion is a sacred time to remember Jesus' sacrifice, offering us forgiveness and eternal life through faith. This act is for those who have welcomed Jesus as their Savior and leader. If you're still on your journey of faith, please feel free to observe and reflect during this time. Know that you're valued and respected, regardless of where you are in your spiritual journey.
For those who have chosen to follow Jesus, let's share in communion together. We'll start with the bread, symbolizing Jesus' body given for us, and then share the cup, representing His blood shed for a new covenant of grace and forgiveness.
- "Jesus took bread, blessed it, broke it, and gave it to His disciples, saying, 'Take, eat; this is My body.'" (Matthew 26:26; Mark 14:22) -- Please partake of the bread.
- “He took a cup, gave thanks, and said, 'Drink from it, all of you. This is My blood of the covenant, poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.'" (Matthew 26:27-28; Mark 14:23-24) -- Please partake of the cup,
Prayer: Heavenly Father, we humbly thank You for the gift of Your Son, Jesus Christ, who established this new covenant of love and forgiveness with His sacrifice. May this communion deepen our connection to You and to each other as Your family. Guide us to live out the grace we've received in our words and actions every day. Amen.
IV: It Is Finished
Today, our message centers on ‘It is finished,” the final words Jesus spoke on the cross. These words aren't just a farewell; they're a declaration of completion, love, and victory. We'll explore how His sacrifice shows His immense love for us, the personal and communal impact of this love, and the ultimate victory Jesus secured for all humanity.
The Weight of Sacrifice
When Jesus said, “It is finished” on the cross, He wasn't just marking the end of His life; He was completing God's plan for our salvation. This was about more than His suffering—it was His deliberate choice to suffer because of His love for us. Through His pain, He was doing everything needed to save us from our sins and bring us back to God.
“That debt of sin you’ve heard about? Paid off. The gap between you and God? Closed for good. Eternal life? It's yours,” is what Jesus declared with “It is finished.” It shows us how deep His love is—He chose the cross, knowing it was the only way to set us free.
Let's not forget what this means for us. Jesus' love and sacrifice call us to live differently—to love others, bear our own challenges bravely, and enjoy the freedom He won for us. It’s about recognizing the price He paid and responding by living lives that reflect His love and sacrifice.
The Depth of Love
Jesus' final words, “It is finished,” tell us everything we need to know about His love for us. It wasn’t just about ending His suffering; it was about completing the work God sent Him to do for our sake. His choice to go to the cross was about love—a love so vast that it chose to endure the ultimate suffering to redeem us.
This love did what nothing else could: it paid our sin's price in full, bridged the gap between us and God, and secured our place in eternal life. Jesus made the ultimate sacrifice, not out of obligation, but out of love for each of us.
Understanding this love changes how we live. It calls us to love others, to face our challenges with courage, and to live in the freedom Jesus won for us. Remember, every step we take in response to His love honors the sacrifice He made and reflects that love to the world around us.
The Victory Secured
By saying “It is finished,” Jesus announced the ultimate victory—over sin and death. His sacrifice was the final blow in the battle for our souls, ensuring that anyone who believes in Him can find new life and hope. This wasn't just a moment of triumph for Him; it's a victory for all of us, offering freedom from sin's hold and the promise of eternal life with God.
This victory means we're no longer bound by our past mistakes or the fear of death. Instead, we're invited into a life filled with hope, guided by the certainty of Jesus' victory on our behalf.
Let's live in this victory, not just thankful for what Jesus has done, but actively sharing this hope with others. Our lives, transformed by His sacrifice, are the strongest testament to the victory Jesus secured for us.
Conclusion
In closing, Jesus' words, “It is finished,” mark a pivotal moment for all of us. His sacrifice on the cross was driven by a love so deep, it changed the course of history and our lives. This love calls us to respond, to live differently, embracing the victory over sin and death He secured. Let's move forward with the hope and freedom His sacrifice offers, reflecting His love in our daily lives.
V: Offering
As we continue in our worship, we have the opportunity to participate in the act of giving. The Bible reminds us in 2 Corinthians 9:7 (NIV), "Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver."
Join me in prayer as we prepare our hearts for this act of giving. Heavenly Father, we thank You for the blessings You have bestowed upon us. As we bring our offerings before You today, we do so with hearts full of gratitude. May these gifts be used for the furthering of Your Kingdom and the spreading of Your love. Bless each giver abundantly, and may our cheerful giving be a reflection of Your generosity toward us. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.
As we collect the offering, we do want to remind everyone that this part of the service is an opportunity to give but is in no way considered a requirement. We have the special opportunity here at Prepper Church to give all of the offering to a good cause that we choose.
Thank you for your generous hearts and faithful giving. Your contributions play a vital role in supporting the causes that we support. May God bless you abundantly as you continue to be cheerful givers. Amen.
VI: Closing
Closing Prayer: Dear Lord, as we leave we carry the weight and the wonder of Your words, “It is finished.” Thank You for the love that led You to the cross, for the sacrifice that speaks louder than words, and for the victory over sin and death. Help us to live in the light of Your sacrifice, to share Your love with others, and to walk in the victory You've won for us every day. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Closing Remarks: As we leave tonight, let's carry with us the profound truth of Christ's final words, 'It Is Finished.' May we live each day in the light of His sacrifice, remembering the depth of His love and the victory He won for us. May His peace be with you.
Local Group Discussion and Fellowship
Here are a few suggestions to consider for discussion points after the service, aimed at deepening the congregation's engagement with the message:
- Understanding It is Finished: What does Jesus' declaration, "It is finished," mean to you personally? How does it change your understanding of His sacrifice and victory?
- The Depth of Christ's Love: How does acknowledging the depth of Jesus' love, demonstrated through His willingness to suffer, impact your relationship with Him and with others?
- Living in Victory: Jesus' victory over sin and death offers us new life and hope. How can we live out this victory in our daily lives? What changes might we need to make?
- Sharing the Message: The message of Jesus' sacrifice and victory is powerful. How can we share this message with those around us who may not know or understand it?
- Responding to the Sacrifice: Knowing the extent of Jesus' sacrifice for us, how are we called to respond? Are there areas in our lives where we need to surrender more fully to Him?
- The Role of Forgiveness: Jesus' sacrifice on the cross was the ultimate act of forgiveness. How does this influence our approach to forgiveness in our own lives?
- Hope and Freedom: With the victory Jesus secured, we are promised hope and freedom. How does this promise affect your outlook on life, especially during challenging times?
These points are designed to facilitate deep reflection and meaningful conversations among attendees, encouraging them to personally connect with the message of Good Friday and its implications for their lives.
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