Providence Church of San Diego

Main Text: Luke 23:46 And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost.

I. The seven sayings from the cross.

A. Lk. 23:34 Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.

B. Lk. 23:42-43 And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise.

C. Jn. 19:26-27 When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son! Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home.

D. Mk. 15:34 And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? which is, being interpreted, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?

E. Jn. 19:28 After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst.

F. Jn. 19:30 When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.

G. Lk. 23:46 And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost.

II. The context of the cross.

Jn. 10:17-18 Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.

III. The context of the seventh saying.

Ps. 31:1-5 In thee, O Lord, do I put my trust; let me never be ashamed: deliver me in thy righteousness. Bow down thine ear to me; deliver me speedily: be thou my strong rock, for an house of defence to save me. For thou art my rock and my fortress; therefore for thy name's sake lead me, and guide me. Pull me out of the net that they have laid privily for me: for thou art my strength. Into thine hand I commit my spirit: thou hast redeemed me, O Lord God of truth.

IV. The hands of men and the hands of God.

A. Ps. 31:15 My times are in thy hand: deliver me from the hand of mine enemies, and from them that persecute me.

B. Jn. 10:29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all: and none is able to pluck out of my Father's hand

C. Mt. 26:45 Then cometh he to his disciples, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.

D. Lk. 24:7 Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.

E. Acts 2:23 Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain.

F. "Voluntarily had the Saviour delivered Himself into the hands of sinners, and now, voluntarily He delivers His spirit into the hands of the Father. What a blessed contrast!" Arthur W. Pink

"The act by which the Saviour placed His spirit into the hands of the Father was an act of faith -- 'I commend.' It was a blessed act designed as a precedent for all His people. The last point observable is the manner in which Christ performed this act: He uttered those words 'with a loud voice.' He spoke that all might hear, and that His enemies who judged Him destitute and forsaken of God might know it was not so any longer; but instead, that He was dear to His Father still, and could put His spirit confidently into His hands." Arthur W. Pink

"'The cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it?' (John 18:11). On the cross, at the beginning, the Lord Jesus is still found in communion with the Father, for had He not cried, 'Father, forgive them!' His first crossutterance then, was 'Father forgive' and now His last word is, 'Father into thy hands I commend my spirit.' But between those utterances He had hung there for six hours: three spent in sufferings at the hands of man and Satan; three spent in suffering at the hand of God, as the sword of divine justice was awakened to smite Jehovah’s Fellow. During those last three hours, God had withdrawn from the Saviour, evoking that terrible cry, 'My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?' But now all is done. The cup is drained; the storm of wrath has spent itself; the darkness is past; and the Saviour is seen once more in communion with the Father, never more to be broken." Arthur W. Pink

"On the cross Christ hung as the representative of His people, and therefore we view His last act as a representative one. When the Lord Jesus commended His spirit into the hands of His Father, He also presented our spirits along with His, to the Father's acceptance. Jesus Christ neither lived nor died for Himself, but for believers: what He did in this last act referred to them as much as to Himself. We must look then on Christ as here gathering all the souls of the elect together, and making a solemn tender of them, with His own spirit, to God." Arthur W. Pink

"Let us now remember that it was not in reference to Himself alone that Christ committed His soul to the Father, but that He included, as it were, in one bundle all the souls of those who believe in Him, that they may be preserved along with His own; and not only so, but by this prayer He obtained authority, so that not only does the heavenly Father, for Christ's sake, deign to take them into His custody, but, giving up the authority into His hands, commits them to the Father to be protected. And therefore Stephen also, when dying, resigns his soul into His hands, saying, 'Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.' Every one who, when he comes to die, following this example, believing in Christ, will not breathe his soul at random into the air, but will resort to a faithful guardian, who keeps in safety whatever has been delivered to Him by the Father." John Calvin

"Do you see our Lord? He is dying and yet, His face is pointed toward man. His last word to man is the cry, 'It is finished.' Hear, all ye sons of men, He speaks to you, 'It is finished.' He speaks to you, and declares with His dying utterance, 'It is finished.' Now He has done with you, and He turns His faced the other way. His day's work is done, His more than Herculean toil is accomplished, the great champion is going back to His Father's throne, and He speaks; but not to you. His last word is address to His Father, 'Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit.' Think of these words, and may they be your first words too, when you return to your Father. Our Lord used words quoted from the scriptures. This sentence is taken from the 31st Psalm in the fifth verse. Our Lord was not one of those who think little of the Word of God; He was saturated with it. He could not speak even in His death without uttering scripture. There are no prayers so good as those that are full of the Word of God." Charles Spurgeon

Main Text: Philippians 2:14-16

[14] Do all things without grumbling or disputing, [15] that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, [16] holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain.

Main Idea: The believer’s internal attitude shines externally into the dark world with eternal impact.

1. The Christian life is to be free of ______________________ complaining. (vs. 14)

[14] Do all things without grumbling or disputing...

2. The Christian life shines __________________________ to a dark world. (vs. 15)

[15] that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world...

3. The Christian life has ___________________ impact. (vs. 16)

[16] holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain.

Today’s Discussion Questions: If you were to share a key insight from today’s sermon with a friend, what would you say?

Today’s Lunch Discussion: How does your internal life reflect externally and eternally? Are you a regular complainer? Why is complaining seen as such a dangerous sin? How does a life free of complaining shine brightly in a dark world? What does it mean to be blameless and innocent children of God? Do you look forward to the “Day of Christ?” What was Paul’s reason for laboring so hard in ministry? What did Paul want to boast in? How do we hold fast to the Word of Life?

John. 19:30 When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.

I. The Old Testament context.

Lev. 16:21-22 And Aaron shall lay both his hands upon the head of the live goat, and confess over him all the iniquities of the children of Israel, and all their transgressions in all their sins, putting them upon the head of the goat, and shall send him away by the hand of a fit man into the wilderness: And the goat shall bear upon him all their iniquities unto a land not inhabited: and he shall let go the goat in the wilderness.

II. The New Testament principle

A. Jn. 10:17-18 Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.

III. Our Lord's mindfulness of the importance of finishing His assigned task.

A. Jn. 4:34 Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.

Q. 49. How did Christ humble Himself in His death?

A. Christ humbled Himself in His death, in that having been betrayed by Judas, forsaken by His disciples, scorned and rejected by the world, condemned by Pilate, and tormented by His persecutors; having also conflicted with the terrors of death, and the powers of darkness, felt and borne the weight of God's wrath, He laid down His life an offering for sin, enduring the painful, shameful, and cursed death of the cross. Westminster Larger Catechism

"As Jesus saw it, the entire work of redemption (both active and passive obedience, fulfilling the law and bearing its curse) had been brought to completion." William Hendriksen

"The general religion of mankind is 'do', but the religion of a true Christian is 'done'. 'It is finished' is the believer's conquering word." Charles Spurgeon

"It is finished--all the types and prophecies of the Old Testament which pointed at the sufferings of the Messiah, were accomplished. It is finished--the ceremonial law is fulfilled; the substance is now come, and all the shadows are done away. It is finished--atonement is made for transgression by bringing in an everlasting righteousness. His sufferings were now finished, both those of His soul, and those of His body. It is finished--the work of man's redemption and salvation is now completed. His life was not taken from Him by force, but freely given up to accomplish these things." Matthew Henry

"'It is finished.' This was not the despairing cry of the helpless martyr; it was not an expression of satisfaction that the termination of His sufferings was now reached; it was not the last gasp of a worn-out life. No, rather was it the declaration on the part of the divine Redeemer that all for which He came from heaven to earth to do, was now done; that all that was needed to reveal the full character of God had now been accomplished; that all that was required by law before sinners could be saved have now been performed: that the full price of our redemption was now paid. It is finished. The great purpose of God in the history of man was now accomplished. The purpose of God may be summarized thus: to display His grace and to magnify His Son in the creating of children in His own image and glory. And at the cross the foundation was laid which was tomake this possible and actual. We cannot contemplate too often what the Saviour endured in order to secure our salvation. The better we are acquainted with His sufferings, and the more frequently we meditate thereon, the warmer will be our love and the deeper our gratitude. But now the suffering is ended. That from which His holy soul shrank is over. The cup has been drained. The awful storm of God's wrath has just spent itself. The darkness is ended. The sword of divine justice in sheathed. The wages of sin have been paid. The prophecies of His suffering are all fulfilled. The cross has been endured. Divine holiness has been fully satisfied. With a cry of triumph--a loud cry, a cry which reverberated throughout the entire universe--the Saviour exclaims, blessed be God, 'It is finished'." A.W. Pink

"He said, 'It is finished;' that is, the whole will of God; as that He should be incarnate, be exposed to shame and reproach, and suffer much, and die; the whole work his Father gave Him to do, which was to preach the Gospel, work miracles, and obtain eternal salvation for His people, all which were now done; the whole righteousness of the law was fulfilled, an holy nature assumed, perfect obedience yielded to it, and the penalty of death endured; hence a perfect righteousness was finished agreeably to the law, which was magnified and made honourable by it, and redemption from its curse and condemnation secured; sin was made an end of, full atonement and satisfaction for it were given; complete pardon procured, peace made, and redemption from all iniquity obtained; all enemies were conquered; all types, promises, and prophecies were fulfilled, and His own course of life ended. It was done entirely without the help of man, and cannot be undone; all which since has more clearly appeared by Christ's resurrection from the dead, His entrance into heaven, His session at God's right hand, the declaration of the Gospel, and the application of salvation to His chosen ones." John Gill

"All that a holy God requires has been done. Nothing is left for the sinner to add. No works from us are demanded as the price of our salvation. All that is necessary for the sinner is to rest now by faith upon what Christ did. To the believer, the knowledge that the atoning work of Christ is finished brings a sweet relief over against all the defects and imperfections of his services. There is much of sin and vanity in the very best of our efforts, but the grand relief is that we are complete in Christ (Col. 2:10)! Christ and His finished work is the ground of all our hopes." A.W. Pink

Main Text: Philippians 2:12-13

[12] Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, [13] for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.

Main Idea: The Christian life is a reverent and joyful response to the grace that we have received through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

1. God works FOR you!

[12] Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling…

2. God works IN you!

[13a] for it is God who works in you…

“Grace all-sufficient dwells in you, believer. There is a living well within you springing up; use the bucket, then; keep on drawing; you will never exhaust it; there is a living source within.” (Charles Spurgeon)

*Jeremiah 24:7; Ezekiel 36:26–27; Ephesians 2:1,5; Colossians 2:13; John 3; Revelation 21:5

3. God works THROUGH you!

[13b] … both to will and to work for his good pleasure.

Zechariah 14:20–21: [20] And on that day there shall be inscribed on the bells of the horses, “Holy to the LORD.” And the pots in the house of the LORD shall be as the bowls before the altar. [21] And every pot in Jerusalem and Judah shall be holy to the LORD of hosts, so that all who sacrifice may come and take of them and boil the meat of the sacrifice in them...

Today’s Discussion Questions: If you were to share a key insight from today’s sermon with a friend, what would you say?

Today’s Lunch Discussion: What is the purpose of Easter Sunday? What impact does the resurrection of Jesus have on your life? How does Philippian 2:1-11 bring light to the “therefore” of verse 12? How does God work for you? Have you repented of your sins? Do you believe the good news of Jesus Christ? How does God work in you? How is God working through you? Who is walking beside you to encourage you in your faith? Who could you walk beside to encourage this week?

I. “Therefore” – the context.

II. The exaltation of Christ.

Ephesians 4:9-10 - [9](Now this, “He ascended”—what does it mean but that He also first descended into the lower parts of the earth? [10]He who descended is also the One who ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fill all things.)

Hebrews 7:26 - For it was indeed fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens. (ESV)

B. Exalted to the right hand of God

Acts 5:30-31 - [30]The God of our fathers raised up Jesus whom you murdered by hanging on a tree. [31]Him God has exalted to His right hand to be Prince and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins.

Romans 8:34 - Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us.

III. His exalted name.

Psalm 113:1-3 - [1]Praise the Lord! Praise, O servants of the Lord, praise the name of the Lord! [2]Blessed be the name of the Lord from this time forth and forevermore! [3]From the rising of the sun to its going down the Lord’s name is to be praised.

Matthew 6:9 - In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name.

1 John 3:23 - And this is His commandment: that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another, as He gave us commandment.

B. Jesus Christ is Lord

Revelation 19:16 - And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.

C. Universal homage to the exalted Lord

Revelation 5:13 - And every creature which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, I heard saying: “Blessing and honor and glory and power be to Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb, forever and ever!”

D. To the glory of the Father

Next Sunday’s Sermon Text: Philippians 2:12-13

Main Idea: We become humble like Jesus as, in amazement, we

1. We become like Jesus by beholding Jesus. (vs. 5)

2. Behold Jesus humble Himself to become man! (vs. 6-7)

3. Behold Jesus humble Himself to death on a cross! (vs. 8)

Today’s Discussion Questions: If you were to share a key insight

Today’s Lunch Discussion:

1. In making application by implication, what does this passage teach about Jesus that we can practically put into practice today?

2. Why is right belief (doctrine) essential for right behavior?

3. How does looking to Jesus lead to humility in your heart?

4. How can a proud person grow in humility? What steps should he/she take?

5. What does the cross reveal about

6. What self-salvation projects do you

7. List some ways that you

8. How could you point someone

9. Take time to thank God for sending

Main Idea: Treasuring Christ is displayed by treasuring others through caring for them for Jesus’ sake.

1. Treasuring Christ is displayed by ______________________ others. (vs 3)

[3] Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.

2. Treasuring others is displayed in _____________________ for others. (vs 4)

[4] Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.

Next Sunday’s Sermon Text: Philippians 2:5-8

I. The blessings needed to build unity.

The word "if" introduces in the Greek what is called a first-class conditional clause. The Greeks have different conditions in their "if" clauses. And based upon the construction of the Greek, you can tell what that "if" means. For example, if it's a first-class conditional it means "if, and it is true," or "if, as the fact is." There is a conditional clause that means “if, and it might be true”; there is one that means “if, and it is possibly true”; but the first-class conditional form of the Greek means “if, and it is true.” – John MacArthur

A. Consolation / encouragement in Christ.

Romans 15:5-6 - Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus, 6 that you may with one mind and one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

2 Thessalonians 5:11 - Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing.

B. Comfort of love.

Psalm 23:4 - Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

2 Corinthians 1:3-5 - Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. 5 For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ.

C. Fellowship of the Spirit.

1 Corinthians 12:7, 13-14 - But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: … For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and have all been made to drink into one Spirit. 14 For in fact the body is not one member but many.

D. Affection and (tender) mercies.

Matthew 14:14 - And when Jesus went out He saw a great multitude; and He was moved with compassion for them, and healed their sick.

Colossians 3:12 - Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering;

II. Building unity by thinking like Christ.

A. Unity will bring Paul joy.

John 17:21 - that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me.

3 John 4 - I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.

B. Like-minded with each other.

1 Corinthians 1:10 - Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.

Philippians 3:16 - Nevertheless, to the degree that we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us be of the same mind.

C. Like-minded with Christ.

1 Corinthians 2:16 - For “who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct Him?” But we have the mind of Christ.

Colossians 3:2 - Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.

Next Sunday’s Sermon Text: Philippians 2:3-4

Main Text:

I) Live worthy of the gospel of Christ by standing unified in Him. (Verses 27-28)

“THE word “conversation” does not merely mean our talk and converse one with another, but the whole course of our life and behaviour in the world. The Greek word signifies the actions and the privileges of citizenship, and we are to let our whole citizenship, our actions as citizens of the new Jerusalem, be such as becometh the gospel of Christ.” Charles Spurgeon

“Now, how does a citizen of heaven conduct himself? Follow verse 27, "in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ" - consistent with what we know, consistent with what we teach, consistent with what we preach, consistent with what we believe. That is integrity. That is integrity. You see, the thing that is stripping the church today of all of its credibility is that it says one thing and does another thing, that it lives one way and preaches another way. It is only when the church lives true to its message, and by the church I mean you and me. It is only when it's embodying in its behavior, its beliefs that it has integrity. And only when it has integrity is the message clear and believable. The greatest weapon the church has is its integrity. And when the church does not conduct itself “in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ,” it cuts itself up in terms of its ability to be a whole person representing the body and person of Christ.” John MacArthur

II) Live worthy of the gospel of Christ by rejoicing in the grace of suffering for Him. (Verses 29-30)

“Indeed, if you understand Christ you understand the gospel. Christ is the author of it; he, in the council chamber of eternity proposed to become the surety for poor fallen man;' he, in the fulness of time, wrought out eternal redemption for as many as his Father had given him. He is the author of it as its architect and as its builder. We see in Christ Jesus the Alpha and the Omega of the gospel. He has provided in the treasury of grace all that is necessary to make the gospel the gospel of our salvation. And as he is the author of it, so he is the matter of it. It is impossible to preach the gospel without preaching the person, the work, the offices, the character of Christ. If Christ be preached the gospel is promulgated, and if Christ be put in the background, then there is no gospel declared.” Charles Spurgeon

Main Text:

I.  Paul's principle:  to live is Christ, to die is gain.

II.  Paul's first option:  to continue in the flesh.

III.  Paul's second option:  to depart.  At death a man leaves behind all that he has and takes with him all that he is.

IV.  Paul's confidence:  to abide here longer.

V.  Paul's expected return to Philippi:  abundant rejoicing at the arrival of a faithful minister.

Next Sunday’s Sermon Text: Philippians 1:27-30