TLDR;
This message explores the perspectives of various eyewitnesses to Jesus' crucifixion, emphasizing that their stories lead to a crucial question: "Who do you say that I am?" The message highlights that our answer to this question determines our destiny. It underscores that salvation is by grace through faith in Jesus alone, and encourages listeners to make a personal conviction about Jesus.
- Salvation is by grace through faith in Jesus alone.
- God will not be mocked, and sin has consequences.
- True followers of Jesus are faithful to him for life.
- Jesus Christ can transform us into new persons.
Opening [0:00]
The message begins on Palm Sunday, reflecting on the shift from welcoming Jesus to demanding his crucifixion. The aim is to examine eyewitness accounts of Jesus' suffering and death to help individuals decide and have a conviction about Jesus' identity as the Christ, the Son of the living God.
Witness 1 - The Penitent Thief [11:13]
The message discusses the two criminals crucified alongside Jesus, clarifying that initially, both hurled insults at him. However, one of them later rebuked the other, acknowledging their deserved punishment and Jesus' innocence. This criminal asked Jesus to remember him in His kingdom, and Jesus promised him paradise. This narrative illustrates that everyone has a choice in how they respond to Jesus, and the penitent thief embodies the gospel: acknowledging guilt, recognizing Jesus' holiness, understanding Jesus is the only savior and king, and realizing eternal life begins with faith in Him.
A Picture of the Gospel [15:48]
The story of the penitent thief is a perfect picture of the gospel. We are guilty of sin and deserve death, but Jesus is holy and his death is the only acceptable payment for our sin. Only Jesus can save us, and he is God and King. Eternal life starts the moment we put our faith in Jesus.
Witness 2 - The Soldiers [17:10]
The Roman soldiers mocked Jesus, but the message draws a lesson from them, reminding that God cannot be mocked. It references the Nuremberg trials and Rudolph Hus, who showed no remorse for his actions, to illustrate that actions have consequences. The message emphasizes that God will not be mocked, and people will reap what they sow.
How do people mock Jesus today? [21:13]
Examples of mocking Jesus today include using social media to create insulting content, trivializing his name, rejecting his commands, distorting his teachings, and using his name for personal gain while disregarding his commands. The key lesson from the soldiers is that God will not be mocked, and sin has consequences.
Witness 3 - The People and the Rulers [23:00]
The people and rulers also mocked Jesus, questioning if he was truly the Christ. This highlights the need to share the gospel, as people need to know Jesus is the Messiah and Savior. The message recounts an event where 493 people were trained and deployed to share the gospel, resulting in over 400 people hearing about Jesus.
Witness 4 - The Centurion [27:19]
The centurion, a leader of Roman soldiers, praised God and declared Jesus innocent after witnessing the earthquake and other events. This led him to conclude that Jesus was the Son of God. The lesson from the centurion is that no one is beyond the reach of God's grace. The message shares stories of individuals with troubled pasts who found transformation through Jesus, emphasizing that nobody is out of reach of God's grace.
Witness 5 - The Women [35:36]
The women who accompanied Jesus from Galilee remained faithful, unlike the disciples who had fled. They followed Jesus and prepared spices for his burial, demonstrating bravery and selflessness. The lesson from these women is faithfulness. Real Christians are faithful to Jesus and follow him always, in every situation, without break or vacation, until they see their master face to face.
Witness 6 - Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus [39:45]
Joseph, a member of the Sanhedrin, and Nicodemus, who initially came to Jesus by night, risked their lives to ask for Jesus' body and prepare it for burial. The message suggests that God transformed them, leading them to believe Jesus was the Son of God. The lesson from this duo is that only Jesus can transform us into new persons with new thinking, convictions, direction, purpose, and destiny in heaven.
Testimony Sharer - Hazel Sagun [44:29]
Hazel Sagun shares her personal testimony, detailing her journey from a religious upbringing to a period of living a double life marked by sin and brokenness. She recounts how the Holy Spirit convicted her, leading her to confess her faults and prioritize her relationship with God. Hazel now lives a life of purity, actively serves in ministry, and is passionate about sharing Jesus with others.
Closing [51:29]
The message concludes by reiterating Peter's declaration that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God, and summarizing the lessons from each eyewitness. It emphasizes the importance of having a personal conviction about Jesus and living as a witness to His transforming power. The message challenges listeners to share Jesus with someone before the day ends and encourages those who have not yet surrendered their lives to Jesus to do so, recognizing that the battle for their soul has already been won by Jesus on the cross.
Sunday Fast Track [1:00:32]
Pastor Ricky answers questions about confession, questioning God's power, and when to start following Jesus.
Q1. Will Jesus automatically forgive every confession of sins like that of the thief? [1:01:08]
Jesus will forgive as long as we humbly and sincerely confess our sins. Confession should be done without fear of judgment, accepting correction and advice. Sin has consequences, and even with forgiveness, we may still face the repercussions of our actions.
Q2. Is it ok to question God's power? [1:03:10]
Questioning God's power with irreverence and unbelief is problematic. However, having doubts, especially without prior experience of His power, is normal. It's important to bring these doubts to God, be honest with Him, and allow Him to transform your heart and provide faith.
Q3. Is it too late for someone to start following Jesus? [1:04:39]
It is never too late to start following Jesus, as long as you are breathing. Nobody is too young to follow Jesus. Trading a life without Jesus for a later commitment sacrifices the best life. It's never too early to choose Jesus, especially given the uncertainty of the world.
