09 May 7UP! (Seven statements that Jesus made on the cross and how it affects us today) PART: 1
Last words are important! When someone is about to go to Heaven…what they say at the very end of their life should be carefully listened to, valued and carried out!
My precious mother-in-law, Janet Holderness, recently went home to be with Jesus. It was a touching home going. She had special times with her family and everyone was able to tell her goodbye…there were truly no regrets! As my mother-in-law was getting closer to being with Jesus she had some very poignant things to say but she also had some very cute things to say! She asked my wife Anne, “In Heaven do you think God is going to run out of things to talk about?” My favorite statement she made, as she desired to be with our Lord was “I’m not really sure how to do this….I’ve never died before!”
I’m so pleased to tell you that at Janet’s Celebration of Life service there were five people who gave their lives to Jesus and who will see Janet again! (I Thess. 4:14-18)
Last words are important! Jesus actually made seven different statements as He hung on the cross and prepared to see His Father once again. Those seven powerful statements all have principled meaning to us today. Let’s look at them together!
This week we will share the first one…
- “Father forgive them, for they don’t know what they do” (Luke 23:24). We will refer to this as Pardon.
What can we learn from this today? How you respond when people treat you unfairly determines who gets control of your life!
I learned a long time ago that forgiveness makes you feel vulnerable but actually makes you more powerful. When you forgive, you take your power back! It transfers from your offender back to you.
Remember this: Your forgiveness does not depend on another man’s apology. Learn to forgive freely, fully, finally, and by faith…not by feelings!
Over the next few weeks we will continue sharing from this series…