For our Scripture reading tonight, turn with me to Hebrews 9. Hebrews 9 as we read together verses 11 through 28 of Hebrews chapter 9. Our text tonight is John 19, verse 30. For those of you who are visiting with us, we've been considering together over the past few weeks the words of our Savior from the cross, and tonight we are to His sixth word. it is finished John 19 verse 30 says when he had received the drink Jesus said it is finished with that he bowed his head and gave up his spirit Hebrews chapter 9 verses 11 through 28 when Christ came as high priest of the good things that are already here he went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not man made that is to say not a part of this creation. He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves, but He entered the most holy place once for all by His own blood, having obtained eternal redemption. The blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that they are outwardly clean. How much more then will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death so that we may serve the living God. For this reason, Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance, now that He has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant. In the case of a will, it is necessary to prove the death of the One who made it because a will is in force only when somebody has died. It never takes effect while the one who made it is living. This is why even the first covenant was not put into effect without blood. When Moses had proclaimed every commandment of the law to all the people, he took the blood of calves together with water, scarlet wool and branches of hyssop, and sprinkled the scroll and all the people. He said, this is the blood of the covenant which God has commanded you to keep. In the same way, He sprinkled with the blood both the tabernacle and everything used in its ceremonies. In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood. And without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness. It was necessary then for the copies of the heavenly things to be purified with these sacrifices, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. For Christ did not enter a man-made sanctuary that was only a copy of the true one. He entered heaven itself, now to appear for us in God's presence. Nor did He enter heaven to offer Himself again and again, the way the high priest enters the most holy place every year with blood that is not His own. Then Christ would have had to suffer many times since the creation of the world. But now He has appeared once for all, at the end of the ages, to do away with sin by the sacrifice of Himself, just as man is destined to die once. and after that to face judgment. So Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people. And He will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for Him. It is finished. Beloved of our Lord Jesus Christ, the thick darkness which had shrouded the cross was passed. The hell of the cross which our Savior had endured was ended. And the sun in the heavens shone brightly, no doubt, with new power as the Son of Heaven shouts with renewed power, It is finished. Now what did our Lord mean by that word? Well, those who despised Him and crucified Him then, along with those who still reject Him today would have us believe, they would tell us that He was giving up. He couldn't take anymore. It was all too much for Him to bear. You see, the cross in the eyes of the world means failure. Boys and girls, unbelievers, look at the cross of Jesus and all they see is a dead man hanging on the cross. And we all know that in a fight, the One who stands, the One who is living, He is the victor, not the One who died. But the One of whom they cry just a few days earlier, Hosanna, which means save now. Hosanna. Couldn't even save himself. You see, to them, the cross symbolizes destruction, not finishing. Collapse, not completion. It symbolizes the end. And do you know what? About this, the world is right. The cross does symbolize destruction, collapse, and the end. But the question is, for whom and for what? As Jesus hung there nearing the end, having endured the wrath and punishment of God by suffering the torment of hell in His body and soul, with this word, He makes His report to His Father. Boys and girls, Jesus Christ was given an assignment. And He had to give a report. And what was that report? You see, the evening before he had prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane, Father, thy will be done. And now he reports, it is done. It is finished. With this word of God, this is Christ's word of triumph, which first of all recalls the necessary conflict. It brings it back to our mind, to our remembrance. Secondly, it expresses perfect completion to that necessary conflict. And finally, it points to faithful challenge. Ever since sin entered man and God's creation, the battle had been raging between the sinful will of man and the holy will of God. From the beginning, Satan was fighting, fighting hard against God for the allegiance of mankind. And Lord's Day 52 of the High Liberal Catechism reminds us that our sworn enemies are the devil, the world, and our own flesh. but in sin, these sworn enemies became our sworn friends, our bosom buddies. And that perfect fellowship with God that man was created to enjoy was destroyed, and in its place there was only eternal separation. From the beginning, ever since sin entered the world, that enmity had been in place between the seed of the woman and the seed of the serpent. And that battle is seen throughout the history of Revelation as God's people constantly faltered between two opinions, as Elijah said on Mount Carmel. If Baal is God, serve Him. But if Jehovah is God, serve Him. And the Old Testament sacrifices in which, as the writer of Hebrews 9, verse 13 says, the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that they are outwardly clean. The Old Testament sacrifices were continual evidence of that battle of sin. The ceremonial sacrifices of the Old Testament demonstrated that there was an urgent need for atonement. The penalty for sin had to be paid by another. The devil, the world, and the flesh had to be conquered by another. The wrath and justice of God had to be satisfied by another. Our guilt had to be removed and we needed to be made righteous by another. Beloved, this was the work of God the Father. Boys and girls, this was the assignment that Jesus came to accomplish. He is the other. He says to His disciples in John 4, verse 34, My food is to do the will of Him who sent me and to finish His work. And the focus of His work was to come and restore peace between God and His people using the sword of the cross where the battle would rage the fiercest. Indeed, our Lord battled His whole life on this earth. But ultimately, the cross, or His cross was Christ's ultimate battlefield. And it was there where this necessary conflict took place. That conflict which to the world, again, being deceived by their ruler, their leader, the devil, says that Christ lost. But the truth is that the cross is where this helpless-looking victim in the eyes of the world, where He had the devil by His throat, where He took the sting out of death, and where He choked the last accusing breath of condemnation out of sin all on behalf of His people. And with this word of triumph, it is finished. Jesus Christ claims the victory. Jesus is triumphant over the devil, First of all, as Scripture testifies in Hebrews 2, verse 14, when it says, Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death that is the devil. The devil fought hard to be sure, and the cross again makes it look to some like the devil was victorious. But he is defeated. but then also james gives a warning about the danger of the world that second sworn enemy when he says do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with god whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of god but then jesus says in john 16 verse 33 in the world. You will have tribulation, but be of good cheer. I have overcome the world. And then also, Christ is triumphant over the flesh. The flesh is that part within us which allies itself. Boys and girls, an ally is one whom you could say is your friend, one who is on your side. In the war against terrorism right now, the United States has many allies. Other nations, Other countries are helping us to fight that war against terrorism. The flesh is that part within us which allies itself. It joins with the other sworn enemies, the devil and the world. And John describes it this way, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life. But then in confidence, Paul says in Galatians 2 verse 20, I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. and the life which I now live in the flesh. I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave Himself for me. Congregation, the cross is where Christ is triumphant. Where He canceled the sin of His people. And where He breaks the power of canceled sin as we often sing. Those who engage in a conflict or a competition either know the thrill of victory or the agony of defeat as many Olympians found out recently. And in this necessary conflict, that thrill of victory belongs to our Savior who, as Matthew records, cried out in a loud voice. And with this word of triumph, Jesus, in essence, announces the words of Revelation 11, verse 15, the kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever. You see, Christ's word of triumph not only recalls the necessary conflict, but then also expresses perfect completion to that conflict. And very simply, that means that the perfect results will never be overturned. Some of the Olympians, if you followed the Olympics, experienced that. They experienced the thrill of victory, only then to have their achievements, their medals stripped from them for various reasons. And history also tells us that the kingdoms of this world who ruled with power eventually lost out to those more powerful. Egypt, Babylon, Assyria, Rome. And in some of our lifetimes, we could also maybe include, in some respect, Germany. One might know the thrill of victory today, but then experience the agony of defeat tomorrow. When Jesus shouted that word of victory, it is finished. He was reporting to God the Father that the making of atonement and all that it included, pacifying God's wrath, paying for the guilt of sin, destroying the devil, securing eternal life for you and me. That the making of atonement and all that it included was finished, completed, and it was done perfectly. In John 19, verse 30, it says, later, knowing that all was now completed, or as another Bible translation says, after this, Jesus, knowing that all things had already been accomplished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled. All that Scripture said of Him and His work on earth, whether in prophecy or picture or poetry or prophecy or promise, had now been fulfilled. You see, the redemption of God's people was accomplished and all the things needed for that redemption had been performed. Nothing was lacking. Nothing more needed or needs to be performed. The costly ransom was given. The great conflict of hell had been endured. Sin's wages had been paid. Divine wrath and justice had been satisfied. And as the torn curtain testifies, the way to the Father had now been open for God's people, never ever to be closed again. And no longer was reconciliation for God's people with the Father or just a promise, it was now fulfilled. This word of triumph expresses the fact that the great task of the ages, the redemption of a lost world, had been fully accomplished. Every obstacle between man and God, boys and girls, that means everything that stood in the way between man and God had been removed. Every single demand of the law had been satisfied. Sin had been fully dealt with as Hebrews 9, verse 26 says, He has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of Himself. And that which all of the types and shadows of the Old Covenant pointed to had now been accomplished. And congregation, the reason that Christ's triumph endures forever is because His sacrifice was perfect. Jesus Christ was perfectly obedient, actively, passively, sinlessly unto death. Again, Hebrews 9 describes Him this way. Verses 11 and 12, When Christ came as High Priest of the good things that are already here, He went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not man-made, that is to say not a part of this creation. He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves, but He entered the most holy place once for all by His own blood, having obtained eternal redemption. And verse 14 adds, Christ offered Himself unblemished to God. In Hebrews 7, verses 26 and 27, For such a high priest was fitting for us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and has become higher than the heavens, who does not need daily as those high priests to offer up sacrifices, first for his own sins and then for the people's. For this he did once for all when he offered up himself. And then Hebrews 10, verse 14 says, For by one offering he has perfected forever those who are being sanctified. Beloved, so often as we do our work, we complain that there is so much to do and so little time, or it seems like our work is never finished. But our Lord enjoyed perfect completion to His work of redemption. He had reached the intended goal. There was no more to be done on this earth. There was no more satisfying for sin and the wrath of God had to be done. That doesn't mean that He's not working today. Not at all. We just read about those who are being sanctified and that's the work of our Savior through His Spirit. He continues to gather together His church chosen from before the foundation of the world through His Spirit and His Word. And even now Christ is preparing a place in His Father's house for all those who believe on Him. And He continues to make intercession for us with the Father. His work will not be completely finished until He comes again to judge the living and the dead after which He will deliver the kingdom to God the Father as Paul says in 1 Corinthians 15. Yet it is finished. The final sacrifice for sin has been made and the redemptive shedding of His blood done once for all is finished and it stands finished forever. His blood will never run dry. His blood will never run out. And because of the perfect completeness of His work, those who are in Christ not only know the thrill of victory, but believers are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. And because of this truth, we must also notice then that Christ's word of triumph finally points to faithful challenge. His work of triumph is finished. But His Word of triumph is not yet finished. What I mean is this. The saving sacrifice of Jesus Christ is that which is to be preached and taught until He comes again. That's the message that is to sound forth from pulpits throughout the world. That is the message that is to reach each and every ear in the world. The message of the cross for those who believe by grace through faith is that justification being declared forgiven of all of our sins and being declared righteous before God the Father for Jesus' sake. Justification is secure for God's people. And that sanctification, being made holy even as He is holy, is attained in God's people. And that glorification, eternal life in God's presence is assured for God's people. You see, the believer has certainty in Christ because the believer is victorious in Christ. Paul says in 2 Corinthians 2 verse 14, Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ. But the message of the cross for those who continue to be bosom buddies with the devil and the world in their own flesh is a message of utter destruction, of collapse and bitter end. You see, indeed, there is a double message of the cross. To those who believe, the message is that it is finished. It is complete. It's a glorious new beginning. for God's people. But the message for those who reject him is utter destruction, collapse, and bitter end. The only sacrifice for sin which is absolutely necessary is the one that was made by our Savior in Calvary's tree. It alone restores fellowship. It alone brings eternal security. The message of the cross, beloved, is that only Jesus Christ is the way, the truth, and the life. And the faithful challenge here is to trust in Him alone by grace through faith. And as we hear this word of the cross, it is finished. We must know that finished means finished. There's nothing more to be done or nothing more that can be done to atone for our sins before our Heavenly Father because Jesus paid it all. And therefore, for example, to say, well, I can't be saved because I'm not good enough. I haven't done enough. is to stand beside the mockers and to spit on Christ's saving sacrifice. Dr. D. James Kennedy, in his televised service last week, maybe some of you heard that, said these words. I didn't catch his text, I only caught a few minutes. I believe he might have been preaching on this very same text, but he said there are many religions in the world. He said about 40,000 religions in the world, but only one gospel of Jesus Christ. And he said that all other religions other than true Christianity are described with a small one-syllable word. And that word is do. You must do this, you must do that, you must do the other thing. And their slogan is, something in my hands I bring. Then he said Christianity is also to be described with a short one-syllable word. The word done. Jesus paid it all. He has done it all. It is finished. And our slogan, nothing in my hands I bring, simply to thy cross I cling. But we need to be careful, beloved, because in our day, even some in the Reformed camp, it seems they're trying to change us back to that first word, the word do. We must do this. We must do that. We must do the other thing. They are saying, of course, we're saved by grace, but we stay saved by our works. That's not right. That's not correct. Once saved, always saved. Indeed, we are called to be obedient. We are called to render works of righteousness, but as thankfulness, as evidence of living thankful lives to our God for being saved. Beloved, this is a challenge for our lives in our lifestyles that we live in the conscious joy of this salvation and that in thankfulness we are called to live in every way demonstrating the grace of God's forgiveness in our lives. You see, that's to be visible from your life and my life that we are forgiven of all of our sins. What does that do to you? We are called to live in the confidence that Jesus Christ with His sword at the cross has put all His enemies under His feet and that they are powerless against His sacrifice. His enemies will never, ever take His triumph away from Him. And that means that God's grace is sufficient unto eternity for believers and therefore we are challenged to deny ourselves, to take up our cross and follow our Lord. Yes, we are not to be naive. Satan is still active. We know that because as Peter says, be sober, be vigilant because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour. And that's why we are still in the horns of that dilemma. The world continues to try to cause us to take our eyes off of Jesus by tempting us with the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life. Paul calls believers to put on the whole armor of God and to stand firm against the schemes and the attacks of the devil. But we must understand that those who stand firm on that foundation that has been laid once for all through Christ's triumph do not fight for victory. It's been accomplished. We fight from victory. We go forth victorious in our Lord Jesus Christ. That's how we fight day by day. And therefore, as we struggle with sin, by God's grace, we may confidently appeal to His mercy and His forgiveness for the sake of the cross of Jesus. Those who embrace the saving sacrifice of Jesus Christ by God's grace are indeed more than conquerors through Him. Again, going back to somewhat of our original question then, who and what was defeated completely and destroyed on the cross that day? Sin and Satan with all of their eternal consequences. And therefore, God's people are to be, as Paul says, persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. The next time you're questioned to ask God why, remember this portion of Scripture. No created thing will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Beloved, what is your relationship with Jesus Christ and His cross? You see, the only proper relationship is a relationship of grace. Are you living for the one who died for you? Have you heard His word of triumph from the depths of your heart and does it thrill you? Do you have the thrill of victory in Christ Jesus your Lord? You see, if you don't, then apart from Him you will only know the eternal agony of defeat. And one day, one day, the only way to the Father will be closed forever. By God's grace, have you dedicated your life to build on that foundation which has been laid once for all when Christ said, it is finished. You see, this word of triumph was that word which the saints of old longed to hear from the very beginning. They longed for that for so long. It has been spoken. And it literally changed our lives forever. But that's grace, isn't it? Grace changes our lives forever. And what an eternal comfort is the possession of God's people. That He who has begun a good work in us will complete it until the day of Christ Jesus. So that one day with the joy of the Lord as our strength, we might be able to confess, I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. And finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give to me on that day, and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing. Beloved, once again, look to the cross of our Savior and hear His word of triumph. It is finished. And live in the assurance that by grace through faith we enter into a finished work and into a finished righteousness, the righteousness of God in Christ, we enter a finished salvation. Not destroyed, but delivered. Not defeated, but victorious. And those who cling to the cross of Christ by faith enter into a perfect victory over sin, the devil, and death. Amen. Shall we pray? Dear Heavenly Father, what else can we say but alleluia, what a Savior. Father, we are in awe as we consider what You have done for Your people. When You could have turned Your back on us, You could have left us to suffer eternally for our own sin. Instead, you turned your back on your only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, that we might be saved. And Father, we praise you that His work is complete. We praise you that it's perfect. We praise you and thank you that it is ours to behold. It is our very own possession. Because we may testify that we belong body and soul and life and in death to our faithful Savior, Jesus Christ. And therefore, Heavenly Father, may we go forth from this moment on, living in the joy of that salvation, living lives of thankfulness and praise to you by desiring to be obedient to you, rendering unto you good works for the sake of Jesus our Lord. In his name we pray these things. Amen.