Intro: Fist
rots from the head down or the fish lives by the head that leads, guides,
directs, feeds. God's love -
divine - heavenly love was given down. The
curtain was torn from the top to bottom.
Those who have the power have to be willing to use that power for the
benefit of others. God has all
power in heaven and in earth and he willingly gave of himself for others.
Therefore the curtain was torn from the top down.
Scripture Text:
Mat. 27:46 (NIV) About the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice,
"Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?"--which means, "My God, my God,
why have you forsaken me?" 47 When some of those standing there heard
this, they said, "He's calling Elijah." 48 Immediately one of them
ran and got a sponge. He filled it with wine vinegar, put it on a stick, and
offered it to Jesus to drink. 49 The rest said, "Now leave him alone.
Let's see if Elijah comes to save him." 50 And when Jesus had cried out
again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit. 51 At that moment the curtain
of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook and the
rocks split. 52 The tombs broke open and the bodies of many holy people
who had died were raised to life. 53 They came out of the tombs, and after
Jesus' resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many people.
54 When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the
earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed,
"Surely he was the Son of God!"
I. Why
was the curtain torn from top to bottom?
A.
Ultimate - complete sacrifice was made/sin sacrifice is complete -
salvation
is
free to all. Holy of Holies is
open. You can see & believe.
B.
Available to all who believe - Complete access.
Sacrifice for the world -
not
a select group. Everyone is
valuable to the Lord.
C.
Accomplished by God - from top to bottom - God gave His only Son.
Only
God
could make it easy.
D.
Everyone could have it - You could have life, peace, joy, fulfillment,
home.
II. Will
the curtain be torn away from us?
A.
Living Sacrifice should be made for others.
(Rom. 12:1-2) Sacrifice
for
salvation of others.
B.
Available to those who see God in us - (I Cor. 6:19-20) - God lives
in
the Holy Place/heart. Love &
Faith in God can't be private -
public.
C.
Accomplished by God - from top to bottom.
He is our strength, our
help,
our Lord, our Savior.
D.
You could be the one to open to others. - For you:
joy peace,
fulfillment,
satisfaction. For others: life
everlasting.