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[0:00] Hello everyone. So we're going to read from Matthew chapter 27.! If you open your Bibles to chapter 27.! We're going to start at verse 45.

[0:17] Okay, so from verse 45. From noon until three in the afternoon, darkness came over all the land.

[0:35] About three in the afternoon, Jesus cried out in a loud voice, Eli, Eli, lemma sabachthani, which means, my God, my God, why have you forsaken me?

[0:55] When some of those standing there heard this, they said, he's calling Elijah. Immediately, one of them ran and got a sponge.

[1:07] He filled it with wine vinegar, put it on a staff and offered it to Jesus to drink. The rest said, now leave him alone.

[1:20] Let's see if Elijah comes to save him. And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit.

[1:32] At that moment, the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split and the tombs broke open.

[1:44] 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.

[2:17] Many women were there watching from a distance. They had followed Jesus from Galilee to care for his needs. Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of Zebedee's sons.

[2:35] They were voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy Good afternoon, brothers and sisters.

[3:10] Basically, I like this vibe. I feel I'm part of them, obviously, right? So that's why I need to remove my jacket, which, you know, the church leaders say, oh, you know, Chinese service is very serious.

[3:24] Bring your jacket. But here, I don't feel that way. My name is James, and my Chinese name, what is my Chinese name? Zhou Wenxian.

[3:37] I'm a second-year student at the Sydney Missionary and Bible College. All right? So I'm also a student like some of you. So call me brother.

[3:49] Do not call me uncle. All right? If someone call me uncle, I will not respond. You understand that? I think this group, we are brother, brother in Christ. Okay?

[3:59] So it is my privilege and honor to preach the most important moment in the human salvation history, Jesus' crucifixion and death.

[4:17] So let me pray. Dear Heavenly Father, by your grace, we come to the church to worship you and listen to your words.

[4:29] And you grant us a discerning and teachable heart so that we can put our trust and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ and follow His commandments to honor you.

[4:41] We thank you for the hope given to us to rejoice with you and the fellow saints in your kingdom. We come here not because our parents ask us to come.

[4:56] We come here not because we have a beautiful friends, fellowship here, but we come here with one purpose, to know Christ, to worship Him so that our God, our Lord, will change our life.

[5:14] May the word of my mouth and meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight. Amen. First of all, my dear brother and sister, let me ask you one question.

[5:26] Who think I'm a good person? Or Christian? Or I'm better than other people because I'm good? Or have you ever thought I was a good person before?

[5:43] Have you ever thought about those questions? I did. Before, I thought I was a good person, a good father, but still don't call me uncle, all right?

[5:59] I was a good father, good husband, and I work really hard and also with sense of humor and also very popular among my friends.

[6:12] And also, you know, I have a job people envy about me and about my family. So, do you feel about you are being blessed with your good paying job?

[6:28] or have you been feeling good? You know, oh, my study result is so good and my education level is better than others.

[6:39] Or have you ever thought my family is so wonderful, it's been blessed, and my children are so, so, so nice, they always follow, you know, what I say.

[6:52] Have you ever thought about that? Yep, well, I did. Before I know Christ, I knew Christ, I think I'm really wonderful people.

[7:04] Sometimes, help the charity work and, you know, and very popular among friends. However, after the God, Holy Spirit touched me and I became a Christian, when I was alone, and closed my door.

[7:24] You know what? I realized I had committed all the sins in the Ten Commandments. People might ask you, James, have you ever killed a person?

[7:38] God commands to not kill, right? You must kill a person before you just like a secret agent you never reveal. But isn't it in Matthew, chapter 5, 22, Jesus say, anyone who is angered with his brother will be subject to judge.

[7:57] The judgment. Who gets the judge whether I'm good or bad? Is that me? I judge myself? I'm a good person?

[8:08] Just like that? Or my family? Your family judge you whether you are good? Or your friends? Your colleagues? Lord God.

[8:23] That's a record last week sermon from Pastor William. Jesus was mocked by the soldier, chief priest, teacher of the Lord, and elder while on the way to the cross.

[8:36] Even the two robbers who was crucified with him also insulted our Lord Jesus. His royal humiliation and sacrifice were according to God's plan because Jesus had fulfilled the Old Testament prophecy.

[8:52] However, did the Roman soldier know? Did the Jews know? Did Jesus' disciple know? No, they did not know.

[9:05] But in the final hour on the cross, God revealed his salvation plan and his providence to humanity. So, first providence God revealed to us is a separation from God because of his wrath and judgment.

[9:25] Verse 45, after Jesus has been on the cross for some time, from the sixth hour until ninth hour, darkness came over the Lamb.

[9:38] According to our modern time, now, can you imagine that time is from 12 hours to 3, 12 o'clock to 3 o'clock afternoon.

[9:50] So, what is that today is from 12 o'clock to 3 o'clock? It's sunshine, right? But how can that be darkness came over the sky?

[10:02] So, people might, and there was no storm mentioned. There's no storm. If the sky covers clouds, maybe we can get the darkness, but there's no storm mentioned, and people might argue, oh, it's a solar eclipse.

[10:18] Yes, I agree with that. It could be a full solar eclipse, because I personally experienced the full solar eclipse. It's really dark.

[10:28] You can see the sun gradually being covered by shadow, and the whole land, when it's full solar eclipse, really dark. But that phenomenon only lasts to five to six minutes.

[10:44] So, three hours. It was definitely the act of God, not act of nature. So, the darkness signified God's wrath and judgment.

[10:59] In the Old Testament, Exodus story, God delivered the plague of darkness to Egyptians before Passover. when Moses stretched out his hand towards the sky, total darkness covered all Egypt for three days, because God was angry.

[11:18] God was angry that Pharaoh did not allow his people to leave Egypt. This time, because of his son, our Lord Jesus Christ, without sin, bore the sin of whole humanity, and submit to Father's righteousness judgment.

[11:40] Jesus become like a sacrificial lamb during the Passover, when God brought the salvation to Israel Israelites, while imposing judgment to Egyptians.

[11:54] Salvation and judgment, our God defined this. This time, bring salvation to the world, while God's wrath and judgment for sin fell on Jesus, who was crucified on the cross.

[12:13] Brothers and sisters, our heart, sometimes we feel sad and sorrowful. If we commit a little bit sin, even our thought is a little bit ungodly, or even we don't really follow Jesus' commitment, we feel sad.

[12:35] Can you imagine Jesus bore all our impurities and ungodliness that separate our relationship with God.

[12:47] From minor ungodly thought to serious evil crimes, he bore them all according to the wrath and judgment of God. Verse 46, the sky was dark, God was angry, and Jesus on the cross dying.

[13:09] Jesus dying because of the sin of the world was on him and he submits to Father's will, the will to save us who are sinful and ungodly.

[13:23] Suddenly, Jesus cried out in a loud voice, Eli, Eli, lama, sabachthani, that is, my God, my God, why have you forsaken me?

[13:36] Jesus is God with full humanity, he is fully God and fully man. the physical pain was immersed.

[13:48] Can you imagine? He was nailed on the cross. An emotional pain of rejection, misunderstandings, and mocking from the people who was deeply hurt.

[14:03] But the separation from God was the deepest cry because Jesus has no one to turn to. but the father.

[14:14] Only the father knows he was fulfilling father's will. Jesus' cry was not for himself, but for all of us.

[14:29] Can we fully understand and comprehend such an expression from Jesus? Martin Luther said thinking those words, my God, my God, why have you forsaken me for a long time?

[14:48] He meditated on this saying of Christ and was puzzled. He could not understand. God forsaken of God, how can that be?

[14:59] like Luther, I remember that when I first read these words in Psalm 22 verse 1, I could not comprehend and I could not understand it.

[15:12] Isn't it God always with me? We are Christians. We are always told God is with me. So how can my God forsake me?

[15:25] Until I read the English cry from original text, Eli, Eli, lama, sabastani. This is the Arabic language, original language, in Matthew.

[15:40] I broke down with tears. I realized I should be the one, the cross, not Jesus.

[15:53] I should be the one receiving the judgment instead. Jesus paid a price for me. In his pen, Jesus felt father turn his back on him because father is holy and pure.

[16:10] In that moment, the sin borne by Jesus separate the relationship with the father. Jesus borne the sin of the whole world and the wage of sin is death.

[16:22] He saved in death. According to plan. Verse 47 to 49.

[16:33] However, when Jesus called out to the father, the cross did not get it. They missed what they have heard. They thought Jesus was calling Elijah to help.

[16:48] Another bystander at the cross ran to get a sponge filled with wine vinegar to wake Jesus tongue.

[16:59] The action seemed to be a little bit ironic because they thought he claimed he can save the world but he cannot save his thirst.

[17:11] People say let's see if Elijah come to save him. The crowd did not get it and did not recognize Jesus is the son of God who fulfilled the Old Testament prophecies in Isaiah chapter 53 verse 5 but he was pierced for our transgressions he was crushed for our iniquities the punishment that brought us peace was upon him and by his wound we are healed which foretold the sacrificial suffering of Messiah for the sins the second providence revealed to us is restored a relationship with God by the power of the cross it is finished John the only apostle who witnessed the death of

[18:13] Jesus recalled the final words of Jesus on the cross in his gospel the gospel story describes three hours of shame and suffering on Jesus Christ but only the moment in verse 50 it changed the entire direction of human life your life and my life if we trust Jesus and lay our faith in him we are no longer separate from God but we are his children a child loved by the father and we will never be forsaken Psalm 103 verse 13 as a father has compassion on his children so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him that's the relationship has been restored between us a sinner and

[19:16] God how do we know Jesus is our savior for the world to restore the relationship with God the crowd was missing the point Jesus death by God gave the witness of three signs these three signs indicates what was happening here is in this moment was unique first in verse 51 the centurion of the temple was torn into pieces from top to bottom old testament exodus chapter 27 verse 33 described the curtain separating the holy of the holies the sacrifice place where the ark was located and the high priest entered only once a year with sacrifice the phrase from top to bottom means it was God who torn the curtain from heaven on high to earth this tearing of temple curtain from top to bottom signify the removal of barrier between

[20:25] God and humanity grant direct access to God through Jesus sacrificial death is a walk of God is not the work of man or humanity today those who believe in Jesus can approach him directly and confidently!

[20:46] The second supernatural event that accompanied Jesus' crucifixion was the earthquake and rocks break can you imagine earthquake remind us that the earth shook at Mount Sinai when God gave the law to his people in Exodus chapter 20 if the law come with an earthquake then so did the grace from Jesus work law and grace what the privilege we have we are no longer bonded by law but the grace of Jesus Christ and it's not our work it's purely God's work the third sign was the tomb broke open and the body of many holy people were raised to life again when the sand rose it signified the significance of

[21:51] Jesus' death and victory over death that brought in in verse 53 describe and extraordinary phenomena of Jesus was resurrected from his death the same not only came out from the tomb can you imagine the people who already dead came out from the tomb but they also went into the holy city and appealed to many people Matthew in this verse foretold the story Jesus' resurrection which will be described in detail in chapter 28 it suggests the taste of internal life dear brother and sister what is the let me ask you one question what is the purpose of being a Christian what is the hope and aspiration to be a Christian is this the money we pursue or is that the fame been famous in our community in our workplace or it is the loving family with joyful life or is it peace of mind if

[23:11] God is willing all are possible you have just heard the LB and since their testimony they both were from Christian family and they had learned Christ when they were young but in their youth stage they experienced some sort of challenges some identity crisis who am I and they tried to find it and they have found it in Jesus so that's the testimony from our brother and sister so here think about that what is the purpose in a Christian in this world everything is temporal everything will come to the end but not the kingdom of God the internal kingdom where Christian rejoiced the fellowship with

[24:14] God try on God and his perfect love and care for us last forever and we all personal experience he will wipe every tear from their eyes there will be normal death or mourning or crying or pain for the old order of things has passed away this is in the revelation chapter 21 verse 4 and then the third providence God revealed to us is be born to witness the truth of gospel maybe brothers and sisters we might not have a fully understanding if Jesus is our king to king what we need to do follow and obey him in a previous lesson we learned Jesus way to cross means various two different observers the chief priest the scribe the elders they feel very happy because their evil agenda has completed so they feel happy as for the roman soldiers they just normal think this is another day of job it is normal you know we crucify people nothing special you know tomorrow there will be more

[25:43] I will do this job for them it's just normal and the folk crowds just follow the sensational event without thinking the crowd who witness this crucifixion they could gossip in the marketplace or when they go back do you know what I have witnessed!

[26:05] someone crucified and things change that was before but now they have seen signs the signs from the work of God the darkness at noon the earthquake the tearing of the temple curtain from top to bottom and the resurrection of certain sand if you see those signs what is your response if now suddenly the sky become dark and then the people that that people they start to come up from the tomb and come to you greeting you and suddenly the curtain of this are spreading half what's your response you scare right?

[26:55] Well verse 54 mention those who were God in Jesus were terrified and exclaimed surely he was the son of God amazing the people who were part of Jesus execution now recognize and exclaim Jesus truly identity true identity the centurion and those with him were Gentile Gentile they are regarded as unholy and unclaimed by some Jews at that moment Jesus death the Gentiles start to believe Jesus is the son of God the Lord has torn the curtain that separated Gentile and Jews the grace has extended to the Gentile regarding the faithful woman in verse 55 and 56 basically during that time the woman was regarded as vulnerable during that time being perceived as weak and not significant however people did see their strong face in their vulnerable appearance you can we can see from the verse the women they stand there they stand their position firm whereas the many disciples and many

[28:34] Jesus you know disciples and his followers they hide and escape such a face strong face teach us a lesson to proclaim the gospel boldly so from this passage we learn few things we want to reflect Matthew want his reader including us to understand the significance of Jesus death it wasn't just ordinary execution of another criminal the darkness signified divine judgment Jesus cried my God my God why have you forsaken me reveal the Lord has torn our sin and redeem us from the separation from the father the three supernatural signs the torn the curtain and from top to bottom the earthquake and the resurrection of the sand show these were the work of

[29:40] God even the centurion the gentile recognize Jesus is son of the God the world of Jesus has ended separation from God and us we now have access God without fear therefore we shall trade you the privilege of the fellowship with the Lord and not take it as granted as Jesus commanded I'm the vine you are the branches if you remain in me and I in you you will bear much fruit apart from me you can do nothing three these passages teach us and God requests us to bear fruit as a life changing journey how we change our life first acknowledge our sin and repent repent is not just simply say

[30:43] I'm sorry but repent is from heart to read that direct our life not to do the sinful things again I'm struggling with it sometimes I feel oh I sorry Lord you know I should wake up and read your your words I should pray more and even sometime I come up with appropriate words I'm sorry but if I don't change would that be truly repent it is the journey of struggling because we are keeping working on this journey it will never end the second believe the gospel truth that Jesus really died for our sin and has redeemed us to be righteous in guise of God by his suffering death and resurrection our hope in the internal kingdom is accessible in the heavenly kingdom not in this world we worship

[31:53] God and rejoice fellowship with another if that are such wonderful things can we practice those things here in this world whatever differences in the world are meaningless our social status our political preference our economic position and all will be changed by the ministry walk of God so as we fight for those issues that could probably lose sight on Jesus especially for the students we all want to be a good student study hard I'm a student as well but the most important how we can be close to the Lord because the Lord also teach us ask us to work hard not to be lazy it's not saying I believe in Jesus so I can do nothing no the

[32:55] Lord want us to achieve our potential to glorify his name finally be bold and encourage that a faithful woman to witness and share the gospel truth it is not for our sake but for God because we are his children one thing I have learned from the study at the missionary and Bible college is I actually I have witnessed I have seen so many godly people they really have a heart for Lord Jesus they come to study once they equip they go to those dangerous places some places our names our names our face cannot be revealed because that will face serious persecution and some tirelessly shepherd the church like

[33:59] Pastor William Pastor Albert to be a church pastor has never been an easy job because they are taking care of people's life and that's really really tiring and really a big challenge once a time I talked to my pastor friend he said James if you want to be a pastor you are just like a fly trying to go through the big tsunami because the war even your congregation would go against you sometimes when he spoke to me this with his tears so why people still doing it because we are children of God and we want to follow our king who is our savior in his final war in

[35:07]  Matthew 28 all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me therefore go and make disciples of all nations baptizing them in the name of the father and of the son and the holy spirit and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded and surely I am with you always to the very end of the age thus law's commission although I believe help me my unbelief in this journey