Tag: Good Friday Service Outline

Creative Good Friday Service (2025)

This is a basic plan for the Good Friday service we’re doing at Celebration Church in New Orleans. I hope you find it useful for your church.

Items Needed 

  • Blank piece of paper (¼ sheet) for every congregation member
  • One large cross 
  • Three large nails (approximately nine inches long)
  • One oversized hammer (short, miniature sledgehammer is acceptable)
  • 1-4 regular-sized hammers for leaders to nail sins to the cross
  • Smaller nails for nailing paper to cross

Order of Worship:

  • Welcome
  • Short Giving Talk and Offering Prayer 
    • Say something brief like this – “Our ushers are preparing now to receive the offering. We’re thankful for all of those who give, whether online or here in person. Your giving makes a difference. It’s Good Friday, the day we remember what Jesus did for us on the cross. He gave His life for us not because we’ve earned or deserved it but because He loves us. The Lord gave so freely to us that it’s easy to give back to Him and that’s what we’re doing now before we continue with the rest of the service. You can give using the offering envelopes or online at celebrationchurch.org. Let’s pray and then we’ll receive the offering.”
  • The Two Gardens Video – (During the Video, offering is taken and the cross is placed center stage.)

Good Friday Sermon

  • Spoken transition – Say something like, “Jesus said, “Not my will, but Yours be done.” His sacrifice on the cross was unprecedented in its selflessness, embodying a love that transcends human understanding by willingly taking on the sins of all humanity. This profound act of grace offered redemption and hope, transforming the narrative of sin and separation from God into one of reconciliation and eternal life. Through His death and resurrection, Jesus redefined the concept of sacrifice, establishing a new covenant that continues to inspire and change lives across generations. Simply put, He died so that we might live. This week, we’ve followed Jesus on a journey from His triumphal entry to His cleansing of the temple. From His disagreements with the Pharisees to His anointing at Bethany. We’ve reflected on how He washed the feet of His disciples only to have one of them betray Him. He was arrested, tried, and condemned to death. Tonight, we’re going to reflect on His crucifixion and the bloody price He paid for us. 
  • THE MOCKING – The Bible says, “The soldiers took Jesus into the courtyard of the governor’s headquarters and called out the entire regiment. They dressed Him in a purple robe, and they wove thorn branches into a crown and put it on His head. Then they saluted Him and taunted, “Hail! King of the Jews!” And they struck Him on the head with a reed stick, spit on Him, and dropped to their knees in mock worship.” (Mark 15:16-19)
  • Beyond the physical pain of the crown of thorns and their blows, further humiliation was heaped on Jesus as the soldiers dropped to their knees in “mock worship.” 
  • Psalm 95:6 says, “Come, let us worship and bow down. Let us kneel before the Lord our maker.” This is not what the soldiers were doing. Instead, they were mocking the Lord and the worship of Him. Worship is serious business to God, and He doesn’t like it when people take it lightly or make fun of it.
  • Before we judge the soldiers too harshly, let’s take a minute and consider when we’ve come before the Lord with a lack of sincerity in our hearts. Have we possibly grown so accustomed to approaching His throne with boldness that we now approach it with apathy? 
  • Before we move on, take a moment and ask the Lord to forgive you for when you’ve been guilty of your own form of mock worship.
  • THE CROSS (Have volunteers stand the cross up or lift it up where people can see it. You may have to lean it against the wall or the stage.)
  • “When they were finally tired of mocking Him, they took off the purple robe and put His own clothes on Him again. Then they led Him away to be crucified. A passerby named Simon, who was from Cyrene, was coming in from the countryside just then, and the soldiers forced him to carry Jesus’ cross. And they brought Jesus to a place called Golgotha, which means ‘place of the skull.’” (Mark 15:19-22) 
  • The Cross Was Large and Heavy – After His terrible beating, the weight of the cross must have been too much for Jesus because Simon of Cyrene had to help Him. It’s believed that the cross probably weighed around 165 lbs and was most likely eight to twelve feet high with a cross beam about six feet wide. Little is known about what type of tree Jesus was crucified on. Some legends say it was the dogwood tree, but this is doubtful. The fact is, it doesn’t really matter what type of tree the cross was made from. What matters is what happened on that cross. (Expound if needed)
  • We Don’t Worship the Cross. It was simply the instrument of death where Jesus was crucified. But we do worship the One who hung on that cross. The One who gave His life for us on the cross has transformed a symbol of death into a symbol of Divine Love. 
  • THE NAILS  – Then, the unthinkable happened. We read in the Bible “The soldiers nailed Him to the cross…” (Mark 15:24)
  • (Take the three nails and drive them into the cross where His hands and feet would have been – The point is to make noise with the hammer and nails. You can combine the hammering with the sharing of the next part if you want.)
  • The Nails Were Painful – The soldiers actually took each of His hands and physically nailed them to the cross, maybe through His wrists so He wouldn’t pull away. Then, they did the same thing to each of His feet. The pain of the nails going through His body and the blood pouring from these wounds were amplified by the weight of His body pulling against the nails. (Expound if necessary)
  • The Nails are Symbols of both Sin and Redemption – They represent the gravity of our sins, serving as a stark reminder of the pain and suffering caused by our disobedience. Yet, they also symbolize redemption, as Jesus willingly endured this torment to atone for our transgressions. We should all just take a minute and say, “Thank you, Jesus.”
  • Activity –(Have the people reflect on their own sins for which Jesus was crucified. Then, have them write them out on the pieces of paper they were given in their bulletin shells upon entering.) – Note: Have the people hold on to their papers after writing. We will use them again later in the service.
  • Pray and thank the Lord for the pain and suffering He endured for our redemption
  • HIS DEATH – The Bible continues, “It was nine o’clock in the morning when they crucified Him… At noon, darkness fell across the whole land until three o’clock. Then, Jesus called out with a loud voice, ‘Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?’ which means ‘My God, my God, why have You forsaken Me?’ Then Jesus uttered another loud cry and breathed His last. And the curtain in the sanctuary of the Temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. When the Roman officer who stood facing Him saw how He had died, he exclaimed, ‘This man truly was the Son of God!’” (Mark 15:25, 33-39)
  • In the same moment when the Jewish leaders were rejoicing in the death of Jesus, this Roman centurion proclaimed with reverence the glory of Jesus. He proclaimed that Jesus was the Son of God, which drives home the words of Jesus to Nicodemus earlier in His ministry. He said, “For this is how God loved the world: He gave His one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)
  • What This Means For Us – “You were dead because of your sins and because your sinful nature was not yet cut away. Then God made you alive with Christ, for He forgave all our sins. He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross. (Colossians 2:13-14)
  • Through Jesus, we have redemption as we release our sins to Him.
  • Share a Personal or Shared Testimony/Gospel Presentation
  • Ask the following Question: What sins do you need to release to Jesus tonight?
  • Decision Response Activity – (Have the people bring their papers on which they wrote their sins and bring them forward to leaders to nail them to the cross while also picking up their bread and juice for communion)
  • Lead the people through Communion
  • Closing

* Photo courtesy of Alicia Quan

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Good Friday Service Outline – The Seven Last Words of Christ

THE SEVEN LAST WORDS OF CHRIST – 2024 GOOD FRIDAY SERVICE OUTLINE

OPENING

  • Welcome
  • Suggested Song – “The Lion and the Lamb”
  • Suggested Song – “Hallelujah For the Cross”
  • Communion
  • Song (Repeated or new)

Offering and Transition

  • Offering Intro and Prayer
  • “This is the Cross” video from Hyper Pixels Media available at this link

Transition into the Seven Last Words of Christ

INTRO: Tonight, we remember the cross. In John 3:16, when Jesus said those words, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life,” He knew the price He was going to pay in order to fulfill that scripture. So tonight, before we rush into the celebration of the resurrection part of Easter, we need to remember what Christ did for us on the cross. Until we understand the significance of Good Friday, we can’t fully appreciate Easter Sunday. So tonight, we’re going to remember the final words Jesus spoke before His death so we can gain that full appreciation. You can follow along with us in your special insert in your worship guide. 

FIRST WORD – FORGIVENESS

  • Spoken – We read in Luke 23 that the Roman soldiers took Jesus to Calvary, the place of the skull, and there they nailed Him to a cross and lifted Him up for all to see. These were strong men performing their duty, but I’m sure they weren’t concerned with being respectful to Jesus, the Son of God. But Jesus’ reaction to the soldiers was the first of His seven last words. He said, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.” (Luke 23:34) 
  • Prayer Activity – Jesus offered forgiveness to the very soldiers who took His life. Through His death, He offers forgiveness to us as well if we will repent of our sins. The Apostle John writes, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us of our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” Take a moment and ask the Lord to remind you of sins of which you need to ask Him for forgiveness. Once they come to mind, pray and ask His forgiveness. (Give them a moment to pray, then lead them in prayer of forgiveness).

SECOND WORD – SALVATION

  • Spoken – Jesus was crucified between two thieves. One of them scoffed at Jesus, saying “So You’re the Messiah, are you? Prove it by saving Yourself – and us, too, while You’re at it. But the other criminal protested, “Don’t you fear God even when you have been sentenced to die? We deserve to die for our crimes, but this man hasn’t done anything wrong.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into Your Kingdom.”
  • Spoken – Then Jesus said the second of His seven last words. To the repentant thief, He said, “I assure you, today you will be with Me in paradise.” (Luke 23:43)
  • PRAYER ACTIVITY – Many of us rejoice when we think about how Jesus can give us access to Heaven. However, many of us also think about those people we know who we long to be in Heaven with us. Take a few seconds and think about those people you want to see in Heaven. (Give them a moment to do so)
  • In your worship guide (or on a piece of paper), write the names of those you know who you desire to see in Heaven. (Give them a moment to do so) Now, pray for each of them. (Give them time to pray then lead in prayer, asking the Lord to draw these people to Himself so they can be with us and Him in Heaven.)

THIRD WORD – RELATIONSHIP

  • Spoken – Even as Jesus was suffering on the cross, He was concerned for the needs of others. He forgave the soldiers, offered salvation to one of the thieves, but then, He saw His mother standing beside the disciple John. He had compassion for her. 
  • Action/Spoken – The third of Jesus’ seven last words was spoken to His mother Mary and to His disciple John. To Mary, Jesus said, “Dear woman, here is your son.” And to John He said, “Here is your mother.” (John 19:26-27)
  • Action/Spoken – The Bible tells us that “From then on this disciple took her into his home.” (John 19:27). Apparently, a cherished bond developed between Mary and John, in a similar way as if John had been her son. Just as Jesus showed love for His mother and His friend, He also shows love for us by helping us establish lifelong relationships with those who will help us through this life. Take a moment and thank the Lord for the cherished friends and family He has surrounded you with. You can write their names in your insert.
  • (After a moment, lead the people in prayer, thanking God for our family/friends/church)

FOURTH WORD – DISTRESS

  • Spoken – The fourth of Jesus’ seven last words reminds us of His humanity. We read in John 19:28 – Jesus knew that His mission was now finished, and to fulfill Scripture, He said, “I am thirsty.” 
  • Action/Spoken – Jesus truly suffered during the crucifixion. He was thirsty. He felt every lash, every thorn, and every nail. He endured it all because of our sin. An older Christian song asked the question, “Does He still feel the nails every time I fail? Can He hear the crowd cry “crucify” again. Am I causing Him pain? Then I know I’ve got to change. I just can’t stand the thought of hurting Him.” 
  • Jesus went through physical distress because of our sin. Romans 5:8 says, But God demonstrates His love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” He shed His blood for You and for me. Let’s stand together. Remember this and thank Him as we sing.

SUGGESTED SONG – Thank You, Jesus, for the Blood Applied

FIFTH WORD – ABANDONMENT

  • (Direct everyone to be seated)
  • Spoken – The fifth of the seven last words of Christ is Abandonment. In the Gospel of Mark, we read At noon, darkness fell across the whole land until three o’clock. Then… Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken Me?” (Mark 15:33-34). Many of us at one time or another may have felt abandoned in one way or another. We may have felt forsaken. We may have felt like crying out to the Lord using those words of Jesus. 
  • Engagement 
    • If you would say that phrase of Jesus with me starting with “My God, My God” Say – “My God, my God, why have You forsaken Me?” 
    • Say it again – “My God, my God, why have You forsaken Me?” 
    • Say it one more time – “My God, my God, why have You forsaken Me?” 
  • Action/Spoken – Saying those words out loud helps us realize the abandonment Jesus must have felt when he was temporarily separated from His Father. Imagine Him crying out to God the Father from the cross. He must have felt so alone when “God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.” (2 Corinthians 5:21)
  • PRAYER – (Lead the people in a pastoral prayer, emphasizing our thankfulness to Jesus for the abandonment He must have endured while on the cross.)

SIXTH WORD – TRIUMPH

Object Needed – Slightly torn swatch of material representing the Temple curtain before the Holy of Holies

  • Spoken – The sixth of the seven last words Jesus spoke before His death was “It is finished.” (John 19:30) Even though it is a sad moment because Jesus is about to die. A word that is synonymous with this phrase, in Jesus’ case, is Triumph. 
  • Action/Spoken (Pick up the material). This swatch of curtain material is symbolic of the curtain in the temple in Jesus’ day. It separated the people from the Holy of holies. Matthew 27:51 reports that when Jesus breathed His last, “the curtain in the sanctuary of the Temple was torn in two, from top to bottom.” (Tear the material into two pieces) This symbolized the division between God and humanity being removed, signifying the completion of Jesus’ redemptive work and the direct access to God made possible through His sacrifice. 
  • Prayer – Take a moment to thank Jesus for finishing His redemptive work for us on the cross. Surrender Yourself to live in obedience to His will. (Allow them to pray silently for a moment, then lead them in prayer)

SEVENTH WORD – RELEASE

  • Spoken – Finally, Jesus said, “Into Your hands I commend my Spirit.” It is a bittersweet moment because, although it was sad because of His death, it was also said in anticipation of His Reunion with His heavenly Father. (Luke 23:46)  
  • PRAYER ACTIVITY – Jesus released His Spirit to His Heavenly Father. This is a good example for us all. We all have things we’re holding back from the Lord, things we should be releasing to Him today. Right where you are, bow your heads and ask the Lord, “Who or what do I need to release to You today? Then, pray and ask God to help you release those people or items to Him.” (Give them a moment to do this)
  • Now, in your worship guide is a separate blank sheet of paper. On it, go ahead and write out the people or things you need to release to the Lord today. As you finish, bring them to the foot of the cross, symbolizing that you are surrendering them to Him on this Good Friday. 
  • Action – (Give time for people to do this. The way it is done at each campus will need to be determined because of traffic flow and space. 
  • (Prayer of Thanksgiving transitioning to a Salvation and Rededication DECISION prayer) – (AFTER everyone has brought up their items, say a Pastor led Prayer thanking God for receiving all of these items we’ve released to Him and asking Him to help us remember as well. THEN transition into a decision time focusing on Salvation and Rededication in your own words)

CULMINATION 

  • Spoken – Jesus commending His spirit was the sweet part, but Him breathing His last was the bitter part, especially for those around Him. We look at what He went through and remember the rest of the story, but those who were with Him at the time could only understand that Jesus was dead. Their Lord, their Messiah, had departed this life. We’ve remembered the seven last words of Christ tonight. Now, let’s remember what happened next as we sing. 

Celebration Song – O Praise The Name or Forever

CLOSING 

  • Communication Cards/Giveaways
  • Share remaining Easter Service times/Challenge people to bring others

Production Notes 

  • This service was created for the 2024 Good Friday Services at Celebration Church in New Orleans. Please forgive any church specific references you might see.
  • We created an insert using the image at the top of this blog post as the entire inside of our worship guide. Kudos of Brenda Miranda from our staff for the drawing and for our marketing/communications department for working it into the service materials.
  • We used a piece of purple material to represent the curtain in the temple that was torn in two during the Sixth Word.
  • We also added a small piece of blank paper (1/4 sheet) for the exercise during the Seventh Word
  • A cross at the front is best. If a large cross is not available, a smaller version is sufficient.
  • Have a keyboardist or guitarist play behind the presentations for effect.
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2023 Good Friday Service Outline

Each year on Good Friday at Celebration Church in New Orleans, we do a more interactive type of service with various dramatic elements. I typically share the outline on my blog after the service happens for reference by others. I hope you find it helpful, or at least interesting.

2023 Good Friday Service Outline

Welcome

UPFRONT WORSHIP MUSIC SECTION

Prayer 

PASSOVER TO LAST SUPPER SECTION 

1200 Years Video (Video produced by Celebration Church New Orleans – the link is to the left, Script below)

At least 1200 years before Jesus was born

The people of Israel cried out to the Lord

They had been in bondage for 400 years….

400 years.

God heard their cries 

And intervened

He delivered them by the leadership of Moses through a series of plagues:

Water turning to blood, 

Frogs, lice, flies,

Livestock pestilence, boils, 

Hail, locusts, and darkness

Nasty stuff… Harsh plagues… But then… 

The final plague  

An angel of death came to every home unless the family had sacrificed a lamb

And splattered its blood on their doorposts and side beams. 

If that had been done, the death angel Passed Over them. 

And they were safe.

The message of Passover was clear 

To be delivered from judgment, a death was required.

But the death of a substitute was acceptable

From then on in Israel 

Every single sacrifice served as a reminder 

That our God can deliver us from judgment 

through the death of a substitute. 

However, no animal sacrifice was sufficient for eternal forgiveness

So a sacrificial system was begun. 

Over the centuries, the sacrifices continued by the millions 

They continued while the Jews 

While the whole world

Waited for the perfect sacrifice 

Over 1200 years later, that sacrifice was made 

It happened on a Friday, 

What we call Good Friday, 

When Jesus, 

the Son of God, 

the Lamb of God

Was offered as a sacrifice for us all on the cross

To be delivered from judgment, a death was required

For the wages of sin is death

But the sacrifice of the innocent substitute’s blood was eternally acceptable.

And the gift of God was eternal life 

Through that perfect, sinless, beautiful, sacrificial Lamb,

Who shed His blood for You and for me.

For our eternal forgiveness.

While we were yet sinners,

Christ died for us

At the cross 

And there to our hearts was His blood applied

Glory to His name.

Song – Thank You, Jesus, For the Blood Applied (First verse and chorus)

COMMUNION SECTION

(Music continues behind speaker) 

Communion Introduction: How many of you are thankful that the Lord has made a way that we could be brought out of darkness into glorious light? When John the Baptist saw Jesus, he cried, “Look the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.” (John 1:29) We’re about to observe a special time of worship where we remember how Jesus, as the Lamb of God, paid the price for our sin on the cross. Some people call this observance communion. Some people call it the Lord’s Supper. Some people call it the Lord’s Table. Whatever you call it, one thing is certain. It’s about Him. It’s His communion. It’s His Supper. It’s His communion. He instituted it at the Last Supper while He was observing Passover with His disciples the night before He was betrayed. 

The Bible says that “When the time came, Jesus and the apostles sat down together at the table. Jesus said, ‘I have been very eager to eat this Passover meal with you before my suffering begins” (Luke 22:14-15) 

Jesus had been with His disciples for three years so He must have celebrated Passover with them before. But this time, Jesus took it further. Instead of a sacrificed animal being the focus of remembrance, He was the focus of remembrance. 

The Bible says, “He took some bread and gave thanks to God for it. Then he broke it in pieces and gave it to the disciples, saying, ‘This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.’” (Luke 22:14-15)

(Lead the people to take the bread)

After supper he took another cup of wine and said, ‘This cup is the new covenant between God and his people – an agreement confirmed with my blood, which is poured out for you.” Do this in remembrance of me. (Luke 22:19-20)

(Lead the people to take the juice – give them instructions about their cups)

Pray (Thanking God for His body and His blood)

Song Continues – Thank You, Jesus, For the Blood Applied (Song continues through tag)

GARDEN SECTION

Speaker: The Bible teaches us that “Accompanied by the disciples, Jesus left the upstairs room and went as usual to the Mount of Olives. There He told them, ‘Pray that you will not give in to temptation.’ He walked away, about a stone’s throw, and knelt down and prayed, ‘Father, if you are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want Your will to be done, not mine.’ Then an angel from heaven appeared and strengthened Him. He prayed more fervently, and He was in such agony of spirit that His sweat fell to the ground like great drops of blood. (Luke 22:39-44)

Is it possible for someone to sweat blood? It’s very rare, but it is possible. The condition is called hematidrosis. It happens when extreme physical or emotional stress causes blood vessels that surround the sweat glands to rupture and blood is lost through the sweat glands. That’s the type of anguish Jesus was going through. 

Can you imagine the type of anguish Jesus was going through? He knew what was about to happen if everything continued. He knew He was the sinless Lamb of God. He knew He was about to be betrayed and denied by His closest friends. He knew He was about to be wounded for our transgressions and bruised for our iniquities. If it would have been us, we would have run away. But He didn’t. Instead, He submitted to His Father’s will. 

GARDEN TO THE CROSS SECTION

What happened next must have seemed like a hurricane of activity:

(Read through the next section, only expounding when necessary)

  • While Jesus was in agony, His disciples were asleep.
  • Except for Judas, who appeared with a mob and betrayed Jesus with a kiss
  • Jesus was arrested and taken to the high priest’s house where Peter, the Rock, denied Him three times before the rooster crowed.
  • Then Jesus was blindfolded and was mocked and beaten by the guards who cried out, “Prophesy! Who hit you?”
  • He was given a mockery of a trial before Pilate who said, “I find no basis for your charges against Him.
  • But when given the choice to release Him, the crowd shouted “Crucify Him! Crucify Him!”
  • He was whipped, He was beaten 
  • A Crown of Thorns was shoved on His head.
  • He was forced to carry the very cross on which He was to be crucified.

CROSS SECTION

The Bible says that, “When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified Him there, along with the criminals – one on His right, the other on His left.” (Luke 23:32)

Crucifixion often meant binding or nailing someone to a cross and letting them die slowly. This is what they did with Jesus. They took three nails (hold the nails out), possibly like this, and nailed Him to the cross. 

  • They drove a nail through one hand into the cross (hit the nails together three times)
  • They drove another nail through his other hand into the cross (hit the nails together three times)
  • Finally, they drove a final nail through his feet into the cross (hit the nails together three times)

The cross was raised and Jesus hung there for the world to see. 

The Bible says, “It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon, for the sun stopped shining. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. Jesus called out with a loud voice, ‘Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.’ When He had said this, He breathed His last.” (Luke 22:44-46 ESV)

Jesus was dead. The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world was sacrificed there for you and for me. He lived a totally sinless life and was a sacrifice worthy of eternal forgiveness. So, come to the cross and behold the Lamb.

The Cross Video (Video created by Passion City Church – linked to the left)

(When the video ends, the decision Song Behold the Lamb begins.

DECISION TIME

From the time of the first Passover, the Israelites understood God can deliver us from judgment for our sin through the sacrifice of a substitute, even though no animal sacrifice was sufficient for eternal forgiveness. Over 1200 years later, John the Baptist pointed to Jesus and said, “Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.” (John 1:29) Jesus gave Himself as a sacrifice on the Cross so we could be forgiven of our sins and live with Him forever. We all have a need to come to the cross and behold the Lamb.

  • We all have a need for Him – “For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.” (Romans 3:23)
  • We all deserve punishment for our sin, but God has made a way for us – “For the wages of sin is death but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23)
  • He gave His Son for us because He loves us – “But God showed His great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners” (Romans 5:8)
  • Admit to God that you are a sinner – “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)
  • We must confess with our mouths and believe in our hearts – “If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him for the dead, you will be saved.” (Romans 10:9)
  • We must surrender ourselves to the Lord, making Him Lord of our lives – “If any of you wants to be My follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow Me.” (Matthew 16:24) 

Salvation Prayer

Surrender/Decision Section 

(Band continues playing/singing Behold the Lamb)

Jesus surrendered Himself for you. What will you surrender of yourself for Him? 

  • Will you give your life to Him as Savior and Lord?
  • Will you finally surrender those sinful habits to Him?
  • Will you start tithing or giving to the Lord?
  • Will you be willing to serve Him however He might ask?
  • Will you honor Him with your relationships?
  • Will you surrender to Him by finally sharing His love with your family?
  • Will you be honest at work, or with your taxes, or with your spouse?
  • Will you surrender yourself to vocational Christian service?

Is there something else you are willing to surrender to the Lord today? While the music plays, take time to pray, thanking the Lord for His sacrifice and asking Him what you should give to Him. Then, if you’re willing, write it out on your special Good Friday Communication Card you received when you entered tonight. 

(End by singing the chorus of Behold the Lamb)

Prayer (closing out decision song and praying for offering)  

Offering is taken during Closing Remarks 

Celebrative Closing Song –

* Image courtesy of Dylan McLeod

** Special Thanks to the Pastors and Congregation of Celebration Church

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Good Friday 2019 Service Script – Full Outline

good-friday-copy

Here’s a copy of our 2019 Good Friday Service Script. You may find this helpful for Good Friday services, Communion Services, or any service that focuses on the cross.

Opening Worship Set

Suggested Song – Grateful

Suggested Song – Death Was Arrested

Suggested Song – Living Hope

Transition

Turn and Greet/Bumper

Welcome/Explanation of Service/Communication Cards

  • Thank you for coming this evening. Tonight’s service is totally focused on the cross of Jesus and all He did for us. We’re going to look back in time and then reflect on our own lives before we share in communion together at the end of the service. Before we begin our journey, we’re asking everyone to complete their communication cards. We’ll collect them at the end of tonight’s service. But first, before we begin, we’re going to receive our offering. Some people here have already given online and some are preparing to give right now. However you are giving, thanks so much. Let’s pray and then we’ll continue on with tonight’s service.

Offering Prayer

Transition Video (adapted from Andy Stanley’s book “Irresistible.)

 

Construction on the Roman Colosseum began in AD 72 during the reign of Emperor Vespasian and was completed in AD 80 by his son Titus. It held over 50,000 people. That’s roughly 79% of of the New Orleans Mercedes Benz Superdome. That’s a pretty big arena for first century technology.

Nearby is the site where Nero’s circus once stood. This was the place where the first state-sponsored persecution of Christians took place. In the summer of AD 64, the city of Rome burned for six days and seven nights, consuming almost 75% of the city. Many Roman citizens blamed Emperor Nero, claiming he set fire to the city for his own amusement. Nero denied this accusation and claimed the fire had been started by the Christians who did not worship the Roman gods yet instead followed a King named Jesus. He set out to persecute the Christians and torture them in Nero’s Circus. It was there that the Christians were first dressed as animals and fed to the lions.

But the larger site, where the persecution of Christians continued, was the Colosseum, which soon became the symbol of the strength of the Roman Empire and its king. Spectators entered and exited the Colosseum through 80 arched entrances. 76 of these gates were numbered and allowed the general public to exit within 10 minutes. The remaining four unnumbered entrances were the emperor’s gate, two VIP gates, and the gladiator gate. Guests today are ushered in through the emperor’s gate.

And every single person who enters the Colosseum walks directly toward an enormous wooden structure that Pope Benedict XIV had placed there in the eighteenth century. By that time, the Colosseum had fallen into disrepair. Everything of value had been stolen and vagrants lived in the lower levels. Town planners, for safety, decided to tear down the entire structure. But to keep this from happening, Pope Benedict declared the Colosseum as a sacred monument dedicated to the suffering of Christ. As a part of his declaration, he commissioned the construction of an enormous cross to be hung over the emperor’s gate to commemorate the Christian martyrs who had died in the Colosseum and in Nero’s Circus.

When you see the Cross of Jesus in the Roman Colosseum, you are faced with the reality that the gospel is the power of God. The contrast is staggering. Here are two symbols representing two kingdoms – the Roman kingdom and the kingdom of God. In the end, the kingdom of the Lord prevailed.

The Roman Empire is no more. The Colosseum, once marveled at by man as a sign of Roman strength is now a tourist destination where the central attraction is the Cross of Jesus. The symbol that once represented the most horrible kind of death represents eternal life. The cross, the symbol of our King’s plan for our salvation and His own victory over death, hell, and the grave.

Praise be to our King.

Sermon – THE KING

We are here today to celebrate our King.

King Jesus lived like no other king because He was a King like no other.

Before Jesus was born, wise men from Eastern lands arrived in Jerusalem asking:

“Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star as it rose, and we have come to worship him.” (Matthew 2:2)

Expound on scripture:

  • “Once in our world, a stable had something in it that was bigger than our whole world.” – C.S. Lewis
  • Jesus was born in a place reserved for animals and was wrapped not in fine linen but in cheap strips of material. He was placed not in a prince’s cradle, but instead was lain in a manger, the feeding trough for the livestock. This wasn’t the typical birthplace for a king, but Jesus is no typical king.

Jesus Was Born Like No Other King

When Jesus entered the City of Jerusalem, He fulfilled prophecy by telling His disciples: “Tell the people of Jerusalem, ‘Look, your King is coming to you. He is humble, riding on a donkey— riding on a donkey’s colt.’” (Matthew 21:4-5)

Expound on scripture:

  • “I am persuaded that love and humility are the highest attainments in the school of Christ and the brightest evidences that He is indeed our Master.” – John Newton
  • Jesus didn’t enter Jerusalem on a white horse, showing himself off to the world. Instead, He purposefully rode on a young donkey, showing how humble He truly was. Kings aren’t typically known for their humility, but for their pride. Jesus personified humility in everything He did.
  • Jesus was God and deserved to stay in Heaven. Yet out of His great love for us, He chose to come to earth as a human. He even chose to obey God to the point of dying an embarrassing and painful death on the cross for our sins. Jesus is the perfect example of humility.

Jesus Was Humble Like No Other King

Jesus was arrested and brought before Pilate, the Roman Governor. “Are you the king of the Jews?” the governor asked Him. Jesus replied, “You have said it.” But when the leading priests and the elders made their accusations against Him, Jesus remained silent. “Don’t you hear all these charges they are bringing against you?” Pilate demanded. But Jesus made no response to any of the charges, much to the governor’s surprise.”  (Matthew 27:11-14)

Even when Pilate tried to make a way to release Jesus, it didn’t go well. He had a custom where he would release one prisoner a year at Passover. He asked the people to choose between Jesus and a thief named Barabbas. They chose the thief.

Pilate asked them, “Then what should I do with this man you call the king of the Jews?” (Mark 15:12)

They shouted back, “Crucify Him!”

Expound on scripture:

  • Jesus is God. He is the Ultimate Judge. He lowered Himself to be judged by Pilate in order to carry out the will of His Father.

Jesus Had A Trial Like No Other King

Some of the governor’s soldiers took Jesus into their headquarters and called out the entire regiment. They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him. They wove thorn branches into a crown and put it on his head, and they placed a reed stick in his right hand as a scepter. Then they knelt before him in mockery and taunted, “Hail! King of the Jews!” And they spit on him and grabbed the stick and struck him on the head with it. When they were finally tired of mocking him, they took off the robe and put his own clothes on him again. Then they led him away to be crucified. Matthew 27:27-31

After they had nailed him to the cross, the soldiers gambled for his clothes by throwing dice. Then they sat around and kept guard as he hung there. A sign was fastened above Jesus’ head, announcing the charge against him. It read: “This is Jesus, the King of the Jews.”  The leading priests, the teachers of religious law, and the elders also mocked Jesus. “He saved others,” they scoffed, “but he can’t save himself! So he is the King of Israel, is he? Let him come down from the cross right now, and we will believe in him! He trusted God, so let God rescue him now if he wants him! For he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’” (Matthew 27:32-44)

Expound on scripture:

  • In their mocking of Jesus, the Roman soldiers placed a crown of thorns on His head and a reed stick in His hand as a scepter. The crown and the reed certainly caused Jesus pain, but even more, it caused intense humiliation before the people. The scarlet robe drove the point home even more.
  • The jeering crowd caused even more humiliation for Jesus. They were jabbing at him, hoping to elicit some response that would ruin His claims about Himself. They received none.

Jesus Was Humiliated Like No Other King

At noon, darkness fell across the whole land until three o’clock. At about three o’clock, Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” which means “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?”… Then Jesus shouted out again, and he released his spirit. At that moment the curtain in the sanctuary of the Temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. The earth shook, rocks split apart, and tombs opened. The bodies of many godly men and women who had died were raised from the dead. They left the cemetery after Jesus’ resurrection, went into the holy city of Jerusalem, and appeared to many people. The Roman officer and the other soldiers at the crucifixion were terrified by the earthquake and all that had happened. They said, “This man truly was the Son of God!” (Matthew 27:45-46, 50-54)

Expound on scripture:

  • “It was not nails that held Jesus to that wretched cross; it was His unqualified resolution, out of love for His Father, to do His Father’s will-and it was His love for sinners like me.” – D.A. Carson
  • “God proved His love on the Cross. When Christ hung, and bled, and died, it was God saying to the world, ‘I love you.’”

Jesus Died Like No Other King Because He Was, And Is, A King Like No Other

You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. Though he was God, He did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; He took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When He appeared in human form, He humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross. Therefore, God elevated Him to the place of highest honor and gave Him the name above all other names, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:5-11)

Video – No Other King by Dan Stevers –  https://www.danstevers.com/store/no_other_king

Decision Time – This King Gave His Life For You On the Cross

Communion

  • Spoken Intro – You heard the story of King Jesus. This is who we are remembering tonight…
  • Communion Song – Mighty Cross  

Closing Announcements

Closing Song

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Good Friday Outline/Script using Hillsong’s “O Praise The Name”

good-friday-copy

Here’s a basic outline/script for Celebration Church’s 2016 Good Friday service. It’s my hope that other churches can find it helpful and meaningful in the future.

Three basics props are needed for this service:

  1. Biblical Whip
  2. Crown of Thorns
  3. Three large 8-10 inch nails

We chose to use a high table for the props.

O Praise The Name Good Friday Outline/Script

3 Opening Songs – Based around the cross and the goodness of the Lord

Brief Offering Introduction and Prayer

Transition Video – http://www.danstevers.com/store/life_with_god/ (also available in Spanish)

THE NAME OF THE FATHER SECTION

Speaker: (quoting video) Life with God is not about a religion. It’s about a relationship. Here at Celebration Church, we encourage everyone to know God personally.

When you first meet someone, you most often learn each other’s name. When meeting the Lord, most people realize that He already knows their name, but how are we to address God?

I mean, really, what do you call the Supreme, Ever-Present, All-Knowing Power in the Universe? Let’s explore that.

For thousands of years, there have been many names for God

  • He is Elohim, our Mighty Creator, who spoke and the worlds came into existence. (Show slide displaying the name “Elohim”)
  • God is called El Shaddai meaning God Almighty(Show slide displaying the name “El Shaddai”)
  • He is YAHWEH, which is sometimes known as the only proper name of God. This name was revealed when Moses asked the Lord for His name. God answered by saying, “I Am Who I Am.”(Show slide displaying the name “YAHWEH“)
  • God is also called Adonai which simply means Lord(Show slide displaying the name “Adonai“)

There are many other names of God in the Bible reflecting on the attributes of God, but the name Jesus most often used when praying and teaching others to pray was Father.

(Show slide displaying the name “Father“)

The name Father was more descriptive than most other names because the word Father describes more than a characteristic of God. It describes a relationship.

Think of all a Good Father is and that describes who God the Father is to us. He is our Provider, our Shelter, our Forbearer, our Wise Ancestor. He’s given us Life, Protection, and Nourishment. He’s our Source, our Sire, our Parent. No matter if you call Him Padre, Papa, or Daddy, He is our Father. Our Good, Good Father.

Let’s take a moment and think about His goodness.

Sing: Good, Good Father – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x0gwz_IDY7w (Spanish version also available)

(Soft music from one instrument continues to play as speaker continues)

THE NAME OF JESUS Section

Speaker – God, our good, good Father, patterned mankind after Himself because He desired a personal relationship with each person. However, man’s sin created a problem. You see, God is so good and so Holy that sin cannot exist in His presence.

In fact, we learn from the first part of Romans 6:23 that “the wages of sin is death…”

(Show Romans 6:23a slide as it is being read)

Basically, it’s saying that the punishment for our sin is death. With that being said, it sounds as if we are doomed. However, Romans 6:23 also continues to say, “But the free gift of God is eternal life through Jesus our Lord.”

(Show Romans 6:23b slide as it is being read)

So God provided a way for us to be forgiven. But how can this be? Why would He do such a thing? Because our Good, Good Father loves us.

The Bible actually says in Romans 5:8 – “But God showed His great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.”  

(Show Romans 5:8 slide as it is being read)

Jesus died on the cross to pay the penalty for our sins. He took our place and endured the punishment that we should have received.

Taking this punishment is the reason Jesus was born in the first place. It’s how He got His name. An angel appeared to Joseph and said, “You are to name Him Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.”  (Matthew 1:21)

(Show Matthew 1:21 slide as it is being read. Music switches to minor key)

CRUCIFIXION SECTION

However, the punishment He took for us was serious, painful, punishment. John chapter 19 describes much of this torture Jesus endured in detail.

(Stagehands uncover table. Music continues)

Speaker: “Then Pilate had Jesus flogged with a lead-tipped whip.” (John 19:1)

(Show John 19:1 slide as it is spoken)

(Speaker goes to table and examine lead-tipped whip. Holds up the whip for all the see)

Speaker: Jesus was beaten at least 39 times at the whipping post. The whip lashed His shoulders, back, and legs, cut through His skin and tissue, and caused blood to ooze from His capillaries and veins. The lead tips produced deep bruises which were broken open by subsequent blows. Many who were sentenced to crucifixion never made it to the cross because they died during the flogging.

(Speaker returns the whip to its place)

Speaker: “The soldiers wove a crown of thorns and put it on his head,” (John 19:2)

(Show John 19:2 slide as it is spoken)

(Speaker holds up the crown of thorns and examines it while speaking)

Speaker: The main purpose of the crown of thorns was for the pleasure of the mocking guards, who thought it was hysterical that Jesus should call Himself a king. The guards formed the crown from thorns of a nearby plant. They shoved it down on Jesus’ head so that it would not fall off during the crucifixion. The humiliation of the crown continued throughout His crucifixion. Every step Jesus made towards his own death, His followers saw the crown of thorns. His enemies pointed and laughed and continued the mocking.

(Speaker Return the thorns to the table)

Speaker: “So they took Jesus away. Carrying the cross by himself, he went to the place called the Place of the Skull. There they nailed him to the cross.”  (John 19:17-18a. Show slide as scripture is being read)

(Show John 19:17-18a as it is spoken)

(Speaker picks up the nails and holds them at arm’s length toward the people)

Speaker: Imagine the soldiers stretching one of Jesus’ arms out and nailing His hand to the cross.

(Speaker hits two of the nails together three times)

Speaker: Think about the soldiers stretching Jesus’ other arm out and nailing His other hand to the cross.

(Speaker hits two of the nails together three times)

Speaker: Picture the soldiers placing Jesus’ feet one on top of the other, and driving a nail through them.

(Speaker hits two of the nails together three times)

Speaker: The soldiers raised the cross and Jesus hung there for everyone to see. It was there that Jesus, the Son of our Good Father, who received His name because He would save His people from their sins, died.

(music stops abruptly)

Speaker: “For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.”  (Show John 3:16 slide as it is read)

(Music for next song begins and Speaker exits)

O Praise the Name – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LqBpifDpNKc – (Also available in Spanish)

Gospel Presentation/Decision Ministry – 

Communion Intro – We’ve shared tonight about the love of our Good Father and the sacrifice of our Lord Jesus. Now, together, let’s take time to commemorate what Jesus did for us on the cross by observing communion together…

Communion –

“You Are Good” (Kari Jobe/Gateway) – Suggested Song for Communion – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O15tsWWo_Ys

Closing Remarks

Closing Song

Dustin Lee - Unsplash 1

(Photos courtesy of Unsplash)

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Good Friday Service Outline – Full Script

Many churches, including ours, have found a renewed interest in celebrating Good Friday. In many ways, since Easter has become more of a reaching service (which I believe it should be), Good Friday has become more of a Believer’s Easter Weekend Service.

At Celebration Church, many found this year’s service to be extremely meaningful and a few have asked me for the outline. It’s included in it’s entirety below. Let me know if you have questions, comments, or suggestions for future services.

2015 Good Friday Service Outline

Pre-Service Music and Slides

Musical Worship

  • Song – 5

Good Friday? video plays as soon as people are seated – 3:16

  • Suggested Song – “Your Love, So High”

Welcome – Greeting/Communication Cards/Prayer – 3 (Instrumental music continues)

Campus Pastor or Campus Representative: 5

When many of us think about the Last Supper, we envision Leonardo da Vinci’s Last Supper painting (fresco) which he finished in 1498. (Show image of fresco)

Leonardo_da_Vinci_-_Ultima_cena_-_ca_1975

  • The original work was 15’ x 29’ and took 3 years to complete.
  • It was not painted on the ceiling or walls of one of the grand cathedrals of the day, but instead was painted on the wall of the refectory of Santa Maria delle Grazie in Milan, Italy. The modern translation of a refectory is a dining hall. In fact, the tablecloth, knives, forks, glassware, and china were all similar to those in use by the monks residing in the monastery in that time period. It was almost as if Leonardo da Vinci wanted those dining to feel as if they were dining with Jesus, helping them realize that what He did for them so many years ago was still relevant in their world.
  • The body and blood of Jesus, offered up to pay the price for the sins of the world, is relevant to us in the 21st century as well. He gave His life for us so that we might live with Him and in Him and He in us.
  • The monks in Milan must have felt like Jesus was right there with them as they ate every meal. Tonight, we are going to celebrate a meal together, just as the disciples did and as the monks in Milan did, and Jesus will be right here with us as well. We know that He is omnipresent, meaning He is everywhere, so we know He is with us right now.
  • Before we celebrate communion, let’s celebrate His presence with us tonight. Let’s invite the Holy Spirit to be present with us even now.

Suggested Song about the presence of the Lord – 5  – “Holy Spirit, You Are Welcome Here”

Spoken – The Bible says this about the night of the Last Supper…

Scripture: – Now the Festival of Unleavened Bread arrived, when the Passover Lamb is sacrificed. Jesus sent Peter and John ahead and said, “Go and prepare the Passover meal, so we can eat it together.”

“Where do you want us to prepare it?” they asked him.

He replied, “As soon as you enter Jerusalem, a man carrying a pitcher of water will meet you. Follow him. At the house he enters, say to the owner, ‘The Teacher asks: Where is the guest room where I can eat the Passover meal with my disciples?’ He will take you upstairs to a large room that is already set up. That is where you should prepare our meal.” They went off to the city and found everything just as Jesus had said, and they prepared the Passover meal there. (Luke 22:7-13)

Spoken: What happened then might have looked something like this: 

(Play first 4 minutes and 9 seconds of video)

(Music begins as soon as the video ends)

Intro to the Lord’s Supper: – 4 He has kept that promise to us. Tonight, we are going to remember the Lord’s death for us as He commanded us in that moment we just saw portrayed.

(Give instructions on coming forward to receive)

Serving of the Bread/Juice with song (Consider using real unleavened bread and juice. Have a table onstage with the bread and the juice for the campus pastor.)

Time of personal examination and reflection – 3 – (Something like this) The Apostle Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 11 that we should examine ourselves before eating the bread and drinking the cup. You see, on the very night He was betrayed, Jesus, knowing what was about to happen, gave bread and wine to his disciples and taught them that it represented His body. So, now, when we partake of the bread and juice, we proclaim, we remember, we celebrate His death, until He returns. So now, if you would, please hold up the bread and the juice before you. Look at them. They represent the body and blood of Jesus. Now, take a moment and think about your own life. Is there anything you need to get right with the Lord before you participate in the Lord’s Supper?

(Music plays while the Campus Pastor gives the people a moment to examine themselves)

Taking of the Bread/Juice with song which continues after the Lord’s Supper is taken and prayer is said – 3

Say:  That same evening, Jesus went to the Garden of Gethsemane to pray. While he was there, he was betrayed by Judas Iscariot, who led Roman soldiers there so they might arrest him. He then went through a mockery of a trial, was publicly flogged, then sentenced to death by crucifixion.

Read:  “Carrying the cross by himself, he went to the place called the Place of the Skull. There they nailed him to the cross. Two others were crucified with him, one on either side, with Jesus between them. And Pilate posted a sign on the cross that read, “Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews… Jesus knew that his mission was now finished, and to fulfill scripture he said, “I am thirsty.” A jar of sour wine was sitting there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put it on a hyssop branch, and held it up to his lips. When Jesus had tasted it, he said, “It is finished!” Then he bowed his head and released his spirit.” John 19:17-20, 28-30

For The Cross Song by Brian Johnson – Special Video Song Presentation with scenes of the crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension. (We downloaded the multi-tracks straight from Bethel Music and set them to a video which presented the words in a creative way mixed with scenes from the crucifixion.) Here’s a link to the song by itself: – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FhU59tWalD

Message – IN A MOMENT

Spoken: At the time of Jesus’ death, it must have seemed like the purpose of his life was unfulfilled. Fortunately, in that moment, God provided 3 miraculous signs, pointing toward the ultimate miracle which would take place on Sunday.

At the moment of Jesus Death: God Ripped The Temple Veil In Two

“Then Jesus shouted out again, and he released his spirit. At that moment the curtain in the sanctuary of the Temple was torn in two, from top to bottom…” Matthew 27:50-51

  • In the temple, behind the veil was the Holy of Holies, the innermost sanctuary where the ark of the covenant rested. Filling the Holy of Holies was the Shekinah glory of God, the visible tangible presence of the Lord. Only the high priest could enter and only once a year and then only to offer the blood of the sacrifice for the sins of Israel.
  • The veil was massive and was designed to separate man from the presence of God. It was sixty feet high, thirty feet wide, and ten inches thick. It was so heavy that it took 300 priests to hang it.
  • The very moment Jesus died, this curtain was torn in two from top to bottom, as if it were a piece of paper.

(Show image of veil torn in two)

veil torn

  • This could only be done by God and is a sign that the way is now opened for anyone and everyone to enter into the presence of God through the sacrifice of the Messiah.

At the moment of Jesus Death: God Shook the Earth, Split Rocks, and Opened Tombs

“Then Jesus shouted out again, and he released his spirit. At that moment…The earth shook, rocks split apart, and tombs opened.” Matthew 27:50-51

  • The second miraculous sign was a supernatural earthquake and the splitting of rocks which must have created much devastation around Jerusalem. God was making another statement about Jesus to the world.
  • It reflected the “earth-shaking” revelation that had just taken place with the splitting of the curtain. Through the death of the Son of God, the way had been cleared for sinful man to enter the company of the holy God. Centuries before, when God gave the Law to Moses on Mount Sinai, the earth shook because the Law was meant to shake people up. Here, the earth is shaking again—this time not to shake man up, but to shake him loose. To get him to wake up from his sin and sleep of apathy. We can be free! The sin that enslaves us has be paid for and forgiven. The veil is rent. Redemption’s price has been paid!
  • Because of the earthquake, the tombs were opened and deep fissures were created. The death of the Savior had and is still having a splitting open of tombs impact on mankind. Those dead in their sin can now escape their living death.
  • The splitting of the rocks and the resulting opening of tombs was evidently a preview of the final resurrection, guaranteed by the imminent resurrection of Jesus from the dead.

At the moment of Jesus Death: God Raised Holy People From the Dead

“At that moment…the bodies of many godly men and women who had died were raised from the dead. They left the cemetery after Jesus’ resurrection, went into the holy city of Jerusalem, and appeared to many people.” Matthew 27:51-53

  • These saints appeared to many as confirming witnesses to the reality of Jesus’ resurrection. Their appearance in bodily form testified to Christ resurrection and to God’s promise to raise all those who put their trust in Christ.
  • These chosen saints who were resurrected after Jesus arose on Easter Sunday began to walk around the Holy City. What a sight it would have been to see people who had been dead for years walking around Jerusalem.

Conclusion

After seeing all of these things, “The Roman officer and the other soldiers at the crucifixion were terrified by the earthquake and all that had happened. They said, ‘This man truly was the Son of God!’” (Matthew 27:54)

Paul summed it all up when he wrote the following words about Jesus:

“Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross. Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Philippians 2:6-11

Are you ready to make that decision today?

Decision Time and Song – 

Suggested Song – Chorus of “We Thank You For The Cross”

Offering/Baptisms – 

Closing Song – 

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