The Centurion's Amazing Confession

Introduction to the Significance of Christ's Death and Surrounding Miracles

0:04 This sermon was preached on Sunday morning, May 6, 1990, at the Trinity Baptist Church in Montville, New Jersey. Now may I encourage you to turn with me in your Bibles to the Gospel according to Mark,

0:27 the Gospel of Mark and the 15th chapter.

0:32 And since it has been several weeks since we have studied together in the Gospel of Mark, in our consecutive expositions through this particular Gospel record, I shall read in your hearing verses 33 through 41, though our attention will be riveted particularly upon verse 39. I shall read then Mark 15, beginning with verse 33. And when the sixth hour was come, there was darkness over the whole land, until the ninth hour. And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice,

1:17 Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani, which is being interpreted, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? And some of them that stood by, when they heard it, said, Behold, he calleth Elijah. And one ran, and filling a sponge full of vinegar or sour wine, put it on a reed, and gave him to drink, saying, Let be, let us see whether Elijah cometh to take him down. And Jesus uttered a loud voice, and expired.

1:56 And the veil of the temple was rent in two from the top to the bottom. And when the centurion, who stood by over against him, saw that he so expired, he said, And truly this man, this man was the Son of God. And there were also women beholding from afar, among whom were both Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the less, and of Joseph and Salome, who, when he was in Galilee, followed him, and ministered unto him, and many other women that came up with him unto Jerusalem.

2:41 I believe I'm acquainted with, the teaching of scripture, and with the events of human history subsequent to the close of the New Testament, would agree with the statement that there is no event in all of human history, which has as much significance for the human race as does the death of Jesus of Nazareth. No event! In the whole,

3:18 All hope of human history which has as much significance for mankind as does the death of Jesus of Nazareth. And we return this morning to our studies in the Gospel of Mark and to the record of those unusual activities which followed immediately after Jesus Christ yielded up his spirit with the words, Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.

3:55 We have noted in our previous studies that no sooner did the Son of God, Jesus of Nazareth, yield up his spirit in death, but that God the Father came forth to speak in the language of three striking miracles. The first of those miracles is recorded in the Gospel of Mark. In Mark and verse 38, and also in the Gospel of Matthew and in the Gospel of Luke, the veil of the temple was rent in two from the top to the bottom.

4:32 The thick veil that separated the most holy place in that great temple of the Jews and the center of their worship. God himself split that four or six inch thick veil from the top to the bottom. Soonest. The Son of God had bowed his head in death, thereby signifying that the way into his presence is now made open through the once for all sacrifice of the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.

5:09 But then there were two subsequent miracles, not recorded by Mark, but recorded by Matthew in chapter 27, verses 51 to 53. The second. The second being that God caused an earthquake to shake that part of the land and some of the solid rock structure to be sheared and torn, even as God tore that veil in the temple, for the same verb in the Greek language is used to describe the tearing of the veil and the tearing of the rocks. And then the third and final miracle recorded again for us in Matthew's Gospel.

5:51 Was the opening of select tombs of those who had died as believers and their coming out of the tombs raised from the dead by the power of God and subsequently appearing in Jerusalem after the resurrection of Jesus. Now these latter events could no more be ignored by any who were present at or near the site of the crucifixion. Any more than those priests in the temple ministering at the time of preparation for the evening sacrifice could have ignored the miracle of the rent veil.

6:33 When the earth begins to rock beneath your feet and rocks are torn like thin old rocks and when tombstones roll away and people who were dead come out alive, that will get your attention if you're anywhere in the vicinity.

6:53 And it should not surprise us then that after recording those miracles by which the Father spoke very vital things concerning his Son and the significance of his death, we should find the record of the response of some of those who felt the power of these miracles. And therefore after describing the one miracle, Mark then said,

Who Was the Centurion?

7:25 Mark then goes on to describe for us the reaction of a certain individual who was standing in very close proximity to Jesus Christ when he died, even this man described only as a centurion. And therefore this morning we're going to focus our attention on Mark 15 and verse 39, what I am entitling the amazing confession.

7:55 Of the Roman centurion, the amazing confession of the Roman centurion, and when the centurion who stood by over against him, that he so expired this amazing confession of the Roman centurion, we shall do so in terms of asking and answering four very simple questions. Number one. Who was this man?

8:40 Secondly, what had he seen and heard? Thirdly, what did he say in the light of what he saw and heard? And fourthly, how does all of this speak to us? First of all then, who was this man?

9:00 He is described only as the centurion who stood over against him. Now a centurion, and you get the hint from the word centurion, in the last century, a hundred years, a centurion was a Roman military officer in charge of a hundred soldiers. And with all of the particular sins and weaknesses of Rome at that time, we are told from those who have studied the records that in terms of its military personnel,

9:42 there was an unusual amount of close scrutiny over the character of the soldiers, and that people were not promoted to ranks of authority and influence, who were not people of unusual character. And there seems to be a strong hint of this even in the biblical records. For you remember that both in the Gospels and in the book of Acts, there are the records of centurions, who were very, very open to the Christian faith, very sympathetic to the Jews. You remember that centurion in the Gospels who had built a synagogue in the area in which he was assigned by the Roman government.

10:26 And you remember that when the Gospel first goes to the Gentiles in Acts chapter 10, it goes to a God-fearing Roman centurion by the name of Cornelius. So while we know nothing in terms of explicit biblical data about this man, we don't know his name, there is a tradition that is not biblical that presumes to tell us his name, and that he was subsequently found in the ranks of the people of God, but that is mere human tradition. But we have every reason to assume that he was one of those who was brought to this position of responsibility, and influence and stewardship,

11:11 because he had proven himself in the lower ranks of the Roman legionaries. We know nothing about his name, nothing about his background, we do not know if he had any previous contact with Jesus, but we do know that in conjunction with the crucifix, he had been given a peculiar charge to keep watch, over Jesus of Nazareth. For our text says, when the centurion who stood over against him,

11:49 in other words, he was planted directly opposite the crucified Lord Jesus Christ, obviously having been given a peculiar charge to watch over and to administer the execution, and to make sure that no one would comment, and rescue Jesus, and take him down from the cross, Roman soldiers having executed their criminals, were then appointed to guard the surroundings of the place of execution, until they were evidently dead. Who was the man? An unnamed Roman centurion.

What Had the Centurion Seen and Heard?

12:33 All we know for certain about his identity, is that in the providence of God, he is the one who was appointed in a peculiar way, to keep watch over Jesus of Nazareth, while he hung upon a cross. Having addressed the question, who was this man? Now the second question is, what had he seen and heard? For if you will look at the text, you will notice there is a connection, between his confession, and what he had seen and heard.

13:11 Do you see the connection? And when the centurion, who stood by over against him, when he, Mark's gospel, what he saw, focuses upon the manner, in which Jesus died. When he saw, in other words, Mark, that it's what the centurion beheld, both seeing and obviously hearing, in conjunction with the actual manner, in which Jesus died,

13:55 this had a profound effect upon his own heart, and upon his own judgment, concerning Jesus of Nazareth. He heard him cry, it is finished. He heard him cry, into your hands, I commit my, he saw him, dismiss his own, his head in death. And Mark says, when he saw, that he saw, that he confessed.

14:35 But when we turn, to Matthew and to Luke, we see that, there were other things, that he saw and heard, that influenced him, in making this confession. Though Mark focuses on this one aspect, it is not the only element, that precipitated, his confession. If you will turn to Matthew 27, and verse 54, Matthew records the event, as follows. Matthew 27, 54.

15:15 Now the centurion and they, that were with him, watching Jesus, you see that was their task, this centurion, and some fellow soldiers, truly, this was, the Son of God. So you see, Matthew clearly indicates, that it was not merely, the manner in which he died, that had an influence, in his amazing confession. But it was seeing,

15:58 and feeling the earthquake, and the rending of the rocks, and it says the other things, that were done. Stones rolling away, people who were dead, coming to life, and walking out of their tombs. And it could well be, that the words, the things that were done, extend even back further, into other events, leading up to, and including, the actual crucifixion of Jesus. And when we turn to Luke 23, and verse 47, we see an even more, general statement.

16:41 Luke chapter 23, and verse 47. Gospel of Luke, chapter 23, and verse 47. When the centurion saw, what was done, he glorified God, saying certainly, this was a righteous man. And here we have, the most general of statements, when the centurion saw, what was done, he then glorified God,

17:24 in conjunction with, confessing him to be, the son of God, he also exclaimed, truly, this was, a righteous man. So in answer to this question, what had he seen and heard, that influenced his confession? We have two categories, of our answer. That which is clear, and indisputable, and that which is quite probable, but not provable.

17:55 That which is clear, and indisputable. He had been present, to see and hear, all of the things, which immediately surrounded, the crucifixion, of our Lord Jesus, and the miracles, which immediately followed. He had been there, to witness our Lord, not screaming, and fighting, and cursing, against his captors, but meekly, voluntarily, stretching himself, out upon the ground. While one soldier, took one hand, and impaled it, upon the cross beam, on the left, and another on the right.

18:38 And while the others, being crucified, no doubt, filled the air, with oaths, and screams, and curses. They saw him, in the language of scripture, as a lamb, before his shearers, his dumb. So he opened, not his mouth. He had seen him, fixed upon, that Roman gibbet.

19:00 He had seen, and heard, the mockery, and the taunting, both of the religious leaders. For a while, both crucified with him, both malefactors, one on the left, one on the right. They too, were mocking him, and taunting him. He had heard, the words of forgiveness, Father forgive them, for they know not, what they do.

19:25 He had witnessed, the darkened heavens, he had heard, the cry of dereliction, my God, my God, why have you, forsaken me? He had seen, the sun, break through, the darkness again. He had heard, Jesus finished. He had heard him say, Father into your hands, I commend my spirit.

19:43 He had seen him, voluntarily, dismiss, the shaking earth. He had seen, the tearing rocks. He had witnessed, these things, truly, in his heart. He had heard, the cry of, dereliction, my God, truly, this was a righteous, truly, this was, the son of God.

20:12 It is clear, and indisputable, that he saw, that much. It is probable, that he saw, much more. If you will turn, to John chapter 18, for some of you, this is mere review. You will remember, when Jesus, was apprehended, in the garden, of Gethsemane.

20:36 He was apprehended, not only, by the Jewish, religious leaders, but they had received, a contingency, of Roman soldiers, as well. John 18, 3, Judas then, having received, the band, of soldiers, officers, from the chief, priest, and the Pharisees, cometh, thither, with lanterns, and torches, and weapons. And when they, first asked, who do you seek? Jesus said, I am he, if you seek, Jesus, upon me.

21:09 He said, if you seek, Jesus of Nazareth, I am he, and for a moment, there was a bursting, forth of his glory, and his would-be captors, fell. If he was one, of that, band of soldiers, seen this, bursting forth, of the glory, of the son of God, that shattered, his would-be captors, and laid them, out on the earth, stunned, and shocked, before his glory. He had then, witnessed, his meek, submission, being apprehended. Verse 12.

21:44 So the band, and the chief captain, and the officers, of the Jews, seized Jesus, and bound him, and led him away. And then you remember, the subsequent trials, first, before Annas, Caiaphas, and then, before the Sanhedrin. Then he goes, before Pilate, and from Pilate, off to Herod, and from Herod, back to Pilate. And in conjunction, with those two, he goes, before Pilate, and from Pilate, off to Herod, and from Herod, back to Pilate.

22:13 And in those two, sets of trials, the ecclesiastical, and the civil, he had been mocked, he had been stunned, he had been buffeted, with fists, upon his face, he had been scourged. It could well be, that this man, had witnessed, all of that treatment. And if he did, then he had also, witnessed, what is very significant, in chapter 19, of John's Gospel. He had also, witnessed, that when he was, in the church, in the church, in the church, in the church, in the church, in the church, that when he stood, before Pilate, and Pilate, find no fault, in the man, they,

22:57 the Jewish leaders, responded by saying, crucify him, crucify him, verse 6, and Pilate said, you take him, and crucify him, I find no fault, in him. The Jews answered him, John 19, 7, we have a law, and by that law, he ought to die, because he made, himself, the son, of God. And if this centurion, was part, of that military, contingency, that had originally, been sent, to the garden, to apprehend Jesus, his own eyes, had beheld, whatever mystery, of his inherent glory, that our Lord, take forth, and cause, all of his captors, to fall, to the ground.

23:42 He had then, seen that very person, meekly, standing, in the presence, of the Lord, in the presence, of the Lord, in the presence, of the person, meekly, submit himself, to be bound, and dragged off, to these kangaroo courts. He had seen, his meekness, before the false, accusers. He had seen, the absence, of retaliation, and self-vindication, when they beat him, and spat upon him, and mocked him, taunted him, put on him, mock garments, of royalty, and bowed, before him, with mock homage, putting a mock scepter, in his hand, and a crown, and thorns, upon his head. He had also, heard them say,

24:27 well, our real reason, is not, what we said, earlier in the night, that he's stirring up, sedition, and he's a threat, to the Roman government. Our real reason, is he's a blasphemer. He claims, to be the son of God, but under Roman rule, we have no power, to put blasphemers, to death, as our law, our Jewish law, demands. Therefore, we want you, Pilate, to do our dirty work, for us.

24:53 We want him crucified, because he claims, to be, the son, of God. Now, in answering the question, what had this centurion, seen and heard, what is clear, and indisputable, is, that he saw, and heard, everything, immediately, connected, with the crucifixion. What is, quite probable, is, that he had been, witness, to everything, from the arrest, in the garden, of Gethsemane, to, and, including, the crucifixion, and, its subsequent events. So, we've answered, two questions.

The Centurion's Amazing Confession: Vindication of Character

25:33 Who was he? An unnamed, Roman, officer, in charge, of a hundred soldiers, by his superior, to keep, special watch, over the one, on the central cross. What had he seen, and heard? We've answered, what is clear, and indisputable, what is, quite probable, though, not provable.

25:55 Now, then, we come to the heart, of our text. What did he say? In the light, of what he had seen, and as it registered, upon his mind, and his spirit, obviously, under, the influence, of God, the Holy Spirit, for others, many others, had seen, exactly, what he saw, and heard, what he heard, and it made, no such impression, upon them. Just as, there are many, sitting here, today, who have heard, the record, of these things, opened up, and expounded, and depicted, before you, and in some, it has moved, you, to say, of this one, truly, he is a righteous, man,

26:40 son of God, savior, of sinners, and I give myself, to him, while others, of you, simply look on, and your relationship, to him, is unchanged. Well, what did he say? Well, at this point, we bring in, again, and we see, that this centurion, in his amazing, confession, said, two things, he spoke, words, of, vindication, concerning, the character, of Jesus, and, secondly, he spoke, words, of declaration, concerning, the identity, of the person, of Jesus. So, words, of vindication, concerning,

27:24 the character, of Jesus, and then, words, of declaration, concerning, the identity, of the person, of Jesus. Luke, chapter 23, in verse, 47. Here, is his, confession, as it focuses, upon, a vindication, concerning, the character, of Jesus. When, the centurion, saw, what was done, Luke, 23, 47, he glorified, God, the saying, He, this, was, a righteous, man.

28:08 Now, we read that, and say, big deal. But, my friends, think for a moment, of what an amazing, vindication, of Jesus, character, this was. He knew, that, crucifixion, was reserved, as that form, of capital, punishment, for the vilest, of criminals. Which, you did, to slay, all, from their masters.

28:41 That's what you did, to murderers, and brigands, and muggers. You crucified, them. It was the most, shameful, humiliating, painful, torturous, death. None, but the most, unrighteous, among the unrighteous, were put to death, in this way.

28:59 The two, that were crucified, with him, were men, who were causing, trouble, throughout the land. Men, who had become, say, in our day, professional muggers. The way, they supported, their, commando, spirit, and activities, was by, mugging people, and forcefully, taking their goods. These, are the kind, of people, he was accustomed, to putting to death, by crucifixion.

29:30 He was accustomed, to seeing them, scream, and holler, as against their wills, they were placed, upon the cross. Now, here is one, whose conduct, was different, from the beginning, or if he merely, came in, at the point, of the trip, out of the city, to the place, called Golgotha. Whether he had seen, the entire, series of events, or only, part of them, he had seen, enough, to convince him, that this man, was no, criminal. He was not, even a mild, criminal.

30:07 This man, was utterly, and completely, innocent. This man, was, a righteous, man. And it was, what he saw, and heard, him, that he was, utterly, righteous. That is, he did not, he was no, criminal.

30:31 He was, utterly, undeserving, of such a death. That's why, the scripture says, he glorified, God. Certainly, he was a righteous man. How did he say, that Jesus, was a righteous man?

30:50 Glorified, God. Did he stop, and say, glory to God, he's a righteous man? No. Saying, he was a righteous man, he was, glorifying, God.

31:04 And in what sense, was he doing this? Well, there are many ways, in which we glorify, God. But one of them is, when, we say, the same things, about reality, that God, says. When they knew, God, but became, vain, in their, they changed, the truth of God, into a lie, and worshiped, and served, the creature, more than the creator.

31:31 God says, I am the one, and only, true God. And if men, do not worship him, what are they doing? They are not, glorifying him, because they are not acting, according to truth, and reality. So, when he says, truly, this is a righteous man, that is, glorifying God, because that's, the truth, of the God, of truth.

31:55 Confessing him, to be a righteous man, he agrees, with God's, assessment of Jesus. This is the God, who had spoken, from heaven, saying, this is my, beloved son, in whom, I am well pleased. This is the God, of whom, Jesus, could speak, and say, I know, that you hear me, always. I do, always, the things, that please, my father.

32:23 The truth is, that Jesus, Christ, was indeed, utterly, perfectly, impeccably, righteous. He was, supernaturally, conceived, in the womb, of the virgin. He had, no connection, with human, sinfulness, in Adam. He was, utterly, sinless, from his conception.

32:46 Utterly, sinless, through his childhood, though he lived, the life, of an ordinary child. Utterly, sinless, through puberty, his teenage years, into manhood, and then, through his greatest, ordeal, the part, that this man, had seen, with his own eyes. And, if ever, there were anything, unrighteous, in our Lord's spirit, restrained, and kept back, under ordinary, circumstances, surely, it would have, broken forth, under the combined, pressures, of the ordeal, of the horrible, night, of mock, trial, and torture, and abuse, and humiliation. But, having seen,

33:31 all of this, having witnessed, him meekly, submit, to the soldiers, as he was put, to death, having heard, his words, Father, not judge them, condemn them, send fire, from heaven, upon them, but Father, forgive them, for they know, not what they do. Having heard, his words, of pardon, to the thief, that previously, had mocked him, today, you shall be, with me, in paradise. Having beheld, him, having heard, him, he comes, to the conviction, whatever, he is, on this cross, for, it is, for no, crimes, or sins, of his own.

34:15 Surely, truly, was, a righteous man, why, he, but one thing, I am convinced, he is not there, for any stain, of sin, in his own person, or in his own life, truly, this, was a righteous, man. So he spoke, a word, of vindication, concerning the character, of Jesus, and in so doing, you see, what he was doing, the chief priests, and the members, of the Sanhedrin, were still milling around,

34:59 for, stirring up, a mob, and the blood, of an innocent man, perhaps, some of his superiors, were there, and word, would get back, to Pilate, that this man, is declaring, that Roman, people, this was a righteous man, he doesn't care, he's come, to the place, for his own, conviction, based upon, his own observation, must be spoken, surely, this was, a righteous man, and if it displeases, the Jewish, religious leaders, if it displeases,

35:43 my superiors, and gets back, to Pilate, and goes all the way, back to Caesar, let it be, facts are facts, this, truly, was a righteous man, a vindication, of the character, of Jesus, but then, secondly, what he said, was, a declaration, concerning the, identity, of the person, of Jesus, in Matthew, in Mark, what we have recorded, is, spoke saying, coming back now, to the gospel of Mark, and our text, in chapter 15, and verse, 39, he said, truly,

The Centurion's Amazing Confession: Declaration of Identity

36:27 was the son, there is a little, different construction, in the original, in Matthew, it could be more, properly rendered, truly, this, was God's, and now, what he is doing, you see, is not vindicating, the character, of Jesus, but, he is declaring, his conviction, concerning the, identity, of the person, of Jesus, to say, this is a righteous, man, is to speak, about his character, he is without,

37:12 to say, he is God's, son, is to point, to his unique, identity, as being, something, more, than a mere, man, and while, many commentators, try to press, the point, these words, must not be taken, in their full, sense, of God's, son, because of the absence, of the article, it's both, bad Greek, and bad theology, there are texts, which clearly, affirm, the sonship, of Jesus, as, God's, eternal, son, the son of God, who is, none other, than God, the son, in which the article, is not used, and I remind you, of Mark's,

37:56 opening, statement, in this gospel, and I personally, believe, we are, to take a direct, line of, thought, from Mark, one, one, to Mark, 1539, as Mark, opens, his gospel, record, what are the words, with which, he opens it, the beginning, of the gospel, of Jesus, Christ, the, son, of God, there, is, of Nazareth, is, a mere, man, tell me, that,

38:40 a mere, lived, a righteous, life, of an innocent, man, I am, such a sinner, that, I need, someone, who has, more, than, the arm, of mere, humanity, to reach, down, and take, hold, of me, my, God, and I need, something, more, than, the virtue, of a fellow, mortal, no matter, how noble, and innocent, he may be, to speak, for me, and carry, weight,

39:25 in the court, of heaven, I need, a gospel, that rests, down, upon, the shoulders, of the, son, of God, and that's, good news, in, closest, proximity, to all, of the, gore, and the, blood, and the, ugliness, of the, crucifixion, is an, unnamed, Roman, Centurion, who says, truly, this, man, was, the,

40:09 son, of God, or, gods, isn't, it, interesting, of, Rome, as we saw, in our, introduction, some, years, ago, that, the, first, one, to, confess, Jesus, as, son, of God, after, his, death, is, a, Roman, Centurion, who, says, his, true,

40:54 to, put, into, death, seems, they, must, be, put, to, death, and, he, made, the, seed, was, sown, at, the, arrest, then, as, he, watched, him, in, that, noble, agony, he, had, witnessed, him, for, at, least,

41:38 six, hours, impaled, upon, a, cross, and, during, that, time, another, seed, was, sown, I, want, you, to, turn, to, Matthew, 27, beginning, with, verse, 41, Matthew, 27, and, verse, 41, in, like, manner, also, the, chief, priest, mocking, him, with, the, scribes,

42:22 and, elders, said, he, saved, others, himself, and delivered, him, now, if, he, desires, him, for, he, said, I, am, the, son, of, God, this, centurion, standing, over, against, Jesus, keeping, watch, he, hears, their,

43:06 taunting, possibly, shortly, after, the, arrest, and, in, his, night-time, trial, now, while, he, hangs, upon, the, cross, he, hears, it, again, he, said, I, am, the, son, of, God, opening, the, rocks, opening, the, tombs, now, he, says, surely, even, heaven,

43:50 itself, is, bearing, witness, to, his, claims, truly, this, man, was, God's, now, am, I, saying, on, the, text, of, scripture, but, all, I, know, is, that, the, scripture, tells, us, that, he, not, only, spoke, words, of, vindication, concerning,

Reckoning with the Implications: Why Did the Righteous Son of God Die?

44:35 the, character, of, Jesus, truly, who, was, he, what, did, he, see, and, hear, what, did, he, say, now, we, come, to, the, cruncher, the, sixty, four, dollar, question, and, our, final, question, what, does, all, of, this,

45:19 have, to, say, to, you, and, say, to, me, well, I, answer, you, and, I, must, reckon, with, the, implications, of, this, amazing, confession, and, Jesus, Christ, was, and, is, ever, shall, be, God's, son, you, and, I, have, got, to, reckon, with, that, and,

46:04 I, think, the, best, way, we, can, do, it, is, I, as, an, unrighteous, and, wicked, man, couldn't, God, protect, him, couldn't, God, deliver, him, couldn't, he, deliver, himself, couldn't, he, protect, himself,

46:49 displaying, his, glory, for, a, moment, he, can, you, cannot, avoid, the, question, if, Jesus, is, truly, righteous, why, did, he, die, as, an, unrighteous, and, wicked, man, know, what, the, answer, is, I, don't, need, to, give, it, to, because, Christ,

47:32 altered, for, sins, the, righteous, the, unrighteous, that, he, might, bring, us, to, God, there's, your, answer, why, is, truly, righteous, did, he, die, as, he, was, the,

48:16 perfectly, right, for, sins, the, sins, of, men, the, sins, of, a, vast, multitude, whom, no, man, can, number, out, of, every, kindred, tribe, and, tongue, of, the, righteous, one, but, he, went, in, the, place, and, on, behalf, of,

49:00 those, of, us, who, are, thoroughly, and, without, any, reservations, the, unrighteous, one, it, is, and, when, he, died, the, father, treated, the, sin, as, though, it, were, on,

49:45 us, that, is, he, spared, not, his, own, son, the, bible, says, he, met, his, christ, the, righteous, one, dying, for, us, the, to, what, end, peter, says, that, he, might, bring, us, to, god, remember, the, rent, veil, no, sooner,

50:29 does, he, die, as, a, sinner, most, proud, into, my, present, as, the, only, answer, given, by, the, bible, because, it's, the, only, answer, that's, true, if, jesus, is, truly, righteous, why, living, holy, god,

The Call to Repentance and Faith in the Son of God

51:13 of, heaven, and, earth, the, second, question, is, we, ask, what, does, all, this, have, to, do, with, us, if, jesus, is, truly, the, son, of, heaven, the, holy, life, and, agency, that, is, the, eternal,

51:57 life, is, the, eternal, life, of, all, this, is, the, eternal, life, eternal, of God, the realm of God's grace and goodness and favor is come. Repent. Turn from doing your own thing. Turn from thinking your own thoughts about God and heaven and life and morals and ethics and goals, standards.

52:28 Believe in the gospel. That is, believe that I am the Son of God and the only Savior of sinners. Give yourself to me. Embrace me as your prophet to teach you.

52:43 Your priest to forgive and intercede for you. And your king to rule over you and to reign over you and protect you and take you at last to heaven. I tell you, it cuts me to the quick to look out and see even this morning, someone that hasn't even seen his 15th birthday, not even looking at me as I preach about my Savior.

53:09 Not even caring enough to fix your attention. Looking out the window as though I were selling fried beans. My friend, the Son of God will only put up with that so long. His claims are that you must stack arms, run in your own life, stop defying differences, grace and mercy upon him. And if you

53:45 don't, the Son one day will seal your sentence forever with the words, depart from me ye cursed into everlasting fire. For this Son of God who was raised from the dead will be your judge in the last day. And you have a choice. You either bow to his claims now while they scoop you, as it were, into the orbit of his mercy and his kindness, or you'll bow to his claims when they banish you forever into outer darkness.

54:18 But bow to his claims you shall.

The Inevitable Judgment and Eternal Consequences

54:26 You may, but you will not when he calls you to judgment and consigns you into everlasting punishment. But you'll heed his voice, and you'll say truly this was God's. The heart of the worm that never dies will be the memory of Sundays like this when a preacher stood before you and simply and plainly and passionately preached Christ

55:10 and then were banished by Christ into everlasting time. And you'll remember Sundays like these. You'll remember the blue shirt. You'll remember the paisley tie.

55:43 You'll remember the outstretched hands. And it'll be part of the worm that will never die. And the fire that will never be quenched. That you had every gracious God-given opportunity to flee from your sins and trust in Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

56:03 You chose your sin. You chose your past. You chose your own way.

Personal Confession and Trust in Christ

56:11 You see, it's one thing to stand back and look with admiration upon a Roman centurion saying truly this was a righteous man.

56:25 But my friend, his confession will not do for you.

56:30 You must come to say yes, this was a righteous man. His righteous life, his death upon the cross for me, the unrighteous one, is my only hope that my sins will be pardoned. Truly, he and what he did in his perfect life and in his death has the very virtue of the God hidden to it. Surely, it will avail for a sinner.

57:02 And you give yourself to him. You trust in him. And you go right on giving and trusting until one day you see him face to face. Oh, what a marvelous trophy of grace was this Roman centurion.

57:20 Will you join him? Will you stand with him by the cross of Jesus today and say truly, this was a righteous man. He has all the righteousness I need to be accepted with God. Truly, this was, worthy of my trust, worthy of my unrivaled allegiance and the undivided affection of my heart here, Lord. I give

57:50 myself to thee. Tis all that I can do. Thank God for this first fruits of the cross of Christ after his death. Isn't it marvelous? He rescued

58:04 a common brigand, a revolutionary and a mugger. While he hung upon the cross and no sooner does he die but he rescues a pagan Roman centurion in the virtue of his cross. And thank God he's been rescuing sinners ever since. Run to him.

Prayer for Salvation and Renewed Commitment

58:25 Run to him. Go to him. You'll find him a willing and an able savior. Let us pray. Oh, our

58:40 Father, we thank you for the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. And oh, how we pray that this morning you would come down upon those who can gaze upon such things with no concern or interest. Oh, Lord, for any who have gazed with wonder and cannot believe that such things are for them, enable them to see that you brought them here this day to look upon the confession of this centurion, that they might see the way of life and salvation for themselves. And oh, may some this day run to the Savior. And we who

59:25 have embraced him, Lord, we would afresh go to the fountain open for sin and uncleanness. We would take our stand beneath the cross of Jesus, acknowledging there is no resting place for our guilty souls but in his wounds and death for sinners. Hear then our prayer. Seal your word to our prophet.

59:49 We ask in Jesus' name. Amen.