Matthew 27:45
Jesus' sacrifice on the cross was to take the punishment of separation from God, so that we might never be forsaken by Him.
Chuck Smith preaches on the profound implications of being forsaken by God, emphasizing that Jesus bore the sins of the world, which led to His separation from the Father. He explains that sin creates a barrier between humanity and God, and that Jesus experienced the ultimate agony of this separation in order to redeem us. Smith highlights that while we may feel forsaken at times, God is always present, seeking to draw us back to Him. He warns of the true desolation of being forsaken by God, which is a fate worse than any earthly abandonment. Ultimately, the message is one of hope, as Jesus was forsaken so that we need never be separated from God.
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"FORSAKEN BY GOD"
Intro: This is the worst fate man could ever experience. To be forever
forsaken by God is hell.
I. WHY WAS HE FORSAKEN BY GOD?
A. Isa. 53:6 ... "and the Lord laid on Him..."
1. Jesus Christ bore the sins of the world.
a. Every vile act ever committed.
1. Perverted sex acts.
2. Torturous murders.
3. Every act of violence laid on the
Prince of Peace.
2. "And God made Him to be sin for us..."
B. Sin separates man from God.
1. In the beginning God said to Adam, "In the day thou
eatest thereof..."
a. Physical death separation S & S from body.
b. Spiritual death " "
c. Adam & Eve died spiritually.
d. God's cry "Adam where art thou?"
2. "Thou art of purer eyes then to behold evil, thou can
not look upon sin."
C. When He took your sins upon Himself He took also the punishment
of separation.
1. This explains the agony of the garden.
II. WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE FORSAKEN BY GOD.
A. No living man could know.
1. We are surrounded by His graces.
a. "In Him we live & move & have our being.
2. We are sustained by His mercies.
a. We are daily dependent upon Him to sustain us.
b. Whether we believe in Him or not.
c. "The God in whose very hand thy breathe is."
3. We hear places described as God forsaken.
a. Barren, no sign of life.
b. It is not really God forsaken.
4. God has not yet forsaken you.
a. He is still there to convict you.
b. Even now He is speaking to you to seek to draw
you unto Himself.
c. There may have been times when you felt
forsaken by God.
B. Sad to see a person forsaken.
1. A child forsaken by his parents.
2. A wife forsaken by her husband.
3. Nothing to equal a man forsaken by God.
C. Jesus described Gehenna as "outer darkness."
1. Out beyond the farthest galaxy.
2. Beyond the light of any star.
3. Beyond the area of our minds to conceive.
4. An area totally void of God.
D. If a man continually insists he wants nothing of God, God will
finally accommodate his desire.
E. I say not these things to frighten you.
1. I only seek to declare unto you the truth of God's
Word.
2. I pray to God that none of you shall be finally
separated from Him
3. That's what it is all about.
a. Jesus was forsaken by the Father that you need
never be forsaken.
b. He became what you are so that you could become
what He is.
c. He tasted death for you, that you might know
life in Him.
Sermon Outline
- Why was He forsaken by God? points: - Jesus Christ bore the sins of the world - Sin separates man from God - When He took your sins upon Himself He took also the punishment of separation
- What does it mean to be forsaken by God? points: - No living man could know - Sad to see a person forsaken - Jesus described Gehenna as 'outer darkness' - If a man continually insists he wants nothing of God, God will finally accommodate his desire
Key Quotes
“To be forever forsaken by God is hell.” — Chuck Smith
“Jesus was forsaken by the Father that you need never be forsaken.” — Chuck Smith
“He became what you are so that you could become what He is.” — Chuck Smith
Application Points
- Recognize the seriousness of sin and its effect on our relationship with God.
- Understand the sacrifice Jesus made on the cross to take our punishment and provide a way for us to be reconciled to God.
- Make a conscious decision to seek a relationship with God and not insist on being separated from Him.