"Period (.)"

Scripture: "… It's finished …" -John 19:30, NIV

If you are reading this message, then you have been to school somewhere. As you have attended school, one of the most essential courses taught in school is English. When you matriculate through high school, there are some classes you do not have to take every year, but English is one you must take every year. Within English, we were taught about the various punctuation marks within a sentence including the comma, semicolon, exclamation point, question mark, and period. Commas and semicolons bring a pause to the middle of a sentence, and continues on afterwards. The exclamation point denotes a thought that's being closed with excitement or with an edge. The question mark denotes that a question is being posed to the reader. Last, but not least, the period denotes closure to the end of a sentence. There are no more thoughts after it and if you want to begin some new thoughts, you must write a new sentence. Brothers and sisters, God wants you to know today, during this Passion Week, you can place periods on the end of your bad seasons! You can place periods on the end of your miseries. How can I make such a proclamation? Today's text will place a "period" on how.

As many of you will hear on tomorrow, whether it's morning, afternoon, or evening, Christ delivered Seven Last Words before His death. These words can be found in the Gospel accounts according to John, Luke, and Matthew. Matthew contains the 4th word, found in Matthew 27:46, Luke has three of the words: the 1st word in Luke 23:34, the 2nd word in Luke 23:43, and the final word in Luke 23:46. Our focus book, the Gospel according to John contains the other three words: the 3rd word in John 19:26-27, the 5th word in John 19:28, and today's main scripture, the 6th word, located in John 19:30. Within this Word, we find out how we can place a period on some things.

The portion of the text God has led me to is this simple phrase: "It is finished". This Word ought to give you hope on today. Many of us have cried out to the Lord on when my season of hurt will end. On today, He says period! It is finished! You have cried out wondering when will my finances turn around, because of Him saying these words "It is finished", so are your financial woes! Many of us have had some things that were not good occur in our lives. God wants you today to place a period at the end of those things. That sentence is completed, now write a new sentence! Okay, your children are acting up. Place a period at the end and write new thoughts in your mind saying, "God will bless my children to turn around and be better". Okay, your job is not giving you the recognition for the work you have done. Place a period at the end of that sentence and write a new sentence saying, "I will work unto the Glory of God, knowing He will bless me when others will not". Okay, you have a sickness in your body. Place a period at the end of that sentence and write a new sentence saying, "By His stripes, I will be healed". Whatever you want closure to on today, place the period there because Jesus place the period on our sins when He said, "It's finished!"

As I close, Passion Week is a tremendous time to remember and thank God for His Son Jesus Christ and the sacrifices He made for you and for me. I'm grateful that He took on our sins on Calvary's cross and finished them once and for all! Because He finished our sins, we can commune with Him daily, place a period on yesterday, and write a new chapter today. Are you ready to go into your new season? If so, place the period on the bad times and strive towards the good times ahead of you!