March 29, 2026
Famous Last Words
Pastor Ricky Smith

Sermon Notes

Mark 15:33-41
When the sixth hour had come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour. And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” And some of the bystanders hearing it said, “Behold, he is calling Elijah.” And someone ran and filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on a reed and gave it to him to drink, saying, “Wait, let us see whether Elijah will come to take him down.” And Jesus uttered a loud cry and breathed his last. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. And when the centurion, who stood facing him, saw that in this way he breathed his last, he said, “Truly this man was the Son of God!” There were also women looking on from a distance, among whom were Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joses, and Salome. When he was in Galilee, they followed him and ministered to him, and there were also many other women who came up with him to Jerusalem.

I. The Darkness Reveals the Weight of Sin
II. The Crowd Looks for Another Savior
III. The Cross Opens the Way to the Father

When everything looked hopeless, Jesus was accomplishing the greatest rescue mission in history.

Next Steps

• I confess my sin and turn to Jesus as King for the first time.
• I repent of relying on myself rather than depending on Jesus when things seem hopeless.
• I commit to sharing the hope of Jesus where I live, work, learn, and play this week.

Deep Dive

1. Read Hebrews 10:19-22. How does the tearing of the temple curtain change our relationship with God?
2. Why might the Roman centurion recognize Jesus as the Son of God when others did not?
3. What does the cross teach us about trusting God during confusing or painful seasons?

Springboards

1. What stands out to you most in Mark 16:1-8, and why do you think Mark highlights both resurrection and fear?
2. The women asked, “Who will roll away the stone for us?” Where do you most struggle to trust that God is already at work before you arrive?
3. How does the statement “He has risen; he is not here” strengthen your confidence in the gospel? Consider 1 Corinthians 15.