Phil Christopher took the opportunity Friday to have a little fun and to bring a serious message, both based on the theme of "unfinished business."
Christopher was the final speaker for the annual Holy Week luncheon series, which is hosted each year by five local churches. Each day this week, one of the pastors spoke during a luncheon held at a church other than his own.
The overall theme of the series was, "Cross Words," with each pastor speaking on Scripture related to Jesus' words from the cross.
On Friday, Christopher, pastor of First Baptist Church, spoke in the gym of First Central Presbyterian Church. He couldn't pass up the opportunity to cut down the basketball net over the lectern in celebration of the women's basketball team at his alma mater, Baylor University, winning the national championship.
The Lady Bears' theme for the year had been, "Unfinished Business," in reference to losing out on the grand prize last year.
At the end of Baylor's victory Tuesday night, star player Brittney Griner scratched out the word, "Unfinished" from the slogan. The team's mission was now finished. The Lady Bears cut down the net on an undefeated season.
After having a little fun with that — and giving First Central pastor Cliff Stewart a replacement net — Christopher switched to the more serious message of "unfinished business."
Jesus' dying words from the cross, "It is finished," could have been taken the wrong way by those who heard it, Christopher said.
Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor of Judea who authorized Jesus' execution, may have thought, "Finally, he is gone out of my hair — finished, case closed," Christopher said.
People sometimes wonder what their own last words will be, Christopher said.
"The truth is," he said, "all of us have some kind of unfinished business on our plate."
That's not a reference to unfulfilled potential, Christopher said, but rather to conversations that need to be held or changes that need to be made.
The good news, Christopher said, is that it isn't up to us alone to fix it.
"Those final words from the cross are our only hope," he said.
The title of Christopher's talk was, "It Is Finished ... Into Your Hands I Commit My Spirit."
Jesus trusted that God would have the final word, Christopher said, and his victory over death proved it. Jesus' death and resurrection were about more than just personal forgiveness, Christopher said.
"There at Golgotha" he said, "God reclaimed us and he reclaimed the world."
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