John 19:30 “When Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, ‘It is finished!’ And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.”
INTRODUCTION:
THE FINISHED WORK RESTORED WHAT WAS LOST IN THE BEGINNING.
Before the cross, go back to the fall of man in the Garden in Genesis 3:17–19. Man lost: dominion, peace,
access to God and authority. But on the cross, Jesus Christ came as the second Adam according to
1 Corinthians 15:45 “The last Adam became a life-giving spirit.”
What did Jesus restore:
- Your authority
- Your identity
- Your dominion
- Your access to God
To clearly Illustrate this point:
Just imagine someone loses a title deed to a house…They live like tenants—until the original owner returns the deed. The cross returned your ownership rights in the spirit.
THE GREATEST DECLARATION EVER MADE.
On the cross, when Jesus Christ cried out “It is finished”, He was not speaking in defeat—He was making a victorious announcement. Whenever life gets hard, remember: The cross was not the beginning of defeat. It was the announcement of victory. In the original Greek, the word “It is finished” is translated as“Tetelestai”, which means: paid in full, completed accomplished and nothing more to add. This was not the end of Jesus—it was the end of your battles being unconquerable.
Today’s message is simple but life-changing: Because Jesus said “It is finished,” your battle is already won.
THE CROSS WAS NOT A LOSS—IT WAS A VICTORY
To the natural eye, the cross looked like defeat: blood, pain, rejection and death. But spiritually, it was a divine turnaround moment.
According to Colossians 2:14–15 “Having wiped out the handwriting of requirements… He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross… having disarmed principalities and powers…”
What this verse simply means is that:
- Every accusation against you was nailed to the cross
- Every demonic claim was cancelled
- Every spiritual enemy was defeated
To clearly Illustrate this point:
Just imagine a courtroom where you are guilty… and the judge declares: “Your debt has been fully paid. You are free to go.” That is what happened at the cross.
“IT IS FINISHED” MEANS THE DEBT IS PAID.
According to Isaiah 53:5“He was wounded for our transgressions… and by His stripes we are healed.”
Jesus didn’t pay part of the price—He paid all of it.
What was paid for?
- Sin
- Shame
- Sickness
- Bondage
- Spiritual oppression
To clearly Illustrate this point:
Just imagine in the olden day, when a debt was paid, they stamped the receipt: “PAID IN FULL”
That’s exactly what “Tetelestai” means. So, when the enemy reminds you of your past, remind him:
“My debt has already been paid!”
THE BATTLE YOU ARE FIGHTING IS ALREADY DECIDED.
According to 2 Corinthians 4:8–9 “We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed…” Yes, you may still be in a battle, but the outcome is already settled. Remember that you are not fighting for victory but insteadYou are fighting from victory according to Romans 8:37“In all these things we are more than conquerors…”
To clearly Illustrate this point:
Think of a football match that has already been played and won…Now you’re just watching the replay. That’s your life in Christ. The enemy is playing, but he has already lost.
SATAN’S POWER WAS BROKEN AT THE CROSS.
Hebrews 2:14 “Through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil.”
When Jesus said “It is finished”:
- Satan lost authority
- Death lost its sting
- Hell lost its grip
According to Luke 10:19 Jesus gave us “…authority… over all the power of the enemy…”
Yes, I agree thatthe enemy still fights, but he no longer has legal authority over you. The enemy operates on legal grounds, not just power. Remember that according to Revelation 12:10“The accuser of our brethren… who accused them before our God day and night…”But when Jesus said “It is finished”:
- Every accusation was silenced
- Every legal case was dismissed
Hence according to Romans 8:1 “There is therefore now no condemnation…
To clearly Illustrate this point:
Imagine a snake with no head can still move… But it has no power to kill. That is the devil after the cross—defeated but still noisy.
WHY DO WE STILL EXPERIENCE BATTLES?
If it is finished, why do we still struggle? Because:
Many believers are:
- Fighting defeated battles
- Crying over cancelled attacks
- Living under broken curses
To clearly Illustrate this point:
Imagine someone writes you a cheque for millions… But you keep living broke because you never cash it.
Many believers are saved, but not walking in victory. Why? Because they haven’t claimed what is already finished.
YOUR RESPONSIBILITY: ENFORCE THE FINISHED WORK.
According to 1 Timothy 6:12“Fight the good fight of faith…” enforced it physically through your participation.
So “Resist the devil and he will flee…”( James 4:7)
To clearly Illustrate this point:
A country may win a war…But soldiers still enforce victory in different territories. Your prayers enforce what Jesus already finished.
THE VEIL WAS TORN—ACCESS IS NOW OPEN.
According to Matthew 27:51 “The veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom…” Before the cross: Only priests could enter and access was restricted After “It is finished”: You have direct access to God. That is why Hebrews 4:16 reminds “…us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace…”
To clearly Illustrate this point:
Just imagine being locked outside a palace your whole life…Then suddenly the doors open permanently.
You are no longer an outsider—you are a son/daughter with access.
HOW TO WALK IN “IT IS FINISHED” VICTORY (How to enforce it).
✅ 1. Believe it: according to Mark 11:24“Whatever things you ask… believe that you receive them…”
✅ 2. Declare it: Speak like it’s finished according to Proverbs 18:21“Death and life are in the power of the tongue…” So stop saying: “I’m losing” “Nothing is working” Instead say:
- My battle is already won!
- It is finished in my life!
- Every delay—it is finished!
- Every closed door—it is finished!
- Every spiritual attack—it is finished!
- Every generational curse—it is finished!
- Every financial struggle—it is finished!
- Every sickness—it is finished!
✅ 3. Stand on the Word: according to Ephesians 6:11“Put on the whole armor of God…”
✅ 4. Refuse to quit: according to Galatians 6:9“Do not grow weary… for in due season we shall reap…”
✅ 5. Pray from victory Not: “God, give me victory” But: “Lord, I enforce the victory You already gave me”
LET’S PRAYER.
1.Heavenly Father, I stand on the finished work of the cross. Because Jesus said “It is finished,” every battle in my life is already settled. I declare that I am not fighting for victory, but from victory. Every enemy opposing me is already defeated in Jesus’ name.
2. O Lord Jesus, by the power of the cross, I cancel every ongoing spiritual battle in my life. Every warfare that refuses to end, I command you to cease now. Jesus already paid the price—I enforce His victory over my life.
3. Let every voice of accusation, every demonic reminder of my past, be silenced now by the blood of Jesus I am forgiven, redeemed, and justified, in Jesus’ name.
4. By the finished work of Christ, I declare healing over my body. Sickness has no legal ground because Jesus already paid the price. I receive divine health now.
5. Let every evil force resisting my progress, hear the word of the Lord: It is finished! Your power is broken. Your assignment is cancelled. Leave my life now! In Jesus name.
Pastor Nathaniel
