Introduction

As Jesus breathed His last breath He uttered the words, “It is finished.” John 19:30.

The great work He had been sent to accomplish was now completed. All that remained was for Him to present Himself alive to different people, Mark 16:9 / Matthew 28:9-10 / Luke 24:13-32 / John 20:26-31 / 1 Corinthians 15:7, and groups, Luke 22:44-49 / 1 Corinthians 15:6, so they could testify later they had seen Him resurrected and alive after His crucifixion.

While His work on earth was completed, this would not end His work on our behalf. I would like to share with you some of His unfinished works, works that are even now in progress and will continue until the end of time.

Christ Is Now Reigning Over His Kingdom

‘For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death.’ 1 Corinthians 15:25-26

This glorious work will continue until death is destroyed. Peter pictures Him as “having gone into heaven: angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him” 1 Peter 3:22.

He now has all authority in “heaven and on earth”, Matthew 28:18, and rules as “king of kings and Lord of lords.” 1 Timothy 6:15 / Revelation 17:14 / Revelation 19:16.

How unfortunate that men are still waiting, still looking, for a kingdom to be established that is already in existence. Many are looking and expecting Christ to come in person to establish this kingdom when in fact it was established on the day of Pentecost ten days following his ascension to heaven. This was almost 2000 years ago.

We get an idea of the time element from Jesus in His own words, when He declared that those listening would see the kingdom of God come with power before they died, Mark. 9:1.

In Matthew 16:18-19 Jesus uses the words ‘church’ and ‘kingdom’ interchangeably. That promise made to Peter was fulfilled on Pentecost when Peter announced the terms of entrance into Christ’s kingdom, Acts 2:36-38 / Acts 2:41 / Acts 2:47.

Christ Is Serving As Our Intercessor

‘But when this priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God.’ Hebrews 10:12

Christ is our high priest over the house or church of God, Hebrews 10:21. In Hebrews 10:1-18, the writer is comparing the Old Testament priesthood to Christ who is far superior. Having lived in the flesh, He understands what it is like to be human with all the temptations we face, Hebrews 4:15.

As our high priest, He is the sole mediator between man and God, 1 Timothy 2:5. Jesus pleads the Christian’s case in every prayer made unto God, 1 John 2:1-2.

So long as people make their way to the throne of grace to utter their petitions in Jesus’ Name, Hebrews 4:16, so long the work of Christ will remain an unfinished work.

Christ Is The Unseen Guest In Our Worship

‘For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it finds fulfilment in the kingdom of God.” After taking the cup, he gave thanks and said, “Take this and divide it among you. For I tell you I will not drink again from the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” Luke 22:16-18

Our Lord has promised that when we assemble for worship in His Name, He will be present with us, Acts 2:42. When we come together for worship, Jesus is the unseen guest in our midst. He is just as much among us as anyone else present in our assembly.

He is with us when we’re trying to resolve our issues with each other, Matthew 18:20, He is with us in every moment of our lives, Matthew 28:20.

Christ Will Sit In Judgment

‘Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment.’ Hebrews 9:27

The tremendous task of judging the world in righteousness is yet to be performed, Matthew 25:31-32 / Acts 17:31.

We should be so glad that our Lord will be our judge. He will not misjudge and there will be no miscarriage of justice. He is full of mercy.

Having lived in the flesh, He understands our frailties, temptation, problems, hardships, and discouragements. Oh, the grace of God.

He knows we cannot be perfect but because we strive to walk in the light as He is in the light, John assures us that His blood keeps on cleansing us from all of our sins, 1 John 1:7.

But we also know that He can show vengeance, 2 Thessalonians 1:7-8. This should instill in us a sense of urgency in reaching those who have never obeyed the Gospel, Matthew 28:19-20 / Romans 10:14-15.

Christ Is Preparing A Place For The Faithful

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.” John 14:1-4

What an incredible promise this is for Christians. What a wonderful place this will be. He has taken into consideration all our eternal needs and is making provisions for them.

Heaven is a prepared place for a prepared people. God gives us time while on this earth to prepare ourselves, but if we are not prepared, then we cannot go to that prepared place, Matthew 25:1-13. We have a choice to make while in this life. We do not have to reap the vengeance of the Lord, Psalm 94:1.

Christ Is Now Adding Those Who Would Be Saved To His Kingdom Which Is The Church

‘And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.’ Acts 2:47

The Lord continues to add to His church, even to this day. However, for Him to do this it requires cooperation on our part, we must be in the business of sharing that Good News with others, Romans 10:14.

Jesus told His disciples to teach ‘all nations’, Matthew 28:19-20, ‘all creation’, Mark 16:15. The Gospel was to be preached first at Jerusalem, Luke 24:48, but the apostles were also to preach the Good News in Judea, Samaria and the ends of the earth, Acts 1:8.

For a number of years, the church was content to preach inside the four walls of Jerusalem but when persecution arose, many had to flee the city, and it was at that moment, the Good News began to be preached everywhere as Jesus commanded, Acts 8:4 / Colossians 1:6 / Colossians 1:23.

I often wonder if we have taken a lackadaisical attitude about our evangelistic efforts. We close ourselves up inside four walls, and we enjoy hearing an evangelist preach the Gospel, but when we walk outside our four walls evangelism comes to a halt.

Conclusion

Christ completed His work on earth, but He continues to work on our behalf. He is ever conscious of our existence and our needs.

What about you? Have you finished what you should do? Do you appreciate what He is doing for you? Are you in a position to benefit from what He is doing?