✝️ Sermon Description: “The Word: Substitute” – Pastor Danny Wolford (Palm Sunday, April 13, 2025)

In part four of Seven Sayings from the Cross, Pastor Danny Wolford takes us deep into one of the most haunting cries ever recorded—“My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” (Matthew 27:46 ). This was not whispered. It was a soul-piercing shout from the depths of divine agony, and in that moment, Jesus took on a new identity—not just Savior, but Substitute.

We often recoil at the idea of a “substitute”—whether it’s fake sugar, plant-based meat, or a fill-in teacher. Substitutes are often seen as lesser. But in the case of Jesus, the Substitute was greater. He stepped into our place and bore the full weight of every sin ever committed—past, present, and future.

Danny walks us through three essential truths:

1. God is Holy.

   Holiness isn’t just a trait of God—it defines Him. His perfection means He cannot be in the presence of sin. This is why, for a brief but brutal moment, Jesus experienced separation from the Father. That’s why Jesus didn’t call Him “Father” in this cry—He said, “My God.” The relationship was temporarily broken so ours could be eternally restored.

2. Sin is Ugly.

   In a world that glamorizes sin, we forget its true nature. Sin alienates us from God, distresses our hearts, and ultimately condemns us. But Jesus absorbed all of it—every lie, every failure, every selfish act—so we wouldn’t have to. Danny powerfully reminds us that if we want to see what sin costs, look no further than the cross.

3. Salvation is Costly.

   Though salvation is free to us, it was unimaginably expensive for God. It cost Him His only Son. Through a courtroom story of justice and mercy, Danny illustrates how God didn’t lower the standard—He met it through Christ’s blood. Justice was satisfied, and mercy walked out from behind the bench and paid our fine.

The sermon ends with a call to action:

• Turn from sin and trust in Jesus

• Live with overwhelming gratitude

• Remember the cost of sin before giving in to temptation

• Share the gospel boldly—because one more soul is always worth it

Using the image of a Haitian “tap tap” (a crowded taxi where there’s always room for one more), Danny paints a vision for church growth that’s not about numbers—it’s about people. Lost people. People Jesus died for.

The cross isn’t just a symbol of suffering—it’s the bridge of substitution. And it’s calling us to go find one more.