And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, "Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?" that is, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"   Matthew 27:46 (ESV)

All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned–every one–to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. Isaiah 53:6 (ESV) 

Introduction

Fallen Condition Focus: we all have at some level a certain amount of fear of death. That fear can control us and be a cruel slavery or it can drive us to God. The fear of death is a sub-conscious fear and it compels us to stay alive at any cost. We do not consider its inevitability because we are afraid of facing the fact that at some time we will die. At the root of this fear is the fear of being abandoned by those we love and being separated from them. 

Sermon Proposition: Since Christ suffered death as the forsaken one of God, you and I might know his presence and love even in death. 

A. Christ's prayer on the cross: "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" (Matt. 27:46)

1. Christ experienced the sense of forsakenness that humans experience
2. Christ prayed the psalms
3. The prayer of the suffering righteous man - Psalm 22:1 

B. Knowing this, what shall we do?

1. Believe in Immanuel, God with us 
2. Pray with Christ the Psalms
3. Share with others, the forsaken ones, Christ's hope and love

Conclusion and Call to Respond

What would our world look like if we became a community of the Forsaken One offering hope to those who feel forsaken in our families, our church, and in our community?