Please Turn With

Me To:Luke

23:32-43

”WHAT ABOUT THE THIEF ON

THE CROSS?”

LOOK CLOSELY AT LOOK CLOSELY AT THE THREE CROSSESTHE THREE CROSSES

Dying IN Sin

Dying FOR Sin

Dying TO Sin

The Cross of

Redemption ChristMessiahSavior

The Cross of

Reception – believing

Thief

The Cross of

Rejection- unbelievin

g Thief

THE UNBELIEVING

THIEFLuke 23:39Joined others in shaming ChristPeople die every day shaming Christ & His followersSoon he would die!Rejecting only One having power to save him

THE BELIEVING THIEF

Luke 23:40-42Admits he is getting what he deservesBelieves Jesus is being falsely killedRequested unmerited favorBelieves Christ to be Lord & His kingdom would survive deathBelieves Jesus would have Authority in His kingdom. “Remember me…”

SUFFERING SAVIORVs. 43 “today you will be with

Me in Paradise.”He lets us know where He is

goingAssures us there is a place

prepared for those who truly believe in Him.

2 Corinthians 5:6-8Philippians 1:21-23

3 GREAT QUESTIONSHow did the Thief know

Jesus?Heard of or heard preach?Christ’s teaching had an

effect on him – as well as His example on the crossHe was no coward – faced

death with confidence & courage

WAS THE THIEF

SAVED?He was PenitentBased on belief in Christ

Believed Christ could raise him from the dead

Saw Christ put on Cross but believed in Him

Jesus promised to save Him!

WAS HE SAVED WITHOUT BAPTISM?Living under Law of Moses

Baptism of New Covenant not yet instituted

Church not establishedActs 20:28

Hebrews 9:16Who was the Will Maker?

Jesus Christ!

WAS HE SAVED WITHOUT BAPTISM?While He lived on

Earth, He could grant Salvation to

whomsoever He desired.

After His Death, Salvation is only

granted according to the terms of His Will.

Terms of Will in New Testament

Faith- John 9:24; Romans 10:17Repentance – Acts 17:30Confession – Matthew 10:32Baptism – Mark 16:15,16; Acts 2:38; 22:16

2 Peter 3:9 “come to repentance”

While on earth, Christ had power to forgive sins – Now

sins are forgiven only when we comply with

His Will

LOOK TO THE CROSS LOOK TO THE CROSS OF REDEMPTIONOF REDEMPTION

The Cross of

Redemption ChristMessiahSavior

The Cross of

Reception – believing

Thief

The Cross of

Rejection- unbelievin

g Thief

SAVED?LOST?WHICH WILL IT

BE?