2nd Word from the cross

 

Each of us is terminal. - All of us here in this room. Share two common realities. - We're all sinners. Not a single person here can claim to be perfect. Every man. Every woman. Every boy. And every girl. - We're all sinners.

The second reality common to us all is that death is a reality. For each must die. "The wages of sin is death." The Bible tells us. Each of us will face our end. When we close our eyes to death. Then we will meet the Savior.

Then what?  We will address that issue today. The second word of Jesus from the cross is the word of compassion. - "Today you will be with me in paradise!"

1.                  Notice first the penitent thief.

A.                His rebuke of the other thief. And his request of Christ. Reveal a change in heart. First. He cursed the Savior. - He was exactly like the other thief. Cursing Jesus. Cursing the Romans. Cursing life. But then. He comes to his senses. And realizes this reality known to man. He is going to die. He will meet his Maker. – And then what?

B.                 This thief. In calling out to Jesus. Reveals the recognition of his own guilt. He comes to the realization that he is a sinner. He comes to his senses. And realizes his own mortality. In calling out to Jesus. He realizes that his sins have condemned him!

C.                In calling upon Jesus. He expresses. He knows his guilt.   He knows he is a sinner. And he knows. In death. He will depart this world. And meet him Maker. All he can request. Is that Jesus remember him. "Lord, remember me when you enter into Your kingdom!"

2.                  Notice Christ's reaction.

A.                First. Jesus expressed help. He will remember this repentant thief. - But the Savior's help is beyond the thief's request. Jesus offer is beyond our comprehension. Jesus offer is beyond what we could ever ask. Or think. He gives us not what we want. He gives us what we really need.

B.                 Jesus' reaction reveals the nature of His work. He came to seek and to save that which is lost. He went to the bloody cross. To offer up Himself. As a sacrifice for sin. In Jesus Christ. All sin is forgiven - Period!  In speaking to this thief. Jesus shows him the reward of all who call upon the name of the Lord. - They shall be saved!

C.                Christ's reaction shows us the place of the dead believer. We shall be with Christ eternally!  Mark the Savior's words. “Today you will be with Me in paradise.”

Death defined by the Christian is the separation of the soul from the body. Death to the Christian is our entrance into glory. We take a walk. From one end of the Kingdom to other. From grace to glory. Now we hear the Savior’s voice. Then we’ll see His face.

3.                  Notice also - A word of caution.

A.                Many have used this verse from the Lord's passion to excuse procrastination. I have plenty of time they reason. - After all. The thief was given a final chance on his deathbed. This is true. Yet whom among us can predict their own death? What about sudden death? We dare not use the Lord's compassion as an excuse.

B.                 Notice also that two men come to their deathbeds. One repented. - Yet one did not repent. There can be for some a point of no return. When they turn their back forever on the Lord.

C.                The third word of caution must remind us that while the Lord's grace is shown in Christ receiving this repentant thief. - Think how much was missed. - Consider the wasted opportunities. - The misspent years. That could not be reclaimed.

Every day is a gift. Every day is an opportunity. To do good. To make a difference. To dream big. And to act.  In Jesus Christ our destiny is secure. - Make good use of the present. As you anticipate eternity.

Words- 700
Passive Sentences- 2%
Readability – 84.1%
Reading Level – 3.0

First word from the cross

 

These words. Only Seven. Are. What changes the world. These words. Are. Your identity. These words. Mark you. As Christian.

As He began His passion. Knowing all that was going to take place. Knowing all that would be required of Him. Jesus took the time to pray. It is a simple prayer. Yet. A profound petition. It gives us an overall picture. Of what this Jesus is all about.  Jesus - On the cross. Suspended between earth and heaven. Prays. "Father forgive them for they know not what they do."

1.        The reason for this prayer is obvious.

A.                It tells why He was dying. He is dying. For man is blind to his sin. In ignorance. Man falls to the wayside. And follows a different road.

B.                 This prayer. Reveals Jesus' character. The ruthless world says: "Don't get mad - get even!"  The attitude of this present age says, "Divide and conquer." "To the victor comes the spoils." "An eye for an eye. A tooth for a tooth."  Jesus responds by saying: "Father forgive them."

C.                This prayer. Becomes a perfect example for Jesus' followers - His disciples.  As the Savior has forgiven. Therefore. We too forgive. A student is under his master. And taught by Him. As the Savior has so taught us to forgive. What else can we do but forgive?

D.                Jesus prays this pray. To fulfill prophecy. As He prays for. And asks for His accusers' pardon. The events once predicted of old are beginning to take shape. The Father is acting. – The Father is moving.

2.        Who are the objects of this first prayer from the cross?

A.                First. There are the soldiers. Who nailed Him there. Do they recognize Jesus to be the Savior? The world's redeemer? Or do they see Him. As one of many upstarts?  Do they simply see Him as one who is worthless? It does not matter. What they think of Him. He prays for them. - Regardless - Regardless of whom they were. Regardless of where they had been. Regardless of what they had done.

B.                 Then there are the authorities who condemned Him. To be nailed there. "It is necessary that one man die for the sake of the country".  That's how the High Priest and the leadership sized things up. Little did they know. They were speaking prophetically. His death is sufficient for all.

C.                 The Savior prays. For all. Who have in any way contributed to the sin load. Which brought Him to the cross. The Savior. As He prays. Offers up this request to the Father for you.  All who are in need of the Savior's mercy. Are included in this petition. How good it was of the Savior. To pray for you.

Transition: Thus. The Savior offered up a prayer. As the first word from the cross. How was that prayer answered?

3.        Jesus prayer was answered in three specific ways.

A.                First. The soldiers and the authorities were spared. Then and there. The Lord's visitation was curtailed. And halted. Jesus had told Peter in the garden:  "are not 10,000 legion of angels at My disposal?  Yet all this must be done that the Scriptures may be fulfilled".

B.                 The Jewish nation was give 40 years of grace. To receive the great message of the cross and empty tomb. When Jesus rose from the dead. Appeared to His disciples. And ascended. The early disciples didn't run off to Athens or Rome. They went right back. To the very city where Jesus was crucified. Until Jerusalem was destroyed in the year 70 AD. The inhabitants of that city. Had the very eyewitnesses of the resurrection living in their neighborhoods.

C.                This prayer. Was answered. As all people have been forgiven. – “God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son.” – Now. People must simply receive this forgiveness. Which has already been provided. “Whoever calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”  "Whoever believes in him will not perish but have everlasting life."

On the cross. Suspended between earth and heaven. The Savior prayed for you. – “Father forgive them for they know not what they do.”

Words-710
Passive Sentences –4%
Readability-83.6   
Reading Level -2.9