Why Save A Dying Thief?

Temple Baptist Church - 4-14-2019

Luke 23:32-43

Introduction:

A.  As we approach Resurrection Sunday, I want to take one more look at the Cross of Christ.  How important is the preaching of the Cross?  Eternity demands it!

B.  The account that we just read focuses upon three individuals.  Two thieves who had been tried and sentenced to death—and the Son of God, dying for the sin of the world.  The Innocent dying for the sinful with salvation within their grasp.

C.  The thieves were guilty as charged and that day was their last in this life with eternity looming.  Thus it is with all sinners.  No one knows the hour of death and there is no escape.

Ecclesiastes 8:6-8  Because to every purpose there is time and judgment, therefore the misery of man is great upon him.  (7)  For he knoweth not that which shall be: for who can tell him when it shall be?  (8)  There is no man that hath power over the spirit to retain the spirit; neither hath he power in the day of death: and there is no discharge in that war; neither shall wickedness deliver those that are given to it.

D.  One sinner mocked the Son of God:

Luke 23:39  And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us.  (The world today mocks the Son of God and will die in their sin.)

E.  One sinner recognized the Son of God: 

Luke 23:42  And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.  (He was gloriously saved)

F.  The grace extended was both personal and singular! 

Luke 23:43  And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.  (You do not get to heaven because of who you are or what you have done.)

G.  Why save a dying thief?

1.  Because Christ loved him!  That makes it personal.

1 John 4:9-10  In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.  (10)  Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

2.  Because Christ was dying for him!  That makes it personal.

1 Timothy 1:15  This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.

1 Timothy 2:4  Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

3.  To show the way of salvation!  Christ, the only Way.

John 14:6  Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

Acts 4:12  Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

4.  To describe the act of salvation!  By grace, not personal merit.

Ephesians 2:8-9  For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:  (9)  Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Titus 3:5  Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

5.  That men might not despair!  Christ died for sinners.

1 Timothy 1:15  This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.

Luke 5:32  I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

6.  That men might not presume!  Christ only saved one thief.

John 5:39-40  Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.  (40)  And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.

John 3:16-21  For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.  (17)  For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.  (18)  He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.  (19)  And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.  (20)  For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.  (21)  But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.