pray thief church

PRAY LIKE A THIEF!Luke 23: 13-43

BEFORE EASTER THERE IS THE JOURNEY TO THE CROSS

Luke 23:13-43(New Living Translation)

Then Pilate called together the leading priests and other religious leaders, along with the people, [14] and he announced his verdict. "You brought this man to me, accusing him of leading a revolt. I have examined him thoroughly on this point in your presence and find him innocent. [15] Herod came to the same conclusion and sent him back to us. Nothing this man has done calls for the death penalty. [16] So I will have him flogged, but then I will release him."

Luke 23:13-43 (continued)

[18] Then a mighty roar rose from the crowd, and with one voice they shouted, "Kill him, and release Barabbas to us!" [19] (Barabbas was in prison for murder and for taking part in an insurrection in Jerusalem against the government.) [20] Pilate argued with them, because he wanted to release Jesus. [21] But they shouted, "Crucify him! Crucify him!" [22] For the third time he demanded, "Why? What crime has he committed? I have found no reason to sentence him to death. I will therefore flog him and let him go."


[23] But the crowd shouted louder and louder for Jesus' death, and their voices prevailed. [24] So Pilate sentenced Jesus to die as they demanded. [25] As they had requested, he released Barabbas, the man in prison for insurrection and murder. But he delivered Jesus over to them to do as they wished. [26] As they led Jesus away, Simon of Cyrene, who was coming in from the country just then, was forced to follow Jesus and carry his cross.


[27] Great crowds trailed along behind, including many grief-stricken women. [28] But Jesus turned and said to them, "Daughters of Jerusalem, don't weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. [29] For the days are coming when they will say, 'Fortunate indeed are the women who are childless, the wombs that have not borne a child and the breasts that have never nursed.' [30] People will beg the mountains to fall on them and the hills to bury them. [31] For if these things are done when the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry?"


[32] Two others, both criminals, were led out to be executed with him. [33] Finally, they came to a place called The Skull. All three were crucified there—Jesus on the center cross, and the two criminals on either side. [34] Jesus said, "Father, forgive these people, because they don't know what they are doing." And the soldiers gambled for his clothes by throwing dice. [35] The crowd watched, and the leaders laughed and scoffed. "He saved others," they said, "let him save himself if he is really God's Chosen One, the Messiah."


[36] The soldiers mocked him, too, by offering him a drink of sour wine. [37] They called out to him, "If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!" [38] A signboard was nailed to the cross above him with these words: "This is the King of the Jews." [39] One of the criminals hanging beside him scoffed, "So you're the Messiah, are you? Prove it by saving yourself—and us, too, while you're at it!"


[40] But the other criminal protested, "Don't you fear God even when you are dying? [41] We deserve to die for our evil deeds, but this man hasn't done anything wrong." [42] Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom."

[43] And Jesus replied, "I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise."

TAKE HOME

• My eternity depends on how I view Jesus, there on the cross.• My eternity depends on how I view Jesus, there on the cross.

• The crowd and one of the thieves heckled, railed, mocked and scorned Him. What do I have to say?


• Only a dying thief seemed to get it right. Will I get it right?• Only a dying thief seemed to get it right. Will I get it right?

Dear Jesus, Dear Jesus, I deserve the cross. I deserve the cross. Please remember me Please remember me in your Kingdom. Let in your Kingdom. Let me live with you me live with you there, please.there, please.


Decision

ANNOUNCEMENTSANNOUNCEMENTSANNOUNCEMENTSANNOUNCEMENTS

Worship in SongWorship in SongWorship in SongWorship in Song

DEATH WAS NOT AN INCIDENT IN THE LIFE OF JESUS. IT WAS HIS PURPOSE

DEATH WAS NOT AN INCIDENT IN THE LIFE OF JESUS. IT WAS HIS PURPOSE

• The Cross was on Jesus' mind for eons.

• "Now my soul is deeply troubled. Should I pray, 'Father, save me from this hour'? But this is the very reason I came!" John 12:27

I Can Personalize The Cross, As Paul Did:

I Can Personalize The Cross, As Paul Did:

• "So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." --Galatians 2:20

• Three powerful words: Himself for me.

I Can Personalize The Cross, As Peter Did:

I Can Personalize The Cross, As Peter Did:

• There is no escaping this. Being confronted by the Cross of Jesus Christ. No Neutral ground.

• "Who do you say that I am?" --Matthew 16: 15

THE TRUE STORY OF TWO THIEVES ALSO SERVES AS A PARABLE OF

UTMOST IMPORTANCE.

THE TRUE STORY OF TWO THIEVES ALSO SERVES AS A PARABLE OF

UTMOST IMPORTANCE.

Thief # 1: You, the Son of God? Prove it!

Thief #2: (A rebuke that is filled with faith!) Don't you fear God, even when you are condemned to die?

Solomon: said it long ago: The Fear of The Lord is the beginning of all wisdom.

A clear picture of who is who!A clear picture of who is who!

Thief #2: We deserve to die for our crimes but this man hasn't done anything wrong.

Judas: I have sinned. I have betrayed an innocent man!

Pilate: I find no fault in him!

Pilate's Wife: Leave this innocent man alone!

THE WHOLE FAMILY IS WELCOMED!

Confession:I believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God. Jesus is my Lord Jesus is my Lord and Savoir.and Savoir.

A PROFOUND PRAYER OF FAITH AND VISION


A Confession of Christ's True Identity: "Lord, Jesus…"

The brutal treatment of Jesus, the consensus of the crowd, even his own anguish could not conceal the divinity of Jesus from this dying thief.



His Confidence in the Resurrection: "Remember me"

He dared to include himself in God's embrace.



A Clear View of Christ's Royalty: "When you come into your Kingdom"

The disciples saw a dark hollow tomb. The thief envisioned a coming Kingdom!

AN IMMEDIATE RESPONSE OF LOVE FROM THE SAVIOR'S LIPS

AN IMMEDIATE RESPONSE OF LOVE FROM THE SAVIOR'S LIPS

• What Certainty! "I assure you"

• What Speed! "Today"

• What Glory! "In Paradise"

• What Company! "With me"

YOU ARE INVITED TO WRITE THE CLOSING CHAPTER TO THE "CROSS"

PARABLE. HOW WILL IT END?



• Will it be said that I swam against the current of public opinion, confessing that the dying One was truly the Christ, the Son of God?





• Do I, like the second thief, see the Kingdom of God, and me there, among the faithful?

• Can I say with him, "I deserve the cross!" "It should have been me!"

OFFERING

Jesus paid it all.All to Him I owe.

PRAYER & PRAISE

TAKE HOME

• My eternity depends on how I view Jesus, there on the cross.• My eternity depends on how I view Jesus, there on the cross.



• Only a dying thief seemed to get it right. Will I get it right?• Only a dying thief seemed to get it right. Will I get it right?



Decision

GO AND TOUCH THE WORLD

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