We Are Saved Like the Thief on the Cross

Jonathan Caldwell

Many people are curious about the "thief on the cross." The question is sometimes asked, "Can I be saved like the thief on the cross?" I used to be annoyed by this question and would answer, "No. You are not dying on a cross next to Jesus." But it recently occurred to me that we are all saved like the thief on the cross.

This man was a sinner. In Luke 23:41, the thief admits guilt to his crimes while noting Jesus' innocence. There is nothing he can do to undo or fix his sins. He is completely reliant on the grace of Jesus Christ. We, too, are all sinners (Romans 3:23). There is nothing we can do to undo or fix our sins. We are completely reliant on the grace of Jesus Christ.

Where we differ from the thief is in the knowledge of the conditions scripture lays down for those who would receive the grace and mercy of our Lord and Savior. We must believe that Jesus is the Son of God (Mark 16:16). But this does not enable us to fix our sins. We must repent of our sins (Acts 2:38). But this doesn't fix our past sins. We must be baptized (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38). But physically, baptism is just getting wet. None of these things fix our problem of sin without the grace of God.

So we must understand that we cannot simply say, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." To do so would be to ignore the rest of the New Testament's teaching on salvation and our response to God's love. But the same grace that saved the thief on the cross is what we so desperately need. It is that grace that makes our belief, repentance, and baptism effective.

If you consider some of Jesus' other statements, then you will recognize that we are the sinner with a cross. We are all sinners. And Jesus said that if we wish to go with Him, we must take up our cross daily and follow Him (Luke 9:23). By the grace of God, I can follow Jesus. By the grace of God, I can receive the forgiveness of sins. And by the grace of God, I can be with Him in eternity.

TO DAYS OUTLINE

A Question from John, the Baptist

Matthew 11 :2-6; Luke 7: 18-23

Introduction:

* Do you ever have moments of doubt?

Body:

1. John, the Baptist

A. Johns ____________

1. Isaiah 40:3; Malachi 4:5f

B. Johns ____________

1. Matthew 3:1-12

C. Johns ____________

1. Matthew ______

2. Matthew ______

3. Matthew ______

II Johns Question

A."Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?"

B. Didn't John know the answer to this question?

C. Why did John ask this question?

1. Isaiah ______

D. John was in a time of crisis

III. Jesus' Response

A."Go and tell John what you _____ and ____ _

B. How is this an answer to John's question?

1.____ 29:18

2.Isaiah____

C. Note the beatitude

D. Jesus response to John's question is basically,

"Scripture is being _____ ... don't lose _____ !

Conclusion:

Drawing Near to God by the Practice of Praying

1. Do you sincerely pray at least once per day? Under 10% said yes.

2. Do You have a list of souls for whom you pray for daily? 2% said yes.

3. Would you consider the congregation where you worship as a praying congregation? Under 5%

said yes.

4. Do you sincerely believe that God hears and answers prayer? Under 50% said yes.

We Need to Pray with Confidence (Heb. 4:14-16; 10:19-22)

Hebrews 4:14 (ESV) 14 Since then we have a great high priest…

He was without sin (Heb. 7:26-28)

He lives forever (Heb. 7:16, 23-24)

His sacrifice was all-sufficient (Heb. 7:27; 10:10-12)

Hebrews 4:14 (ESV) 14 Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the

heavens…

Hebrews 9:16-17 (ESV) 16 For where a will is involved, the death of the one who made it must be

established. 17 For a will takes effect only at death, since it is not in force as long as the one who

made it is alive.

Hebrews 10:19-20 (ESV) 19 Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places

by the blood of Jesus, 20 by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain,

that is, through his flesh,

Hebrews 10:21-22 (ESV) 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us

draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith...

Hebrews 4:14 (ESV) 14 Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the

heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.

Hebrews 7:25 (ESV) 25 Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to

God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.

Hebrews 4:16 (ESV) 16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may

receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

1 John 1:9 (ESV) 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to

cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Hebrews 10:22 (ESV) 22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our

hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.

James 4:8 (ESV)

8 Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify

your hearts, you double-minded.

1 Thessalonians 5:17 (ESV)

17 pray without ceasing,

We must desire to pray

* Rescue from temptation (Jas. 1:13-14; Matt. 26:41)

* Relief from illness (Jas. 5:14)

* Release from sin (1 Jn. 1:9; Acts 8:22)

* Resistance from the wiles of the devil (Eph.

Drawing Near to God

Balance Bible Study

First, We Must Perceive the Bible Correctly

• We must perceive the Bible as God’s Word

Emmett F. Fields, Atheist &Bible Critic

The very fact of this debate (whether or not the Bible is God’s Word), or any debate about the Bible, is irrefutable proof that the Bible cannot be "the word of God."

1 Thessalonians 2:13 (ESV) 13 And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers.

2 Timothy 2:15 (NIV) 15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.

• We must perceive the Bible as being fully inspired

2 Timothy 3:16 (NKJV) 16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profit-able for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,

• We must perceive the Bible as a book of law

Max Lucado “For me, for years, Christianity was a moral code. It is now becoming a love affair. For years there were rules and regulations, now it’s a relationship.”

• We must perceive the Bible as a book of law

Glen Owen “Nobody has any right to preach anything other than the Gospel of pure grace. We are saved by grace plus nothing. You are saved by faith period. There is nothing you can do to be saved. There are no rules; there are no regulations in serving Jesus Christ.”

Romans 8:2 (ESV) 2 For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.

Second, We Must Probe the Bible Consistently.

2 Timothy 2:15 (NIV, ESV, RSV, NRSV) 15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved…

2 Timothy 2:15 (NKJV, NASB, ASV, Etc.) 15  Be diligent to present yourself approved to God…

2 Timothy 2:15 (KJV) 15  Study to shew thyself approved unto God…

Romans 10:17 (ESV) 17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.

The Average Will Spend...

1 year looking for misplaced objects?

2 years on the internet

4 years doing housework?

51/2 years driving a car

71/2 years listening to the radio

10 years in front of television

70 days reading the Bible

Matthew 6:33 (ESV) 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

The Complete Biblical Library Greek-English Dictionary

“To seek in this way is to diligently, earnestly, and tenaciously search after something, sparing no effort or expense, for the sought object is valued to the highest degree. Likewise, believers are to seek God in the same way.”

Third, We Must Practice the Bible Constantly.

James 4:17 (NKJV) 17 Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.

Joshua 1:8 (ESV) 8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.

First, We Must Perceive the Bible Correctly

Second, We Must Probe the Bible Consistently

Third, We Must Practice the Bible Constantly

Draw Near to God and He will draw near to you

James 4:8

Drawing Near by Fervent Faith

Hebrews 11:6 (ESV)And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.

I. The Example of Abel: Righteousness (ver. 4)

Hebrews 11:4 (ESV) 4 By faith Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain, through which he was commended as righteous, God commending him by accepting his gifts. And through his faith, though he died, he still speaks.

1 John 3:7 (ESV) 7 Little children, let no one deceive you. Whoever practices righteousness is righteous, as he is righteous.

Hebrews 11:4 (ESV) 4 By faith Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain, through which he was commended as righteous, God commending him by accepting his gifts. And through his faith, though he died, he still speaks.

False

Sam Morris “We take the position that a Christian’s sins do not damn the soul. The way a Christian lives has nothing whatever to do with the salvation of his soul. All the sins he may commit from idolatry to murder will not make his soul in any more danger.”

Bill Foster“If I killed my wife and mother and debauched a thousand women, I couldn’t go to hell—in fact, I couldn’t go to hell if I wanted to.”

The Example of Abel: Righteousness (ver. 4)

1 Corinthians 6:9 (ESV) 9 Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality,

The Example of Enoch: Trust (ver. 5)

Hebrews 11:5 (ESV) 5 By faith Enoch was taken up so that he should not see death, and he was not found, because God had taken him. Now before he was taken he was commended as having pleased God.

Thayer’s Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament.

Conviction of the truth of anything, belief; “in the N.T. of a conviction or belief respecting man’s relationship to God and divine things, generally with the included idea of trust.

Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary It conveys the idea of trust, a firm internal conviction regarding the truthfulness of someone or some claim.

Hebrews 11:5 (ESV) 5 By faith Enoch was taken up so that he should not see death, and he was not found, because God had taken him. Now before he was taken he was commended as having pleased God.

The Example of Noah: Obedience (ver. 7)

Hebrews 11:7 (ESV) 7 By faith Noah, being warned by God concerning events as yet unseen, in reverent fear constructed an ark for the saving of his household. By this he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.

Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary

“Marked by extreme or excessive care in the consideration or treatment of details.”

1 Samuel 15:22 (KJV)

22 And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.

• First, Noah’s obedience was meticulous.

• Meticulous Obedience Does

Not Eradicate God’s Grace.

The Example of Abraham:

Sacrifice (vers. 8, 17)

Romans 4:12 (ESV) 12 and to make him the father of the circumcised who are not merely circumcised but who also walk in the footsteps of the faith that our father Abraham had before he was circumcised.

Hebrews 11:8 (ESV) 8 By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going.

Genesis 22:1-2 (ESV)

1 After these things God tested Abraham and said to him, “Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” 2 He said, “Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.”

Hebrews 11:18 (ESV) 18 of whom it was said, “Through Isaac shall your offspring be named.”

Drawing Near to God

The Place Where We Can Draw Near

Ephesians 1:3 (ESV) 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places,

Ephesians 1:7 (ESV) 7  In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace,

REDEMPTION

1 Corinthians 6:20 (NKJV) 20  For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's.

Galatians 3:13 (ESV) 13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree.”

Three Greek Words for Redemption:

Apolytrōsis (Complete Word Study Dictionary)

Deliverance on account of the ransom paid…Ephesians 1:7 (ESV) 7  In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace,

Ephesians 1:7 (ESV) 7  In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace,

Romans 6:17-18 (ESV)17  But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed, 18  and, having been set free from sin…

Hebrews 10:16-17 (KJV) 16 This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them; 17 And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.

Ephesians 1:4 (ESV) 4 even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him

Colossians 1:21-22 (ESV) 21 And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, 22 he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him,

Ephesians 1:11 (ESV) 11 In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will,

2 Timothy 2:10 (ESV) 10 Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.

II. The Way into Christ

Obey the Gospel

Baptized (Mark 16:16)

Confess (Matthew 10:32-33)

Repent (Luke 13:3)

Believe (John 8:24)

Hear (John 6:44-45)

Romans 6:3 (ESV) 3 Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?

1 Corinthians 12:13 (ESV) 13 For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit.

Galatians 3:27 (ESV) 27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

Acts 2:38 (ESV) 38 And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Matthew 26:28 (ESV) 28 for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.

Ephesians 1:22-23 (ESV) 22 And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.

It Means to Be in the Church

THE CHURCH IS NOT A DENOMINATION

The Organization of the N.T. Church

Christians who have agreed to work together in a specific, geographical location

Always a plurality (Acts 14:23; Acts 20:17)

Only shepherd the flock among them (1 Pet. 5:2)

Elders

Deacons

Saints

(Phil. 1:1)

Made Up Of All the Saved

This is What It Means to Be in Christ

The Blessing of Being Able to Draw Near

Introduction:

Drawing near to God is a wonderful blessing. The truth is, if it wasn’t for the love and kindness and gracious nature of God, drawing near to Him would be impossible. You see, there are many things that contribute to being able to draw near to God, and almost all of them are made possible by grace. Let’s look at some of them.

Lesson:

I. God’s Consideration Is a Blessing

Psalm 8:3-6 (ESV)

3 When I look at your

heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, 4 what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him? 5 Yet you have made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned himwith glory and honor. 6 You have given him dominion over the works of your hands; you have put all things under his feet,

II. God’s Plan of Salvation Is a Blessing

John 3:16 (ESV)

16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not

perish but have eternal life.

III. God’s Revelation Is a Blessing

Romans 3:1-2 (ESV)

1 Then what advantage has the Jew? Or what is the value of circumcision? 2 Much in every way. To

begin with, the Jews were entrusted with the oracles of God.

Conclusion:

So, we have seen the nature of the God to whom we should draw near. We have seen what a blessing it is to draw near to God.

Next, we are going to look at the place where we can draw near to God.

The Place Where We Can Draw Near

Introduction:

Since drawing near to God is such a great privilege, we shouldn't be surprised that we can only do so on God's terms. Those terms involve obeying the gospel of Christ which will put you in the one place where fellowship with God is possible, that is, in Christ. This will be our emphasis in this lesson.

Lesson:

I. The Importance of Being in Christ

Ephesians 1 :3 (ESV)

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places,

II. The Way into Christ

Hear (Jn. 6:44-45), Believe (Jn. 8:24), Repent (Lk. 13:3), Confess (Matt. 10:32-33), and Be Baptized (Mk. 16:16)

III. What It Means to Be in Christ

Ephesians 1 :22-23 (ESV)

22 And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.

Conclusion:

Are you in Christ? We should all want to draw nearer to God. But there has to be a starting point. In Christ is that point. It is the only place that anyone can have fellowship with God and be what He wants them to be.

The Blessing of Being Able to Draw Near

Introduction:

Drawing near to God is a wonderful blessing. The truth is, if it wasn't for the love and kindness and gracious nature of God, drawing near to Him would be impossible. You see, there are many things that contribute to being able to draw near to God, and almost all of them are made possible by grace. Let's look at some of them.

Lesson:

I. God's Consideration Is a Blessing

Psalm 8:3-6 (ESV)

3 When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, 4 what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him? 5 Yet you have made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor. 6 You have given him dominion over the works of your hands; you have put all things under his feet,

II. God's Plan of Salvation Is a Blessing

John 3:16 (ESV)

16 "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

III God's Revelation Is a Blessing

Romans 3:1-2 (ESV)

1 Then what advantage has the Jew? Or what is the value of circumcision? 2 Much in every way. To begin with, the Jews were entrusted with the oracles of God.

Conclusion:

So, we have seen the nature of the God to whom we should draw near. We have seen what a blessing it is to draw near to God. Next, we are going to look at the place where we can draw near to God.

Walking with God & Being Blameless

It is an amazing thing that God calls us to do and be. Think of what He said to Abraham in

Gen. 17:1

When Abram was ninety-

nine years old the Lord

appeared to Abram and said to him, “I am God Almighty;

walk before me, and be

blameless”.

God calls us to this charge in various ways throughout our lives; He shows us those who have gone before our time that were known as “blameless.” How do we get there? What does this walk look like?

 Noah (Gen. 6:9)

- A man who stood out in an evil culture (Gen.6:8; Heb 11:7; Gen.6:22, 7:5)

 Job (Job 1:1, 8) -

Staying true to God through trials, difficulties and distractions (Job 19:25-26, 2:3; Heb. 4:12-13; 1 Thess.2:5,10)

 Daniel (Dan. 6:4-5) -

The ever-present example of standing firm in an hostile nation (Dan. 1:8, 6:10; Eph.4:1, 1:4)

 Enoch (Gen. 5:21-24) -

A short story that speaks volumes (James 1:4; Col.1:10; Eph.5:15; 1 Thess.2:12)

 Elijah (2 Kings 2:11-12) - Relentless standing for righteousness among God’s enemies (Phil.2:12-16; 1 Kings 17-18, 19:1-3, 14-18, 2 Kings 1)

"From Death to Life"

A. "Why is it thought incredible by any of you that God raises the dead?" (Paul in Acts 26:8 )

B. Paul is unashamedly standing before Governor Festus and King Agrippa and boldly testifying that Jesus was "the____________to rise from the dead" (Acts 26:23 ).

C. What does that mean, and why does it matter, even this morning?

"From Death to Life" (John 5:17-29)

• One day, Jesus is going to raise__________

of the__________(5:28)

• Jesus will raise all of the dead by his mighty______________(5:28)

• Jesus has__________to raise the dead because he is the Son of__________(5:26)

• Jesus has___________to execute judgment because he is the Son of________(5:27)

• __________resurrection experience will correspond with the way__________lived______life (5:27)

• If I want to be raised to life_____________________ , I need to be raised to newness of life___________(5:25)

Responsibility & Opportunity

What would you do if you knew you couldn't fail?. That's the question we will seek to answer this morning. Through the example of Rahab and Ruth, we will see how they both felt the responsibility of service and took the opportunity to act. Their trust in God and their actions led them to a future they could not have predicted.

Joshua 1:6,9 ; Joshua 2:1,6 ,8-14,2 3-24; Joshua 6:22-25 Judges 21:25; Ruth 1:1; Ruth 1:6-18; Ruth 4:13,1 6-17;

Matthew1 : 1-6

A: RAHAB AND RUTH FELT RESPONSIBLE TO THEIR FAMILY

B: RAHAB AND RUTH WERE PRESENTED AN OPPORTUNITY TO ACT

C: GOD TURNED SEEMINGLY INSIGNIFICANT WOMEN INTO SIGNIFICANT WOMEN

#1: EACH ONE OF US HAS A RESPONSIBILITY TO OUR________________________

Matthew 25:14-30

15 To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away.

26 But his master answered him, 'You wicked and slothful servant!

#2: EACH ONE OF US HAS A RESPONSIBILITY TO CHRIST'S__________________

1 Corinthians 12:12-27

12 For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ."

#3: EACH ONE OF US HAS AN OPPORTUNITY TO _____________________

Ephesians 4:11-16

13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith

Hebrews 10:24-25

25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another"

I have a responsibility to my God and the body of Christ. Therefore, I will make the most of my opportunity to serve other members by: _________________________________________________________________________________