"Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise."

What assurance do believers have that God will save them?

1. A Posture of all Repenting Sinners (39-41) "save yourself...today...", "the robbers who were with him...reviled him..." (Luke 23:43; c/f Matt 27:44)
2. A Promise for all Rescued Sinners (43) "...you will be with me..."
3. A Plan for all Redeemed Sinners (43) "...in paradise..."

“Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do”

What assurance do believers have that their sins have been forgiven?
1. An Incredible Promise, “…yet he bore the sin of many, and makes intercession for the transgressors” (c/f Isa. 53:12)
2. An Intercessors Plea, “Father, forgive them…” (Luke 23:34a)
3. An Impossible Pardon, “… for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34b)

What biblical, spiritual attitudes help shape a healthy church community?
1. Can I Keep Submitting to My Leaders?, “…you who are younger, be subject to the elders…” (5)
2. Can I Keep Embracing Humility?, “…clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another…God opposes…” (5,6)
3. Can I Keep Trusting God?, “…casting all your anxieties on Him…He cares…” (7)

1. Who should Lead? (1), “So I exhort the elders… as a fellow elder…”
2. Where should they Lead? (2a), “…elders among you, as a fellow elder…”
3. How should they Lead? (2-3), “…but being examples to the flock…”
4. Why should they Lead? (4), “…when the Chief Shepherd appears…”

What unique care does God offer persecuted believers?
1. A reason to rejoice (v. 12-13 rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed)
2. A purpose to pursue (v. 14-16 let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name)
3. A hand to hold (v. 17-19 let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator)

How do we win spiritual battles?
- Reset Expectations (1), “…Since Christ suffered…arm yourself with the same way of thinking…”
- Run From Sin (2-3), “…so…live…no longer for human passions but for the will of God”
- Resist Peer Pressure (4), “…they are surprised when you do not join them…they malign you”
- Rest in God’s Justice (5-6), “…they will give account to him…”

What truths can we cling to as we face the possibility of unjust suffering?

1. Remember Jesus’ Mission (vv 17-19), “…Christ also suffered (died)…once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God”
2. Remember Noah’s Message (vs 20), “…in which he went…because they formerly did not obey…”
3. Remember Baptism’s Meaning (vs 21), “…baptism…now saves you…as an appeal to God…through the resurrection of Jesus Christ”
4. Remember Jesus’ Might (vs 22), “…at right hand of God with angels, authorities, and powers having been subjected to him”

How are God’s purposes fulfilled in suffering?
a. God, Being Good, Uses Our Suffering (17), “…for it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will…”
b. God, Being Glorious, Shares Our Suffering (18), “…for Christ also suffered once for sins…that he might bring us to God…”