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Biblical references in Gahanna-Jefferson Church of Christ's nondenominational sermon outlines are linked directly to text of the King James version of the Bible. Bible quotes you hear in the streaming audio may be from the New King James version of the Bible.
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Introduction:
1.While Jesus was on the cross many were gathered there.
A. Some stood looking on.
B. Some sneered.
C. Some mocked.
D. One blasphemed him.
E. One defended Him.
2. In this lesson we will seek to understand the Defender.
A. The life he had led.
B. His confessions.
C. What he gained from the Lord.
Body:
I. Who was this defender?
A. He had a love for truth. To rebuke the other as he did shows he had a knowledge and love of truth, although he had denied it by his life.
B. His life was a disregard for law.
C. He disregarded honesty and the property of others.
D. He discarded work ethic and discipline.
E. His was a life of denial. (criminals deny they will get caught, that they are justified in their actions, that they will get their life straightened out, etc).
F. It is hard to imagine the fear he lived with -- fear of being caught (though suppressed), fear of facing God.
G. He had connived ways to deprive others of valuable things to his own gain. In the final analysis, he was the biggest loser and he had caused it
all - Matthew 16:26
H. With but little effort we can identify with the thief.
1. Who hasn't been guilty at times of setting aside law because it obstructed his way?
2. Who hasn't been ashamed of lacking discipline at times?
3. Who hasn't discarded honesty in some way at times?
II. The Confessions of a Dying Thief.
A. In his rebuke he confessed: (vv.40-41)
2. His guilt. We have come to expect the worst of criminals to deny their guilt and try every means to get around the law.
3. That he was getting just what he deserved.
a. Generally, it is true that where we are in life is exactly where we should be based on what we have done to this point.
b. The law of sowing and reaping works - Galatians
6:7-8
4. The innocence of Jesus.
B. In his entreaty he confessed: (v.42)
1. Notice we have an imperfect tense verb -- he kept saying. . .
2. The victory of Jesus over death; that death would not hinder Jesus from establishing his kingdom.
3. The nature of the kingdom. He knows it is not earthly, but spiritual.
4. His belief that his death he will not bring an end to his needs. He will be just as conscious and in as great a need for forgiveness as he is on his cross.
III. Getting what the Thief Got.
A. He received mercy in the place of justice.
B. He received far more than he asked for.
1. He asked to be remembered and Jesus said "today you will be with Me."
C. He received peace with God and forgiveness - 1 John
1:9
D. He received eternal security.
E. We can get all he got but not in the way he did.
1. None of us can die on a cross beside the dying Savior.
2. None of us should want to get our peace with God as we are dying. Death can come in an instant. Nor should we rob God and ourselves and loved ones of a righteous life.
3. We cannot go back to his dispensation of time.
b. Jesus had power to forgive - Luke
5:20-24; 7:48
c. He lived under a different covenant - Hebrews
8:13; 9:15-17
Conclusion:
1. One criminal wanted to be saved from his cross and the other from his sin. Many want to avoid crosses but are not concerned about their sins.
2. It seems both thieves kept on in their appeal (imperfect tenses) which suggests Jesus may have faced the choice of saving himself or staying on the cross to save souls.
3. The prayer of the penitent criminal is a striking example of what Jesus was dying for. Is the agony worth saving a thief?
4. Would you obey the terms of his will?
-- Don Treadway, March
2002 --
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