Last words are very important. When Jesus was hanging on the cross, He made seven statements; every one of them has profound implications for our lives. Last week’s sermon was on Jesus’ statement on forgiveness. In the phrase we looked at this week, Jesus speaks of assurance.
For our 40 days of Lent, our Sunday messages will focus on what Jesus said while He hung on the cross. You have probably thanked Jesus for what He did on the cross, but have you ever thanked Him for what He said on the cross?
SEVEN WORDS FROM THE CROSS
JESUS SPEAKS ABOUT ASSURANCE: “I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
Luke 23:39-43 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!” But the other criminal protested, “Don’t you fear God even when you have been sentenced to die? We deserve to die for our crimes, but this man hasn’t done anything wrong.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.” And Jesus replied, “I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
FIVE FACTS THE DYING MAN KNEW
1. HE WOULD FACE GOD AFTER DEATH
Luke 23:40 But the other criminal protested, “Don’t you fear God even when you have been sentenced to die?”
Hebrews 9:27b …each person is destined to die once and after that comes judgment.
2. HE HAD SINNED AGAINST GOD
Luke 23:41a “We deserve to die for our crimes…”
Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.
3. JESUS WAS MORE THAN A MAN
Norman Borlaug (1914-2009), “The Man Who Saved A Billion Lives”
Luke 23:41b “…but this man hasn’t done anything wrong.”
Ecclesiastes 7:20 Not a single person on earth is always good and never sins.
2 Corinthians 5:21 For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.
4. ONLY GRACE COULD SAVE HIM
Luke 23:42a Then he said, “Jesus, remember me…”
Ephesians 2:8-9 God saved you by His grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.
5. JESUS WOULD SAVE HIM IF HE ASKED
Luke 23:42 “Jesus, remember me when you come into Your Kingdom.”
Acts 16:31 “Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved.”
Luke 23:43 And Jesus replied, “I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
Romans 10:13 For “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
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