It's Never Too Late To Get It Right!

Luke 23:33-43

Two thieves on the cross

32 Two others, both criminals, were led out to be executed with him. 33 When they came to a place called The Skull,[e] they nailed him to the cross. And the criminals were also crucified—one on his right and one on his left.34 Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for 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 scoffed. “He saved others,” they said, “let him save himself if he is really God’s Messiah, the Chosen One.” 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 sign was fastened 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 have been sentenced to die? 41 We deserve to die for our crimes, 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.”

What is the difference in the attitude between these two thieves.

CRIMINAL 1 – The Scoffer	CRIMINAL 2 – The One Who Feared God
Self assured	Self aware
Smug	Repentant – knew he deserved what he received,
Proud	Humble
Indifferent to who Jesus was	Recognized who Jesus was
Indignant	Showed dignity

What do we learn about the criminal who mocked Jesus?

He took his sins with him to his grave

What do we learn from the criminal who feared God on the cross?

Jesus paid the price for his forgiveness right there on the cross

It’s never too late to put your faith and trust in Jesus.  He was right there dying beside Jesus as these events took place.

What do we learn about ourselves?

We simply can choose to accept or reject His free gift. 

What do we learn about Jesus?

Merciful, kind, not willing that anyone should not discover His saving grace

Salvation is by faith alone in Christ alone.

Salvation = faith + nothing!

 We are all sinners in need of a Savior, and no matter the number of our sins and no matter if we, or the world, think our sins are minor or extreme, it is never too late to repent and accept the free gift of salvation

Luke 5:31 And Jesus answered them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. 32 I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.”

Are you ready to nail your sin to the cross today?  Are you ready as an act of faith to stop trying to pay for your own mistakes and accept His gift?

Communion is all about a heart of thankfulness, it is truly a celebration that my sins are forgiven and that I have freedom and it’s all because of Jesus. 

He took my shame and my sin and they are to be remembered no more

Psalm 103:12

as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.

Micah 7:19

He will again have compassion on us;  he will trample our iniquities. And you will hurl all their sins in the depths of the sea.