“The Men at the Cross with Christ”
Session # 5
The Thieves
Introduction:
The thieves that deserved their punishment and the Redeemer that was willing to forgive. What an awesome illustration of God’s love, and man’s inability to grasp it.
I. Thief one: He was willing to reject Christ.
A. If you are the Christ.
B. Do something for me.
C. He followed the crowd, even in his pain.
D. He separated himself from the Redeemer with unbelief.
E. He missed the glory of Heaven, by rejecting the gift of Life.
F. He received is due reward of Hell, because of his disbelief.
II. Thief two: He wanted to know Christ personally.
A. I deserve what is happening to me.
B. He acknowledged the sinless nature of Christ.
C. He accepted a free gift with no promise of getting off the Cross.
D. He had a childlike faith.
E. He received the gift of eternal life (in Heaven) because of his belief.
F. Today he sits with Christ in Heaven.
III. Comparing this to us!
A. We have to make a decision about eternity.
B. We have only two (2) options or choices.
1) Glorified Heaven, living for eternity in the presence of Christ.
2) Godless Hell, living for eternity totally separated from God.
C. There is no third (3rd) choice, therefore “they are going to just bury me”.
1) This is a man-made option, and not in God’s plan for any man.
Questions for tonight!
What is your choice -- Heaven or Hell?
Who do you know that needs to hear about Christ so they can go to Heaven with you, and are you willing to tell them?
