Grace and Assurance: The Thief's Promise of Paradise

 

Summary

In this series on heaven, we explore the profound promise Jesus made to the thief on the cross: "Today you will be with me in paradise." This promise is not just a comforting assurance but a profound declaration of the certainty of salvation for those who turn to Christ. The series is structured around four themes derived from Jesus' words: immediacy, relationship, the joys of heaven, and the assurance of heaven. Today, we focus on the most crucial question: How can I be sure of heaven?

The story of the thief on the cross is a powerful illustration of grace. Despite his life of crime, the thief received the promise of paradise, demonstrating that entry into heaven is not about living a good life but about turning to Jesus. The thief's story dismantles the myth that heaven is earned by good deeds. Instead, it shows that heaven is a gift given to those who turn, ask, and trust in Jesus.

Turning involves repentance, a change of heart where one begins to fear God and recognize Jesus as King. The thief, initially hurling insults, experienced a transformation, acknowledging his sin and Jesus' kingship. Asking means coming to Jesus with humility, not pretending to be righteous or trying to make a deal, but simply asking for mercy. Trusting involves placing one's future entirely in Jesus' hands, much like a patient trusts a surgeon with their life.

The thief's experience teaches us that trusting Jesus does not guarantee a life free from darkness or pain. After trusting Jesus, the thief faced darkness and agony, yet he held onto Jesus' promise. This mirrors our journey, where faith in Jesus may lead us through trials, but His promise remains steadfast.

Ultimately, the way to live is the way to die: by fixing our eyes on what Jesus has done for us, not on what we have done for Him. The thief's story is a call to turn, ask, and trust, ensuring that we, too, will hear Jesus' promise of paradise.

Key Takeaways:

- The Certainty of Salvation: The thief on the cross received a promise of paradise, illustrating that salvation is not about living a good life but about turning to Jesus. This story dismantles the myth that heaven is earned by deeds, showing that it is a gift for those who turn, ask, and trust in Jesus. [12:47]

- Repentance and Recognition: Turning to Jesus involves repentance, a change of heart where one begins to fear God and recognize Jesus as King. The thief's transformation from hurling insults to acknowledging Jesus' kingship is a powerful example of this change. [19:10]

- Humility in Asking: Asking Jesus for salvation means coming with humility, not pretending to be righteous or trying to make a deal. The thief came to Jesus with honesty, recognizing his sin and asking for mercy, which is a model for us. [22:12]

- Trusting in Darkness and Pain: Trusting Jesus does not guarantee a life free from darkness or pain. The thief faced darkness and agony after trusting Jesus, yet he held onto Jesus' promise, teaching us to trust even in trials. [32:42]

- Living and Dying in Faith: The way to live is the way to die: by fixing our eyes on what Jesus has done for us, not on our deeds. This focus on Jesus' finished work is the foundation of our faith and assurance of heaven. [37:03]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:12] - Introduction to the Series
- [01:20] - Themes of the Series
- [03:24] - The Most Important Question
- [05:57] - The Certainty of Death
- [09:31] - The Story of the Thief
- [11:02] - The Myth of Good Works
- [13:18] - Turn, Ask, Trust
- [15:22] - The Change in the Thief
- [19:10] - Recognizing Jesus as King
- [22:12] - Humility in Asking
- [27:07] - Trusting with Empty Hands
- [32:42] - Trusting in Darkness and Pain
- [37:03] - Living and Dying in Faith
- [39:34] - Prayer and Invitation

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: The Promise of Paradise

Bible Reading:
- Luke 23:32-43

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Observation Questions:

1. What promise did Jesus make to the thief on the cross, and how does this illustrate the certainty of salvation? [04:10]

2. How did the thief's attitude towards Jesus change during the crucifixion, according to the sermon? [15:22]

3. What does the sermon suggest about the thief's understanding of Jesus' kingship? [19:42]

4. How does the sermon describe the thief's approach to asking Jesus for salvation? [21:33]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the story of the thief on the cross challenge the common belief that good deeds are necessary for entry into heaven? [12:21]

2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that repentance involves a change of heart and recognition of Jesus as King? [19:10]

3. How does the sermon explain the concept of trusting Jesus in times of darkness and pain? [32:42]

4. What does the sermon imply about the relationship between living a life of faith and the assurance of heaven? [37:03]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when you felt unworthy of God's grace. How does the story of the thief on the cross encourage you to turn to Jesus despite your past? [12:47]

2. The sermon emphasizes the importance of repentance. What areas of your life might need a change of heart to align more closely with God's will? [15:37]

3. Consider how you approach God in prayer. Do you come with humility, like the thief, or do you sometimes try to make deals with God? How can you cultivate a more honest and humble prayer life? [23:39]

4. The sermon discusses trusting Jesus even in darkness and pain. How can you hold onto Jesus' promises during challenging times in your life? [32:42]

5. The way to live is the way to die: by focusing on what Jesus has done for us. How can you shift your focus from your own deeds to Jesus' finished work in your daily life? [37:03]

6. Identify a specific area where you struggle to trust Jesus with your future. What steps can you take this week to place that area into His hands? [29:46]

7. The sermon invites us to turn, ask, and trust. Have you taken these steps in your relationship with Jesus? If not, what is holding you back, and how can you address it today? [39:12]

Devotional

Day 1: Salvation as a Gift, Not a Reward
The story of the thief on the cross is a profound illustration of grace and the certainty of salvation. Despite a life marked by crime, the thief received the promise of paradise from Jesus, demonstrating that entry into heaven is not contingent upon living a good life but on turning to Jesus. This narrative dismantles the myth that heaven is earned through good deeds, showing instead that it is a gift given to those who turn, ask, and trust in Jesus. The thief's experience underscores the transformative power of grace and the assurance of salvation for all who seek Jesus with a sincere heart. [12:47]

Ephesians 2:8-9 (ESV): "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast."

Reflection: Consider an area in your life where you might be relying on your own efforts to earn God's favor. How can you shift your focus to fully embrace the gift of grace through faith in Jesus today?


Day 2: The Transformative Power of Repentance
Turning to Jesus involves a profound change of heart, where one begins to fear God and recognize Jesus as King. The thief on the cross experienced a remarkable transformation, moving from hurling insults to acknowledging Jesus' kingship. This change illustrates the essence of repentance—a sincere turning away from sin and a recognition of Jesus' authority. Repentance is not merely about feeling sorry for past actions but involves a genuine change in perspective and behavior, aligning one's life with the truth of who Jesus is. [19:10]

Acts 3:19 (ESV): "Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord."

Reflection: Reflect on a specific area in your life where you need to experience a change of heart. What steps can you take today to turn away from sin and acknowledge Jesus' authority in that area?


Day 3: Humility in Seeking Salvation
Asking Jesus for salvation requires coming to Him with humility, not pretending to be righteous or attempting to make a deal. The thief on the cross approached Jesus with honesty, recognizing his sin and asking for mercy. This act of humility is a model for us, demonstrating that salvation is not about our own righteousness but about acknowledging our need for Jesus' mercy and grace. It is an invitation to come before God with a contrite heart, fully aware of our shortcomings and fully reliant on His grace. [22:12]

James 4:10 (ESV): "Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you."

Reflection: Identify a situation where you have been trying to earn God's favor through your own efforts. How can you approach God with humility and honesty, asking for His mercy and grace today?


Day 4: Trusting Jesus Through Trials
Trusting in Jesus does not guarantee a life free from darkness or pain. The thief on the cross faced darkness and agony even after trusting Jesus, yet he held onto Jesus' promise. This teaches us that faith in Jesus may lead us through trials, but His promise remains steadfast. Trusting Jesus means placing our future entirely in His hands, even when circumstances are challenging. It is a call to remain steadfast in faith, knowing that Jesus' promises are true and reliable, even in the midst of life's difficulties. [32:42]

2 Corinthians 4:17-18 (ESV): "For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal."

Reflection: Think of a current trial or challenge you are facing. How can you actively place your trust in Jesus and hold onto His promises during this time?


Day 5: Living and Dying with Eyes on Jesus
The way to live is the way to die: by fixing our eyes on what Jesus has done for us, not on our deeds. The thief's story is a call to focus on Jesus' finished work as the foundation of our faith and assurance of heaven. This perspective shifts our focus from our own efforts to the sufficiency of Jesus' sacrifice, providing a solid foundation for both life and death. It is an invitation to live each day with the assurance that our salvation is secure in Jesus, allowing us to face life's challenges with confidence and hope. [37:03]

Hebrews 12:2 (ESV): "Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God."

Reflection: In what ways can you shift your focus from your own efforts to what Jesus has accomplished for you? How can this change in perspective impact your daily life and your approach to challenges?

Quotes


The story of the thief on the cross blows away the myth that people get into heaven by living a good enough life. Quite clearly the thief had not done this; he had not lived a good life. He was a criminal. He's described in Mark's gospel as a robber, and the scale of his crimes were such that he was being brought to capital punishment through this crucifixion. [00:11:02]

The thief on the cross heard all the words that Jesus spoke from the cross, so he was there for more than six hours, and during that time there was a remarkable change that took place in his attitude towards Jesus. Now Matthew and Mark both tell us that at the beginning, both of the criminals, the one on the right and the one on the left, they both hurled abuse at Jesus. [00:13:18]

Repentance is turning with as much as you know of yourself from as much as you know of your sin to as much as you know of God. It's a very helpful definition because it reminds us that repentance for a Christian believer gets deeper over time. The more you learn of who God is, the more you learn of who you are. [00:15:22]

Turning begins first when you really begin to fear God. You notice how he says that in verse 40: one of the criminals who were hanged was railing at him still and saying, "Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us." But the other rebuked him, saying, "Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation?" [00:19:10]

Asking means that you don't pretend to be righteous. The thief was very, very clear about this. He says in verse 41, "We are receiving the due reward for our deeds." So he's not trying to say to Jesus, "You know, I realize this may seem strange since I'm on a cross, but you know really I'm a very good person." [00:22:12]

Our first instinct when it comes towards God is for us to think in terms of a deal: if I give you my life, if I pray, if I go to church, if I am generous, if I live my life in a good way, if I pay a price in this world for doing what is right, you'll save me, won't you? [00:27:07]

You put your trust in Jesus Christ, you turn to him, you ask him to save you. Understand this: there will be times in your life when you experience great darkness, and you face an unanswered why. See, some people put their trust in Jesus and they're completely shocked when they find themselves in a dark situation. [00:32:42]

The way to die is the way to live. Now by getting all boned up with, "Oh, what am I doing for Jesus now? Am I doing enough for Jesus?" but to get both eyes fixed on what Jesus Christ has done for me. He's the one who was able to say, "It is finished." [00:37:03]

The thief trusts himself into the hands of Jesus, and to this person who trusts himself into the hand of Jesus, turn, ask, and trust, Jesus says, "Today you will be with me in paradise." This is the promise of the Savior to the person who trusts him. [00:29:34]

The thief's experience teaches us that trusting Jesus does not guarantee a life free from darkness or pain. After trusting Jesus, the thief faced darkness and agony, yet he held onto Jesus' promise, teaching us to trust even in trials. [00:32:42]

Ultimately, the way to live is the way to die: by fixing our eyes on what Jesus has done for us, not on what we have done for Him. The thief's story is a call to turn, ask, and trust, ensuring that we, too, will hear Jesus' promise of paradise. [00:37:03]

The thief on the cross received a promise of paradise, illustrating that salvation is not about living a good life but about turning to Jesus. This story dismantles the myth that heaven is earned by deeds, showing that it is a gift for those who turn, ask, and trust in Jesus. [00:11:02]

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Transcript
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