Salvation and Urgency: Lessons from the Cross

 

Summary

In today's sermon, we explored the profound truths revealed through the eyes of the two criminals crucified alongside Jesus. As we delved into Luke chapter 23, we were reminded that the Easter story is not just about Jesus but also about the individuals who witnessed His crucifixion firsthand. The focus was on the criminals who, in their final moments, had vastly different responses to the Savior dying beside them.

We began by acknowledging that we all have moments we're proud of and others we regret. This human experience connects us to the two criminals who also had their share of choices, leading them to their crucifixion. The sermon emphasized that salvation is a gift found in Jesus, and as believers, we are tasked with sharing this good news with urgency and burden, knowing that time is of the essence.

The condemned criminals represent not just themselves but all of humanity. We are all condemned without Jesus, as the Bible clearly states that we have all sinned and fall short of God's glory. The sermon highlighted the gravity of sin and the reality of God's judgment, which should instill a healthy fear of God in us.

The first criminal remained hard-hearted, joining in the mockery of Jesus. In contrast, the second criminal experienced a transformation of heart, recognizing his own guilt and Jesus' innocence. He saw Jesus as the sinless Savior and, in a profound act of faith, asked Jesus to remember him when He came into His kingdom. This request was met with the promise of paradise, demonstrating the immediacy of salvation through faith in Christ.

The sermon concluded with a call to action, urging us to consider who in our lives needs to see what the believing thief saw. We were encouraged to invite others to church, especially with Easter approaching, to share the life-changing message of Jesus. The invitation was extended to those who have yet to trust in Christ and to believers to be bold in sharing their faith.

Key Takeaways:

- The urgency of the gospel is not just a theological concept but a practical imperative. As Carl F.H. Henry stated, the good news is only good if it arrives in time. We must carry the burden of sharing Jesus with others, recognizing that our time and theirs is limited. This urgency should compel us to act with compassion and boldness in our evangelistic efforts. [28:59]

- The fear of God is the beginning of wisdom and knowledge. In a world where the fear of God is scarce, we must rediscover the awe and reverence due to Him. This fear is not about being terrified but about understanding His holiness and our position before Him. It leads to a deeper appreciation of His grace and mercy in our lives. [40:36]

- Recognizing our sinfulness is crucial to understanding the depth of Jesus' sacrifice. Like the repentant criminal, we must see ourselves as rightly condemned to appreciate the salvation Jesus offers. This acknowledgment is the first step toward a transformative relationship with Christ. [43:52]

- Jesus' sinlessness is central to His role as our Savior. The criminal on the cross saw in Jesus a righteousness that was not of this world. This recognition is vital for us as well; Jesus' sinless life qualified Him to be the perfect sacrifice for our sins, bridging the gap between us and God. [47:56]

- Salvation is immediate and available to anyone who calls on the name of the Lord. The thief's last-minute plea to Jesus exemplifies the simplicity of the gospel: we are saved not by our works but by faith in Christ. This truth should comfort us and also motivate us to share the gospel without delay, knowing that Jesus is willing to save at any moment. [49:46]

In summary, today's message was a powerful reminder of the immediacy of salvation, the urgency of evangelism, and the profound truths that can be seen through the eyes of those who witnessed the crucifixion of Jesus. As we reflect on these insights, let us be moved to share the life-changing message of the gospel with those around us.

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. Luke 23:32-43 - The account of the two criminals crucified alongside Jesus.
2. Proverbs 1:7 - "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction."
3. Romans 3:23 - "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."

#### Observation Questions
1. What were the different responses of the two criminals crucified alongside Jesus? ([29:03])
2. How did the second criminal demonstrate his faith in Jesus? ([50:08])
3. What did Jesus promise the repentant criminal in response to his plea? ([52:14])
4. According to the sermon, what is the significance of Jesus' sinlessness in the context of His crucifixion? ([47:46])

#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why is the fear of God described as the beginning of wisdom and knowledge? How does this concept apply to the story of the two criminals? ([40:27])
2. How does recognizing our own sinfulness help us understand the depth of Jesus' sacrifice? ([43:01])
3. What does the immediate promise of paradise to the repentant criminal tell us about the nature of salvation? ([52:14])
4. How does the urgency of sharing the gospel relate to the story of the two criminals and their responses to Jesus? ([28:33])

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt the urgency to share the gospel with someone. What steps did you take, and what was the outcome? How can you apply this urgency in your current relationships? ([28:33])
2. The sermon emphasized the importance of fearing God. How can you cultivate a healthy fear of God in your daily life? What practical steps can you take to deepen your reverence for Him? ([40:27])
3. Recognizing our sinfulness is crucial to appreciating Jesus' sacrifice. Can you identify a moment when you truly understood your need for a Savior? How did that realization impact your faith journey? ([43:01])
4. The second criminal saw Jesus as the sinless Savior. How does acknowledging Jesus' sinlessness influence your understanding of His role in your life? ([47:46])
5. The sermon called for boldness in sharing our faith. Identify one person in your life who needs to hear the gospel. What specific actions can you take this week to share the message of Jesus with them? ([28:33])
6. The repentant criminal's plea was simple yet profound. How can you simplify your approach to prayer and faith, focusing on genuine and heartfelt communication with God? ([50:08])
7. Reflect on the concept of immediate salvation. How does this truth provide comfort and assurance in your own faith? How can you use this understanding to encourage others who may be hesitant to trust in Jesus? ([52:14])

Devotional

Day 1: Urgency of Gospel Proclamation
The gospel's urgency is not merely a theological stance but a call to action. It is a reminder that the message of Jesus Christ is time-sensitive, and the window of opportunity to share it with others is finite. This urgency is rooted in the understanding that life is unpredictable and each moment is a gift not to be taken for granted. As followers of Christ, there is a burden placed upon the heart to spread the good news, not out of obligation, but out of a deep-seated desire for others to experience the transformative love of Jesus. The immediacy with which the gospel can change lives should be the driving force behind evangelistic efforts, compelling believers to reach out to those around them with compassion and boldness [28:59].

"Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil." - Ephesians 5:15-16 ESV

Reflection: Who in your immediate circle has yet to hear the gospel from you, and how can you intentionally create an opportunity to share it with them this week?

Day 2: Rediscovering Godly Reverence
In a culture where the fear of God is often overlooked, rediscovering the awe and reverence due to Him is essential. This fear is not about being scared but about recognizing His holiness and our rightful place before Him. It is the beginning of wisdom and knowledge, leading to a life marked by godly choices and a deeper understanding of His grace and mercy. This reverence is a foundational aspect of a believer's relationship with God, influencing how one lives daily, interacts with others, and perceives the world. It is a profound respect that shapes the core of one's faith, inspiring a life lived in honor of the Creator [40:36].

"The fear of the Lord is instruction in wisdom, and humility comes before honor." - Proverbs 15:33 ESV

Reflection: In what ways have you lost a sense of reverence for God in your daily life, and what practical steps can you take to restore it?

Day 3: Acknowledging Our Sinfulness
Recognizing one's sinfulness is a critical step in understanding the magnitude of Christ's sacrifice. It is an acknowledgment that without Jesus, humanity stands condemned, much like the repentant criminal on the cross. This realization leads to a heartfelt appreciation for the grace and mercy offered through the cross. It is the starting point for a transformative relationship with Christ, where one can begin to grasp the depth of His love and the extent of His forgiveness. This confession of sin is not meant to bring despair but to highlight the beauty of redemption that is available to all who call on the name of the Lord [43:52].

"For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death." - 2 Corinthians 7:10 ESV

Reflection: What specific sin or struggle do you need to confess and turn away from today, and how can you seek God's strength in overcoming it?

Day 4: The Centrality of Jesus' Sinlessness
The sinlessness of Jesus is central to His role as our Savior. It is His perfect life that qualified Him to be the ultimate sacrifice for our sins, bridging the gap between humanity and God. The criminal on the cross recognized in Jesus a righteousness that was not of this world, a recognition that is vital for all believers. Understanding Jesus' sinless nature allows believers to fully trust in His ability to save and to serve as the mediator between them and the Father. This truth is the cornerstone of the Christian faith, affirming that salvation comes through Christ alone [47:56].

"For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God." - 2 Corinthians 5:21 ESV

Reflection: How does the reality of Jesus' sinlessness impact the way you view His sacrifice, and how might this deepen your gratitude towards Him?

Day 5: The Immediacy of Salvation
Salvation is immediate and available to anyone who calls on the name of the Lord. The story of the thief on the cross illustrates the simplicity and accessibility of the gospel: we are saved by faith, not by works. This truth should bring comfort to those who seek redemption and motivate believers to share the gospel without hesitation. The promise of paradise to the repentant criminal demonstrates that it is never too late to turn to Jesus, and that His grace is sufficient for all. This assurance of immediate salvation is a powerful aspect of the Christian message, offering hope and a future to everyone who believes [49:46].

"And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." - Acts 2:21 ESV

Reflection: How can you live today with the assurance of your salvation, and in what ways can you demonstrate the joy of this assurance to others?

Quotes

1) "The good news about Jesus, it's only good news if it gets to somebody while they still have the opportunity to respond. And so there should be an urgency, there should be a burden on our hearts to invite everyone that we can to know who Jesus is, to come join us for this thing that we call church when we gather. Then none of us knows how much time we have left to respond, amen?" [28:59]( | | )

2) "In our world today, there is a famine on fear of God. You don't have to watch the news much or even look in the mirror some days to realize we don't fear God as we should. The prophet Isaiah got a vision of God in his glory in the temple and he said, woe is me, I am a man of unclean lips among a people of unclean lips, I am undone." [40:36]( | | )

3) "The Bible loves us enough to lay out the same bad news about our sinfulness that the believing thief saw. Man, God wants all of us to see that. We have to realize we're sinners in order to realize how good of a savior Jesus is. Romans 323 says that all of us have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." [44:23]( | | )

4) "The Bible's clear that Jesus never sinned. Romans 4.15 says it like this: For we do not have a high priest, Jesus, who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has been tempted in every way as we are, and yet without sin. It was the fact that Jesus was sinless that allowed him and qualified him to be the salvation for sin, right?" [47:56]( | | )

5) "Jesus assured the criminal of this immediate entry into heaven. And so I don't know what other criminal was thinking, but he's like, hey, later when you come into your kingdom, somehow will you think about me? Will you remember me? And Jesus is like, we're about done here. How about if we go today? How about if we go right now?" [52:38]( | | )

6) "Jesus died with sinners because he died for sinners. And those four truths, this believing thief, not only does he enter into paradise with Jesus, he's left edge and you got to fear him as the almighty awesome God that turned away or another. It's realizing that we're a sinner that helps us to see Jesus as savior." [55:30]( | | )

7) "Today, you can leave here saying, listen, I'm going to bank on the promise of Jesus. That if he tells me I trust in him and I'll be in his kingdom, that I'm going to trust in him and be in his kingdom. We'll have leaders down front. I'd love the chance to open up God's word and just talk you through how can you today call on the name of the Lord for salvation?" [56:25]( | | )

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Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
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