Transformative Faith: The Thief's Journey to Redemption

 

Summary

In reflecting on the story of the thief on the cross, we are reminded of the profound transformation that faith in Jesus Christ can bring into a person's life. The thief, who had lived a life marked by wrongdoing, experienced a significant change when he made the decision to trust in Jesus. This transformation is not merely about altering behavior but involves a deep change of heart. The promise of God is to replace a heart of stone with a heart of flesh, signifying a real and lasting transformation that begins from within. This is the essence of Christian faith, which stands in contrast to mere religion. While religion often focuses on changing behavior from the outside in, Jesus works from the inside out, transforming the heart and, consequently, the entire life of a believer.

The story of the thief illustrates this beautifully. Initially, he was among those hurling insults at Jesus, but upon placing his faith in Christ, his heart was softened, and he began to exhibit compassion and sympathy, even towards Mary, the mother of Jesus. This change is a testament to the power of faith and the promise of transformation that comes with it. It is a reminder that no matter our past or present struggles, real change is possible through faith in Jesus. This transformation is not just a one-time event but a continuous process of becoming more like Christ, marked by a heart that is increasingly aligned with His love and compassion.

Key Takeaways:

1. Transformation Through Faith: The story of the thief on the cross highlights the transformative power of faith in Jesus. When we place our trust in Him, He replaces our heart of stone with a heart of flesh, initiating a profound change from within. This transformation is not about mere behavior modification but a deep, internal renewal. [00:48]

2. Inside-Out Change: Unlike religion, which often focuses on changing behavior from the outside, Jesus works from the inside out. This means that true change begins in the heart and naturally extends to our actions and attitudes, reflecting the love and compassion of Christ. [01:22]

3. Compassion as Evidence of Change: The thief's newfound compassion towards Mary, the mother of Jesus, serves as evidence of his transformed heart. This change in attitude underscores the reality that faith in Jesus leads to a life marked by empathy and kindness. [01:56]

4. Hope for All: The thief's story offers hope to anyone who feels burdened by their past or current struggles. It reassures us that no matter how far we have strayed, real change is possible through faith in Jesus, who offers forgiveness and a new beginning. [00:32]

5. Continuous Process of Renewal: The transformation that begins with faith in Jesus is an ongoing journey. As we continue to trust in Him, our hearts are continually renewed, and we grow in our likeness to Christ, marked by increasing love and compassion. [01:04]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:18] - Relating to the Thief
- [00:32] - Possibility of Real Change
- [00:48] - Decision to Trust Jesus
- [01:04] - Transformation of Heart
- [01:22] - Inside-Out Change
- [01:38] - Compassion and Sympathy
- [01:56] - Evidence of Change
- [02:12] - Further Reading and Resources

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Luke 23:39-43 - The story of the thief on the cross.
2. Ezekiel 36:26 - "I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh."

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Observation Questions:

1. What specific request did the thief on the cross make to Jesus, and how did Jesus respond? (Luke 23:42-43)
2. According to the sermon, what is the promise of God regarding our hearts? [00:32]
3. How did the thief's attitude change towards Jesus and those around him after he placed his faith in Christ? [01:38]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. What does it mean to have a "heart of stone" versus a "heart of flesh," and how does this relate to the thief's transformation? (Ezekiel 36:26)
2. How does the sermon distinguish between the transformation that comes from faith in Jesus and the changes that religion attempts to make? [01:22]
3. In what ways does the thief's story illustrate the concept of inside-out change as opposed to outside-in change? [01:22]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when you experienced a significant change in your heart or attitude. What role did faith play in that transformation? [01:04]
2. The thief's story offers hope for real change despite past mistakes. How can you apply this hope to a current struggle in your life? [00:32]
3. Consider the concept of inside-out change. What is one area of your life where you feel you need a heart transformation rather than just behavior modification? [01:22]
4. How can you cultivate a heart of compassion and empathy like the thief did after his encounter with Jesus? [01:56]
5. Identify a specific way you can demonstrate the love and compassion of Christ in your daily interactions this week. [01:56]
6. What steps can you take to ensure that your faith journey is a continuous process of renewal and growth in Christlikeness? [01:04]
7. How can you support someone else in their journey of transformation through faith in Jesus? [01:04]

Devotional

Day 1: Transformation Through Faith
The story of the thief on the cross is a powerful testament to the transformative power of faith in Jesus Christ. This transformation is not about simply changing one's behavior but involves a profound internal renewal. When the thief decided to trust in Jesus, his heart was changed from a heart of stone to a heart of flesh. This change signifies a deep, lasting transformation that begins from within and is the essence of Christian faith. Unlike religion, which often focuses on external behavior modification, Jesus works from the inside out, transforming the heart and, consequently, the entire life of a believer. This transformation is a continuous process, marked by a heart increasingly aligned with Christ's love and compassion. [00:48]

Ezekiel 36:26 (ESV): "And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you feel your heart is hardened? How can you invite Jesus to begin transforming this area from the inside out today?


Day 2: Inside-Out Change
True change in a believer's life begins in the heart and naturally extends to actions and attitudes. This inside-out transformation is a hallmark of faith in Jesus, contrasting with the outside-in approach often seen in religious practices. When the thief on the cross placed his faith in Jesus, his heart was softened, leading to a change in his behavior and attitudes. This transformation is evidence of the profound impact that faith in Jesus can have, as it aligns one's heart with His love and compassion. As believers, we are called to allow Jesus to work within us, transforming our hearts and lives from the inside out. [01:22]

2 Corinthians 4:16 (ESV): "So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day."

Reflection: In what ways can you focus on allowing Jesus to transform your heart today, rather than just modifying your behavior?


Day 3: Compassion as Evidence of Change
The thief's newfound compassion towards Mary, the mother of Jesus, serves as a powerful testament to the transformation that faith in Jesus brings. This change in attitude underscores the reality that faith leads to a life marked by empathy and kindness. When the thief placed his faith in Jesus, his heart was softened, and he began to exhibit compassion and sympathy. This transformation is a reminder that true faith in Jesus results in a heart that reflects His love and compassion towards others. As believers, we are called to allow this transformation to manifest in our lives, leading us to act with empathy and kindness. [01:56]

Colossians 3:12 (ESV): "Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience."

Reflection: Think of someone in your life who needs compassion today. How can you extend Christ's love and kindness to them in a tangible way?


Day 4: Hope for All
The story of the thief on the cross offers hope to anyone burdened by their past or current struggles. It reassures us that no matter how far we have strayed, real change is possible through faith in Jesus, who offers forgiveness and a new beginning. The thief's transformation is a testament to the power of faith and the promise of transformation that comes with it. This story reminds us that Jesus is always ready to forgive and transform us, regardless of our past. As believers, we are encouraged to place our trust in Him, knowing that He offers hope and a new beginning. [00:32]

Isaiah 1:18 (ESV): "Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool."

Reflection: What past or present struggle do you need to bring to Jesus today, trusting in His promise of forgiveness and transformation?


Day 5: Continuous Process of Renewal
The transformation that begins with faith in Jesus is an ongoing journey. As we continue to trust in Him, our hearts are continually renewed, and we grow in our likeness to Christ, marked by increasing love and compassion. This continuous process of renewal is a hallmark of the Christian faith, as believers are called to become more like Christ each day. The story of the thief on the cross reminds us that transformation is not a one-time event but a lifelong journey of becoming more aligned with Christ's love and compassion. As believers, we are encouraged to embrace this journey, allowing Jesus to continually renew our hearts and lives. [01:04]

2 Corinthians 3:18 (ESV): "And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to invite Jesus to continue His work of transformation? How can you actively participate in this ongoing process of renewal today?

Quotes


well the promise of god is he says i will take away a heart of stone and i will give you a heart of flesh so the story of the thief emphasizes that he made a particular decision to trust jesus christ he said remember me when you come into your kingdom what i want to bring out in the book and in the story that we tell here is that with that decision comes a real change [00:38:23]

being a Christian is more than making a decision to believe in Jesus when you believe in Jesus he really does bring a change of heart take away a heart of stone and bring a heart of flesh that's a real transformation and it happens whenever a person puts their faith in Jesus Christ and this is the big difference between Christian faith and mere religion [00:64:55]

religion tries to change behavior Mort from the outside in but Jesus changes the heart and that works from the inside out and so we picture in the book we know from the Bible that the thief was huddling abuse at Jesus but then when he trusts Jesus and asked Jesus to save him we pictured him having sympathy as he looks towards Mary the mother of Jesus compassion [00:90:84]

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Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?