THE INTELLIGENT THIEF

Lu. 23:42

INTRODUCTION:

A. No one has much faith in "Death-Bed Salvation"

B. Context: One of two thieves crucified with Jesus

a. Earlier, had accused Jesus with the others (Mt. 27:44)

b. Now, he is begging for mercy & calling Him "Lord"

C. Today we will investigate WHY he accepted Christ while

hanging on the cross

I. PERSONAL KNOWLEDGE OF JESUS' MINISTRY MAY HAVE LED HIM TO CHRIST

A. He knew ABOUT Christ

1. That He was the Savior

2. What was required of one seeking salvation

B. Procrastination kept him from Christ earlier

1. We tend to put things off until the very last moment

2. ILLUSTRATION: "Right time to cut an ash stick"

a. Spring when sap is up

b. Summer when wood is at the top of its form

c. Fall when sap has matured the wood

d. "When you see it--It may be gone later"

3. He may have SEEN Jesus perform miracles

4. He may have HEARD Jesus preach and teach the Word

C. Refusal to believe kept him from being saved before

1. Not willing to give up the worldly things

2. Fearful of what others will say

D. NO MATTER WHAT REASON, UNTIL YOU ACCEPT CHRIST, YOU ARE LOST!

II. DESPERATION MAY HAVE BEEN THE KEY TO HIS SALVATION

A. DESPAIR: "To lose or give up hope; be without hope

1. Paul, under sentence of death, "despaired even of life"

(2 Cor. 1:8)

2. When in storm, "All hope that we should be saved was gone"

(Acts 27:20)

B. Sinners have no hope

1. Ep. 2:12, "Strangers from the covenants of promise, having

no hope."

2. 1 Thes 4:13, (When facing death) "Others, which have

no hope."

C. Christians have hope

1. "We are saved by hope" (Ro. 8:24)

2. "An anchor of the soul" (Heb. 6:19)

3. 2 Cor. 4:8, "We are perplexed, but not in despair"

D. HE HAD NOTHING TO LOSE AND EVERYTHING TO GAIN

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G. 1 Chron. 29:12, "Both riches and honour come of thee, and

thou reignest over all; and in thine hand is pwer and might;

and in thine hand it is to make great, and to give strength

unto all."

ALTAR CALL:

1. We have all sinned (Ro. 3:10,23)

2. We are aware of the penalty--death throughout eternity

3. Ro. 8:1, "There is therefore now no condemnation to them

which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh,

but after the Spirit."

C. When we are afraid of our weakness

1. 2 Cor. 4:7 "But we have this treasure in earthen vessels,

that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not

of us."

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Index of Preacher's Help and Notes

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