Word of assurance

Impacting our world with the Word of God and the love of Christ

Evangelical Free Church

Pittsfield, Massachusetts

Sunday February 17, 2002

Text: Luke 23:39-43 Title: The Word of Assurance

Intro: Think of this as the Savior's response to the sinner. We are experiencing the greatest crime ever committed. But to make matters worse, the sinless Christ was crucified between to common thieves. We see here the picture of man's sinfulness. It is an outward expression of all that is contained in our evil natures. In contrast to this we see
the gracious and glorious sovereignty of God.

1. The sinner's request (42)

A. A Distressing Fate (32)
Here were two men whose fates were sealed. Nothing could be done physically, morally, or spiritually.
Physically - hung up to die in terrible pain could not lift a hand to work for salvation. Couldn't lift a foot to walk in ways of righteousness.
Morally - life given over to winds of human compassion... now on the rocks of sin
Spiritually - he was dead in trespasses and sins.
Before he called on the Lord he joined the other thief to disparage Jesus.
He was unable to work physically for his salvation.
He was unable to morally atone for his sins.
He was unable to spiritually because he had no hope. He was without God.
It was a distressing fate.

B. A Disturbing Fear (40)
We see a man trembling, not just because of pain, but also because of panic.
1. He achieved incriminating deeds (40)
In that moment, his sins flashed before him.
In that moment, he recognized he would have to answer for those sins.
In that moment, he realized he was without excuse, hope and an explanation.

Illus. John Newton - When he was 11 his father, a ship owner took the boy on board to the Mediterranean. The son was adequately experienced to become a trainee in the British Navy. But along the way, he lost his personal discipline and was arrested for desertion. He was publicly flogged and demoted to the lowest class sailor. While still in his
teens, he sailed to Africa. He had no patience for authority, chose his friends unwisely and became a very unsavory character. In Africa, he fell into the service of a slave dealer and was put to work on the dealer's plantation, laboring with other slaves. At 21 he escaped,
boarded a ship named the Greyhound and resumed his former lifestyle. He ridiculed upright seamen, the captain and even a book he found, The Imitation of Christ. One night the Greyhound sailed into a violent storm. In the grip of fear, after hours of fighting a losing battle to save the ship, he prayed for the first time in his life. The ship and crew were saved. In gratitude, he became a minister and we celebrate the change in his life each time we sing his words, "Amazing Grace! How Sweet the Sound."
If you are not right with God, you shall have to answer for your misdeeds as well.

2. He acknowledged impending doom (40)
Acts 17:31 - God will judge the world in righteousness...
Heb 9:27
We must get back to the fear of God - Rom 3:18
Illus. "They are grossly exaggerated charges," said film star Winona Ryder's publicist. The actress was charged with shoplifting $4,670 worth of clothing from a Beverly Hills Saks Fifth Avenue store. A publicist's spin won't help anyone on the Day of Judgment. Facts will be facts when God sets up his court.
Quote: "In the choir of life, it's easy to fake the words, but someday
each of us will have to sing solo before God."

C. A Dawning Faith (42)
What's happened? Several moments earlier he was mocking Jesus. Now he
seeks mercy, or grace.
Faith had germinated in his soul.
No background and privileges that we have.
I'm certain the prayer of Jesus impacted his life.

He put his faith in Christ as:

1. A Savior who was Divine (42)
He stretched out in faith to Christ.
Remember Paul's words - 1 Cor. 12:13
Think on me was his request.
Words to the song... #196
The dying thief rejoiced to see, that fountain in his day,
And there may I though vile as he, wash all my sins away.

3. A Sovereign who was Divine (42)
This thief's faith has now pierced heaven. He sees the heavenly
procession. He hears the Hallelujah Chorus. He sees heaven in
anticipation of welcoming home the triumphant King. Then he cries,
"Remember me".
This faith is the basis for salvation: Belief in Jesus Christ as
sovereign & savior.

2. The Savior's Response (43)
Herein lies the word of assurance
A. Salvation that was immediate (43)
Salvation is not a matter of working our way by rites and sacraments and good works.
"Today" was Jesus' word.
The moment you call Him "Lord", by the power of the Holy Spirit you are saved.

B. Satisfaction that was infinite (43)
What does Paradise mean?
Some scholars believe Paradise is the abode of the righteous dead.
Some say it is simply an equivalent to heaven.
Paradise=Persian for a walled garden. When a Persian king wished to give one of his subjects a special honor, he made him a companion of the garden which meant he was chosen to walk in the garden with the king. It was more than immortality that Jesus promised the penitent thief. He promised him the honored place of a companion of the garden in the
courts of heaven.
Ps 16:11
Jesus tells the thief, salvation now belongs to him.
He will now go to be with the Father.
He will now go to share in the afterlife with Jesus.
He will now experience eternal joy.

Conclusion:

The glories of salvation are contained here.
The Savior's response to the sinner's request is as relevant today as it was 2,000+ years ago. Calvary is a point in history, but it is the converging point of two eternities. Someone has said "the cross was in the heart of God long before it was on Mount Calvary." It is a
redemptive event for all time and eternity.

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