“Today, You Will Be With Me in Paradise”

“And the robbers who were crucified with him also reviled him in the same way.” – Matthew 27:44, Mark 15:32

Luke 23:39-43 “One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him, 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? And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.” And he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

Where Am I In This Scene? “I refuse to believe” “Now, I believe”

“Do You Not Fear God” Roman citizens were not crucified If partners with Barabbas, Mark 15:7, part of uprising It is likely that these men are Jews like Jesus Fear of God for a Jew meant Respect Awe Reverence

“Do You Not Fear God” “My covenant with them was one of life and peace…it was a covenant of fear, and he feared me. He stood in awe of my name.” – Malachi 2:5 “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.” – Proverbs 1:7 “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom,” – Proverbs 9:10

Fear of God Changes You “Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD, and turn away from evil.” – Proverbs 3:7 These criminals had not lived with the fear of God, but one of them started to on that cross. When you live in the fear of God, you learn that the only thing you can do is call upon the grace of God.

Do You Fear God This Morning? Continuing to live a life of sin means, You do not fear God You do not respect God You are not living wise

“Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” – Luke 23:42 Jesus = God Saves He said, “Jesus (God Saves) Remember Me (Save Me) This man still believes Jesus is going to set up a kingdom What amazing faith! “but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles.” – 1 Corinthians 1:23 – Luke 23:42

Remember Me Jesus How Will Jesus Remember Me? How will he see me? Will he see love for others or selfishness? Will he see a cheerful giver or a guilt tripped giver? Will he see me excited to worship or wishing I wasn’t? Will he see me volunteering to help the church or hoping no one will ask me to do anything? How will Jesus see me?

“For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God; for it is written, “As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.” So then each one of us will give an account of himself to God.” – Romans 14:10-12

“Today, You Will Be With Me in Paradise”

What Jesus Is Not Saying That they both would be in heaven right after death “…spoke about the resurrection of Christ, that he would not be abandoned in Hades…” – Acts 2:31 “Jesus said to her, do not cling to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father…” – John 20:17 We must all await judgment day before we are taken to our final destinations. Heaven or Hell

Hades (the dwelling of the dead) Luke 16:19-30 Where Christians go when they die Paradise “Abraham’s Bosom” Where all others go when they die Place of torment Irreversable separation

What Jesus Is Saying Because you have put your faith in me today, you have won the victory, salvation(peace) is yours today. But he wasn’t baptized? 1. Jesus did forgive sins (Mark 2 and John 8) 2. At the time of that conversation they were still under the Old Covenant 3. Baptism is a recreation of death, burial, resurrection

What Jesus Says For Us Today Following Jesus’ death and resurrection he gives final instructions to all people forever on salvation. “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit….” – Matthew 28:18-19 These are your instructions on how to be saved directly from the mouth of Jesus himself.

What Changed the Criminals Heart? The way Jesus behaved on the cross “Keep your conduct among the gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation…for this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people.” – 1 Peter 2:12,15 Our conduct matters, live righteously

Notice Jesus’ Gracious Attitude The criminal who earlier was cursing him is now granted forgiveness. Why? Because he asked for it. Your story can be the same today Fear God Ask God to Remember You “Today you will be with me in Paradise”

Where Are You In This Scene? “I refuse to believe” “Now, I believe”