At the Cross with A Condemned Criminal
Luke 23:32–43 (NLT) — 32 Two others, both criminals, were led out to be executed with him. 33 When they came to a place called The Skull, 33 When they came to a place called The Skull, they nailed him to the cross. And the criminals were also crucified—one on his right and one on his left. 34 Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.” And the soldiers gambled for his clothes by throwing dice. 35 The crowd watched and the leaders scoffed. “He saved others,” they said, “let him save himself if he is really God’s Messiah, the Chosen One.” 36 The soldiers mocked him, too, by offering him a drink of sour wine. 37 They called out to him, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!” 38 A sign was fastened above him with these words: “This is the King of the Jews.” 39 One of the criminals hanging beside him scoffed, “So you’re the Messiah, are you? Prove it by saving yourself—and us, too, while you’re at it!” 40 But the other criminal protested, “Don’t you fear God even when you have been sentenced to die? 41 We deserve to die for our crimes, but this man hasn’t done anything wrong.” 42 Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.” 43 And Jesus replied, “I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
Luke 23:43 (NLT) — 43 And Jesus replied, “I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
#1 Salvation is by _____________.
Romans 5:7–8 (NLT) — 7 Now, most people would not be willing to die for an upright person, though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a person who is especially good. 8 But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.
Ephesians 2:8–9 (NLT) — 8 God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. 9 Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.
#2 Salvation is _____________.
Romans 10:9 (NLT) — 9 If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
#3 Salvation is _____________.
Luke 23:43 (NLT) — 43 And Jesus replied, “I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
Acts 2:21 (NLT) — 21 But everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’
#4 Salvation is through _________ __________.
Luke 23:43 (NLT) — 43 And Jesus replied, “I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
John 14:6 (NLT) — 6 Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.
#5 God’s salvation is also _____________.
Luke 23:43 (NLT) — 43 And Jesus replied, “I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
Romans 5:17 (NLT) — 17 For the sin of this one man, Adam, caused death to rule over many. But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and his gift of righteousness, for all who receive it will live in triumph over sin and death through this one man, Jesus Christ.