The Seven Statements of Jesus on the Cross:
Extending Grace to a Penitent Thief
"Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise."
Luke 23:39-43
The Thief is a Fascinating Character!
¨ He Appears to Have Initially Reviled Jesus, But Had a Change of Heart (Mt. 27:39-44)
¨ He Acknowledged His Guilt
¨ He Demonstrated Remarkable Faith, Greater Than Many of the Disciples!
The Thief Was Not the First That Jesus Saved
¨ The Paralytic (Luke 5:17-25)
¨ The Sinful Woman (Luke 7:36-50)
The Thief on the Cross and Our Salvation
We Must Call Upon the Lord (Acts 2:17, 21; Romans 10:8-13)
We Are Saved By Grace, Through Faith (Ephesians 2:8-10; Titus 3:4-7)
How and When Does A Penitent Believer Call Upon the Lord? (Acts 22:16; 1Peter 3:21)
Are We Saved Like the Thief on the Cross?
¨ Yes…and…No
¨ Saved by the grace of God when we, in faith, call upon the Lord for mercy
¨ What circumstances make the thief’s situation unique?
¨ What did Jesus and the apostles tell others to do to be saved?
(Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-16; Acts 2:37-38)
¨ But if we have to “do” something, how are we saved by grace? (James 2:20-24; Colossians 2:11-12)
What do these verses teach us about the response of faith that God requires?
(Romans 6:3-4; Galatians 3:26-27; 1Corinthians 12:13; Acts 19:3-5)