Luke 23:32-43 Pg Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with Him to be executed. 33 When they came to the place called the Skull, there they crucified Him, along with the criminals—one on His right, the other on His left.

Luke 23:32-43 Pg Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." And they divided up His clothes by casting lots.

Luke 23:32-43 Pg The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at Him. They said, "He saved others; let Him save Himself if He is the Christ of God, the Chosen One."

Luke 23:32-43 Pg The soldiers also came up and mocked Him. They offered Him wine vinegar 37 and said, "If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself."

Luke 23:32-43 Pg There was a written notice above Him, which read: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS. 39 One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at Him: "Aren't you the Christ? Save yourself and us!"

Luke 23:32-43 Pg But the other criminal rebuked Him. "Don't you fear God," he said, "since you are under the same sentence? 41 We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong."

Luke 23:32-43 Pg Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." 43 Jesus answered him, "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise."

I.The Profile of the Criminals. vs El perfil de los criminales. vs

Luke 23:32-43 Pg Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with Him to be executed. 33 When they came to the place called the Skull, there they crucified Him, along with the criminals—one on His right, the other on His left.

The Nature Of Man We believe all people are by nature separated from God and responsible for their own sin. Salvation and forgiveness are freely offered to all by the grace of Jesus Christ. (Romans 5:12-21)

The Nature Of Salvation We believe that on the cross Jesus Christ became sin, providing salvation for all mankind. Only by trusting in Jesus Christ as God's offer of forgiveness can man be saved from sin's penalty. Eternal life begins the moment one receives Jesus Christ into his life by faith. (Psalm 103:2-3; Romans 10:8-10; Ephesians 2:8, 2 Corinthians 5:21)

DEPRAVITY: Mankind natural condition apart from the grace that only comes from God to restrain or transform.

(1)Our natural state is rebellion against God (2) Our natural state is unable to submit to God and do good (3) Our natural state is totally deserving of eternal punishment.

Romans 8:5-8 5Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.

Romans 8:5-8 6The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace; 7the sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so.

Romans 8:5-8 8Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God.

The point of deadness is that we were incapable of any life with God.

(1)Our natural state is rebellion against God (2) Our natural state is unable to submit to God and do good (3) Our natural state is totally deserving of eternal punishment.

WE ALL STARTED AT THE SAME PLACE!

Matthew 27:44 In the same way the robbers who were crucified with him also heaped insults on him.

II. The Position of Jesus Christ. vs. 34 La posicion de JesuCristo. vs. 34

Luke 23:32-43 Pg Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." And they divided up His clothes by casting lots.

Vs. 34[NASB] But Jesus was saying, "Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing "

TRUE forgiveness is powered by GOD.

True TOTAL forgiveness is something that only God can do.

FORGIVENESS is an act whereby God takes away the barriers which separate us from God's presence.

Forgiveness opens the door to a new fellowship with God - a new relationship.

When God forgives, God takes us back into his fellowship and walks with us daily as if we had never sinned.

WIKIPEDIA “After an absence of almost forty years, he returned to his family in Kendal in the summer of He was greeted by his loyal, devoted and unquestioning wife.”Kendal

"That act of forgiveness was more significant than any canvas George Romney ever painted."

III. The Parting from the Crowd. vs La despedida de la multitud. vs

Luke 23:32-43 Pg The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at Him. They said, "He saved others; let Him save Himself if He is the Christ of God, the Chosen One."

Luke 23:32-43 Pg The soldiers also came up and mocked Him. They offered Him wine vinegar 37 and said, "If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself."

Luke 23:32-43 Pg There was a written notice above Him, which read: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS. 39 One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at Him: "Aren't you the Christ? Save yourself and us!"

Luke 23:32-43 Pg But the other criminal rebuked Him. "Don't you fear God," he said, "since you are under the same sentence? 41 We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong."

Luke 23:32-43 Pg Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom."

How they viewed the man in the middle. How each seized the moment. How they will spend eternity.

Daily living as a Christian will interrupt our private worldly goals and pleasures.

First, he is not afraid to believe in Christ without any physical evidence.

Second thing about this changed thief: he feared God.

Third, the changed thief admitted that he had done wrong.

Fourth, not only did he admit to wrong and guilt, he accepted his punishment as deserved.

Fifth, the thief acknowledged Jesus' righteousness

Sixth, the thief goes a step further and acknowledges that indeed, Jesus is a King.

Seventh, he pleads for help. "Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom."

IV. The Eternal Presence of Christ. vs. 43 La presencia eterna de Cristo. vs. 43

Luke 23:32-43 Pg Jesus answered him, "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise."

3 Fold Promise for TODAY! 1. Immediate Salvation. 2. Personal Salvation. 3. Heavenly Salvation.