RESPONDING TO CHRIST Luke 23;33-43 #268
INTRO:
When a person hears of the death and resurrection of Christ it invokes a response. This response can be one of faith, unbelief or indifference. Even those present at Jesus' crucifixion either believed, disbelieved or were indifferent. Today I want you to compare your response to those we meet in the Bible.
I. The response of indifference Luke 23: 34
A. Some were indifferent and ignored the Savior.
1. They gambled for his belongings.
One of the greatest tragedies in life is when one misses the Savior because of lifes other interests. Work, Play, Family. In this scripture these soldiers were more concerned with the clothes of Jesus than with Jesus. They were going about their customary business despite the extraordinary signs that accompanied Jesus' death.
2. Indifference is deadly. Preocupation with the unimportant is deadly. ILLUS: An accident I saw when a driver was trying to read while in traffic.
II. The response of skepticism
A. A, Tell story of the first thief's railing on Jesus.
1. 1, Even in death some still try to work their own way into heaven. The thief is hoping to save himself by taunting the messiah to saving them. Notice, his request is preceded by "If".
a) " IF" as an attitude toward God never accomplishes anything
. "IF" indicates doubt. God requires us to have faith. To TRUST HIM. When you say "IF" You are attempting to bargain with God, LISTEN! We have nothing to bargain with. What does God need that you can give him.
Heb.11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him; for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him
III. The response of faith
A. Not a response based on any teaching but on a man. Jesus Christ,
1. 1, The thief that was saved didn't have faith in the teaching of a disciple or of an institution but he looked to Jesus and believed that he was the Christ and asked for the Lord to save him.
B. Not based on a long knowledge of Jesus.
1. He didn't know Jesus but a few hours but he had a faith in him, that he was God in the flesh. Because of this he was saved. What does this teach us about eternal life.
C. Not based on a religious establishment or a religions institution. Or any special religious activity.
1. The hard thing for most men to handle is the ready acceptance that Jesus has for all sinners. Jesus doesn't put any minimum attendance of SS to the plan of salvation . He doesn't put a minimum of Bible knowledge on salvation.
D, Based on an encounter with Christ
2. The encounter with Christ that saved the thief was an encounter of faith. IT began with "LORD" The thief believed in the Lord Jesus Christ and as an expression of his belief he said "remember me." How much faith does it take to get saved? The dying their simply believed that Jesus was who he claimed to be. He simply trusted him.
IV. III: The result of the faith response
A. A, Instant result
1. 1, Jesus responded to the thief. When you turn to the Lord he will respond to you. There is no one who he will not accept. Was the thief worthy, NO. Was he moral, NO. Was he Good, NO. He was a sinner! Guess what? That is the only way anyone can come to the Lord. That is, as a sinner.
2. The result was an instant salvation. You mean the thief didn't have to do any religious stuff. NOPE. This thief didn't have time to do anything but die. Was this a special case, NO. Because there is nothing we can do for our salvation nothing we can offer God for salvation better than Jesus.
Eph 2:8-9 For by grace we are saved through faith…
B. B. A sure result. VERELY=truly=absolutely=with-out a doubt
Today that thief is in heaven. How do we know? Jesus said so!
INVITATION
