WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:22.260 Hi, and welcome to the Willow Ridge Church weekly podcast. 00:00:22.780 --> 00:00:25.880 This is where you can find audio for our current and past sermons. 00:00:26.100 --> 00:00:30.420 We hope that you enjoy this week's installment, and be sure to check back next week to hear 00:00:30.420 --> 00:00:31.260 the latest message. 00:00:31.680 --> 00:00:32.460 Thanks for listening. 00:00:46.260 --> 00:00:49.580 Y'all are just the sweetest. 00:00:50.020 --> 00:00:52.400 Like Bo said, I am Moses Boy. 00:00:52.480 --> 00:00:54.220 I am the new-ish student pastor. 00:00:54.420 --> 00:00:59.760 I've been here for about a month and a half now, and it's been such a privilege and a 00:00:59.760 --> 00:01:02.480 pleasure to get to know you and some of your families and your students. 00:01:03.720 --> 00:01:07.280 And so we're going to pick up where Bo left off in Luke 22. 00:01:11.140 --> 00:01:17.040 Luke 22, Bo preached, and he showed us that there was a conversation happening between 00:01:17.040 --> 00:01:17.620 the disciples. 00:01:18.360 --> 00:01:21.200 The disciples were saying, who is going to be the greatest? 00:01:22.460 --> 00:01:26.640 Jesus had just shared with them that one of them were going to betray him. 00:01:27.300 --> 00:01:32.000 And the dialogue unfolds, and it gets into this dispute, and they're like, who is going 00:01:32.000 --> 00:01:33.920 to be the greatest among us, the disciples? 00:01:34.540 --> 00:01:39.980 Jesus, he kind of intervenes into this conversation, and he shares that, listen, a leader is one who 00:01:39.980 --> 00:01:40.440 serves. 00:01:41.500 --> 00:01:45.420 A leader is the one who lays himself down for the sake of others. 00:01:46.760 --> 00:01:53.020 All throughout Luke, we get to see Jesus teaching, and he teaches what it means to be worthy and 00:01:53.020 --> 00:01:54.380 what it means to be great. 00:01:54.480 --> 00:01:59.120 And today, we're going to pick up in Luke 23, where Jesus practices what he preaches. 00:02:00.160 --> 00:02:02.980 He becomes the perfect example of servanthood. 00:02:03.840 --> 00:02:07.360 He puts on display what real love is. 00:02:08.100 --> 00:02:13.420 Jesus, in Luke 23, he will give us a practical example of what he expects out of his followers. 00:02:14.400 --> 00:02:18.960 And so, if you have your copy of God's Word, we're going to turn to Luke chapter 23. 00:02:19.220 --> 00:02:22.060 We're going to go through verses 32 to 49. 00:02:23.820 --> 00:02:28.300 That's Luke 23, verses 32 to 49. 00:02:29.720 --> 00:02:33.500 And so, what's going to happen is, I'm going to read the passage, and then I'm going to 00:02:33.500 --> 00:02:36.660 pray, and then we're going to dive in and see what God has for us. 00:02:39.540 --> 00:02:40.460 Hear God's Word. 00:02:43.340 --> 00:02:46.940 Two others who were criminals were led away to be put to death with him. 00:02:47.660 --> 00:02:53.680 And when they came to a place that is called the skull, there they crucified him, and the 00:02:53.680 --> 00:02:56.660 criminals, one on his right and one on his left. 00:02:57.180 --> 00:03:01.820 And Jesus said, Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do. 00:03:02.560 --> 00:03:08.300 And they cast lots to divide his garments, and the people stood by watching, but the ruler 00:03:08.300 --> 00:03:11.800 scoffed at him, saying, He saved others, let him save himself. 00:03:12.500 --> 00:03:17.360 If he is the Christ of God, his chosen one, the soldiers also mocked him, coming up and 00:03:17.360 --> 00:03:21.880 offering him sour wine and saying, If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself. 00:03:22.720 --> 00:03:26.340 There was also an inscription over him, This is the king of the Jews. 00:03:27.180 --> 00:03:31.120 One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him, saying, Are you not the Christ? 00:03:31.820 --> 00:03:33.980 Save yourself and us. 00:03:34.700 --> 00:03:38.660 But the other rebuked him, saying, Do you not fear God, since you are under the same 00:03:38.660 --> 00:03:39.800 senses of condemnation? 00:03:40.200 --> 00:03:44.880 And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward for our deeds. 00:03:45.360 --> 00:03:47.360 But this man has done nothing wrong. 00:03:48.020 --> 00:03:51.940 And he said, Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom. 00:03:52.280 --> 00:03:56.880 And he said, Truly I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise. 00:03:58.440 --> 00:03:59.580 Let's go to the Lord in prayer. 00:04:03.480 --> 00:04:06.820 Our most beautiful God, you and you alone are worthy of praise. 00:04:07.940 --> 00:04:12.160 You are awesome in power, slow to anger, abounding in steadfast love. 00:04:12.260 --> 00:04:12.880 You are merciful. 00:04:13.040 --> 00:04:13.720 You are faithful. 00:04:14.080 --> 00:04:16.540 And God, you will by no means clear the guilty. 00:04:17.580 --> 00:04:18.720 You are just. 00:04:18.820 --> 00:04:23.220 And so we lay before you this morning that we are sinners, God. 00:04:23.280 --> 00:04:24.980 We are fallen short of your glory. 00:04:25.820 --> 00:04:29.320 Yet while we were dead in our sin, you came to redeem us. 00:04:29.420 --> 00:04:32.280 You sent your son to die for our sins, Lord. 00:04:32.680 --> 00:04:34.160 And that's what we celebrate this morning. 00:04:34.700 --> 00:04:39.400 We thank you that you wanted to redeem us, that you had your heart set on sinners. 00:04:39.720 --> 00:04:44.400 We thank you that we can be made alive in Christ by the blood of your cross. 00:04:45.460 --> 00:04:48.720 God, I ask that you would hide me behind the cross this morning as I preach your word. 00:04:49.140 --> 00:04:51.500 I pray that the word would land on softened hearts. 00:04:52.280 --> 00:04:53.940 I pray that you would give us ears to hear. 00:04:54.420 --> 00:04:55.960 Would you guard me from the evil one, Lord? 00:04:56.300 --> 00:05:01.740 I ask that the proclamation of your word would bring people into new life and deepen the roots of others. 00:05:02.560 --> 00:05:03.920 It's in your mighty name that we pray. 00:05:04.680 --> 00:05:05.040 Amen. 00:05:07.420 --> 00:05:12.200 So Luke, he sets the scene here in Luke 23, and he says, 00:05:12.560 --> 00:05:16.280 Two others who were criminals were led away to be put to death with him. 00:05:16.760 --> 00:05:21.980 And when they came to the place that is called the skull, there they crucified him. 00:05:22.780 --> 00:05:26.220 Up until this point, Jesus has been betrayed by Judas. 00:05:26.920 --> 00:05:31.240 Jesus has spent a lonely and painful night sweating blood in the garden of Gethsemane. 00:05:31.720 --> 00:05:34.840 Jesus has been snatched by a crowd of people who want to see him dead. 00:05:35.140 --> 00:05:38.800 Jesus, by this point, has been denied by Peter, his most zealous disciple. 00:05:39.220 --> 00:05:45.640 Jesus, the son of God, has been beaten, spit upon, stripped naked, and nailed to a cross at a place called the skull. 00:05:47.440 --> 00:05:52.120 Up until this point, Jesus has reached the climax of his ministry. 00:05:52.840 --> 00:05:55.940 It is here that the crux of our faith is formed. 00:05:56.740 --> 00:06:05.140 It is here at the place called the skull or Golgotha that we get the center of our saving, the cross. 00:06:06.180 --> 00:06:10.320 The cross is the catalyst in which God chose to change human history. 00:06:11.180 --> 00:06:16.600 The cross is where Christ put on display what it meant to be the greatest, what it meant to be a friend, 00:06:16.800 --> 00:06:19.500 what it meant to be a lover, what it meant to obey God. 00:06:19.940 --> 00:06:21.300 Willow Ridge, don't miss this. 00:06:21.500 --> 00:06:28.300 On the cross, Jesus shows us what it looks like to be a humble servant who seeks to please God. 00:06:29.680 --> 00:06:34.920 God has commanded us to love the Lord our God with our hearts, our souls, and our mind, 00:06:34.960 --> 00:06:38.760 and to love our neighbor as the same. 00:06:39.500 --> 00:06:44.740 In Jesus, he taught John 15, 13, that greater love has no one than this, 00:06:44.800 --> 00:06:47.320 that someone laid down his life for his friends. 00:06:48.680 --> 00:06:55.460 Here in verse 32, we see Jesus, the Son of God, displaying true love, humility, and obedience. 00:06:56.640 --> 00:07:03.340 Even in death, Jesus shows us what it means to love thy neighbor, to turn the other cheek. 00:07:04.400 --> 00:07:06.580 Jesus, he was sinless and perfect. 00:07:06.840 --> 00:07:11.100 Even in death, he had not one evil, malicious, or selfish thought. 00:07:11.100 --> 00:07:18.180 While suffering in agony and heartbreak, Jesus proves that his passion for sinners outweighs the pain of the cross. 00:07:19.460 --> 00:07:22.740 Jesus had his heart set on sinners. 00:07:23.580 --> 00:07:25.140 In verse 34, Jesus cries out, 00:07:25.280 --> 00:07:27.800 Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do. 00:07:28.200 --> 00:07:30.860 Even in Jesus' most agonizing moment, 00:07:31.580 --> 00:07:39.760 his greatest desire is that unworthy, sinful, broken people would be forgiven by God. 00:07:41.640 --> 00:07:45.420 As they drove nails into his hands and his feet, 00:07:46.560 --> 00:07:52.400 Jesus wished and desired that his murderers would get to know heaven. 00:07:54.460 --> 00:07:56.860 And so, I don't know where you are this morning. 00:07:57.580 --> 00:07:59.560 I don't know what kind of sins you've committed. 00:07:59.740 --> 00:08:01.460 I don't know where your faith is. 00:08:03.200 --> 00:08:07.900 But what I do know is that the cross isn't for the folks who have things all figured out. 00:08:08.300 --> 00:08:09.920 The cross isn't for the strong. 00:08:10.160 --> 00:08:11.900 The cross isn't for good people. 00:08:12.200 --> 00:08:16.900 The cross is for the broken, the unworthy, and sinful. 00:08:18.600 --> 00:08:20.140 And let's kind of sit on that for a moment. 00:08:20.260 --> 00:08:21.540 Let's meditate on that. 00:08:21.540 --> 00:08:29.060 That Jesus, the Son of God, the creator of the heavens and the earth, 00:08:29.180 --> 00:08:37.440 he willingly hung on a cross to save those who are sinful, broken, and unworthy. 00:08:39.240 --> 00:08:41.000 Does anyone ever feel sinful? 00:08:43.120 --> 00:08:45.420 Does anyone ever feel broken? 00:08:46.880 --> 00:08:50.460 Does anyone feel unworthy to be in this building today? 00:08:52.020 --> 00:08:55.080 Well, the cross is the center of our saving. 00:08:55.520 --> 00:08:58.340 It is where we as Christians draw our confidence. 00:08:59.200 --> 00:09:02.560 It is the foundation of the Christian faith. 00:09:03.480 --> 00:09:06.300 And that right there will lead us to our first point, 00:09:06.300 --> 00:09:08.540 the significance of the cross. 00:09:09.240 --> 00:09:11.980 The significance of the cross. 00:09:12.740 --> 00:09:16.700 Jesus, he does three things on the cross for those who choose to love him. 00:09:17.300 --> 00:09:22.280 The first thing that he does is he takes away our sin and guilt. 00:09:23.220 --> 00:09:25.840 Jesus on the cross takes away our sin and guilt. 00:09:26.580 --> 00:09:27.620 Now, in a room this size, 00:09:27.780 --> 00:09:32.320 I can't assume that every last one of you are believers in Jesus. 00:09:32.900 --> 00:09:35.920 And for you guys online, I can't assume that you love Jesus either. 00:09:35.920 --> 00:09:38.580 And so what we're going to do is we're going to get back to the basics. 00:09:39.120 --> 00:09:41.460 Jesus takes away our sin and guilt. 00:09:41.680 --> 00:09:42.740 Moses, what is sin? 00:09:43.740 --> 00:09:46.680 Well, sin is rebellion against God. 00:09:48.620 --> 00:09:54.040 Sin is any thought, action, or attitude that doesn't reflect the holiness of God. 00:09:54.580 --> 00:09:56.900 And I think if we're brave enough to admit it, 00:09:57.440 --> 00:10:01.180 we can all confess that we are sinners. 00:10:01.180 --> 00:10:05.340 We have all fallen short of the glory of God in some way. 00:10:05.700 --> 00:10:07.400 We've all told a little white lie. 00:10:08.660 --> 00:10:10.900 We've all done something mean. 00:10:11.900 --> 00:10:14.980 I know for me, being engaged to my beautiful fiancee, Christina, 00:10:15.180 --> 00:10:17.640 it has shown me how impatient I can be. 00:10:19.220 --> 00:10:20.600 Anyone struggle with patience? 00:10:20.600 --> 00:10:20.640 Anyone struggle with patience? 00:10:22.180 --> 00:10:22.740 Anger? 00:10:24.120 --> 00:10:24.680 Selfishness? 00:10:25.360 --> 00:10:25.960 Pride? 00:10:27.960 --> 00:10:32.980 The good news is, Jesus takes that sin from us on the cross. 00:10:33.320 --> 00:10:35.980 We are no longer guilty of that. 00:10:36.480 --> 00:10:38.120 But that's not all that he takes. 00:10:38.560 --> 00:10:40.460 Jesus also takes our guilt. 00:10:41.500 --> 00:10:42.980 Now, Moses, what's different about guilt? 00:10:43.780 --> 00:10:45.000 Well, I'm glad you asked, Tim. 00:10:47.060 --> 00:10:50.820 Guilt is the way you feel after doing something wrong. 00:10:51.680 --> 00:10:54.240 Guilt isn't just about the things that you got caught doing. 00:10:54.620 --> 00:10:57.960 It also involves all the things that you did that no one knows about. 00:10:59.260 --> 00:11:03.860 When no one has seen us sin, our fault is still obvious to God. 00:11:05.400 --> 00:11:10.540 When no one has seen us sin, our fault is still obvious to God. 00:11:10.620 --> 00:11:12.260 And he will by no means clear the guilty. 00:11:13.560 --> 00:11:14.480 Is that not scary? 00:11:15.320 --> 00:11:17.980 That there are no secrets to God? 00:11:19.720 --> 00:11:21.380 If you don't feel the weight of that, 00:11:21.620 --> 00:11:23.860 maybe it'd be scary if everything that you've ever done 00:11:23.860 --> 00:11:25.700 that no one knows about was put on these screens. 00:11:28.280 --> 00:11:31.700 When we do something wrong and we get caught or we get away, 00:11:32.200 --> 00:11:35.680 we feel heavy because we know that what we've done is unworthy. 00:11:35.980 --> 00:11:37.800 And that weight can wear us down. 00:11:37.880 --> 00:11:38.960 But here's the good news. 00:11:39.220 --> 00:11:41.520 If you are a follower of Jesus, 00:11:42.180 --> 00:11:44.560 Jesus took that guilt from you on the cross. 00:11:44.800 --> 00:11:47.360 That thing you did, that thing you're ashamed of, 00:11:47.540 --> 00:11:48.840 that thing you're embarrassed about, 00:11:49.000 --> 00:11:50.240 that thing that keeps you up at night, 00:11:50.420 --> 00:11:52.100 that thing that keeps you from receiving love, 00:11:52.260 --> 00:11:53.880 that thing that makes you feel unworthy, 00:11:54.140 --> 00:11:55.480 stop holding on to it. 00:11:55.660 --> 00:11:57.220 Stop holding on to guilt. 00:11:57.220 --> 00:11:58.760 Give it back to Jesus. 00:11:59.100 --> 00:12:01.140 Jesus, he paid for it on the cross. 00:12:01.280 --> 00:12:02.940 It no longer belongs to you. 00:12:03.180 --> 00:12:06.240 Stop taking from Jesus what belongs to him. 00:12:08.180 --> 00:12:13.480 Jesus has paid for your sin and your guilt. 00:12:14.620 --> 00:12:18.620 There is no reason to feel unworthy or guilty 00:12:18.620 --> 00:12:21.300 because Jesus, at the place called the skull, 00:12:21.640 --> 00:12:22.680 took that from you. 00:12:23.120 --> 00:12:25.240 He paid for it with his blood. 00:12:26.800 --> 00:12:29.320 And so Jesus, the first thing he does on the cross is 00:12:29.320 --> 00:12:31.220 he takes away our sin and guilt. 00:12:32.040 --> 00:12:33.280 The second thing he does is 00:12:33.280 --> 00:12:36.860 he takes God's anger or God's wrath. 00:12:38.000 --> 00:12:41.440 I think sometimes Christians can paint God as passive 00:12:41.440 --> 00:12:43.700 or nonviolent, you know, 00:12:43.760 --> 00:12:46.300 the white Jesus with the long brown curly hair 00:12:46.300 --> 00:12:47.660 holding the sheep, holding the peace sign. 00:12:50.080 --> 00:12:52.980 I've encountered Christians who neglect the anger 00:12:52.980 --> 00:12:55.080 and the wrath of God. 00:12:55.260 --> 00:12:57.140 But Exodus 32 clearly tells us 00:12:57.140 --> 00:12:59.560 that God's anger burns hot when it comes to sin. 00:12:59.980 --> 00:13:01.600 God hates sin. 00:13:02.020 --> 00:13:03.900 He hated it so much that he put it on his son 00:13:03.900 --> 00:13:05.180 and killed his son. 00:13:05.820 --> 00:13:10.100 The evidences of sin is played out in and all around us. 00:13:10.320 --> 00:13:11.440 Look at the justice system, 00:13:11.760 --> 00:13:12.620 broken families, 00:13:12.840 --> 00:13:14.540 our own selfish and evil thoughts, 00:13:14.740 --> 00:13:16.340 the way we neglect our faith, 00:13:16.860 --> 00:13:18.800 the way we can treat one another sometimes. 00:13:19.520 --> 00:13:22.660 God hates it all and he wants it snuffed out. 00:13:22.940 --> 00:13:24.020 Here's the truth, friends. 00:13:25.540 --> 00:13:29.900 The anger of God was aimed right at us like a gun 00:13:29.900 --> 00:13:33.120 until Jesus made his way to the cross. 00:13:34.260 --> 00:13:35.420 For some of us in here, 00:13:35.720 --> 00:13:38.060 the anger and wrath of God is still aimed at us. 00:13:39.760 --> 00:13:43.120 The cross of Christ causes the anger of God 00:13:43.120 --> 00:13:46.740 to be redirected from us to himself. 00:13:47.600 --> 00:13:50.520 This is what the Bible calls propitiation. 00:13:51.080 --> 00:13:53.200 That's a really big and complicated word 00:13:53.200 --> 00:13:55.840 for Jesus becomes our substitute. 00:13:56.980 --> 00:13:59.960 Jesus, he takes the wrath and anger that we deserve 00:13:59.960 --> 00:14:02.500 and instead we get God's delight. 00:14:03.460 --> 00:14:04.760 We get his love. 00:14:05.380 --> 00:14:07.420 We get his mercy, his forgiveness. 00:14:07.780 --> 00:14:09.320 We get God's favor. 00:14:11.200 --> 00:14:12.700 While on the cross, 00:14:12.820 --> 00:14:15.380 Jesus had his heart set on sinners. 00:14:15.980 --> 00:14:18.080 The Bible tells us in Romans 5, 8, 00:14:18.160 --> 00:14:19.980 that God proves his love for us 00:14:19.980 --> 00:14:22.140 and that while we were still sinners, 00:14:22.440 --> 00:14:24.040 Christ died for us. 00:14:25.580 --> 00:14:26.920 And it's because of that, 00:14:27.300 --> 00:14:28.360 it's because he died for us, 00:14:28.520 --> 00:14:32.520 he takes away the distance between God and man. 00:14:33.140 --> 00:14:35.040 So he takes away our sin and guilt. 00:14:36.180 --> 00:14:38.080 He takes away God's wrath. 00:14:38.700 --> 00:14:41.840 But then he also takes away the distance between God and man. 00:14:43.440 --> 00:14:45.060 Sin separates us from God. 00:14:46.080 --> 00:14:48.260 It distorts our function. 00:14:49.120 --> 00:14:51.040 Sin, it ruins our purpose. 00:14:51.740 --> 00:14:54.020 But God's delight, his favor, 00:14:54.140 --> 00:14:56.100 it enables us to be near to him. 00:14:56.400 --> 00:14:57.700 That's our purpose as humans. 00:14:59.620 --> 00:15:02.360 Our purpose as humans is to know God, 00:15:02.360 --> 00:15:03.920 to be near God, 00:15:04.040 --> 00:15:05.580 and to enjoy God. 00:15:06.520 --> 00:15:11.120 Jesus and Jesus alone accomplishes this on the cross for us. 00:15:11.780 --> 00:15:13.640 The cross of Christ is significant 00:15:13.640 --> 00:15:16.700 because it's there at the place called the skull 00:15:16.700 --> 00:15:19.060 where Jesus saves us from our sin, 00:15:19.420 --> 00:15:20.140 God's anger, 00:15:20.400 --> 00:15:21.840 and God's wrath, 00:15:22.000 --> 00:15:25.560 and saves us to a warm and sweet relationship with God. 00:15:26.920 --> 00:15:29.540 Verse 32 is more than Luke setting the stage. 00:15:29.680 --> 00:15:33.700 It's Luke showing us that this is where foundation of faith starts. 00:15:35.280 --> 00:15:37.580 But that's not all that it shows us, does it? 00:15:38.400 --> 00:15:39.600 Look back with me to the text. 00:15:41.000 --> 00:15:44.540 It shows us that there wasn't one cross, but three. 00:15:46.060 --> 00:15:47.720 It says in verse 32, 00:15:48.020 --> 00:15:50.300 two others who were criminals were led away 00:15:50.300 --> 00:15:51.720 to be put to death with him. 00:15:52.300 --> 00:15:53.460 One on his right 00:15:53.460 --> 00:15:56.040 and one on his left. 00:15:57.080 --> 00:16:00.120 Two criminals got to witness the details of the cross. 00:16:01.140 --> 00:16:03.920 Listen to what this guy Warren Wiresby says on a commentary. 00:16:05.400 --> 00:16:05.940 He says, 00:16:05.940 --> 00:16:09.340 It was providential that Jesus was crucified between the two thieves, 00:16:09.560 --> 00:16:11.980 for this gave both of them equal access to the Savior. 00:16:13.260 --> 00:16:16.020 Both of them could read Pilate's superscription. 00:16:16.420 --> 00:16:18.480 This is Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews, 00:16:18.600 --> 00:16:19.600 and both could watch him 00:16:19.600 --> 00:16:22.160 as he graciously gave his life for the sins of the world. 00:16:24.000 --> 00:16:26.100 These two thieves are given the opportunity 00:16:26.100 --> 00:16:28.000 to wrestle, much like us this morning, 00:16:28.140 --> 00:16:30.240 with the authority and the grace of God. 00:16:31.680 --> 00:16:34.900 The opportunity to understand Jesus, the Son of God, 00:16:35.140 --> 00:16:38.400 graciously giving his life for the sins of the world 00:16:38.400 --> 00:16:41.440 is where I want us to now put our attention. 00:16:43.980 --> 00:16:45.520 This leads us to our second point. 00:16:45.720 --> 00:16:47.240 And the second point is actually a question. 00:16:48.160 --> 00:16:48.960 And that question is, 00:16:49.160 --> 00:16:50.540 How will I respond? 00:16:51.080 --> 00:16:53.220 So the first point was the significance of the cross. 00:16:53.440 --> 00:16:54.380 And the second one is, 00:16:54.580 --> 00:16:55.820 How will I respond? 00:16:57.160 --> 00:16:59.520 This may be the most important part of the sermon. 00:16:59.820 --> 00:17:01.920 I say that because once we as people 00:17:01.920 --> 00:17:04.760 begin to hear about God's grace to us, 00:17:04.800 --> 00:17:07.620 we are now given an opportunity to respond, 00:17:07.860 --> 00:17:08.760 to do something. 00:17:09.340 --> 00:17:11.120 As we get back into the text, 00:17:11.200 --> 00:17:13.260 I want us to see the responses of two thieves, 00:17:13.740 --> 00:17:15.520 and we can ask ourselves another question. 00:17:15.820 --> 00:17:17.200 Which thief do I want to be? 00:17:18.280 --> 00:17:19.600 Let's pick up in verse 39. 00:17:21.260 --> 00:17:21.800 It says, 00:17:22.400 --> 00:17:23.820 One of the criminals who were hanged 00:17:23.820 --> 00:17:24.960 railed at him saying, 00:17:25.260 --> 00:17:26.380 Are you not the Christ? 00:17:26.700 --> 00:17:28.520 Save yourself and us. 00:17:30.400 --> 00:17:33.200 Notice the humiliation of Jesus. 00:17:35.000 --> 00:17:37.280 This thief was crucified with Jesus, 00:17:37.280 --> 00:17:41.200 and he used his last breath to rail at Jesus, 00:17:41.400 --> 00:17:42.940 to bark orders at Jesus, 00:17:43.060 --> 00:17:44.280 the Son of God, the Creator, 00:17:44.420 --> 00:17:45.640 who offers forgiveness. 00:17:46.660 --> 00:17:48.780 While this thief hung guilty for his crimes, 00:17:48.960 --> 00:17:50.920 he decided to mock God, 00:17:51.360 --> 00:17:52.940 the only one who could save him. 00:17:53.880 --> 00:17:55.500 This thief is an excellent example 00:17:55.500 --> 00:17:56.640 of how we can believe in Jesus 00:17:56.640 --> 00:17:57.420 and still go to hell. 00:17:59.120 --> 00:17:59.980 Here's what I mean. 00:18:00.980 --> 00:18:02.560 This thief, he talked to Jesus. 00:18:03.440 --> 00:18:05.680 This thief, he believed that Jesus could save. 00:18:06.060 --> 00:18:08.720 This thief even bore his own cross. 00:18:09.040 --> 00:18:13.020 But this thief had the wrong view of Christ. 00:18:13.500 --> 00:18:15.320 He misunderstood the person 00:18:15.320 --> 00:18:17.700 and the work of Jesus. 00:18:18.200 --> 00:18:19.980 When this thief called out to Jesus, 00:18:20.140 --> 00:18:22.260 he wanted escape, not forgiveness. 00:18:23.460 --> 00:18:26.840 He wanted deliverance, not conversion. 00:18:27.560 --> 00:18:29.220 He wanted out of his suffering, 00:18:29.540 --> 00:18:32.500 but he didn't want anything to do with repentance. 00:18:34.180 --> 00:18:36.880 There are a lot of people who call out to Jesus 00:18:36.880 --> 00:18:38.380 but don't want to be changed. 00:18:40.560 --> 00:18:42.180 This thief, he yelled out, 00:18:42.260 --> 00:18:43.260 Are you not the Christ? 00:18:44.160 --> 00:18:46.420 Save yourself and us. 00:18:48.000 --> 00:18:51.560 There was no way that Jesus could save himself and us. 00:18:52.360 --> 00:18:55.520 That would have been a theological impossibility. 00:18:57.540 --> 00:18:59.920 Jesus' death on the cross 00:18:59.920 --> 00:19:03.200 is what provides us our way to heaven. 00:19:03.620 --> 00:19:06.860 Jesus could not save us and himself. 00:19:08.040 --> 00:19:10.780 John 3 verses 14 through 16 says, 00:19:11.040 --> 00:19:13.160 Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, 00:19:13.460 --> 00:19:15.200 so the Son of Man must be lifted up 00:19:15.200 --> 00:19:17.800 that everyone who believes may have eternal life. 00:19:18.000 --> 00:19:19.400 For God so loved the world 00:19:19.400 --> 00:19:20.900 that he gave his only begotten Son 00:19:20.900 --> 00:19:22.780 that whosoever believeth in him 00:19:22.780 --> 00:19:24.060 shall not perish, 00:19:24.240 --> 00:19:26.660 but will have everlasting life. 00:19:27.280 --> 00:19:28.600 The first thief missed it. 00:19:29.600 --> 00:19:31.260 He missed Jesus, 00:19:31.380 --> 00:19:32.820 but the second thief, it clicked. 00:19:33.160 --> 00:19:33.760 He understood. 00:19:34.260 --> 00:19:35.640 Look back with me to verse 40. 00:19:37.500 --> 00:19:38.360 This thief says, 00:19:38.580 --> 00:19:39.220 He rebuked him. 00:19:39.480 --> 00:19:40.660 He rebuked the other thief saying, 00:19:40.900 --> 00:19:42.080 Do you not fear God 00:19:42.080 --> 00:19:43.900 since you are under the same senses of condemnation? 00:19:43.900 --> 00:19:46.760 And we indeed justly, 00:19:46.840 --> 00:19:49.740 for we are receiving the due reward for our deeds, 00:19:49.860 --> 00:19:52.000 but this man has done nothing wrong. 00:19:52.660 --> 00:19:53.820 And he said to Jesus, 00:19:54.200 --> 00:19:55.960 Remember me when you come into your kingdom. 00:19:57.200 --> 00:19:58.300 And he said to him, 00:19:58.380 --> 00:19:59.480 Truly, I say to you, 00:19:59.560 --> 00:20:01.300 today you will be with me in paradise. 00:20:03.840 --> 00:20:05.720 This thief realized two things. 00:20:06.820 --> 00:20:09.600 He realized that Jesus was a great Savior 00:20:09.600 --> 00:20:13.000 and that he himself was a great sinner. 00:20:14.840 --> 00:20:16.820 Jesus is a great Savior, 00:20:17.540 --> 00:20:19.640 and we are indeed great sinners. 00:20:21.220 --> 00:20:23.300 Matthew 27, 44 tells us that 00:20:23.300 --> 00:20:25.160 the ra-bers, plural, 00:20:25.980 --> 00:20:27.320 who were crucified with Jesus 00:20:27.320 --> 00:20:28.640 also reviled him, 00:20:28.900 --> 00:20:29.480 insulted him, 00:20:29.800 --> 00:20:30.320 mocked him. 00:20:31.620 --> 00:20:32.360 Both of them. 00:20:33.060 --> 00:20:33.900 But at some point, 00:20:34.020 --> 00:20:35.280 this thief had a change of heart. 00:20:35.940 --> 00:20:36.700 To be specific, 00:20:37.140 --> 00:20:37.600 God, 00:20:38.860 --> 00:20:40.640 his grace changed his heart. 00:20:41.580 --> 00:20:44.720 This thief had a recognition of his own sin. 00:20:47.540 --> 00:20:50.020 This thief had a fear of God. 00:20:50.220 --> 00:20:51.460 He rebuked the first criminal. 00:20:52.280 --> 00:20:52.640 He said, 00:20:52.860 --> 00:20:53.960 Do you not fear God? 00:20:54.820 --> 00:20:55.980 This second thief, 00:20:56.120 --> 00:20:57.140 he feared the Lord. 00:20:57.240 --> 00:20:58.440 He was so afraid of God 00:20:58.440 --> 00:21:00.280 that he didn't run from God, 00:21:00.320 --> 00:21:01.240 but he ran towards him. 00:21:02.320 --> 00:21:03.260 This thief knew that 00:21:03.260 --> 00:21:05.680 Jesus had his heart set on sinners. 00:21:07.620 --> 00:21:08.840 Isn't it good news 00:21:08.840 --> 00:21:10.780 that Jesus has his heart set on sinners? 00:21:11.400 --> 00:21:12.700 And that God will save 00:21:12.700 --> 00:21:14.460 even those who insult him? 00:21:17.440 --> 00:21:18.500 In verse 41, 00:21:18.720 --> 00:21:19.460 it says that 00:21:19.460 --> 00:21:20.400 the thief said, 00:21:20.560 --> 00:21:21.780 We indeed justly, 00:21:21.860 --> 00:21:22.420 for we are receiving 00:21:22.420 --> 00:21:23.160 the due reward 00:21:23.160 --> 00:21:24.080 for our deeds. 00:21:24.620 --> 00:21:25.220 But this man 00:21:25.220 --> 00:21:26.100 has done nothing wrong. 00:21:26.740 --> 00:21:27.520 This thief understood 00:21:27.520 --> 00:21:29.580 that they were in their predicament 00:21:29.580 --> 00:21:31.060 because of their wrongdoing. 00:21:32.120 --> 00:21:33.360 He was willing to admit 00:21:33.360 --> 00:21:34.280 that he was guilty 00:21:34.280 --> 00:21:35.480 and that his consequence 00:21:35.480 --> 00:21:36.840 was well deserved. 00:21:38.320 --> 00:21:39.780 how many of us are willing to admit 00:21:39.780 --> 00:21:40.080 how many of us are willing to admit 00:21:40.080 --> 00:21:40.820 when we're wrong? 00:21:42.380 --> 00:21:44.480 This thief knew that the dying Jesus 00:21:44.480 --> 00:21:45.380 was leaving earth 00:21:45.380 --> 00:21:46.760 towards his heavenly throne. 00:21:46.960 --> 00:21:48.160 So he asked Jesus, 00:21:48.420 --> 00:21:49.100 the Son of God, 00:21:49.180 --> 00:21:49.780 to remember him. 00:21:50.780 --> 00:21:52.780 He didn't ask for eternal life. 00:21:53.660 --> 00:21:55.420 He didn't ask for heaven. 00:21:56.040 --> 00:21:57.920 He asked to be remembered. 00:21:58.860 --> 00:22:00.240 He knew that if he was going to make it 00:22:00.240 --> 00:22:00.920 into the gates, 00:22:01.420 --> 00:22:04.240 this Jesus was going to have to let him in. 00:22:05.580 --> 00:22:06.780 I was talking to Christina 00:22:06.780 --> 00:22:07.640 about this passage 00:22:07.640 --> 00:22:08.400 and she said something 00:22:08.400 --> 00:22:09.340 that pricked my heart. 00:22:09.600 --> 00:22:10.180 She said, 00:22:10.520 --> 00:22:11.020 this thief, 00:22:11.240 --> 00:22:13.560 he never had the Lord's Supper. 00:22:13.780 --> 00:22:14.720 He never took communion. 00:22:14.980 --> 00:22:16.540 He never served on a mission trip. 00:22:16.700 --> 00:22:18.320 He never felt the waters of baptism. 00:22:18.320 --> 00:22:20.240 He never gave his tithes and offering 00:22:20.240 --> 00:22:22.020 and yet Jesus still accepted him 00:22:22.020 --> 00:22:22.740 into the kingdom. 00:22:24.600 --> 00:22:25.080 Friends, 00:22:25.740 --> 00:22:26.740 religious activity 00:22:26.740 --> 00:22:28.560 will not get you into heaven. 00:22:30.700 --> 00:22:31.900 followers of Jesus 00:22:31.900 --> 00:22:33.560 are saved by faith 00:22:33.560 --> 00:22:35.200 and faith alone. 00:22:36.640 --> 00:22:38.100 Doing churchy stuff 00:22:38.100 --> 00:22:40.000 will not earn you the love of God. 00:22:40.820 --> 00:22:42.600 Only the cross of Christ 00:22:42.600 --> 00:22:44.800 and your admittance of sin 00:22:44.800 --> 00:22:45.620 will save you. 00:22:47.060 --> 00:22:48.160 So now let me ask you, 00:22:48.660 --> 00:22:49.920 which thief do you want to be? 00:22:51.200 --> 00:22:52.440 Do you want to be the thief 00:22:52.440 --> 00:22:53.860 who witnesses the significance 00:22:53.860 --> 00:22:54.520 of the cross 00:22:54.520 --> 00:22:55.640 and runs away from Jesus? 00:22:56.840 --> 00:22:58.280 Or do you want to be the one 00:22:58.280 --> 00:22:59.480 who witnesses the beauty 00:22:59.480 --> 00:23:00.220 of the cross 00:23:00.220 --> 00:23:01.620 and runs towards Jesus? 00:23:04.220 --> 00:23:05.200 I've yelled 00:23:05.200 --> 00:23:06.560 and stood up here long enough 00:23:06.560 --> 00:23:07.560 and I'm going to go ahead 00:23:07.560 --> 00:23:08.120 and close. 00:23:08.280 --> 00:23:09.560 But before we close, 00:23:09.680 --> 00:23:10.420 I want us 00:23:10.420 --> 00:23:12.800 to understand something. 00:23:13.940 --> 00:23:15.680 The significance of the cross 00:23:15.680 --> 00:23:17.620 demands a response. 00:23:18.840 --> 00:23:20.580 You can either repent 00:23:20.580 --> 00:23:23.160 or stay under the anger 00:23:23.160 --> 00:23:24.300 and wrath of God. 00:23:25.300 --> 00:23:26.760 Maybe this is the first time 00:23:26.760 --> 00:23:27.540 you've heard this 00:23:27.540 --> 00:23:29.300 or maybe it's the 50th time 00:23:29.300 --> 00:23:30.100 you've heard this 00:23:30.100 --> 00:23:32.240 but you are making the decision 00:23:32.240 --> 00:23:32.940 to repent. 00:23:34.040 --> 00:23:34.840 Repentance is easy. 00:23:35.440 --> 00:23:35.820 Well, Moses, 00:23:35.980 --> 00:23:36.720 what is repentance? 00:23:36.840 --> 00:23:37.500 That's a big word. 00:23:38.980 --> 00:23:39.760 Repentance means 00:23:39.760 --> 00:23:41.640 turning from this thing 00:23:41.640 --> 00:23:42.660 that you thought 00:23:42.660 --> 00:23:43.500 were going to save you, 00:23:43.700 --> 00:23:44.420 maybe your wisdom, 00:23:44.740 --> 00:23:45.300 maybe your money, 00:23:45.380 --> 00:23:45.980 your own ability. 00:23:46.120 --> 00:23:47.060 It's turning from that 00:23:47.060 --> 00:23:48.660 and now turning to Jesus 00:23:48.660 --> 00:23:50.000 and continuously 00:23:50.000 --> 00:23:51.520 turning to Jesus 00:23:51.520 --> 00:23:53.420 as your Lord and Savior. 00:23:54.940 --> 00:23:56.920 Repentance sounds like confession. 00:23:57.100 --> 00:23:58.380 It sounds like you saying, 00:23:58.580 --> 00:24:00.100 Jesus, I'm a great sinner 00:24:00.100 --> 00:24:01.580 and you're a great Savior. 00:24:01.720 --> 00:24:04.160 Please save me from my sin. 00:24:06.620 --> 00:24:08.440 Repentance is the only way 00:24:08.440 --> 00:24:09.300 that you will receive 00:24:09.300 --> 00:24:10.820 the benefits of the cross. 00:24:11.220 --> 00:24:12.680 All those things I've talked about, 00:24:12.780 --> 00:24:13.840 it's not yours 00:24:13.840 --> 00:24:14.900 unless you repent. 00:24:16.500 --> 00:24:17.520 Maybe you're already 00:24:17.520 --> 00:24:18.300 a follower of Jesus. 00:24:18.900 --> 00:24:19.420 Maybe you've already 00:24:19.420 --> 00:24:20.540 made that decision 00:24:20.540 --> 00:24:22.040 and to God be the glory for that. 00:24:22.940 --> 00:24:23.600 So maybe for you, 00:24:23.660 --> 00:24:24.460 your next step is 00:24:24.460 --> 00:24:26.340 to fill out a connection card. 00:24:26.460 --> 00:24:27.480 Maybe you're like visiting 00:24:27.480 --> 00:24:28.600 for the 99th time 00:24:28.600 --> 00:24:30.060 and it's time to scan 00:24:30.060 --> 00:24:30.920 that QR code. 00:24:32.520 --> 00:24:34.060 Maybe your next step 00:24:34.060 --> 00:24:34.780 is to getting into 00:24:34.780 --> 00:24:35.900 a small group in the fall. 00:24:36.000 --> 00:24:36.840 We're super excited 00:24:36.840 --> 00:24:37.860 about those kicking off. 00:24:38.420 --> 00:24:38.960 Maybe you need to talk 00:24:38.960 --> 00:24:39.480 to Dave Allen 00:24:39.480 --> 00:24:40.940 about being in a small group. 00:24:41.880 --> 00:24:43.000 Maybe your next step 00:24:43.000 --> 00:24:43.660 is confessing 00:24:43.660 --> 00:24:44.660 some guilt and sin 00:24:44.660 --> 00:24:45.300 in your life. 00:24:46.000 --> 00:24:46.760 Telling your spouse 00:24:46.760 --> 00:24:47.580 that you're still mad 00:24:47.580 --> 00:24:48.480 at them from two years ago 00:24:48.480 --> 00:24:49.260 when they did that thing. 00:24:51.200 --> 00:24:52.060 Maybe you just need 00:24:52.060 --> 00:24:53.040 to share with somebody 00:24:53.040 --> 00:24:54.140 where your heart has been. 00:24:54.580 --> 00:24:55.640 Maybe it's to walk 00:24:55.640 --> 00:24:57.100 alongside a brother and sister 00:24:57.100 --> 00:24:57.920 who's more mature 00:24:57.920 --> 00:24:59.000 than you in the faith. 00:25:00.360 --> 00:25:01.860 Maybe this is a sign 00:25:01.860 --> 00:25:02.820 for you to give yourself 00:25:02.820 --> 00:25:04.200 to a season of prayer. 00:25:04.640 --> 00:25:04.960 Plug. 00:25:08.100 --> 00:25:09.580 So with all that said, 00:25:10.120 --> 00:25:11.600 how will you respond 00:25:11.600 --> 00:25:12.320 to the significance 00:25:12.320 --> 00:25:13.120 of the cross? 00:25:14.880 --> 00:25:15.600 Let us pray. 00:25:19.200 --> 00:25:19.960 Heavenly Father, 00:25:20.120 --> 00:25:21.100 you are awesome 00:25:21.100 --> 00:25:22.080 in all your ways 00:25:22.080 --> 00:25:24.080 and we thank you 00:25:24.080 --> 00:25:24.740 that your heart 00:25:24.740 --> 00:25:25.720 was set on sinners. 00:25:27.560 --> 00:25:28.300 We thank you 00:25:28.300 --> 00:25:29.360 that you loved us so much 00:25:29.360 --> 00:25:30.880 that you sent your son Jesus 00:25:30.880 --> 00:25:33.020 to die for our sins, 00:25:33.140 --> 00:25:34.120 to bear the wrath 00:25:34.120 --> 00:25:35.160 that we deserved. 00:25:35.920 --> 00:25:37.220 That wrath was aimed at us 00:25:37.220 --> 00:25:37.940 like a gun, 00:25:38.060 --> 00:25:38.540 but Jesus, 00:25:38.680 --> 00:25:39.520 he redirected it 00:25:39.520 --> 00:25:41.140 from us to himself 00:25:41.140 --> 00:25:42.780 and he took it on himself. 00:25:43.940 --> 00:25:44.680 We thank you 00:25:44.680 --> 00:25:45.280 that even though 00:25:45.280 --> 00:25:46.360 you sit on a high 00:25:46.360 --> 00:25:47.140 and heavenly throne, 00:25:47.240 --> 00:25:47.780 that your heart 00:25:47.780 --> 00:25:48.820 is set on sinners, 00:25:48.820 --> 00:25:49.580 that you want 00:25:49.580 --> 00:25:50.140 the unworthy, 00:25:50.460 --> 00:25:51.400 you want the broken, 00:25:51.740 --> 00:25:53.420 you want us, Jesus. 00:25:53.580 --> 00:25:54.380 I pray that you would 00:25:54.380 --> 00:25:55.320 work in our hearts 00:25:55.320 --> 00:25:55.840 this morning. 00:25:58.780 --> 00:25:59.820 Believing in Jesus 00:25:59.820 --> 00:26:00.880 doesn't just change 00:26:00.880 --> 00:26:02.040 our eternity, God. 00:26:02.080 --> 00:26:03.540 It changes our today 00:26:03.540 --> 00:26:04.340 and so I ask 00:26:04.340 --> 00:26:04.840 that today 00:26:04.840 --> 00:26:05.700 we will respond 00:26:05.700 --> 00:26:06.960 by maybe loving 00:26:06.960 --> 00:26:07.660 our friends 00:26:07.660 --> 00:26:08.620 a bit better, 00:26:09.780 --> 00:26:10.720 giving ourselves 00:26:10.720 --> 00:26:12.480 to the word of God 00:26:12.480 --> 00:26:13.320 a bit more. 00:26:16.320 --> 00:26:17.100 I pray that you 00:26:17.100 --> 00:26:17.840 would grow us 00:26:17.840 --> 00:26:18.880 in your likeness, God, 00:26:19.080 --> 00:26:20.680 and that the understanding 00:26:20.680 --> 00:26:21.340 and the significance 00:26:21.340 --> 00:26:21.860 of the cross 00:26:21.860 --> 00:26:22.660 would change us 00:26:22.660 --> 00:26:23.400 for the better, God. 00:26:24.400 --> 00:26:25.600 I pray that this word 00:26:25.600 --> 00:26:26.940 would move us 00:26:26.940 --> 00:26:27.520 in such a way 00:26:27.520 --> 00:26:28.380 that we would be compelled 00:26:28.380 --> 00:26:29.500 to share with our friends, 00:26:29.600 --> 00:26:30.520 to share this gospel 00:26:30.520 --> 00:26:32.800 that Jesus will save. 00:26:33.960 --> 00:26:35.160 We love you, Jesus. 00:26:36.140 --> 00:26:36.740 I pray that you would 00:26:36.740 --> 00:26:37.640 break our hearts, 00:26:38.440 --> 00:26:40.680 help us to hate our sin, 00:26:41.020 --> 00:26:42.000 to love your son, 00:26:42.820 --> 00:26:43.960 and to yearn for the day 00:26:43.960 --> 00:26:44.960 that you come back 00:26:44.960 --> 00:26:45.540 to redeem us. 00:26:45.920 --> 00:26:46.720 It's in your mighty name 00:26:46.720 --> 00:26:47.180 that we pray. 00:26:47.720 --> 00:26:48.000 Amen. 00:26:48.000 --> 00:27:03.480 Thanks again for listening 00:27:03.480 --> 00:27:04.620 to the Willow Ridge Church 00:27:04.620 --> 00:27:05.400 weekly podcast. 00:27:05.960 --> 00:27:06.940 We hope that you enjoyed 00:27:06.940 --> 00:27:08.220 listening to this week's message. 00:27:08.720 --> 00:27:09.780 If you'd like to learn more 00:27:09.780 --> 00:27:10.620 about who we are 00:27:10.620 --> 00:27:12.220 or explore additional resources, 00:27:12.820 --> 00:27:13.720 visit us online 00:27:13.720 --> 00:27:17.280 at www.willowridgechurch.com 00:27:17.280 --> 00:27:18.500 or by searching 00:27:18.500 --> 00:27:19.520 for Willow Ridge Church 00:27:19.520 --> 00:27:20.840 on Facebook and Instagram.