-
The Thief On The Cross Didn't Go To Church!
Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Feb 3, 2024 (message contributor)
A pastor saw one of his sheep in the grocery store and got around to asking where they had been lately. Was it something I said? Is it another church?"
The man laughed and said, "Oh, no, we love you and the people of our church." The pastor was left to his own curiosity. He then asked, "Well, what is it then? We haven't seen you guys in months."
"To be honest with you, Pastor," the man replied, "we don't believe we need to go to church anymore."
Surprised, the Pastor asked, "Where did you get that idea?"
The church member smiled and said, "Brother, we are saved by grace without works, right. Well, that means we don't have to go to church to get to Heaven. The thief on the cross never went to church and he went to Heaven, right?"
The Pastor nodded and started to talk when he was interrupted by the church member.
"The thief on the cross never went to church, never was baptized, and never gave a penny to a church......but, guess what! We will see him in Heaven because we are all saved by grace without any works. I don't have to do anything to get to Heaven except believe."
There was a long pause and finally the Pastor wrapped up the conversation when he said, "Well, my friend, I guess you are a lot like the thief on the Cross, I believe. The only difference is.......he is a dead thief and you are a living one!"
And all of God's people said, "OUCH!!!!"
- Dr. Larry Petton
Related Sermon Illustrations
-
Spurgeon (1) Wrote, " I Think I May Say To Every ... PRO
Contributed by Michael Raisbeck on Jul 18, 2003
Spurgeon (1) wrote, " I think I may say to every person whom I am addressing,-If you are yourself saved, the work is but half done until you are employed to bring others to Christ. You are as yet but half formed in the image of your Lord. You have not attained to the full development of the ...read more
-
A Man Wanted To See Buckingham Palace. His Guide ... PRO
Contributed by Dale Pilgrim on Aug 25, 2005
A man wanted to see Buckingham Palace. His guide took him to the gate. “Oh, I don’t mean here. I want inside.” “I’m sorry sir,” replied the guide, “I don’t have ...read more
-
The Church Is Like Noah's Ark: The Stench Inside ... PRO
Contributed by Lynn Floyd on Jul 29, 2003
“The church is like Noah’s ark: The stench inside would be unbearable if it weren’t for the storm outside. It’s true—sometimes we stink and the world is stormy. But as imperfect as we are on this side of heaven, the miracle is that God in fact chooses to ...read more
-
Moses Spend His First Forty Years Thinking He ... PRO
Contributed by Sheldon Boyd on Nov 30, 2004
“Moses spend his first forty years thinking he was somebody. He spend his second forty years learning he was a nobody. He spent his third forty years ...read more
-
In 1829 A Man Named George Wilson Was Arrested ...
Contributed by Bruce Willis on Dec 29, 2006
In 1829 a man named George Wilson was arrested for robbery and murder in a US mail heist. He was tried, convicted and sentenced to death by hanging. Some friends intervened on his behalf and were able to obtain his pardon from President Andrew Jackson. But when told of this, Wilson refused it ...read more
Related Sermons
-
How To Win The Battles Of Life Series
Contributed by Tom Shepard on Feb 18, 2016
This sermon looks at seven principles to win the battles of life. 1. Identify Your ENEMY 2. Don’t Be Driven By EMOTION 3. Take Your Problems To The LORD 4. Admit You Need HELP 5. Rely On God’s POWER 6. Relax In FAITH 7. Thank God In ADVANCE
-
"How God Tests Our Faith?” (Paano Pinatatatag Ang Ating Pananampalataya?) Part_1 Series
Contributed by Ritchie Guerrero on Oct 15, 2020
James 1:3-4 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
-
God Of All Possibilities
Contributed by John Newbaker on Mar 15, 2020
I come today bringing good news. In a world full of bad news, could you use some good news?
-
Doors: Open Or Closed
Contributed by Barry O Johnson on Aug 24, 2017
The majority of the body of Christ believes that God opens doors (a "yes" answer to prayer) and closes doors (a "no" answer to prayer) in their lives. Does scripture support such a belief?
-
Power Of Obedience
Contributed by Richard Tow on Jul 25, 2017
Obedience is inherit in the relationship of man (as a created being) with God, the Creator. The New Covenant does not do away with the need for obedience to God. In fact, it supply the strength to live that way. Heaven will be a place of obedience to God.