Christ's Most Remarkable Convert Series

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Christ’s Most Remarkable Convert

Luke 23:32-43

Difficult to Choose the Most Remarkable Convert

Converts among the rich: Joseph of Aramathea

Converts among the religious: Nicodemas

Converts among the rejected: The Woman at the Well

The Most remarkable May be the Thief of the Cross-

The paths of 3 Men Meeting in Death

2 were completely guilty: 1 completely innocent

2 paying their debts to society; 1 our debt of sin

1 dying in sin, 1 dying to sin, one dying for Sinners

What makes this Conversion So Remarkable?

I. A Remarkable Prophecy (v.32)

a. Jesus died between 2 criminals

Note that 2 Criminals were crucified with Him

He was dying because of them and because of all other men…. Why

Because all men are criminals against God, rebelling against Him and breaking His commandments.

b. Jesus was to make His grave the wicked (Isa. 53:9)

c. He would die between them and His grave would be near them

d. The rich must also be considered

i. Joseph of Aramathea would place Jesus in his grave

ii. Joseph was a wealthy man

e. All prophecies concerning Jesus must be fulfilled

v.32 Christ was counted as a sinner that He might bear the sin of many. (Isah 53:12)

In the simplest of terms, Christ was crucified for our sins in order to bring us to God

f. Many prophecies converged at the cross

II. A Remarkable Prayer (v. 42)

a. This thief realizes he is a sinner (v. 41)

i. He admits his guilt

ii. He sees justice in his punishment

iii. He proclaims the righteousness of Christ

b. The content of his remarkable prayer

i. Called Jesus “Lord”

1. Never saw a miracle by Jesus

2. Never heard a sermon by Jesus

ii. “Remember me when”

1. Didn’t pray to escape the cross

2. Believed the Lord would establish His kingdom

iii. Looked at the Crucified and called him his King

c. JC Ryle is quoted as saying “If ever there was a soul hovering on the brink of hell, it was the soul of this thief. Some would have thought him too wicked a man to be saved: but it was not so.”

III. A Remarkable Promise (v. 43)

a. Today, shalt thou be with me in paradise TODAY

What about Baptismal

b. The only promise from the cross

c. The questions answered in this promise

i. Salvation by faith alone assured

ii. Heaven immediately follows the death of a believer

Lessons from this remarkable text for Christian

Never give up on sinners

Seize every opportunity to witness for Christ

Lessons from this remarkable text for Unbelievers

Any sinner can be saved by faith in Christ

Don’t wait one more moment to believe