Last Second Salvation
March 9, 2008 Morning Service
Immanuel Baptist Church, Wagoner, OK
Rick Boyne
Message Point: It’s never too late to get saved.
Focus Passage: Luke 23:39-43
Supplemental Passage: Eph 2:8-9 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.
Introduction:
I. Amazing Faith
a. Never heard Jesus preach; never saw Him heal; never saw Him walk on water; never saw Him do any of His great miracles. BUT HE BELIEVED.
b. When you put the totality of his words together, you can clearly see how great this man’s faith really is:
i. “This man has done nothing wrong”—Faith in the Person of Christ (verse 41)
ii. “Jesus, remember me”—Faith in the Power of Christ
iii. “Jesus, remember me”—Faith in the Mercy of Christ
iv. “When you come into your kingdom”—Faith in the Kingdom of Christ
c. He didn’t KNOW the right words to say, but he said them to the right person.
II. Amazing Grace
a. How do we know he was saved? Look at Jesus’ answer: “Today you will be with me in paradise.”
b. The thief received more than he asked for.
c. Look at three lessons to learn:
i. It is never too late to turn to Christ
ii. Even the very worst sinners can be saved at the very last moment.
iii. God has made salvation so simple so every person can be saved.
1. There was nothing the thief could do to earn his salvation, or even show evidence of a changed life. This man was never baptized and never took the Lord’s Supper. This man never went to church, never walked an aisle during a public invitation, and never gave his money to the Lord’s work. This man could not lift a hand for the Savior, for his hands were nailed to a cross. He could not run any errands for the Lord, for his feet were nailed to a cross. He could not give his money, for he had not a penny to his name.
