Sermons on The Penitent Thief:

Banishing Two Bandits Behind Bars Series

Contributed by John Bartol on Aug 20, 2012

Too many people are allowing themselves to be crucified between two thieves. On one hand the thief of vain regret over the past and on the other side the thief of fear and anxiety over the future. These two bandits need to be put behind bars where they be

Banishing Two Bandits Behind Bars I've chosen this title because too many people today, including Christians, are allowing themselves to be crucified between two thieves. On one side there is the thief of vain regrets over the past. And on ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

It Is Finished

Contributed by Ron Freeman, Evangelist on Oct 29, 2015

To establish Christ’s work at Calvary has fulfilled all the Old Testament Scriptures, provided the perfect sacrifice for sins, and finished the work of salvation for sinners. This lesson will investigate how Jesus answered the thief’s request before His death.

INTRODUCTION Outline. 1. The Scriptures for the Son 2. The Sacrifice for Sins 3. The Salvation for Sinners Introductory Remarks. 1. In our lesson today, we will discuss the emphatic declaration of Jesus on the cross – "It is finished." Let me be clear; he does not mean one part of it is ...read more

Scripture: John 19:30, Matthew 5:17-18

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Christ’s Most Remarkable Convert

Contributed by Chuck Sligh on Apr 19, 2011

Every conversion was unique and each was remarkable in its own way, but perhaps the most remarkable convert in Jesus’s earthly ministry was the thief on the cross. 1) It was based on a remarkable prophecy; 2) the thief prayed a remarkable prayer; & 3) Jes

Christ’s Most Remarkable Convert Chuck Sligh April 16, 2000 (Skeleton of this outline comes from Preach for a Year #3, pp. 63-64. The meat on the skeleton is mine alone and should not be held against the author of Preach for a Year. :-) TEXT: Luke 23:32-43 – “And there were also ...read more

Scripture: Luke 23:32-43

Denomination: Baptist

"Today, You Will Be With Me In Paradise" Series

Contributed by Kevin Cummins on May 1, 2003

We can always learn lessons from a thief, usually it’s what not to do. But in this case this thief teaches us four lessons that are worth following if we want to hear those words someday for ourselves, "Today, you will be with me in Paradise."

Last week we started a series on the seven statements of Christ from the cross. Words that give us tremendous insight for our own lives. Last week in the words, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do”, we saw the forgiveness of Christ as he forgave the very people who were ...read more

Scripture: Luke 23:39-43, Luke 2:43

Denomination: Church Of God

Recognize The Opportunity! Seize The Moment!

Contributed by Victor Ramlall on Apr 20, 2013

The thief on the cross found his opportunity in the most unlikely and unexpected place but he recognized and seized on it!

And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us. But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation? And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man ...read more

Scripture: Luke 23:39-43

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Chronology Of The Cross

Contributed by Kevin L. Jones on Sep 15, 2019

A sermon examining the events leading to and at Calvary.

THE CHRONOLOGY OF THE CROSS Mark 15:16-47 Imagine the scene, the Sinless Son of God hangs on an old wooden cross, rusty spikes have been driven through His hands and feet. Blood pours from His precious brow where a cruel crown of thorns has been placed, the flesh on His back hangs like ribbons ...read more

Scripture: Mark 15:16-47

Denomination: Baptist

Snakes And Thieves – Those Who Love The Dark Of Night! Series

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Aug 16, 2022

Snakes - sly, cunning, creatures of the night - these are considered and then we look at what snakes do well - thieves! We examine 7 passages of the New Testament to see the verses about "thief". We must also eradicate the opportunities given to the thief.

SNAKES AND THIEVES – THOSE WHO LOVE THE DARK OF NIGHT! Years ago I used to keep some finches. In fact I had a lot of them. I loved those birds and looked after them well. They used to breed, and birds only do that when they are happy. My species were mainly Australian finches but about four or ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 11:8-9, Genesis 3:1-16, Isaiah 27:1, Luke 12:39, 1 Corinthians 16:13, Ephesians 6:18, 1 Peter 5:8, John 10:1, John 10:10, Acts 20:29-30, 2 Corinthians 2:11, Revelation 12:11, 1 Thessalonians 5:4-5, 2 Peter 3:10, Revelation 3:3, Revelation 16:15  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Seven Words Of Jesus From The Cross: Series

Contributed by Lalachan Abraham on Apr 17, 2025

The Seven Last Words of Jesus, spoken from the cross, offer profound insights into his humanity, divinity, and sacrificial love, urging reflection on forgiveness, faith, and the ultimate triumph of redemption.

Death and resurrection are two important events in the life of Jesus and the life of the church. The events of Good Friday are recounted in all four Gospels of the New Testament. According to the Gospels, Jesus was arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane after the Last Supper with His disciples. He ...read more

Scripture: Luke 23:34, Luke 23:43, John 19:26-27, Matthew 27:46, Mark 15:34, John 19:28, John 19:30, Luke 23:46  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Gospel - Faith Alone In Christ Alone

Contributed by Frank Gallagher on Nov 13, 2000

Many Bible verses including the illustration of the Thief On The Cross teach that salvation is by faith alone in Jesus Christ alone.

The Gospel - Faith Alone In Christ Alone (Luke 23:32-43; Matthew 27:41-44; Ephesians 2:8-9) [HTML formatted version and handouts are located ...read more

Scripture: Luke 23:32-43, Matthew 27:41-44

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Remember Me!

Contributed by Tim Hinrichs on Mar 29, 2012

The thief on the cross is an example that we are saved completely by the grace of God as this hardened criminal received the promise of eternal life.

Many of you might remember Karla Faye Tucker. She was the first woman to be executed in the US since 1984. She was notorious as an accomplice to a brutal ax murder of a two people in the early eighties. Soon after being imprisoned, Tucker took a Bible from the prison ministry program and read it in ...read more

Scripture: Luke 23:39-43

Denomination: Lutheran

He Took My Beating

Contributed by John Lowe on Jul 25, 2012

The year is 1885, and it’s the first day of school for the children of this small school in upstate, South Carolina. The last teacher had left unexpectedly, and the students are waiting outside of the one-room school house for the new teacher to arrive.

He Took My Beating Sierra and I have worked in Children’s Church for many years. Although we are not currently teaching children, I have some very fond memories of those days. The sermon for today is one that I first gave during a ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 53:5-7

Denomination: Baptist

God Saw A Cross

Contributed by Evangelist Stanley Baker on Oct 11, 2011

ONE WAS DENYING HIS GUILT , WHILE THE OTHER ONE ADMITTIED HIS WRONG

When Adam saw his wife sin in the garden In the distance God saw a cross When Cain killed his brother, God was watching And God saw a cross When Moses slew the Egyptian man in anger God saw a cross And when David chose Bathsheba over honor God knew there had to be a cross God saw a cross ...read more

Scripture: Luke 22:33-43

Denomination: Church Of God

Twenty Mississippi - Ready Or Not He Will Come

Contributed by J Jeffrey Smead on Aug 9, 2013

As a child I really enjoyed playing hide and go seek. Little did I realize as a child how much this game of hide and seek paralleled the Return - The Second Coming of Jesus Christ. (Updated October 2023)

I loved it ... weather... I was the one hiding ... trying not to get caught, ... or if I was the one seeking; ......who was trying to catch unexpectedly ... those that were hiding. Although I have not played in quite some time, ......I do remember ... that the seeker, ......was called ... the ...read more

Scripture: Zechariah 2:1, 1 Thessalonians 5:9-11, 1 Thessalonians 5:6-8, Matthew 24:35, 1 Thessalonians 5:1-5, Luke 12:32-40, Matthew 24:44, Matthew 20:26, Matthew 20:28  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Anglican

Death: Life's Sequel Series

Contributed by Scott Maze on May 24, 2021

How does your family handle death? More importantly, do you remember when you first realized you were going to die? Today, I want to speak to you on this subject – Death: Life’s Sequel.

How does your family handle death? More importantly, do you remember when you first realized you were going to die? Today, I want to speak to you on this subject – Death: Life’s Sequel. As I speak to you this morning, hundreds of millions of my cells will die. Over the course of this day, ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Three Crosses At Calvary

Contributed by Owen Bourgaize on Oct 18, 2000

Calvary was the place of Three Crosses - of Rebellion, of Repentance and of Redemption - and the choice is ours.

The Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ is the corner stone of our faith. It is the chosen symbol of the Christian faith. Thank God, we see it now as an empty cross because the seeming tragedy for good and apparent victory for evil was overturned by the power and purposes of God into the triumph of the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 23:32-43

Denomination: Baptist