That's Just Your Opinion

THAT’S JUST YOUR OPINION

LUKE 23:33-49

A. I use to listen to a radio talk show hose in L.A. that was super nasty. People would say to him, "That’s just your opinion" and he would always respond, "That’s true, but it is the only one I am qualified to give".

B. Some of you (especially my wife) will be much relieved to know that this message has nothing to do with any opinions of myself. It only has to do with the opinion of one of the men who hung on the cross with our Lord.

C. You must look at all four gospel to get a composite picture of the death of Christ and then we only have fragmented scene of the death of our Lord. Luke give us the most detailed account of the two men who died along side our Lord that day.

D. We are told in the Garden that "He began of be in agony" We can’t go with Him through the Garden. We can’t understand the suffering of the cross and his greatest suffering was not physical but mental and spiritual.

Every time the song, "Ninety and Nine" is sung they usually leave out my favorite verse.

"But none of the ransom ever knew how deep were the waters cross, or how dark was the night the Lord passed through ere He found His sheep that was lost."

E. Today there is a tremendous message and some wonderful truths revealed about the opinions of the one thief that was saved. If fact, he came as close as anyone did to preaching our Lord’s funeral.

T/S LET US LOOK AT 7 OPINIONS THIS THEIF FORMED WHILE DYING BESIDE OUR LORD.

I. HE FORM AN OPINION THAT HE WAS A SINNER DYING JUSTLY FOR HIS OWN GUILT.

(Doest not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation? And we, indeed, justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds.) V-40-41

A. All we like sheep have gone astray. All have sinned and come short of the glory of God.

B. I need to recognize that I am to blame.

"I was guilty - with nothing to say"

II. HE FORMED AN OPINION OF THE SINLESSNESS OF OUR LORD.

(this man hath done nothing amiss.) V-41

Jesus was holy, undefiled, sinless and separate from sinners.

Paul said of Him: (1) He knew no sin.

(2) He did no sin

(3) He had no sin

Which of you can convict me on one sin?

III. HE FORMED AN OPINION ABOUT THE WILLINGNESS OF OUR LORD TO FORGIVE.

(Today, shalt thou be with me in Paradise) V-43.

If our Lord could take time out from dying the death of the cross to save a sinner. How much more would he be willing save a sinner today as he sits enthroned in heaven in all His glory?

IV. HE FORMED AN OPINION ABOUT THE ABILITY OF OUR LORD TO SAVE.

(Today, . . . . . . . . . .)

You see, the ability to do something is very important. If you came to me and said, "I have a terrible problem. I owe 10,000 dollars and if I don’t get it today I am going to die." My heart might go out in compassion to you. I might willing to help you. I would not have the ability to help you.

Jesus is not only willing to save a sinner but He is able to save a sinner. In fact He is the only one who can. "For there is no other name given under heaven whereby we must be saved."

V. HE FORMED AN OPINION THAT SALVATION IS IN A PERSON.

(He acknowledge Jesus as Lord.) V-42 Lord remember me --

Is that a sufficient prayer for salvation? We want to get to complicated. It is the intent of the heart that our Lord looks at.

VI. HE FORMED AN OPINION ABOUT THE DANGER OF PROSCRASTIATION.

Only case of death bed repentance.

VII. HE FORMED AN OPINION SALVATION IS WHOLLY BY GRACE.

He could not obey the law. He could not be morally good. He could not join a church. He could not be baptized - observe the Lord’s Supper - keep sacraments, etc.

The only thing he could do was cast himself on the grace and mercy of our Lord.

VII. HE FORMED AN OPINION DEATH IS JUST A DOOR WAY TO ANOTHER WORLD.

Explain the word Paradise.

CONCLUSION:

Do you need God’s GRACE and MERCY today?

A. This passage is a flashing red light to warn against Procrastination.