Which Side Of The Cross Are You On

WHICH SIDE OF THE CROSS ARE YOU ON

Luke 23:33-43

Intro: In these passages of scripture Luke takes us to Calvary’s Hill. Here we find three men being killed two for being criminals and one for being perfect. And more times than not I would preach on the middle cross out of these scriptures but this evening I want to take a different look at this event. I want to look at the two men that were dying along side of Jesus. Now the Bible doesn’t say exactly what these men done to be suffering execution. Here in this reading Luke calls them malefactors, which simply means (one who commits and offense against the law). Matthew and Mark both called them thieves so it would be logical to assume these me probably stole something. It very well could have been they were two of Barabbas sidekicks if you would. In verse 33 we read how one of these men was hung on the right hand side of Jesus and the other on the left. They were on different sides of the cross. With that in mind I want to preach on this subject “WHICH SIDE OF THE CROSS ARE YOU ON?”

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

A. (v. 39) We see the thief on the right railing on the Lord saying, “If thou be Christ, save thyself and us.

B. He was denying his guilt

C. (v 40) The other rebuked him saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation?

D. (v 41) And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward for our deeds

E. He was admitting his wrong

F. If people are ever going to get right with God they are going to have to admit they have been wrong

II. ONE WAS SORRY FOR BEING A THIEF THE OTHER WAS SORRY HE GOT CAUGHT

A. The same verses re-iterate this

B. Some people aren’t sorry for what they have done they are sorry they got caught

III. ONE REALIZED HIS CONDITION, THE OTHER WAS BLIND TO HIS CONDEMNATION

A. If a person ever gets saved they have got to get lost first.

B. (v 42) And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into they kingdom

C. (v 43) And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise

D. The thief on the left died and went to hell with Jesus right beside him

IV. ONE WAS DYING IN SIN, ONE WAS DYING OUT OF SIN AND ONE WAS DYING FOR SIN

A. The thief on the left was dying in sin and refused to ask Jesus to help him

B. The thief on the right realizing he was in his dying minutes of life asked Jesus to remember him and died out sin

C. The one in the middle was alone, destitute, friendless and fatherless that day as he died for the sins of all mankind

Close: (Philippians 3:18) (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ