1 00:00:00,400 --> 00:00:03,500 We'll start again this evening by just thanking you for being 2 00:00:03,500 --> 00:00:05,600 here. We have a good audience for 3 00:00:05,600 --> 00:00:08,900 Wednesday, you know, sometimes they call Wednesday hump day but 4 00:00:08,900 --> 00:00:12,200 really in my book is probably more slump day because people 5 00:00:12,200 --> 00:00:15,100 are tired. And you know, you've now been 6 00:00:15,100 --> 00:00:18,100 coming to Services some of you probably every time here for, 7 00:00:18,100 --> 00:00:21,300 you know, the last several nights and on last Sunday and 8 00:00:21,300 --> 00:00:22,700 we're kind of in the middle of the meeting. 9 00:00:22,700 --> 00:00:26,400 But I'm glad you're here tonight and I appreciate so very much 10 00:00:26,400 --> 00:00:30,100 your attendance and also your interest in the gospel and in 11 00:00:30,100 --> 00:00:32,000 just Learning about the scriptures. 12 00:00:32,600 --> 00:00:34,200 Now tonight we're going to do something a little bit 13 00:00:34,200 --> 00:00:35,500 different. You're different. 14 00:00:35,600 --> 00:00:38,700 Usually, I like to do expository lessons where we just take the 15 00:00:38,700 --> 00:00:41,500 text and go through it verse by verse. 16 00:00:41,900 --> 00:00:44,000 And tonight I'm going to do something different. 17 00:00:44,000 --> 00:00:47,300 First of all, I'm going to do a PowerPoint, which I have it done 18 00:00:47,300 --> 00:00:50,700 here yet so the equipment of course, is a little bit new for 19 00:00:50,700 --> 00:00:54,400 me, but secondly, I'm going to give a new study that I've never 20 00:00:54,400 --> 00:00:57,300 given before fact, I just finished it up this afternoon 21 00:00:57,300 --> 00:00:59,200 and I'm sure it needs a lot of tweaking, but you're going to 22 00:00:59,208 --> 00:01:02,900 get the rough draft tonight. Because I hope in the future to 23 00:01:02,900 --> 00:01:06,000 preach this and study this in other places where I go 24 00:01:06,000 --> 00:01:09,800 including my home congregation. But I want us to talk tonight 25 00:01:09,800 --> 00:01:14,600 about arguably one of the most controversial topics and figures 26 00:01:14,900 --> 00:01:17,900 in all of the New Testament. You know, there are a lot of 27 00:01:17,900 --> 00:01:21,800 people in the New Testament who have interesting stories behind 28 00:01:21,800 --> 00:01:25,900 them, Peter, for example, that we've discussed in a couple of 29 00:01:25,900 --> 00:01:29,800 lessons, and of course, others in the New Testament, especially 30 00:01:30,300 --> 00:01:33,600 But I want tonight to look at the thief on the cross. 31 00:01:33,900 --> 00:01:35,800 You know, that's a very interesting character. 32 00:01:35,800 --> 00:01:39,200 He's an interesting individual. Because what we see is, we see a 33 00:01:39,208 --> 00:01:44,200 man who was obviously steeped in sin, a very unrighteous Wicked, 34 00:01:44,200 --> 00:01:49,100 Man, and yet somehow Against All Odds, he finds himself next to 35 00:01:49,100 --> 00:01:52,800 Jesus, on the cross being crucified. 36 00:01:53,100 --> 00:01:56,800 And then according to our faith, we believe that he found himself 37 00:01:56,800 --> 00:02:02,400 in Paradise With Jesus as well. Now that individual is an 38 00:02:02,400 --> 00:02:06,200 interesting character, not so much because of what Jesus did 39 00:02:06,200 --> 00:02:11,100 to him or for him. But because it represents, I 40 00:02:11,108 --> 00:02:13,500 think sometimes our misunderstanding of the 41 00:02:13,500 --> 00:02:18,200 scriptures there have been a lot of theories, concocted around 42 00:02:18,400 --> 00:02:21,500 the thief on the cross and you know, the various ideas about 43 00:02:21,500 --> 00:02:24,400 his salvation. And so I want us tonight to sort 44 00:02:24,400 --> 00:02:29,000 of analyze, the thief on the cross, and look at what this man 45 00:02:29,000 --> 00:02:33,000 was and who he was? And what Jesus said to him and 46 00:02:33,100 --> 00:02:35,600 why it was that this man was saved. 47 00:02:35,800 --> 00:02:39,100 What we're going to stick pretty close tonight to our points and 48 00:02:39,100 --> 00:02:41,100 I always put too much on a PowerPoint slide. 49 00:02:41,100 --> 00:02:44,600 But I do that for a purpose because it's Wallace harder on 50 00:02:44,600 --> 00:02:47,200 the audience. I download things to a site 51 00:02:47,200 --> 00:02:50,800 called author stream and I want people who just log onto author 52 00:02:50,800 --> 00:02:54,100 stream and look at PowerPoint slides to know exactly where I'm 53 00:02:54,100 --> 00:02:57,000 going exactly what I've said. So you'll have to bear with me 54 00:02:57,000 --> 00:02:58,600 tonight. Hopefully from the conversation 55 00:02:58,600 --> 00:03:00,300 will have about this. You'll pick this up. 56 00:03:00,700 --> 00:03:02,800 I know the text is going to be pretty small. 57 00:03:02,800 --> 00:03:05,300 The fonts going to be pretty hard to read, but here's the 58 00:03:05,300 --> 00:03:07,500 points tonight that we want to ponder. 59 00:03:07,500 --> 00:03:10,800 Number one, who were the two thieves number two. 60 00:03:10,800 --> 00:03:13,200 Why are so many people interested in? 61 00:03:13,200 --> 00:03:18,000 At least one of these particular thieves number three was the 62 00:03:18,000 --> 00:03:21,500 thief on the cross. Really saved number for what 63 00:03:21,500 --> 00:03:26,600 relationship did this thief possessed with the old Mosaic 64 00:03:26,700 --> 00:03:29,600 system. Number five, what relationship 65 00:03:29,600 --> 00:03:32,200 did he possess? With Jesus, or did he come to 66 00:03:32,200 --> 00:03:36,300 know with Jesus? And then number six, if the 67 00:03:36,300 --> 00:03:40,700 thief was saved, how does this impact our Salvation today? 68 00:03:41,000 --> 00:03:43,600 Now, we won't necessarily look at every one of these points in 69 00:03:43,600 --> 00:03:47,500 detail or necessarily in this order, but I hope that, by the 70 00:03:47,500 --> 00:03:50,400 time we kind of finish our study tonight, you will have at least 71 00:03:50,400 --> 00:03:54,200 a view about what, at least, I believe about these points. 72 00:03:54,500 --> 00:03:57,300 Well, let's first of all, look, not at the single thief, the 73 00:03:57,300 --> 00:04:00,600 thief that was saved. But let's look in just In 74 00:04:00,600 --> 00:04:02,600 general at the thieves. That surrounded. 75 00:04:02,600 --> 00:04:04,900 Jesus. Now typically we focus in the 76 00:04:04,900 --> 00:04:08,100 religious World on the thief that was saved but, you know, 77 00:04:08,100 --> 00:04:09,600 there was another thief there as well. 78 00:04:09,600 --> 00:04:13,000 In fact, I think his life would make a very interesting study 79 00:04:13,000 --> 00:04:17,000 because while one Thief came to accept Jesus Christ. 80 00:04:17,000 --> 00:04:20,399 The other came to revile Jesus Christ. 81 00:04:20,600 --> 00:04:23,500 But what about these two things? Well, first of all these two 82 00:04:23,500 --> 00:04:27,000 thieves probably had been what some of the worst people of 83 00:04:27,000 --> 00:04:29,800 society. We know that they were robbers 84 00:04:30,000 --> 00:04:33,000 and Likely, since they are crucified, they probably had 85 00:04:33,000 --> 00:04:35,000 other crimes to their credit as well. 86 00:04:35,000 --> 00:04:38,900 Maybe even murder because history tells us in some areas 87 00:04:38,900 --> 00:04:41,200 that Rome usually getting crucified. 88 00:04:41,200 --> 00:04:44,000 Someone who had just stolen something, but nonetheless, 89 00:04:44,000 --> 00:04:48,700 these men are robbers. They're probably even cohorts of 90 00:04:48,700 --> 00:04:51,200 Barabbas. You remember, Barabbas was the 91 00:04:51,200 --> 00:04:55,100 one who for had for Insurrection have been thrown in jail and 92 00:04:55,200 --> 00:04:58,800 prison and really should have been here on the cross for Jesus 93 00:04:58,900 --> 00:05:02,600 ended up there. That day, but the Jews that ask 94 00:05:02,600 --> 00:05:07,500 for Barabbas to be released from jail from prison set free and 95 00:05:07,500 --> 00:05:10,300 they wanted Jesus crucified instead. 96 00:05:10,300 --> 00:05:14,200 So it's very likely that these three individuals should have 97 00:05:14,200 --> 00:05:17,900 gone together in sort of a lump sum nonetheless. 98 00:05:17,900 --> 00:05:21,600 Now we have Jesus in the middle and we have these two thieves to 99 00:05:21,600 --> 00:05:23,400 the side. Now there's something very 100 00:05:23,400 --> 00:05:25,600 interesting that has nothing really to do with our study 101 00:05:25,600 --> 00:05:27,600 tonight but I'm going to throw this in because I find it 102 00:05:27,600 --> 00:05:29,400 interesting. You know, when we think about 103 00:05:29,400 --> 00:05:35,000 Barabbas You know, his name means the son of the father bar 104 00:05:35,000 --> 00:05:36,000 of us. You remember Sunday? 105 00:05:36,000 --> 00:05:39,400 We talked about Simon being the son of John. 106 00:05:39,400 --> 00:05:43,500 Bar Jonah, will Barabbas means the son of the father and it's 107 00:05:43,500 --> 00:05:47,100 sort of this Twist of irony to me that the Jews chose to 108 00:05:47,100 --> 00:05:50,100 release into the world, the son of the father. 109 00:05:50,300 --> 00:05:52,900 But really chose to crucify the father son. 110 00:05:53,200 --> 00:05:56,900 And so here are these two thieves be, you know, on the 111 00:05:56,900 --> 00:06:00,300 spot, blankie the father-son, or Jesus Christ. 112 00:06:00,600 --> 00:06:04,700 The Son of God and both of these thieves at first seemed to mock 113 00:06:04,700 --> 00:06:07,100 Jesus. In fact, it seems that, you 114 00:06:07,100 --> 00:06:10,400 know, initially neither one of them want to give credit to 115 00:06:10,400 --> 00:06:15,400 Jesus or accept who he is, but somewhere in that long hour of 116 00:06:15,400 --> 00:06:18,800 Agony on the cross, one of them has a change of mind. 117 00:06:18,800 --> 00:06:23,300 He begins to show remorse, and even comes to acknowledge Jesus 118 00:06:23,300 --> 00:06:27,700 as a king who's going to enter his kingdom and even to some 119 00:06:27,700 --> 00:06:31,500 degree and knowledge has that Jesus has some way that he can 120 00:06:31,500 --> 00:06:36,100 save him on a spiritual level. And so, then again, it's very 121 00:06:36,100 --> 00:06:37,900 interesting. These two thieves and the 122 00:06:37,900 --> 00:06:40,400 contrast they have. Well, you know, all of that 123 00:06:40,400 --> 00:06:43,100 proves that really prophecy is correct. 124 00:06:43,200 --> 00:06:46,700 Because over there in the book of Isaiah, Isaiah 53, a great 125 00:06:46,700 --> 00:06:49,400 chapter about the death of Jesus. 126 00:06:49,500 --> 00:06:53,800 He is said to die or we was going to die, you know, with the 127 00:06:53,800 --> 00:06:56,400 transgressors. Well, here he is literally 128 00:06:56,400 --> 00:07:00,300 numbered with the transgressors. I want to read the account, just 129 00:07:00,500 --> 00:07:03,300 The brief account in Luke's gospel, you can find little 130 00:07:03,300 --> 00:07:05,500 tidbits. Also, in other gospels about 131 00:07:05,500 --> 00:07:09,300 these two thieves, but in Luke 23, we find I think, probably 132 00:07:09,300 --> 00:07:13,600 the most complete account it says, and one of the criminals 133 00:07:13,600 --> 00:07:18,000 who was hanging there was hurling abuse at him saying, are 134 00:07:18,000 --> 00:07:22,100 you not the Christ? Save yourself and us, but the 135 00:07:22,100 --> 00:07:24,300 answer. The other answered rather and 136 00:07:24,300 --> 00:07:27,400 rebuking him said, do you not even fear God? 137 00:07:27,500 --> 00:07:31,800 Now obviously, this is after, you know, No, this one who is on 138 00:07:31,800 --> 00:07:34,300 the right side of things. Begin to study. 139 00:07:34,300 --> 00:07:37,700 His own condition and begins to look at Jesus and who he really 140 00:07:37,700 --> 00:07:40,400 was? So now, one Thief begins to take 141 00:07:40,400 --> 00:07:44,100 up for Jesus, whereas previously both had reviled Jesus. 142 00:07:44,300 --> 00:07:46,100 But the one Thief says listen to. 143 00:07:46,100 --> 00:07:48,800 Why do you talking about? Why are you acting this way 144 00:07:48,900 --> 00:07:52,800 toward this man Jesus Christ. He says, don't you even fear God 145 00:07:52,800 --> 00:07:56,100 since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? 146 00:07:56,300 --> 00:08:01,100 And then notice what he says he says, and we indeed justly For 147 00:08:01,100 --> 00:08:05,100 we are receiving what we deserve for our Deeds, but this man has 148 00:08:05,100 --> 00:08:08,900 done nothing wrong. And he was saying, Jesus. 149 00:08:08,900 --> 00:08:12,600 Remember me, when you come into your kingdom, and he said to 150 00:08:12,600 --> 00:08:17,300 him, Jesus says to him, truly, I say to you today, you will be 151 00:08:17,300 --> 00:08:21,300 with me in Paradise, so it's a very interesting conversation 152 00:08:21,400 --> 00:08:24,300 that first of all goes on between the two thieves. 153 00:08:24,300 --> 00:08:27,800 And then, of course, the thief, then with Jesus and how that 154 00:08:27,800 --> 00:08:32,500 Jesus rewards this man's penitent Behavior by saying, 155 00:08:32,500 --> 00:08:35,100 you're going to be with me in Paradise. 156 00:08:35,400 --> 00:08:39,299 Now, before we look at the details of this, why are so many 157 00:08:39,299 --> 00:08:43,100 interested in this one Thief? You know, I probably have heard 158 00:08:43,400 --> 00:08:48,500 maybe all of one or two sermons in my lifetime on the evil 159 00:08:48,500 --> 00:08:51,700 thief. And yet when I talk to friends 160 00:08:51,700 --> 00:08:54,400 in the religious World, especially the idea of the 161 00:08:54,400 --> 00:08:57,000 thief, on the cross comes up quite frequently. 162 00:08:57,400 --> 00:09:00,200 Why are we interested in this thief? 163 00:09:00,300 --> 00:09:04,200 On the cross that apparently has a repentant heart and whom 164 00:09:04,200 --> 00:09:06,900 apparently Jesus saves. Well, I think there are at least 165 00:09:06,908 --> 00:09:09,500 four reasons at least these are ones that I've kind of concocted 166 00:09:09,500 --> 00:09:12,500 into my own mind and I don't know that I think like everyone 167 00:09:12,500 --> 00:09:14,300 else. But nonetheless, I think there 168 00:09:14,300 --> 00:09:17,300 are four reasons perhaps that these this figure and Triggs 169 00:09:17,300 --> 00:09:19,400 intrigues Us. Number one I'm going to call 170 00:09:19,400 --> 00:09:22,800 that the sociological reason you know the this thief. 171 00:09:22,800 --> 00:09:26,200 This this thief that has this penitent change that comes about 172 00:09:26,200 --> 00:09:29,800 him represents. I think the sin that we often 173 00:09:29,800 --> 00:09:32,200 see in In our culture, in our society. 174 00:09:32,400 --> 00:09:34,100 You know, this man was an evil, man. 175 00:09:34,600 --> 00:09:36,700 All of those in Rome, even the Jews. 176 00:09:36,700 --> 00:09:40,200 Recognize this man, as an evil man, he was the worst of 177 00:09:40,200 --> 00:09:42,900 society. And of course, today we have 178 00:09:42,900 --> 00:09:46,800 those in our society who kind of are at the bottom and they, they 179 00:09:46,800 --> 00:09:49,900 intrigued us. So maybe at least for some, this 180 00:09:49,900 --> 00:09:52,200 man represents. You know, what Society can 181 00:09:52,200 --> 00:09:55,000 really fall to number two? I'm going to say the 182 00:09:55,000 --> 00:09:59,200 philosophical reason of the philosophical reason is, I think 183 00:09:59,200 --> 00:10:04,100 more along the Up up where this thief finds himself and the 184 00:10:04,100 --> 00:10:07,900 introspection that this thief has, you know, really, when we 185 00:10:07,900 --> 00:10:10,500 think about death, it's very serious. 186 00:10:10,900 --> 00:10:13,900 And most of us, I think, when we think about death, or maybe, if 187 00:10:13,900 --> 00:10:17,100 you've been around those who are dying, they become much less 188 00:10:17,100 --> 00:10:20,000 frivolous, and that's exactly what happens with this 189 00:10:20,000 --> 00:10:22,300 particular Thief. He begins to think quite 190 00:10:22,300 --> 00:10:26,000 seriously about his eternal State and begins to rebuke the 191 00:10:26,000 --> 00:10:27,900 other thief. And even asked, Jesus, listen. 192 00:10:27,900 --> 00:10:29,800 I know you're a king of some kind. 193 00:10:30,300 --> 00:10:33,700 Will you allow me to be in your kingdom when you enter into 194 00:10:33,700 --> 00:10:36,000 that? So, this man, obviously, had 195 00:10:36,000 --> 00:10:38,600 some philosophical things. Some deep philosophical, 196 00:10:38,600 --> 00:10:41,300 thoughts going on. I think there's also a 197 00:10:41,308 --> 00:10:44,700 theological reason that we're interested because, you know, 198 00:10:44,900 --> 00:10:47,800 when we see this thief on the cross, no matter what, we end up 199 00:10:47,800 --> 00:10:51,300 believing about his salvation or how he was saved. 200 00:10:51,400 --> 00:10:54,600 We see the grace and the mercy of a loving God. 201 00:10:54,800 --> 00:10:57,200 How can God takes someone if this so close? 202 00:10:57,400 --> 00:11:00,100 So close to his death and, you know, a man. 203 00:11:00,400 --> 00:11:04,200 Seems unredeemable and yet, he is redeemed, he saved. 204 00:11:04,200 --> 00:11:07,400 And we see the Abundant mercy and grace of God being poured 205 00:11:07,400 --> 00:11:10,100 out on this thief. So, obviously, from a 206 00:11:10,100 --> 00:11:14,200 theological perspective, this thief means a lot as we study 207 00:11:14,200 --> 00:11:17,300 him, but I think there's one more reason and I don't want to 208 00:11:17,300 --> 00:11:19,800 be pejorative. I don't want to poke, you know, 209 00:11:19,900 --> 00:11:23,700 accusing fingers at anyone. But typically, when I discuss 210 00:11:23,900 --> 00:11:27,500 the thief on the cross, with my friends, they're interested in 211 00:11:27,500 --> 00:11:29,900 the way. This man was saved simply 212 00:11:30,300 --> 00:11:34,600 Because of their argument that we do not have to be baptized to 213 00:11:34,600 --> 00:11:37,100 be saved. And that typically is what I 214 00:11:37,100 --> 00:11:38,700 hear. I don't hear so much about the 215 00:11:38,700 --> 00:11:43,000 other reasons or about the depth of God's grace and mercy as much 216 00:11:43,000 --> 00:11:47,200 as it is, seemingly a justification for us today on 217 00:11:47,200 --> 00:11:51,200 this side of the Cross, not to do what Jesus asks us to do. 218 00:11:51,200 --> 00:11:54,500 So that's really where I want to analyze the situation tonight. 219 00:11:54,500 --> 00:11:56,900 Now here's the way, the syllogism goes. 220 00:11:56,900 --> 00:12:00,500 Now some of the syllogism is just a way of stating Some 221 00:12:00,500 --> 00:12:03,100 logical facts if a and b are true. 222 00:12:03,100 --> 00:12:06,800 Then supposedly, see is true. By the way, a syllogism can be 223 00:12:06,800 --> 00:12:09,100 mistaken. And I think that's what this is 224 00:12:09,100 --> 00:12:11,200 when people use this argumentation. 225 00:12:11,400 --> 00:12:14,500 But here's the argumentation that I hear quite frequently. 226 00:12:14,500 --> 00:12:17,000 When I talk about the thief on the cross with folks, they'll 227 00:12:17,000 --> 00:12:21,500 say, you know, the thief on the cross was never baptized, he was 228 00:12:21,500 --> 00:12:26,300 not baptized and so, then when we look at this thief, he did 229 00:12:26,300 --> 00:12:30,100 not enter the Waters of baptism and yet Jesus premise to say, 230 00:12:30,300 --> 00:12:34,000 Saves the thief on the cross. So premise one, this thief was 231 00:12:34,000 --> 00:12:37,000 not baptized permits to this thief was saved. 232 00:12:37,000 --> 00:12:41,200 Therefore we can be saved today without baptism. 233 00:12:41,700 --> 00:12:45,100 Now on the surface, that sounds fairly logical. 234 00:12:45,400 --> 00:12:49,800 But now a syllogism has to also take into consideration, the 235 00:12:49,800 --> 00:12:53,900 facts surrounding the premises. And so as we're going to notice 236 00:12:53,900 --> 00:12:57,200 the syllogism breaks down because of several reasons and 237 00:12:57,200 --> 00:12:59,100 we want to start looking at those now. 238 00:12:59,100 --> 00:13:02,000 First of all, Just talk about the thief on the cross and 239 00:13:02,000 --> 00:13:04,900 whether he really was saved, you know, of course, there's the 240 00:13:04,900 --> 00:13:08,000 conversation that Jesus has today, you will be with me. 241 00:13:08,000 --> 00:13:11,200 In Paradise is Jesus. Just a plea saying, well, you 242 00:13:11,200 --> 00:13:13,800 know, today you're going to be dead like I'm going to be dead. 243 00:13:14,100 --> 00:13:18,600 Was there something more to that was Jesus really saving the 244 00:13:18,600 --> 00:13:20,900 thief on the cross, why they clear? 245 00:13:20,900 --> 00:13:24,800 The answer is yes because I think when we look at the idea 246 00:13:24,800 --> 00:13:28,100 of Paradise in the scriptures and that's interesting study, we 247 00:13:28,100 --> 00:13:32,700 won't go into it in depth but it truly Truly is a place of Joy. 248 00:13:32,700 --> 00:13:37,000 It's a place of great rejoicing and I think, as well notice in a 249 00:13:37,000 --> 00:13:40,700 moment, our Paradigm for that is going to be Luke 16 where that 250 00:13:40,700 --> 00:13:43,400 we have the story of the rich, man, the account of the rich, 251 00:13:43,400 --> 00:13:46,200 man and Lazarus. So what is Paradise? 252 00:13:46,200 --> 00:13:51,500 Well, Paradise is, shall we say the good part of The Departed 253 00:13:51,500 --> 00:13:54,900 Realm of the Dead? You see when we die having 254 00:13:54,900 --> 00:13:57,300 lived? Our Fate is fixed. 255 00:13:57,600 --> 00:14:00,100 And according to Luke 16, we enter. 256 00:14:00,300 --> 00:14:03,000 Either as we go into the realm of the Dead, which is called, 257 00:14:03,000 --> 00:14:06,900 the hadean realm, remember Sunday, we talked about Jesus 258 00:14:06,900 --> 00:14:09,800 saying he would go into the hadean realm and even the gates 259 00:14:09,800 --> 00:14:12,800 of Hades or Hades will not Prevail against him. 260 00:14:12,800 --> 00:14:16,100 Jesus was going to go into the Departed Realm of the dead. 261 00:14:16,100 --> 00:14:19,200 He was actually going to die. But apparently according to Luke 262 00:14:19,200 --> 00:14:24,500 16 that place of The Departed dead has, shall we say, two 263 00:14:24,500 --> 00:14:29,400 parts there appears to be from a human perspective of language, a 264 00:14:29,408 --> 00:14:31,800 great goal. If between the two, you can't 265 00:14:31,800 --> 00:14:35,100 cross back and forth. But those who are righteous. 266 00:14:35,100 --> 00:14:39,700 Such as Lazarus, was in Luke 16, go to a place called Paradise. 267 00:14:39,700 --> 00:14:44,300 It's also called Abraham's bosom, but those who are wicked, 268 00:14:44,300 --> 00:14:49,600 go to torment or to Taurus. Well, they're apparently, you 269 00:14:49,600 --> 00:14:53,400 will wait the final judgment and then, of course, the final fate. 270 00:14:53,800 --> 00:14:56,400 So, in other words, when Jesus says today, you're going to be 271 00:14:56,400 --> 00:14:58,500 with imperative. Well, with me in Paradise. 272 00:14:58,600 --> 00:15:02,900 I think we can in An emperor that Jesus himself is going to 273 00:15:02,900 --> 00:15:05,100 be in Paradise. That's what it means when he 274 00:15:05,100 --> 00:15:08,000 went into the hadean realm, he did not go to the fires of Hell, 275 00:15:08,000 --> 00:15:10,400 by the way, which I've heard some radio preachers, try to 276 00:15:10,400 --> 00:15:15,700 say, he went to paradise and along with him, he took the 277 00:15:15,700 --> 00:15:18,100 thief on the cross who was saved. 278 00:15:18,100 --> 00:15:21,800 And so, again, unsafe people don't end up in Paradise, 279 00:15:22,000 --> 00:15:25,000 theologically speaking. So, was this man saved? 280 00:15:25,100 --> 00:15:29,400 Yes, I believe he was safe. Now, here's where we begin to 281 00:15:29,400 --> 00:15:31,000 the end to get in. To a little bit more, the 282 00:15:31,000 --> 00:15:34,700 doctrinal side and that is, why was the thief on the cross? 283 00:15:34,700 --> 00:15:37,400 Baptized? Now we'll talk in a moment about 284 00:15:37,400 --> 00:15:40,000 you know what, Covenant, he lived under and that sort of 285 00:15:40,000 --> 00:15:44,800 thing, but was the thief on the cross baptized now typically, 286 00:15:44,900 --> 00:15:47,500 one would say, remember the syllogism. 287 00:15:47,700 --> 00:15:51,000 The thief was not baptized therefore I don't have to be 288 00:15:51,000 --> 00:15:53,700 baptized either today. That's kind of the argument 289 00:15:53,800 --> 00:15:56,500 people who want to diminish the importance. 290 00:15:56,500 --> 00:16:00,100 Yeah, the necessity of baptism would say well, the thief was 291 00:16:00,300 --> 00:16:02,800 Baptized do you have you ever thought about that? 292 00:16:03,000 --> 00:16:07,200 Because in reality that assertion is an unproven 293 00:16:07,200 --> 00:16:11,600 unwarranted assertion? We cannot say that the thief on 294 00:16:11,600 --> 00:16:16,200 the cross was not baptized. Now, we can say that the thief 295 00:16:16,200 --> 00:16:19,500 on the cross was not baptized with New Testament, baptism, 296 00:16:19,600 --> 00:16:22,900 that's true. But you realize that John the 297 00:16:22,900 --> 00:16:26,200 Forerunner of Jesus baptized for the remission of sins. 298 00:16:26,200 --> 00:16:30,600 You'll find that Mark 14 and so it is possible just as Possible 299 00:16:30,600 --> 00:16:33,800 as he wasn't that the thief on the cross was baptized. 300 00:16:33,800 --> 00:16:36,800 Now I'm not making a case that he was baptized. 301 00:16:37,000 --> 00:16:40,300 I'm just saying that when people argue that the thief on the 302 00:16:40,300 --> 00:16:45,100 cross was not baptized, that could be very likely a 303 00:16:45,100 --> 00:16:48,000 fallacious argument because he very well, may have been 304 00:16:48,200 --> 00:16:50,300 baptized. Now, let's look at the 305 00:16:50,500 --> 00:16:52,400 scriptures. That would at least give some 306 00:16:52,400 --> 00:16:55,300 circumstantial evidence in that direction. 307 00:16:55,500 --> 00:16:59,900 In Matthew chapter 3, it speaks of all of Jerusalem and Judea 308 00:17:00,200 --> 00:17:03,700 Going out and all of the region about going out and were 309 00:17:03,700 --> 00:17:07,200 baptized by John. Now, of course, we have to allow 310 00:17:07,200 --> 00:17:10,300 that this language does not include every single human being 311 00:17:10,300 --> 00:17:14,900 alive in Jerusalem and Judea. But we also have to allow that 312 00:17:14,900 --> 00:17:19,300 there are great masses of people going out and being baptized by 313 00:17:19,300 --> 00:17:21,099 John, having heard his preaching. 314 00:17:21,599 --> 00:17:25,300 And so it is possible. Anyway, that the thief was 315 00:17:25,300 --> 00:17:27,900 baptized in Luke 7. We find it when all the people 316 00:17:27,900 --> 00:17:30,100 heard him, even the tax collectors. 317 00:17:30,200 --> 00:17:34,200 Actors Justified God, having been baptized with the baptism 318 00:17:34,200 --> 00:17:36,700 of John. And so again Paul I'm not 319 00:17:36,700 --> 00:17:39,600 arguing that the thief was baptized. 320 00:17:39,700 --> 00:17:43,400 I'm saying that to say the thief was not baptized is not where we 321 00:17:43,400 --> 00:17:46,700 want to begin the discussion because again we can't prove 322 00:17:46,700 --> 00:17:50,300 that either way. We don't know if the thief was 323 00:17:50,300 --> 00:17:54,000 baptized with John's baptism, which by the way was for the 324 00:17:54,000 --> 00:17:57,200 remission of sins and was commanded for those on the other 325 00:17:57,200 --> 00:17:59,700 side of the Cross. Now the site of the cross that 326 00:17:59,700 --> 00:18:02,500 were on He's going to make a huge difference in this 327 00:18:02,500 --> 00:18:06,700 discussion and in our study tonight because those baptized 328 00:18:06,700 --> 00:18:10,200 for those living on the other side before Jesus died were 329 00:18:10,200 --> 00:18:13,500 under one Covenant as well. Notice and those who live this 330 00:18:13,500 --> 00:18:17,700 side as in today, from Jesus death on live under a New 331 00:18:17,700 --> 00:18:20,900 Covenant. So then what do we learn? 332 00:18:21,100 --> 00:18:25,100 Well, if the thief was baptized then of course he was completing 333 00:18:25,100 --> 00:18:28,100 the command for that time. Now, obviously, if he was 334 00:18:28,100 --> 00:18:32,000 baptized, he repented, he We need go on the repentance, but 335 00:18:32,000 --> 00:18:34,000 again, it would have been the baptism of John. 336 00:18:34,300 --> 00:18:37,600 John's baptism is only valid before the cross, and, of 337 00:18:37,600 --> 00:18:40,200 course, that's a great study in and of itself. 338 00:18:40,400 --> 00:18:43,400 But the point, again, I'm making is that before we just make a 339 00:18:43,400 --> 00:18:47,600 rash statement about this thief, we have to be careful that we 340 00:18:47,600 --> 00:18:51,900 don't consider all the facts. So the thief on the cross, then 341 00:18:52,700 --> 00:18:56,200 when we talk about his baptism or lack thereof, is not going to 342 00:18:56,200 --> 00:19:00,400 be a paradigm for our Salvation. Today, he again live Under 343 00:19:00,400 --> 00:19:03,000 another Covenant as well. Notice, he had a special 344 00:19:03,000 --> 00:19:05,500 relationship with Jesus as will notice. 345 00:19:05,900 --> 00:19:10,500 And so, then it is something we can learn lessons from, but I 346 00:19:10,500 --> 00:19:14,400 don't believe we can begin the argue about our salvation, by 347 00:19:14,400 --> 00:19:16,200 beginning with the thief on the cross. 348 00:19:16,500 --> 00:19:21,500 Now, here's something we need to understand until Jesus died on 349 00:19:21,500 --> 00:19:25,900 the cross and shed his blood. The old Covenant was still an 350 00:19:25,900 --> 00:19:30,700 effect, the thief died under the old wall. 351 00:19:30,700 --> 00:19:34,700 You know, today we live under a New Covenant in Hebrews chapter 352 00:19:34,700 --> 00:19:37,400 8. Verse 8, we find the promise of 353 00:19:37,408 --> 00:19:40,200 this New Covenant, in fact that begins really with Jeremiah 354 00:19:40,200 --> 00:19:43,700 31:31, Jeremiah prophesied. That there will be coming a day 355 00:19:43,700 --> 00:19:47,700 when a new covenant, not the Mosaic law, but a New Covenant 356 00:19:47,700 --> 00:19:51,100 would be given to God's people. But in Hebrews 8 verse 8, it 357 00:19:51,100 --> 00:19:53,000 says, and finding fault with them. 358 00:19:53,000 --> 00:19:57,100 That is the people God said, behold the days come when I will 359 00:19:57,100 --> 00:20:00,100 make a New Covenant with the house of Israel and with the 360 00:20:00,200 --> 00:20:04,000 House of Judah. So we know that the Jews look 361 00:20:04,000 --> 00:20:06,800 for a new covenant. We know, today we are under that 362 00:20:06,800 --> 00:20:09,200 New Covenant from what the New Testament tells us. 363 00:20:09,600 --> 00:20:13,600 We live under the New Covenant and Jesus was the mediator of 364 00:20:13,600 --> 00:20:15,600 that new covenant. Now a mediator is one that 365 00:20:15,600 --> 00:20:20,000 brings it into effect and until Jesus died of course that 366 00:20:20,000 --> 00:20:23,600 Covenant was not in effect. So when Jesus spoke with that 367 00:20:23,600 --> 00:20:26,700 man he was still alive. He was under the old Covenant, 368 00:20:26,900 --> 00:20:31,000 Hebrews 9 verse 15 says and for this cause he that is Christ is 369 00:20:31,000 --> 00:20:34,300 the mediator of the New Testament that by means of 370 00:20:34,300 --> 00:20:37,900 death, by the Redemption of the transgressions that were under 371 00:20:37,900 --> 00:20:41,100 the first testament. They were all they, that works 372 00:20:41,100 --> 00:20:45,500 are called might receive the promise of Eternal inheritance 373 00:20:45,900 --> 00:20:51,100 and that, also in Hebrews 12, 24 Jesus is the mediator of the New 374 00:20:51,100 --> 00:20:55,700 Covenant and so then we see then that Jesus was going to bring in 375 00:20:55,700 --> 00:21:00,500 a New Covenant, but trips like a will is not involve or Not in 376 00:21:00,500 --> 00:21:04,600 power until that the the person who makes it dies. 377 00:21:04,900 --> 00:21:09,800 So this man, the thief was living under a time before Jesus 378 00:21:09,800 --> 00:21:13,700 died and the new will came into effect so he therefore was under 379 00:21:13,700 --> 00:21:17,300 the Old Law. Now the thief died under the Old 380 00:21:17,300 --> 00:21:21,100 Testament and of course, there must be of necessity, the death 381 00:21:21,100 --> 00:21:25,500 of the one who makes the will before that will comes into 382 00:21:25,500 --> 00:21:27,800 effect. When Jesus again, spoke to the 383 00:21:27,800 --> 00:21:32,400 thief, on the cross, they both were Alive under the Old Law. 384 00:21:32,400 --> 00:21:34,800 You know, Jesus was born under the old wall. 385 00:21:35,000 --> 00:21:38,500 In fact, relations tells us, he was born under the law, born of 386 00:21:38,500 --> 00:21:42,400 a woman and he submitted himself to the law, but that law of 387 00:21:42,400 --> 00:21:45,400 course was going to eventually come to an end. 388 00:21:45,700 --> 00:21:47,200 And so here's what we need to learn. 389 00:21:47,200 --> 00:21:51,500 We must not attempt to justify ourselves today by going back to 390 00:21:51,500 --> 00:21:55,300 the old wall, whether that is specifically the Old Testament 391 00:21:55,400 --> 00:22:01,700 or a case example of Salvation, under the old, The law was taken 392 00:22:01,700 --> 00:22:03,700 out of the way it was nailed to the cross. 393 00:22:03,700 --> 00:22:07,700 Paul says, in Colossians, 2:14 and, of course, Paul even warned 394 00:22:07,700 --> 00:22:11,400 the Galatians that if they sought to be justified by the 395 00:22:11,400 --> 00:22:15,000 law, they had fallen from the grace system that God was 396 00:22:15,000 --> 00:22:17,900 bringing in through Jesus. Now, here's another point we 397 00:22:17,900 --> 00:22:21,100 need to consider. It doesn't really matter what 398 00:22:21,100 --> 00:22:24,700 this man, this thief on the cross and how he was saved 399 00:22:25,300 --> 00:22:28,600 directly anyway because, you know, Jesus had the power to 400 00:22:28,600 --> 00:22:31,900 forgive sins and Jesus. Us could tell someone at that 401 00:22:31,900 --> 00:22:34,700 period, your sins are forgiven and then tell us today. 402 00:22:34,700 --> 00:22:36,400 But here's what you need to do to be saved. 403 00:22:36,600 --> 00:22:41,300 And so we dare not go back and use a case like this, to prove 404 00:22:41,300 --> 00:22:45,900 what we need to do to be saved today, but Jesus had the power 405 00:22:45,900 --> 00:22:48,400 to forgive sins. In fact, you'll find on various 406 00:22:48,400 --> 00:22:50,400 occasions. In Mark, chapter 9 for time 407 00:22:50,400 --> 00:22:52,700 sake. I won't read that, but also in 408 00:22:52,700 --> 00:22:55,900 Luke 7, you'll find that on at least two occasions. 409 00:22:55,900 --> 00:22:59,300 Jesus, forgave people of their sins. 410 00:22:59,600 --> 00:23:02,900 So Jesus had Right? Even under the law of Moses to 411 00:23:02,900 --> 00:23:07,600 forgive people of their sins and did on various occasions. 412 00:23:07,900 --> 00:23:12,200 And so then he had the right to at the very last moment of the 413 00:23:12,200 --> 00:23:15,900 thief's life pronounce him to be sinless or to be forgiven 414 00:23:15,900 --> 00:23:20,200 anyway, and therefore, enjoy the Bliss of paradise. 415 00:23:20,600 --> 00:23:24,500 Now, we are not the thief today and I think that's one of the 416 00:23:24,500 --> 00:23:28,200 things that we have to look at when we interpret any Bible 417 00:23:28,200 --> 00:23:30,300 passage. We have to look at the context. 418 00:23:30,600 --> 00:23:33,900 We have to look at to whom the passage was written. 419 00:23:34,200 --> 00:23:37,200 We have to look at what other passages in the scripture. 420 00:23:37,200 --> 00:23:39,600 Say that's what we call. Hermeneutics. 421 00:23:39,600 --> 00:23:43,700 Are biblical interpretation, now, no matter what, Jesus said 422 00:23:43,700 --> 00:23:46,400 to the thief on the cross, we are not that thief. 423 00:23:46,800 --> 00:23:50,500 And so, what Jesus says to that, these may be interesting, it may 424 00:23:50,500 --> 00:23:55,100 even be applicable if we can find passages that demand that, 425 00:23:55,200 --> 00:23:58,900 but we are not that Thief, so we at least have to bear in mind 426 00:23:59,000 --> 00:24:01,600 that that is not written. Wrecked lie to us. 427 00:24:01,700 --> 00:24:05,200 It's there for our learning, of course, but it's not necessarily 428 00:24:05,400 --> 00:24:08,800 what we must do to be saved. Well, what do we need to do to 429 00:24:08,800 --> 00:24:12,900 be safe today? Well, we must be baptized, we 430 00:24:12,900 --> 00:24:15,000 must be, there's no way around it. 431 00:24:15,000 --> 00:24:18,600 In Matthew chapter 28, as Jesus gave the Great Commission. 432 00:24:18,900 --> 00:24:22,700 One of the last things Jesus says to his Apostles is go and 433 00:24:22,700 --> 00:24:27,300 preach to All Nations and baptize them in the name of the 434 00:24:27,300 --> 00:24:30,000 Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. 435 00:24:30,500 --> 00:24:35,200 He commands them to baptize. Now, this is after the thief is 436 00:24:35,200 --> 00:24:38,400 already dead and buried. This is after Jesus has arisen 437 00:24:38,400 --> 00:24:41,400 from the dead. This is the latest teaching so 438 00:24:41,400 --> 00:24:46,800 to speak and Jesus says baptism is absolutely essential in Mark. 439 00:24:46,800 --> 00:24:52,300 16 verse 16, he who believes Jesus says and is baptized will 440 00:24:52,300 --> 00:24:55,200 be saved. Now again, this is after the 441 00:24:55,200 --> 00:24:58,600 thief has already been pronounced saved, this is after 442 00:24:58,600 --> 00:25:00,100 Jesus death, burial and Resurrection. 443 00:25:00,300 --> 00:25:03,000 Correction. This is the latest word from the 444 00:25:03,000 --> 00:25:07,700 Savior and he says he that believeth and is baptized shall 445 00:25:07,700 --> 00:25:10,300 be saved. And so then no matter what Jesus 446 00:25:10,300 --> 00:25:14,500 had said to, the people previous those two examples or to the 447 00:25:14,500 --> 00:25:19,400 thief, this then supersedes that because this is the latest word 448 00:25:19,500 --> 00:25:21,900 from Jesus. Now what do we find as we go 449 00:25:21,900 --> 00:25:25,600 through the church history? Well, on the day of Pentecost, 450 00:25:25,600 --> 00:25:28,800 when the church was established in Acts chapter 2, when those 451 00:25:28,800 --> 00:25:32,800 that were listening to Peter's, Jean heard the gospel, preached, 452 00:25:32,900 --> 00:25:36,700 they were cut to the heart, they with Wicked handshake crucified, 453 00:25:36,700 --> 00:25:39,900 the Lord Of Glory and so they cried out men and Brethren. 454 00:25:39,900 --> 00:25:44,400 What shall we do? And Peter says repent and be 455 00:25:44,400 --> 00:25:48,700 baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the 456 00:25:48,700 --> 00:25:52,800 Forgiveness of your sins. Now, this is long after the 457 00:25:53,100 --> 00:25:57,800 thief on the cross has been pronounced on the cross saved. 458 00:25:57,800 --> 00:26:01,700 This is again, the latest word From the apostolic Authority 459 00:26:01,700 --> 00:26:03,800 about, what needs to be done to be safe. 460 00:26:03,800 --> 00:26:08,100 And so you see if we don't go back to the Old Testament or to 461 00:26:08,100 --> 00:26:13,000 that scenario of the Cross and the thief to prove what then we 462 00:26:13,000 --> 00:26:15,300 must do today. We look to the apostles Doctrine 463 00:26:15,300 --> 00:26:20,600 in Acts. 2:42 immediately, when the church was established, it 464 00:26:20,600 --> 00:26:27,200 says, they continued steadfastly in the apostles Doctrine, Peter 465 00:26:27,200 --> 00:26:30,900 later on many years, after his foibles and Weakness. 466 00:26:31,000 --> 00:26:34,500 As a young disciple would write this at an older age. 467 00:26:34,600 --> 00:26:38,500 He says as he speaks of Noah and the flood and how the waterborne 468 00:26:38,500 --> 00:26:42,400 Noah up and saved him. He says, corresponding to that 469 00:26:42,400 --> 00:26:46,000 baptism. Now saves, you not the removal 470 00:26:46,000 --> 00:26:49,600 of the dirt of the flesh but the appeal to God for a good 471 00:26:49,600 --> 00:26:52,900 conscience through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. 472 00:26:53,000 --> 00:26:57,000 And so Peter long after the church was established is still 473 00:26:57,000 --> 00:27:00,100 preaching and still writing that we must be. 474 00:27:00,200 --> 00:27:03,600 Sized to be saved. Now, is there anything then that 475 00:27:03,600 --> 00:27:05,100 we can learn from the people on the cross? 476 00:27:05,300 --> 00:27:08,000 Is it meaningless? Well, no, in fact, it's really 477 00:27:08,000 --> 00:27:10,300 quite significant. And I want to spend the last 478 00:27:10,300 --> 00:27:16,200 just a few minutes on the typical nature of the Salvation 479 00:27:16,200 --> 00:27:20,000 of the thief on the cross. Now, types and data types are 480 00:27:20,000 --> 00:27:24,600 types and shadows are replete in the Old Testament as they point 481 00:27:24,600 --> 00:27:27,200 to Jesus. For example, when we think of, 482 00:27:27,900 --> 00:27:32,600 you know, the the Lamb of God for Remembering John 1:29, John 483 00:27:32,600 --> 00:27:35,900 sees Jesus coming, he said, Behold the Lamb of God that 484 00:27:35,900 --> 00:27:37,900 takes away the sins of the world now. 485 00:27:37,900 --> 00:27:40,800 Where did John pick that up? Well, he picked that up, 486 00:27:40,800 --> 00:27:44,800 obviously, from the Old Law, because the lamb, for example, 487 00:27:44,900 --> 00:27:48,800 the Passover Lamb, surely pointed toward the Fulfillment 488 00:27:48,800 --> 00:27:51,500 that ultimately would come in Jesus Christ. 489 00:27:51,500 --> 00:27:55,200 He is the Fulfillment of the Lamb, Motif, and, of course, 490 00:27:55,200 --> 00:27:58,600 over and over in the Old Testament, you find things that 491 00:27:58,600 --> 00:28:03,000 that remind us are point us to things that are realities in the 492 00:28:03,000 --> 00:28:05,500 New Testament. The Tabernacle, for example, 493 00:28:05,500 --> 00:28:09,500 with its holy place and most holy Place, Hebrews indicates 494 00:28:09,500 --> 00:28:13,400 that that is a was a type of the church and Heaven. 495 00:28:13,600 --> 00:28:17,100 The priesthood, the aaronic priesthood, the levitical 496 00:28:17,100 --> 00:28:19,800 priesthood in the Old Testament points toward the priesthood of 497 00:28:19,800 --> 00:28:23,700 Believers and which of course we enjoy today as Christians. 498 00:28:23,700 --> 00:28:27,700 We can approach God In Prayer, the high priest of the Old 499 00:28:27,700 --> 00:28:32,400 Testament pointed ultimately to that Mediator, Jesus Christ. 500 00:28:32,600 --> 00:28:36,900 Who is the one that stands? As we are priests between us and 501 00:28:36,900 --> 00:28:38,700 God. He is the high priest and so 502 00:28:38,800 --> 00:28:42,500 over and over and over. We see these pictures and the 503 00:28:42,500 --> 00:28:45,900 Old Testament that are typical of the reality in the New 504 00:28:45,900 --> 00:28:48,400 Testament. Now we have to be careful with 505 00:28:48,400 --> 00:28:49,700 types. In fact we could do a whole 506 00:28:49,700 --> 00:28:53,600 study on that I suppose and again I even hesitated to call 507 00:28:53,600 --> 00:28:56,900 the thief on the cross is salvation at tight. 508 00:28:57,000 --> 00:28:59,900 I think it's if there's some parallels there. 509 00:29:00,200 --> 00:29:03,400 It may not be a type in the truest sense, but there are some 510 00:29:03,400 --> 00:29:07,400 things that I think are very interesting as we look at how 511 00:29:07,400 --> 00:29:11,600 the thief was saved and how the New Testament tells us we are 512 00:29:11,600 --> 00:29:15,300 saved today. Now, truly the thief lived under 513 00:29:15,300 --> 00:29:17,700 the old Covenant. He was never under the New 514 00:29:17,700 --> 00:29:21,800 Covenant, the thief again was you know directly pronounced 515 00:29:21,800 --> 00:29:25,200 being saved by Jesus. We don't have that today we have 516 00:29:25,200 --> 00:29:27,700 to comply with the New Covenant and with the words of Jesus 517 00:29:27,700 --> 00:29:31,200 Through the book. But there Similarities that I 518 00:29:31,200 --> 00:29:34,000 think are very interesting and very important. 519 00:29:34,000 --> 00:29:37,500 Now, again back to this idea of the type, you know, a type is 520 00:29:37,500 --> 00:29:40,900 kind of a picture here. We find a little chart, an 521 00:29:40,900 --> 00:29:45,700 ancient chart Old Chart where of course John 3:14 is quoted where 522 00:29:45,700 --> 00:29:49,300 it says that as Moses lifted up, the serpent in the wilderness so 523 00:29:49,300 --> 00:29:51,300 must the son of man be lifted up. 524 00:29:51,600 --> 00:29:54,000 You know the way I like to look at types and you'll have to 525 00:29:54,008 --> 00:29:56,400 excuse me. I hope I don't get too tied up 526 00:29:56,400 --> 00:29:58,200 in this. We're almost done by the way but 527 00:29:58,200 --> 00:30:02,800 you know, a type and a shadow or Or type and enter type is the 528 00:30:02,800 --> 00:30:04,900 way I like The Illustrated is like a tree. 529 00:30:05,300 --> 00:30:12,200 You know, if someone blindfold you and you feel a tree, you're 530 00:30:12,200 --> 00:30:15,700 going to know something about it or if you turn your back to the 531 00:30:15,700 --> 00:30:19,200 tree and the Sun is to your back and the tree, you can look out 532 00:30:19,200 --> 00:30:23,200 over the ground and you can see the Shadow and you may recognize 533 00:30:23,200 --> 00:30:26,300 that as a tree. But now, that shadow is not 534 00:30:26,300 --> 00:30:30,000 going to include the various individual leaves necessarily 535 00:30:30,700 --> 00:30:34,400 It's not going to necessarily show you the birds in the tree. 536 00:30:34,500 --> 00:30:37,000 It's like I show you the color. There are going to be many 537 00:30:37,000 --> 00:30:41,400 things even maybe fruit on that tree that the shadow never deals 538 00:30:41,400 --> 00:30:44,200 with because you can't see. Clearly you're looking at a 539 00:30:44,200 --> 00:30:46,400 shadow. But when you turn to the tree 540 00:30:46,400 --> 00:30:50,400 and you look at it face value, you're going to see the really 541 00:30:50,400 --> 00:30:52,400 reality of that tree. You're going to see the 542 00:30:52,400 --> 00:30:54,400 individual leaves are going to see the veins. 543 00:30:54,400 --> 00:30:56,000 In the leaves, are going to see the color. 544 00:30:56,000 --> 00:30:58,300 You're going to see, maybe even the squirrel or a bird in that 545 00:30:58,300 --> 00:31:00,300 tree. That's the real thing you see. 546 00:31:00,500 --> 00:31:02,600 Well, that's kind of the way the Old Testament and the New 547 00:31:02,600 --> 00:31:05,600 Testament is it's been said that the Old Testament is the New 548 00:31:05,600 --> 00:31:09,000 Testament, concealed and the New Testament is the Old Testament 549 00:31:09,000 --> 00:31:12,000 revealed. So when we look at those things 550 00:31:12,000 --> 00:31:15,500 under the old those ordinances and those various systems under 551 00:31:15,500 --> 00:31:17,800 the old wall, and then we turn to Jesus. 552 00:31:17,800 --> 00:31:20,300 We say, oh, that's what it was pointing to. 553 00:31:20,308 --> 00:31:23,500 You know, we see the Tabernacle in the priesthood and then we 554 00:31:23,500 --> 00:31:24,700 turn over here and look at the New Testament. 555 00:31:24,700 --> 00:31:28,900 He's like, oh, that's what was really be pointed towards and of 556 00:31:28,900 --> 00:31:30,100 course, that's a beautiful thing. 557 00:31:30,100 --> 00:31:34,600 If That he types in the Old Testament, but how is this 558 00:31:34,600 --> 00:31:36,400 thief? Think there are things that we 559 00:31:36,400 --> 00:31:41,200 can learn or that point toward at least, to some degree, our 560 00:31:41,200 --> 00:31:44,700 own salvation today. Well, let's read the account. 561 00:31:44,700 --> 00:31:47,900 One more time, we read in the beginning but it says I have one 562 00:31:47,900 --> 00:31:51,900 of the criminals who were hanged who was hanged there was hurling 563 00:31:51,900 --> 00:31:56,900 abuse at him saying, are you not the Christ, save yourself and us 564 00:31:57,200 --> 00:32:00,300 but the other answer and rebuking him said, do you not 565 00:32:00,400 --> 00:32:03,700 Not even fear God, since you are under the same sentence of 566 00:32:03,700 --> 00:32:08,800 condemnation and we indeed justly for we are receiving what 567 00:32:08,800 --> 00:32:12,100 we deserve of our Deeds, but this man has done nothing wrong. 568 00:32:12,100 --> 00:32:16,100 And he was saying to Jesus, Remember me, when you come into 569 00:32:16,100 --> 00:32:19,800 your kingdom and he said to him, truly, I say to you, you shall 570 00:32:19,800 --> 00:32:22,200 be with me in Paradise. So, here, we have that same 571 00:32:22,200 --> 00:32:26,600 little scenario and we have again, the change of heart, that 572 00:32:26,600 --> 00:32:29,500 kind of comes over this thief on the cross as he begins to 573 00:32:29,500 --> 00:32:31,500 recognize something. About Jesus. 574 00:32:31,700 --> 00:32:36,600 And as he begins to cry out to the only source of help that was 575 00:32:36,600 --> 00:32:39,200 there and could have ever helped him? 576 00:32:39,700 --> 00:32:42,300 Well, here's what we know about this thief, that was saved. 577 00:32:42,600 --> 00:32:47,600 Number one, he had heard enough somewhere to know that Jesus was 578 00:32:47,600 --> 00:32:51,500 the Messiah, or maybe he had observed enough to know that 579 00:32:51,500 --> 00:32:53,800 Jesus was the Messiah. How do we know that he thought? 580 00:32:53,800 --> 00:32:57,200 Jesus was the Messiah because he knew that Jesus had some kind of 581 00:32:57,200 --> 00:32:59,900 a spiritual Kingdom. Now, only the Messiah was going 582 00:32:59,900 --> 00:33:02,000 to have that At. So, when we look at what the 583 00:33:02,000 --> 00:33:05,600 thief says, and we read the implications of that, it becomes 584 00:33:05,600 --> 00:33:09,800 a very rich colorful picture, he believed that Jesus was deity. 585 00:33:10,200 --> 00:33:12,800 Now, how do I know that? Because here, emits, to the 586 00:33:12,800 --> 00:33:17,000 other, the other Thief that Jesus was not deserving of this 587 00:33:17,000 --> 00:33:19,700 punishment. He knew Jesus was special, he 588 00:33:19,700 --> 00:33:21,900 knew. Jesus apparently was sinless. 589 00:33:22,400 --> 00:33:24,100 Also, we see the change of heart. 590 00:33:24,100 --> 00:33:27,700 That's called repentance of this man, and we see that. 591 00:33:27,700 --> 00:33:32,400 Jesus is confessed basically to be The Son of God or deity, 592 00:33:32,600 --> 00:33:35,900 because this thief says, remember me when you come into 593 00:33:35,900 --> 00:33:38,300 your kingdom. Now, I don't know how much the 594 00:33:38,308 --> 00:33:41,500 thief knew in Nuance or in very little detail. 595 00:33:41,500 --> 00:33:46,300 Small minutely tail, but he knew enough to know that Jesus was 596 00:33:46,300 --> 00:33:50,300 the only salvation that he had there on the cross. 597 00:33:50,700 --> 00:33:53,600 So, what we might say about the repentant Thief, is that he 598 00:33:53,600 --> 00:33:59,500 heard, he believed he repented, he confessed and he died with 599 00:33:59,500 --> 00:34:02,300 Jesus. Us in death. 600 00:34:02,500 --> 00:34:04,300 Now that's very interesting because we're going to notice in 601 00:34:04,300 --> 00:34:09,500 the moment, we die with Jesus in death as well, but it's a 602 00:34:09,507 --> 00:34:12,199 different type of death. Well, what else can we say about 603 00:34:12,199 --> 00:34:15,600 the thief? Well, yes, he heard believed he 604 00:34:15,600 --> 00:34:20,500 repented, he confessed, but he died to sin by the physical 605 00:34:20,500 --> 00:34:22,500 death that he died. In other words when he died, he 606 00:34:22,500 --> 00:34:25,600 wasn't going to send any more, he died to sin. 607 00:34:26,000 --> 00:34:29,800 Now that's very interesting as well because we in the waters of 608 00:34:29,800 --> 00:34:32,800 baptism. Died to sin. 609 00:34:33,300 --> 00:34:36,400 So how are we saved? And how does the thief on the 610 00:34:36,408 --> 00:34:40,300 cross, give us insight into our own salvation? 611 00:34:40,500 --> 00:34:44,699 Well, we hear the gospel, do we? Not Romans 10:17, we believe the 612 00:34:44,699 --> 00:34:49,500 gospel Hebrews 11:6, we repent of our sins, Luke 13, Verse 3. 613 00:34:49,900 --> 00:34:52,400 We confess Jesus as the Son of God. 614 00:34:52,400 --> 00:34:56,000 Matthew, 10:32, and what happens? 615 00:34:56,400 --> 00:34:59,000 We died with Christ in baptism. The, how do I know that? 616 00:34:59,000 --> 00:35:01,100 Well, look what Paul says it. Romans 6. 617 00:35:01,300 --> 00:35:04,600 He says our do you not know that all of us who have been baptized 618 00:35:04,600 --> 00:35:07,900 into Christ? Jesus have been baptized into 619 00:35:07,900 --> 00:35:11,200 his death, baptism is a form of death. 620 00:35:11,400 --> 00:35:14,200 Therefore, we have been buried with him, through baptism into 621 00:35:14,200 --> 00:35:17,700 death, so that lack like as Christ or that as Christ was 622 00:35:17,700 --> 00:35:20,100 raised from the dead, through the glory of the father. 623 00:35:20,100 --> 00:35:23,500 So we too might walk in newness of life. 624 00:35:23,900 --> 00:35:27,900 For we have before, if we have become United with him in the 625 00:35:27,900 --> 00:35:32,600 likeness of his death, certainly We shall also be in the likeness 626 00:35:32,800 --> 00:35:35,400 of his resurrection. So what's Paul saying here, by 627 00:35:35,400 --> 00:35:37,600 the way, Romans 6 is one of those beautiful chapters they 628 00:35:37,600 --> 00:35:39,800 give us. I think the clearest picture of 629 00:35:39,800 --> 00:35:44,900 what baptism really is, it is a form of the death, the burial, 630 00:35:44,900 --> 00:35:49,100 and the resurrection of Jesus. We die to our sins were buried 631 00:35:49,100 --> 00:35:52,900 in the waters of baptism and we rise to walk in newness of life 632 00:35:52,900 --> 00:35:59,200 and so when we are baptized, we die with Jesus in baptism as 633 00:35:59,200 --> 00:36:00,900 Jesus died. Was very Buried. 634 00:36:00,900 --> 00:36:04,000 So, we die to our sin and we are buried. 635 00:36:04,400 --> 00:36:07,000 Well, what else? Well again, we died to sin as I 636 00:36:07,000 --> 00:36:08,900 just noted in baptism. How do we know this? 637 00:36:09,200 --> 00:36:13,000 Romans 6, verse 6. Knowing this, that our old man 638 00:36:13,400 --> 00:36:17,700 is crucified with Christ or crucified with him that the body 639 00:36:17,700 --> 00:36:21,700 of sin might be done away. So that we should no longer be 640 00:36:21,700 --> 00:36:26,700 slaves to sin for. He who has died has been freed 641 00:36:26,800 --> 00:36:32,300 from sin and so you see in the waters of baptism, We died to 642 00:36:32,300 --> 00:36:37,000 sin, we are buried with Christ and of course, we're raised to 643 00:36:37,000 --> 00:36:41,000 walk in newness of life. So, in conclusion this evening, 644 00:36:41,300 --> 00:36:43,500 what does the thief on the cross? 645 00:36:43,500 --> 00:36:46,700 Teach us, what can we learn about the thief on the cross? 646 00:36:46,700 --> 00:36:50,900 Well, number one, the thief on the cross may or may not have 647 00:36:50,900 --> 00:36:55,500 been baptized, but neither really doesn't matter in the 648 00:36:55,500 --> 00:36:59,300 sense, that that is not the Paradigm for our Salvation 649 00:36:59,300 --> 00:37:01,700 today. Number two, the thief on the 650 00:37:01,700 --> 00:37:06,400 cross died, under another law, then what we live under today? 651 00:37:06,900 --> 00:37:10,100 And just as we do not abide by the Articles of the 652 00:37:10,100 --> 00:37:13,900 Confederation that perhaps back before independence. 653 00:37:14,300 --> 00:37:18,400 So, that's the, we do not look back to the Old Testament to 654 00:37:18,400 --> 00:37:22,200 prove theologically what we do, either the thief salvation 655 00:37:22,200 --> 00:37:26,900 provides some parallels, but it's not a pattern for what we 656 00:37:26,900 --> 00:37:30,200 do to be saved, while something they point to another thing. 657 00:37:30,900 --> 00:37:33,800 That thing, that is the initial starting point is not 658 00:37:33,800 --> 00:37:37,500 necessarily that which the end product does. 659 00:37:38,000 --> 00:37:40,200 And I don't know if that makes any sense, but the point is is 660 00:37:40,200 --> 00:37:44,100 just because the thief could be saved by Jesus, speaking to him, 661 00:37:44,500 --> 00:37:48,400 does not mean, that's what Jesus says to us today, through his 662 00:37:48,400 --> 00:37:53,500 word Jesus say, the thief, but this does not change what Jesus 663 00:37:53,500 --> 00:37:57,600 says today to us. In order to in how we can be 664 00:37:57,600 --> 00:38:00,200 saved. And then, of course, lastly. 665 00:38:00,600 --> 00:38:05,000 We can only contact the blood of Jesus in baptism. 666 00:38:05,400 --> 00:38:09,900 There is no other way in the New Testament that we are told or 667 00:38:09,900 --> 00:38:13,500 optioned, so that we may contact the blood of Jesus, except for, 668 00:38:13,500 --> 00:38:16,000 in baptism. In fact, we can't even contact 669 00:38:16,000 --> 00:38:20,200 the death of Jesus anywhere. Other than in the waters of 670 00:38:20,200 --> 00:38:25,000 baptism in Romans 6 makes that extremely Vivid. 671 00:38:25,400 --> 00:38:27,800 And so then this evening when they do, you're talking to your 672 00:38:27,800 --> 00:38:31,300 friends or maybe believe this yourself and Well, you know, the 673 00:38:31,300 --> 00:38:34,700 thief on the cross was saved and he wasn't baptized there for 674 00:38:35,400 --> 00:38:38,700 maybe God will just save me, you know, God can do whatever he 675 00:38:38,707 --> 00:38:41,600 wants. But when God gives a strict 676 00:38:41,600 --> 00:38:46,500 command and it is law in his new testament pattern, I think we 677 00:38:46,500 --> 00:38:51,400 would be well off to obey, that rather than relying on a hunch 678 00:38:51,600 --> 00:38:56,300 or relying on false logic, about some case, such as the thief, on 679 00:38:56,300 --> 00:39:01,700 the cross, in the New Testament, We thank you for listening to 680 00:39:01,700 --> 00:39:06,500 our podcast, put on by the Church of Christ at 22:15 plans. 681 00:39:06,500 --> 00:39:10,000 Road in Bakersfield, if you would like any additional 682 00:39:10,000 --> 00:39:13,300 information or you would like to receive a free Bible 683 00:39:13,300 --> 00:39:18,800 correspondence, course by mail. Please email us at info at True 684 00:39:18,800 --> 00:39:21,200 Church of Christ Bakersfield.com. 685 00:39:21,900 --> 00:39:27,100 Our service times are on Sundays at 10:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. and 686 00:39:27,100 --> 00:39:31,500 Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m. Please make plans to join us. 687 00:39:32,100 --> 00:39:34,200 We would love for you to be our honored guest.