Pack Your Bags

M. L. Evans: “In the unfortunate event of the miscarriage of justice and several thousand years ensuing before my sentence is quashed, I will take a fire extinguisher.”

Heather Tanney: “I have immense trouble finding my way in this life, so I am extremely worried about the next.”

Sir David Wilcocks wants a pair of earplugs “in case the heavenly choirs, singing everlastingly, are not in tune.”

Maurice Godbold wants a crowbar “in case the affair proved premature.”

Obviously, we can take nothing.

Obviously, we can take nothing. “We brought nothing into the world, and we cannot

take anything out of the world” (1 Tm 6:7, ESV).

We need to pack for that life, for sooner or later, we shall enter it.

We need to pack for that life, for sooner or later, we shall enter it. “Death spread to all men because all sinned” (Rom

5:12, ESV).

5:12, ESV). Every hour approximately 5,417 people die.

5:12, ESV). Every hour approximately 5,417 people die. That‟s

over 47 million a year!

We do not know how we shall leave this life.

We do not know how we shall leave this life. It doesn‟t matter how we shall leave this world, for

we shall leave it!

we shall leave it! While he waits until the last possible moment, the

penitent thief on the cross illustrates how we can prepare.

Luke 23:39-43.

Luke 23:39-43.▪ The thief readied three bags while he prepared to die.

Luke 23:39-43.▪ The thief readied three bags while he prepared to die.▪ THE BAG OF CONTRITION, THE BAG OF

CONFESSION, & THE BAG OF CHRIST.

vv 39-41

“One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him, saying, „Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!‟ But the other rebuked him, saying, „Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong‟ ” (vv 39-41, ESV).

Jesus was crucified between two thieves (Mk 15:27).

Jesus was crucified between two thieves (Mk 15:27). One thief can think of nothing but himself & his agony.

▪ Crucifixion was a horrible way to die.

▪ Crucifixion was a horrible way to die.▪ Nerves were often severed in the arms & legs.

▪ Crucifixion was a horrible way to die.▪ Nerves were often severed in the arms & legs.▪ The way one was placed on the cross made breathing nearly

impossible.

▪ This thief shows no remorse, but he wants Jesus to save him.

▪ This thief is asking Jesus to get him off the cross.

▪ This thief is asking Jesus to get him off the cross. ▪ “Those who passed by derided him, wagging their heads

and saying, „You who would destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save yourself! If you are the Son of God, come down from the cross‟ ” (Mt 27:39-40, ESV).

▪ This thief is asking Jesus to get him off the cross. ▪ Mt 27:39-40.▪ “The chief priests, with the scribes and elders, mocked him,

saying, „He saved others; he cannot save himself. He is the King of Israel; let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him‟ ” (Mt 27:41-42, ESV).

How many are just like him?

How many plan for retirement, but not for eternity?

How many plan for retirement, but not for eternity? How many work for a promotion, but fail to “work

out [their] own salvation with fear and trembling” (Phil 2:12, ESV)?

The other thief packed the BAG OF CONTRITION—he showed genuine remorse.

The other thief packed the BAG OF CONTRITION—he showed genuine remorse. “We are receiving the due reward of our deeds” (v 41,

ESV). He recognizes that he is being rightly put to death.

The entire text makes clear that this thief was truly contrite.

The entire text makes clear that this thief was truly contrite. He chastises his fellow thief for refusing to fear God.

The entire text makes clear that this thief was truly contrite. He chastises his fellow thief for refusing to fear God. He freely admits that he is rightfully being put to

death.

The entire text makes clear that this thief was truly contrite. He chastises his fellow thief for refusing to fear God. He freely admits that he is rightfully being put to

death. The greatest evidence of his contrition is that Jesus

forgives him.

Without contrition—repentance—there can be no forgiveness.

Without contrition—repentance—there can be no forgiveness. “Unless you repent, you will . . . likewise perish” (Lk

13:3, 5, ESV).

Without contrition—repentance—there can be no forgiveness. “Unless you repent, you will . . . likewise perish” (Lk

13:3, 5, ESV). “Repent therefore, and turn again, that your sins may

be blotted out” (Acts 3:19, ESV).

Are you like the thief who thinks of nothing but the here-and-now?

Do you willingly show contrition?

vv 41-42

The thief confesses two truths about Jesus.

The thief confesses two truths about Jesus. He recognizes that Jesus is innocent.

The thief confesses two truths about Jesus. He recognizes that Jesus is innocent. He recognizes that Jesus has a kingdom.

“ „This man has done nothing wrong.‟ And he said, „Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom‟ ” (vv 41-42, ESV).

This thief fully recognizes that Jesus has done nothing worthy of death.

This thief fully recognizes that Jesus has done nothing worthy of death. At Jesus‟ trial, no evidence of a crime could be found.

▪ “Now the chief priests and the whole Council were seeking false testimony against Jesus that they might put him to death, but they found none, though many false witnesses came forward” (Mt 26:59-60, ESV).

▪ Mt 26:59-60.▪ Finally, they were able to find a couple to bring forth

“evidence” that would crucify Jesus.

▪ Mt 26:59-60.▪ Finally, they were able to find a couple to bring forth

“evidence” that would crucify Jesus: “At last two came forward and said, „This man said, “I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to rebuild it in three days” ‟ ” (Mt 26:60-61, ESV).

This thief fully recognizes that Jesus has done nothing worthy of death. At Jesus‟ trial, no evidence of a crime could be found. Jesus never committed a capital crime, for he never

sinned.

sinned.▪ “We do not have a high priest who is unable to

sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin” (Heb 4:15, ESV).

sinned.▪ Heb 4:15.▪ “He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his

mouth” (1 Pt 2:22, ESV).

The penitent thief also recognized that Jesus has a kingdom.

The penitent thief also recognized that Jesus has a kingdom. Confessing that Jesus has a kingdom is tantamount of

confessing him as the Messiah.

confessing him as the Messiah.▪ The Old Testament recognized that the Messiah would

have a kingdom.

have a kingdom.▪ “To us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the

government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and uphold it” (Is 9:6-7, ESV).

have a kingdom.▪ Is 9:6-7.▪ “I saw in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of

heaven there came one like a son of man, and he came to the Ancient of Days and . . . . to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom” (Dan 7:13-14, ESV).

confessing him as the Messiah.▪ The New Testament ties Jesus‟ Messiahship with his

Kingship.

Kingship.▪ The magi: “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews?

For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him” (Mt 2:2, ESV).

Kingship.▪ Mt 2:2.▪ In preparing the way for Jesus as the Messiah, John the

Baptist proclaimed: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Mt 3:2, ESV).

If we are to “PACK OUR BAGS” for the next world, we must pack the BAG OF CONFESSION.

If we are to “PACK OUR BAGS” for the next world, we must pack the BAG OF CONFESSION. “Everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also

will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven” (Mt 10:32, ESV).

If we are to “PACK OUR BAGS” for the next world, we must pack the BAG OF CONFESSION. “Everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also

will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven” (Mt 10:32, ESV).

“If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved” (Rom 10:9, ESV).

But, we can‟t just confess faith before baptism & be done with confessing Jesus as the Messiah.

But, we can‟t just confess faith before baptism & be done with confessing Jesus as the Messiah. “Fight the good fight of faith. Take hold of the eternal

life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. I charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who in his testimony before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, to keep the commandment unstained and free from reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Tm 6:12-14, ESV).

But, we can‟t just confess faith before baptism & be done with confessing Jesus as the Messiah. 1 Tm 6:12-14.

▪ Timothy had “made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.”

▪ But, that did not end his obligation to his confession.

▪ But, that did not end his obligation to his confession: He was to keep the commandment “unstained and free from reproach” until the return of Christ.

Do you need to pack the BAG OF CONFESSION this morning?

vv 42-43

“He said, „Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.‟ And he said to him, „Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise‟ ” (vv 42-43, ESV).

The penitent thief packed the BAG OF CHRIST by receiving Jesus‟ pardon.

The penitent thief packed the BAG OF CHRIST by receiving Jesus‟ pardon. “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in

Paradise.”

Paradise.” The word “Paradise” has a quite intriguing usage.

▪ The word is a Persian, not Greek, term.

▪ The word is a Persian, not Greek, term.▪ It refers to the beautiful gardens Persian kings are known to

have built.

have built.▪ Nebuchadnezzar‟s Hanging Gardens was one of the Seven

Wonders of the Ancient World.

have built.▪ Nebuchadnezzar‟s Hanging Gardens was one of the Seven

Wonders of the Ancient World.

▪ The Jews came to use the term to refer to the abode where the righteous await the Judgment.

The penitent thief packed the BAG OF CHRIST by receiving Jesus‟ pardon.

Jesus, thus, promises the penitent thief salvation by promising him a place in the abode of the righteous.

Many have claimed that this thief is absolute proof one does not need to submit to baptism.

Many have claimed that this thief is absolute proof one does not need to submit to baptism. But, you cannot prove that the thief was not baptized.

▪ In debates, the one making an assertion must prove his case.

▪ The prosecution must prove “beyond a reasonable doubt” the guilt of the defendant.

▪ But, it cannot be proved that this thief never received baptism.

▪ Granted, he was not baptized while on the cross.

▪ Granted, he was not baptized while on the cross.▪ “All the country of Judea and all Jerusalem were going

out to him and were being baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins” (Mk 1:5, ESV).

out to him and were being baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins” (Mk 1:5, ESV).▪ I do not know if this thief was part of those going out to John

to be baptized.

out to him and were being baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins” (Mk 1:5, ESV).▪ I do not know if this thief was part of those going out to John

to be baptized.▪ But, it cannot be established that he wasn‟t.

Many have claimed that this thief is absolute proof one does not need to submit to baptism. It is often said that the thief died before the New

Testament went into effect.

Testament went into effect.▪ But, Jesus brought the New Testament into effect with his

death.

death.▪ “He is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who

are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance, since a death has occurred that redeems them from the transgressions committed under the first covenant. For where a will is involved, the death of the one who made it must be established. For a will takes effect only at death, since it is not in force as long as the one who made it is alive” (Heb 9:15-17, ESV).

death.▪ Jesus died before the thief died (Jn 19:31-37).

death.▪ Jesus died before the thief died (Jn 19:31-37).▪ Therefore, I do not know how much weight this argument

carries.

Many have claimed that this thief is absolute proof one does not need to submit to baptism. Regardless of all that, Jesus—while on earth—could

forgive the sins of those whom he wished.

forgive the sins of those whom he wished.▪ “The Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”

(Mk 2:10, ESV).

(Mk 2:10, ESV).▪ Jesus, therefore, had the absolute right to forgive this

thief.

(Mk 2:10, ESV).▪ Jesus, therefore, had the absolute right to forgive this

thief.

Who am I to argue with Jesus?????

He found the forgiveness Jesus freely offers.

Do you need to be baptized into Jesus to “PACK YOUR BAGS”?

Pack Your Bags

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