What causes a man to change? n n The enormity of conversion must not be understated. (1 Tim 1:12-14)

What causes a man to change?

The enormity of conversion must not be understated. (1 Tim 1:12-14)


1 Timothy 1:12-14 (NKJV) – 12 And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me, because He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry, 13 although I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man; but I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. 14 And the grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant, with faith and love which are in Christ Jesus.


Could this man change? (Acts 9:1)


Acts 9:1 (NKJV) - 1 Then Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest


Change comes in unexpected places.


Change comes in unexpected places. Those who should have been the first to

receive the gospel often reject it because of pride. (John 1:11-12)


John 1:11-12 (NKJV) - 11 He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. 12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name:


Even though the gospel was to be preached to the “Jew first” it was received in a greater way by the Gentiles. (Rom 10:20-21)


Romans 10:20-21 (NKJV) – 20 But Isaiah is very bold and says: “I was found by those who did not seek Me; I was made manifest to those who did not ask for Me.” 21 But to Israel he says: “All day long I have stretched out My hands To a disobedient and contrary people.”


Do you consider yourself to have good Bible knowledge? Were you “raised in the church” and have a confidence in your stand for the Lord?


Do you consider yourself to have good Bible knowledge? Were you “raised in the church” and have a confidence in your stand for the Lord?

Please be sure you have a tender heart before the Lord and have been converted to Him. Religious status and pride is one of Satan’s greatest weapons. (Mt 5:3)


Matthew 5:3 (NKJV) - 3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Why was the thief on the cross that day?

They had committed crimes worthy of death. (Lk 23:32-33; Mt 27:38)


Luke 23:32-33 (NKJV) – 32 There were also two others, criminals, led with Him to be put to death. 33 And when they had come to the place called Calvary, there they crucified Him, and the criminals, one on the right hand and the other on the left.


Matthew 27:38 (NKJV) - Then two robbers were crucified with Him, one on the right and another on the left.


There was no defense made by the one theif who heart was opened. (Lk 23:41)


Luke 23:41 (NKJV) - And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong.”


Why were they crucified at this time? It had nothing to do with these men!


Jesus had experienced a night of unlawful trials at the hands of the Jewish leaders and Pilate.



They lacked a specific established charge against Jesus.




Neither the arrest or trial should occur after sunset. Jesus has 6 trials during this time.




Neither the arrest or trial should occur after sunset. Jesus has 6 trials during this time.

No case involving a capitol offense could involve a single day.


They changed the charge when they came to Pilate. (Lk 23:2)


Luke 23:2 (NKJV) - And they began to accuse Him, saying, “We found this fellow perverting the nation, and forbidding to pay taxes to Caesar, saying that He Himself is Christ, a King.”


Pilate declared Jesus innocent and then had him crucified. (Lk 23:4)


Luke 23:4 (NKJV) - So Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowd, “I find no fault in this Man.”


These thieves were crucified on that day to serve as props!



Those who new the character of the thieves would agree with their execution.




Jesus’ presence between these two men might allow the shallow to conclude “guilt by association!”




Jesus’ presence between these two men might allow the shallow to conclude “guilt by association!”

The thieves likely knew their execution was rushed to make Jesus appear guilty!


This is likely why they cursed Him. (Mt 27:44)


They saw the Friends of Jesus.(Lk 23:27-31)


Luke 23:27-31 (NKJV) - And a great multitude of the people followed Him, and women who also mourned and lamented Him. 28 But Jesus, turning to them, said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for Me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. 29 For indeed the days are coming in which they will say, ‘Blessed are the barren, wombs that never bore, and breasts which never nursed!’


30 Then they will begin ‘to say to the mountains, “Fall on us!” and to the hills, “Cover us!”’ 31 For if they do these things in the green wood, what will be done in the dry?”


Jesus had friends who were not ashamed to stand with Him.



Men of character have an influence.



Men of character have an influence. Did the thieves have any friends?



Men of character have an influence. Did the thieves have any friends? Jesus' concern was for these friends, and not

Himself!


They saw the Intense hatred of the religious leaders. (Lk 23:35; Mt 27:39-44)


Luke 23:35 (NKJV) - And the people stood looking on. But even the rulers with them sneered, saying, “He saved others; let Him save Himself if He is the Christ, the chosen of God.”


Matthew 27:39-44 (NKJV) - And those who passed by blasphemed Him, wagging their heads 40 and saying, “You who destroy the temple and build it in three days, save Yourself! If You are the Son of God, come down from the cross.” 41 Likewise the chief priests also, mocking with the scribes and elders, said,


42 “He saved others; Himself He cannot save. If He is the King of Israel, let Him now come down from the cross, and we will believe Him. 43 He trusted in God; let Him deliver Him now if He will have Him; for He said, ‘I am the Son of God.’” 44 Even the robbers who were crucified with Him reviled Him with the same thing.


If someone, knowing nothing, had walked upon this scene, what would he think?



What were the leaders saying? "Taunts that offer a tribute.



What were the leaders saying? "Taunts that offer a tribute.“

These are the judges, the religious leaders glorying in a man's suffering. Even vile criminals are allowed to die without this kind of surrounding.


Many in this audience will have a chance to rethink this. (Acts 2:36-37)


Acts 2:36-37 (NKJV) - “Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.” 37 Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?”


They saw the crucified Jesus.


They saw the crucified Jesus. How did He react to His enemies?

(Lk 23:34)


Luke 23:34 (NKJV) - Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.”


And they divided His garments and cast lots.


The greatest influence one can have is to do right while suffering.(1 Pt 2:21-25)


1 Peter 2:21-25 (NKJV) - For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: “Who committed no sin, Nor was deceit found in His mouth”; 23 who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously; 24 who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed.


25 For you were like sheep going astray, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.


Now this is the word which by the gospel was preached to you.


Contrast Jesus’ reaction to the thieves. This example opened one heart that day.

The Progression of genuine change

You realize the greatness of your own sin.


You realized the greatness of your own sin. One thief offered no more excuses.

(Luke 23:40-41)


Luke 23:40-41 (NKJV) - But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, “Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? 41And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong.”


Too many people refuse to see and are self-deceived. Ex. My past concept.


Too many people refuse to see and are self-deceived. Ex. My past concept.

If we could only see the cross! (Gal 3:1)


Galatians 3:1 (NKJV) - foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you that you should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed among you as crucified?


One has said, you can tell what a person thinks about their past sins when they talk about them. Do they show shame, or glory?


One has said, you can tell what a person thinks about their past sins when they talk about them. Do they show shame, or glory?

You take a stand for Jesus. (Lk 23:39-40)


Luke 23:39-40 (NKJV) - Then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him, saying, “If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us.”40 But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, “Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation?


A hatred of sin demands this. (Heb1:9)


Hebrews 1:9 (NKJV) - You have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness; Therefore God, Your God, has anointed You With the oil of gladness more than Your companions.”


A hatred of sin demands this. (Heb1:9) Hebrews 1:9 (NKJV) - You have loved

righteousness and hated lawlessness; Therefore God, Your God, has anointed You With the oil of gladness more than Your companions.”

A love for Jesus demands this.


Strong love moves us to naturally protect and follow the one we love.



If you started saying hateful things about my parents I will not be quiet.



If you started saying hateful things about my parents I will not be quiet.

You cast yourself on the Lord's mercy. (Lk 23:42)


Luke 23:42 (NKJV) - hen he said to Jesus, “Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.”


One thief asked for help “just in case.” He wanted a selfish escape. (Lk 23:39)


Luke 23:39 (NKJV) - Then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him, saying, “If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us.”


The other thief just wanted to be with Jesus.


The other thief just wanted to be with Jesus. What a change! But remember there were 2

thieves.

Wrong Lessons From the Thief

Do not trust in death bed regret. (Prov 1:24-30)


Proverbs 1:24-30 (NKJV) - Because I have called and you refused, I have stretched out my hand and no one regarded, Because you disdained all my counsel, And would have none of my rebuke, I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your terror comes, 27 When your terror comes like a storm, And your destruction comes like a whirlwind,


When distress and anguish come upon you. 28 “Then they will call on me, but I will not answer; They will seek me diligently, but they will not find me. 29 Because they hated knowledge And did not choose the fear of the Lord, 30 They would have none of my counsel And despised my every rebuke.


Sermon title on sign: "The Most Popular Thief in Town".


Sermon title on sign: "The Most Popular Thief in Town".

Rejection of the gospel will harden your heart. (1 Tim 4:2)


1 Timothy 4:2 (NKJV) - speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron,


You may die! Ex. Door to door... 3005.


You may die! Ex. Door to door... 3005. Do not conclude that baptism is not

necessary to salvation.


You may die! Ex. Door to door... 3005. Do not conclude that baptism is not

necessary to salvation. Why not go to verses that mention Baptism

and Salvation in the same verse? (Acts 2:38; 22:16)


Acts 2:38 (NKJV) - Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.


Acts 22:16 (NKJV) - And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.’


Jesus had power on earth to forgive sins. (Mark 2:10)


Jesus had power on earth to forgive sins. (Mark 2:10)

Jesus lived and died under the Old Law. Ex. Income Tax1913. (Heb10:9-10)


Hebrews 10:9-10 (NKJV) - then He said, “Behold, I have come to do Your will, O God.” He takes away the first that He may establish the second. 10 By that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.


Who would you want to be like, the Pharisees or the thief? (Lk 7:29-30)


Luke 7:29-30 (NKJV) - And when all the people heard Him, even the tax collectors justified God, having been baptized with the baptism of John. 30But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the will of God for themselves, not having been baptized by him.


How could the thief be baptized into the death of Christ before Christ died? (Rom 6:3-4; 10:9-10)


Romans 6:3-4 (NKJV) - Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? 4Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.


Romans 10:9-10 (NKJV) - that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.


Is your glory in the Cross? (Gal 6:14)


Galatians 6:14 (NKJV) - But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.

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What causes a man to change? n n The enormity of conversion must not be understated. (1 Tim 1:12-14)