Sermon Notes

The Seven Last Words of Jesus
Luke 23:33-43
Clay Smith JFBC

I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in Paradise: what does Jesus mean? Jesus is hanging on a cross next to two criminals, dying a degrading death. 

What is paradise? Movies depict paradise in different ways, so do different religions. Some are temporary pleasures. Christianity says we will go to to a place of blessing with God after death, to be there forever.

Walled gardens, in the ancient world. Inside it's lush and green, outside an arid desert. Rev 2:7 eat from the tree of life.

John 10:27-28 "I give them eternal life". Bodies hung on a tree of death

Jesus hung with two criminals:  who responded to Jesus differently. One mocked, insulted Jesus. Her 17:9 the heart is desperately sick - the worst thing to do is to follow your heart.

If we are using Jesus for our own selfish desires, we are like those two criminals.

The other criminal repented and changed his mind.

Stages of repentance …

1. He realized his hopelessness Rom 3:23 all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

2. He realizes he can't fix the problem he's in. The prodigal son tried to fix things by getting a job feeding pigs.

3. He realizes that Jesus is indeed the Christ. He says "this man has done nothing wrong". Still this isn't enough. John 1:1-14 the demons also believe, and shudder. You have to say that Jesus is MY king, MY Lord.

4. He pleads with Jesus for his salvation. 2 Cor 5 Jesus was in the world reconciling the world to Himself.

What do you say when God asks why should I let you in to my heaven? The only answer doesn't start with a personal pronoun - not I or me. On what basis gets you in heaven? The man on the middle cross said I could come.

Even in your dying breath you can come to be saved by Jesus. Just don't assume you will have time for a dying breath.

5. Don't lose sight of God's mercy. Romans 12:1 offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable, which is your spiritual service of worship

We are all here in this service for the same reason. Do you know for certain that you are going to heaven? Don't lose your first love. Don't forget God's mercy.

Move week events…
Friday March 1 BBQ dinner
Saturday March 2 brunch at Earharts

 Sat March 2 dessert at Harrell's

Talked to classmate Gary, who shepherded Caleb in high school. Last night Anna threw a dinner party for friends. She used some of her "new" china.

ERIC DAVIS [SABR Bio] lent his bat to Fernando Tatis, and then Tatis then hit two grand slams in one inning. In L.A. on 23-Apr-1999, St Louis' Tatis performed his monumental feat with the aid of Davis' bat. Davis did not play in that game. Davis spent 1993 & 1994 with the Tigers. He received MVP votes in each of his first five seasons in the majors, in 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, and 1990. Only once during that streak was he in the top 10, but his consistency was noticed by many. Davis' 30-game hitting streak in 1998 (from 12-Jul to 15-Aug) is the best in Baltimore Oriole history. The top hitting streak for the franchise is held by the Brown's George Sisler, whose 41 gamer came in 1922, the year he hit .420 and won AL MVP.