Three Men on a Hill
A. WE OFTEN SPEAK OF THE CROSS OF CALVARY – BUT THERE WERE THREE.
B. WHY WERE THEY CRUCIFIED?
1. The cowardice of Pilate crucified Jesus (John 19:38; Matt. 27:22-24).
2. The other two were criminals (Luke 23:32; Matt. 27:38).
C. LET’S LOOK AT EACH OF THESE CROSSES AND THE MEN WHO DIED ON THEM.
A. AN UNREPENTANT ROBBER (Eph. 4:28).
1. Physical consequence to his crime (Rom. 13:3-5).
2. Physical consequence serves to discipline (Heb. 12:9-10).
B. REBELLED AGAINST THE LAWS OF GOD AND MAN (Rom. 3:23; 1 John 3:4).
C. HE RAILED AGAINST JESUS RIGHT UP TO THE END (Luke 23:39; Eph. 4:29).
D. HIS CROSS WAS THE LEAST OF HIS PROBLEMS.
1. There is a sin unto death (1 John 5:16).
No chance for one who dies without repentance.
2. Dead in sin (Eph. 2:1, 11-12) NO HOPE.
3. No heaven (John 8:21).
4. Eternal fire (Matt. 25:41, 46).
a. Jesus’ picture of hell (Mark. 9:48). Unquenched fire, undying worms.
b. Annihilation or Eternal suffering (Matt. 25:41; Rev. 20:10).
A. ALSO A ROBBER, DYING FOR HIS CRIME.
B. RECOGNIZED HIS SIN.
1. A time for honesty (1 John 1:8, 10)
2. Sorrow for sin (James 4:8-10), not for getting caught.
3. Godly sorrow works repentance (2 Cor. 7:10).
C. WASN’T IT TOO LATE – ON THE CROSS?
1. He acknowledged Jesus’ innocence (Luke 23:41).
2. His authority as king (Acts 2:36).
3. He desired mercy in some degree (Luke 23:42).
D. Acts 2:38. WHY WASN’T HE BAPTIZED?
1. Lived and died under the Old Covenant (Mark 2:10). FREE AT LAST!
2. When do we die to sin? (Rom. 6:1-7, 11, 12-13).
A. HE DIED FOR OUR SINS (Gal. 1:4; 1 Cor. 15:3).
1. He paid the price for our sins (2 Cor. 5:14-15).
2. A vicarious death (1 Pet. 2:24).
3. God’s plan (Acts 2:22-24; 1 Pet. 1:18-20). REDEEMED!
B. IT WAS A CROSS OF LOVE.
1. Undeserved( Rom. 5:8 ).
2. No greater love ( Eph. 3:16-19; John 15:13 ).
A. FROM THE FIRST – GOD WILL NOT SAVE THE REBELLIOUS.
B. FROM THE SECOND – GOD WILL SAVE THE VILEST IF HE REPENTS.
C. FROM THE THIRD – REDEEMED THROUGH HIS BLOOD.
D. IF WE DIED TODAY, WOULD WE BE IN PARADISE? (Luke 23:42-43).