Problem of the Thief and the Crucifixion

How Could an Ignorant Sinner Be Assured of Life Eternal Within All of Five Minutes' Communication? What Gospel Was Heard, What Commitments Made? O, But the Dying Wretch Trusted Jesus: He Who Hath the Son, Hath Life.

[PastorCharlesLawsonMinistries]

The Bible declares:
"For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;" (Romans 3:23)

This means every person, no matter how “good” we think we are, has broken God’s holy law and is corrupt at the very core:
"The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?" (Jeremiah 17:9)
"As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:" (Romans 3:10)

Because of our sin, we are all appointed to die once—this is the physical death every person will go through.
"For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." (Romans 6:23)

But without Christ, we will also suffer the second death: eternal punishment in the lake of fire.
"And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire." (Revelation 20:14-15)

God warns that all who die in their sins will immediately enter hell after death (Luke 16:23).
At the final judgment, they will be cast into the lake of fire for eternity (Revelation 20:14-15).
Jesus Himself spoke clearly about eternal punishment, describing it as "everlasting fire" prepared originally for the devil and his angels (Matthew 25:41).

Everlasting punishment and torment is the certain and final fate of all who die in their sins without the Lord Jesus Christ.

THE GOOD NEWS
–––
Here is the greatest, most wonderful news you could ever hear:
"But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8)

Jesus Christ, the Son of God, bore the full wrath of God on our behalf.
He was crucified, shedding His precious blood to pay for our sins.
"For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him." (2 Corinthians 5:21)
"But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed." (Isaiah 53:5)

Having fully paid the price of our redemption, He rose again the third day, "according to the scriptures" (1 Corinthians 15:3-4), proving His victory over sin and death.

Why did He do this?
Because:
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." (John 3:16)

God loves you personally and offers you eternal life as a free gift through His Son.

THE LORD JESUS CHRIST WARNS US
–––
Merely agreeing with the facts in your mind or identifying as a Christian culturally does not save you.
The Lord Jesus Christ Himself gave a terrifying warning:

“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven... Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord... And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”
(Matthew 7:21–23)

These are people who professed Christ with their lips, acknowledged Him intellectually, and even performed religious works in His name—but they were never born again.
They never truly believed from the heart.
They knew about Jesus, but He never knew them.
After they die, they will lift up their eyes in hell—and ultimately be cast into the lake of fire for all eternity, just like everyone who is not born again through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

You must believe from the heart—a sincere, personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ who died for your sins, was buried, and rose again.

“For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness...”
(Romans 10:10)

HOW TO RECEIVE THIS GIFT
–––
You must believe from the heart that Jesus Christ is the Son of God—that He died for your sins, was buried, and rose again the third day.

It is faith in the death, burial and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ that saves you:
"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast." (Ephesians 2:8-9)

When you believe, the Lord saves you, seals you, forgives all your sins, makes you new and gives you everlasting life.
"He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life..." (John 3:36)
"...ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, " (Ephesians 1:13)
"...having forgiven you all trespasses;" (Colossians 2:13)
"...the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin." (1 John 1:7)
"Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." (2 Corinthians 5:17)
"And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand." (John 10:28)

All this is based on the finished work of the Lord Jesus Christ on the cross and His blood sacrifice:
"In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;" (Ephesians 1:7)

SECURITY OF THE BELIEVER
–––
When you believe on the Lord Jesus Christ—trusting in His death, burial, and resurrection—He gives you eternal life.
That life will never end, and it can never be taken away.
You will not be cast out. You will not go to hell. You will not spend eternity in the lake of fire.

The Lord Jesus holds you in His hand, and God the Father holds you in His.
You are held by both. Your salvation is fully secure.
No one—not even you—can ever take you out of God’s hand.

“And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.
My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.”
(John 10:28–29)

THE LORD JESUS CHRIST IS CALLING YOU TODAY
–––
"Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." (Matthew 11:28)

He is ready to forgive all your sins and give you new life in Him:
"If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed." (John 8:36)

Only He has fully paid the price for your sins, and only He can save you from everlasting damnation in the lake of fire.

"...behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)" (2 Corinthians 6:2)

Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ—trust fully in His death for your sins, His burial, and His resurrection on the third day, according to the Scriptures.
"In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, " (Ephesians 1:13)

Do not delay. You are not promised another day!
"But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?" (Luke 12:20)

[TheElizabethashby]

BELIEVE IN THE LORD JESUS CHRIST AND YOU SHALL BE SAVED

[Mrpmsnyder]

I’m 68 years old and raised in the Pentecostal church and have never received a sermon regarding salvation in such a clear way ever. Thank you, pastor, for your faithfulness to the leading of the Holy Spirit.

[JenniferPruitt-mnww]

Pastor Lawson you have made an impact on my life that you may never know...I can feel and hear the Holy Spirit through you... May God Bless you and your family always..Me and my husband have walked a very dark life and we were nothing less than the devil's lap dogs. I'll never understand the Grace, Mercy, Love and Forgiveness the Lord Jesus Christ has for me but He saved us from the gates of hell the devil has attacked me and my husband more than ever because he knows that we no longer belong to him...I hate him I fall short every day and your preaching with the Holy Spirit has reprimanded me many times... You are a true blessing.

[olsinnersavedbygrace]

Please pray for my Son Shane. He's bad hooked on heroin and crack. Thanks all and much love!!!

[MichaelHarrell-xobz]

There was a dude stopped in my yard at 8 yo and I got invited to church and I met Jesus I had a long dark walk and at 41 Jesus brought me back at 44 I have my first one yo boy and a deep love for Jesus and so will he

[Romin.]

Amen! HaleluYah!
This pastor always makes this grown man cry.
I love you brother!
🙏✝️
And i love the Lord above all things. And thank Him for putting this pastor on my path.

[dannybrown]

The thief was the first to be saved by grace through faith. An example of Gods sovereign will.

[mbaxley]

Amen brother that's what keeps people out of church the hypocrites and don't forget the holier than thou but I'm blessed to have Jesus christ as my personal savior and my friend I love him

[susanyoung]

I wish I'd found Pastor Lawson a time ago. Old fashined preaching and old fashioned altar calls. Haven't seen that in ages.

[HuckleberryABC]

All praise, honor and glory to our Lord and risen Savior Jesus Christ of Nazareth

[Sheppard]

It’s amazing how the crucifixion foretells when Yeshua will see & know our hearts; And divide us to His right & to His left. His righteous judgment is true and He demonstrates it to the thief on the cross.

[mikestroud]

Baptisnm thru the fire of the Holy ghost. Amen my brothers and sisters in Christ. ❤🙏💯🇺🇲👊

[jrranch]

The words of Jesus:
Mark 5:36
"Be not afraid; only believe."

[Crazycatlady.]

❤❤🎉🎉Thank you JESUS FOR THE CROSS & FOR PASTOR LAWSON🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉

[sandylross]

I'll tell you Pastor; I was a very young child when I realized my Father and Jesus was life. I also recognized, when I was sinning. I love him too!! ❤️

[evilpixiedance]

Thank you for preaching this. A pastor I respect has a take on the thief on the Cross that the thief understood the Kingdom. He was trying to tell me that the thief had some perfect understanding of the Gospel. He would not shut up til I said The Lord knows His own. His take was similar to the letters you read, Pastor. Thank you so much for preaching on this. I was really hoping Jesus would lead you to preach on this. Thank you thank you thank you. Your ministry has been such a blessing to me. Jesus bless you and yours forever.

[sandylross]

As bad as I am, He's still loving me.

[ShroudedinLove]

Great preaching! What a blessing listening to this wonderful brother! Praise be to God!
✝️🙏🏼💟

[ImWithTeamTrinity]

If all men are sinners, then we are all thieves on a cross. The one thief doubted and ridiculed, the other accepted the truth and gave glory to God. If Jesus said he was going to heaven, then it was right and good.