"Saved by the Bell" Luke 23:43 Minister A. Terry Chavis

Intro:

Good evening, Victory Nation, I’m Minister Terry Chavis. If I had to give this particular text a title, I would call it “Saved by the Bell” My background text will cover verses 39-43. As we look at this scripture of Luke 23:43, this grace filled text of the synoptic gospel of Luke, we discover that Jesus is between two thieves. The book of John 19:17 records Jesus and the thieves are at Golgotha which means in Aramaic “The Skull” just as Luke 23:33 declares. As I studied this text, I always wanted to know who these thieves were. After studying this last-minute narrative gospel and narrative passion of scriptures, I discovered that the repentant robber was known as Dysmas, and the unrepentant robber was known as Gestas who mocked Jesus with the Romans Guards and others from Calvary. This transitions me into my first point.

‌POINT 1. DON’T GET DISTRACTED

POINT I. v.39 - Gestas got caught up by the distractions and the noises of the world with what the leaders, the townsmen, and the Roman guards were doing by mocking Jesus. If I can park the car right here and leave it running for a moment, sometimes we get so caught up with the distractions and noises of the world that we miss Jesus! What do you mean by this preacher? I’m so glad you asked, we get so distracted by the noises of the world by what people are saying about us. We get so distracted by the noises of past family trauma and hurt. We get so distracted in all the noise of past church hurt that we don’t even know when Jesus is in house of God with us and right next to us! The unrepentant robber didn’t know that he was next to the Messiah as he faced death. By knowing who “He” is, builds our faith! This leads me to my second point.

‌POINT 2. FAITH BRINGS GRACE

‌vv. 40,41 As Dysmas rebukes Gestas there was a shift of faith happening here. I believe after seeing Jesus forgive those who were apart of his crucifixion in Luke 23:34, made Dysmas realize who he was hanging next to. Dysmas realized that he literally is next to Jesus physically and now spiritually, that he realized that he is being punished justly for his deeds of the crimes they both committed. I would like to remind someone this evening of who we serve! They are blessings when we fear and honor God with our faith. As we get closer to Jesus, he lets us know who we really are and who He really is!! He shows us that we are sometimes doubters when our doctors report doesn’t comeback as good as we thought it should; that we also sometimes worriers when that unexpected car maintenance bill was more than we expected, and we don’t have the money to cover it. He is our Jehovah Jireh the God that provides for us and even in our toughest of times he is an on-time God!! With that be said, I’m moving to last point,

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POINT 3. NOT TOO LATE

‌vv. 42,43. - As we read verse 42, 43, I know as we look at this text that some may say why does he get to go to paradise with Jesus. Some may have the question that the bible says that we shall not steal, but Jesus shows his power of grace that he is Jehovah Hoshiah the Lord who saves! Glory be to God!! Let us be reminded that it is easy to say or judge someone whose sin is on display on the outside, but the only difference between some of us and them is that our sin is on the inside and can’t be seen. I’m so glad that we serve a God that doesn’t treat us as our sins deserve. Glory, Hallelujah! Right here is where I get excited! All the robber wanted to do was be remembered. Jesus not only remembers him, but immediately the bible tells us that Jesus said that he would be with him in paradise Today! That’s some good news right there; My God we serve a God that always gives us more than what we deserve or even ask for! Even when Jesus was in pain and agony, he still find a way to comfort his children! We thank you Father for you are Jehovah Hoshiah the Lord that saves!! My brothers and sisters, the “Good Thief, Dysmas” was an example of being saved by the bell! As he was literally on his death bed while hanging on the cross, he was able to be with Jesus in paradise by his miraculous saving grace. I want to encourage somebody on tonight that change comes when we call on the name of Jesus!! The robber in verse 41 said, Jesusremember me when you come into your kingdom! Victory Nation, is there anybody tonight that had to call on the name of Jesus!? I had call on the name of Jesus to keep depression and anxiety away from my family. I had to call on the name of Jesus to restore my relationship with my biological father. I had to call on the name of Jesus when I needed restoration in my marriage. I’m a witness when you call on the name of Jesus he will answer and his right and perfect timing!

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CLOSING

‌In closing, Victory Nation family I just want to know does anybody need to call on the name of Jesus! He is waiting for you. We have called out to him and now Jesus is calling us! He died on the cross for wretches like and I! We don’t have to be like Dysmas and wait, it is not too late. Jesus is soon to return! This passage was a narrative gospel and narrative passion that speaks of the life and crucifixion of Jesus, but this is also an exhortation that urges us to receive salvation while there is still time. I pray that someone receives this word and that it will change your heart to not follow the world but follow Jesus for his grace that free because he paid it all for us! Thank you and I pray that God bless you and keep you, Amen!