Apr 22, 2007 "My Rights"

Luke 23:32-43

32 Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed. 33 When they came to the place called the Skull, there they crucified him, along with the criminals — one on his right, the other on his left. 34 Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." e And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.

35 The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him. They said, "He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Christ of God, the Chosen One."

36 The soldiers also came up and mocked him. They offered him wine vinegar 37 and said, "If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself."

38 There was a written notice above him, which read: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.

39 One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: "Aren't you the Christ? Save yourself and us!"

40 But the other criminal rebuked him. "Don't you fear God," he said, "since you are under the same sentence? 41 We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong."

42 Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom. f"

43 Jesus answered him, "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise."

1) Sin is really bad

2) We don’t understand how bad it is

3) Salvation is a gift

I) My Way or the Highway (Corvette)

A) My Way

1) I am lord

2) Success is based on my standard

3) Everything is relative (no one is wrong)

B) My Rights

1) Freedom to do what I want

2) No one has the right to control my life (I am lord, everything is relative)

C) I have become my own god (responsible to self)

II) God’s Way (The Way)

A) Our position in God’s eyes

Rom 3:22-23

23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

1 John 1:8

8 If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.

SIN

Lawlessness (1 John 3:4) or transgression of God's will, either by omitting to do what God's law requires or by doing what it forbids. The transgression can occur in thought (1 John 3:15), word (Matt 5:22), or deed (Rom 1:32).

B) Penalty

Rom 6:22-23

23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in b Christ Jesus our Lord.

C) God’s view of my rights

Right

Power, privilege, etc. belonging to one by law, nature, etc.

Webster’s New World Dictionary

1) As a sinner I have broken God’s law (no rights)

2) Fallen nature, seek darkness (no rights)

3) Therefore no rights

D) “My Sweet Lord”

1) Unknown purpose

2) Correct about sin (shameful)

3) We can stand to see the nails, the thorns, the death

4) We can not look upon the shame we placed on Jesus (nakedness)

III) Do we really get it? (Ask)

A) Do I deserve to be healthy, wealthy and wise? (Do I deserve anything?)

B) Do I deserve to live? (Because of my nature or some law)

C) Woman who lost two children (State Trooper) (car accident)

IV) But

Rom 6:23

23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in b Christ Jesus our Lord.

A) Injustice to Jesus became justice from God

1) Jesus only person that doesn’t belong on a cross (sinless)

2) He took our place (a gift)

B) When we understand we are owed nothing, we appreciate everything

1) We become thankful Christians

2) We become ministers of reconciliation (made right with god)

2 Cor 5:18-19

18 All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: 19 that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them.

Without Jesus we are nothing, with Him we are God’s beloved children