All Criminals

Two Criminals Led Away with Jesus for their Death Penalty

Luke 23:32–33 NKJV

There were also two others, criminals, led with Him to be put to death. And when they had come to the place called Calvary, there they crucified Him, and the criminals, one on the right hand and the other on the left.

Luke 23:

Two Criminals Represent Humanity

We all are criminals. We all have broken God’s law.

Luke 23:39–40 NKJV

Then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him, saying, “If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us.” But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, “Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation?

Luke 23:We all are criminals. We all have broken God’s law.

We all are criminals. We all have broken God’s law.

We all are criminals. We all have broken God’s law.

Romans 3:23 NKJV

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

Humanity has two different reactions to God -

Fearless (Pride) and Fearful (Humility)

those who lack a fear of God,

because they have put themselves above Him,

they have believed a lie, and have loved it

they mock and ridicule the idea of God

they want to live in a world without consequences

Pride mocks and slanders God’s power “If you were a real God, you would...”

Pride demands things of God “Criminal: Save yourself, and save us!”

Pride fails to see our real state - not able to see the chaos we are responsible for

and those who fear God,

for they know that cannot stand before Him

they understand the real state of reality,

that man is powerless before God

that man needs to be rescued from himself

that man needs to know God

that man needs to be rescued from himself

Honestly Feeling Consequences

Luke 23:41Consequences from sin are meant to direct us towards repentance and God

Luke 23:41 NKJV

And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong.”

Consequences from sin are meant to direct us towards repentance and God

heb 12:5-

Hebrews 12:5–8 NKJV

And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons: “My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, Nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him; For whom the Lord loves He chastens, And scourges every son whom He receives.” If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten? But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons.

The unrepentant criminal refuses to accept where his consequences should lead him, to God!

Consequences = discipline, a tool God uses to direct our paths to Him

All of us have made mistakes, and wandered from Him

God allows consequences in our lives to correct our path

Consequences allow us to see the honest state of our reality

Luke 23:41 NKJV

And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong.”

Luke

Consequences allow us to see the honest state of our reality

The repentant criminal sees the problem of the situation

Being honest about our situation and sins brings us to repentance

Romans 10:9 NKJV

that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.