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Three Crosses on Calvary’s Hill
Series on the Cross Luke 23:33–43
I. Introduction
A. Three Great Incentives to Life for Christ
1. The Holiness of our God (Isa. 6)
2. The return of Christ (1 John 2:28)
3. The cross: The greatest demonstration of His holiness and love
B. Let us Look to Calvary
1. Jesus dying there with two thieves: One on either side
2. One dying for sin. One dying in sin. One dying to sin
3. Two were completely guilty. One completely innocent
4. Two paying their debt to society. One paying OUR debt of sin
II. Body
A. Look to Calvary and see two men in the same Condemnation (vv. 39–40)
1. The mockery of the first thief
2. The other thief and his remarkable observations:
a. States a great spiritual truth
b. Recognizes his own guilt (v. 41)
3. The most difficult truth on earth to accept:
a. That all people are equally guilty before God
b. How we divide humanity: RACE … FACE … PLACE … But with God … just Grace
4. There is no difference
a. The mayor and the meter maid
b. The star and the street walker
c. The doctor and the patient
d. The warden and the criminal
5. So hard to realize that all are lost
a. Joseph Parker: “If only I could find a sinner”
b. Jesus, the friend of sinners
B. Look to Calvary and see two men who both ask Jesus for Salvation (vv. 39, 42)
1. Both thieves asked Jesus to save them
a. p 42 “If…save thyself and us”
b. “Lord…remember me”
2. The first asked to be saved from the situation
3. Many pray when in trouble, but this kind of prayer does not save
4. THE DIFFERENCE: The other asked to be saved from his SIN
a. Here is genuine conviction
b. Conviction precedes conversion. ALL GUILTY BEFORE GOD
c. This thief faces the real issues of life:
(1) He admits his sin and accepts Christ as his Lord
(2) He anticipates the resurrection of Christ
(3) He anticipates his own resurrection
(4) He looks at Jesus in His humiliation and sees a King
C. Look to Calvary and See Jesus, Whose Purpose is Salvation
1. AMEN. The thief prayed and Jesus said AMEN to his prayer
2. JESUS HAD TIME TO WIN ONE MORE SOUL
3. Questions answered that day:
a. Can one be saved in his dying hour?
b. Can one be saved after a life of wickedness?
c. Can one be saved without baptism or communion?
d. Can one be sure of heaven after death?
III. Conclusion
A. All of Humanity is seen at the Cross
B. Two Ways! Which will you Take?
Roger F. Campbell, Preach for a Year (Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Publications, 1997). 41-42.
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