𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗧𝗛𝗜𝗘𝗙 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗦𝗔𝗩𝗜𝗢𝗥 — 𝗚𝗥𝗔𝗖𝗘 𝗥𝗘𝗩𝗘𝗔𝗟𝗘𝗗 𝗔𝗧 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗖𝗥𝗢𝗦𝗦

THE THIEF AND THE SAVIOR — GRACE REVEALED AT THE CROSS

Key Text: Luke 23:39–43 (KJV)

INTRODUCTION

At Calvary, two men hung side by side—but only One could save.
One was a sinner needing grace; the other was the Sin-Bearer providing grace.

The thief’s salvation powerfully proves that salvation has never been by works, but by God’s grace through faith, now fully revealed and explained in Paul’s gospel.

CONDITION — THE STATE OF BOTH MEN
Romans 3:23 | 2 Corinthians 5:21

A. Thief Condemned — Guilty before men
B. Christ Clean — Sinless before God
C. Contrast Clear — Sinner vs Substitute
Salvation begins with recognizing man’s ruin and Christ’s righteousness.

CRIMES — WHAT EACH MAN BORE
Luke 23:41 | Isaiah 53:6

A. Thief’s Crimes — Personal sins
B. Christ’s Cross — Our sins
C. Curse Carried — Laid on Jesus
Jesus bore what He never did so we would not bear what we deserve.

CONSCIENCE — THE THIEF’S CHANGE
Luke 23:40 | Romans 2:15

A. Rebuked the Scoffer — Fear of God awakened
B. Recognized Justice — “We indeed justly”
C. Repented in Heart — Acknowledged guilt
Conviction precedes conversion.

CONFESSION — THE THIEF’S FAITH
Luke 23:42 | Romans 10:9

A. Believed Jesus Was King — “Thy kingdom”
B. Believed Beyond the Cross — Life after death
C. Believed Without Proof — Faith alone
Faith is trusting Christ, not understanding everything.

COMPLETION — CHRIST’S FINISHED WORK
John 19:30 | Hebrews 10:12

A. Work Finished — Nothing left to add
B. Sacrifice Sufficient — Once for all
C. Salvation Secured — Forever settled
The thief rested in a finished work, not future obedience.

COMPARISON — NO WORKS INVOLVED
Ephesians 2:8–9 | Romans 4:5

A. No Baptism — Yet saved
B. No Sacraments — Yet forgiven
C. No Good Deeds — Yet justified
The thief destroys every works-based gospel.

CONFIRMATION — IMMEDIATE ASSURANCE
Luke 23:43 | Romans 8:1

A. “Today” — No waiting place
B. “With Me” — Presence with Christ
C. “Paradise” — Conscious blessing
Salvation brings instant assurance, not uncertainty.

CONTRAST — KINGDOM VS GRACE REVELATION
Matthew 19:28 | Ephesians 3:1–2

A. Thief Saved Under Kingdom Context — Before Paul
B. Truth Later Explained by Paul — Grace clarified
C. Same Grace, Fuller Light Today — Mystery revealed
What was demonstrated at the cross is now defined in Paul’s epistles.

CONCLUSION — WHO YOU TRUST MATTERS
1 Corinthians 15:1–4 | Galatians 2:16

A. Trust Christ Alone — Not religion
B. Trust His Work Alone — Not your effort
C. Trust Now — Time is short
You will die like the thief—but where will you go?

CONCLUSION

The thief proves that salvation is by grace,
Christ proves why grace works,
and Paul explains how grace saves today.
The cross is not an example to follow—it is a payment to believe.

CALL TO ACTION

Stop trusting works
Stop trusting religion
Start trusting Christ
Believe the Gospel of the Grace of God
Rest in the Finished Work
Rejoice in Full Assurance

FINAL THOUGHTS

All Men Are Guilty
Christ Bore Our Sin
Conviction Comes First
Faith Saves
The Work Is Finished
Works Are Excluded
Salvation Is Certain
Grace Is Now Revealed
Now Is the Time to Believe