WEBVTT 00:00:01.749 --> 00:00:04.150 Welcome to the official podcast of the Church 00:00:04.150 --> 00:00:06.669 of Christ Wheeler area. We're so glad that you've 00:00:06.669 --> 00:00:09.150 tuned in for today's message. Whether you're 00:00:09.150 --> 00:00:11.369 on your morning commute or if you're relaxing 00:00:11.369 --> 00:00:13.349 at home, we're here to share the strength and 00:00:13.349 --> 00:00:16.350 truth of God's Word with our community. If you're 00:00:16.350 --> 00:00:17.969 in the neighborhood, we'd love to meet you in 00:00:17.969 --> 00:00:21.609 person. Come see us at 1500 South Allen L. Bean 00:00:21.609 --> 00:00:24.589 Boulevard right here in Wheeler, Texas. We gather 00:00:24.589 --> 00:00:27.649 every Sunday morning at 1030 a .m. and in the 00:00:27.649 --> 00:00:30.469 afternoon at 230 p .m. We meet again on Wednesdays 00:00:30.469 --> 00:00:34.070 at 7 p .m. Right now, let's open our Bibles together 00:00:34.070 --> 00:00:41.350 and dive into today's sermon. We're going to 00:00:41.350 --> 00:00:44.729 start with a very basic principle of Scripture 00:00:44.729 --> 00:00:47.409 this morning in 2 Timothy chapter 3 and verse 00:00:47.409 --> 00:00:50.210 16. Paul writing here to his brother Timothy, 00:00:50.429 --> 00:00:52.670 he says all Scripture is given by inspiration 00:00:52.670 --> 00:00:56.210 of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, 00:00:56.329 --> 00:00:58.909 for correction, and for instruction in righteousness. 00:01:00.250 --> 00:01:02.829 It's no secret that we have to have scripture 00:01:02.829 --> 00:01:05.849 behind everything that we teach here. Everything 00:01:05.849 --> 00:01:08.810 that we do, everything that we say, and everything 00:01:08.810 --> 00:01:11.609 that we believe has to be founded on scripture. 00:01:11.750 --> 00:01:14.590 And Paul lays out four of these kind of sections 00:01:14.590 --> 00:01:17.170 that scripture is profitable for, but basically 00:01:17.170 --> 00:01:20.849 it boils down to, number one, knowing scripture 00:01:20.849 --> 00:01:23.450 for ourselves and knowing truth for ourselves. 00:01:23.750 --> 00:01:26.390 And then number two, taking that what we believe 00:01:26.390 --> 00:01:29.159 is true and teaching it to others. That's kind 00:01:29.159 --> 00:01:31.579 of what the gist of what Paul is saying here 00:01:31.579 --> 00:01:37.239 to Timothy. Without scripture all teaching and 00:01:37.239 --> 00:01:41.040 learning and knowing Pointless it would be void. 00:01:41.060 --> 00:01:43.099 It would be worthless. It's it's no good without 00:01:43.099 --> 00:01:46.459 scripture and he said that all scripture is given 00:01:46.459 --> 00:01:49.099 And it's profitable for these things for these 00:01:49.099 --> 00:01:52.099 four things number one doctrine means to learn 00:01:52.099 --> 00:01:55.640 or to teach we have to know The things that we 00:01:55.640 --> 00:01:58.799 believe are true just because we believe something 00:01:58.799 --> 00:02:01.620 doesn't make it true Just because something sounds 00:02:01.620 --> 00:02:03.700 good doesn't make it true. That's where doctrine 00:02:03.700 --> 00:02:07.000 comes into play to learn or to teach Knowing 00:02:07.000 --> 00:02:10.580 for ourself for reproof conviction taking that 00:02:10.580 --> 00:02:14.000 doctrine taking that truth and Using it to convict 00:02:14.000 --> 00:02:16.300 if it really is true and that's with ourselves 00:02:16.300 --> 00:02:20.919 and also with other people For correction it 00:02:20.919 --> 00:02:24.680 means to straighten up we have to be able to 00:02:25.530 --> 00:02:27.969 take doctrine, take scripture, all scripture, 00:02:28.370 --> 00:02:31.150 and use it to straighten ourselves back up or 00:02:31.150 --> 00:02:33.789 straighten maybe someone else back up that has 00:02:33.789 --> 00:02:37.349 not applied doctrine to their lives. And then 00:02:37.349 --> 00:02:42.300 lastly, instruction and righteousness. truth, 00:02:42.479 --> 00:02:45.919 taking doctrine, and continuing in that each 00:02:45.919 --> 00:02:48.879 day, whether it's for ourselves, whether we're 00:02:48.879 --> 00:02:50.800 studying with someone, whether we're training 00:02:50.800 --> 00:02:53.300 someone. But it means to take that each day and 00:02:53.300 --> 00:02:56.180 keep applying it in our lives. And again, this 00:02:56.180 --> 00:02:59.259 is nothing new. This is a, I would say, a basic 00:02:59.259 --> 00:03:04.219 principle of what we know about Scripture. And 00:03:04.219 --> 00:03:08.419 this can be applied to any Bible study, any sermon. 00:03:08.719 --> 00:03:11.819 any reading that you could do with yourself or 00:03:11.819 --> 00:03:14.599 with someone. But this morning I specifically 00:03:14.599 --> 00:03:17.560 want to apply it to obviously our sermon today. 00:03:18.240 --> 00:03:19.759 We're going to talk a little bit about the thief 00:03:19.759 --> 00:03:24.479 on the cross and there's a ton of reasons why 00:03:24.479 --> 00:03:28.699 we could study the thief on the cross and and 00:03:28.699 --> 00:03:31.659 do that this morning, but I have a few reasons 00:03:31.659 --> 00:03:34.259 for myself why I think it's been important for 00:03:34.259 --> 00:03:37.080 me. First of all, it's a very common example 00:03:37.080 --> 00:03:40.400 that we see in religious conversation. I don't 00:03:40.400 --> 00:03:43.219 know about you, I hear it often, the thief on 00:03:43.219 --> 00:03:46.280 the cross being brought into everyday religious 00:03:46.280 --> 00:03:49.900 conversation. And it gets to a point where I 00:03:49.900 --> 00:03:52.819 would consider it's controversial in some areas. 00:03:54.379 --> 00:03:57.860 And if we're gonna have... Religious conversation 00:03:57.860 --> 00:04:01.460 with people we have to be prepared to bring doctrine 00:04:01.460 --> 00:04:03.979 bring truth into these everyday conversations 00:04:03.979 --> 00:04:07.120 It's essential and then sharing the gospel each 00:04:07.120 --> 00:04:11.259 chance we get Whether we intended to that day 00:04:11.259 --> 00:04:13.400 or in that situation or not. We have to be prepared 00:04:13.400 --> 00:04:16.800 to do that again in these everyday situations 00:04:16.800 --> 00:04:20.240 that that we run into with people. Truth is important. 00:04:20.480 --> 00:04:23.339 All scripture is important. It is profitable 00:04:23.339 --> 00:04:25.959 for these things and we have to use that each 00:04:25.959 --> 00:04:29.040 day and in our lives and in our conversations. 00:04:31.920 --> 00:04:36.860 So the thief on the cross, it is an example that 00:04:36.860 --> 00:04:40.819 is not always agreed upon and most of it involves 00:04:40.819 --> 00:04:44.019 baptism for the remission of sins and that doctrine. 00:04:45.699 --> 00:04:49.220 And because it's not agreed upon by everyone, 00:04:49.300 --> 00:04:51.399 it causes problems in the church. Philippians 00:04:51.399 --> 00:05:08.079 chapter 1 verse 27, Paul writes, Now when we 00:05:08.079 --> 00:05:10.300 disagree on things, that's not always a bad thing 00:05:10.300 --> 00:05:12.839 because I think that helps us find truth. But 00:05:12.839 --> 00:05:17.990 Paul here is saying, to be of one mind for the 00:05:17.990 --> 00:05:21.069 faith of the gospel. And I think an example like 00:05:21.069 --> 00:05:22.990 the thief on the cross is very important because 00:05:22.990 --> 00:05:25.930 even though we may disagree or we may have questions 00:05:25.930 --> 00:05:29.709 or we may have concerns, everyday examples like 00:05:29.709 --> 00:05:33.750 these can help us have one mind come to a common 00:05:33.750 --> 00:05:35.389 conclusion. I think that's very important in 00:05:35.389 --> 00:05:38.240 the church. Peter says the same thing finally 00:05:38.240 --> 00:05:41.480 all of you be of one mind having compassion for 00:05:41.480 --> 00:05:44.060 one another love as brothers be tender -hearted 00:05:44.060 --> 00:05:49.339 be courteous even when you disagree even when 00:05:49.339 --> 00:05:52.779 you don't Think the same. Be of one mind. Have 00:05:52.779 --> 00:05:56.220 compassion. And I think the idea of this is getting 00:05:56.220 --> 00:05:58.839 to that conclusion to be of one mind. That's 00:05:58.839 --> 00:06:02.300 what we should always be striving for. And that 00:06:02.300 --> 00:06:04.879 goes with a lot of different examples, but this 00:06:04.879 --> 00:06:07.259 morning specifically, the thief on the cross. 00:06:10.120 --> 00:06:12.699 We hear often, what about the thief on the cross? 00:06:13.060 --> 00:06:15.459 Say we're talking about baptism or Christianity 00:06:15.459 --> 00:06:18.199 in general. What about the thief on the cross? 00:06:18.519 --> 00:06:23.160 Explain that to me. He was not baptized and he 00:06:23.160 --> 00:06:25.199 was still saved by Jesus Jesus said he would 00:06:25.199 --> 00:06:28.180 take him to paradise explain that and Because 00:06:28.180 --> 00:06:31.139 of this it must mean that baptism is not essential 00:06:31.139 --> 00:06:35.060 today. We hear it. We hear it often explain the 00:06:35.060 --> 00:06:37.000 thief on the cross explain the thief on the cross 00:06:37.000 --> 00:06:40.240 and Maybe someone is is trying to believe in 00:06:40.240 --> 00:06:42.459 baptism, but because of this example, it's a 00:06:42.459 --> 00:06:44.879 it's a roadblock. It stands in their way again 00:06:44.879 --> 00:06:49.759 let's be prepared this morning to Dissect these 00:06:49.759 --> 00:06:52.079 examples in everyday conversation apply truth 00:06:52.079 --> 00:06:54.459 and then be of one mind come to a common conclusion. 00:06:55.680 --> 00:06:58.019 I Think these are all fair questions. I think 00:06:58.019 --> 00:07:01.079 when When we're really trying to study scripture 00:07:01.079 --> 00:07:04.199 and we're really trying to understand The will 00:07:04.199 --> 00:07:05.740 of God and the will of Christ questions like 00:07:05.740 --> 00:07:07.439 this are gonna arise. Well, what about this? 00:07:07.500 --> 00:07:10.459 What about this? What about this? I totally think 00:07:10.459 --> 00:07:16.480 that's fair to ask But we can take these things 00:07:17.509 --> 00:07:20.290 and use it to connect and to be of the same mind. 00:07:20.310 --> 00:07:22.310 And I think that's essentially what scripture 00:07:22.310 --> 00:07:26.509 is profitable for. So we'll all have doctrine. 00:07:28.170 --> 00:07:29.610 And when it comes to the thief on the cross, 00:07:29.649 --> 00:07:31.810 I want to go back to this verse. All scripture 00:07:31.810 --> 00:07:33.610 is given by inspiration of God is profitable 00:07:33.610 --> 00:07:36.889 for doctrine. The doctrine of baptism. We have 00:07:36.889 --> 00:07:42.230 to know and understand that baptism that we teach 00:07:42.230 --> 00:07:44.910 is doctrine. It's true. for ourselves and also 00:07:44.910 --> 00:07:48.649 for others. We have to apply it to others to 00:07:48.649 --> 00:07:51.370 to reprove them or to convict them. We have to 00:07:51.370 --> 00:07:55.569 use baptism to correct those who need baptism, 00:07:55.750 --> 00:07:58.649 to need to be straightened up, and then finally 00:07:58.649 --> 00:08:02.689 to then go on and teach that doctrine for instruction 00:08:02.689 --> 00:08:07.110 and righteousness each day. In the next verse, 00:08:07.569 --> 00:08:10.089 Paul writes that the man of God may be complete 00:08:10.089 --> 00:08:13.100 thoroughly Equipped for every good work. I think 00:08:13.100 --> 00:08:15.139 this morning we can take the thief on the cross 00:08:15.139 --> 00:08:18.060 example and be equipped for the good work of 00:08:18.060 --> 00:08:22.660 teaching the gospel Applying it again to ourselves 00:08:22.660 --> 00:08:25.439 and then also to other people we have to be equipped 00:08:25.439 --> 00:08:32.720 in these conversations Let's read the example 00:08:32.720 --> 00:08:34.480 this morning the example of the thief on the 00:08:34.480 --> 00:08:38.639 cross now Matthew Mark Luke and John all mentioned 00:08:38.639 --> 00:08:42.919 the men hanging next to Jesus. Luke's account 00:08:42.919 --> 00:08:45.960 is much more detailed and if you go back and 00:08:45.960 --> 00:08:48.419 read the other accounts, you'll see why. We're 00:08:48.419 --> 00:08:51.639 gonna look at Luke chapter 23. It's by far the 00:08:51.639 --> 00:08:54.740 most detailed example this morning. I'm gonna 00:08:54.740 --> 00:08:57.299 read through this and then we're gonna come to 00:08:57.299 --> 00:08:59.159 a kind of a common conclusion about Luke chapter 00:08:59.159 --> 00:09:03.870 23. There were also two others criminals led 00:09:03.870 --> 00:09:06.269 with him to be put to death and when they had 00:09:06.269 --> 00:09:09.169 come to the place called Calvary There they crucified 00:09:09.169 --> 00:09:11.409 him and the criminals one on the right hand and 00:09:11.409 --> 00:09:14.570 the other on the left Then Jesus said father 00:09:14.570 --> 00:09:17.610 forgive them for they do not know What they do 00:09:17.610 --> 00:09:20.090 and they divided his garments and cast lots and 00:09:20.090 --> 00:09:22.730 the people stood looking on But even the rulers 00:09:22.730 --> 00:09:24.909 with them sneered saying he saved others let 00:09:24.909 --> 00:09:27.110 him save himself if he is the Christ the chosen 00:09:27.110 --> 00:09:31.759 of God The soldiers also mocked him coming and 00:09:31.759 --> 00:09:33.899 offering him sour wine and saying if you are 00:09:33.899 --> 00:09:39.799 the king of Jews save yourself and An inscription 00:09:39.799 --> 00:09:43.000 also was written over him in the letters of Greek 00:09:43.000 --> 00:09:45.980 Latin and Hebrew. This is the king of the Jews 00:09:45.980 --> 00:09:52.500 Then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed 00:09:52.500 --> 00:09:55.220 him saying if you are the Christ save yourself 00:09:55.220 --> 00:09:58.889 and us But the other answering rebuked him saying 00:09:58.889 --> 00:10:01.929 do you not even fear God? seeing you are under 00:10:01.929 --> 00:10:06.129 the same condemnation and We indeed and we indeed 00:10:06.129 --> 00:10:09.129 justly for we receive the due reward of our deeds, 00:10:09.149 --> 00:10:13.269 but this man has done nothing wrong Then he said 00:10:13.269 --> 00:10:15.190 to Jesus Lord remember me when you come into 00:10:15.190 --> 00:10:17.090 your kingdom and Jesus said to him and surely 00:10:17.090 --> 00:10:21.009 I say to you today You will be with me in paradise 00:10:21.009 --> 00:10:30.580 Jesus hanging on the cross You will be with me 00:10:30.580 --> 00:10:40.240 in paradise. He saved that thief. While hanging 00:10:40.240 --> 00:10:47.899 on the cross, he saved that thief. In conclusion 00:10:47.899 --> 00:10:51.279 of Luke chapter 23, the thief was not baptized 00:10:51.279 --> 00:10:55.559 in water. The thief accepted Jesus as a savior 00:10:55.559 --> 00:10:59.409 right then and there. Jesus granted the thief 00:10:59.409 --> 00:11:07.110 salvation and took him to heaven. Done. We might 00:11:07.110 --> 00:11:11.049 as well close down and sing the invitation song 00:11:11.049 --> 00:11:20.669 and continue on in the service. Paul writes that 00:11:20.669 --> 00:11:27.559 all scripture is profitable for doctrine, for 00:11:27.559 --> 00:11:29.240 proof, for correction, instruction, and righteousness. 00:11:29.340 --> 00:11:32.399 I think in order to have a true conclusion of 00:11:32.399 --> 00:11:35.539 the thief on the cross, we must take into consideration 00:11:35.539 --> 00:11:38.419 all scripture, not just Luke chapter 23, which 00:11:38.419 --> 00:11:40.600 I think is a great example that we can use and 00:11:40.600 --> 00:11:44.039 take. But this is not the conclusion of the thief 00:11:44.039 --> 00:11:46.700 on the cross. It's not even close. We must take 00:11:46.700 --> 00:11:51.330 into account all scripture. Now I'm a... I'm 00:11:51.330 --> 00:11:53.769 a question asker. When I'm trying to learn something, 00:11:53.909 --> 00:11:55.490 you should see some of my outlines. They're just 00:11:55.490 --> 00:11:58.789 questions, questions, and bullet points, and 00:11:58.789 --> 00:12:01.909 arrows going to another answer. I like to ask 00:12:01.909 --> 00:12:04.769 questions, and I work in construction. So when 00:12:04.769 --> 00:12:07.889 I don't know something and I see someone who 00:12:07.889 --> 00:12:10.389 does, I'm asking questions. I'm asking questions, 00:12:10.429 --> 00:12:13.620 trying to learn. If it's in one of my hobbies 00:12:13.620 --> 00:12:15.940 maybe hunting or outdoor hobby and I don't know 00:12:15.940 --> 00:12:17.940 something I'm asking questions all the time and 00:12:17.940 --> 00:12:19.539 it's the same in scripture and I think you'll 00:12:19.539 --> 00:12:21.460 see that this morning that we're going to ask 00:12:21.460 --> 00:12:25.519 some some questions That way we can get to a 00:12:25.519 --> 00:12:29.139 to a common conclusion this morning. So my question 00:12:29.139 --> 00:12:32.600 Right now is the thief luke chapter 23. What 00:12:32.600 --> 00:12:36.820 is the purpose of this text? If we really just 00:12:36.820 --> 00:12:40.909 look at luke 23, what is the purpose of including 00:12:40.909 --> 00:12:46.470 the thief on the cross in this context. Certainly, 00:12:47.669 --> 00:12:48.990 Jesus hanging on the cross couldn't have been 00:12:48.990 --> 00:12:51.809 left out, but why mention the thief? And I want 00:12:51.809 --> 00:12:55.789 to ask, is it because, for us to conclude, whether 00:12:55.789 --> 00:12:59.230 he needed baptism or not? Is that the purpose 00:12:59.230 --> 00:13:01.330 of Luke chapter 23? And I think that we'll answer 00:13:01.330 --> 00:13:03.970 that throughout this study, but I want you to 00:13:03.970 --> 00:13:05.970 keep that in the back of your mind this morning. 00:13:05.990 --> 00:13:09.379 What is the purpose of what we just read? Was 00:13:09.379 --> 00:13:12.720 it the purpose of Luke to portray baptism or 00:13:12.720 --> 00:13:18.899 to not portray baptism? I Want to ask two another 00:13:18.899 --> 00:13:22.320 what -if two what -if questions To kind of divide 00:13:22.320 --> 00:13:24.899 the rest of our study what -if and we've always 00:13:24.899 --> 00:13:26.460 heard well, don't don't play the what -if game 00:13:26.460 --> 00:13:28.200 You'll get yourself in a bond. You'll get yourself 00:13:28.200 --> 00:13:30.059 in trouble. We're playing the what -if game this 00:13:30.059 --> 00:13:32.440 morning We're gonna we're gonna ask two what 00:13:32.440 --> 00:13:39.279 -if questions first of all what if What if the 00:13:39.279 --> 00:13:45.240 man hanging next to Jesus was baptized? Could 00:13:45.240 --> 00:13:50.940 we even get to this conclusion? Does it change 00:13:50.940 --> 00:13:54.080 anything? But what if? What if he was baptized? 00:13:54.200 --> 00:13:59.399 Matthew chapter 3 verses 1 through 6. those days 00:13:59.399 --> 00:14:01.340 John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness 00:14:01.340 --> 00:14:04.059 of Judea and saying repent for the kingdom of 00:14:04.059 --> 00:14:07.139 heaven is at hand for this is he who was spoken 00:14:07.139 --> 00:14:09.620 of by the prophet Isaiah saying the voice of 00:14:09.620 --> 00:14:11.779 one crying in the wilderness prepare the way 00:14:11.779 --> 00:14:16.259 of the Lord make his path straight and John himself 00:14:16.259 --> 00:14:18.039 with clothes was clothed in camel's hair with 00:14:18.039 --> 00:14:20.000 a leather belt around his waist and his food 00:14:20.000 --> 00:14:24.019 was locust and wild honey then Jerusalem all 00:14:24.019 --> 00:14:27.700 Judea and all around And all the region around 00:14:27.700 --> 00:14:30.299 the Jordan went out to him and were baptized 00:14:30.299 --> 00:14:35.360 by him in the Jordan confessing their sins Jerusalem 00:14:35.360 --> 00:14:39.200 all Judea and all the region around the Jordan 00:14:39.200 --> 00:14:42.279 Went out to John the Baptist and were baptized 00:14:42.279 --> 00:14:47.700 in the Jordan River now Matthew The tax collector 00:14:47.700 --> 00:14:51.840 I I would think or or guess that he was that 00:14:51.840 --> 00:14:53.840 he was pretty good with with money and pretty 00:14:53.840 --> 00:14:56.070 good with numbers and could probably add and 00:14:56.070 --> 00:15:00.350 subtract and even a true number of all that went 00:15:00.350 --> 00:15:04.269 out to John the Baptist, Matthew didn't bother 00:15:04.269 --> 00:15:07.610 even counting it up. I think this insinuates 00:15:07.610 --> 00:15:10.450 that it was a lot of people and he doesn't include 00:15:10.450 --> 00:15:13.610 all the names obviously of who all went out to 00:15:13.610 --> 00:15:15.429 the Jordan and if he did include those names 00:15:15.429 --> 00:15:18.909 I think the book of Matthew would be a lot longer 00:15:18.909 --> 00:15:24.360 than 28 chapters. A lot of people went out to 00:15:24.360 --> 00:15:28.100 be baptized by John the Baptist. Let's look at 00:15:28.100 --> 00:15:31.519 Mark's account. It's the same story. Who all 00:15:31.519 --> 00:15:34.320 was involved? Mark chapter one, verses four through 00:15:34.320 --> 00:15:36.620 eight. John came baptizing in the wilderness 00:15:36.620 --> 00:15:38.679 and preaching a baptism of repentance for their 00:15:38.679 --> 00:15:42.379 mission of sins. Then all the land of Judea and 00:15:42.379 --> 00:15:44.259 those from Jerusalem went out to him and were 00:15:44.259 --> 00:15:46.419 baptized by him in the Jordan River, confessing 00:15:46.419 --> 00:15:49.240 their sins. Now John was clothed with camel's 00:15:49.240 --> 00:15:51.860 hair. and a leather belt around his waist he 00:15:51.860 --> 00:15:53.559 ate locust and wild honey and he preached saying 00:15:53.559 --> 00:15:55.460 there comes one after me who is mightier than 00:15:55.460 --> 00:15:57.740 I whose sandal strap I am not worthy to stoop 00:15:57.740 --> 00:16:00.899 down and loose I indeed baptize you with water 00:16:00.899 --> 00:16:03.259 but he will baptize you with the holy spirit 00:16:03.259 --> 00:16:06.279 he's saying I'm baptizing it's it's different 00:16:06.279 --> 00:16:08.120 than the baptism that is to come which we'll 00:16:08.120 --> 00:16:11.019 talk about here in a little while but again the 00:16:11.019 --> 00:16:15.029 point here is a lot of people in this area, in 00:16:15.029 --> 00:16:17.809 this region were being baptized in the Jordan 00:16:17.809 --> 00:16:21.129 River by John the Baptist for their repentance. 00:16:24.269 --> 00:16:26.730 Who all was involved? It's impossible to know 00:16:26.730 --> 00:16:29.029 who all went out to the Jordan River. It's impossible, 00:16:29.490 --> 00:16:33.230 but a lot of people were doing that. Let's take 00:16:33.230 --> 00:16:35.610 it a step further. John chapter four, one and 00:16:35.610 --> 00:16:37.990 two, therefore when the Lord knew that the Pharisees 00:16:37.990 --> 00:16:41.629 had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples 00:16:41.629 --> 00:16:45.419 than John. Though Jesus himself did not baptize 00:16:45.419 --> 00:16:50.220 but his disciples Jesus disciples were doing 00:16:50.220 --> 00:16:54.019 more numbers than John the Baptist so if you 00:16:54.019 --> 00:17:00.659 add the region of Jerusalem Judea all around 00:17:00.659 --> 00:17:05.559 the Jordan and then possibly double that That 00:17:05.559 --> 00:17:08.039 that that Jesus disciples were baptized we're 00:17:08.039 --> 00:17:10.640 talking about a lot of people were going out 00:17:10.640 --> 00:17:14.339 to be baptized a ton of people So many that they 00:17:14.339 --> 00:17:19.119 didn't include numbers they're just whole regions 00:17:19.119 --> 00:17:21.680 were being baptized and we have to ask ourselves 00:17:21.680 --> 00:17:24.740 was the thief part of that crowd that was I mean, 00:17:24.740 --> 00:17:27.579 he was a sinner. He was obviously a thief Did 00:17:27.579 --> 00:17:30.039 he feel the need to go be baptized in the Jordan 00:17:30.039 --> 00:17:38.440 River? Just a map for kind of context here he 00:17:38.440 --> 00:17:46.309 talks about Jerusalem the whole region, Judea, 00:17:46.430 --> 00:17:48.789 the region, then all around the Jordan River 00:17:48.789 --> 00:17:52.490 were going out to John the Baptist. Again, a 00:17:52.490 --> 00:17:56.009 lot of people. I don't think it's hard to understand 00:17:56.009 --> 00:17:59.990 that a count would be impossible or to know exactly 00:17:59.990 --> 00:18:02.829 who there would be impossible. But I think to 00:18:02.829 --> 00:18:08.150 say that the thief, I think to say that he was 00:18:08.150 --> 00:18:11.940 not baptized is, completely unfounded on scripture. 00:18:12.000 --> 00:18:14.079 He very possibly well could have been baptized. 00:18:14.119 --> 00:18:16.279 Now it was the baptism of John again which we'll 00:18:16.279 --> 00:18:20.220 get to here in a few minutes but to just conclude 00:18:20.220 --> 00:18:22.440 from Luke chapter 23 that he wasn't baptized 00:18:22.440 --> 00:18:27.660 is unfounded. Tons of people were being baptized 00:18:27.660 --> 00:18:29.119 and he very well could have been in this crowd. 00:18:29.400 --> 00:18:31.900 Now it doesn't clarify either way and I'm certainly 00:18:31.900 --> 00:18:36.000 not saying that he was baptized because It just 00:18:36.000 --> 00:18:38.140 doesn't say. I would never aim to claim that 00:18:38.140 --> 00:18:40.480 if the Bible itself does not, but I think it's 00:18:40.480 --> 00:18:44.099 important to at least study that and to possibly 00:18:44.099 --> 00:18:46.200 understand that he could have been in that crowd 00:18:46.200 --> 00:18:50.460 of baptism. I think it's very, very possible. 00:18:50.599 --> 00:18:52.440 I think it's very possible that the thief was 00:18:52.440 --> 00:18:59.539 baptized by John. Number two, what if. What if 00:18:59.539 --> 00:19:03.789 the thief was not baptized? Let's say, let's 00:19:03.789 --> 00:19:07.130 read Luke chapter 23. Let's read the account 00:19:07.130 --> 00:19:10.769 of Matthew and Mark. Let's read these things 00:19:10.769 --> 00:19:13.130 and then let's come to the conclusion. What if 00:19:13.130 --> 00:19:16.690 he was not baptized? Would this mean that baptism 00:19:16.690 --> 00:19:19.890 is not essential today? Does that change anything 00:19:19.890 --> 00:19:24.029 for us today? Very important question to ask. 00:19:24.049 --> 00:19:30.779 We're talking about eternal salvation. It's extremely 00:19:30.779 --> 00:19:33.980 important to ask and to answer. What if he was 00:19:33.980 --> 00:19:38.140 not baptized? Matthew chapter 28, the great commission. 00:19:41.559 --> 00:19:48.019 Jesus here gives a command of the new law before 00:19:48.019 --> 00:19:52.000 he ascends into heaven. Verses 18 through 20. 00:19:52.279 --> 00:19:54.579 Jesus came and spoke to them saying, all authority 00:19:54.579 --> 00:19:57.019 has been given to me in heaven. and on earth 00:19:57.019 --> 00:20:00.119 go therefore and make disciples of all nations 00:20:00.119 --> 00:20:01.900 baptizing them in the name of the father and 00:20:01.900 --> 00:20:03.980 the son of the holy spirit teaching them to observe 00:20:03.980 --> 00:20:06.359 all things that i've commanded you and lo i'm 00:20:06.359 --> 00:20:09.859 with you always even to the end of the age amen 00:20:09.859 --> 00:20:12.559 this is the new law commandment he said i have 00:20:12.559 --> 00:20:16.559 authority here's what i'm telling you to do go 00:20:16.559 --> 00:20:21.140 make disciples and baptize them now we have to 00:20:21.140 --> 00:20:23.819 understand that in order for this new law to 00:20:23.819 --> 00:20:30.200 go into effect Jesus had to die The new law was 00:20:30.200 --> 00:20:33.460 only brought forth by Jesus's death Hebrews chapter 00:20:33.460 --> 00:20:36.460 9 in verse 15 through 18 for this reason He is 00:20:36.460 --> 00:20:38.759 the mediator of the new covenant talking about 00:20:38.759 --> 00:20:40.819 Jesus here. He is the one that's bringing the 00:20:40.819 --> 00:20:44.160 new covenant to us He says by means of death 00:20:44.160 --> 00:20:46.720 For the redemption of the transgressions under 00:20:46.720 --> 00:20:48.640 the first covenant that those who are called 00:20:48.640 --> 00:20:51.160 may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance 00:20:51.160 --> 00:20:54.549 For where there is a testament there must also 00:20:54.549 --> 00:20:58.009 be necessity be of death of the testator for 00:20:58.009 --> 00:21:02.369 a testament is in force after men are dead since 00:21:02.369 --> 00:21:04.849 it has no power at all while the testator lives 00:21:04.849 --> 00:21:09.670 therefore not even the first covenant was dedicated 00:21:09.670 --> 00:21:16.730 without blood jesus had to die um in order for 00:21:16.880 --> 00:21:19.960 his new law to take effect. Jesus had to die 00:21:19.960 --> 00:21:21.619 in order for him to give the Great Commission 00:21:21.619 --> 00:21:28.460 and say go baptize all nations. And it's similar 00:21:28.460 --> 00:21:34.079 to the earthly will that we create in our life 00:21:34.079 --> 00:21:36.420 preparing for death. And I want to use the earthly 00:21:36.420 --> 00:21:43.279 will as an example this morning. And I want to 00:21:43.279 --> 00:21:48.289 kind of connect that to To Jesus's new law and 00:21:48.289 --> 00:22:08.049 new will Let's say I Wrote in my will that I 00:22:08.049 --> 00:22:12.430 was gonna give my house and my car to brother 00:22:12.430 --> 00:22:19.720 Josh when I died. Now would he have the right 00:22:19.720 --> 00:22:23.140 or the opportunity to take those things from 00:22:23.140 --> 00:22:27.160 me before I died? No, that's not the case. A 00:22:27.160 --> 00:22:31.059 will only takes place if the testator, the one 00:22:31.059 --> 00:22:32.700 who makes the will, died. And I think that's 00:22:32.700 --> 00:22:36.339 the same with Jesus this morning. He had to die 00:22:36.339 --> 00:22:40.640 in order for that new commandment to be given. 00:22:41.019 --> 00:22:43.400 Now at the time that he gave that commandment 00:22:43.400 --> 00:22:46.759 in Matthew chapter 28, the thief had already 00:22:46.759 --> 00:22:50.559 died. The thief was not hearing the new law commandment, 00:22:50.579 --> 00:22:52.279 which I think is very important to note this 00:22:52.279 --> 00:22:56.779 morning. He had died on that cross that day with 00:22:56.779 --> 00:23:07.200 Jesus. So to answer our question, what if he 00:23:07.200 --> 00:23:09.160 wasn't baptized? Even if he wasn't baptized, 00:23:09.220 --> 00:23:12.660 the law didn't require the baptism at his time 00:23:12.660 --> 00:23:14.859 of death. And I don't think, and I think that 00:23:14.859 --> 00:23:17.119 means we cannot simply take this example in Luke 00:23:17.119 --> 00:23:23.220 23 and apply it to the rest of humanity, the 00:23:23.220 --> 00:23:25.200 rest of humanity who will live under a completely 00:23:25.200 --> 00:23:34.519 different law, which is the will of Jesus. Sorry, 00:23:34.539 --> 00:23:43.869 I'm trying to. Since the thief lived and died 00:23:43.869 --> 00:23:47.910 under the old law The testator which is Jesus 00:23:47.910 --> 00:23:51.069 could have chosen to give the thief salvation 00:23:51.069 --> 00:23:53.549 on whatever basis he chose just as I just as 00:23:53.549 --> 00:23:58.930 I chose to You know, I could give Somebody something 00:23:58.930 --> 00:24:02.390 in my lifetime on whatever basis I chose. Let's 00:24:02.390 --> 00:24:07.170 say I choose to give Let's say I choose to give 00:24:07.170 --> 00:24:09.910 brother Bevard $5 ,000 check today and I gave 00:24:09.910 --> 00:24:13.859 it to him. He'd be happy about that And then 00:24:13.859 --> 00:24:20.619 in my will I wrote that I would give Brother 00:24:20.619 --> 00:24:27.539 Jace a $5 ,000 check on the condition that he 00:24:27.539 --> 00:24:31.079 was baptized and I died tomorrow. And all you 00:24:31.079 --> 00:24:34.220 guys came around to read my will and in my will 00:24:34.220 --> 00:24:37.630 it said that Jace got $5 ,000 if he was baptized. 00:24:38.049 --> 00:24:40.289 Well, Jace may understand that I already gave 00:24:40.289 --> 00:24:42.769 Beverly a check for $5 ,000 yesterday, and Beverly 00:24:42.769 --> 00:24:46.710 already cashed it in the bank. And Jace may up 00:24:46.710 --> 00:24:50.450 in demand that he get his $5 ,000 the same way 00:24:50.450 --> 00:24:53.450 that Beverly did. But that's not how a will works. 00:24:53.529 --> 00:24:56.089 While I was alive, while I was living, I could 00:24:56.089 --> 00:25:01.190 have given anything I wanted to Beverly. But 00:25:01.190 --> 00:25:04.910 as soon as I died, My will goes into effect, 00:25:04.970 --> 00:25:11.630 and that's what allows these things to take place. 00:25:14.410 --> 00:25:19.750 That's just how a will works. The orders of my 00:25:19.750 --> 00:25:21.910 will must be followed, and that's the same as 00:25:21.910 --> 00:25:25.130 Jesus Christ. When he died and he gave us his 00:25:25.130 --> 00:25:32.849 will, that's what we must follow. While he was 00:25:32.849 --> 00:25:34.849 living salvation could be granted to whoever 00:25:34.849 --> 00:25:42.210 he wanted But when he died salvation must be 00:25:42.210 --> 00:25:44.170 handled in the terms of his will which we have 00:25:44.170 --> 00:25:47.829 in the New Testament Instructions in the New 00:25:47.829 --> 00:25:54.700 Covenant, which he wrote and gave Acts chapter 00:25:54.700 --> 00:25:58.019 2 in verse 38, Peter said to them, Repent and 00:25:58.019 --> 00:25:59.980 let every one of you be baptized in the name 00:25:59.980 --> 00:26:02.359 of Jesus Christ for remission of sins and you 00:26:02.359 --> 00:26:06.440 shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. This 00:26:06.440 --> 00:26:10.279 was the first gospel sermon after Jesus had been 00:26:10.279 --> 00:26:17.019 resurrected and we know that the thief was not 00:26:17.019 --> 00:26:22.279 hearing the sermon. The thief had died. Peter 00:26:22.279 --> 00:26:26.660 is now preaching the will of Christ. Now that 00:26:26.660 --> 00:26:30.900 Jesus doesn't have an earthly say in what is 00:26:30.900 --> 00:26:34.380 said, Peter is taking the new covenant of Jesus' 00:26:34.599 --> 00:26:41.500 blood and preaching it. He is following that 00:26:41.500 --> 00:26:43.859 command in Matthew chapter 28. I command you 00:26:43.859 --> 00:26:46.059 to teach this gospel and to baptize nations. 00:26:46.259 --> 00:26:50.700 And that's exactly what Peter is doing. The thief 00:26:50.700 --> 00:26:52.799 didn't hear this message because Jesus hadn't 00:26:52.799 --> 00:26:56.180 even delivered that command yet When the thief 00:26:56.180 --> 00:26:58.299 was still living Jesus hadn't even delivered 00:26:58.299 --> 00:27:00.660 the gospel the death burial and resurrection 00:27:00.660 --> 00:27:05.420 It was in the process Jesus was was dying but 00:27:05.420 --> 00:27:07.119 hasn't died hadn't been buried and hadn't been 00:27:07.119 --> 00:27:11.119 resurrected so we cannot take Baptism and apply 00:27:11.119 --> 00:27:13.319 it to that time because he lived in a completely 00:27:13.319 --> 00:27:17.180 different law How can we be saved through the 00:27:17.180 --> 00:27:20.670 gospel? if Jesus hadn't even delivered it yet. 00:27:23.509 --> 00:27:26.789 The gospel was far from complete when Jesus was 00:27:26.789 --> 00:27:29.789 hanging on that cross, and it was far from saving 00:27:29.789 --> 00:27:38.109 the thief from his sins. What if baptism took 00:27:38.109 --> 00:27:47.990 place? What if we can conclude that baptism did 00:27:47.990 --> 00:27:52.750 take place. Well, he was baptized in the old 00:27:52.750 --> 00:27:54.829 law. He lived under a different law. He was baptized 00:27:54.829 --> 00:27:59.069 in the baptism of John, which is not the same 00:27:59.069 --> 00:28:01.730 as the baptism of Jesus. He was still a sinner, 00:28:02.809 --> 00:28:05.470 maybe looking to repent if he was baptized, but 00:28:05.470 --> 00:28:07.690 he wasn't forgiving. John himself said he couldn't 00:28:07.690 --> 00:28:10.829 forgive, he couldn't offer forgiveness or the 00:28:10.829 --> 00:28:13.509 Holy Spirit, but he could offer repentance. And 00:28:13.509 --> 00:28:16.259 it certainly was a baptism for God, but from 00:28:16.259 --> 00:28:19.380 God, but if he was baptized, it wouldn't have 00:28:19.380 --> 00:28:25.660 changed his salvation. What if the thief hanging 00:28:25.660 --> 00:28:29.140 on the cross was not baptized? Well, he was still 00:28:29.140 --> 00:28:32.259 a sinner, same as before. Maybe not looking to 00:28:32.259 --> 00:28:36.859 repent and certainly not forgiven, but again, 00:28:37.000 --> 00:28:39.279 it was the old law. Baptism wasn't required. 00:28:39.700 --> 00:28:41.779 There was no saving gospel yet. Jesus hasn't 00:28:41.779 --> 00:28:44.420 delivered the gospel, hasn't delivered the Holy 00:28:44.420 --> 00:28:48.160 Spirit. If he wasn't baptized, it wouldn't have 00:28:48.160 --> 00:28:52.200 changed his salvation. I want to go back to our 00:28:52.200 --> 00:28:55.779 question like before, Luke chapter 23, what is 00:28:55.779 --> 00:28:58.319 the purpose of this text? Is the purpose of Luke 00:28:58.319 --> 00:29:01.440 chapter 23 to teach us whether we should or shouldn't 00:29:01.440 --> 00:29:07.059 be baptized? It's a great example for us to use 00:29:07.059 --> 00:29:10.700 and to study, but I think we answered that question 00:29:10.700 --> 00:29:14.099 this morning. It takes all scripture to come 00:29:14.099 --> 00:29:20.480 to a conclusion. We can use this example to be 00:29:20.480 --> 00:29:23.259 of one mind and come closer to each other, but 00:29:23.259 --> 00:29:27.779 I don't know if the purpose of that was to teach 00:29:27.779 --> 00:29:41.740 us baptism or not baptism. Luke is writing to 00:29:41.740 --> 00:29:44.079 Christians of the new law, of the New Testament. 00:29:44.670 --> 00:29:48.690 now delivered to you by Jesus. And for me and 00:29:48.690 --> 00:29:52.269 you, we live in a time, we live in the time of 00:29:52.269 --> 00:29:55.269 the new law, an unchanging law, in a time where 00:29:55.269 --> 00:29:58.970 the gospel of Christ is as powerful now as the 00:29:58.970 --> 00:30:03.230 day that Peter gave that sermon. The blood of 00:30:03.230 --> 00:30:05.390 Jesus is just as powerful because he has given 00:30:05.390 --> 00:30:09.470 us the new law. Baptism wouldn't have changed 00:30:09.470 --> 00:30:13.609 the thief's salvation, but Jesus can. And that's 00:30:13.609 --> 00:30:17.190 the same as it was in Acts chapter 2 and that's 00:30:17.190 --> 00:30:19.809 the same as it is today. Jesus can change your 00:30:19.809 --> 00:30:22.990 salvation. And if you need your salvation changed, 00:30:23.049 --> 00:30:28.470 you live in the new law. You're offered baptism 00:30:28.470 --> 00:30:31.349 and you're offered the Holy Spirit because Jesus 00:30:31.349 --> 00:30:34.109 died and because the testator died and because 00:30:34.109 --> 00:30:38.690 he gave us his new will. Thank you for listening 00:30:38.690 --> 00:30:40.950 to today's sermon from the Church of Christ Wheeler 00:30:40.950 --> 00:30:43.920 area. We hope this message encouraged you and 00:30:43.920 --> 00:30:46.200 strengthened you in your faith this week. Don't 00:30:46.200 --> 00:30:49.480 forget the doors always open at 1500 South Allen 00:30:49.480 --> 00:30:52.940 L. Bean Boulevard at 10 30 a .m on Sundays, 2 00:30:52.940 --> 00:30:56.019 30 p .m on Sunday afternoons, and recharge with 00:30:56.019 --> 00:30:59.599 us midweek on Wednesdays at 7 p .m. For more 00:30:59.599 --> 00:31:02.839 information or to hear past messages, follow 00:31:02.839 --> 00:31:05.720 us on your favorite podcast platform. Look us 00:31:05.720 --> 00:31:08.319 up on Facebook and Instagram. We hope you have 00:31:08.319 --> 00:31:10.339 a blessed week and we'll see you next time.