We Find Assurance

Series: At the Cross
Message: We Find Assurance
Scripture: Luke 23:39-43

"Our new Constitution is now established, and has an appearance that promises permanency: but in this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes." - Benjamin Franklin

How can you find assurance as you face the reality of death?

Lessons from a Thief

1. He Realized his situation

• Guilty
• Helpless

"For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 6:23)

2. He Recognized that Jesus is sinless and soverign

"For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin." (Hebrews 4:15)

"And Jesus came and said to them, 'All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.'" (Matthew 28:18)

3. He Cried Out in faith

"For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." (Romans 10:13)

• Head faith
• Heart faith
• Humble faith
• Courageous faith

4. He Anticipated life beyond the grave

"Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord." (2 Corinthians 5:8)

"I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better." (Philippians 1:23)

"And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment," (Hebrews 9:27)

5. He Trusted in Christ's grace and power

"For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift fo God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast." (Ephesians 2:8-9)

"But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him event to subject all thins to himself." (Philippians 3:20-21)

6. He Received Christ's assurance

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperisable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God's power are being guarded through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time." (1 Peter 1:3-5)

The Salvation that Jesus Offers Is... 

• Immediate
• Certain
• A Relationship
• A Real Place

"Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also." (John 14:1-3)

"Jesus said to him, 'I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No man comes to the Father except through me.'" (John 14:6)

"For everyone who call on the name of the Lord will be saved." (Romans 10:13)

"For he says, 'In a favorable time I listened to you, and in a day of salvation I have helped you.' Behold, now is the favorable time; behod, now is the day of salvation." (2 Corinthians 6:2)

Making it Personal

• As you face the reality of death, do you have any assurance? What is your assurance based on?
• Like the thief on the cross, cry out to Christ today to forgive your sin as your Savior and lead your life as your Lord. 
• Who can you share these truths with?