Series: RED LETTER DAY
WEEK 4: You Will be With Me In Paradise
Text: Luke 23:39-43 NLT
Pastor Tom Cogle
Sunday, April 5, 2026
On a scale of 1-100, how good of a person are you?
WHEN YOU COMPARE YOURSELF WITH OTHER PEOPLE:
- YOU FEEL BETTER ABOUT YOURSELF.
- YOU FEEL WORSE ABOUT YOURSELF.
32 Two other men, both criminals, (in other words, not good people) were also led out with him (Christ) to be executed. When they came to the place called the Skull, there they crucified him (Jesus) there, along with the criminals – one on his right, the other on his left.
Luke 23:32-33 NIV
The word excruciating, it literally means, “out of the cross.”
It’s the word we use today for the worst type of pain….
”ex crucifix”…out of the cross.
39 One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him(Jesus): “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!” 40 But the other criminal rebuked him, “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence?” 41 “We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man, has done nothing wrong.” 42 Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” “Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.” Luke 23:32-33, 39-43 NIV
Good people do not go to heaven. Forgiven people go to heaven.
THE FORGIVEN ONE
- ADMITS WRONG.
We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.
Luke 23:41 NIV
For the person who keeps all of the laws except one is as guilty as a person who has broken all of God’s laws.
James 2:10 NLT
- ASKS FOR ETERNAL HELP.
42 Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” 43 Jesus answered him, “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.” Luke 23:42-43 NIV
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.
1 Peter 1:3 NIV
TALK IT OVER
How did you rate on your scale of 1-100? What does your number say to you about where you stand with God?
How have you relied on your own goodness to get right with God?
Unlike the thieves, you still have time left to live. If Jesus really is the Son of God who died to offer you complete forgiveness, how does your life need to change?
He is Risen!
He is Risen Indeed!