A Word of Salvation

[0:00] Well, if we could, this evening, with the Lord's help and the Lord's enabling, if we could turn back to that portion of scripture that we read, the gospel according to Luke chapter 23, Luke chapter 23, and if we read again at verse 39, Luke 23 and verse 39.

[0:30] One of the criminals who were hanged railed at Jesus, saying, Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us. But the other rebuked him, saying, Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation, and we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds.

[0:51] But this man has done nothing wrong. And he said, Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom. And he said to him, Truly, I say to you today, you will be with me in paradise.

[1:08] Truly, I say to you today, you will be with me in paradise. We said before that all of our gospel writers, especially Luke, they all encourage us to come to the place which is called Calvary.

[1:31] They all tell us to come to the place which is called Calvary, because it was at Calvary that they crucified the Prince of Glory. And it's what took place at Calvary that, as we know it, changed the history of our world forever.

[1:47] And my longing is, especially for those of you who are unconverted, my longing is that coming to the place which is called Calvary will have a change and a transformation, will cause a change and transformation in your life.

[2:03] Because the Bible reminds us so clearly that the only remedy for the curse of sin and death is the cross of Jesus Christ. The difference between eternal life and eternal death is the cross of Jesus Christ.

[2:17] The difference between being saved and being lost is the cross of Jesus Christ. The difference between an eternity in heaven with the Lord or an eternity in hell and torment is the cross of Jesus Christ.

[2:32] The cross makes all the difference. But as we said before, our gospel writers, they don't really dwell upon the physical suffering of Jesus on the cross.

[2:43] Instead, they dwell on what Jesus had to say on the cross. And as you know, there are seven sayings which Jesus uttered from the cross at Calvary.

[2:55] Last time, a couple of months ago now, we considered the first saying, which was a word of forgiveness. We read that earlier, where Jesus said, Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.

[3:07] But the second saying of Jesus from the cross is a word of salvation. A word of salvation. Where Jesus says to the cross of the saint, he says, today you will be with me in paradise.

[3:23] And you know, this word of salvation is central to our salvation. And it's all because it came from the central cross at Calvary. Because as Luke affirms to us, Jesus was crucified between two criminals, two malefactors.

[3:41] Therefore, this word of salvation is central because the cross of Jesus Christ is central. And tonight, as we come again to the place called Calvary, and as we witness in only a small measure of what took place, we see that on the threshold of eternity, there was this conversation between these three crosses.

[4:03] There was a conversation between the crosses. And I'd like us just to consider this conversation between these three crosses. And listen in to what each cross had to say.

[4:15] Because in the conversation between the three crosses, there was, you could say, the cross of the sinner. Then there was the cross of the saint. And then in the middle, there was the cross of the Savior.

[4:29] There was a conversation between the three crosses. The cross of the sinner, the cross of the saint, and the cross of the Savior. And so we look at each cross in turn.

[4:40] So first of all, the cross of the sinner. The cross of the sinner. And we see him speaking in verse 39. We're told that one of the criminals, the cross of the sinner. One of the criminals who were hanged railed at Jesus saying, Are you not the Christ?

[4:56] Save yourself and us. You know, this conversation between three crosses at Calvary, It was initiated by a word of blasphemy.

[5:09] From the cross of the sinner. Being hurled towards the cross of the Savior. And you know, when you consider the cross of the sinner. When you consider him and his situation.

[5:21] It's hard to believe what he's saying. Because here are these three crosses. And upon these three crosses are three men. Who are hanging over the threshold of eternity.

[5:33] This is their last day on earth. They're not promised tomorrow. For each of them there was a time to be born. But this is now for each of them their time to die.

[5:46] And you know, what a way to die. To die by crucifixion. Because as we said before, in the act of crucifixion. You didn't bleed to death. And it wasn't the pain of the nails.

[5:56] The six inch nails being driven through your hands and feet. That killed you. It was the fact that you suffocated to death in your own blood. And yet, even through. Even though the cross of the sinner.

[6:08] This sinner. Even though he knows he's going to die. In only a short time. And he's on the threshold of eternity. Even though he knows all that for himself.

[6:20] He's very aware that he's going to die. And yet, he doesn't take his last opportunity to seek the Lord. Instead, the cross of the sinner.

[6:30] We see that he remains a sinner. And he dies in a sin. And it was all. The reason he died in a sin. Is because he opened his heart. To all the delusions of this world.

[6:43] And he pursued all the temporal enjoyments of this life. You know, my friend. You look at this cross. The cross of the sinner. And you look at him and you think.

[6:54] In the face of death, it's such a sad ending. There's no remorse. There's no repentance. There's no concern for his soul. There's no thought of eternity.

[7:07] Instead, in his dying breath. The cross of the sinner. He seeks to join in with the crowd. He wants to join in with all those. Who are mocking Jesus.

[7:19] And hurling insults. Towards the middle cross. The cross of the saviour. And you know, my friend. The cross of the sinner. He only hung a few feet from the cross of the saviour.

[7:31] He was only a few feet from Jesus. And yet you find him blaspheming all the way to the grave. You know, our last living memory of this man.

[7:44] This is all we have of him. Our last living memory of him. Is that he cursed the Son of God to his face. If you are the Christ.

[7:56] Save yourself and us. You know, his statement. It not only shows the hardness of his heart. But also that he was a crowd pleaser. The cross of the sinner.

[8:08] He had listened to the voice of the world. And lived for the approval of men. And I say that. Because when we look at what others said against Jesus. The cross of the sinner seems to just say the same thing.

[8:22] He seems to just follow the crowd. Luke tells us back in verse 35. That the Jewish rulers. Who were all gathered around the crosses at Calvary. Were told that the Jewish rulers.

[8:34] They scoffed at Jesus saying. He saved others. Let him save himself. If he is the Christ. The chosen of God. And then you have the Roman soldiers. They also join in.

[8:46] In hurling insults at Jesus. They come forward to mock Jesus. And they say. If you are the king. They are pointing at the middle cross. And saying. If you are the king of the Jews.

[8:56] Save yourself. And now after hearing the Jewish rulers. And hearing the Roman soldiers. Hurl insults at Jesus. The cross of the sinner joins in.

[9:08] He wants to add something to the conversation. And he mocks Jesus. Just like the others did. If you are the Christ. Save yourself. Save yourself. Save yourself. Save yourself. And us.

[9:20] But you know what's interesting. Is that it seems that their mockery. Was all initiated. By this inscription. The inscription that was written above. The head. Of Jesus.

[9:32] Because we're told that the inscription read. This is the king of the Jews. And the other gospel writers. Tell us. That that inscription was written in Greek. In Latin. And in Hebrew.

[9:44] And it seems that. The Romans. And the Jews. And this. Criminal. They all hurled insults at Jesus. Because they read. Pilate's inscription.

[9:55] In their own language. The Jewish rulers. Would have read the inscription. Pilate's inscription. In Hebrew. The Roman soldiers. Would have read. Pilate's inscription.

[10:05] In Latin. The cross of the sinner. This dying thief. Would have read. Pilate's inscription. In Greek. And you know.

[10:16] What we're being reminded. Is that. This inscription. Above the head of Jesus. It bore a message. That was to be seen. And read. By all the crowd. The crowd at Calvary.

[10:27] Was to know. Who hung upon. This central cross. But you know. The response of the crowd. To the central cross. At Calvary. Their response.

[10:37] What you find. With the crowd. Is that they didn't. Bow down. Before the central cross. No. They sought. To blaspheme. The central cross.

[10:48] They sought. To hurl insults. At Jesus. And sadly. For the cross. Of the sinner. With his dying breath. On the threshold. Of eternity. He follows the crowd.

[10:59] Into hell. That's what he does. He follows the crowd. Into hell. He was. Close to Jesus. But not close enough.

[11:12] His heart was hard. And he followed the crowd. All the way to hell. And you know my friend. It's a dangerous thing. To follow the crowd. Especially a crowd.

[11:24] That's leading you to hell. It's a dangerous thing. To follow in the footsteps. Of those who hate Jesus. And mock Jesus. And ridicule Jesus.

[11:35] And blaspheme the name of Jesus. And will do anything. To get rid of Jesus. It's a dangerous thing. For you to live. For the approval of men. And listen to the voice. Of the world. A world that will tell you.

[11:47] That God doesn't exist. Jesus. Isn't a savior. And life. Well life. Has no real meaning at all. You know my friend. It's a dangerous thing. It's a frightening thing. To be led by the voice.

[12:00] Of the world. And led into thinking. That there's nothing after death. No one goes to hell. Everyone goes to heaven. And we all become bright.

[12:10] Shining stars. In the sky. Looking down at everyone else. Oh my friend. It's a dangerous thing. To live. For the approval of others. And to listen.

[12:21] To the voice of the world. And be led by the crowd. Into a lost eternity. In hell. It's a dangerous thing. And you know.

[12:32] When you look at the cross. Of the sinner. When you look at this cross. This man. Who died in his sin. Do you know the one question. That should come to your mind.

[12:43] When you look at him. Where is hell? Where is hell? Look at that man. And ask. Where is hell? Because for the cross of the sinner.

[12:56] Hell was at the end. Of a Christless life. That's what it was. For this man. Hell was at the end. Of his life. A Christless life.

[13:08] And you know. My unconverted friend. You make sure. That you're not like this man was. You make sure. That you're not living. For the approval of others. You make sure. That you're not listening.

[13:19] To the voice of the world. You make sure. That you're not following. The crowd. Into hell. You make sure. That you don't waste. Your last opportunity. Of salvation.

[13:32] Oh my friend. Make sure. Make sure. That you're not led. To a lost eternity. In hell. Because where is hell?

[13:44] You look at this man. And he will tell you tonight. Hell is at the end. Of a Christless life. Hell is at the end.

[13:54] Of a Christless life. But then we turn. To this cross. The cross of the saint. The cross of the saint.

[14:05] What do we see. At the cross of the saint. Look at verse 40. We're told that the other. Rebuked him. Saying. Do you not fear God. Since you are under. The same sentence.

[14:16] Of condemnation. And we indeed justly. For we are receiving. The due reward. Of our deeds. But this man. Has done nothing wrong. Now.

[14:27] Although it would only be. Speculation. But the cross of the saint. Could have been a friend. Of the cross of the sinner. They could have known one another.

[14:38] They could have worked together. They could have even shared. A prison cell. Prior to their crucifixion. They could have been together. In life. But you know. There was going to be. This great separation.

[14:49] Between them. At death. And that was first. Evidence by the fact. That the cross of the saint. He rebukes. The cross of the sinner.

[15:01] The cross of the saint. Rebukes the cross of the sinner. For his blasphemy. He said. Do you not fear God. Do you not fear God. Seeing you're under the same. Sentence of condemnation.

[15:12] Do you not care. That you're about to die. Do you not realize. That very shortly. You're going to meet your maker. Do you not fear. God. That you're under the same.

[15:23] Sentence of judgment. The cross of the saint. He rebukes. The cross of the sinner. For his blasphemy. And you know. My Christian friend.

[15:35] We should be ready. To do the same. We should be ready. To do the same. You know. Far too often. As Christians. We're more ready. To listen. To the voice.

[15:46] Of the world. And live for the approval. Of others. And make sure. That we're friends. With everyone. And we're. More interested in that. Than letting our light. So shine before men. That they may see our good work.

[15:58] And glorify our father in heaven. You know. Far too often. We're more ready. To receive. Blasphemy against Jesus. Than rebuke. Blasphemy against Jesus. But not so.

[16:11] For the cross of the saint. He's no longer. Listening. To the voice. Of the world. God. This is what's remarkable. Something's happened. In his life. In these last few moments.

[16:22] He's no longer living. For the approval of others. He doesn't want to. Follow this crowd. Grace is now. Working in his life. And even with his dying breath.

[16:33] He wants to stand up. And speak out. For Jesus. And you know. Maybe for the cross. Of the saint. Maybe it was the prospect. Of death.

[16:43] That made him realize. That being worried. About what other people. Will say. And what other people. Will think. And what other people. Will act towards him. Maybe that's what.

[16:53] Made him realize. That he needs to come out. On the side of Christ. Maybe it was the prospect. Of death. And eternity. That made him realize. That worrying about. All these things.

[17:04] Can't add one single hour. To his life. And you know. With his dying breath. The cross of the saint. Wants to stand up. And speak out. For Jesus.

[17:18] Because the thing is. The cross of the saint. He knew that he was a sinner. Ironically. The cross of the sinner. Didn't think he was a sinner. At all. He didn't think he was.

[17:30] A hell deserving sinner. But the cross of the saint. Knew that. He was a hell deserving sinner. In fact. He acknowledges. He acknowledges. To the cross of the sinner. And he acknowledges.

[17:40] To the cross of the savior. That he's a hell deserving sinner. Because he says. That he's receiving. What he deserves. We are receiving. The due reward.

[17:51] Of our deeds. He knows. That he deserves death. He knows. That he deserves. Punishment. In hell. He knows. That because of his sins. He knows.

[18:02] That he deserves. Torture in this life. And torment. In the next. Christ. But you know. What's more. Is that the cross of the saint. He knows.

[18:13] That the cross of the savior. Is innocent. He knows. That the one. In the central. Cross. Is completely innocent. He says. In verse 41.

[18:24] We indeed. Justly. For we are receiving. The due rewards. Of our deed. But this man. Has done nothing wrong. Now at this point. The cross of the saint.

[18:34] Doesn't refer to Jesus. By his name. He doesn't call him Lord. He just says. This man. This man. Hath done nothing amiss. And it's evident.

[18:46] That the cross of the saint. He's becoming wise. To salvation. Because he's learning. More and more. About the cross. Of the savior. He's learning about. Who this man.

[18:58] Really is. Of course. The cross of the saint. Would have heard. All about the cross. Of the savior. He would have heard. About this miracle worker. From Galilee.

[19:09] Who. Had cleansed lepers. And. And healed the sick. And raised the dead. He would have also heard. About Jesus's public trial. And how. Pilate had tried.

[19:20] To get Jesus off the hook. Not once. Not twice. But three times. He would have also known. That this man. Was innocent. Not deserving of death.

[19:31] He would have discovered. That Jesus. Was even the most. Loving man. Who ever lived. Because. Even moments earlier. He had heard. Jesus. Praying.

[19:42] For those. Who had crucified him. Father. Forgive them. For they know. Not what they do. And you know.

[19:52] It must have been. On hearing those words. That the cross. Of the saint. His heart. Must have melted. Hearing that. Hearing the God. Of heaven.

[20:03] The judge. Of all the earth. Hearing that. He's willing. To forgive. Even the vilest. Of sinners. Father. Forgive them. For they know. Not what they do. Those words.

[20:15] You know. They must have convinced. The cross. Of the saint. That this man. This man. In the middle. He must. Have done nothing wrong. This man.

[20:25] Have done nothing. Amiss. And you know. My friend. In many ways.

[20:37] I believe. That you're similar. To the cross. Of the saint. Because like. The cross. Of the saint. This man. Here. You fear God.

[20:50] You now. Respect. The things of God. You respect. Jesus. And the church. And the Bible. And other Christians. And you know. That you're a hell deserving sinner. If I was to ask you tonight.

[21:02] Are you a hell deserving sinner. You'd probably say yes. And you know. That Jesus. Is a sinless savior. My friend. You know. That this Jesus. Is the most loving.

[21:13] And forgiving man. Who ever lived. You also know. That his love for you. And his willingness. To forgive you. Is demonstrated. To you. In the fact. That he hung upon. That central cross.

[21:25] My friend. You know. That this Jesus. Is able to change. Your punishment. Into paradise. You know all this. But unlike. The cross of the saint.

[21:37] You seem to do. Nothing about it. You do absolutely. Nothing. With what you hear. You go from. Week to week. Month to month.

[21:47] Year to year. In the same. Condition. And the reality is. You're actually. Like the cross of the sinner. But you're more.

[21:59] You're as knowledgeable. As the cross of the saint. You know. This dying thief. The cross of the saint. He gives to you. A prayer. That you can echo.

[22:10] From your own heart. And claim for yourself. Because he says. In verse 42. He said. To Jesus. To the central cross. He says. Lord Jesus. Remember me.

[22:21] Remember me. When you come. Into your kingdom. Him. And you know. My friend. These words. From the cross of the saint. Those words. Are the words.

[22:31] That made this sinner. A saint. They are the words. That converted this man. That prayer. Of repentance. And seeking the Lord. But you know.

[22:43] There's more. Because the cross of the saint. He not only prays here. He's also professing. He professes. His faith. He professes. That Jesus is Lord.

[22:54] Jesus. And Jesus is gracious. And merciful. He professes. He says. He says. Lord Jesus. Remember me.

[23:04] When you come. Into your kingdom. They are the words. That changed his life. And gave to him. Eternal life. And you know. It wasn't a long prayer. It wasn't an eloquent prayer. But it was a heartfelt.

[23:16] And whole hearted. Prayer. Lord Jesus. Remember me. When you come. Into your kingdom. And as I said. They're not. It's not only a prayer. But also a profession. Of his faith.

[23:27] He professes. That Jesus is Lord. Lord. Jesus. Remember me. He professes. Prays and professes.

[23:38] That Jesus is gracious. Remember me. He's asking. That Jesus. Would be gracious to him. And merciful. Towards him. But there's more. Because. The cross of the saint.

[23:49] He not only prays. That Jesus. Is Lord. And Jesus is gracious. And merciful. He also says. That Jesus is king. He's king over his life. Lord Jesus.

[24:01] Remember me. When you come. Into your kingdom. And you know. My friend. That was faith speaking. Jesus. As you know.

[24:11] He would have looked. Nothing like a lord. Nothing like a king. He was marred. Beyond recognition. He was nailed. He was nailed. Hand on foot. To a cross here. A crown of thorns. Pressed. Into his head.

[24:22] And. But whatever the world. Had to say. About this Jesus. The cross of the saint. He knew that there was something. Different about it. And there was something.

[24:34] Which drew him. To Jesus. There was something. Which caused him. To stand up. And speak out. For the cross. Of the savior. There was something.

[24:44] Which caused the cross. Of the saint. To pray. And profess. That the cross. Of the savior. Was his lord. And his king. And you know.

[24:55] My friend. When are you going. To do that? When are you going. To pray. And profess. The cross. Of the savior. As your lord. And as your king.

[25:08] Because listen. Into how the cross. Of the savior. Responds. To those. Who pray. And profess his name. Listening. To what the cross. Of the savior. Says to those. Who acknowledge their sin. And affirm Jesus.

[25:20] As their lord. And king. That's what I want us. To consider lastly. The cross. Of the savior. The central cross. Because in this conversation. Between the three crosses.

[25:30] These three people. On the threshold. Of eternity. There's the cross. Of the sinner. The cross. Of the saint. And then the central cross. The cross. Of the savior. The cross.

[25:42] Of the savior. What does he say? Verse 43. He said to him. Truly. I say to you. Today.

[25:52] You will be with me. In paradise. Truly. I say to you. Today. You will be with me. In paradise. I'm sure. I'm sure.

[26:05] That when the cross. Of the saint. I'm sure. That when he confessed. Jesus. As his savior. And his lord. And his king. I'm sure. That the cross.

[26:16] Of the saint. Wondered. How Jesus. Would respond. To him. Because the cross. Of the saint. He had come. To deserve. To discover. That. He didn't deserve.

[26:27] Grace. He didn't deserve. To be shown. Mercy. He didn't deserve. Forgiveness. But that's what. Salvation is. Isn't it? Grace is receiving.

[26:38] What you don't deserve. Mercy. Is not receiving. What you do deserve. And forgiveness. Is your slate. Being wiped clean. And even though.

[26:50] The cross of the saint. Even though. He may have wondered. How Jesus. Would respond. To his request. The response. He received. Was. Better than.

[27:00] He could have ever. Imagined. Today. You will be. With me. In paradise. And you know. My friend. You may wonder. How Jesus.

[27:10] Will respond. To your request. For salvation. Maybe you're. Asking the Lord. To save you. Maybe you're. Asking the Lord. To remember you. And not to forget you.

[27:22] Maybe you're. Asking. Because you know. That you don't deserve. Grace. You don't deserve. Mercy. You don't deserve. His forgiveness. But you know. The wonder of the cross. Of the Savior. Is that when you pray. And when you profess.

[27:33] Jesus. As your Lord. And King. You're given. A word of salvation. And a word of assurance. And you know. It really is. A word of assurance. If you lack assurance.

[27:46] Tonight. Jesus Christ. Is your assurance. And the word of assurance. He gives to you. Is the same word. He gave to the cross.

[27:56] Of the saint. Truly. Today. You will be with me. In paradise. And you know. That word. Truly. It's very important.

[28:07] It's a word. Full of assurance. A word. Full of assurance. Because. Jesus. Is responding. To the cross. Of the saint. The cross. Of the savior.

[28:18] Is saying. To the cross. Of the saint. Truly. Merrily. Assuredly. Assuredly. I say to you. Today. Today.

[28:29] You will be with me. In paradise. And you know. What a promise. What a promise. That the cross. Of the saint. He had reached. His last day.

[28:40] In this world. He had reached. His last few moments. In life. He had reached. His last few breaths. In his lungs. He had reached.

[28:51] His last opportunity. For salvation. And on the threshold. Of eternity. He asks Jesus. To have mercy on him. He asks Jesus.

[29:01] To be gracious to him. He asks Jesus. To forgive him. And then he's given. The assurance. Today. Today. You will be with me.

[29:12] In paradise. And let's be clear here. The cross of the saint. He wasn't told. Today. You'll be with me. In purgatory. He wasn't told. Today.

[29:23] You'll be with me. In the intermediate state. No. The cross of the savior. Gave to this man. Hanging. On the threshold. Of eternity. Gave to him.

[29:33] The promise. That when he closes. His eyes. On this world. He will open them. In paradise. Today. You will be with me.

[29:45] In paradise. And you know. What I love about. This promise. Of assurance. Is that the word. Paradise. In Hebrew. It means.

[29:55] Garden. Therefore. What the cross. Of. The savior. What Jesus. Was saying. To this. Saint. Was today. You will walk with me.

[30:07] In the garden. Death. Will not win the victory. Sin. Will not overcome you. The grave. Will not leave it. Sting upon you. Today.

[30:17] Today. You will walk with me. In the garden. In the new. Eden of heaven. Today. You will be with me. In paradise. And you know.

[30:28] My friend. That's the hope. Of the Christian. That's the hope. Of someone. Who turns to Jesus. Seeking salvation. In fact. Those words. That Jesus says.

[30:39] Here in verse 43. It's those words. That our catechism. Bases the question. What benefits. Do believers. Receive from Christ.

[30:50] At their death. And I'm sure. You know the catechism. The souls of believers. Are at their death. Made perfect. In holiness. And do immediately.

[31:01] Pass into glory. And their bodies. Still being united. To Christ. Do rest in their graves. Until the resurrection. My friend. That's the hope.

[31:11] Of the gospel. But is that your hope? Is that your assurance? Is that where you stand tonight? Because you know.

[31:22] This word of salvation. Is being held out. To you. Once more. God. And the fact. That it's been held out. To you. Ought to remind you. That you're not beyond hope.

[31:33] And you're not beyond. Beyond salvation. You're not beyond. Redemption. You're not a lost cause. Because like it was. For the cross of the saint.

[31:44] The hope of the gospel. Will be held out. To you. Until your last breath. You're still on mercy's ground. Tonight. This is the wonder of it.

[31:55] You're still on mercy's ground. And my friend. Even the 11th hour. Of your life. Is still an hour. Of opportunity. So tonight.

[32:06] Is a night of opportunity. It might be your last opportunity. But it's still an opportunity. So don't waste this opportunity. But you know.

[32:19] You look at this man. And it was a deathbed conversion. He was converted. At the 11th hour. And what I want to say. To you about that.

[32:29] Is deathbed conversions. Don't happen often. They're just like. Dramatic conversions. Which are few. And far between. Of course.

[32:39] They're given to us. In the Bible. To prove. That they do happen. But they don't. Happen often. And you know. It was J.C. Ryle. My favorite commentator. He said.

[32:51] In relation to this passage. He said. Few are ever saved. On their deathbeds. One thief on the cross. Was saved. That none should despair. But only one.

[33:05] That none should presume. Which is why. You know. It's better for you. My friend. Not to wait. Until your deathbed. To come to Christ. But to come now.

[33:20] And to come today. Come today. Because now. Is the accepted time. Today. Is the day of salvation.

[33:33] And as the Bible says. Today. Today. If you hear his voice. Do not. Do not. Harden your heart.

[33:45] Come. Now. Come. Today. And so. When we come to this place. Which is called Calvary.

[33:56] We hear a conversation. Between three crosses. There was the cross of the sinner. The cross of the saint. And in the center.

[34:08] There was the cross of the savior. And as you know. My friend. The cross of the savior. Is what made the difference. Between the cross of the sinner. And the cross of the saint.

[34:19] Because both. The cross. Of the sinner. And the cross. Of the saint. They hung. Only feet. From the cross. Of the savior. Both of them.

[34:29] Were on the threshold. Of eternity. Both of them. Needed forgiveness. Both of them. Had the same offer. Of salvation. Held out. To them. But one scorned Jesus.

[34:43] The other sought Jesus. One blasphemed Jesus. The other begged Jesus. For mercy. One rejected Jesus.

[34:56] The other simply said. Lord Jesus. Remember me. hunters. My friend. The cross of the savior. Was the difference between the cross of the sinner.

[35:08] And the cross of the saint. The cross of the savior. Was the difference between. Eternal death. And eternal life. The cross of the savior.

[35:20] Was the difference between. Lost for all eternity. Or saved for all eternity. the cross of the Savior was the difference between punishment or paradise the cross of the Savior was the difference between heaven and hell my friend the cross of the Savior made all the difference but the question for you tonight is what difference is the cross of the Savior making in your life what difference is the cross of the Savior making in your life may the Lord bless these thoughts to us and let us pray O Lord our gracious God we give thanks to thee for the cross of the Savior we marvel Lord that even on the threshold of eternity that we are able to be saved that as thy word reminds us and even as one of old who said that from the stirrup to the ground mercy sought mercy found and Lord we pray that even if we reach the eleventh hour of our life that none of us would be out of Christ but that we would all be closing in with him that we would know the promise that today you will be with me in paradise

[36:49] O Lord we ask that each and every one of us that we would meet in Emmanuel's land on the last day that we would be found in Christ washed in his blood clothed in his righteousness made like him and seen his face and walking before him Lord bless us then we pray bless thy truth to us O Lord speak to us we pray that thy spirit would impress thy word upon our heart that we might be able to even hide it there that we may not sin against thee cleanse us then we pray take away our iniquity receive us graciously for Jesus' sake Amen we're going to bring our time to a conclusion by singing the words of Psalm 25 Psalm 25 in the Scottish Psalter page 231 Psalm 25 we're singing from verse 4 down to the verse Mark 10 show me thy ways O Lord thy path so teach thou me and do thou lead me in thy truth that in my teacher be for thou art God that does to me salvation send and I upon thee all the day expecting to attend we'll sing on down to the verse Mark 10 to God's praise to me thy ways O Lord thy path so teach thou me and do thou lead me in thy truth let it my teacher be for thou art God that does to me salvation send and I upon thee all the day expecting to attend thy tender mercies Lord

[39:41] I pray thee to remember our loving kindnesses for they are the pain of hope forever my sins and faults of youth do thou O Lord forget after thy mercy think on me and for thy goodness great

[40:42] God good and upright is the way the way sinners show the weak in judgment he will guide and make his path to know the hope the hope that saw the Lord are truth and mercy sure to those that do his covenant king and his covenant king and testimonies pure the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ the love of God the Father and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all now and forevermore amen amen