A Nine Word Prayer Saved Me!

The cross demands a choice.  A nine word prayer saved the criminal on the cross.  

 

 Luke 23:42-43

English Standard Version

42 And he (the criminal) said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” 

43 And he (Jesus) said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

 

1. The criminal's prayer proves that good works are not required for us to be saved.  

2. The criminal's prayer proves that forgiveness is instantaneous.

3. The criminal's prayer proves that God forgives bad people.

4.  The criminal's prayer proves that forgiveness is available to you, and you, too, can be welcomed into heaven.   

 

 

 Context: 

Luke 23:32-43

English Standard Version

32 Two others, who were criminals, were led away to be put to death with him. 

33 And when they came to the place that is called The Skull, there they crucified him, and the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. 

34 And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”] And they cast lots to divide his garments. 

35 And the people stood by, watching, but the rulers scoffed at him, saying, “He saved others; let him save himself, if he is the Christ of God, his Chosen One!” 

36 The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine 37 and saying, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!” 3

8 There was also an inscription over him, “This is the King of the Jews.”

39 One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him,saying, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!” 

40 But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? 

41 And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.” 

42 And he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” 

43 And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

Jesus is our bridge to God.  

Seated at Feet of Jesus

Luke 10:38-42

Contemporary English Version

³⁸ The Lord and his disciples were traveling along and came to a village. When they got there, a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. 

³⁹ She had a sister named Mary, who sat down in front of the Lord and was listening to what he said. 

⁴⁰ Martha was worried about all that had to be done. Finally, she went to Jesus and said, “Lord, doesn’t it bother you that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell her to come and help me!”

 

⁴¹ The Lord answered, “Martha, Martha! You are worried and upset about so many things, 

⁴² but only one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen what is best, and it will not be taken away from her.”

 

 

Mary’s physical position reflected the position of her heart.  Martha was distracted by all the work to do.  

 

Martha’s distraction was pulling her away from Jesus.  It bothered Martha that Jesus wasn’t bothered by Mary not helping her out.  Martha came to a wrong conclusion about Jesus.   

 

Jesus does care about stuff, but He cares about quality time more with you more.  We must not let wrong priorities lead us away from intimacy with Jesus.

 

Chris Hodges says… “I have decided that I am not going to let anything that will ultimately mean nothing keep me from experiencing what will ultimately mean everything.”

 

Where Mary sat made all the difference.  She took a humble position before Him.  The closer I am to Jesus.  The better my life will be.  Life may be tough, but having the eternal perspective of Jesus makes all the difference.

 

1.        We must choose to be close to Jesus.

2.        We must get rid of all the distractions. 

3.        We must get close to Jesus, so people in our sphere of influence can know Him. 

We can’t manage what everyone thinks of us.  Martha is remembered for her distractions.  Mary is remembered for her devotion to Jesus.    

Quarantined

Mark 5:24-34

Easy-to-Read Version

24 So Jesus went with Jairus. Many people followed Jesus. They were pushing very close around him.

25 There among the people was a woman who had been bleeding for the past twelve years(quarantined for 12 years!) 

26 She had suffered very much. Many doctors had tried to help her, and all the money she had was spent, but she was not improving. In fact, her sickness was getting worse (no one else could help her).

27 The woman heard about Jesus, so she followed him with the other people and touched his coat. 

28 She thought, “If I can just touch his clothes, that will be enough to heal me (she was convinced Jesus could help her).” 

29 As soon as she touched his coat, her bleeding stopped. She felt that her body was healed from all the suffering. 

30 Jesus immediately felt power go out from him, so he stopped and turned around. “Who touched my clothes?” he asked.

31 The followers said to Jesus, “There are so many people pushing against you. But you ask, ‘Who touched me?’”

32 But Jesus continued looking for the one who touched him. 

33 The woman knew that she was healed, so she came and bowed at Jesus’ feet. She was shaking with fear. She told Jesus the whole story. 

34 He said to her, “Dear woman, you are made well because you believed. Go in peace. You will not suffer anymore.”

 

She was lonely, cast out, and alone. She was quarantined, but she ventured out to find Jesus.  Jesus gave her  a way out.

1. Jesus understands your situation.

2. God's Word the Bible is a lifeboat.  Reading God's Word helps with loneliness.

3.  Let's get in a group.  Put on a mask and regather.   Church is a place where we experience family. 

God won't let go...

Romans 8:37-39

English Standard Version

37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

 

Romans 8:37-39

The Message

31-39 So, what do you think? With God on our side like this, how can we lose? If God didn’t hesitate to put everything on the line for us, embracing our condition and exposing himself to the worst by sending his own Son, is there anything else he wouldn’t gladly and freely do for us? And who would dare tangle with God by messing with one of God’s chosen? Who would dare even to point a finger? The One who died for us—who was raised to life for us!—is in the presence of God at this very moment sticking up for us. Do you think anyone is going to be able to drive a wedge between us and Christ’s love for us? There is no way! Not trouble, not hard times, not hatred, not hunger, not homelessness, not bullying threats, not backstabbing, not even the worst sins listed in Scripture:

They kill us in cold blood because they hate you.
We’re sitting ducks; they pick us off one by one.

None of this fazes us because Jesus loves us. I’m absolutely convinced that nothing—nothing living or dead, angelic or demonic, today or tomorrow, high or low, thinkable or unthinkable—absolutely nothing can get between us and God’s love because of the way that Jesus our Master has embraced us.

Faith Yes. Works Yes.

We are not saved by works, but saved for works.  

 

Titus 3:8

Easy-to-Read Version

8 This is a true statement.

And I want you to be sure that the people understand these things. Then those who believe in God will be careful to use their lives for doing good. These things are good and will help everyone.

 

If the church is divided, it is the lost who will pay.  

 

 

James 2:14-26

Easy-to-Read Version

 

14 My brothers and sisters, if a person claims to have faith but does nothing, that faith is worth nothing. Faith like that cannot save anyone. 

15 Suppose a brother or sister in Christ comes to you in need of clothes or something to eat. 

16 And you say to them, “God be with you! I hope you stay warm and get plenty to eat,” but you don’t give them the things they need. If you don’t help them, your words are worthless. 

17 It is the same with faith. If it is just faith and nothing more—if it doesn’t do anything—it is dead.

18 But someone might argue, “Some people have faith, and others have good works.” My answer would be that you can’t show me your faith if you don’t do anything. But I will show you my faith by the good I do. 

19 You believe there is one God. That’s good, but even the demons believe that! And they shake with fear.

20 You fool! Faith that does nothing is worth nothing. Do you want me to prove this to you? 

21 Our father Abraham was made right with God by what he did. He offered his son Isaac to God on the altar. 

22 So you see that Abraham’s faith and what he did worked together. His faith was made perfect by what he did. 

23 This shows the full meaning of the Scriptures that say, “Abraham believed God, and because of this faith he was accepted as one who is right with God.” Abraham was called “God’s friend.”] 

24 So you see that people are made right with God by what they do. They cannot be made right by faith alone.

25 Another example is Rahab. She was a prostitute, but she was made right with God by something she did. She helped those who were spying for God’s people. She welcomed them into her home and helped them escape by a different road.

26 A person’s body that does not have a spirit is dead. It is the same with faith—faith that does nothing is dead!

 

 

Faith is the surrender we make.  Works  are the actions that we take. 

 

Matthew 5:14-16

Easy-to-Read Version

14 “You are the light that shines for the world to see. You are like a city built on a hill that cannot be hidden. 

15 People don’t hide a lamp under a bowl. They put it on a lampstand. Then the light shines for everyone in the house. 

16 In the same way, you should be a light for other people. Live so that they will see the good things you do and praise your Father in heaven.

Lord, Do it again!

Mark 8:22-26  (NKJV)

22 Then He came to Bethsaida; and they brought a blind man to Him, and begged Him to touch him. 

23 So He took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the town. And when He had spit on his eyes and put His hands on him, He asked him if he saw anything.

24 And he looked up and said, “I see men like trees, walking.”

25 Then He put His hands on his eyes again and made him look up. And he was restored and saw everyone clearly. 

26 Then He sent him away to his house, saying, “Neither go into the town, nor tell anyone in the town.”

1. See people as how they could be.  

Be patient.  

2. Realize that change is a process.  

All change is supernatural.  All miracles are designed to help us see Jesus. 

3.  Believe in God's ability to change people.  

God is full of surprises.  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZOBIPb-6PTc   

The God of Miracles

Jesus Heals a Man with Leprosy

Luke 5:12-16 (NLT)

12 In one of the villages, Jesus met a man with an advanced case of leprosy. When the man saw Jesus, he bowed with his face to the ground, begging to be healed. “Lord,” he said, “if you are willing, you can heal me and make me clean.”

13 Jesus reached out and touched him. “I am willing,” he said. “Be healed!” And instantly the leprosy disappeared. 

14 Then Jesus instructed him not to tell anyone what had happened. He said, “Go to the priest and let him examine you. Take along the offering required in the law of Moses for those who have been healed of leprosy. This will be a public testimony that you have been cleansed.”

15 But despite Jesus’ instructions, the report of his power spread even faster, and vast crowds came to hear him preach and to be healed of their diseases. 

16 But Jesus often withdrew to the wilderness for prayer.

The prerequisite of a miracle is an impossible situation.  

A miracle is an extraordinary event manifesting a divine intervention of God into human affairs.  

The leper was quarantined.  He was untouchable.  He was in utter need.  

1. Jesus noticed him. 

2. Jesus touched him when he was untouchable.

3.  Jesus's touch has the power to heal.  

We must seek Him.  He is not only able to heal, but willing. 

Lord, please reach out and touch us, and save us from ourselves.   

https://www.churchofthehighlands.com/media/message/miracles/

What God can do with little.

We will never miss what we invest in eternity. 

2 Corinthians 9:6-11  (NLT)

6 Remember this—a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop. 

7 You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.”  

8 And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others. 

9 As the Scriptures say,

“They share freely and give generously to the poor.
    Their good deeds will be remembered forever.”

10 For God is the one who provides seed for the farmer and then bread to eat. In the same way, he will provide and increase your resources and then produce a great harvest of generosity in you.

11 Yes, you will be enriched in every way so that you can always be generous. And when we take your gifts to those who need them, they will thank God.

1. We must put God first.  

2. We must be a good manager of God's money.  

3.  We must not underestimate what God can do with what He has given us.

4.  We must live to give.  

There is more to this life than this life.   We live to give when Jesus is Lord of our lives.  

Dino Rizzo,  Church of the Highlands 
https://www.churchofthehighlands.com/media/message/increase

Let go...

Unforgiveness is like quick sand.  The longer that we are in it the deeper we sink.  

Matthew 5:23-24  (NLT)

23 “So if you are presenting a sacrifice at the altar in the Temple and you suddenly remember that someone has something against you, 24 leave your sacrifice there at the altar. Go and be reconciled to that person. Then come and offer your sacrifice to God.

It is hard to hear anything else when we are wounded by someone else.  

  

Romans 12:9-19  (NLT)

9 Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. 

10 Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. 

11 Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically. 

12 Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying. 

13 When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality.

14 Bless those who persecute you. Don’t curse them; pray that God will bless them. 

15 Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep. 

16 Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don’t think you know it all!

17 Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. 

18 Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone.

19 Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say,

“I will take revenge;
    I will pay them back,”
    says the Lord.

Our relationship with God is directly connected to our relationship with each other.  

2 Corinthians 5:17-21 (NLT)

17 This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!

18 And all of this is a gift from God, who brought us back to himself through Christ. And God has given us this task of reconciling people to him. 

19 For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation. 

20 So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, “Come back to God!” 21 For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin,[a] so that we could be made right with God through Christ.

Don't hold up your hands in worship while holding onto a grudge.  We must focus on being obedient, while allowing God to handle the outcome.   

We must extend grace while allowing God to extend healing.  We must seek to reconcile while God provides the healing.  

We live in a world that doesn't want to apologize.   

Say, "I was wrong.  Is there anything that I can do to make it right?  Will you forgive me?"

There is power in an apology.  If it is up to me, I'm going to be at peace with everyone.   Is there anything that you're holding onto?

Dino Rizzo, Church of the Highlands
https://www.churchofthehighlands.com/media/message/let-goooooo