The Promise of Paradise
Jesus the Evangelist • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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· 1 viewIn his sermon titled "The Promise of Paradise", Pastor Bill Sizemore examines the fates of the two criminals crucified next to Jesus according to the Gospel of Luke. The sermon began with contrasting the criminals' responses; the first criminal desired salvation while demonstrating a selfish attitude, opposed to the second criminal who acknowledged his sins and recognized Jesus as a divine Savior. The pastor used this parable as an appeal to individuals to admit their sins and profess Jesus as their savior and Lord.As the sermon progressed, Pastor Sizemore subsequently focused on the promise Jesus made to the second, penitent criminal, assuring him of paradise. The concept of life after death is explored, citing Jesus's journey into Sheol, as signified by His three-day sojourn in the heart of the Earth. Sheol, according to the sermon, comprises of torment (Hades) and blessing (Abraham's bosom), as exemplified using multiple biblical references.The sermon advances with an exploration of the concept of resurrection as demonstrated by Jesus's resurrection as well as the event where many holy persons were resurrected and appeared to many. Pastor Sizemore stressed on the belief that paradise is redeemed in Christ and that this redemption provides the promise of eternal life for those who accept their sins, confess that Jesus is their Lord, and put their faith in Him.The sermon ends by challenging listeners to reflect upon their spiritual journeys, urging them to acknowledge their sins, recognize Jesus as their Lord and Savior, and aspire to share in Christ's promised paradise. Through these teachings, Pastor Bill Sizemore emphatically communicates the promise of eternal life that is associated with Jesus's sacrifice and His triumph over death.
Notes
Transcript
The Fate of the First Criminal
The Fate of the First Criminal
39 One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him, saying, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!”
He desired a selfish salvation.
He desired a selfish salvation.
He cared only for his own deliverance.
He cared only for his own deliverance.
God, If your there, deliver me from my trials.
God, If your there, deliver me from my trials.
If God is good why does he allow all the evil in the world?
If God is good why does he allow all the evil in the world?
The Faith of the Second Criminal
The Faith of the Second Criminal
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.”
He recognized his sinful state.
He recognized his sinful state.
He recognized the sinlessness of the Savior.
He recognized the sinlessness of the Savior.
12 Therefore I will divide him a portion with the many, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong, because he poured out his soul to death and was numbered with the transgressors; yet he bore the sin of many, and makes intercession for the transgressors.
He recognized Jesus as the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
He recognized Jesus as the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
42 And he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”
He is on the cross for a crime worthy of death
He is on the cross for a crime worthy of death
23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
26 for then he would have had to suffer repeatedly since the foundation of the world. But as it is, he has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.
We are just as guilty as these two criminals on the crosses with Jesus.
We are just as guilty as these two criminals on the crosses with Jesus.
The Question is what kind of criminal are you going to be?
The Question is what kind of criminal are you going to be?
Are you trying to use God to escape your punishment?
Are you trying to use God to escape your punishment?
Are you confessing to God and acknowledging Jesus as the Lord of your life?
Are you confessing to God and acknowledging Jesus as the Lord of your life?
Transition: The story of these two criminals doesn’t end on the cross. Jesus makes a promise that we must understand.
The Promise of Paradise
The Promise of Paradise
43 And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
Jesus lived in full expectation of life beyond the grave.
Jesus lived in full expectation of life beyond the grave.
The Prophesy of the grave.
The Prophesy of the grave.
The sign of Jonah
The sign of Jonah
40 For just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.
The Lower Parts of the Earth
The Lower Parts of the Earth
8 Therefore He says: “When He ascended on high, He led captivity captive, And gave gifts to men.” 9 (Now this, “He ascended”—what does it mean but that He also first descended into the lower parts of the earth? 10 He who descended is also the One who ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fill all things.)
Sheol, The place of the dead.
Sheol, The place of the dead.
The place of torment called hades.
The place of torment called hades.
19 “There was a rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. 20 And at his gate was laid a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, 21 who desired to be fed with what fell from the rich man’s table. Moreover, even the dogs came and licked his sores. 22 The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried, 23 and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side.
The place of blessing called Abraham’s bosom.
The place of blessing called Abraham’s bosom.
24 And he called out, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in anguish in this flame.’ 25 But Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner bad things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in anguish. 26 And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, in order that those who would pass from here to you may not be able, and none may cross from there to us.’
The proclamation of Christ over Sheol
The proclamation of Christ over Sheol
18 For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit, 19 in which he went and proclaimed to the spirits in prison, 20 because they formerly did not obey, when God’s patience waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through water.
You know who was by his side? The saved criminal from the cross.
You know who was on the other side? The lost criminal from the cross.
The sign of the Resurrection.
The sign of the Resurrection.
27 And he said, ‘Then I beg you, father, to send him to my father’s house— 28 for I have five brothers—so that he may warn them, lest they also come into this place of torment.’ 29 But Abraham said, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear them.’ 30 And he said, ‘No, father Abraham, but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’ 31 He said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead.’ ”
Jesus is the first fruits of resurrection.
Jesus is the first fruits of resurrection.
1 But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared. 2 And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, 3 but when they went in they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel. 5 And as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead? 6 He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, 7 that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise.”
Jesus brings paradise with him.
Jesus brings paradise with him.
52 The tombs also were opened. And many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised, 53 and coming out of the tombs after his resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many.
8 Therefore it says, “When he ascended on high he led a host of captives, and he gave gifts to men.”
Paradise is with Jesus.
Paradise is with Jesus.
Paradise is redeemed in Christ.
Paradise is redeemed in Christ.
Hell is expanded below.
Hell is expanded below.
Next Steps
Next Steps
Recognize our sinful state and acknowledge Jesus as the Lord of our lives.
In the sermon, the second criminal on the cross recognized his sinful state and the sinlessness of Jesus (Luke 23:40–41). We, too, need to acknowledge our sinful state and recognize Jesus as our Lord. This involves confessing our sins to God and surrendering our lives to Him (1 John 1:9, Romans 10:9-10).
Have faith in Jesus as the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
The second criminal acknowledged Jesus as the King and asked Him to remember him when He comes into His kingdom (Luke 23:42). We need to have faith in Jesus as the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, entrusting our lives to His rule and reign.
Live in the expectation of life beyond the grave.
Jesus promised the second criminal that he would be with Him in paradise (Luke 23:43). As Christians, we should live with the expectation of life beyond the grave, knowing that Jesus has conquered death and offers us eternal life (Matthew 12:40, John 11:25-26).
RGroup Questions
RGroup Questions
How does the response of the two criminals reflect different attitudes towards salvation?
Discuss the selfish desire for personal deliverance exhibited by the first criminal and the recognition of sin and faith in Jesus displayed by the second criminal. How do these attitudes shape our understanding of salvation?
What does it mean to acknowledge Jesus as the King of Kings and Lord of Lords in our daily lives?
Reflect on the confession of the second criminal and discuss how we can practically live out our faith in Jesus as the ultimate authority in all aspects of our lives. How does this acknowledgment impact our choices, relationships, and priorities?
How does the promise of paradise shape our perspective on life beyond the grave?
Explore the significance of Jesus' promise to the second criminal that he would be with Him in paradise. How does this assurance impact our understanding of death, resurrection, and eternal life? How can we live with hope and expectation of the future kingdom?