Anyone, Anywhere, Anytime
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Introduction
Introduction
Good Morning church family and guests. A time back I was reading a warranty on a product that was purchased. Have you ever noticed how some products come ‘as-is’? The more I looked into the ‘as-is’, there are more out there than I thought. Then we find time products with some-kind of implied warranty, essentially saying — I won’t let you down, but if I do I’ll make things all better. Then there are those products that come labeled with ‘no warranty’. At times if we see the words ‘no warranty’, do you continue to purchase or move onto the next product with a warranty. I’ve seen were some of the best companies supply product with no warranty; the reason is they are so sure of their product there’s simply no need for a warranty.
When we have that level of assurance, it must really say something about the person who gives that assurance. If we think about our salvation in Christ, Jesus can give us that assurance. That’s because, He’s the assurance. The gospel message is SO GOOD, it doesn't need a warranty. When the gospel message is heard, one unique feature is it meets the person where they’re at. A special appointment is not needed, or a need to get on a calendar that’s months out. The gospel meets you at the age of 7, 32, 68 or a hundred and two! Another unique feature of the gospel message is --- its for every person. If we package these two features together, we can see how salvation through Jesus can meet anyone, anywhere, anytime. And, that’s the title of our message to day — Anyone, Anywhere, Anytime.
Our passage this morning comes from the gospel of Luke. We come into the story where our Lord, Jesus Christ, has already been crucified, and there’s a conversation taking place between Jesus and two other men, who are also crucified.
I’d like to invite you to open your bibles with me to Luke Chapter 23. Let’s begin by reading in verse 39.
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.”
Pastoral Prayer
Pastoral Prayer
Have you given thought to some of the last words people say before they make their transition into the next phase of life? I was reading some quotes of some folks last words:
Thomas Hobbs said: I am about to take my last voyage, a great leap in the dark.
Pollux Troy: I’m ready, ready for the big ride baby.
George Washington said: “Doctor, I am dying, but I am not afraid to die.” He folded his hands over his chest and said: “It is well,”...
If you know Thomas Andrews, he designed the Titanic (died April 14, 1912). He was so sure of the modern marvel he said: No, not even God could sink the Titanic. How would you like that warranty.
That’s the point, last words are significant.
That’s how our passage starts off. It starts off with, what we know according to the biblical record, the last words of one of the men there with Jesus. The Bible says:
39 One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him, saying, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!”
Then in verse number 40 and 41:
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.”
We have clear contrast happening here. If you’ve ever looked for a distinct line of contrast. We have one here. We see how one person continued to reject our Lord, right up to the very end.
I remember reading once, related by Billy Graham in 1962 (Marilyn Monroe) who tried to give the gospel message only to be met with the words, “I don’t need your Jesus.”
[Display Verse 39]
Notice what the guy next to Jesus does on verse 39. This guy mocks our Lord with the words, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!” He’s saying and requesting, “rescue yourself and us [from death]!” And, if you’re the Christ, the Messiah, let’s do something about this situation we’re in.
The other guy had a different mindset. He rebuked the first, but knew their punishment was just. In fact he goes on to say, “we are received the due reward for our deeds.”
Here’s another feature of the gospel, deathbed salvation is possible. These two guys next to Jesus, along with the person Billy Graham who was trying to share the gospel, were all on their death beds. These are three example, but three examples of people just like you and just like me who were about to make a transition in to eternity.
If we focus on the example of Billy Graham, that’s an example of the gospel meeting a person on the road of life. Yes, the end was near. But, we see how the gospel can meet Anyone, Anywhere, Anytime!
I know some of you are familiar with the book of Acts Chapter 9. If you’re not that’s ok. Acts Chapter 9 talks about the conversion of a person who just turned the screws of 1st century Christians. I want you to know, when I say the words, “turned the screws,” puts it lightly. The person Acts Chapter 9 talks about is a man named Saul, who we later come to know as Paul. Paul persecuted the church to the level that he was feared.
One day on the way to Damascus, Jesus got a hold of Paul’s heart. If you don’t know the story, this was a significant turning point in Paul’s life. The Bible tells us when Jesus met Paul on the Damascus road, Paul fell to the ground. This was enough to get Paul’s attention, where the significant turning point caused a 180-degree turn around. I can’t stand here and tell you, your Damascus road experience will as a dramatic. Everyone will be different.
To give you an example, my Damascus road experience was not anywhere close to what Paul went through. If fact, I didn’t fall to ground. Instead what Jesus had to do was peel back the layers of the onion to get to the core. You see, there was so much pride built up it took work to get through every layer. What I’m saying is my conversion was not instant. It took some time, but eventually we got there.
If we turn back to Paul’s illustration, this a prime example of how Jesus can meet Anyone, Anywhere, Anytime. Jesus met Paul on the road to Damascus at just the right time.
Let me ask you, if Jesus can meet Anyone, Anywhere, Anytime, with what you know about your past, can he meet you? Do you think he would meet you? I want you to know the answers are yes and yes. Because, at one point I thought those question. With what I’m dragging behind me, with the skeletons in the closet, could a person like me come to Jesus? YES! Without going too far of track — he already knows about the skeletons in the closet.
This is not part of the slideshow, but I want you to hear some personal testimony we have in the bible. It’s Paul’s testimony:
12 I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength to do his work. He considered me trustworthy and appointed me to serve him, 13 even though I used to blaspheme the name of Christ. In my insolence, I persecuted his people. But God had mercy on me because I did it in ignorance and unbelief. 14 Oh, how generous and gracious our Lord was! He filled me with the faith and love that come from Christ Jesus.
15 This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners”—and I am the worst of them all. 16 But God had mercy on me so that Christ Jesus could use me as a prime example of his great patience with even the worst sinners. Then others will realize that they, too, can believe in him and receive eternal life. 17 All honor and glory to God forever and ever! He is the eternal King, the unseen one who never dies; he alone is God. Amen.
I like what Paul says, ““Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” — and I am the worst of them all.” There’s two points to be made from this statement. The first I’d like you to focus on is “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.” The Bible does not say, Jesus came into the world to save the folks in your neighborhood by skipping over every other house, or every two or three. The Bible also does not say because of the roll of the dice you cannot have salvation. The Bible says, “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.” The word “sinners” is plural, which means more than one.
If you’re asking whether you’re part of the sinners team — the answer is yes. Sin is sin. “There is no distinction” (Rom. 3:22). The Bible tell us in:
23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
I don’t know about you, but this is where I really get excited. Yes, verse 23 says, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” We can make this verse personal, we can use me as the example. To make it personal, we could say Richard has sinned and falls short of the glory of God.
At this point we could say, oh I’ve got one word, hosed or checkmate. How does this begin to sound if you put your name in place of ‘Richard’. Does it make it more personal to you?
Now, we’re in the hole. But how do we get out? We get out by Jesus. Jesus is our way out. We can’t get ourselves. That’s why we need Jesus. Jesus gets us the rest of the way.
In another Chapter in Romans Paul writes a message of salvation for all
5 For Moses writes about the righteousness that is based on the law, that the person who does the commandments shall live by them.
6 But the righteousness based on faith says, “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’ ” (that is, to bring Christ down)
7 “or ‘Who will descend into the abyss?’ ” (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead).
8 But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim);
9 because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
Jesus Christ took on the weight of the sin. He took on the weight of your sin and my sin. He was severely flogged, nailed to a cross, died, was buried, and three days later, God raised Him from the dead. WHOOOO!
If you’re a financial person, there is a huge cost-to-benefit. The cost Jesus significantly all for our benefit. And, the benefits far out weigh the cost! Sin was put onto Jesus, and in turn His righteousness is imputed onto us!
Application
Application
The gospel is for you. The gospel will meet Anyone, Anywhere, Anytime!
In the last two verses of our passage, we see belief, grace, mercy and assurance from the King of kings and Lord of lords (Rev 19:16) himself!
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 will meet Anyone, Anywhere, Anytime!
The question is: do you want to meet Jesus, perhaps for the first time?
You heard me mention pride earlier. Do you have pride or something similar you need to put down? Why not set that bag a bricks down?
Jesus is ready to meet you, right here, ... right now!
How can Jesus meet you today?
Closing Prayer
Closing Prayer