The Gospel According to a Thief

“The Gospel According to a Thief” - Luke 23:39-43

I. God (39-40a)

II. Man (40b-41a)

III. Christ (41)

IV. Response (42-43)

1.   In Luke chapter 23, we find Christ being mocked by the religious rulers (v. 35; Matt. 27:41-43; Mark 15:31-32), the soldiers (vs. 36-37; Mark 1516-20), those passing by (Matt. 27:39-40; Mark 15:29-30), and the criminals being crucified with Him (v. 39; Matt. 27:44). Suddenly, one of the thieves changed. What made the difference? (Luke 23:40-42; see John 3:8; 2 Cor. 5:17)

2.   What is the “fear of God” and why is it the appropriate response of one (the thief) who has a proper understanding of the God of the Bible, and a godly sorrow that leads to repentance (Proverbs 1:7; Romans 3:18; Hebrews 10:31; 1 Peter 4:5; 2 Corinthians 7:9-11).

3.   When sharing the Gospel, we not only teach what the Scripture declares about God, we communicate what the Bible teaches about man. What did this thief understand about his own condition before God? (Luke 23:40b-41a; Luke 18:13; Psalm 130:3; Romans 3:23; 6:23).

4.   In the short time the criminal was hanging on the cross he developed an amazing Christology. Look at the following passages of Scripture to find where Jesus is declared to be “the Christ”, “the Chosen One”, the “King of the Jews”, and “Son of God” (Matthew 27:40, 42; Mark 15:32; Luke 23: 35, 37; John 19:19-21). How did the thief demonstrate his understanding of these truths? (Luke 23:40-42)

5.   What was the thief’s simple cry of faith and repentance? What are some of the evidences of his change of heart?

6.   How did Jesus assure the criminal that he had a genuine faith? What is the sin that will keep people from being with Jesus in Paradise? (Romans 4:5; Hebrew 11:6; 1 John 5:13; Philippians 3:9).