In The Presence 4

Hello Everyone,

In our text (Luke 23:32-43) , God gives us another truth about His offered salvation, the TRUTH that will bring us to Heaven, TO CLAIM OUR INHERITANCE in His very own place.

GOD WILL SAVE ANYONE WHO WILL CALL ON HIM

A man once asked a lifeguard, “How can you hear a person drowning when all these people are making noise on the beach-talking, yelling, whistling, laughing etc.?

The lifeguard said, “I’ve been at this job for 20 years and I haven’t let one person go on in distress. My ears are turned toward those in distress calling for my help.”

Two thieves hung on a cross beside Jesus.

One thief asked Jesus to help him and he was saved.

Jesus’ ears are tuned toward those who are in distress.

Isaiah 55:6, 7 Seek the LORD while He may be found, Call upon Him while He is near. Let the wicked forsake his way, And the unrighteous man his thoughts; Let him return to the LORD, And He will have mercy on him; And to our God, For He will abundantly pardon.

The other thief, although he knew who Jesus was, never asked Him for salvation and because of his decision he is right now crying out for mercy in hell.

But what about the routine of our lives – how many of us live in daily torment, as if we have no hope, when all we have to do is call on Jesus.

You see, salvation isn’t something that we will get salvation is something we possess.

Even in the middle of life, God’s desire is to save you – to give you reason for hope, to help you to know that He isn’t only your hope for tomorrow; He is also your hope right now.

Illustration:
A young and devoted church elder once claimed to have had a vision of Jesus. His pastor decided to test his truthfulness and ordered that the next time he had a vision he should ask Christ what his (the pastors) primary sin had been before he became a pastor.

Some months later the elder returned and the pastor asked if he had asked Christ the question, to which he said yes. "And what did he say?" the pastor asked, apprehensively.
"Christ said..." and the leader paused a moment... "Jesus said, ‘I don’t remember. ’"

We have a God who not only forgives but also forgets!

Here are some “Famous Last Words” in history.
1. Entrepreneur, P. T. Barnum, d. 1891, his last word was “How were the receipts today at Madison Square Garden?”
2. John Barrymore, actor, May 29, 1942 “Die? I should say not, dear fellow. No Barrymore would allow such a conventional thing to happen to him.”
3. Humphrey Bogart, actor, d. January 14, 1957 “I should never have switched from Scotch to Martinis.”
4. Sir Winston Churchill, the statesman who is famous for his commencement address of “Never give up!” died January 24, 1965 with these last words. “I’m bored with it all.” Sounds like he gave up!
5. The revolutionary communist, Karl Marx, died in 1883 with these last words… “Go on, get out.”
6. Thomas A Becket, Archbishop of Canterbury, d.1170 “I am ready to die for my Lord, that in my blood the Church may obtain liberty and peace.”
7. But there is one man in history whose last words not only tell us a great deal about him, but also tell us a great deal of HOPE for our lives. 2000 years ago the man, Jesus of Nazareth hung dying on a cross for the sins of the whole world said, “Today you will be with me in Paradise.”

“Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends" (John 15:13).

In the PRESENCE OF JEHOVAH troubles vanish hearts are mended in the Presence of the King.

Greater Things Are Still To Come!

Pastor Phil