SERMON PREVIEW: "Today in Paradise"

Preaching part 3 of our Bethel-Franklin CROSS TALK (what Jesus said on the cross) series tomorrow.

TEXT. Luke 23:43 "Today you will be with me in paradise."

CONTEXT. Luke 23:39-49

2 KEY WORDS:

    "today" - criminal was probably surprised his request was granted so fast

    "paradise" - 3 times in NT (Lk 23, 1Cor12, Rev2), picture of heaven

SUMMARY:

    3 men - 3 crosses

    2 guilty men - 1 innocent man (according to Pilot, Herod, criminal #2 & centurion)

    1 guilty man mocks - 1 guilty man asks for help

    3 bodies die - 3 souls live

    3 bodies stay on cross - 3 souls cross from earth to eternity

    1 soul goes immediately to paradise with Jesus - the other does not

END:

    vs 45 "curtain of the temple was torn in two"

    vs 49 "all those who KNEW him, including women who had FOLLOWED him... STOOD AT A DISTANCE"

    some who KNOW him & FOLLOWED him still stand at a DISTANCE

    the curtain is torn, time to come near