Outline

Opening and prayer
- The speaker invites the congregation to open to Luke 23:39–43.
- He prays for the Holy Spirit to make the message real, alive, and meaningful to everyone present.
Easter introduction
- Easter is described as a worldwide celebration of Jesus Christ’s resurrection.
- The two key symbols are the empty cross and the empty tomb.
- The speaker emphasizes that both the cross and tomb of Jesus are empty, unlike the burial sites of other religious founders. Luke 23:39–43 is quoted as the sermon text.
Main theme
- The message focuses on “powerful lessons from another cross.”
- The speaker argues that the cross and tomb together reveal both sacrifice and resurrection hope.
- He says the cross without the tomb would look like defeat, but together they proclaim hope and victory.
Context of the passage
- The speaker notes that the thief on the cross had remarkable spiritual insight.
- He contrasts Luke’s account with Mark and Matthew, which mention both criminals reviling Jesus at first.
- He suggests the thief experienced a change of heart, possibly influenced by Jesus’ prayer for forgiveness.
Three lessons from the thief
- Jesus is sinless.
  - The thief recognized that Jesus had “done nothing wrong.”
  - The speaker connects this to Jesus’ unique holiness and sinlessness.
- Jesus is Lord.
  - The thief called Jesus “Lord,” recognizing His authority and sovereignty.
  - The speaker stresses that this confession is an act of faith and spiritual revelation.
- Jesus has a kingdom.
  - The thief asked Jesus to remember him when Jesus came into His kingdom.
  - The speaker explains that this shows belief in Jesus’ future reign and eternal authority.