What would you take?

3. M. L. Evans: “In the unfortunate event of the miscarriage of justice and several thousand years ensuing before my sentence is quashed, I will take a fire extinguisher.”

4. M. L. Evans: “In the unfortunate event of the miscarriage of justice and several thousand years ensuing before my sentence is quashed, I will take a fire extinguisher.” • Heather Tanney: “I have immense trouble finding my way in this life,” she said, “so I am extremely worried about the next.”

5. M. L. Evans: “In the unfortunate event of the miscarriage of justice and several thousand years ensuing before my sentence is quashed, I will take a fire extinguisher.” • Heather Tanney: “I have immense trouble finding my way in this life,” she said, “so I am extremely worried about the next.” • Sir David Wilcocks wants a pair of earplugs “in case the heavenly choirs, singing everlastingly, are not in tune.”

6. M. L. Evans: “In the unfortunate event of the miscarriage of justice and several thousand years ensuing before my sentence is quashed, I will take a fire extinguisher.” • Heather Tanney: “I have immense trouble finding my way in this life,” she said, “so I am extremely worried about the next.” • Sir David Wilcocks wants a pair of earplugs “in case the heavenly choirs, singing everlastingly, are not in tune.” • Maurice Godbold wants a crowbar “in case the affair proved premature.”

7. What would you take?

8. Obviously, we can take nothing.

9. Obviously, we can take nothing. • “We brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world” (1 Tm 6:7, ESV).

10. This morning, we want to “pack our bags” for the trip to the next world.

11. We need to pack for that life, for sooner or later, we shall enter it.

12. We need to pack for that life, for sooner or later, we shall enter it. • “Death spread to all men because all sinned” (Rom 5:12, ESV).

13. We need to pack for that life, for sooner or later, we shall enter it. • “Death spread to all men because all sinned” (Rom 5:12, ESV). • Every hour approximately 5,417 people die.

14. We need to pack for that life, for sooner or later, we shall enter it. • “Death spread to all men because all sinned” (Rom 5:12, ESV). • Every hour approximately 5,417 people die. That’s over 47 million a year!

15. We do not know how we shall leave this life.

16. We do not know how we shall leave this life. • It doesn’t matter how we shall leave this world, for we shall leave it!

17. We do not know how we shall leave this life. • It doesn’t matter how we shall leave this world, for we shall leave it! • While he waits until the last possible moment, the penitent thief on the cross illustrates how we can prepare.

18. We do not know how we shall leave this life. • It doesn’t matter how we shall leave this world, for we shall leave it! • While he waits until the last possible moment, the penitent thief on the cross illustrates how we can prepare. • Luke 23:39-43.

19. We do not know how we shall leave this life. • It doesn’t matter how we shall leave this world, for we shall leave it! • While he waits until the last possible moment, the penitent thief on the cross illustrates how we can prepare. • Luke 23:39-43. • The thief readied three bags while he prepared to die.

20. We do not know how we shall leave this life. • It doesn’t matter how we shall leave this world, for we shall leave it! • While he waits until the last possible moment, the penitent thief on the cross illustrates how we can prepare. • Luke 23:39-43. • The thief readied three bags while he prepared to die. • THE BAG OF CONTRITION, THE BAG OF CONFESSION, & THE BAG OF CHRIST.

21. The Bag of Contrition vv 39-41

22. “One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him, saying, ‘Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!’ But the other rebuked him, saying, ‘Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong” (vv 39-41, ESV).

23. Jesus was crucified between two thieves (Mk 15:27).

24. Jesus was crucified between two thieves (Mk 15:27). • One thief can think of nothing but himself & his agony.

25. Jesus was crucified between two thieves (Mk 15:27). • One thief can think of nothing but himself & his agony. • Crucifixion was a horrible way to die.

26. Jesus was crucified between two thieves (Mk 15:27). • One thief can think of nothing but himself & his agony. • Crucifixion was a horrible way to die. • Nerves were often severed in the arms & legs.

27. Jesus was crucified between two thieves (Mk 15:27). • One thief can think of nothing but himself & his agony. • Crucifixion was a horrible way to die. • Nerves were often severed in the arms & legs. • The way one was placed on the cross made breathing nearly impossible.

28. Jesus was crucified between two thieves (Mk 15:27). • One thief can think of nothing but himself & his agony. • This thief shows no remorse, but he wants Jesus to save him.

29. Jesus was crucified between two thieves (Mk 15:27). • One thief can think of nothing but himself & his agony. • This thief shows no remorse, but he wants Jesus to save him. • This thief is asking Jesus to get him off the cross.

30. Jesus was crucified between two thieves (Mk 15:27). • One thief can think of nothing but himself & his agony. • This thief shows no remorse, but he wants Jesus to save him. • This thief is asking Jesus to get him off the cross. • “Those who passed by derided him, wagging their heads and saying, ‘You who would destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save yourself! If you are the Son of God, come down from the cross’” (Mt 27:39-40, ESV).

31. Jesus was crucified between two thieves (Mk 15:27). • One thief can think of nothing but himself & his agony. • This thief shows no remorse, but he wants Jesus to save him. • This thief is asking Jesus to get him off the cross. • Mt 27:39-40. • “The chief priests, with the scribes and elders, mocked him, saying, ‘He saved others; he cannot save himself. He is the King of Israel; let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him’” (Mt 27:41-42, ESV).

32. This thief only thinks of this world.

33. This thief only thinks of this world. How many are just like him?

34. The other thief packed the BAG OF CONTRITION—he showed genuine remorse.

35. The other thief packed the BAG OF CONTRITION—he showed genuine remorse. • “We are receiving the due reward of our deeds” (v 41, ESV).

36. The other thief packed the BAG OF CONTRITION—he showed genuine remorse. • “We are receiving the due reward of our deeds” (v 41, ESV). • He recognizes that he is being rightly put to death.

37. The other thief packed the BAG OF CONTRITION—he showed genuine remorse. • The entire text makes clear that this thief was truly contrite.

38. The other thief packed the BAG OF CONTRITION—he showed genuine remorse. • The entire text makes clear that this thief was truly contrite. • He chastises his fellow thief for refusing to fear God.

39. The other thief packed the BAG OF CONTRITION—he showed genuine remorse. • The entire text makes clear that this thief was truly contrite. • He chastises his fellow thief for refusing to fear God. • He freely admits that he is rightfully being put to death.

40. The other thief packed the BAG OF CONTRITION—he showed genuine remorse. • The entire text makes clear that this thief was truly contrite. • He chastises his fellow thief for refusing to fear God. • He freely admits that he is rightfully being put to death. • The greatest evidence of his contrition is that Jesus forgives him.

41. Without contrition—repentance—there can be no forgiveness.

42. Without contrition—repentance—there can be no forgiveness. • “Unless you repent, you will . . . likewise perish” (Lk 13:3, 5, ESV).

43. Without contrition—repentance—there can be no forgiveness. • “Unless you repent, you will . . . likewise perish” (Lk 13:3, 5, ESV). • “Repent therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out” (Acts 3:19, ESV).

44. Which thief are you like this morning?

45. Which thief are you like this morning? Are you like the thief who thinks of nothing but the here-and-now?

46. Which thief are you like this morning? Do you willingly show contrition?

47. The Bag of Confession vv 41-42

48. The thief confesses two truths about Jesus.

49. The thief confesses two truths about Jesus. • He recognizes that Jesus is innocent.

50. The thief confesses two truths about Jesus. • He recognizes that Jesus is innocent. • He recognizes that Jesus has a kingdom.