What causes a man to change?

1. What causes a man to change? • The enormity of conversion must not be understated. (1 Tim 1:12-14)

2. What causes a man to change? • 1 Timothy 1:12-14 (NKJV) – 12 And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me, because He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry, 13 although I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man; but I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. 14 And the grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant, with faith and love which are in Christ Jesus.

3. What causes a man to change? • Could this man change? (Acts 9:1)

4. What causes a man to change? • Acts 9:1 (NKJV) - 1 Then Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest

5. What causes a man to change? • Change comes in unexpected places.

6. What causes a man to change? • Change comes in unexpected places. • Those who should have been the first to receive the gospel often reject it because of pride. (John 1:11-12)

7. What causes a man to change? • John 1:11-12 (NKJV) - 11 He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. 12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name:

8. What causes a man to change? • Even though the gospel was to be preached to the “Jew first” it was received in a greater way by the Gentiles. (Rom 10:20-21)

9. What causes a man to change? • Romans 10:20-21 (NKJV) – 20 But Isaiah is very bold and says: “I was found by those who did not seek Me; I was made manifest to those who did not ask for Me.” 21 But to Israel he says: “All day long I have stretched out My hands To a disobedient and contrary people.”

10. What causes a man to change? • Do you consider yourself to have good Bible knowledge? Were you “raised in the church” and have a confidence in your stand for the Lord?

11. What causes a man to change? • Do you consider yourself to have good Bible knowledge? Were you “raised in the church” and have a confidence in your stand for the Lord? • Please be sure you have a tender heart before the Lord and have been converted to Him. Religious status and pride is one of Satan’s greatest weapons. (Mt 5:3)

12. What causes a man to change? • Matthew 5:3 (NKJV) - 3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

13. Why was the thief on the cross that day? • They had committed crimes worthy of death. (Lk 23:32-33; Mt 27:38)

14. Why was the thief on the cross that day? • Luke 23:32-33 (NKJV) – 32 There were also two others, criminals, led with Him to be put to death. 33 And when they had come to the place called Calvary, there they crucified Him, and the criminals, one on the right hand and the other on the left.

15. Why was the thief on the cross that day? • Matthew 27:38 (NKJV) - Then two robbers were crucified with Him, one on the right and another on the left.

16. Why was the thief on the cross that day? • There was no defense made by the one theif who heart was opened. (Lk 23:41)

17. Why was the thief on the cross that day? • Luke 23:41 (NKJV) - And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong.”

18. Why was the thief on the cross that day? • Why were they crucified at this time? It had nothing to do with these men!

19. Why was the thief on the cross that day? • Jesus had experienced a night of unlawful trials at the hands of the Jewish leaders and Pilate.

20. Why was the thief on the cross that day? • Jesus had experienced a night of unlawful trials at the hands of the Jewish leaders and Pilate. • They lacked a specific established charge against Jesus.

21. Why was the thief on the cross that day? • Jesus had experienced a night of unlawful trials at the hands of the Jewish leaders and Pilate. • They lacked a specific established charge against Jesus. • Neither the arrest or trial should occur after sunset. Jesus has 6 trials during this time.

22. Why was the thief on the cross that day? • Jesus had experienced a night of unlawful trials at the hands of the Jewish leaders and Pilate. • They lacked a specific established charge against Jesus. • Neither the arrest or trial should occur after sunset. Jesus has 6 trials during this time. • No case involving a capitol offense could involve a single day.

23. Why was the thief on the cross that day? • They changed the charge when they came to Pilate. (Lk 23:2)

24. Why was the thief on the cross that day? • Luke 23:2 (NKJV) - And they began to accuse Him, saying, “We found this fellow perverting the nation, and forbidding to pay taxes to Caesar, saying that He Himself is Christ, a King.”

25. Why was the thief on the cross that day? • Pilate declared Jesus innocent and then had him crucified. (Lk 23:4)

26. Why was the thief on the cross that day? • Luke 23:4 (NKJV) - So Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowd, “I find no fault in this Man.”

27. Why was the thief on the cross that day? • These thieves were crucified on that day to serve as props!

28. Why was the thief on the cross that day? • These thieves were crucified on that day to serve as props! • Those who new the character of the thieves would agree with their execution.

29. Why was the thief on the cross that day? • These thieves were crucified on that day to serve as props! • Those who new the character of the thieves would agree with their execution. • Jesus’ presence between these two men might allow the shallow to conclude “guilt by association!”

30. Why was the thief on the cross that day? • These thieves were crucified on that day to serve as props! • Those who new the character of the thieves would agree with their execution. • Jesus’ presence between these two men might allow the shallow to conclude “guilt by association!” • The thieves likely knew their execution was rushed to make Jesus appear guilty!

31. Why was the thief on the cross that day? • This is likely why they cursed Him. (Mt 27:44)

32. Why was the thief on the cross that day? • They saw the Friends of Jesus.(Lk 23:27-31)

33. Why was the thief on the cross that day? • Luke 23:27-31 (NKJV) - And a great multitude of the people followed Him, and women who also mourned and lamented Him. 28 But Jesus, turning to them, said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for Me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. 29 For indeed the days are coming in which they will say, ‘Blessed are the barren, wombs that never bore, and breasts which never nursed!’

34. Why was the thief on the cross that day? • 30 Then they will begin ‘to say to the mountains, “Fall on us!” and to the hills, “Cover us!”’ 31 For if they do these things in the green wood, what will be done in the dry?”

35. Why was the thief on the cross that day? • Jesus had friends who were not ashamed to stand with Him.

36. Why was the thief on the cross that day? • Jesus had friends who were not ashamed to stand with Him. • Men of character have an influence.

37. Why was the thief on the cross that day? • Jesus had friends who were not ashamed to stand with Him. • Men of character have an influence. • Did the thieves have any friends?

38. Why was the thief on the cross that day? • Jesus had friends who were not ashamed to stand with Him. • Men of character have an influence. • Did the thieves have any friends? • Jesus' concern was for these friends, and not Himself!

39. Why was the thief on the cross that day? • They saw the Intense hatred of the religious leaders. (Lk 23:35; Mt 27:39-44)

40. Why was the thief on the cross that day? • Luke 23:35 (NKJV) - And the people stood looking on. But even the rulers with them sneered, saying, “He saved others; let Him save Himself if He is the Christ, the chosen of God.”

41. Why was the thief on the cross that day? • Matthew 27:39-44 (NKJV) - And those who passed by blasphemed Him, wagging their heads 40 and saying, “You who destroy the temple and build it in three days, save Yourself! If You are the Son of God, come down from the cross.” 41 Likewise the chief priests also, mocking with the scribes and elders, said,

42. Why was the thief on the cross that day? • 42 “He saved others; Himself He cannot save. If He is the King of Israel, let Him now come down from the cross, and we will believe Him. 43 He trusted in God; let Him deliver Him now if He will have Him; for He said, ‘I am the Son of God.’” 44 Even the robbers who were crucified with Him reviled Him with the same thing.

43. Why was the thief on the cross that day? • If someone, knowing nothing, had walked upon this scene, what would he think?

44. Why was the thief on the cross that day? • If someone, knowing nothing, had walked upon this scene, what would he think? • What were the leaders saying? "Taunts that offer a tribute.

45. Why was the thief on the cross that day? • If someone, knowing nothing, had walked upon this scene, what would he think? • What were the leaders saying? "Taunts that offer a tribute.“ • These are the judges, the religious leaders glorying in a man's suffering. Even vile criminals are allowed to die without this kind of surrounding.

46. Why was the thief on the cross that day? • Many in this audience will have a chance to rethink this. (Acts 2:36-37)

47. Why was the thief on the cross that day? • Acts 2:36-37 (NKJV) - “Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.” 37 Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?”

48. Why was the thief on the cross that day? • They saw the crucified Jesus.

49. Why was the thief on the cross that day? • They saw the crucified Jesus. • How did He react to His enemies? (Lk 23:34)

50. Why was the thief on the cross that day? • Luke 23:34 (NKJV) - Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.”