Sermon Series: Final Words from the Cross
The Scriptures record Jesus speaking 7 phrases as he hung upon the cross- important and powerful final reminders of who he was and what it means to follow him.

Message: Today you will be with me in Paradise
Scripture: Luke 23:32-43; Luke 4:18-19
Offered 2/28/16 at Trinity United Methodist Church, Sarasota FL

SCRIPTURE: Luke 23:32-43
ALL SINGING: Jesus, Remember Me
By Jacques Bethier and the Community of Taizé
United Methodist Hymnal #488

ONE:
Two others also, who were criminals, were led away to be put to death with Jesus. When they came to the place that is called The Skull, they crucified Jesus there with the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.” And they cast lots to divide his clothing.

ALL SINGING: Jesus, Remember Me
By Jacques Bethier and the Community of Taizé
United Methodist Hymnal #488

ONE:
The people stood by, watching; but the leaders scoffed at him, saying, “He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Messiah of God, his chosen one!” The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine and saying, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!” There was also an inscription over him, “This is the King of the Jews.

ALL SINGING: Jesus, Remember Me
By Jacques Bethier and the Community of Taizé
United Methodist Hymnal #488

ONE:
One of the criminals who were hanged there kept deriding him and saying, “Are you not the Messiah? 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 have been condemned justly, for we are getting what we deserve for our deeds, but this man has done nothing wrong.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” He replied, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise.”

ALL SINGING: Jesus, Remember Me
By Jacques Bethier and the Community of Taizé
United Methodist Hymnal #488

Three Crosses- Which thief will you be?
The first thief- a cross of Rage, Rejection, Refusal
The second thief- a cross of Reflection, Response
Jesus Christ- a cross of Release, Recovery, Rescue, Regard, Relationship

Resources for this sermon
Final Words From the Cross by Adam Hamilton
Listening at Golgotha by Peter Storey

Extended quote by Bishop Peter Storey in Listening at Golgotha
We know what they were doing! They were busy with things only too familiar to our world:
The greed that sells a friend for money
The fear that denies one’s leader for survival
The cynicism that smears an innocent for political gain
The cruelty that tortures a prisoner for entertainment
The expediency that washes its hand of more decision making
The mob spirit that exults in a victim’s suffering
The stupidity that calls good evil and evil good
That’s what they were doing. If they didn’t know it, we do. We know about this stuff.

Be sure to also check out Paradise Now, a beautiful reflection on this passage by Steve Garnaas Holmes.

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I’m excited to now offer mp3’s of my Sunday messages. A huge thank you to Leon and my brothers and sisters at Trinity United Methodist Church, Sarasota for all their help in making this possible. If you’re ever in Sarasota, please drop by for worship Sundays at 9am or 10:30am, or drop by during the week for a chat or small group. You and those you love are always welcome.

© 2016 Lisa Ann Moss Degrenia
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