Salvation and Paradise and Hell

Luke 23:39-43, NIV
39 “One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: "Aren't you the Christ? Save yourself and us!"
40 But the other criminal rebuked him. "Don't you fear God," he said, "since you are under the same sentence? 41 We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong." 42 Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom."
43 Jesus answered him, "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise."


Introduction: One of the criminals who hung side by side on a cross by Jesus received salvation and was bound for paradise (Lk 23:39-43).



1. The process of salvation.
　　1) Confess that we are sinners (Lk 23:40-41).
　　- A criminal rebuked a fellow criminal who had sinned.
　　2) A confession of faith in Jesus (Lk 23:42).
　　- He confessed that Jesus is the king of the messianic kingdom.
3) He confessed Jesus as the Lord who saves sinners by pleading with Jesus to remember him (Ro 10:10).


2. The answer from the Lord (Lk 23:43).
　　1) He went to paradise with Jesus.
　　2) What is paradise? - The place where Old Testament saints dwell (Rev 2:7).


3. The reality of the world after death.
　　1) Life and death of the rich man and Lazarus (Lk 16:19-21).
　　2) Their experiences after death (Lk 16:22-28).
　　3) Jesus moves paradise when he rises again (Ps 16:10; Eph 4:8; Rev 21:2).
　　- The apostle Paul once visited paradise (2Co 12:2-4).


Conclusion: The criminal who hung on a cross was in a miserable condition where he could not save himself by good deeds. However, he went to heaven?only because of his right confession of faith.