Message Title: Two Thieves Gambling With Eternity

Key verses:

Luke 23:39-43; 1 Corinthians 15:16-20; Isaiah 53

Sermon Notes:

What did the two thieves have in common on Friday?

Notes:

1. They both had knowledge of Jesus.
2. They both had faith.
3. They both were gambling with their eternity on the person of Jesus.
4. Are you comfortable with your bet on Jesus? ______ (1 Corinthians 15:16-20)

Follow-up questions from Sunday’s Message:

Getting to Know You:

What was the worst bet you ever made in your life?

Quick Review:
Looking back at your notes from this week’s teaching, was there anything you heard for the first time or that caught your attention, challenged, or confused you?

Digging Deeper:

1. Read Hebrews 11:1. What things do you think people have faith in every day that they don’t even realize?  Do you think it is possible for a person to not live by faith?
2. Read 1 Peter 1:6-9. What do these verses say about your faith in God?  How valuable is your faith to God and what do you receive by your faith?
3. As you reflect back on your spiritual journey, what things have been the greatest influences for your faith in Jesus? What things are encouraging your faith today?
4. Read Isaiah 41:21-24, Isaiah 42: 8-9, Isaiah 44:6-8. What does the God of the Bible say that He can do that no other god can do?
5. Read Isaiah 53:1-12. Who in all of history could this person be?
   1. Forsaken by his people? vs 3
   2. Pierced through, scourged for the sins of others? vs 4
   3. Silent during his trial before his accusers. vs 7
   4. Assigned death with wicked men…yet he was with a rich man. vs 9
   5. Who was called the “Righteous One”. No one in the Bible was called righteous…all called sinners, but this person is a Special person, sinless.
   6. Bears the sins of many! vs 11
   7. Died for others sins. vs 4
6. How does this prophecy fulfill what God said He could do in question 4?
7. Read 1 Corinthians 15:16-20. On a scale of one to ten with ten being the highest, how confident does the apostle Paul sound with his faith in Jesus?  How confident are you with your faith in Jesus and why do you think that is?

Taking it Home:

What is one thing you can apply to your life from this message and how can this group remember you in prayer this week?