{"id":6021,"date":"2015-03-03T16:28:11","date_gmt":"2015-03-03T20:28:11","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/?p=6021"},"modified":"2015-04-02T13:58:32","modified_gmt":"2015-04-02T17:58:32","slug":"word-2-jesus-remembers-3115","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/?p=6021","title":{"rendered":"Word 2: Jesus Remembers (3\/1\/15)"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"color: #000080;\"><em>Pastor Jim continued his Lenten\u00a0 series on the Seven last words of Jesus by looking\u00a0 at Jesus&#8217; statement to the thief: &#8220;Today you will be with Me in Paradise.&#8221;<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000080;\"><em>Click the following &#8220;Play&#8221;button to start the recording, then scroll\u00a0 down and follow along.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<audio class=\"wp-audio-shortcode\" id=\"audio-6021-1\" preload=\"none\" style=\"width: 100%;\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"audio\/mpeg\" src=\"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/Sermon-2015-03-01b-Jesus-Remembers-by-Pastor-Jim-Bolton-6kbs-mono-uncut.mp3?_=1\" \/><a href=\"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/Sermon-2015-03-01b-Jesus-Remembers-by-Pastor-Jim-Bolton-6kbs-mono-uncut.mp3\">https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/Sermon-2015-03-01b-Jesus-Remembers-by-Pastor-Jim-Bolton-6kbs-mono-uncut.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000080;\"><em>The scripture reading was from Luke 23: verse 32, then verses 39-43.\u00a0 Open the drop down box to read the passage.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<div class='et-learn-more clearfix'>\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class='heading-more'>Luke 23<span class='et_learnmore_arrow'><span><\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class='learn-more-content'><p>32 There were also two others, criminals, led with Him to be put to death.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">&#8230;&#8230;&#8230;&#8230;&#8230;&#8230;&#8230;&#8230;&#8230;&#8230;&#8230;..<\/p>\n<p>39 Then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him, saying, &#8220;If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>40 But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, &#8220;Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation?<\/p>\n<p>41 And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>42 Then he said to Jesus, &#8220;Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>43 And Jesus said to him, &#8220;Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>NKJV\u00a0<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #800000;\">Jesus&#8217; Mission Statement<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Google almost any corporation for their mission statement and you&#8217;ll be able to find things like the following&#8230;<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t<div class='et-tabs-container et_sliderfx_fade et_sliderauto_false et_sliderauto_speed_5000 et_slidertype_top_tabs'>\n\t\t\t\t<ul class='et-tabs-control'>\n\t\t\t<li><a href='#'>\n\t\t\tGeneral Motors\n\t\t<\/a><\/li> \n\t\t<li><a href='#'>\n\t\t\tGoogle\n\t\t<\/a><\/li> \n\t\t<li><a href='#'>\n\t\t\tNike\n\t\t<\/a><\/li> \n\t\t<li><a href='#'>\n\t\t\tJP Morgan\n\t\t<\/a><\/li> \n\t\t<li><a href='#'>\n\t\t\tMcDonalds\n\t\t<\/a><\/li>\n\t\t<\/ul> <!-- .et-tabs-control --> \n\t\t<div class='et-tabs-content'>\n\t\t\t<div class='et-tabs-content-main-wrap'>\n\t\t\t\t<div class='et-tabs-content-wrapper'>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class='et_slidecontent'>\n\t\t\t&#8220;G.M. is a multinational corporation engaged in socially responsible operations, worldwide. It is dedicated to provide products and services of such quality that our customers will receive superior value while our employees and business partners will share in our success and our stock-holders will receive a sustained superior return on their investment.&#8221;\n\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t<div class='et_slidecontent'>\n\t\t\t&#8220;Google&#8217;s mission is to organize the world&#8217;s information and make it universally accessible and useful.&#8221;\n\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t<div class='et_slidecontent'>\n\t\t\t&#8220;To Bring Inspiration and innovation to every athlete in the world.&#8221;\n\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t<div class='et_slidecontent'>\n\t\t\t&#8220;At JPMorgan Chase, we want to be the best financial services company in the world. Because of our great heritageand excellent platform, we believe this is within our reach.&#8221;\n\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t<div class='et_slidecontent'>\n\t\t\tMcDonald&#8217;s brand mission is to be our customers&#8217; favorite place and way to eat and drink.<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.aboutmcdonalds.com\/mcd\/our_company\/mission_and_values.html\" target=\"_blank\">http:\/\/www.aboutmcdonalds.com\/mcd\/our_company\/mission_and_values.html<\/a><\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div> <!-- .et-tabs-container -->\n<p>These are all great statements for organizations wanting to make an impact\u00a0 on the world and to be financially successful.<\/p>\n<p>The Son of God left heaven to become a human for 33 years.\u00a0 Why?\u00a0 What was His mission?<\/p>\n<p>Jesus&#8217; Mission Statement can be summed up in His words written in Luke 19:10&#8230;<\/p>\n<blockquote><p><em><strong><span style=\"color: #800080;\">&#8220;&#8230;for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.&#8221;<\/span> <\/strong><\/em><br \/>\nNKJV<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>Everything Jesus did; right down to his dying breath was to &#8220;seek and save that which was lost.&#8221;\u00a0 And so, is it any wonder that the Holy Spirit would lead Luke to record this brief yet dramatic conversation between Jesus and a nameless thief\u00a0 on the cross.<\/p>\n<div class='et-box et-warning'>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class='et-box-content'><span style=\"color: #003300;\">Why isn&#8217;t the thief&#8217;s name given? What about the paralytic lowered through a hole in the roof so that Jesus might heal him? And what about the four friends who went through all that trouble? Why doesn&#8217;t the Bible record their names?<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #003300;\">Could it be&#8230; that they&#8217;re nameless because they represent all of us?\u00a0 Maybe the Holy Spirit is calling us to place our own name into the blanks.<\/span><\/div><\/div>\n<p>In order for Jesus to &#8220;seek and save the lost,&#8221; He kept company with the lost people who wanted to be found.\u00a0 He spent time with &#8220;Those People.&#8221;\u00a0 The Pharisees, scribes, and other religious leaders already &#8220;had all the answers.&#8221;\u00a0 They were lost, but Jesus didn&#8217;t keep <em>their<\/em> company.<\/p>\n<p>Luke 15:1-2 tells about the company Jesus kept:<\/p>\n<blockquote><p><em><strong><span style=\"color: #800080;\">&#8220;Then all the tax collectors and the sinners drew near to Him to hear Him. \u00a0 And the Pharisees and scribes complained, saying, &#8220;This Man receives sinners and eats with them.&#8221;<\/span> <\/strong><\/em><br \/>\nNKJV<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>When Jesus was around\u00a0&#8220;Those People&#8221; He made them feel important.\u00a0 He was encouraging, uplifting, empowering, even liberating.\u00a0 He gave them Hope.\u00a0 They experienced God&#8217;s\u00a0 love in action and were ready to receive God&#8217;s grace.<\/p>\n<p>Jesus fulfilled His mission!<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #800000;\">Two Thieves, Two Responses<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/01\/Windows-Crucifixion.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-2837\" src=\"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/01\/Windows-Crucifixion-300x139.jpg\" alt=\"Windows-Crucifixion\" width=\"300\" height=\"139\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/01\/Windows-Crucifixion-300x139.jpg 300w, https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/01\/Windows-Crucifixion-1024x475.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/01\/Windows-Crucifixion.jpg 1502w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a>The image is seared into our minds by the many artistic renditions of the crucifixion (including the windows in our own sanctuary): Jesus is on the cross in the middle surrounded by a thief on either side.\u00a0 On the top of Jesus&#8217; cross, a sign proclaims His &#8220;crime&#8221;:\u00a0 <strong>The King of the Jews.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>At first, both thieves reviled Jesus.\u00a0 &#8220;<strong><em><span style=\"color: #ff00ff;\">Hey- you saved others&#8230; if you&#8217;re really that &#8216;King of the Jews&#8217; you claimed to be, why don&#8217;t you save us?<\/span><\/em><\/strong>&#8221; Both saw Jesus- a man (like them) who was rejected, abused, and crucified.\u00a0 They both saw the cruelty and hatred against Jesus by the religious leaders, the crowd, and the Romans.\u00a0 And they both heard Jesus say &#8220;Father forgive them&#8230;&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>But one of the thieves had a change of heart.\u00a0 As he looked at Jesus (and perhaps the sign over His head), he said, &#8220;<strong><em><span style=\"color: #ff00ff;\">Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.<\/span><\/em><\/strong>&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>John Wesley recorded his thoughts on this:<\/p>\n<blockquote><p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">&#8220;Both reviled Him [Jesus] at the first, till one of them felt the overwhelming power of saving grace.&#8221;<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>Andres Kostenberger &amp; Justin Taylor, in their book &#8220;The Final Days of Jesus&#8221; comment:<\/p>\n<blockquote><p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">&#8220;Perhaps after hearing\u00a0 Jesus pray that God might forgive those responsible for His crucifixion influenced the man enough to reach out for God&#8217;s amazing grace.&#8221;<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>St. Maximus of Turin wrote:<\/p>\n<blockquote><p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">&#8220;[the thief] understood that Christ received these blows because of others&#8217; sins. He sustained these wounds because of others&#8217; crimes. The thief knew that the wounds on the body of Christ were not Christ&#8217;s\u00a0 wounds, but the thief&#8217;s; therefore, after he recognized his own wounds on Christ&#8217;s body, he began to love [Him] all the more.&#8221;<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>The one thief could recognize Jesus for who He was.\u00a0 Even the disciples had trouble doing that.\u00a0 St. Maximus of Turin also wrote: &#8220;The thief confesses the One whom the disciple denied!\u00a0 This is a remarkable thing, I say. The thief honors the One who suffers, while Judas betrayed the One who kissed him!&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h4><span style=\"color: #003300;\">&#8220;Jesus Remember Me&#8221;<\/span><\/h4>\n<p>Remember.\u00a0 The thief asked Jesus to &#8220;Remember&#8221; him.\u00a0 The word used here for &#8220;Remember&#8221; means more than to simply recall.\u00a0 It means to &#8220;help&#8221; or &#8220;deliver.&#8221;\u00a0\u00a0 When this despised, condemned thief asks Jesus to &#8220;remember him, he&#8217;s asking Him to deliver him.\u00a0 Not necessarily from the cross, but from his guilt.\u00a0 This word is used throughout the Bible in the sense of God delivering people: \n\t\t\t<div class='et-tabs-container et_sliderfx_fade et_sliderauto_false et_sliderauto_speed_5000 et_slidertype_top_tabs'>\n\t\t\t\t<ul class='et-tabs-control'>\n\t\t\t<li><a href='#'>\n\t\t\tGen. 8:1\n\t\t<\/a><\/li> \n\t\t<li><a href='#'>\n\t\t\tGen.19:29\n\t\t<\/a><\/li> \n\t\t<li><a href='#'>\n\t\t\tGen. 30:22\n\t\t<\/a><\/li> \n\t\t<li><a href='#'>\n\t\t\tEx. 2:24\n\t\t<\/a><\/li> \n\t\t<li><a href='#'>\n\t\t\tPs. 136:23\n\t\t<\/a><\/li>\n\t\t<\/ul> <!-- .et-tabs-control --> \n\t\t<div class='et-tabs-content'>\n\t\t\t<div class='et-tabs-content-main-wrap'>\n\t\t\t\t<div class='et-tabs-content-wrapper'>\n\t\t\t\t\t\u00a0 \n\t\t<div class='et_slidecontent'>\n\t\t\t<strong><span style=\"color: #800080;\">Genesis 7:20-8:2\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/strong>The waters rose and covered the mountains to a depth of more than twenty feet.\u00a0\u00a0 Every living thing that moved on the earth perished \u2014 birds, livestock, wild animals, all the creatures that swarm over the earth, and all mankind. \u00a0 Everything on dry land that had the breath of life in its nostrils died. \u00a0 Every living thing on the face of the earth was wiped out; men and animals and the creatures that move along the ground and the birds of the air were wiped from the earth. Only Noah was left, and those with him in the ark.<\/p>\n<p>The waters flooded the earth for a hundred and fifty days.<\/p>\n<p>But God <span style=\"background-color: #ffff00;\">remembered<\/span> Noah and all the wild animals and the livestock that were with him in the ark, and he sent a wind over the earth, and the waters receded.\nNIV\n\t\t<\/div><\/p>\n\n\t\t<div class='et_slidecontent'>\n\t\t\t<strong><span style=\"color: #800080;\">Gen 18:22-25<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Then the men turned away from there and went toward Sodom, but Abraham still stood before the Lord. \u00a0 And Abraham came near and said, &#8220;Would You also destroy the righteous with the wicked? \u00a0 Suppose there were fifty righteous within the city; would You also destroy the place and not spare it for the fifty righteous that were in it?\u00a0 NKJV<\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #800080;\">Gen 19:27-29<\/span><\/strong> \u00a0 And Abraham went early in the morning to the place where he had stood before the Lord. \u00a0 Then he looked toward Sodom and Gomorrah, and toward all the land of the plain; and he saw, and behold, the smoke of the land which went up like the smoke of a furnace. \u00a0 And it came to pass, when God destroyed the cities of the plain, that God <span style=\"background-color: #ffff00;\">remembered<\/span> Abraham, and sent Lot out of the midst of the overthrow, when He overthrew the cities in which Lot had dwelt.\u00a0 NKJV<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t<div class='et_slidecontent'>\n\t\t\t<strong><span style=\"color: #800080;\">Genesis 30:1<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0 Now when Rachel saw that she bore Jacob no children, Rachel envied her sister, and said to Jacob, &#8220;Give me children, or else I die!&#8221;\u00a0 NKJV<\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #800080;\">Gen 30:22-24<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0 When God <span style=\"background-color: #ffff00;\">remembered<\/span> Rachel, and God listened to her and opened her womb. \u00a0 And she conceived and bore a son, and said, &#8220;God has taken away my reproach.&#8221; \u00a0 So she called his name Joseph, and said, &#8220;The Lord shall add to me another son.&#8221;\u00a0\u00a0 NKJV\u00a0\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t<div class='et_slidecontent'>\n\t\t\t<strong><span style=\"color: #800080;\">Exodus 2:23-25<\/span><\/strong> \u00a0 Now it happened in the process of time that the king of Egypt died. Then the children of Israel groaned because of the bondage, and they cried out; and their cry came up to God because of the bondage.<\/p>\n<p>So God heard their groaning, and God <span style=\"background-color: #ffff00;\">remembered<\/span> His covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob. NKJV\n\t\t<\/div>\n<p>\n\t\t<div class='et_slidecontent'>\n\t\t\t<strong><span style=\"color: #800080;\">Psalm 136:17-23<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>To Him who struck down great kings,\u00a0 For His mercy endures forever;<\/li>\n<li>And slew famous kings,\u00a0 For His mercy endures forever \u2014<\/li>\n<li>Sihon king of the Amorites,\u00a0 For His mercy endures forever;<\/li>\n<li>And Og king of Bashan,\u00a0 For His mercy endures forever \u2014<\/li>\n<li>And gave their land as a heritage,\u00a0 For His mercy endures forever;<\/li>\n<li>A heritage to Israel His servant,\u00a0 For His mercy endures forever.<\/li>\n<li>Who <span style=\"background-color: #ffff00;\">remembered<\/span> us in our lowly state,\u00a0 For His mercy endures forever;\u00a0\u00a0 NKJV\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div> <!-- .et-tabs-container --><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/Seaville-Outdoor-Chapel-Cross-_0906041024.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright  wp-image-4457\" src=\"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/Seaville-Outdoor-Chapel-Cross-_0906041024-214x300.jpg\" alt=\"Seaville Outdoor Chapel Cross _0906041024\" width=\"149\" height=\"209\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/Seaville-Outdoor-Chapel-Cross-_0906041024-214x300.jpg 214w, https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/Seaville-Outdoor-Chapel-Cross-_0906041024.jpg 326w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 149px) 100vw, 149px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Adam Hamilton (in his book Final Words), puts it this way:\u00a0 &#8220;So when this repenting thief says &#8216;Lord remember me&#8217;, he&#8217;s literally saying, &#8216;Deliver me from the place of the dead.\u00a0 Deliver me from the prison I am destined for.\u00a0 Remember me as the one who turned to You on the cross&#8217; &#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Two Sinners.\u00a0 Two people who didn&#8217;t measure up. Two people who made mistakes and got into trouble.\u00a0 Two thieves, two reactions.\u00a0 Which are you?<\/p>\n<p>Jesus promised one thief\u00a0 &#8220;Today you will be with Me in paradise.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000080;\">TODAY<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Jesus is saying that THIS VERY DAY Jesus and the repentant thief would be together in paradise.\u00a0 Paul echos this in 2 Corinthians 5:6-8:<\/p>\n<blockquote><p><strong><em><span style=\"color: #800080;\">So we are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord.\u00a0 For we walk by faith, not by sight.\u00a0 We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be <span style=\"background-color: #ffff00;\">absent from the body and to be present with the Lord<\/span>.<\/span><\/em><\/strong>\u00a0 \u00a0NKJV<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>When you die, you don&#8217;t go into some kind of holding tank where you have to wait for thousands of years until you are with Jesus.\u00a0 TODAY.\u00a0 On the Mount of Transfiguration (<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblegateway.com\/passage\/?search=Matthew+17%3A1-4&amp;version=NIV\" target=\"_blank\">Matthew 17:4<\/a><\/span>), Jesus talks with Moses and Elijah.\u00a0 They died hundreds of years earlier, but they&#8217;re already with Jesus.\u00a0 They didn&#8217;t have to wait until the end times.<\/p>\n<p>Many other verses speak to the fact that &#8220;to be absent from the body&#8221; means &#8220;to be present with the Lord.&#8221;&#8230;<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t<div class='et-tabs-container et_sliderfx_fade et_sliderauto_false et_sliderauto_speed_5000 et_slidertype_top_tabs'>\n\t\t\t\t<ul class='et-tabs-control'>\n\t\t\t<li><a href='#'>\n\t\t\tRevelation\n\t\t<\/a><\/li> \n\t\t<li><a href='#'>\n\t\t\t2 Peter\n\t\t<\/a><\/li> \n\t\t<li><a href='#'>\n\t\t\tPsalms\n\t\t<\/a><\/li> \n\t\t<li><a href='#'>\n\t\t\t1 Thes\n\t\t<\/a><\/li>\n\t\t<\/ul> <!-- .et-tabs-control --> \n\t\t<div class='et-tabs-content'>\n\t\t\t<div class='et-tabs-content-main-wrap'>\n\t\t\t\t<div class='et-tabs-content-wrapper'>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class='et_slidecontent'>\n\t\t\t<strong><span style=\"color: #800080;\">Rev 7:14-17<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 So he said to me, &#8220;These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore they are before the throne of God, and serve Him day and night in His temple. And He who sits on the throne will dwell among them. They shall neither hunger anymore nor thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them, nor any heat; for the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne will shepherd them and lead them to living fountains of waters. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.&#8221; NKJV\n\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t<div class='et_slidecontent'>\n\t\t\t<strong><span style=\"color: #800080;\">2 Peter 1:14-15<\/span> <\/strong>&#8230;knowing that shortly I must put off my tent, just as our Lord Jesus Christ showed me. Moreover I will be careful to ensure that you always have a reminder of these things after my decease. NKJV\n\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t<div class='et_slidecontent'>\n\t\t\t<strong><span style=\"color: #800080;\">Ps 16:11<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.<\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #800080;\">Ps 17:15<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0 As for me, I will see Your face in righteousness; I shall be satisfied when I awake in Your likeness.<\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #800080;\">Ps 73:23-26<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0 Nevertheless I am continually with You; You hold me by my right hand. You will guide me with Your counsel, And afterward receive me to glory. Whom have I in heaven but You? And there is none upon earth that I desire besides You. My flesh and my heart fail; But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. NKJV\n\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t<div class='et_slidecontent'>\n\t\t\t<strong><span style=\"color: #800080;\">1 Thess 4:15-18<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0 For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words. NKJV\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div> <!-- .et-tabs-container -->\n<p>In John 14:3, Jesus said the familiar words that we frequently use to comfort each other&#8230;<\/p>\n<blockquote><p><em><strong><span style=\"color: #800080;\">And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.<\/span><\/strong><\/em>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 NKJV<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>TODAY.\u00a0 Instantly Immediately.\u00a0 Now.\u00a0 Not tomorrow.\u00a0 Not in a hundred years.\u00a0 Not in a thousand years.\u00a0 Not in a million years.\u00a0 Not after the rapture, not IF someone prays you out of a celestial waiting room, BUT TODAY you will be with Me in paradise.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000080;\">YOU\u00a0 WITH\u00a0 ME<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/ChapelWin-Good-Shepherd-_DCP_7051.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft  wp-image-3973\" src=\"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/ChapelWin-Good-Shepherd-_DCP_7051-118x300.jpg\" alt=\"ChapelWin- Good Shepherd _DCP_7051\" width=\"92\" height=\"234\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/ChapelWin-Good-Shepherd-_DCP_7051-118x300.jpg 118w, https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/ChapelWin-Good-Shepherd-_DCP_7051-405x1024.jpg 405w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 92px) 100vw, 92px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>YOU.\u00a0 This thief, this outcast.\u00a0 One of THOSE people.\u00a0 Today, YOU will be with me in paradise.<\/p>\n<p>Notice that Jesus didn&#8217;t say, &#8220;Before I can offer you salvation you need to come in line with our procedures.\u00a0 He didn&#8217;t tell the thief that you MUST speak in tongues, or that you must get yourself off the cross and get baptized, or that you have to dress in a certain way, or listen to a certain kind of music or even to recite the &#8220;Sinner&#8217;s Prayer&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p>NO!\u00a0 Jesus saw the man reaching out in faith and received him.\u00a0 Jesus said:\u00a0 &#8220;Those who believe in me has eternal life.&#8221; (John 6:47).\u00a0 Even with His dying breath, Jesus is carrying out His mission statement: seeking and saving the lost.\u00a0 &#8220;Today you will be with ME! You&#8217;re found! You&#8217;re saved!&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Can you imagine what it will be like to be with Jesus?!?\u00a0 Revelation 21:3 tells us that<\/p>\n<blockquote><p><em><strong><span style=\"color: #800080;\">\u00a0Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God.\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/em> \u00a0 \u00a0NKJV<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>Many other verses tell us the same thing:\u00a0 We will be WITH GOD&#8230;<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t<div class='et-tabs-container et_sliderfx_fade et_sliderauto_false et_sliderauto_speed_5000 et_slidertype_top_tabs'>\n\t\t\t\t<ul class='et-tabs-control'>\n\t\t\t<li><a href='#'>\n\t\t\tZecheriah\n\t\t<\/a><\/li> \n\t\t<li><a href='#'>\n\t\t\tEzekiel\n\t\t<\/a><\/li> \n\t\t<li><a href='#'>\n\t\t\tIsaiah\n\t\t<\/a><\/li> \n\t\t<li><a href='#'>\n\t\t\tHebrews\n\t\t<\/a><\/li> \n\t\t<li><a href='#'>\n\t\t\t2 Corinthians\n\t\t<\/a><\/li>\n\t\t<\/ul> <!-- .et-tabs-control --> \n\t\t<div class='et-tabs-content'>\n\t\t\t<div class='et-tabs-content-main-wrap'>\n\t\t\t\t<div class='et-tabs-content-wrapper'>\n\t\t\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t<div class='et_slidecontent'>\n\t\t\t<strong><span style=\"color: #800080;\">Zech 8:8<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0 I will bring them back, And they shall dwell in the midst of Jerusalem. They shall be My people And I will be their God, In truth and righteousness.&#8217;<\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #800080;\">Zech 13:9b<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0 They will call on My name, And I will answer them. I will say, &#8216;This is My people&#8217;; And each one will say, &#8216;The Lord is my God.'&#8221; NKJV\n\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t<div class='et_slidecontent'>\n\t\t\t<strong><span style=\"color: #800080;\">Ezek 37:27-28<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0 My tabernacle also shall be with them; indeed I will be their God, and they shall be My people. NKJV\n\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t<div class='et_slidecontent'>\n\t\t\t<strong><span style=\"color: #800080;\">Isa 12:6<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0 Cry out and shout, O inhabitant of Zion, For great is the Holy One of Israel in your midst!&#8221; NKJV\n\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t<div class='et_slidecontent'>\n\t\t\t<strong><span style=\"color: #800080;\">Heb 8:10<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put My laws in their mind and write them on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><strong>Heb 11:16<\/strong><\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them. NKJV\n\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t<div class='et_slidecontent'>\n\t\t\t<strong><span style=\"color: #800080;\">2 Cor 6:16<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0 And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said: &#8220;I will dwell in them And walk among them. I will be their God, And they shall be My people.&#8221; NKJV\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div> <!-- .et-tabs-container -->\n<p>But we have that same God with us right now!\u00a0 Today Jesus will be with me in my church.\u00a0 Today Jesus will be with me in my car.\u00a0 Today Jesus will be with me in my home.\u00a0 Today, Jesus will be with me at my job.\u00a0 Today!<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000080;\">IN\u00a0 PARADISE<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/Lily-29809_640.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright  wp-image-1251\" src=\"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/Lily-29809_640-267x300.png\" alt=\"Lily-29809_640\" width=\"213\" height=\"239\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/Lily-29809_640-267x300.png 267w, https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/Lily-29809_640.png 571w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 213px) 100vw, 213px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>The word we translate as &#8220;Paradise&#8221; is actually a Persian word which means &#8220;Walled Garden.&#8221;\u00a0 There was a custom in ancient Persia where a king who wanted to do something special to honor someone would permit that person to walk through one of the beautiful gardens with the king.\u00a0 These gardens were beautiful and totally safe.\u00a0 One could only be there by accepting the king&#8217;s invitation. [<span style=\"font-size: 10pt;\">see &#8220;<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/shop.reasons.org\/Beyond-the-Cosmos-p\/b1001.htm\" target=\"_blank\">Beyond\u00a0the\u00a0Cosmos<\/a><\/span>&#8221; by Hugh Ross<\/span>].<\/p>\n<p>Today, if you accept Jesus&#8217;\u00a0invitation\u00a0to walk with Him,\u00a0you will\u00a0be safe in His Garden.\u00a0 Today, Jesus will be with you.<\/p>\n<p>Paradise&#8230; Garden.\u00a0 We were introduced to these words way back at the beginning of human existence.\u00a0 The &#8220;Garden of Eden.&#8221;\u00a0 &#8220;Flaming swords &#8216;walling off&#8217; the entrance to he Garden.&#8221;\u00a0 [see Genesis 3].<\/p>\n<p>But at the end of the Bible, we are allowed back into the Garden.\u00a0 <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblegateway.com\/passage\/?search=Revelation+21&amp;version=NIV\" target=\"_blank\">Revelation 21<\/a> <\/span>tells us of the incredible beauty we will see.\u00a0 We&#8217;ll see the face of God and His glory.\u00a0 No more war, starvation, ridicule,\u00a0 insults, poverty, evil sin&#8230; or even death.\u00a0 For these things will have all been destroyed.<\/p>\n<p>Jesus&#8217; words to the thief&#8230; and to us&#8230; give us the key and permission to enter the garden.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #800000;\">Today is the Day for Salvation<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Today you will be with Me in paradise.&#8221;\u00a0 These words also point to what our Mission Statement should be.\u00a0 We too are called to seek the lost&#8230;<\/p>\n<div class='et-box et-info'>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class='et-box-content'><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The story is told of a famous rabbi who was walking with some of his disciples when one of them asked, &#8220;Rabbi, when should a man repent?&#8221; <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The rabbi calmly replied, &#8220;You should be sure you repent on the last day of your life.&#8221; <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">But,&#8221; protested several of his disciples, &#8220;we can never be sure which day will be the last day of our life.&#8221; <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The rabbi just smiled and said, &#8220;The answer to that question is simple. Repent now.&#8221;<\/span><\/div><\/div>\n<p>Lent reminds us of our mortality.\u00a0 But, Today is the Day of Salvation.<\/p>\n<p>The two thieves crucified with\u00a0 Jesus represent our choices today:\u00a0 One chose to die rejecting Christ and went into a Godless eternity.\u00a0 The other acknowledged his sins and Jesus as Savior\u00a0 and\u00a0 FOUND PARADISE!<\/p>\n<p>Which thief are you?<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #800000;\">\u00a0Quiz Time!<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><em><span style=\"color: #000080;\">As you reflect on what you&#8217;ve just heard\/read, give this quiz a try.\u00a0 If you don&#8217;t understand an answer (or if you disagree with the &#8220;correct&#8221; answer, post a comment)&#8230;<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<div id='quizArea'>\n<script type='text\/javascript'>\njQuery(document).ready(function($) {\n$( function($){\nvar quiz = {\nmultiList:\n[{ ques: 'Who has the mission statement to Seek and Save the Lost?',\nans: 'Jesus.',\nansSel: [ 'Nike.',  'The king of Persia.' ] },\n{ ques: 'When you die, how long do you have to wait before seeing Jesus?',\nans: 'You see Him right away.',\nansSel: [ 'Seven years.',  'Depends on the end times.' ] },\n{ ques: 'Who did Jesus pal around with?',\nans: 'Prostitutes, thieves, and other sinners like us.',\nansSel: [ 'The religious leaders.',  'Wealthy business leaders.' ] },\n{ ques: 'How do you get into the Walled Garden?',\nans: 'By being invited by the King.',\nansSel: [ 'By saying a certain prayer.',  'With a ladder.' ] },\n{ ques: 'How can we experience Paradise now?',\nans: 'Take Jesus at His word and make Him our priority.',\nansSel: [ 'Buy a ticket to Hawaii.',  'Stand on a street corner and preach the Gospel.' ] }]\n};\nvar options = {\ntitle: 'Jesus Remembers',\nhelp: 'Select the correct answer and click Check.',\nshowAns: false,\nshowAnsInfo: false,\nallRandom: false,\nshowFeedback: false,\nrandom: false\n};\nvar lang = {\nquiz : { tfEqual:'' }\n};\n$( '#quizArea' ).jQuizMe( quiz, options, lang );\n$( \".q-innerArea\" ).css( {\"backgroundColor\": \"#EECCAA\", \"color\": \"#222222\"} );\n$( \".quiz-el\" ).css( {\"backgroundColor\": \"#776655\", \"color\": \"#222222\"} );\n$( \".q-ques\" ).css( {\"backgroundColor\": \"#EEEEEE\", \"color\": \"#222222\"} );\n$( \".q-ansSel\" ).css( {\"backgroundColor\": \"#EEEEEE\", \"color\": \"#222222\"} );\n$( \".q-result\" ).css( {\"backgroundColor\": \"#EEEEEE\", \"color\": \"#222222\"} );\n});\n}(jQuery))\n<\/script>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #003300;\"><strong>+\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 +\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 +\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 +\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 +\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 +\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 +<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/?cat=50\">Click Here<\/a><\/strong><\/span> to view other sermons.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Pastor Jim continued his Lenten\u00a0 series on the Seven last words of Jesus by looking\u00a0 at Jesus&#8217; statement to the thief: &#8220;Today you will be with Me in Paradise.&#8221; Click the following &#8220;Play&#8221;button to start the recording, then scroll\u00a0 down and follow along. &nbsp; &nbsp; The scripture reading was from Luke 23: verse 32, then [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":6085,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[50],"tags":[126,86],"class_list":["post-6021","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-sermons","tag-heaven","tag-salvation"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6021","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=6021"}],"version-history":[{"count":56,"href":"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6021\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6157,"href":"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6021\/revisions\/6157"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/6085"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=6021"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=6021"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=6021"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}