Preacher's Byline - Volume V, Section 3.1

Our core mission at 2nd Thief Ministries is to declare the Good News about Jesus Christ through “The Message of the 2nd Thief" on the Cross. “Grace in Action” encourages seekers to receive the love of Jesus and believers to walk in the fullness of the love, joy, peace and freedom that is ours as His children. The Message is shared through preaching and teaching, the 2nd Thief Riders, the 2nd Thief Band and Defender Outreaches.

2nd Thief Riders is our motorcycle ministry “Declaring the Good News…on Two Wheels.” Riders are equipped to effectively share the love and grace of Jesus Christ. Riding for His glory and enjoying great fellowship are what we do.

The 2nd Thief Band is a power Rock ‘n Blues group with a God-given gifting to share the Good News through music and song. The Band plays in support of the Riders’ Outreaches and as a stand-alone Ministry.

2nd Thief Defenders is our ministry to families. Prison Fellowship Ministries’ Angel Tree is one way we help minister to the children of inmates and their families and share the love of Christ. 2nd Thief Ministries collaborates with churches, ministries and with those in the marketplace to share the love and grace of Jesus.

We as a Ministry are but a part of the Body of Christ. We are to worship Him, fellowship with the Brethren and share the love and grace of Jesus with all men. The only reason 2nd Thief exists is to share the Good News that God loves us and demonstrated it through Jesus and seals and guarantees it with the Holy Spirit.

Our message comes from the following passage of Scripture found in Luke chapter 23 gives an account the exchange between Jesus and the 2nd Thief. By the way, the 2nd Thief was a hardened criminal who had more than likely killed a Roman Citizen. Petty thieves were not routinely crucified. As you read it be mindful of that…it’s about a relationship with God through Jesus…not religion. It doesn’t have anything to do with performance or where you have been or what you have done. It’s all about His love and grace…

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. Then Jesus said,

“Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.” And they divided His

garments and cast lots. 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.”

The soldiers also mocked Him, coming and offering Him sour wine, and saying, “If

You are the King of the Jews, save Yourself.” And an inscription also was written

over Him in letters of Greek, Latin, and Hebrew: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.

Then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him, saying, “If You are the

Christ, save Yourself and us.”

But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, “Do you not even fear God, seeing

you are under the same condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we receive the

due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong.” Then he said to

Jesus, “Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.” And Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.”

Now remember the 2nd Thief had heard of Jesus, everyone in and around the region

had. What he had not experienced until the day of the Crucifixion was the tangible love of Jesus. What do I mean? The 2nd Thief had a knowledge of Jesus, but not a

personal encounter with the love of Jesus (relationship). Ponder what Jesus said as

He was being nailed to the Cross.

“Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.”

Here is Jesus is experiencing the same painful circumstances as the 2nd Thief and yet Jesus still responded with love. He even asks His Father to “forgive them.” Do you think that spoke powerfully into the life of the 2nd Thief? I do. The 2nd thief

witnessed the Son fully yielded to the will of His Father operating in love. Make no mistake, Jesus had already confirmed in His heart to be about the will of His Father.

“Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but

Yours, be done.” Luke 22:42 NKJV

“Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again.

No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and

I have power to take it again. This command I have received from My Father.” John

10:17-18 NKJV

Seeing the loving obedience to the Father by Jesus compelled the 2nd Thief to take an honest assessment of his own life. He realized the choices he had made in life left him condemned.

“Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? And we

indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done

nothing wrong.”

And here we have one of the most powerful passages that demonstrate the love and

grace of our Heavenly Father. The 2nd Thief repented (which simply means he

turned towards God in his thinking) and received Jesus as Lord and Savior into his heart.

Then he said to Jesus, “Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.”

And what did Jesus say to the 2nd Thief?

“Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.”

You see we all know the story of Jesus. You will either mock Him or ignore Him and not believe He is the Son of God, your Savior that loves you…or you will believe.

Christianity, if false, is of no importance, and if true, of infinite importance. The only thing it cannot be is moderately important. – C. S. Lewis

It really comes down to this, Jesus has clearly been revealed as being crucified on The Cross for our sin. In this life you are either the 1st Thief who mocks or ignores Him or you are the 2nd Thief that believes and receives Him into your heart. My prayer is that you will ask Him for forgiveness of sin (Which comes from an old archers term that simply means “missing the mark”) and ask Him to remember you in His Kingdom.

Please recognize one last thing, Jesus did not respond to anyone else while He hung on The Cross! He remained silent with those who mocked Him…religious or otherwise. When the 2nd Thief reached out to Him with a humble heart Jesus immediately responded in love.

“Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.” Luke 23:43 NKJV

Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore with lovingkindness I have

drawn you. Jeremiah 31:3 NKJV

“Whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved.” Joel 2:32 NKJV

You are saved by Grace through faith, not works that any man might boast.

Ephesians 2:8 NKJV

If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has

raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. Romans 10:9 NKJV

GOD LOVES YOU. Deuteronomy 7:8 NKJV

Godspeed

Preacher