One is in Heaven, the other in hell. Why?

1. Stone
Creek
www.rossvillechurch.com
781 Salem Road, Rossville, GA 30741 1

2. Matthew 27 38 Then were
there two thieves crucified
with Him, one on the right
hand, and another on the
left.
But He was crucified like a common criminal.
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3. Mark 15 27 And with Him they crucify two thieves;
the one on His right hand, and the other on His left.
28 And the Scripture was fulfilled, which saith,
And He was numbered with the transgressors.
Isaiah 53 12 Therefore will I divide Him a portion
with the great, and He shall divide the spoil with
the strong; because He hath poured out His Soul
unto death: and He was numbered with the
transgressors; and He bare the sin of many, and
made intercession for the transgressors.
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4. Luke 23 32 And there were also two other, male-
factors (criminals), led with Him to be put to death.
33 And when they were come to the place, which is
called Calvary, there they crucified Him, and the
malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on
the left. 34 Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them;
for they know not what they do. And they parted
his raiment, and cast lots.
Jesus was interceding for His murderers,
even as they put Him to death.
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5. Luke 23:39 Andone of the malefactors which were
hanged railed (revile, speak evil, blaspheme) on Him,
saying, If thou be Christ, save Thyself and us.
He didn't believe that Jesus was the Christ;
Christ = Messiah
He was taking part in the mockery of Jesus.
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6. 40 Butthe other answering rebuked him, saying,
Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same
condemnation? 41 And we indeed justly; for we
receive the due reward of our deeds: but this Man
hath done nothing amiss.
This man believed in Jesus.
This man confessed that he was a sinner.
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7. 42 And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me
when thou comest into Thy Kingdom. 43 And Jesus
said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt
thou be with Me in paradise.
(NIV) 43 Jesus answered him, "I tell you the Truth,
today you will be with Me in paradise."
He asked for salvation, and he received
eternal life with the Lord in Heaven.
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8. Two men -- both criminals -- both hanging on
crosses on either side of Jesus.
Choice
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9. Both could have been in Heaven
in a few hours.
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10. One wasted his opportunity railing at Jesus.
The other believed that Jesus was the Son of
God, and asked to be remembered.
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11. Romans 12 1-3 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by
the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a
living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which
is your reasonable service. And be not conformed
to this world: but be ye transformed by the renew-
ing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that
good, and acceptable, and perfect, Will of God.
For I say, through the grace given unto me, to
every man that is among you, not to think of
himself more highly than he ought to think; but to
think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every
man the measure of faith.
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12. Ephesians 2 8 For by grace are ye saved through
faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of
God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Salvation is the free gift of God unto us.
It is an expensive gift -- paid for with the Blood
of the Son of God, Jesus Christ.
The only question we have to answer is this:
Will we accept God's Gift of eternal life to us?
Or will we reject Him, throwing it back in His face.
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