Kent Clark's sermon titled The Two Thieves - Divine Intervention focuses on the doctrine of salvation through divine grace, exemplified by the conversion of one of the thieves crucified alongside Jesus. Clark argues that the crucifixion of Christ between two thieves was a deliberate act of divine sovereignty, showcasing God's grace in saving the most unworthy. He references Scripture, including Luke 23:39-43, to illustrate that both thieves initially mocked Christ, yet one was transformed by a miraculous intervention, highlighting human depravity and the need for grace. The practical significance of this message is that it emphasizes the necessity of recognizing one's sinful state and the inability to contribute to salvation, thus underscoring the Reformed emphasis on total depravity and salvation by grace alone.
Key Quotes
“God was presiding over Calvary's scene. God was there. From all eternity, He had determined and decreed when and where and how and with whom His Son should die.”
“This thief had no moral life before his conversion. He respected neither the law of God nor the law of man. After his conversion, he died without having opportunity to engage in any type of service to Christ.”
“You see, we must be abased before we can be exalted, and that's what God does.”
“You must come to the end of yourself before you can be saved. We must not only see ourselves lost but undone, and that we can do nothing to help ourselves.”
The Bible teaches that divine intervention is crucial for salvation, as evidenced by the thief on the cross who recognized his need for Christ.
Divine intervention is the supernatural operation of God's grace that transforms the hearts of sinners. In the case of the thief on the cross, we witness a remarkable instance of this grace. Despite his criminal life, in his final moments, he recognized Jesus as Lord and expressed profound faith by asking, 'Remember me when you come into your kingdom.' This act exemplifies that no one can come to Christ unless the Father draws them (John 6:44). It demonstrates the necessity of divine grace in recognizing one's own depravity and the need for a Savior.
Without such intervention, sinners remain in a state of rebellion and mockery against God. This thief, though previously equal in crime with the other, displayed a profound shift in understanding due to God's sovereign grace. He acknowledged that they were condemned justly, realizing their guilt and need for forgiveness, which leads to true repentance (Romans 3:22-23). Thus, we see that salvation is entirely by God's grace, as even in our moments of utter despair, He can open our eyes to the truth of the gospel.
John 6:44, Romans 3:22-23
Grace is sufficient for salvation as it is the unmerited favor of God, affirming that no works are needed for redemption.
The sufficiency of grace in salvation is evidenced in the conversion of the dying thief. He had no moral standing, no good works, and no opportunity for service once he came to faith. Instead, his plea 'Lord, remember me' illustrates the simplicity and purity of faith that God honors. This signifies that salvation is not contingent on human effort but entirely on God's grace, which is sufficient to cover all sins, regardless of their severity (Ephesians 2:8-9).
Furthermore, grace operates in a way that transcends human understanding, often appearing most potent in our weaknesses (2 Corinthians 12:9). The story of the thief highlights that all humanity is in need of this grace, as no one is inherently righteous or deserving of God's favor. Therefore, understanding that our salvation is not based on our righteousness but solely on God's grace reassures believers of its sufficiency, confirming that we can never out-sin God's grace.
Ephesians 2:8-9, 2 Corinthians 12:9
Recognizing our sinfulness is essential for salvation as it leads to true repentance and the acknowledgment of our need for Christ.
The recognition of our sinfulness is a fundamental aspect of the Gospel. In the face of salvation, it's crucial to understand that we are wholly lost without Christ. The Bible emphasizes in Romans 3:23 that 'all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.' This acknowledgment removes any self-righteousness and pride, which are barriers to receiving God's grace. The thief on the cross exemplified this truth; in his final hours, he admitted his guilt and need for mercy, showing that he realized the seriousness of his condition.
Without this recognition, individuals may mistakenly believe they can earn favor with God through their actions, obscuring the reality that salvation is by grace alone (Titus 3:5). It is in this awareness of our utter depravity and inability to save ourselves that we become receptive to God's grace. In turning to Him in desperation, like the dying thief who acknowledged his sin, we find the promise of forgiveness and redemption in Christ alone.
Romans 3:23, Titus 3:5
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