INTRO: The Thieves on the Cross Represent the 2 Sides of Humanity

2 Sides of Humanities Responses (Blasphemers or Esteemers)
“Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? 41 And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong.” Vs 40-41

2 Sides of Humanities Faith (Scorning Faith or Saving Faith )
“Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.”

2 Sides of Humanities Eternity (Hell or Heaven)
" Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise." Vs 43

ANALYSIS: What Happens When I Die?

1.The soul and spirit of Born Again Believers go ‘immediately” to Heaven.

"But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. 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." 1 These 4:13-15

"We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord." 2 Cor 5:8



2. The soul and spirit of the Unrepentant Sinner go immediately to Hades!

The 3 Pit Stops of the Unbeliever:

Pit Stop #1, Hades:
“There was a certain rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and fared sumptuously every day. 20 But there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, full of sores, who was laid at his gate, 21 desiring to be fed with [b]the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table. Moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. 22 So it was that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s bosom. The rich man also died and was buried. 23 And being in torments in Hades, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.24 “Then he cried and said, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.’ 25 But Abraham said, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things; but now he is comforted and you are tormented. 26 And besides all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed, so that those who want to pass from here to you cannot, nor can those from there pass to us.’27 “Then he said, ‘I beg you therefore, father, that you would send him to my father’s house, 28 for I have five brothers, that he may testify to them, lest they also come to this place of torment.’ 29 Abraham said to him, ‘They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.’ 30 And he said, ‘No, father Abraham; but if one goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’ 31 But he said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rise from the dead.’ Luke 16:19-31


Pit Stop #2, Judgment:
“Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it and earth and sky fled from his presence and there was no place for them. And I saw the dead great and small standing before the throne and the books were opened. And another book was opened which is the book of life, the dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books. The sea gave up the dead that were in them and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them and each person was judged according to what he had done.” Revelation 20:11-13:

Pit Stop #3, The Lake of Fire:
Then, all the wicked deed will be delivered up from Hades (the present Hell) to stand before God at the Great White Throne Judgment after which they, too, will be cast into the lake of fire. Revelation 20:10

“But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire (Gehenna).” Matthew 5:22

" in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power..." 2 Thess 1:8-9


APPLICATION: How do I Graduate into Paradise?

“Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” John 3:3 It is

#1 Admit that you are a sinner and in need of being born again.
For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. Romans 3:23

#2. Believe that you cannot save yourself.
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9

#3. Confess Jesus as your personal Savior and Lord
But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name. John 1:12