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Christian Life Church
April 5, 2026 at 7am, 9am & 11am
God saved you by His grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this. It is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. Ephesians 2:8-9
Locations & Times
Christian Life Church Columbia
2700 Bush River Rd, Columbia, SC 29210, USA
Sunday 6:30 AM
EASTER SUNDAY APRIL 5, 2026
TWO THIEVES
SCRIPTURE
Two others, both criminals, were led out to be executed with Jesus. When they came to a place called “The Skull,” they nailed Him to the cross. And the criminals were also crucified—one on His right and one on His left. Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.” One of the criminals hanging beside Jesus scoffed, “So you’re the Messiah, are you? Prove it by saving Yourself—and us too, while you’re at it!” But the other criminal protested, “Don’t you fear God even when you have been sentenced to die? We deserve to die for our crimes, but this man hasn’t done anything wrong.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when You come into Your Kingdom.” And Jesus replied, “I assure you, today you will be with Me in paradise.” Jesus said, “It is finished!” Then He bowed His head and gave up His spirit. The officer confirmed that Jesus was dead. As evening approached, Joseph, a rich man from Arimathea who had become a follower of Jesus took Jesus’ body down from the cross, wrapped it in the cloth, and laid it in a tomb that had been carved out of the rock. Then he rolled a stone in front of the entrance. (After three days), very early on Sunday morning, just at sunrise, they went to the tomb. On the way they were asking each other, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance to the tomb?” But as they arrived, they looked up and saw that the stone, which was very large, had already been rolled aside. When they entered the tomb… the women were shocked, but the angel said, “Don’t be alarmed. You are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead!” Selections from Matthew 27,
Luke 23, John 19, Mark 15-16
TWO THIEVES
1/ One thief realized he was a sinner, one did not.
When Adam sinned, sin entered the world. Adam’s sin brought death, so death spread to everyone, for everyone sinned. Romans 5:12
“No one does good, not even one!” Psalm 14, Psalm 53, Romans 3, Mark 10, Luke 18
2/ One thief understood consequences, one did not.
If not remedied, sin will lead to earthly and eternal destruction.
3/ One thief saw he could do nothing to save himself, one did not.
Other religions say you must climb the mountain to reach God. Christianity says God climbed down the mountain to reach you!
“There are only two religions. The religion of human achievement or the religion of divine accomplishment.” Skip Heitzig
God saved you by His grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this. It is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. Ephesians 2:8-9
4/ One thief turned from his sin and towards his Savior, one did not.
You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that and tremble in terror. James 2:19
The idea of believing is better understood as trusting and surrendering.
5/ One thief stepped into eternal life, one did not.
TWO THIEVES & ALL HUMANITY
Thief One Christ Thief Two
Spiritually Blind Spiritually Sees
Broken Whole
Enemies of God Sons & Daughters of God
Lost Found
Deceived Filled with Truth
Separated from God Reconciled with God
Spiritually Dead Spiritually Alive
Children of Darkness Children of Light
Under the Power of Satan Overcoming the Power of Satan
Under the Wrath of God Under the Grace of God
Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on them. John 3:36
God demonstrated His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8
“You are more sinful than you could dare imagine, and you are more loved than you could dare hope.” Timothy Keller
The Resurrection is God’s astounding effort to bring people into His family!
God sent His Son that we might receive adoption. Galatians 4:4-7
See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! 1 John 3:1
“All those the Father gives Me will come to Me, and whoever comes to Me I will never drive away. I will never cast out. I will never reject them.” John 6:37
TWO THIEVES
SCRIPTURE
Two others, both criminals, were led out to be executed with Jesus. When they came to a place called “The Skull,” they nailed Him to the cross. And the criminals were also crucified—one on His right and one on His left. Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.” One of the criminals hanging beside Jesus scoffed, “So you’re the Messiah, are you? Prove it by saving Yourself—and us too, while you’re at it!” But the other criminal protested, “Don’t you fear God even when you have been sentenced to die? We deserve to die for our crimes, but this man hasn’t done anything wrong.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when You come into Your Kingdom.” And Jesus replied, “I assure you, today you will be with Me in paradise.” Jesus said, “It is finished!” Then He bowed His head and gave up His spirit. The officer confirmed that Jesus was dead. As evening approached, Joseph, a rich man from Arimathea who had become a follower of Jesus took Jesus’ body down from the cross, wrapped it in the cloth, and laid it in a tomb that had been carved out of the rock. Then he rolled a stone in front of the entrance. (After three days), very early on Sunday morning, just at sunrise, they went to the tomb. On the way they were asking each other, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance to the tomb?” But as they arrived, they looked up and saw that the stone, which was very large, had already been rolled aside. When they entered the tomb… the women were shocked, but the angel said, “Don’t be alarmed. You are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead!” Selections from Matthew 27,
Luke 23, John 19, Mark 15-16
TWO THIEVES
1/ One thief realized he was a sinner, one did not.
When Adam sinned, sin entered the world. Adam’s sin brought death, so death spread to everyone, for everyone sinned. Romans 5:12
“No one does good, not even one!” Psalm 14, Psalm 53, Romans 3, Mark 10, Luke 18
2/ One thief understood consequences, one did not.
If not remedied, sin will lead to earthly and eternal destruction.
3/ One thief saw he could do nothing to save himself, one did not.
Other religions say you must climb the mountain to reach God. Christianity says God climbed down the mountain to reach you!
“There are only two religions. The religion of human achievement or the religion of divine accomplishment.” Skip Heitzig
God saved you by His grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this. It is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. Ephesians 2:8-9
4/ One thief turned from his sin and towards his Savior, one did not.
You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that and tremble in terror. James 2:19
The idea of believing is better understood as trusting and surrendering.
5/ One thief stepped into eternal life, one did not.
TWO THIEVES & ALL HUMANITY
Thief One Christ Thief Two
Spiritually Blind Spiritually Sees
Broken Whole
Enemies of God Sons & Daughters of God
Lost Found
Deceived Filled with Truth
Separated from God Reconciled with God
Spiritually Dead Spiritually Alive
Children of Darkness Children of Light
Under the Power of Satan Overcoming the Power of Satan
Under the Wrath of God Under the Grace of God
Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on them. John 3:36
God demonstrated His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8
“You are more sinful than you could dare imagine, and you are more loved than you could dare hope.” Timothy Keller
The Resurrection is God’s astounding effort to bring people into His family!
God sent His Son that we might receive adoption. Galatians 4:4-7
See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! 1 John 3:1
“All those the Father gives Me will come to Me, and whoever comes to Me I will never drive away. I will never cast out. I will never reject them.” John 6:37