Message: “Do You Have The Assurance Of Heaven?” from Dr. Rick Mandl

Devotional Manuscript: Do You Have The Assurance Of Heaven?
Devotional Message by Dr. Rick Mandl  at Eagle Rock Baptist Church, November 13, 2020
Recorded in Los Angeles, CA.

 

Hey church family, I’ve got a question for you, and my question is “Do you have the assurance of heaven?’ What I mean by that is, are you certain that when your life is over, that heaven is where you’re going to be spending eternity. It’s amazing how many people are not. If you ask them . . . Do you believe you’re going to heaven when you die? Many will answer, “I hope so,” or “I’m trying,” or “I’m doing the best that I can.” And that’s sad because . . . One of the things that the Bible tells us is that... “I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life” (1 John 5:13).

 

If you’re in any way uncertain about how you can have that assurance, let’s look in on a deathbed conversation that Jesus had with someone. We find the story in Luke chapter 23. As the gospel writer, Luke describes the crucifixion of Jesus, one of things that he tells us is that Jesus was crucified next to two criminals – one on either side of him. Matthew’s gospel tells us that both of these criminals started out mocking Jesus. The robbers who were nailed to crosses beside Him made fun of Him the same way also” (Matthew 27:44 NLV). But suddenly there was a change of heart in one of the two. This one – and we’re not given his name – but this one rebuked the other saying, “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence?  We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom” (Luke 23:40-42). And in response to those words, Jesus made a promise. Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise” (Luke 23:43).

 

No one in Scripture is ever given more explicit assurance of heaven than this man. But how could Jesus promise instant heaven to this guy? I mean think about it. . . This man had not been baptized. He had not gone to church. He didn't have time to do any good works. Even the prayer that he prayed to Jesus was pretty self-centered. “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom."

 

What we see in this conversation is one of the greatest demonstrations of salvation by grace through faith, not works that you’ll ever see. It’s an illustration of the truth given to us in Titus 3:4-5 which says, “When God our Savior revealed his kindness and love, he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit.”

 

What was it that this dying thief did to receive the promise of heaven?

 

FIRST of all, he confessed his guilt. He said in Luke 23:41, "We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve." He feared God and was concerned about what would happen when he died and stood before an almighty, righteous judge.

 

SECOND, he trusted Christ: You see that in his words . . . "Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom" (v. 42). He recognized Jesus not just as Lord but also as King, because only kings have kingdoms. He also must have believed in a resurrection, because he recognized that though Jesus was going to die, He would live again. And he recognized that Jesus was sinless and he himself was not.

 

THIRD, he made it personal: "Remember me" (v. 42).

 

FOURTH, he did it publicly. If Jesus could hear him speak, presumably others at the cross could also hear him, because what he said is recorded. That's significant, because everyone else was mocking, and he had enough courage to make it public that he was going to trust Christ.

 

Now, the fact that Jesus died among criminals was not accidental; it was intentional. Isaiah predicted that He would be "numbered with the transgressors" (Isaiah 53:12). It was always God's plan that Jesus would die among sinners. Why? Because Jesus was the friend of sinners. But more than that, Jesus is the ultimate answer for sinners—including criminals - - including you and me. And the offer of heaven that he made to that thief on the cross is one that he continues to make to any of us who will turn to Him,  acknowledge our guilt, and personally trust in Him. And that’s something for which all of us can thank Him. Amen

 

Recorded in Los Angeles, CA.

 

 

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