Evidences of a Real Transformation

Luke 23:32-43 Dying Thief

Pastor Albert N. Martin expounds Luke 23:32-43, detailing the conversion of the dying thief on the cross. He reviews the thief's native spiritual condition and then focuses on six evidences of his gracious transformation: open confession of new perspectives, unashamed confession of Christ, a disposition to pray, zeal for righteousness, concern for fellow sinners, and preoccupation with the spiritual and eternal. Martin applies these evidences as tests for the reality of one's own conversion, emphasizing that true faith inevitably produces these fruits, even under the most extreme circumstances, and that salvation is by grace alone.

2 illustrations in this sermon

The Nature of a Real Transformation and Its Vigor

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Swimming in a Storm vs. Backyard Pool

Driving home: And I'm amazed, the more I meditate in this passage, to see the many solid, positive evidences that the transformation was both deep and real.

This analogy compares the vigor of spiritual principles to a man swimming for ten minutes in a raging storm versus ten hours in a calm backyard pool, illustrating that the thief's brief, intense manifestation of faith under extreme duress proves the reality and strength of his transformation.

What evidences do we have? That it was a real transformation. Even though this man does not live long enough to manifest the principles of his new life in any great degree, yet the vigor of these principles under the most difficult circumstances is witness to the reality of the change that occurred. In other words, it's far more proof of a man's ability to swim well far greater manifestation of native spiritual strength if he can stay afloat for ten minutes on the sea in a raging storm than if another man can keep himself afloat for ten hours in the calm of his backyard pool.

7:12 - 8:03 Read in full sermon

Evidence 6: Preoccupation with the Spiritual and Eternal

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Corpse in a Garden of Eden

The point: If you've never been brought to a fundamental preoccupation with the spiritual and eternal, question your claim to God's renewing grace.

This analogy describes a dead man placed in a beautiful, stimulating garden who perceives nothing, but upon being brought to life, immediately becomes preoccupied with that world. It illustrates how by nature we are spiritually dead and oblivious to the spiritual realm, but regeneration makes us alive and preoccupied with it.

and you've got a man on a cross with his life blood being drained from him and yet what is his concern don't you fear God righteousness a spiritual and eternal commodity we indeed justly the honor of God the vindication of his law Jesus remember me in my coming kingdom his views are not yet clear enough as to the immediate condition of the soul upon death that trust in Christ but his mind is stretching not only beyond his present pain to what will lie the moment he dies but all the way out to the return of Messiah and he says when you come in your kingdom at the end of the age remember me I sa...

43:26 - 44:55 Read in full sermon

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