This morning sermon text comes from Luke, Chapter 23,

verses 32 to 38.

And two others also who were criminals were being led away to be put to death with him.

And when they came to the place called the skull, there they crucified him and the criminals,

one on the right and the other on the left.

But Jesus was saying, Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.

And they cast lots dividing up his garments among themselves.

And the people stood by looking on, and even the rulers were sneering at him, saying,

he saved others. Let him save himself if this is the Christ of God, his chosen

one. And the soldiers also mocked him, coming up to him, offering him sour wine and saying,

if you are the King of the Jews, save yourself.

Now, there was also an inscription above him.

This is the King of the Jews.

Father, nothing, can we offer you this morning to barter, to trade, or to buy mercy? That's not what mercy is.

He is free or it's not mercy.

And so Father, have mercy upon us now freely to forgive us for our sins.

Paul tells us that the reason Jesus was hanging there on the cross according to Titus

214 is to redeem for himself a people freed from all iniquity and made zealous for every good deed.

And so I pray that now the Lamb slain would receive the reward of his suffering in this room.

Forgiven sinners sold out to a lifetime of good deeds in the name of Jesus and for the glory of Christ.

Lord bring that about I pray through your Holy Spirit and through your word now in Jesus

name I pray.

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