is HEAVEN a real place?
Is HEAVEN a wonderful place?

Q: IF..... there is no resurrection of the dead, then CHRIST is not risen. 1Cor 15: 13

AND IF CHRIST is not risen, then our preaching is empty and how hopeless is your faith.
then why bother!
YES, CHRIST IS RISEN!

the theme for this week will be "Assuredly I say, Today, you will be with me in paradise" Lk 23: 43

Q: IF, you are the MESSIAH, save yourself and us! Lk 23: 39

the writer Luke calls this blasphemy

the second criminal, rebukes the first and says"Do you not even fear GOD, seeing you are under the same condemnation? and we receive the due reward of our deeds, but this MAN has done nothing wrong. Then he said to JESUS, LORD, remember me, when you come into your Kingdom.!!!!

HEAVEN is real!

we are turning the corner towards the key event in HIS*story: resurrection sunday

JESUS represents the first fruit, and the second Adam
The first Adam was tempted and failed Genesis 3: 6: the tree was good, the fruit looked good, and would make one wise: lust of the flesh; lust of the eyes; and pride
JESUS, the second Adam, won the battle Luke 4: 1 -13; did not turn stones into bread; did not desire the Kingdom of this world; and was not prepared to slow down the process to the cross.

In the Bk of Job, we have 3 friends who ask of Job the same 3 questions; but Job did not bite.

the american prosperity gospel is not new

after the resurrection, JESUS takes a walk with 2 disciples who do not recognize HIM.
these 2 have no concept that JESUS would be the passover lamb, so that the Angel of Death, would not touch them. They had heard from others that the tomb was empty, but it had not meaning for them.

Q: Ought not the CHRIST to have suffered these things and to enter HIS GLORY? Lk 24: 26

as Judas leaves the upper room, Jn 13: 31

JESUS begins to inject a commandment, which will become the by*word of the Christian Community.
"a new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, as I have loved you, that you may also love one another, BY THIS ALL WILL KNOW THAT YOU ARE MY DISCIPLES!

Q: IF... you have love for one another

on one hand betrayal of trust, and on the other the washing of feet.

1Jn 1: 7 If we walk in the LIGHT, as HE is in the LIGHT, we have fellowship with one another.

today is a lament for the world.

JESUS, our example, being led to the cross, laments about JERUSALEM. Lk 23: 28
Daughters of JERUSALEM, do not weep for ME, but weep for yourselves and for your children. For indeed the days are coming in which you will say. "Blessed are the barren, the wombs which never bore and the breasts which never nursed. ( Quote from the bk of Job chapter 3 ) then you will say to the mountains Fall on us, and unto the hills cover us.

Q: IF ... they do these things in the green wood, what will they do in the dry? ( v31)

as soon as it was day, the chief priests, scribes and elders led JESUS into their council and asked
Lk 22: 67
Q: IF... you are the CHRIST, tell us!
JESUS answered
Q: IF... I tell you, you will be no means believe.

what is in the name CHRIST!
the name is used as a common swear word on a construction site, or in coffee shops, when a glass is broken, etc You have heard it! it is everywhere.

it means MESSIAH! THE ANOINTED ONEI Psalm 20: 6

JESUS in the garden repeats HIS PRAYER 3 times

Q: IF....this cup cannot pass from ME, unless I drink it.!

Paul comments on this in Hebrews 5: 7 JESUS, in the days of HIS FLESH, offered up prayers and supplications, with vehement cries and tears to HIM, who was able to save HIM from death, and was heard because of HIS GODLY FEAR! though HE was a SON, yet HE learned obedience by the things HE suffered, and having been perfected, JESUS, became the author of eternal salvation to "ALL" who obey HIM.

in this week, we need to focus on JESUS!
using HIS WORDS, (theme of the week) "FATHER, into YOUR HANDS, I COMMEND MY SPIRIT! Lk 23: 46

let us begin in the garden, where OUR LORD, is aware of the coming arrest, and is again praying to HIS FATHER asking the eternal question
Q: IF....it is possible, let this cup pas from ME, nevertheless, not as I will, but as YOU will.

every sabbath we have turned to the song book of the church...the psalms today is 49

In the darkness of LENT, this psalm of wisdom asks a dark riddle
v5: WHY should I fear in the days of evil?

The psalmist says that the redemption of a soul is costly. Those who die have no overnight lodging!
They leave everything behind for others.

Then the psalmist inserts in v 15:
BUT GOD...will redeem my soul! (wow! wow! and Wow!)
from the power of the grave, for HE shall receive me.

it's dark out there
but Easter morning is coming!
Our Resurrection is coming!