Easter 23

The Whole Narrative (kinda)

things we have covered before

putting a lot together so that we can see the plan for life with creation that God unfolds

from the garden to Abraham to the beginning of the gospel to the resurrection

God wants to walk with you, to share the life and hope he gives freely

God loves you

Genesis

in the garden 3- man fails and separates from God

there are consequences to me being self-seeking and the consequence is death

God finds one with faith and begins to enact a plan to walk with us again

God makes a life and death deal and takes the consequences of both sides

he will die even if we are the ones who fail

God challenges Abraham’s faith with the son he promised

to see if the most faithful man will believe in the power of God as much as God will believe in the faith of even the worst of men

our sons and our lives are not the sacrifices God asks for

God sacrifices his miraculous son of promise, not ours

John

Jesus speaks with one of the teachers of the law

Jesus tells him about the kingdom, relationship with God, and foretells what is going to happen because of God’s love

you must be born again of water and of spirit, not living in flesh anymore

Jesus has come to die in our place and for the ransom of our lives

we believe and that belief looks like obeying the truth

Matthew

after Jesus goes and does

he is crucified but death could not defeat him

he walks again after three days and gives his disciples one final charge

go and bring more people back to the relationship with God that was lost in the garden

Application

remember what all took place to get us to Easter

remember the resurrection is not just for you to live but for you to share life as well