The Bible depicts 4 gardens within its Grand Narrative; The Garden of Eden, The Garden of Gethsemane, The Garden of Golgotha, and The Garden of Paradise. During the last week of Jesus’s life, He entered Gethsemane and experienced Intimacy with the Father and surrendered to the will of the Father.

Matthew 26:36-46

In the Passover Meal, also known as the Last Supper, we find the promise of God to bring salvation, freedom, redemption, and fulfillment (Exodus 6:6-7). These promises are only possible through Jesus, the true Passover Lamb. The Lamb is to be perfect, sacrificed, and shared among neighbors.

1/3 of the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John) are dedicated to the final week of Jesus’ life. Why? It was the way in which God demonstrated His love for us. It was the culmination of Jesus’ time on Earth so that we could spend eternity in Heaven. This final week of Jesus’ life leading up to the crucifixion and resurrection, called Passion Week or Holy Week, is the very reason Jesus came. If this week did not play out the way that it did, it would have all been for nothing. In this series, we will walk through the Passion Week events asking God to raise our passion level for Him and His Church. 

In the triumphal entry we see, 

In the finale of our Unlikely Heroes series, we look at the life of King David. From the small beginning of a farm boy, he became the King of Israel, a man after God's own heart. David was a great warrior and a great political leader, but most importantly he was a man after God's own heart. David was considered a man after God's own heart because:

1. In moments after sin, he turned to God.

2. In moments of fear, he trusted God.

3. In moments of hurt, he relied on God.

4. David knew that God's longing is to know His people and dwell among them.

In this week's message, we continue our series of Unlikely Heroes as we look at the life of Elisha. He was the successor of Elijah who was noticed for giving his best in all things.

God is looking for those who are willing to give their best:

1. In the unseen

2. In the small things

3. In the natural

4. For all people

We can maintain a life of giving our best by:

1. Learning to cultivate intimacy with God

2. Getting up and doing something

3. Basing our life on the unseen instead of the seen

God has always used ordinary people to make an eternal difference by doing extraordinary things with and for Him. In this series, we look at these extraordinary lives marked by obedience so that we can learn what it takes to make a difference in this world. This week we look at the life of Rahab (Joshua 2), a former prostitute redeemed to become a great grandmother of Jesus. She trusted God, utilized her story and her home for the Kingdom, and was set free. Always remember that God will forgive the darkest sin. God will use you regardless of your past. God will not leave anyone out. God can heal any situation.

Characteristics:

1. Rahab took a step of faith and trusted God.
2. Rahab asked God to save her life and redeem her story.
3. Rahab didn't allow her past to keep her from the new role God had for her.

Next steps for us from Rahab’s life:

1. Believe in Him and His plan for your story to be redeemed. 2. Surrender all of your life to God.
3. Serve God with the resources He has given you.
4. Give God thanks for redeeming your life.

God has always used ordinary people to make an eternal difference by doing extraordinary things with and for Him. In this series, we look at these extraordinary lives marked by obedience so that we can learn what it takes to make a difference in this world. This week we look at the life of Miriam, the sister of Moses. She risked her life to save his, and then she served along side of him during the Exodus.

Characteristics:

1. Miriam protected life.

2. Miriam enhanced life.

3. Miriam contended for life 4. Miriam celebrated new life.

Next steps for us from Miriam’s life:

1. Protect all life.

2. Enhance life that is here already.

3. Contend for eternal life through the Church.

4. Celebrate when someone find freedom and enters into relationship with Jesus.

God has always used ordinary people to make an eternal difference by doing extraordinary things with and for Him. In this series, we look at these extraordinary lives marked by obedience so that we can learn what it takes to make a difference in this world. This week we look at the life of Joseph — despite all of the evil he faced, he served God and gave God the glory.

Joseph’s life displayed:

1. Great favor.
2. Great integrity.
3. Great focus
4. Great forgiveness.

Next steps for us from Joseph’s life:

1. Find favor with God — salvation.
2. Live your life with integrity — walking in the light. 3. Fix your eyes on Jesus.
4. Be quick to forgive.

God has always used ordinary people to make an eternal difference by doing extraordinary things with and for Him. In this series, we look at these extraordinary lives marked by obedience so that we can learn what it takes to make a difference in this world.

Noah was able to make a difference because:

1. He found favor with God.

2. He was available.

3. He became obedient.

When our lives display these three things:

1. We make a difference in the lives closest to us.

2. We make a difference in our generation.

3. God makes a difference in and through us.

What things should we pray as we learn to pray all the time? What should we pray on the days that are tough and full of pain and sorrow? The Prayer of Jabez is a great prayer to pray in all situations. 1 Chronicles 4:9-10

1. Pray for God's blessing.

2. Pray for God to give you influence.

3. Pray for God's presence in your life.

4. Pray for God to protect you from the enemy.

Series based on "Pray First" by Chris Hodges