In Part 6 of our Lenten series, The Days Before Jesus' Crucifixion & Resurrection (Luke 19:28-40), Pastor Angela explores the powerful moment as Jesus enters Jerusalem, showing us that Jesus is praiseworthy even in the in-between. Reflecting on the disciples’ actions and the crowd’s joyful praise, we are reminded that, in all circumstances, Jesus is worthy of our worship.

Pastor Nick brings Part 3 of our Lenten series, "The Days Before Jesus' Crucifixion & Resurrection", with lessons we can learn from the actions of the Apostle Peter.

Days Before Jesus’ Crucifixion & Resurrection Series- Judas’ Betrayal

Luke 22:1-6, 47-53 (NLT)

The Festival of Unleavened Bread, which is also called Passover, was approaching. 2 The leading priests and teachers of religious law were plotting how to kill Jesus, but they were afraid of the people’s reaction.

3 Then Satan entered into Judas Iscariot, who was one of the twelve disciples, 4 and he went to the leading priests and captains of the Temple guard to discuss the best way to betray Jesus to them. 5 They were delighted, and they promised to give him money. 6 So he agreed and began looking for an opportunity to betray Jesus so they could arrest him when the crowds weren’t around.

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47 But even as Jesus said this, a crowd approached, led by Judas, one of the twelve disciples. Judas walked over to Jesus to greet him with a kiss. 48 But Jesus said, “Judas, would you betray the Son of Man with a kiss?”

49 When the other disciples saw what was about to happen, they exclaimed, “Lord, should we fight? We brought the swords!” 50 And one of them struck at the high priest’s slave, slashing off his right ear.

51 But Jesus said, “No more of this.” And he touched the man’s ear and healed him.

52 Then Jesus spoke to the leading priests, the captains of the Temple guard, and the elders who had come for him. “Am I some dangerous revolutionary,” he asked, “that you come with swords and clubs to arrest me? 53 Why didn’t you arrest me in the Temple? I was there every day. But this is your moment, the time when the power of darkness reigns.”

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1. Don’t allow your mind to dwell on negative, evil and sinful thoughts. – Luke 22:2

Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. (Philippians 4:8)

Luke 6:45 – A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. What you say flows from what is in your heart.

2. Don’t allow the lure of temporary things drive you to do wrong & evil. – Luke 22:4-6

Mark 8:36 & 37 – And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul?

3. Be careful not to use something intended for good to do evil with. – Luke 22:47 & 48

Verses 3 & 4 – Then Satan entered into Judas Iscariot, who was one of the twelve disciples, and he went to the leading priests and captains of the Temple guard to discuss the best way to betray Jesus to them.

4. Be careful not to give the devil an open door [to do evil] in your life through sin. – Luke 22:3

1 Peter 5:8, 9 – Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith.

Ephesians 4:27

(New International Version) – And do not give the devil a foothold.

(Amplified Bible) – And do not give the devil an opportunity [to lead you into sin by holding a grudge, or nurturing anger, or harboring resentment, or cultivating bitterness].

Pastor Lisa continues with Part 2 of the Lenten series reminding us of Jesus' return one day and encouraging everyone to get ready for that day.

In this powerful Lenten series, Pastor Nick explores the final days leading up to Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection. The first sermon dives into the life and transformation of Zacchaeus, the tax collector, shedding light on his encounter with Jesus and the lessons we can learn from his story. Join us this season as we reflect on the profound significance of these pivotal moments in the Bible.

Exodus 19:9-22 (NLT)

9 Then the Lord said to Moses, “I will come to you in a thick cloud, Moses, so the people themselves can hear me when I speak with you. Then they will always trust you.” Moses told the Lord what the people had said.

10 Then the Lord told Moses, “Go down and prepare the people for my arrival. Consecrate them today and tomorrow and have them wash their clothing. 11 Be sure they are ready on the third day, for on that day the Lord will come down on Mount Sinai as all the people watch. 12 Mark off a boundary all around the mountain. Warn the people, ‘Be careful! Do not go up on the mountain or even touch its boundaries. Anyone who touches the mountain will certainly be put to death. 13 No hand may touch the person or animal that crosses the boundary; instead, stone them or shoot them with arrows. They must be put to death.’ However, when the ram’s horn sounds a long blast, then the people may go up on the mountain.”

14 So Moses went down to the people. He consecrated them for worship, and they washed their clothes. 15 He told them, “Get ready for the third day, and until then abstain from having sexual intercourse.”

16 On the morning of the third day, thunder roared and lightning flashed, and a dense cloud came down on the mountain. There was a long, loud blast from a ram’s horn, and all the people trembled. 17 Moses led them out from the camp to meet with God, and they stood at the foot of the mountain.

18 All of Mount Sinai was covered with smoke because the Lord had descended on it in the form of fire. The smoke billowed into the sky like smoke from a brick kiln, and the whole mountain shook violently. 19 As the blast of the ram’s horn grew louder and louder, Moses spoke, and God thundered his reply. 20 The Lord came down on the top of Mount Sinai and called Moses to the top of the mountain. So Moses climbed the mountain.

21 Then the Lord told Moses, “Go back down and warn the people not to break through the boundaries to see the Lord, or they will die. 22 Even the priests who regularly come near to the Lord must purify themselves so that the Lord does not break out and destroy them.”

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1. We must prepare ourselves to enter into the presence of God. – Exodus 19:10-11, 14-15

In the Bible the word consecration means “the separation of oneself from things that are unclean, especially anything that would contaminate one’s relationship with a perfect God.”

2. There are serious consequences for approaching God in an unholy manner. – Exodus 19:12-13, 21-22

3. When the presence of the Lord is manifested, it will be known. – Exodus 19:16-20

Exodus 25:8-10, 17, 22

8 “Have the people of Israel build me a holy sanctuary so I can live among them. 9 You must build this Tabernacle and its furnishings exactly according to the pattern I will show you.

10 “Have the people make an Ark of acacia wood

17 “Then make the Ark’s cover—the place of atonement—from pure gold.

22 I will meet with you there and talk to you from above the atonement cover between the gold cherubim that hover over the Ark of the Covenant. From there I will give you my commands for the people of Israel.

Pastor Nick continues with his part 2 of his message on the beautiful love we can experience as children of God.

Pastor Lisa brings the message about allowing our hearts to be refined by the Holy Spirit from 1 Peter 1:3-7.

This Sunday, Pastor Nick brings the message from 1 Samuel 1 on love.

Matthew 7:1, 2 – “Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. For you will be treated as you treat others. The standard you use in judging is the standard by which you will be judged.”

Revelation 20:11-15 (NLT)

11 And I saw a great white throne and the one sitting on it. The earth and sky fled from his presence, but they found no place to hide. 12 I saw the dead, both great and small, standing before God’s throne. And the books were opened, including the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to what they had done, as recorded in the books.

13 The sea gave up its dead, and death and the grave gave up their dead. And all were judged according to their deeds. 14 Then death and the grave were thrown into the lake of fire. This lake of fire is the second death. 15 And anyone whose name was not found recorded in the Book of Life was thrown into the lake of fire.

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Hebrews 9:27 – "People are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment"

1. After death we will all face judgment for the things we have done. – Revelation 20:11-13

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2. After judgment we will all receive either eternal life or eternal punishment. – Revelation 20:14 &15

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Matthew 25:46 – “Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”

Romans 2:5-8

5 But because you are stubborn and refuse to turn from your sin, you are storing up terrible punishment for yourself. For a day of anger is coming, when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed.

6 He will judge everyone according to what they have done.

7 He will give eternal life to those who keep on doing good, seeking after the glory and honor and immortality that God offers. 8 But he will pour out his anger and wrath on those who live for themselves, who refuse to obey the truth and instead live lives of wickedness.

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Matthew 7:21-23 – “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’

Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!

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Hebrews 4:13 – Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.

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Romans 2:16 – And this is the message I proclaim—that the day is coming when God, through Christ Jesus, will judge everyone’s secret life.