Even In The Darkest of Times
Each year, we celebrate the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The crucifixion has been depicted time after time. Often times deemed too gruesome to watch, but did these filmmakers truly go too far with their depiction of the cross, or has the Church watered down Jesus’ sacrifice? Join Reverend Kenny Yates as he opens our eyes to the full burden Christ carried on this earth in his message, He Suffered It All For Us.
Throughout His ministry, Jesus prophesied about His death. When the people asked for a sign, Jesus told them the only sign they would receive was the sign of Jonah. Many believe this sign told us where Jesus was for three days and three nights, but is this true? And if it is, what is the sign of Jonah, and what does it mean? Join Reverend Kenny Yates as he searches through Scripture for the True meaning of Jesus’ words and where He went when He died in his video, Missing For Three Days Pt. 1: The Sign of Jonah.
38 Then some of the scribes and Pharisees answered Him, saying, “Teacher, we wish to see a sign from you.” 39 But He answered them, “An evil and adulterous generation seeks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. 40 For just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man [Jesus] be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. 41 The men of Nineveh will rise up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and behold, something greater than Jonah is here. 42 The queen of the South will rise up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and behold, something greater than Solomon is here.
Matthew 12:38-42
1 And the Pharisees and Sadducees came, and to test Him they asked Him to show them a sign from heaven. 2 He answered them, “When it is evening, you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red.’ 3 And in the morning, ‘It will be stormy today, for the sky is red and threatening.’ You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times. 4 An evil and adulterous generation seeks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah.” So he left them and departed.
Matthew 16:1-4
Every year we celebrate Palm Sunday. It’s one of our most sacred days in the Church. But do we understand the true importance of this day? 2000 years ago, our King came riding into Jerusalem on a donkey in what we refer to as The Triumphal Entry. Join Reverend Kenny Yates as he opens our eyes to a deeper meaning behind the Triumphal Entry in his Palm Sunday message, The Triumphal Entry.
The Feast of Passover is the precursor or forerunner of Easter. It was the very first instituted by God while His people were still in slavery in the land of Egypt. Though we’ve all heard about it, this specific feast is often very foreign to the Church. We don’t fully understand what Passover is, why it took place, or what each instruction of the Passover meant. Join Reverend Kenny Yates as he explains the first feast in his video, What Is The Passover?
1 The Lord said to Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt, 2 “This month shall be for you the beginning of months. It shall be the first month of the year for you. 3 Tell all the congregation of Israel that on the tenth day of this month every man shall take a lamb according to their fathers’ houses, a lamb for a household. 4 And if the household is too small for a lamb, then he and his nearest neighbor shall take according to the number of persons; according to what each can eat you shall make your count for the lamb. 5 Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male a year old. You may take it from the sheep or from the goats, 6 and you shall keep it until the fourteenth day of this month, when the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill their lambs at twilight.
7 Then they shall take some of the blood and put it on the two doorposts and the lintel of the houses in which they eat it. 8 They shall eat the flesh that night, roasted on the fire; with unleavened bread and bitter herbs they shall eat it. 9 Do not eat any of it raw or boiled in water, but roasted, its head with its legs and its inner parts. 10 And you shall let none of it remain until the morning; anything that remains until the morning you shall burn. 11 In this manner you shall eat it: with your belt fastened, your sandals on your feet, and your staff in your hand. And you shall eat it in haste. It is the Lord’s Passover. 12 For I will pass through the land of Egypt that night, and I will strike all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and on all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgments: I am the Lord. 13 The blood shall be a sign for you, on the houses where you are. And when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and no plague will befall you to destroy you, when I strike the land of Egypt.”
Exodus 12:1-13
The crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus are two of the most revered days in history. Jesus was crucified alongside two thieves. Because it was the Day of Preparation, they didn’t want the men on the cross on the Sabbath; they asked Pilate to have their legs broken. When they got to Jesus, He was already dead, so His legs weren’t broken. This fulfilled many prophecies about Christ, but what was the significance? Why was it important that Jesus’ legs weren’t broken? Join Reverend Kenny Yates as he opens our eyes to the mystery behind this prophecy fulfilled in his Resurrection Sunday message, No Broken Bones.
31 Since it was the day of Preparation, and so that the bodies would not remain on the cross on the Sabbath (for that Sabbath was a high day), the Jews asked Pilate that their legs might be broken and that they might be taken away. 32 So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first, and of the other who had been crucified with Him. 33 But when they came to Jesus and saw that He was already dead, they did not break His legs. 34 But one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and at once there came out blood and water. 35 He who saw it has borne witness—his testimony is true, and he knows that he is telling the truth—that you also may believe. 36 For these things took place that the Scripture might be fulfilled: “Not one of His bones will be broken.” 37 And again another Scripture says, “They will look on Him whom they have pierced.”
John 19:31-37
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There are some who believe that Jesus never actually died because they claim that physical death profits us nothing. Is that true? Did Jesus really physically die on the cross, or was it an illusion? Was it important that Jesus physically died on the cross, or does it not really matter? Join Reverend Kenny Yates as he searches through Scripture to answer these questions and more in his video, The Crucifixion of Jesus Pt. 3: Did Jesus Really Die On The Cross?
32 As they went out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name. They compelled this man to carry His cross. 33 And when they came to a place called Golgotha (which means Place of a Skull), 34 they offered Him wine to drink, mixed with gall, but when He tasted it, He would not drink it. 35 And when they had crucified Him, they divided His garments among them by casting lots. 36 Then they sat down and kept watch over him there. 37 And over His head they put the charge against Him, which read, “This is Jesus, the King of the Jews.” 38 Then two robbers were crucified with Him, one on the right and one on the left. 39 And those who passed by derided Him, wagging their heads 40 and saying, “You who would destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save yourself! If you are the Son of God, come down from the cross.” 41 So also the chief priests, with the scribes and elders, mocked Him, saying, 42 “He saved others; He cannot save Himself. He is the King of Israel; let Him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in Him. 43 He trusts in God; let God deliver Him now, if He desires Him. For He said, ‘I am the Son of God.’” 44 And the robbers who were crucified with Him also reviled Him in the same way.
45 Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land until the ninth hour. 46 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” that is, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” 47 And some of the bystanders, hearing it, said, “This man is calling Elijah.” 48 And one of them at once ran and took a sponge, filled it with sour wine, and put it on a reed and gave it to him to drink. 49 But the others said, “Wait, let us see whether Elijah will come to save Him.” 50 And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice and yielded up His spirit.
51 And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. And the earth shook, and the rocks were split. 52 The tombs also were opened. And many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised, 53 and coming out of the tombs after His resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many. 54 When the centurion and those who were with him, keeping watch over Jesus, saw the earthquake and what took place, they were filled with awe and said, “Truly this was the Son of God!”
55 There were also many women there, looking on from a distance, who had followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering to Him, 56 among whom were Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of James and Joseph and the mother of the sons of Zebedee.
Matthew 27:32-56
Every year, we celebrate Jesus’ Triumphal (Triumphant) Entry into Jerusalem. This celebratory entrance into Jerusalem started the last week of Jesus’ earthly ministry because before the week ended, He would be betrayed, condemned, crucified, and buried. We all know the story, but is there anything we may have overlooked or missed? Join Reverend Kenny Yates as he opens our eyes to some mysteries of Jesus’ Triumphal (Triumphant) Entry in his Palm Sunday Message, Choosing Jesus.
32 And they were on the road, going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was walking ahead of them. And they were amazed, and those who followed were afraid. And taking the twelve again, He began to tell them what was to happen to Him, 33 saying, “See, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and the scribes, and they will condemn Him to death and deliver Him over to the Gentiles. 34 And they will mock Him and spit on Him, and flog Him and kill Him. And after three days He will rise.”
Mark 10:32-34
1 Now when they drew near to Jerusalem, to Bethphage and Bethany, at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of His disciples 2 and said to them, “Go into the village in front of you, and immediately as you enter it you will find a colt tied, on which no one has ever sat. Untie it and bring it. 3 If anyone says to you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ say, ‘The Lord has need of it and will send it back here immediately.’ ” 4 And they went away and found a colt tied at a door outside in the street, and they untied it. 5 And some of those standing there said to them, “What are you doing, untying the colt?” 6 And they told them what Jesus had said, and they let them go. 7 And they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks on it, and He sat on it. 8 And many spread their cloaks on the road, and others spread leafy branches that they had cut from the fields. 9 And those who went before and those who followed were shouting, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! 10 Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David! Hosanna in the highest!” 11 And He entered Jerusalem and went into the temple. And when He had looked around at everything, as it was already late, He went out to Bethany with the twelve.
Mark 11:1-11
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7 They brought the colt to Jesus and threw their clothes on it, and he sat on it. 8 Many people spread their clothes on the road, and others spread leafy branches cut from the fields. ~ Mark 11:7-8
When we think about Jesus’ Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem, we think about the Palm Branches and Jesus riding on a donkey. Oftentimes, we overlook that the Scriptures imply that the majority didn’t lay palm branches in front of Jesus, but instead, they laid down their clothes. By saying many did this and others did this, the author is implying that the many are the majority. The majority laid down their own clothes. They laid down all that they had before the LORD.
Early in Jesus’ ministry, He taught on faith. Specifically casting your anxiety onto God and having faith that He will clothe you and feed you (Matthew 6:25-34). They were putting this teaching into action, either knowingly or not. They threw their clothes before the LORD as they praised His name. They were building the Kingdom of God in faith, not caring about losing their earthly possessions.
Praise is one of the few things all with breath are to do (Psalms 150:6). This was their praise offering. They didn’t just declare Jesus the Messiah and praise His name; they praised Jesus with their actions. Their hearts were yearning for, seeking after, and following the Messiah. They praised Him with all that was in them because they understood who He was. This is the same kind of praise God desires from us. He desires us to praise Him with more than just our voices but with our actions.
Peace. Love. Go Forth and Give An Offering of Praise.
Easter Monday is the day that we remember and rejoice in the Resurrection of Jesus. As Christians, this is one of our greatest and most important celebrations because, in Jesus’ resurrection, we have everlasting life. Though we celebrate that Jesus was raised from the dead 2,000 years ago, but who raised Jesus from the dead? Join ArieRashelle as she searches through Scripture to find the answer to this question and more in her video, Who Raised Jesus From The Dead?
1 Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, 2 and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. 3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, 4 that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, 5 and that He appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. 6 Then He appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep.
1 Corinthians 15:1-6
4 We were buried therefore with Him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have been united with Him in a death like His, we shall certainly be united with Him in a resurrection like His. 6 We know that our old self was crucified with Him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin.
Romans 6:4-6
Sometimes it’s easy to take for granted what Jesus did for us on the cross. We’re mere humans who are quick to forget. In some cases, many of us are lied to and told that our actions cannot impact our salvation. We’re told that healing, gifts of the Spirit, and abundant life is no longer for us. So, what was the purpose of Jesus’ sacrifice if all that He did wasn’t for us? Join Reverend Kenny Yates as he opens our eyes to the great price our Savior paid for us in his powerful and sobering Easter Sunday message, The High Price That Jesus Paid.
33 And when the sixth hour had come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour. 34 And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” 35 And some of the bystanders hearing it said, “Behold, He is calling Elijah.” 36 And someone ran and filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on a reed and gave it to him to drink, saying, “Wait, let us see whether Elijah will come to take Him down.” 37 And Jesus uttered a loud cry and breathed His last. 38 And the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. 39 And when the centurion, who stood facing Him, saw that in this way He breathed His last, he said, “Truly this man was the Son of God!”
Mark 15:33-39
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