Winter is still here, March madness in basketball is getting started, but more importantly Easter is coming. Easter is incredible! Easter is a day focusing on rebirth, resurrection from the dead, most importantly Eternal life. We all love Easter and the gift that it was. We don’t like to think too much about the events leading up to Easter. There had to be death for there to be resurrection. The act of Jesus dying was amazing, the gift he gave us. The gift of his death on a cross. For the next 4 Sunday’s we are going to look at how the cross affected people, both then and now. No matter who you are, what you have done or where you are at, the cross can help you. All you need to say is "Lead me to the cross"

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3. For the message of the cross is
foolishness to those who are
perishing, but to us who are being
saved it is the power of God.
1 Corinthians 1:18 (NIV)

5. Mark 14:27-31
“You will all fall away,” Jesus told
them, “for it is written:
“ ‘I will strike the shepherd,
and the sheep will be scattered.’
But after I have risen, I will go ahead
of you into Galilee.”

6. Mark 14:27-31
Peter declared, “Even if all fall away, I will not.”
“I tell you the truth,” Jesus answered, “today—
yes, tonight—before the rooster crows twice you
yourself will disown me three times.”
But Peter insisted emphatically, “Even if I have
to die with you, I will never disown you.” And all
the others said the same.

7. I.The Promise: Failure

8. Mark 14:32–42
32 They went to a place called
Gethsemane, and Jesus said to his
disciples, “Sit here while I pray.”
33 He took Peter, James and John
along with him, and he began to be
deeply distressed and troubled.

9. Mark 14:32–42
“My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow
to the point of death,” he said to
them. “Stay here and keep watch.”
35 Going a little farther, he fell to the
ground and prayed that if possible the
hour might pass from him.

10. Mark 14:32–42
36 “Abba, Father,” he said, “everything is
possible for you. Take this cup from me.
Yet not what I will, but what you will.”
37 Then he returned to his disciples and
found them sleeping. “Simon,” he said to
Peter, “are you asleep? Could you not
keep watch for one hour?

11. Mark 14:32–42
38 Watch and pray so that you will not fall
into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the
body is weak.”
39 Once more he went away and prayed the
same thing. 40 When he came back, he again
found them sleeping, because their eyes were
heavy. They did not know what to say to him.

12. Mark 14:32–42
41 Returning the third time, he said
to them, “Are you still sleeping and
resting? Enough! The hour has come.
Look, the Son of Man is betrayed
into the hands of sinners. 42 Rise!
Let us go! Here comes my betrayer!”

14. II. The Purpose:
Reconciliation
John 21:1-20

15. III. The Power:
Transformation

16. 2 Peter 1:3-5
3 His divine power has given us
everything we need for life and
godliness through our knowledge of
him who called us by his own glory
and goodness.

17. 2 Peter 1:3-5
4 Through these he has given us his
very great and precious promises,
so that through them you may
participate in the divine nature
and escape the corruption in the
world caused by evil desires.