1. We are coming into the most wonderful season of the year for the Christian. Easter
Our story of Easter begins all the way back in Genesis
God created a garden (PARADISE) with 4 rivers and put man there

2. Unlocking
fall 2015
Genesis 2:8-9 (ESV) 8  And the LORD God planted a garden in Eden, in the east, and there he put the man whom he had formed. 9  And out of the ground the LORD God made to spring up every tree that is pleasant to the sight and good for food. The tree of life was in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.
Genesis 2:8-9 (ESV) 8  And the LORD God planted a garden in Eden, in the east, and there he put the man whom he had formed. 9  And out of the ground the LORD God made to spring up every tree that is pleasant to the sight and good for food. The tree of life was in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.
First instruction
He commanded Adam to eat from the tree of life.

3. Unlocking fall 2015 Story of two trees
Inside of the story of these two trees is the whole of the Gospel.

4. Unlocking
fall 2015
Genesis 2:15-17 (ESV) 15  The LORD God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it. 16  And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, “You may surely eat of every tree of the garden, 17  but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.”
Genesis 2:15-17 (ESV) 15  The LORD God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it. 16  And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, “You may surely eat of every tree of the garden, 17  but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.”

5. Unlocking
fall 2015
Genesis 3:6 (ESV) 6  So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate.
Genesis 3:6 (ESV) 6  So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate.
It is here that most people would say this is what got them kicked out of the Garden of Eden.
Not so.

6. Unlocking
fall 2015
Genesis 3:22-24 (ESV) 22  Then the LORD God said, “Behold, the man has become like one of us in knowing good and evil. Now, lest he reach out his hand and take also of the tree of life and eat, and live forever—” 23  therefore the LORD God sent him out from the garden of Eden to work the ground from which he was taken. 24  He drove out the man, and at the east of the garden of Eden he placed the cherubim and a flaming sword that turned every way to guard the way to the tree of life.
Genesis 3:22-24 (ESV) 22  Then the LORD God said, “Behold, the man has become like one of us in knowing good and evil. Now, lest he reach out his hand and take also of the tree of life and eat, and live forever—” 23  therefore the LORD God sent him out from the garden of Eden to work the ground from which he was taken. 24  He drove out the man, and at the east of the garden of Eden he placed the cherubim and a flaming sword that turned every way to guard the way to the tree of life.
The reason that He drove them out was He didn’t want them to eat of the tree of life!
This brings up a whole set of questions.
What would have happened had they eaten from the tree of life first?
If He knew they were going to eat of the tree, why did He put it there?
How can you get eternal life from the fruit of a tree?
James 1:13 (ESV) 13  Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one.

7. Unlocking
fall 2015
Revelation 2:7 (ESV) 7  He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.’
Revelation 2:7 (ESV) 7  He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.’
Another paradise

8. Unlocking
fall 2015
Revelation 22:1-2 (ESV) 1  Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb 2  through the middle of the street of the city; also, on either side of the river, the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit
Revelation 22:1-2 (ESV) 1  Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb 2  through the middle of the street of the city; also, on either side of the river, the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit
What happened to the other tree? Where is the tree of the knowledge of good and evil?

9. Unlocking
fall 2015
Galatians 3:13 (ESV) 13  Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree”—
Galatians 3:13 (ESV) 13  Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree”—

10. Unlocking
fall 2015
Luke 23:32-33 (ESV) 32  Two others, who were criminals, were led away to be put to death with him. 33  And when they came to the place that is called The Skull, there they crucified him, and the criminals, one on his right and one on his left.
Luke 23:32-33 (ESV) 32  Two others, who were criminals, were led away to be put to death with him. 33  And when they came to the place that is called The Skull, there they crucified him, and the criminals, one on his right and one on his left.

12. Repentance Redemption Rebellion Unlocking fall 2015 Rebellion

13. Seven words from the cross
Unlocking
fall 2015
Seven words from the cross
Father forgive them for they do not know what they are doing. Luke 23:34
Today you will be with me in Paradise Luke 23:43
Jesus said to His mother, “Dear woman, here is your son and to the disciple “Here is your mother John 19:26-27
Father forgive them for they do not know what they are doing. Luke 23:34 Forgiveness – Intercession-occupation He is occupied with their sin, not his own pain Stephen follows suit. Hope in the worst sinner can be saved!
Today you will be with me in Paradise Luke 23:43 All mankind down to the focus of one single needy sinner. The way to the cross is sublimely simple! No works, no deeds, no religious ceremonies
Jesus said to His mother, “Dear woman, here is your son and to the disciple “Here is your mother John 19:26-27 Relationships through the cross of Jesus. Mary also represents the women of the world to often treated as inferior
My God, My God, why have You forsaken me? Matthew 27:46 2 Corinthians 5:21 (ESV) 21  For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. This is the cost that Jesus paid for our sins! The night before, He had drunk from a cup in another garden, the garden of Gethsemene where He took on the sins of the world for all time. Who killed Jesus? We did. I did.

14. Seven words from the cross
Unlocking
fall 2015
Seven words from the cross
My God, My God, why have You forsaken me? Matthew 27:46
I thirst John 19:28
It is finished John 19:30
Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit Luke 23:46
My God, My God, why have You forsaken me? Matthew 27:46 2 Corinthians 5:21 (ESV) 21  For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. This is the cost that Jesus paid for our sins! The night before, He had drunk from a cup in another garden, the garden of Gethsemene where He took on the sins of the world for all time. Who killed Jesus? We did. I did.
I thirst John 19:28 Psalm 22:14-15 (ESV) 14  I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint; my heart is like wax; it is melted within my breast;15  my strength is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue sticks to my jaws; you lay me in the dust of death. There is going to be suffering in your cross
It is finished John 19:30
Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit Luke 23:46