1. Introduction
   1. When I was starting off many years ago, and first became saved in 1981, I had some pretty good discernment, at least worldly discernment, as I owned my own companies and could pretty much figure people out as soon as I would meet them.
   2. When I became a Christian, I was taught something different, a more intuitive type of discernment. Something more than I had ever known. My mind had to be transformed.
   3. My old thinking had to pass away so that God could renew my mind with the discernment that He wanted me to have. It was very different.
   4. In the world, your discernment is the things that surround you that are immediate, but in the Spirit, they can be immediate. They can be past, or they can be future.
   5. As I began to press into God and know what He wanted for me in this life as a Christian, I was baffled.
   6. Many times when I thought I heard the Lord’s voice, it was still my voice until one day I had a vision and I truly believed I had heard the voice of the Lord about how a particular job was going to go and how things were going to work out for me.
   7. It was almost like a complete forecast of exactly what I needed to discern, and I had the correct answer, but it was not the answer within me. It was the answer that came from God through a vision that shocked me but I knew it was Him.
   8. How did I know it was him? Because there was this presence that came over me like I had never known before. In the vision, I knew exactly what I needed to do and what to say.
   9. It just didn’t seem like my thinking, or even something I had ever thought about before I knew the Lord, so I knew that God was transforming me and giving me a vision and discerning spirit.
   10. Today I’ve drawn in to that vision that God has given me. It’s like when I want to know something or figure out something, or have the best advice I can possibly give to someone, I will lay down.
   11. God will begin to bring pictures to me of the situation or person, and then there will be an answer to the question I asked the Lord.
   12. This comes with drawing close to the Lord. This comes from studying God’s word and communicating to him. This is how you and I can live a whole and fruitful life with the Lord if you will talk to Him.
   13. It’s not always just talking audibly. It’s talking to Him through the Word and allowing Him to speak back. It is allowing him to take complete control and surrendering completely to Him.
   14. When you have done this, He will give you the discerning will, spirit, and answers. Now let us go into our study.

2. What is Discernment? If I had to ask you today, what this would be, what would be your answer?
   1. Discernment is the ability to obtain sharp perceptions or to judge well.
   2. In judgment, discernment can be psychological, moral or aesthetic in nature.
   3. The process of discernment within judgment involves going past the mere perception of something and making nuanced judgments about its properties or qualities.

3. What is the difference between discernment, and a discerning spirit?
   1. Discernment is being able to differentiate between good and bad, right and wrong. 1^st Kings 3:9: Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people? We should all pray for God to give us understanding and discernment.
   2. A discerning spirit, is the ability to discern what is of the Spirit of God, and what is not. 1st Corinthians 2:14: But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. If you are born-again, the closer you get to God, and the more time you spend walking and talking with Him, the more of a discerning spirit ou will have.
4. How might one receive a discerning mind? Is this something you would like to have?
   1. One way you can have a discerning mind, is by renewing your mind through praying and studying God’s Word. Romans 12:2: And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove (or discern) what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. When you spend time in prayer and the Word every day, you are transformed, and have more of the discerning Mind of Christ.
   2. Discernment comes through obtaining wisdom, which comes from God. James 1:5: If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. We must ask in faith, as the next verse encourages us to ask in faith with nothing wavering.

5. Who in the bible had a discerning spirit or a form of Discernment? In the bible, we often see words such as wisdom or understanding, in place of discernment.
   1. Solomon was a man blessed with wisdom and discernment. 1st Kings 4:29: And God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding exceeding much, and largeness of heart, even as the sand that is on the sea shore. Solomon had asked God to give him wisdom. Because he asked for this, rather than wealth or other things, God blessed Him greatly.
   2. We see a reference to men of discernment or understanding in Ezra 8:16: Then sent I for Eliezer, for Ariel, for Shemaiah, and for Elnathan, and for Jarib, and for Elnathan, and for Nathan, and for Zechariah, and for Meshullam, chief men; also for Joiarib, and for Elnathan, men of understanding. These eleven men listed had discernment, wisdom and understanding.
   3. We see characteristics like wisdom, knowledge, and understanding in Daniel and others of the Children of Israel. Daniel 1:3 and 4: And the king spake unto Ashpenaz the master of his eunuchs, that he should bring certain of the children of Israel, and of the king’s seed, and of the princes; Children in whom was no blemish, but well favoured, and skilful in all wisdom, and cunning in knowledge, and understanding science, and such as had ability in them to stand in the king’s palace, and whom they might teach the learning and the tongue of the Chaldeans.  These children of Israel were blessed of God and got the attention of the king because of these qualities.

6. Have you ever had a vision that also gave you the answers inside the vision for yourself or someone else?
   1. God used visions and dreams to guide Joseph, when Jesus was born. In this first instance, Joseph had found out that Mary was pregnant, and was going to divorce her. Matthew 1:20: But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. Joseph was pondering what he should do, and God gave the answer in a dream.
   2. God used a dream to bring a warning to Joseph. Matthew 2:13: And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him. God used a dream to give Joseph discernment to know that he needed to take his family to Egypt. Later, in another dream, God showed him that it was safe to come back.

7. What did Jesus say in regards to discernment?
   1. Jesus talks about having discernment in John 7:24: Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment. Discernment is being able to look beyond the appearance and judge what is of God’s righteousness, or not..
   2. If you draw close to God, His Spirit will lead you into all truth, and show you things to come. John 16:13: Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. When I spend time in prayer, the Spirit of God speaks to me about people and situations, and shows me things that will soon come to pass.
   3. Jesus stresses the importance of discerning the times that we are in. Matthew 16:3: And in the morning, It will be foul weather to day: for the sky is red and lowering. O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times? Jesus is coming soon. Just look at the news and everything going on around the world today. Are you ready for that trumpet to sound, and the Lord to snatch us home? It could happen before the end of this service.

8. Conclusion
   1. Would you like a discerning spirit?
   2. Are you willing to pray for discernment?
   3. Will you read and study God’s Word to show yourself approved and know that all approval comes from God Himself in every desire and hope and every final conclusion?

1. Introduction
   1. I remember many years ago, having these friends or so-called friends that were in the ministry. I remember my ministry was just getting off the ground when this woman had an interest in me while I was married.
   2. She was always very friendly until one day she came out and told me that she was in love with me. I was married at the time and I knew that I had to get away from these people who were professing to be Christians.
   3. My ministry was just getting started and I could feel the trap, the trials and the snares, though the Lord protected me.
   4. I was able to tell the person I wasn’t interested in any way, shape or form and that I was very dedicated to my wife, and she needed to get counseling.
   5. The devil is always out there like a roaring lion. to seek and devour anyone he can who’s trying to do something for the Lord Jesus Christ. 1st Peter 5:8: Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
   6. I remember that time like it was yesterday. It was devastating. It showed me how quickly the trap can be set and how subtle the devil can be to ensnare you, and the consequences and trials that you would go through to come out alive on the other end.
   7. You and I need to remember that when you begin to do something, the enemy will be right there. Rest assured of it, with his legion of demons to destroy you.
   8. This is why I preach on a consistent basis that you must be prayed up. You must be studied up and have the full armor of God on 24/7 because when you least expect it, the devil is there to entrap you, ensnare you, and then laugh at you as you face the consequences and the trials that come before you.
   9. What about you this morning? Have you ever been involved in something that has entrapped, ensnared and brought you into trials?
   10. If you have, you know exactly what I’m talking about. Now let us start our study today.

2. What is a trap?
   1. For the purposes of our study, a trap is an ambush; a stratagem; any device by which men or other animals may be caught unawares.
   2. Here are a couple of scriptures to demonstrate what a trap is. Psalm 69:22: Let their table become a snare before them: and that which should have been for their welfare, let it become a trap. The devil can take what we think is good for us, and make it a trap to get uss off track.
   3. The enemy uses people to entrap us as we see in Jeremiah 5:26: For among my people are found wicked men: they lay wait, as he that setteth snares; they set a trap, they catch men. Even among God’s People, there are those the enemy can use to entrap us, so we always need to be prayed up and have discernment.

3. What does it mean to be ensnared?
   1. It means to be captured in, or involved as in, a snare. Synonyms are; entrap, entangle, and enmesh. A snare is another word for a trap.

4. Why are there consequences and trials we must go through?
   1. When you fall into a trap and make a mistake, God will forgive you, but there will still be consequences
   2. David is a prime example of this. He fell into a trap and made sinful choices. He wasforgiven but had consequences for the rest of his life. . 2nd Samuel 12:10-12: Now therefore the sword shall never depart from thine house; because thou hast despised me, and hast taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be thy wife. Thus saith the Lord, Behold, I will raise up evil against thee out of thine own house, and I will take thy wives before thine eyes, and give them unto thy neighbour, and he shall lie with thy wives in the sight of this sun. For thou didst it secretly: but I will do this thing before all Israel, and before the sun.  When someone commits a crime, and later becomes a Christian, they will be loved and forgiven by God, but will still face the consequences for what they did.

5. Why do we need to study God’s Word?
   1. When we study God’s Word and hide it in our hearts, we will be aware of the traps and snares, and sin against God less and less. Psalm 119:11: Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. The more time you spend with someone, the more you know who they are, what they like and don’t like. When you study God’s Word you become more like Him.
   2. You won’t stumble into a trap if you have the lamp in front of you. Psalm 119:105:Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. At our house we have traps near the trash to trap any rodents that try to rip the bags open. If Mike doesn’t heed my word, he could spring the trap himself and get in trouble.

6. Why is it important to have on the Armor of God?
   1. Every piece of the armor is needed to fend off the attacks of the enemy. Ephesians 6:11: Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. Here are a couple of items, and why they are so important.
   2. We need our helmets to protect our heads, particularly our minds, and we need the sword to go on the offensive against the devil. Ephesians 6:17: And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: The place where the devil attacks primarily is our minds. One of the tactics he uses is to try to make us doubt our salvation. When He puts those doubts in your mind, you can use your sword which is the Word of God. We can never lose our salvation! Once we have truly asked Jesus to come into our hearts and be our Lord and Savior, we are SEALED forever as one of his.

7. Why is it important to stay prayed up?
   1. We should always be praying and making our requests known to God.                  Philippians 4:6: Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.  Notice it talks about thanksgiving in this verse. We should have prayers of thanksgiving and praise along with our requests.
   2. If you spend time in prayer, God is with you and will answer you. We have this promise in Psalm 145:18: he Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth. There’s an old song that says that He’s as close as the mention of His Name. Call upon Him and He will show up.
   3. We should pray always, not just for ourselves, but for all of the saints. Ephesians 6:18: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; The success of the Little House is that we let Jesus in every service, and we persevere in faith for one another, and God answers.

8. Who in the bible was ensnared?
   1. Sampson was ensnared by Delilah. Judges 16:4-5 and 16-17: And it came to pass afterward, that he loved a woman in the valley of Sorek, whose name was Delilah. And the lords of the Philistines came up unto her, and said unto her, Entice him, and see wherein his great strength lieth, and by what means we may prevail against him, that we may bind him to afflict him; and we will give thee every one of us eleven hundred pieces of silver. And it came to pass, when she pressed him daily with her words, and urged him, so that his soul was vexed unto death; That he told her all his heart, and said unto her, There hath not come a razor upon mine head; for I have been a Nazarite unto God from my mother’s womb: if I be shaven, then my strength will go from me, and I shall become weak, and be like any other man. The enemy will often use the closest ones to you to ensnare you as was the case here.

9. Who in the bible faced many trials?
   1. The Bible tells us that David grew increasingly frustrated from his constant running and hiding, living in caves and surviving on whatever food his men could find or what those loyal to him would give. Psalm 142:1-2: I cried unto the Lord with my voice; with my voice unto the Lord did I make my supplication. I poured out my complaint before him; I shewed before him my trouble. Even though King David struggled mightily, he never remained in this state for long, as he still concludes every psalm praising God and giving Him glory.
   2. Moses also faced trials. One example is when God was testing Moses and his people to see how they would react at having no water. The people of Israel murmured against Moses, wondering what they should drink. He turned to God for help in his struggle, and God delivered. Exodus 15:24-25: And the people murmured against Moses, saying, What shall we drink? And he cried unto the Lord; and the Lord shewed him a tree, which when he had cast into the waters, the waters were made sweet: there he made for them a statute and an ordinance, and there he proved them, Then afterwards, they came to Elim, where the Bible tells us there were 12 springs and 70 palm trees — plenty of water to go around.

10. What’s the outcome of someone who is disobedient, and chooses to go his way, and cloaks it with the flavor of Christianity?
    1. Adam and Eve were the first to disobey, and we’ve dealt with the outcome ever since. Genesis 3:17-19: And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life;

Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field; In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.  When we go our own way instead of being obedient to God, everthing becomes harder. We will face trials when we’re obedient, but when we are not, we have greater struggles.

1. The Apostle Paul gives a list of sins here to avoid, because those who practice them will not inherit the Kingdom of God. Galatians 5:19-21: Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. These works of the flesh Paul describes, are in disobedience to God. If you find that you practice any of these, you might want to examine whether you are truly born-again.

11. Who in the bible was trapped but succeeded through prayer and God’s Word?
    1. The Bible tells us that Satan was trying to sift Peter like wheat. Luke 22:31-32: And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren. This was just before Jesus warned Peter that he would deny Jesus. He did deny the Lord. Then after Jesus died, he went back to his old lifestyle, but when Jesus rose from the dead, Peter was restored, and we know He was instrumental in the establishing of the early church.

12. Conclusion 3 questions
    1. Are you doing anything today that would make a difference to the devil and his gang or are you going along not making any waves, laying on your laurels because you’ve been saved?
    2. Are you studying God’s Word?
    3. Are you making a difference in the lives of others?
    4. Do you have a discerning spirit to know when the enemy’s trying to trick, deceive, and destroy you?

1. Introduction
   1. I remember many years ago, sitting in a congregation having a conversation with another member.
   2. He was making these vary absurd comments regarding some things he had been doing.
   3. I remember saying to him “Some of these things that you’re saying don’t add up and there are no facts to support them biblically.” He kept continuing to go on and on with what he believed to be sane.
   4. I remember a couple of these things very vividly, such as “Why does God want us to be fishermen, go out and waste our time with people who don’t even want to hear us because they don’t agree with what we’re saying?”
   5. My answer to him was “Broad is the way and narrow is the gate” and “Many are called and few are chosen
   6. Jesus says this in Matthew 7:13: Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Enter at the strait or narrow gate. That is Jesus Christ. Not all paths lead to Heaven. We are called to be fishers of men, leading them through the narrow or strait gate.
   7. Jesus also says this in Matthew 22:14: For many are called, but few are chosen. Jesus is calling whosoever will, to follow Him. The chosen are those who choose to follow and obey Him.
   8. The second thing I remember this man saying to me and others was “What’s wrong with having a few drinks every now and then, and hanging out with people who may not be going the Christian way but are still our friends? They really don’t want to hear the Gospel but I like them as friends. They wouldn’t come to church as I had asked them many times. I don’t see the difference.”
   9. He said “We’re all worldly Christians in some sense. Why don’t we just be honest and live our lives the way we know the best we can? Jesus will still love us, won’t he?
   10. We are saved? It seems so legalistic to try to tell people how to live their lives. Why don’t we mind our own business and just be Christians and loving?”

2. What does the bible say about worldly living?
   1. We’re told not to conform to the world, but to be different. Romans 12:2: And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. How is our mind renewed? It is renewed as we pray, study the Word, and worship God. As we do these things we are transformed.
   2. We’re also told that friendship with the world is enmity with God. James 4:4: Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? Whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God. This does not mean we are to cut ourselves off completely from unsaved people, and never associate with them. No, it means that the people we hang out with on a day-to-day basis should be godly people. They should be brothers and sisters in Christ.
   3. We are given a higher standard as born-again Christians. Matthew 5:20: For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven. You and I are to be different, and set apart from the people of the world. As we submit to God, His Spirit will transform us and we will be more like Jesus.

3. What does the bible teach about looking on the things of others more than ourselves?
   1. We are called as Christians to put others before ourselves. PHilippians 2:4: Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. You may have heard this acronym for JOY. An acronym is an abbreviation formed from the initial letters of other words and pronounced as a word.It is Jesus first, Others next, and Yourself last.
   2. Along this same line, we are to esteem others higher or better than ourselves. Philippians 2:3: Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. The term vainglory in this verse is defined as , “empty glory” or “pride,” nearly akin to vanity in the modern sense.

4. What does God say about the standard of living that we should stand by?
   1. Of all the commandments given by God, these are the two most important. Mark 12:30 and 31: And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these. This goes back to the JOY acronym I mentioned earlier. We are to love God first and foremost, then we are to love our neighbors as ourselves.
   2. Similarly, we are called to seek God and His Kingdom first, and then everything we need will be added to us. Matthew 6:33: But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Prior to this verse, Jesus was telling us that we don’t need to worry about what we will eat, drink, or wear, because God provides for all our needs. Instead, we are to seek Him first.
   3. Finally, let’s flip back to the Old Testament. In Micah 6:8: He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God? There are many verses about how you and I should live as Christians, but these three sum up God’s standard of living quite well.

5. What is insanity?
   1. Insanity is defined as a derangement of the mind or extreme foolishness – a foolish or senseless action, policy, statement, etc.
   2. As Christians, one of the things we have been promised is a sound mind. 2nd Timothy 1:7: For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. As Christians, we have God’s Power, Love, and the Mind of Christ.

6. What is the motto for us to live by and what are the facts?
   1. Our motto here is rescued, saved, and heaven bound, and God wants us to succeed more than we want to succeed ourselves. Here are the facts.
   2. We have all gone astray and need to be rescued from our sinful ways. Isaiah 53:6: All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. This applies to all of us. We have all strayed from God’s Will.
   3. Because God is holy and can’t look upon sin, the wages of sin is death, but Jesus paid the penalty for our sin. Romans 6:23: For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Imagine going to the court house to pay a steep fine, and then learning someone has paid it for you. Jesus paid your sin debt in full.
   4. Because of what Jesus did, you are a new creature, and are called to live a new, godly life. 2nd Corinthians 5:17: Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. As a Christian, the old sinful ways pass away as you submit to Him, and all things become new. You are transformed!

7. How do people come up with these absurd statements when they’re in church every week and the pastor preaches on how we should live as Christians?
   1. They are blind and the scales haven’t fallen from their eyes. John 12:40: He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them. You can be in church and hear the message, but it has to reach the heart and God must give you the understanding.
   2. They are hearers of the Word only, and not doers of the Word. James 1:22: But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. I don’t want to stand up here week after week bringing God’s Word, and have it fall on deaf ears! We need to not just hear, but do what God’s Word says.

8. Are people being led astray by you when you don’t study God’s Word and just paraphrase what everyone says?
   1. We are called to study God’s Word. It’s great to read and listen to the Word, but we should study it. 2nd Timothy 2:15: Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. Let’s take a few moments to break down this verse.
   2. We are to study, not to be approved by men, but by God.
   3. We are to be workmen, not working our way to heaven, but working to know who God is, and how we are to live as His Children.
   4. If we’re studying God’s Word, we need not be ashamed. Romans 1:16: For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. God’s word is powerful. When we study it, we can rightly divide the Word of Truth, and it will give life and power to the hearer.
   5. We should never paraphrase God’s Word. This waters it down and changes the meaning. Matthew 4:4: But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. This is why in here we recommend the 1611 King James bible, and encourage you to stay away from other translations.

9. Conclusion
   1. Are you truly living and breathing God’s Word?
   2. Are you allowing the Holy Spirit to lead and guide you into all truth and understanding? Are you trusting God? Are you living by faith?
   3. Are you writing a new bible? One that fits your agenda?
   4. Are you winning souls? Are you being the fisherman God wants you to be. Are you sharing your testimony with everyone you come in contact with?
   5. My word to you and to anyone and everyone, let’s stop the insanity and let’s go with the facts!

What is Easter Sunday All About according to the bible?

Condensed

1. What is Lent

Lent is a season of 40 days, not counting Sunday, which some say begins on Ash Wednesday, and ends on Holy Saturday.  Lent comes from the Anglo Saxon word Lencten, which means Spring.  THe 40 days represents the time Jesus spent in the wilderness being tempted by Satan in preparation for his ministry.

2. What does holy week mean?
   1. Holy Week begins with Palm Sunday which celebrates Jesus ride into Jerusalem. Even though Jesus was welcomed with celebration, not long after he is tortured and sentenced to death on a cross after a betrayal from one of His disciples. Jesus’ death on a cross is commemorated on the day known as Good Friday. 3 short days later, and at the end of Holy Week, we celebrate Easter.

3. What is Maundy-Thursday
   1. (Maundy Thursday, also known as “Holy Thursday,” is the Thursday of Passion Week, one day before Good Friday (the Friday before Easter). Maundy Thursday is the name given to the day on which Jesus celebrated the Passover with His disciples, known as the Last Supper.

4. What does Good Friday mean?
   1. Why do we call Good Friday “good,” when it is such a dark and bleak event commemorating a day of suffering and death for Jesus? For Christians, Good Friday is a crucial day of the year because it celebrates what we believe to be the most momentous weekend in the history of the world. Ever since Jesus died and was raised, Christians have proclaimed the cross and resurrection of Jesus to be the decisive turning point for all creation., that Jesus died for our sins, was buried, and was raised to life on the third day.
5. What is Easter Sunday?
   1. Easter is the celebration of the resurrection of Jesus from the tomb on the third day after his crucifixion. Easter is the fulfilled prophecy of the Messiah who would be persecuted, die for our sins, and rise on the third day.
   2. Remembering the resurrection of Jesus is a way to renew daily hope that we have victory over sin. According to the New Testament, Easter is three days after the death of Jesus on the cross

6. Where did Easter Come from?
   1. THe earliest Christians celebrated the resurrection on the 14th of Nissan, or March or April, on the day of the jewish passover. Some of the gentile Christians began celebrating Easter in the nearest Sunday to the Passover, since Jesus arose on Sunday.

7. Why do we call it Easter?
   1. The origin of the word easter isn’t certain. The Venerable Bede, an eighth-century monk, and scholar, suggested that the word may have come from the Anglo-Saxon Eeostre or Eastre – a Teutonic goddess of spring and fertility. Recent scholars haven’t been able to find any reference to the goddess Bede mentioned and consider the theory discredited.
   2. Another possibility is the Norse eostur, eastur, or ostara, which meant “the season of the growing sun” or “the season of new birth.” The word east comes from the same roots. In this case, easter would be linked to the changing of the season.

8. Was Easter a Pagan Holiday First?
   1. Most historians, including Biblical scholars, agree that Easter was originally a pagan festival. According to the New Unger’s Bible Dictionary: “The word Easter is of Saxon origin, Eastra, the goddess of spring, in whose honour sacrifices were offered about Passover time each year. By the eighth century Anglo–Saxons had adopted the name to designate the celebration of Christ’s resurrection.” However, even among those who maintain that Easter has pagan roots, there is some disagreement over which pagan tradition the festival emerged from
9. Why is Easter Monday a Holiday?
   1. Easter Monday is the day after Easter Sunday and is a holiday in some countries. Easter Monday in the Western Christian liturgical calendar is the second day of Eastertide and analogously in the Byzantine Rite is the second day of Bright Week.

1. In the Eastern Orthodox Church and Byzantine Rite Catholic Churches, this day is called “Bright Monday” or “Renewal Monday”. The services, as in the rest of Bright Week, are quite different from during the rest of the year and are similar to the services on Pascha (Easter Sunday) and include an outdoor procession after the Divine Liturgy; while this is prescribed for all days of that week, often they are only celebrated on Monday and maybe a couple of other days in parish churches, especially in non-Orthodox countries.

Where did the Easter Bunny come from

1. The exact origins of the Easter bunny are clouded in mystery. One theory is that the symbol of the rabbit stems from pagan tradition, specifically the festival of Eostre—a goddess of fertility whose animal symbol was a bunny. Rabbits, known for their energetic breeding, have traditionally symbolized fertility.
2. Eggs are also representative of new life, and it’s believed that decorating eggs for Easter dates back to the 13th century. Hundreds of years ago, churches had their congregations abstain from eggs during Lent, allowing them to be consumed again on Easter. According to History.com, in the 19th century Russian high society started exchanging ornately decorated eggs—even jewel encrusted—on Easter.

10. What does Easter Sunday mean to you?
    1. John 14:6-Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by m It means we have a God that is alive and well. No other faith gives you a god who conquered death and lives today.
    2. 1 Corinthians 15:55-O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The story of Easter is a great reminder that even when things look grim, victory is right around the corner. When Jesus dies, the disciples thought all was lost. They forgot that Jesus said He would die, but rise again on the 3rd day.
    3. Romans 6:4-Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. Easter is in the spring time, a time when new life is all around us. When we have accepted Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we have new life in Christ. His mercies are new every morning. Every day is a new opportunity to serve Him. Let’s remember these three words, and rejoice in their meaning. Christ is risen!