Jesus' Death and Resurrection should put "things" in perspective. Why?

B. Intro Video - Everyone Loves "their pink bicycle" - question: Is it really worth it?

- Luke 23:32-43 - The Criminal on the Cross beside Jesus

a. "We deserve what is happening to us." --- IE, "I regret it"

b. At the end of life, most people look back with regrets. What do we regret?

1) we won't regret anything in life we have devoted to God... ever

- we almost always wish we had done more for the Lord

2) we won't regret sacrifices made for people we love

3) we usually regret not doing more to help our family know Jesus

4) we usually regret when our "pink bicycle" became an idol/cost too much

C. The Criminal in All of Us - When We Lose Our Way

- Is 53:6, "Like sheep, we all wandered astray; God let fall on Him our crimes...

1) I am not a criminal, seriously! Criminal = "Anyone who breaks the Law"

- Being a criminal is much easier than we think:

- If you break the law's speed limit, you are a criminal.

- If you don't pay taxes owed; If you text while driving (9/1/18 law)

2) If someone else texts + drives, then kills your child, are they a criminal? D. Our crimes against God are what exactly? = when you break ANY law of God

- Is this God being mean? Or are we GLAD God is this way?

1) Mt 12:36-37, "You will be judged for every word you speak in life."

- Why is this AWESOME when applied to other people?

- Why is this totally fair? And we all WANT life to be fair, yes?

2) But not just words, more in our PRIORITIES

- Disney's Christopher Robin - work a priority over wife/daughter

- We all do this with: Items, Duties, Others, Longings, Sufferings

3) Idolatry = terribly misplaced priorities (we don't see, often until it's too late)

4) What happens when our idols become more important than God?

E. God's Response - John 3:17, "I came not to judge you, but to save you."

- Save me from what exactly? Answer = your idols. Why? Idols cannot save.

1. IE - The Thief on the Cross - His Bicycle Cost Him everything... almost

2. Luke 23:43, Criminal to Jesus, "Please remember me when You come into Your Kingdom." Jesus to the Criminal, "Today you will be with me in Paradise"

F. Right to focus on Jesus' empty tomb. What about the criminal? Where'd he go?

- Dear Mr. Criminal, "So, You're Dead, Now what?" - "today, paradise......."

APPLICATION: Easter Message is about Jesus' Resurrection, but also:

1. It's about the "Whoever" in John 11:25, "Whoever believes in me will live, even though they die." 2. It's about Jesus forgiving that man/criminal, knowing what He did; 3. But also, it's about that criminal finally laying aside his "pink bicycle," coming to Jesus with humility and repentance, and finally putting God 1st

Apr 22 Mon - Is 53

Apr 23 Tues - John 20

Apr 24 Wed - Mt 12

Apr 25 Thr – John 3

Apr 26 Fri - Luke 23

Apr 27 Sat – John 11