The Darkest Day in History

At noon, darkness came over the whole land until three in theafternoon. And at three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice,“Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have youforsaken me?”). When some of those standing near heard this, they said,“Listen, he’s calling Elijah.” Someone ran, filled a sponge with wine vinegar,put it on a staff, and offered it to Jesus to drink. “Now leave him alone.Let’s see if Elijah comes to take him down,” he said. With a loud cry, Jesusbreathed his last. The curtain of the temple was torn in two from top tobottom. And when the centurion, who stood there in front of Jesus, saw how hedied, he said, “Surely this man was the Son of God!”
- Mark 15:33-38

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So Moses stretched out his hand toward the sky, and total darkness covered all Egypt for three days. No one could see anyone else or move about for three days.
- Exodus 10:22-23

Mixer

When have you experienced God’s love through another person? What did the person do that made you feel loved? How did the person’s actions meet a need you felt at the time?

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Sermon Questions

Scriptures: Mark 15:33-38; Psalm 22:1; Genesis 1:1; Exodus 10:22-23

1. What impacted you the most from Sunday’s message?
2. In this time of Lenten preparation, we tend to forget what pain (emotional, spiritual, physical) Jesus endured in the days leading up to his crucifixion. List as many of Jesus’ afflictions He experienced during Holy Week and how does that help you manage the pain you might be experiencing now?
3. Read Philippians 2:7. Did Jesus have any extraordinary powers for absorbing or deflecting pain? According to Pastor Jared, what two things did He have? The Holy Spirit and Scripture. How would relying on these two things change the narrative of the darkness of your pain?
4. Pastor Jared referred us back to Exodus 10:22-23 and how God used the 10 plagues against the Egyptians to illustrate “uncreation”. What feels like the “uncreation” plague(s) in your life?
5. Genesis 1 is the story of God providing light and life to the world. Read Genesis 1:1-3. What do you need to let go of to come back to the light at the cross?

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Serve

We’re excited to support a specific, hard-working teen mom who’s doing her best to obtain her high school diploma at Lindsay Community School, a new Impact education partner organization. She’s starting from ground zero so consider purchasing an item (or more!) from her Amazon wish list.

Please contact Mita for the information: mita@thechurchrb.org.

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Pray

In preparation to share the “Good News” that Jesus has risen and overcome the world, join us in prayer for our upcoming Easter Services. Pray for the health and safety of all and that the enemy’s small attacks (1 degree pushes) will be revealed so we can conquer them with love and peace.

Jesus said, “For there is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed and nothing concealed that will not be known or brought out into the open.”

Luke 8:17