Chestnut Ridge Church
Much of the Easter story takes place at night, in the darkness—the last supper, Jesus’ prayer in the garden, the denial by Peter, and the arrest and trial before religious leaders. Darkness even took over during the day as Jesus hung on the cross.
But in the end, darkness did not prevail! After the night, came the dawn. The light shone in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it. Join us on Sunday as we explore how the Easter story moved Out of the Shadows and into the light.
Today's Music
Can't Live Without You, Faithful to the End, Death Was Arrested, Living Hope
Out of the Shadows—Part 1
[Tim Haring]
Problem | The disciples abandoned Jesus at night because they didn't "watch and pray"
Solution | Watch and pray. We don’t have to be afraid of the night.
Luke 23:44-45 HCSB
The darkness of the night often provides:
• Opportunity to connect in a deeper way with others
Matthew 26:36-39 HCSB
The darkness of the night often provides:
• Opportunity to connect with one another in a deeper way
Mark 14:33-34 HCSB
He was experiencing sorrow…and trouble such as He had never known in His earthly life. He asked the three disciples to stay and keep watch with Him. In this hour of His greatest need the Lord wanted those with a sympathetic understanding to be praying with Him. –L.A. Barbieri
Matthew 26:40-44 HCSB
Luke 22:45 HCSB
The darkness of the night often provides:
• An opportunity to connect with one another in a deeper way
• An opportunity to trust God in the midst of the darkness
Matthew 26:39 HCSB
Matthew 26:42 HCSB
Matthew 26:44 HCSB
In the Old Testament the “cup” has associations of suffering and of the wrath of God…Jesus’ death meant suffering, and because it was a death for sin, there are associations of the wrath of God connected to it… The death he faced was a horrible death, and he experienced the natural human shrinking from undergoing such an ordeal. So he prayed that if it were possible it might be avoided. –L. Morris
Matthew 26:53 HCSB
The darkness of the night often provides:
• An opportunity to connect with one another in a deeper way
• An opportunity to trust God in the midst of the darkness
• An opportunity to display the light of Christ in the darkness
Matthew 26:45-52 HCSB
John 18:4-6 HCSB
Luke 22:50-51 HCSB