CASE OF THE MISSING EVIDENCE

 THREE DECECTIVES RETURNS

SCIENCE INVESTIGATION

On a Friday afternoon, the three detectives are on campus trying to solve the case of the missing evidence.  Lead Detective Jack holds an empty jar with a lid, Gloria takes notes of everything that is said, and Valerie shoots video to document everything.

Valerie sees Bonnie, a college student approaching, saying, "Would you like to see our scientific experiment?"

Jack holds the empty jar for Bonnie to see, saying, "The empiracle evidence of science is observation and being able to recreate it in a lab experiment."

Bonnie smiles, "Yeah, I just got out of my last class today.  I have a few minutes."

Gloria speaks, "We would like to interview you of your scientific position."

Valerie adds, "We're here to give you the opportunity to share your scientific thoughts.  All we ask is for time so we can share our scientific views too."

Jack continues, "Bonnie, According to your scientific view, how did the universe begin?"

Bonnie smiles, "I believe in the Big Bang Theory were a paritcle exploded 13.8 Billion years ago, creating the universe.  You know, gas clouds forming stars and planets where life evolved."

Jack questions, "Where did that paritcle come from before the universe was created?"

Bonnie looks puzzled.

Valerie adds, "If the universe was formed entriely by nature, where did matter come from?  

Bonnie replies, "If you give everything long enough time to form through mutations and random chance, anything can be created."

Valerie states, "In your college math class, what is a Billion times zero?  

Bonnie replies, "Zero,"

Valerie continues. "If there was nothing before the universe began, how can adding a billion years create anything?"

Jack adds, "Let's say your view of one particle was formed over billions of years.  Where does energy come, to help this tiny particle to put everything in motion through out the entire universe?  Can energy create itself?"

Bonnie, "I think I missed the class when they were talking about it."

Valerie says, "Do explosions cause

destruction?  Are they super intelligent?" 

Bonnie is frustrated.

Jack adds, "According to astromoners there are 200 trillion billion stars, seperated around 93 billion light years in the universe.  There are planets, moons, asteroids, meteors, black holes and space dust all set in seperate orbits."

Valerie adds, "On Earth there are over 6,000 minerals, 400,000 species of plants and about 8 millions species of animals with unique DNA."

Gloria remarks, "How could an unintelligent particle create all of that?"

Bonnie speaks, "It is the god particle."

Valerie comments, "Did nature form the universe or did God?  And is this particle your god?"

Jack smiles, "We believe that there was super intelligence that designed everything in the universe...Almighty God!"

Valerie adds, "He has always existed even before the universe was formed. He is all powerful setting the universe into motion, he is omnipresent, he is all knowing, and unchanging."

Bonnie speaks, "How do you know there is a God?"

Valeria continues, "God has always been here communicating with his creation."

Jack speaks, "Look at the Science Building, and tell me, 'Was there a creator who built the structure with bricks, motar, wires, plumbing, paint, flooring, doors and windows?"

Bonnie remarks, "Of course."

Jack adds, "I can look at the building and know there has been a creator.  And I can look at the complex design seen threw a microscope or the huge design seen in outer space through a telescope; knowing there's a super intelligent Creator."

Valerie says, "We believe there is one God, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit and they created the universe.  God loves you!"

Gloria adds, "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life."  (John 3:16  NASB ~ New American Standard Bible)

Jack adds, "Bonnie, God wants to make you into a new creation.  We are all sinful, liars, murderers in our heart, prideful, stealing things, coveting things, disobeying parents, worshipping idols, living immoral and not loving God our creator."

Valeria says, "Jesus, God's Son promised everlasting life, if you turn away from your sins and receive God into your life by being born of the Spirit.  You'll know he is God, when you receive His Holy Spirit."

Jack speaks, "Bonnie, did unintelligent nature create everything in the universe?"  Could there be a god particle in my jar? 

Bonnie replies, "It's empty."

Jack continues, "If I open the lid and the contents falls to the ground will everything explode, creating a new universe?  

Gloria blurts out, "This is our observational lab experiment. Stand back!"

Bonnie gasps as Jack unscrew the lid to the jar and empties it out onto the ground.  

Bonnie states, "Maybe in natural selection and random chance, there was only one god particle in the history of our universe."

Valerie concludes, "Bonnie, could there still be billions and billions of those particles still floating around the universe ready to explode?  I don't think so!"

Jack adds, "God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit didn't create the universe by the Big Bang."

Gloria reads, Jesus! "For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him."  (Colossians 1:16 ESV - English Standard Version)

Jack quotes, " In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.  The earth was formless and void, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was moving over the surface of the water.

God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light."  (Genesis 1:1-3  MEV - Modern English Version)

Bonnie concludes, "I'm beginning to see the Light.  It's good to examine our scientific views?"

DO YOU WANT TO BE A FEARLESS WITNESS FOR JESUS?

 WOMEN'S TRIP IN ISRAEL

BIBLE STUDY IN THE GARDEN

Missionary Debra is taking a group of five college ladies on a tour of Israel, for the purpose of making each one a disciple of Jesus.  Debra begins, "How many of you want to be missionaries for Jesus Christ?"

Everyone raises their hands.

Debra continues, "OK, how many of you would like to be a fearless witness for Jesus?"

Everyone looks at each other, waiting for the first person to raise a hand.  Sarah, wearing the flowery dress lifts her hand up.

Debra smiles, "Do we have any more bold witnesses?  Why do we need multiple witnesses?"

Everyone raises their hands.

Ruth reads, "One witness is not enough to convict anyone accused of any crime or offense they may have committed. A matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses."  (Deuteronomy 19:15 NIV - New International Version)

Debra speaks, "Who were the women who fearlessly stayed at the cross witnessing the crucifixion among the Roman soldiers?"

Marie reads, " Now there stood by the cross of Jesus His mother, and His mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene.  When Jesus therefore saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing by, He said to His mother, “Woman, behold your son!”  Then He said to the disciple, “Behold your mother!” And from that hour that disciple took her to his own home." 

(John 19:25-27 NKJV - New King James Version)

Debra says, "Jesus' mother Mary, her sister Salome, Mary Magdalene, Mary the wife of Clopas, and John the apostle. 

Susanna adds, "These women were fearless standing by the cross."

Debra continues, "What caused the women to back away, and watch further away?"

Evie speaks, "Was it the three hours of darkness?"

Sarah adds, "Could it have been the large earthquake that shook the cross, and tore the curtain in two at the Holy of Holies?"

Marie reads, " Now many women were also there, watching from a distance. They had accompanied Jesus from Galilee and had ministered to him.  Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of Zebedee’s sons."(Matthew 27:55-56 ISV - International Standard Version)

Debra adds, "There are many fearless women watching Jesus die.  They watched him being pierced, taken off the cross, saw Jesus's body prepared and place in the tomb."

Evie reads, "So Joseph took the body, wrapped it in clean, fine linen,  and placed it in his new tomb, which he had cut into the rock. He left after rolling a great stone against the entrance of the tomb.  Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were seated there, facing the tomb." (Matthew 27:59-61 HCSB - Holman Christian Standard Bible)

Debra smiles, "Do you realize the Jesus saw the tomb from the cross.  And there was a garden between the cross and the tomb?"

Evie comments, "Is that garden symbolic of the Garden of Eden?"

Debra asks, "Who were the first  fearless witnesses early Sunday morning?"

Sarah speaks, "I would be scared going to the tomb before sunrise, carrying bags of spices.  What if the Roman soldiers thought we were going to steal His body?"

Susanna adds, "Who's going to roll away a stone that weighs 1 1/2 tons?"

Debra speaks, "These were fearless witnesses of Jesus."

Ruth reads, "So they went in, but they didn’t find the body of the Lord Jesus. As they stood there puzzled, two men suddenly appeared to them, clothed in dazzling robes.

The women were terrified and bowed with their faces to the ground. Then the men asked, “Why are you looking among the dead for someone who is alive? He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead! Remember what he told you back in Galilee,  that the Son of Man must be betrayed into the hands of sinful men and be crucified, and that he would rise again on the third day.”

Then they remembered that he had said this.  So they rushed back from the tomb to tell his eleven disciples—and everyone else—what had happened.  It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and several other women who told the apostles what had happened." (Luke 24:3-10  NLT - New Living Translation)

Ruth adds, "Joanna, is the wife of Chuza, Herod Antipas's household steward." 

Debra speaks, "Fearless women weren't afraid of the dark, or the spears of Roman soldiers. They didn't flee when the aftershock of the earthquake rolled the stone away.  Some saw angels and Jesus who told them to tell all the disciples and go to Galilee."

Marie adds, "On the road to Emmaus, there was a disciple named Cleopas who unknowingly talked to Jesus.  Did Mary the wife of Cleopas, one of the witnesses walk with him too?"

Debra concludes, "What if the women didn't come to the tomb at the time of Resurrection? Who would be God's witnesses?"

Susanna replies, "The Roman soldiers made terrible witnesses.  They were bribed to tell the lie, that the disciples stole Jesus' body."

Debra continues, "Fearless women were God's witness to Jesus Christ's death, burial and resurrection. If you want to be a missionary, will you be a fearless woman for Christ?"

KIDS WHERE DID YOU FIRST BELIEVE IN GOD?

        WHAT IS THE THREE LEAF CLOVER?

ST. PATRICK'S DAY ~ SLEMISH MOUNTAIN

Patricia visits Ireland on top of Slemish Mountain.  She asks, "I am holding a 3 leaf clover.  What is the meaning of this clover?"

A boy named Conor replies, "The 4 leaf clover brings good luck."

Another boy, Rory adds, "The 3 leaf clover is known as the Shamrock."

Erin a red haired girl says, "Three leafs represent God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit."

Patricia continues, "Was Saint Patrick born in Ireland?

A spunky girl named Aileen speaks, "Nope!  Some people believe he was born in Northern Britain near the modern city of Calisle around 415 AD."

Rory adds, "Some say he was born in Scotland or Wales."

Patricia says, "What happened to Patrick when he was 16 years old, living in a villa in Britain?"

A lad named Liam answers, "He was kidnapped by Barbarians that raided his village and taken to Ireland in 431 AD."

Norah a shy girl speaks, "He was sold to a Druid chieftain and forced to tend a flock of sheep on Slemish Mountain."

Patricia adds, "Patrick was tending a flock of sheep living in isolation, wind, rain, and snow.  This is where he met God, and sometimes prayed 100 times a day. and night."

Aileen smiles, "When he was 22 years old, God gave him a vision to escape on a ship.  He left his flock and hiked 200 miles south."

Norah continues, "The ship sailed to France, and three years later he returned home to Britain."

Patricia continues, "

He traveled to Britain and joined a Monastery, serving God in Britain and France for 20 years.  Does the story stop here?"

Erin smiles, "God gave him visions to return to Ireland to preach the Gospel.  He loved the Irish people.  In his life he established over 300 churches."

Patricia speaks, "And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams and your young men shall see visions."  (Joel 2:28  ESV ~ English Standard Version)

Rory speaks, "I had a dream about going to a jungle in South America."

Patricia remarks, "Maybe Jesus is calling you to be a missionary just like Patrick, who was a missionary to Ireland.   Class what else did you learn on Slemish mountain this morning?"

Norah blurts out, "When you are all alone, cold, hungry, and feeling hopeless; God is there to help you!  That's why Saint Patrick prayed 100 times a day!"

Patricia concludes, "You are never lonely when God is with you!"

CASE OF THE MISSING COMMANDMENT

     PARABLE OF THE THREE DETECTIVES

PARK INVESTIGATION

On Saturday, three detectives begin a serious investigation in Lincoln Park.  Lead detective Jack interviews, Gloria writes notes, and Valerie shoots videos to document evidence.

They see an easy interview, and walk up to Bob the evangelist, talking to an elderly woman.  Jack asks, "We are searching for the missing commandment."

Elderly woman blurts out, "Ten Commandments used to be on the court house lawn, but they're missing now!"

Bob smiles, "Jesus answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul and mind.’ This is the first and most important command.  And the second command is like the first: ‘Love your neighbor as you love yourself.’  (Matthew 22:37-39 ICB ~ International Childrens Bible)

Gloria speaks, "Bob, what is the first commandment?"

Bob replies, "You shall have no other gods before me." (Exodus 20:3  ESV ~ English Standard Version)   This commandment is only missing in people's hearts.  Keep searching and you shall find.

The three detectives stroll over to an artist painting a picture of Jesus.  Gloria speaks, "You're a good artist."  

Jack asks, "We are searching for the missing commandment.  I am wondering if you can help us?"

Artist replies, "Yeah, if I can."

Valerie says, "Do you know the second commandment?"   The artist remains silent.

Jack quotes, "You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth."  (Exodus 20:3  ESV)

Artist grins, "I'm an artist, not an idol maker and none of my customers bow before my paintings.  Jack, please read the rest of the verse."

Jack continues, "You shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I the Lord your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me,  but showing steadfast love to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments."  

(Exodus 20:4-6  ESV)

The three amigos walk over to a man relaxing on a park bench.  Jack speaks, "We are going around the park asking everyone, where's the missing commandment."

Man drops his beer bottle on the ground, CURSING God!

Gloria frowns, "You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain."  (Exodus 20:7 ESV)

They see a fireman walking by and ask him the big question.  Jack says, We are searching for the missing commandment.  Do you know what the fifth commandment is?

Fireman replies, "I would like to go to church but my job requires me to serve when I'm needed.

Gloria reads, "Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy."  (Exodus 20:8  ESV)

Fireman replies, "I keep the Lord's day and Jews are commanded to keep the Sabbath days.  It's good to have a day off and be with Jesus even if it's a weekday."

The three walk over to the swing set.  A mom is pushing her daughter on a swing, as her son walks away.  Mom yells, "Don't run away from me, Pauly."  

Valerie and Gloria walk Pauly back.

Jack speaks, "We are searching for the missing commandment."

Mom speaks, Kids, "Honor your father and your mother. Then you will live a long time in the land. The Lord your God is going to give you this land."  

(Exodus 20:12  ICB ~ International Childrens Bible)

The three walk over to boys shooting toy guns at each other and playing dead. Gloria speaks, "We're looking for the missing commandment."

Boy replies, "Could it be thou shalt not kill?"

Jack adds, "Actually it says, 'You shall not murder.' (Exodus 20:13  LSB ~ Legacy Standard Bible)   If you have anger in your heart you're in big trouble."

The three see a Rapper and three ladies walk by.  Rapper replies, "I heard you over there and I know what you're going to ask me.  "Thou shalt not commit adultery."  (Exodus 20:14  AKJV ~ Authorized KJV)

Gloria writes her name on a $5 bill and lays it on the sidewalk.  They wait, watching a college lady find and pick it up.

Gloria smiles, "Did you lose that $5 bill?"

Lady replies, "Yes, I must have dropped it."

Gloria frowns, "I'm Gloria, that's my name is written on the back of the five."

Jack speaks, "We are looking for the missing commandment.  Could it be, "You shouldn't steal?"  (Exodus 20:15  LSB)

Lady spouts, "I swear to God that's my $5 bill.  I've been looking all over for it.  Don't you tell me I'm breaking the ninth commandment about lying either.  I'm not going to swim in the lake of fire over a $5 bill!"

The three detectives see a 16 year old boy lusting after a sports car, parked by the road.

Jack asks the boy, "If the keys were in the car, would you drive off with it?"

Boy replies, "You better believe it."

Gloria speaks, "We're asking people in the park today if they know what the missing commandment is?"

Boy adds, "I grew up in Sunday school.  Is it, "Thou shalt not steal?"

Valeria speaks, "God doesn't want you to covet things that don't belong to you.  If you want a car like that, you need to study, get a good job, and save your money to buy it."

Walking back the three detectives talk.

Valerie speaks, "I think everyone has heard all of the Ten Commandments."

They walk by a statue of a woman and a couple putting flowers and candles beside it.  Then they see Bob the evangelist again.

Bob says, "Did you find the missing commandment?   Jesus said, "Don’t misunderstand why I have come. I did not come to abolish the law of Moses or the writings of the prophets. No, I came to accomplish their purpose.  I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not even the smallest detail of God’s law will disappear until its purpose is achieved."  (Matthew 5:17-18  NLT - New Living Translation)

Gloria adds, "Purhaps some modern translations only have 9 Commandments?"

Valerie blurts out, "Why would they do that?"

Jack concludes, "Let's go home and examine our evidence."

KIDS ARE YOU A LOVING PERSON?

  FOUR KINDS OF VALENTINE LOVE?

SUNDAY SCHOOL

Patricia the Sunday school teacher speaks, "We're celebrating Valentine's Day."

Girl named Mele says, "St. Valentine in prison, sent a love letter to the jailer's daughter who was healed of blindness."

Boy named Pono remarks, "Valentine was put in prison because he promoted marriage, and the Emperor Claudius II, wanted men to remain single to fight his wars."

Patricia adds, "He was executed on February 14th, 270 AD...Valentine's Day.  Do you know in God's Word, there are four different types of love?  Class, can you name one?"

Girl named Mele talks, "Storge love!  It's affectionate love within a family."

Patricia reads, "Love each other truly like brothers and sisters. Be really happy to respect other Christians."  (Romans 12:10 EASY - Easy English Bible)   "We're a family with Storge love."

Boy named Kalani raise his hand, blurting out, "Eros love."

Girl adds, "I like Romantic love!  Hugging and kissing."

Patricia adds,  "Eros is physical love. Romantic when you're single and intimate love when you are married."  Who knows another type of love?"

Pono stands up, stating, "Phileo love."

Patricia smiles, "What is Phileo love?"

Pono continues, "It's loving your best friends."

Patricia speaks, "What is the greatest love in the Bible?"

Mele speaks, "Agape love. "For God so loved the world,that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." (John 3:16  ESV - English Standard Version)

Patricia reads, "After they had eaten breakfast, Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you Agape love me more than the other disciples do?”

Peter answered him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I (Phileo) love you.”

Jesus told him, “Feed my lambs.”

Jesus asked him again, a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you (Agape) love me?”

Peter answered him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I (Phileo) love you.”

Jesus told him, “Take care of my sheep.”

Jesus asked him a third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?”

Peter felt sad because Jesus had asked him a third time, “Do you (Phileo) love me?” So Peter said to him, “Lord, you know everything. You know that I (Phileo) love you.”

Jesus told him, “Feed my sheep.

(John 21:15-16  GW - Gods Word)

Patricia concludes,  "Everyone needs love.  Love God with all your heart, soul and mind and love your neighbor as you love youself"

"That is how you can be a loving person!  HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!

SOMEONE TRIED TO STEAL GOD'S IDENTITY

  PARABLE of IDENTITY THEFT

February 9th - National Pizza Day

Celebrating National Pizza Day, four Pastors meet monthly to discuss topics.

Pastor Dave opens saying, "Someone posted an AI video of me putting words in my mouth of things I never said.  As soon as I had it taken down, someone posted another fake video."

Pastor Frank comments, "Identity Theft is a huge issue in our world today.  I caught someone trying to steal my phone number.  I called my carrier and had my number locked."

Pastor Manuel adds, "Someone tried to steal my credit card, but I got a phone alert and froze my account immediately."

Pastor Jun De remarks, "If they can still your identity, they can steal you bank account, title to your car, house and ruin your credit score."

Pastor Dave speaks, "Did you know Jesus predicted that one day men would try to steal His identity?"

Pastor Frank reacts, "You got to be kidding?"

Pastor Jun De reads: "And Jesus answered and said to them: “Take heed that no one deceives you.  For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many."  (Matthew 24:4-5  NKJV - New King James Version)

Pastor Manuel says, "I have relatives named Jesus and there are other people named Jesus in the Bible.  But there is only one Jesus Christ, God the Son."

Pastor Dave adds, "Throughout history there are a lot of people calling themselves Jesus Christ.  These people are mortal men, pretending to be God."

Pastor Jun De, "Jesus ascended to heaven on the Mount of Olives and at His second coming He will return to the Mount of Olives."

Pastor Frank adds, "Didn't Jesus appear face to face with Saul?"

Pastor Manuel reads: "And as he was traveling, it happened that when he was approaching Damascus, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him;  and falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?”  And he said, “Who are You, Lord?” And He said, “I am Jesus whom you are persecuting,"  (ACTS 9:3-5  LSB - Legacy Standard Bible)

Pastor Dave adds, "Jesus talked from above, just like the conversation Jesus had talking to the God the Father at His transfiguration.  Jesus will return to earth at His second coming on the Mount of Olives, not America.

Pastor Frank smiles, "What about all the False Prophets?  Aren't they trying to steal the true identity of God?"

Pastor Jun De reads, "Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many."

Pastor Dave adds, "Old Testament Prophets were God's spokesmen, communicating laws, judgements, blessings, and prophecies...including the coming of the Messiah.   What was the test of the false prophet in the Old Testament?"

Pastor Manuel reads: "When a prophet speaks in the name of the Lord, if the word does not come to pass or come true, that is a word that the Lord has not spoken; the prophet has spoken it presumptuously. You need not be afraid of him."  (Deuteronomy 18:22  ESV - English Standard Version)

Pastor Jun De reads: "Prophets or those who tell the future with dreams might come to you and say they will show you a miracle or a sign.  The miracle or sign might even happen, and then they might say, “Let’s serve other gods” (gods you have not known) “and let’s worship them.”  But you must not listen to those prophets or dreamers. The Lord your God is testing you, to find out if you love him with your whole being.  Serve only the Lord your God. Respect him, keep his commands, and obey him. Serve him and be loyal to him.  The prophets or dreamers must be killed, because they said you should turn against the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt and saved you from the land where you were slaves. They tried to turn you from doing what the Lord your God commanded you to do. You must get rid of the evil among you."  (Deuteronomy 13:1-5  NCV - New Century Version)

Pastor Manuel adds, "False prophets want you to serve other gods."

Pastor Dave says, "The apostle Paul states: "For if one comes and preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted, this you tolerate very well!"  

(2 Corinthians 11:4  NASB - New American Standard Bible)

Pastor Manuel adds, "But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed.  As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed."  (Galatians 1:8-9  ESV - English Standard Version)

Pastor Frank blurts out, "Everyone interprets scripture differently.  Some literal and some as allegories.  Who is right?"

Pastor Jun De replies, "We understand the author and interpret His word according to the context of what was spoken and written."

Pastor Dave concludes, "Jesus had prophesized he would have Identity Theft.  As we draw near to the end times, there will be many people calling themselves Jesus Christ or God.  And many false prophets are distorting words of Jesus, Bible, and the Gospel of Grace through Faith."

Pastor Manual adds, "My kid's memory verse: "Be careful of false prophets. They come to you and look gentle like sheep. But they are really dangerous like wolves."  (Matthew 7:15  ERV - Easy To Read Version)

Pastor Jun De adds, "We all agree we need to protect each other's Identity.  Let's protect God's identity and tell people the truth found in God's word the Bible."

Pastor Frank gets up, "I better check my computer for viruses and trojans."

KIDS DO YOU WANT A JOB IN PARADISE?

DID ADAM AND EVE HAVE JOBS?

SUNDAY SCHOOL

Mary the Sunday school teacher asks the class, "Did Adam have to work for a living and have a job?"

Silly Billy replies, "I thought Adam stayed beside the pool and waterfalls all day."

Mary continues, "God wanted Adam to learn work ethic by being His Head Gardener."  "The Lord God took the man and he put him in the Garden of Eden. God wanted the man to work in the garden and to take care of it." (Genesis 2:15 EASY)

Cindy asks, "What was Eve's job?"

Mary states, "Adam named his wife Eve, because she was the mother of all human beings."  (Genesis 3:20 GNT - Good News Translation)  "Eve was in charge of Parenting. Every mother knows that's a full time job!"

Mary continues, "When you're on a hike, do you see fruit or berries and desire to eat them?

Bob speaks, "My dad wants to see what I have in my hand, before I put it in my mouth."

Mary says, "Good!  Birds will eat berries that might be poisonous for us.

The Manchineel tree has fruit that looks like small green apples that tastes sweet; but the sap causes blisters to the skin, and you might die if you eat.  Yet a Black Spined Iguana can eat the fruit and live."

Margo speaks, "My brother ate something he shouldn't have, and had to be taken to the hospital to pump his stomach."

Mary teaches, "The Lord God commanded the man. He said, “You are free to eat from any tree in the garden.  But you must never eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil because when you eat from it, you will certainly die.”  (Genesis 2:16-17  GW - Gods Word)

William asks, "Why did God plant the Tree of Life and the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil both in the middle of the Garden?  Was God tempting Adam and Eve?"

Mary replies, "And remember, when you are being tempted, do not say, “God is tempting me.” God is never tempted to do wrong, and he never tempts anyone else."  (James 1:13  NLT - New Living Translation)

Silly Billy blurts out, "Maybe God made the scary serpent  to keep Adam and Eve from getting too close."

Margo adds, "All the girls I know love to be scared, watching movies.  Maybe Eve enjoyed that scary feeling by talking to the serpent." 

Scott speaks, "I believe God wanted to keep the serpent out of the Tree of Life, so it wouldn't live forever.  So He planted another tree close by with sweet tasting, addictive fruit to attract the serpent."

Mary reads, "Now the serpent was the most cunning of all the wild animals that the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You can’t eat from any tree in the garden’?”  (Genesis 3:1  HCSB)

William adds,  "Satan tempted Jesus when he was fasting 40 days in the wilderness, by asking Him to turn stones into bread."

Mary continues, "The woman said to the serpent, “We may eat the fruit from the trees in the garden.  But about the fruit of the tree in the middle of the garden, God said, ‘You must not eat it or touch it, or you will die.’”

 “No! You will not die,” the serpent said to the woman.  “In fact, God knows that when you eat it your eyes will be opened and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” (Genesis 3:2-4  HCSB)

Cindy speaks, "Was the serpent possessed by Satan?"

Mary replies, "Lucifer committed the sin of Pride wanting to be God, and he was deceiving Eve, telling her if she would eat the fruit, she would be like God."

Scott remarks, Jesus said, " And He said to them, “I watched Satan fall from heaven like lightning. (Luke 10:18  NASB - New American Standard Bible)

Mary continues, "Then the woman saw that the tree was good for food and delightful to look at, and that it was desirable for obtaining wisdom. So she took some of its fruit and ate it; she also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it.  (Genesis 3:1-6  HCSB - Holman Christian Standard Bible)

Mary reads, "Then they heard the Lord God walking in the garden. This was during the cool part of the day. And the man and his wife hid from the Lord God among the trees in the garden.  But the Lord God called to the man. The Lord said, “Where are you?”

Cathy smiles, "My dog hides from me every time she's in trouble."

Mary continues reading, "The Lord God said, “Who told you...have you eaten fruit from the tree I commanded you not to eat from?”

The man said, “It’s the fault of the woman you put here with me. She gave me some fruit from the tree. And I ate it.”

Then the Lord God said to the woman, “What have you done?”

The woman said, “The serpent tricked me. That’s why I ate the fruit.”  (Genesis 3:11-13  NIRV - New International Readers Version)

Mary asks, "What should have Adam and Eve done?

Silly Billy blurts out, " If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness."  (1 John 1:9  NIV - New International Version)

Cathy adds, "If Adam was a real man of God he would have taken all the blame and repented from His sin."

Mary reads, "The Lord God said to the serpent, “Because you have done this, cursed are you among all animals and among all wild creatures;  upon your belly you shall go, and dust you shall eat all the days of your life. I will put enmity between you and the woman and between your offspring and hers; he will strike your head, and you will strike his heel.”  (Genesis 3:14-15  NRSVUE - New Revised Standard Version Updated)

William speaks, "Jesus will crush Satan's head and suffer on the cross for our sins."

Mary reads, "To the woman he said, “I will greatly increase your labor pains; with pain you will give birth to children. You will want to control your husband, but he will dominate you.”  (Genesis 3:16  NET - New English Translation)

Mary continues, "And to Adam he said, “Because you have listened to the voice of your wife and have eaten of the tree of which I commanded you, ‘You shall not eat of it,’ cursed is the ground because of you; in pain you shall eat of it all the days of your life; thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you; and you shall eat the plants of the field. By the sweat of your face   you shall eat bread, till you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; for you are dust, and to dust you shall return.”  (Genesis 3:17-19  ESV - English Standard Version)

Silly Billy remarks, "Did Adam and Eve lose their jobs?  

Cathy adds, "Were they evicted too?"

Mary reads, "The Lord God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife, and clothed them.

Then the Lord God said, “Behold, the man has become like one of Us, knowing good and evil; and now, he might stretch out his hand, and take also from the tree of life, and eat, and live forever”— therefore the Lord God sent him out from the garden of Eden, to cultivate the ground from which he was taken.  So He drove the man out; and at the east of the garden of Eden He stationed the cherubim and the flaming sword which turned every direction to guard the way to the tree of life.  (Genesis 3:21-24  NASB 95 - New American Standard Version 95)

Scott speaks, "The first sacrifice for sin was when God killed two animals to make Adam and Eve clothing."

Bob asks, "I still don't understand what the Tree with Good and Evil knowledge was all about?"

Mary replies, "Good knowledge came to Adam and Eve directly from God.  Evil knowledge came from communicating with a Satan possessed serpent."

Scott adds, "Adam and Eve went to the dark side!"

Cindy speaks, "Why was this Adam's sin and not Eve's sin?"

Mary replies, "Eve was deceived, and Adam knew better when he sinned.  

William asks, "Why did Adam's sin corrupt the world?"

Mary speaks, "Satan has come to kill, steal and destroy.  People were infected by every sin imaginable when they turned their backs on God.  You can't serve two masters."

Scott says, "Adam was the CEO of the garden and he lost his job when he sinned.  They were evicted from paradise, and sent to a place of rocks, thistles and thorns."

Cindy adds, "They had to plant their own crops, and even make there own clothes for all the family."

Mary concludes, "Because of Adam's sin, disobeying God and listening to the dark side, all humans have a sin nature.  All of us have sinned and the wages of sin is death.  But God sent His only begotten Son to pay for our sins dying on the cross, if we believe and trust and allowing Him to be the Lord of your life.  Would you like to have everlasting life with Jesus Christ today?"

All the children raise their hands saying, "YES."