(Bitter Bowl Loop Show video)
The "bitter bowl" was bad. The "better bowl" was good.

We just had Easter. We remember that Christ's death saves us.
Saves us how? And from what?

(Jesus on cross vs Jesus ascending)

There are TWO very important parts of Easter.
1) Jesus died.
2) Jesus ascended.

If either of these happened alone, it wouldn't be Easter.
If Jesus JUST DIED, then His blood would mean nothing.
If Jesus JUST ASCENDED, then there would be no blood.

Jesus HAD to die IN OUR PLACE.
THEN
Jesus HAD to ascend to heaven SO WE COULD TOO! 

Epesians 2:1,4-6
And you were dead in the trespasses and sins ... But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ — by grace you have been saved — and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,

This passage has TWO SIDES.
Dead -> Mercy -> Alive
Lost -> Grace -> Saved

** Mercy = Forgiveness of sin (Not Hell)
psm 51:1-2
Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love;
according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions.
Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin!

** Grace = Salvation (Heaven)
Titus 2:11
For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people,

Ephesians 2:8
For by grace you have been saved

JUDGE:
You caused a car wreck that killed someone.
Your car is totaled and you're going to jail.
(Because of sin, your live is wrecked and you're going to Hell)

Jesus goes to jail in your place AND gives you his car!
(He pays for your sin AND gives you new life!)
Get out of jail (MERCY)
New car (GRACE)

Paul's conversion (Acts 9)
1 Corinthians 15:9-10a
For I am the least of the apostles, unworthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am.

Paul DESERVED to be left, blinded, unable to do more harm.
But God had MERCY.
Paul DID NOT DESERVE to be an Apostle.
But God had GRACE.

Now REREAD Epesians 2:1,4-6