A Message of Hope by Brother Duke Hansen

         Good morning. This message is for Easter 2026. It will not be the retelling of the story of Jesus' resurrection. Instead, we are going to turn to the book of Romans chapter 8 and begin reading with verse 3.

        3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh;

        In Judaism before the time of Jesus' ministry, the people would sacrifice different animals as offerings in the temple. If there was one made for sin, it was designed to roll the sin back a year. These sins were never forgiven. Israel in 2026 does not follow this law or practice. If you are seeking the truth and God, those will be the only things remain in the end of times. Jesus had condemned sin in the flesh which you and I cannot do. He was the Son of God and Son of Man. There is no righteousness unless you followed the law.

        4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

        That is what came when the Holy Ghost was given to the people.

        5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.

        If you are obeying the scriptures, following and allowing the processes established, you will grow your faith and mature. The church is here established to build up a group, to break down and to strengthen. It's demanded of you to go and be a witness to the world. You are required to lead others to the church.

        6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.

        Jesus wants us to stand out as a peculiar people. He wants us to separate from the world. It's not the outside that you project, it's what inside. You have to suffer and sacrifice in your life to obtain a measure of spiritual maturity. The bible is full of individual decisions given for actions made. This is not very vague or mysterious. Everyone wants the life and peace without any work put in for improvement. Our natural way of thinking is enmity of God.

        7 Because the carnal mind is enmity of God; for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.

        Your carnal mind is not subject to God. The free will can get you wherever you want to be in life. The excuses are a primary sign there is no growth.

        8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.

        You cannot please God and walk in the flesh. It's a simple biblical fact. You walk in the spirit, and you grow in likeness. Every book in the latter part of the New Testament is written for different churches.

        9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

       10 And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.

        There are those who may have the holy ghost who still operate primarily in the flesh. If we do the righteous things of God, you and the holy ghost work together to kill the sinful nature of your flesh.

        11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.

        12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.

        13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die; but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.

        What does the word mortify mean? To kill, destroy, and to tear down. You and I have work, plenty of work to do in that area.

        14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

        15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

        You could go intervene in every situation you come by, or you could keep quiet, pray, and wait on God to move. We can't suppress or hide the iniquity and flaws. These things will eventually be revealed over time.

        16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are children of God.

        17 And if children, then heirs; heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

        Look at the line here. You and I who carry that Holy Spirit are the children of God. So being the children we are heirs. We don't need to be glorified while Jesus is pulled down. We should always keep Jesus elevated and first. Without suffering there's an absence of mercy. If a no kills your faith, did you have any faith to begin with? There are no accidents with God. There is always a purpose.

        18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

        The point of getting in heaven is to be in God's presence and not merely get on easy street. You can go to God when things are wrong. Don't go frequently to be a nag or complainer.