Sermons: Palm Sunday

Morning Audio Link

Evening Audio Link

 

Morning Sermon:

What's happening?

I. It's time to enter Jerusalem:

     A. First important point: Coming in from outside the city

     B. Second important point: Riding on a donkey:

          1. Sign of peaceful entry

          2. Fulfillment of Zechariah 9 prophecy

II. The crowds:

     A. Shouting "Hosanna"

     B. Incorrect identification---"This is the prophet Jesus, from Nazareth in Galilee"

III. This is how the same crowd turns a deaf ear (at best) to "Crucify!" in less than a week: (Note: there are changes, certainly, as much of the Sunday crowd is also coming into Jerusalem, and it seems the crowd on Friday is assembled within the city. However, where did those people go? The Passover is that day. They’re around there somewhere.)

How we identify Jesus matters

1. There is a constant pressure to redefine Jesus:

     On CNN's website just this past week someone tried to redefine Jesus as not knowing or acknowledging the Old Testament

     There's the effort to paint Him as anything but God

2. We must take care to define Him as He is:

Not merely a prophet: while there have been many prophets who speak the words of God, He is not one of them.

Not merely a teacher: we cannot reduce Him to just a teacher

CS Lewis -> Liar, lunatic, or Lord argument

If we do not recognize Him as Lord, there's no point in shouting "Hosanna"

We must move from Crucify to Hosanna!

Evening:

What is acceptable in the Temple?

Well, we don't live with a Temple these days, do we?

How does this apply, then?

1. What does it take to be accepted by God?

     Not our riches nor trading our riches for more 'acceptable' ones

     Not our own sacrifices

2. It takes:

     Faith like a child

     Coming in our weaknesses

     Coming in prayer

We will have to decide:

1. What do you think is bringing you before God?

2. Are you willing to come honestly?

3. Are you willing to let others come?