[1] Sunday, 04-01-2007

Title: Life After Palm Sunday

John 12: 12-19

INTRODUCTION

1. Today is the celebration of what we call Palm Sunday. A day which was predicted back in the O.T. Zec. 9:9.
2. It is the fulfillment of the prophecy that says Israel’s King will come, the Messiah and he will be riding on a donkey.
3. It also ties into the prophecies of Daniel. The people’s ultimate rejection of this Messiah King marks the end of Daniel’s 69th week in Daniel 9.
4. But I am not here today to go over the historic event of Palm Sunday, nor am I here to unfold the prophecies of the Messiah.

Transition: This morning I would like to take you on a personal journey as we talk about Palm Sunday. Using this question to begin our journey: WHY DID PALMS AND SINGING TURN INTO NAILS AND YELLING RIGHT BEFORE OUR EYES?

JOHN 12:12-19 PALM SUNDAY:

1. V.12- tells us that there was a great crowd ready to meet Jesus as he rode in
2. V.13- they took palm branches and were shouting Hosanna, Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord
3. V. 18- reveals that many people were excited because of the miracles
4. Matthew tells of the Triumphal Entry of Jesus and says the whole city was stirred
5. Luke records that whole crowds began to joyfully praise God in a loud voice.
6. John 12:19- tells us that the religious leaders note that the whole world has gone after him.

Jesus said, “But small is the gate and narrow the road the leads to life, and only few find it.” (Matthew 7:13, 14)

Just days later the Apostle John records this event (19: 5-7)

“When Jesus came out wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe, Pilate said to them, “Here is the man!” …They shouted Crucify! Crucify…The Jews insisted, “We have a law, and according to that law he must die, because he claims to be the Son of God.” Matthew records this shocking statement” “Then answered all the people, and said, His blood be on us and our children.”

What happened? How can a people so in love and so excited with their Savior be so easily persuaded and with such passion desire He be crucified.

WHAT HAPPENED?

1. The church today experiences the same thing.
2. I have experienced the same thing.
3. Many today are confused with their relationship with God because of this same thing.
4. Romans 10: 9 –“That if you confess with your mouth Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
5. V.13- “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
6. LORD = kurios = master, owner, possessor, absolute authority
7. Why is the gate small and road narrow if whosoever calls on the name of the name of the Lord will be saved?
8. The key is to understand that Jesus desires to be Lord and not just Savior.
9. I will shout and throw out palms for my miracle worker, for my healer, for my sin forgiver, for my savior; BUT HE DESIRES TO BE THE BOSS OF ME.
10. Master, owner of my life. All my thoughts, attitudes and decisions are now put under the ownership of Jesus. I just wanted a savior; I’ll still be in charge though. I just need to be forgiven not taken over.

LISTEN TO THE NARROW THINKING OF THE MIRACLE WORKER

1. John 14:15 – “If you love me, you will obey what I command.”
2. John 14:24 – “He who does not love me will not obey my teachings.”
3. John 15:5 – “Apart from me you can do nothing.”
4. John 15:19 – “I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.”
5. John 16:2 – “A time is coming when anyone who kills you will think he is offering a service to God.”
6. These are narrow and strong statements; I was looking for a Savior I wasn’t looking to have my whole life taken over and changed. I wasn’t looking for a Lord.

MY EXPERIENCE

1. I have experienced this struggle in my own life. When I was first receiving Jesus into my life and praising and thanking Him for salvation, I had areas that He wanted Lordship of and I struggled:
2. Authority - Romans 13:1, 2 – “Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.”
3. Jesus wanted control over my attitude toward authority in my life.
4. Reconciliation - Matthew 5: 23, 24 – “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.”
5. Jesus wanted ownership of my relationships.
6. Lust - Matthew 5:28 – “But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”
7. Jesus wanted to be the master of my eyes and thoughts.
8. IT HIT ME LIKE A REVELATION: JESUS WANTED TO BE BOSS OF MY LIFE.
9. My resistance to authority, reconciliation, and lust was evidence that Jesus was not in control.
10. By choosing to walk in obedience in these areas I would be demonstrating that the Lord was the boss of my life! (I began to understand what happened holy week)

MY LAST CHANCE

1. How could I get out of this? GRACE. I will join the “grace” group. I can have a Palm Sunday savior, be the boss of my life and everything’s under grace!
2. Until I met my enemy: Titus 2:11, 12 – “For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age.”
3. Grace was not a ticket to do what I wanted, but rather the favor, power and desire to do what Jesus wanted me to do.

DECISION DAY

1. Romans 12:1 – “Present your bodies a living sacrifice holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.”
2. Then I got it- Jesus will be my savior, I will be his living sacrifice!
3. Now I was ready to truly make Romans 10:9 my prayer with understanding, Confess with your mouth Jesus is LORD, and believe in your heart God raised in from the dead.
4. Palm Sunday, Good Friday, Resurrection Sunday will come and go, and what will change in your life? Who would like to join me to present maybe for the first time, yourself as a living sacrifice to the Lord. Jesus you are my boss!