Jesus Walked What He Talked Series

OUR ROAD TO VICTORY IN CHRIST

Jesus Walked What He Talked

John 10:10-14;12:12,30-36,42-43

INTRODUCTION: The times are rare when people today say what they mean, then mean what they say, and finally act on what they mean. Here in the gospel of John, as Jesus walks into Jerusalem on what we celebrate as Palm Sunday, the Lord does just that …..

We see that Jesus:

-- Clearly stating what He means

-- Clearly meaning to do what He has said

-- Clearly doing what He means to do

CHRIST WALKED WHAT HE TALKED

What should be so very evident here is the magnitude of Christ’s love for us! The event of Palm Sunday, as well as those leading up to this Triumphal Entry serve to remind us that Jesus loved us enough to guard and protect us, to walk before us, and to encourage us.

OPENING ILLUSTRATION: Snow Storms

Just getting out of the driveway was a major feat during last year’s snow and ice storms. One co-worker was relating how he used his seven-year-old son’s baseball bat to smash the slick coat of ice on his driveway. He got cold and went inside for a cup of coffee before attempting to clear the car. Several minutes later, his son, who had been outside with him, came in.

“Dad,” he said, “I got the ice off the car.”

“How did you do that?” his father asked.

“Same way you did,” the boy shrugged, “with the baseball bat.”

To have unquestioned reliance upon a pastor or other spiritual leader can lead to embarrassment and even bitter disillusionment.

I was reminded of this recently when I came across an interesting item about President Coolidge. Once he invited some friends from Vermont to dine at the White House. They were worried about their table manners, so they decided to do everything their host did. All went well until coffee was served. Coolidge poured his into the saucer. The guests did the same. The President added sugar and cream. So did the visitors. Then Coolidge leaned over and placed his saucer on the floor for the cat.

TRANSITION: Mark Twain once said, “Few things are harder to put up with than the annoyance of a good example.”

I JESUS LOVED US ENOUGH TO GUARD AND PROTECT US – John 10:11-13

John 10:11-13 "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12The hired hand is not the shepherd who owns the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. 13The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.

A Good Shepherds are known by their actions, not their words

Eccles. 5:7 Much dreaming and many words are meaningless. Therefore stand in awe of God.

Proverbs 10:19 When words are many, sin is not absent,

but he who holds his tongue is wise.

1 Jesus did not and does not run out on us!

2 Jesus was there for more than His own profit

B Good Shepherds are known by their convictions

1 Jesus lays down His life to protect the sheep

2 The focus of Christ was outward – on us!

a Jesus was willing to protect us from harm

b Jesus was willing to put himself in harms way!

THE BENEFIT:

SHEEP KNOW WHO THE GOOD SHEPHERD IS!

You sit here today, and you may or may not have made a serious and sincere commitment to Christ, but you cannot legitimately reject the fact that Christ did what he did for you!

II JESUS LOVED US ENOUGH TO GO BEFORE US – John 12:12-13

John 12:12-13 The next day the great crowd that had come for the Feast heard that Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem. 13They took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting, "Hosanna!" "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!" "Blessed is the King of Israel!"

ILLUSTRATION: “Leadership should be born out of the understanding of the needs of those who would be affected by it.” Marian Anderson

A Jesus knew that going into Jerusalem meant His death

B Jesus knew that the ovations of the crowd were only momentary

Mark 15:9-13 "Do you want me to release to you the king of the Jews?" asked Pilate, 10knowing it was out of envy that the chief priests had handed Jesus over to him. 11But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to have Pilate release Barabbas instead. 12"What shall I do, then, with the one you call the king of the Jews?" Pilate asked them. 13"Crucify him!" they shouted.

C Going to Jerusalem provided a choice

1 We can either enter into eternity on his death or our own death