The Coming King Dr. Elmer Towns
Palm Sunday April 1, 2012
A. INTRODUCTION
1. The predicted coming. “Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your King is coming to you; He is just and having salvation, lowly and riding on a donkey, a colt, the foal of a donkey” (Zech. 9:9).
2. The New Testament coming. As they ascended up to Jerusalem, Jesus sent two disciples to Bethpage to find a donkey at the fork in the road, loose him. He told them when questioned, say, “The Master needs the donkey.” They found the donkey and its colt that had never been ridden, fulfilling the scriptural prediction. “Don’t be afraid people, look your King is coming to you, humbly sitting on a donkey’s colt.” A great crowed followed Him because He raised Lazarus from the dead. They spread their clothes on the road. Jesus was the center of the procession. Another great crowd came out from Jerusalem and waved palm branches – a sign of greeting royalty – and shouted “Hosanna – save us – the Messiah David is coming, “Praise God.” The Jewish leaders told Jesus, “Tell the crowd to be quiet.” Jesus answered, “If they kept quiet, the rocks would burst into praise.” As they approached the city, people were asking, “Who it this?” (Matt. 21:1-11, Amplified).
3. The personal coming. Jesus presents Himself as King to sit on the throne of our heart.
4. The future coming. “Looking for the blessed hope . . . of our God and Savior Jesus Christ who (will) redeem us from all iniquity” (Titus 2:13-14).
B. THE MANY REACTIONS TO HIS COMING
1. The serving disciples.
a. Sent to Bethpage, “Find a colt tied.”
b. Divine guidance. “Just as He said to them” (Luke 19:32).
2. The obedient donkey. “No one has ever sat” (Luke 19:30). “They set Jesus on him” (Luke 18:35). The inseparability of mother and colt, Divine submission.
a. First time entered Jerusalem in peace (Matt. 21:5).
b. Next time enters Jerusalem in war (Rev. 19:11).
3. The sacrificial crowd, “They cast their garments upon the colt” (Luke 19:35). “They spread their clothes in the way” (Luke 19:36).
a. To recognize royalty.
b. To honor royalty.
4. The symbolic palm branches, “others cut down branches” (Matt. 21:8).
a. Symbol of victory over foes.
b. Symbol of peace.
5. The following crowd. “Those who followed” (Matt. 21:9).
a. Because they agreed, “Who were with Him, when He called Lazarus out of the tomb” (John 12:17).
b. Because they worshiped. “Hosanna . . .”
6. The anticipating crowd meeting Jesus. “The many went out to meet Him because they heard about His mighty miracles” (John 12:18).
a. Apparently never met Jesus.
b. Came because of what they heard.
7. The praising multitude.
a. “Hosanna” meant save now.
b. Recognized Jesus as Messiah. “Blessed is the coming kingdom of David” (Mark 11:10, NLT).
8. The Jewish leaders rejected Jesus.
a. They spoke prophetically. Look the world has gone after Him” (John 12:19).
b. Tried to stop the celebration. “Teacher, rebuke your followers” (Luke 19:39).
9. The ready stones. The Jewish leaders tried to stop the celebration.
a. Worship can’t be stopped. “If they kept quiet, the stones along the road would cry out” (Luke 19:40).
b. We should anticipate opportunities to worship and be ready.
10. The curious city dwellers.
a. Only inquisitive. “The entire city of Jerusalem was stirred . . . “who is this?” (Matt. 21:10, NLT).
b. They didn’t go meet or greet Jesus.
c. They didn’t worship.
11. The center of attraction.
a.The disciples followed Jesus to Jerusalem (Mark 11:1).
b.The parade was about Jesus. “He was in the center of the procession and the crowds were around him shouting.”
c.Jesus was the center of adoration. “The whole world has gone after Him” (John 12:14).
d.The day didn’t catch Jesus by surprise, Jesus presented Himself.
e.God arranged the details. “His disciples didn’t understand at the time that this was a fulfillment of prophecy. But after Jesus entered into His glory, they remembered what had happened and realized that these things had been written about him” (John 12:16, NLT).
f.Rejoices you will be there next time.
g.Weep and pray for those who will not receive Him
C. THE COMING TRIUMPHAL ENTRY
1. If you had been there on Palm Sunday, what would have been your reaction? ________________________________________________.
2. If you are there when Jesus has His second triumphal coming, what will be your reaction? _______________________________________.
If you have never really accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, would you do it right now? Do not delay or put it off. If you would like to receive Christ by faith, pray this simple prayer in your heart:
Dear Lord,
I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died for my sins on the cross, and rose again the third day. I repent of my sins. By faith I receive the Lord Jesus as my Savior. You promised to save me, and I believe You, because You are God and cannot lie. I believe right now that the Lord Jesus is my personal Savior, and that all my sins are forgiven through His precious blood. I thank You, dear Lord, for saving me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
If you prayed that prayer, God heard you and saved you. I personally want to welcome you to the family of God and rejoice with you.
For more information on the TRBC Pastor’s Bible Class, log on to the Internet www.itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/dr-elmer-towns .
