“Triumphant in Christ!”
Text: Luke 19:28-44 & Selected
P A L M S U N D A Y
Cross Creek Community Church
Pastor Dave Martin – April 13, 2003
God’s Word is Powerful, Relevant, and Life Changing!
Welcome to Cross Creek. This morning we are going to look at the Triumphal entry of Christ – Palm Sunday. We love winners. We love being around successful victorious people. Let me ask you this morning, are you living a victorious life? The word “Triumph” means to be victorious or successful – to win! 2000 years ago, Christ rode into Jerusalem as a triumphant King! Because of Christ we also are able to live triumphant lives!
Use of PowerPoint slides & Pictures…
Luke 19:28-44 After Jesus had said this, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. 29As he approached Bethphage and Bethany at the hill called the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples, saying to them, 30"Go to the village ahead of you, and as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. 31If anyone asks you, ’Why are you untying it?’ tell him, ’The Lord needs it.’ " 32Those who were sent ahead went and found it just as he had told them. 33As they were untying the colt, its owners asked them, "Why are you untying the colt?" 34They replied, "The Lord needs it." 35They brought it to Jesus, threw their cloaks on the colt and put Jesus on it. 36As he went along, people spread their cloaks on the road. 37When he came near the place where the road goes down the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen: 38"Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!" "Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!" 39Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, "Teacher, rebuke your disciples!" 40"I tell you," he replied, "if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out." 41As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it 42and said, "If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace--but now it is hidden from your eyes. 43The days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment against you and encircle you and hem you in on every side. 44They will dash you to the ground, you and the children within your walls. They will not leave one stone on another, because you did not recognize the time of God’s coming to you."
They knew He was King but did not understand His Kingdom!
They knew He was Messiah but did not understand His mission!
To Be Triumphant…
1. Keep God’s Eternal PURPOSE in Focus! V32
32Those who were sent ahead went and found it just as he had told them.
· Daniel predicted this public presentation 500 years earlier. (Dan 9:25-26)
· What we think or believe does not change God’s eternal purpose.
· Let’s briefly look at the “big picture” concerning the triumphal entry of Jesus 2000 years ago.
· Prophecy is nothing but history in reverse!
Jesus presented Himself as the Messiah! Mt. 21:9
Matthew 21:9 The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted, "Hosanna to the Son of David!" "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!" "Hosanna in the highest!"
· There are approx. 332 prophecies in the O.T. predicting the coming of Christ! The time has finally arrived.
· Notice Jesus came to where the road goes down the Mount of Olives – try to imagine this scene.
· Jewish historian Josephus reports an estimated 3 million Jews in Jerusalem for the Jewish Passover celebration.
· Seeing the magnificent temple glistening in the sun, the masses of people, the electrifying excitement was building!
· Jesus purpose was to present Himself to the religious leaders and the Jewish nation as the long awaited Messiah!
John 1:11 He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him.
· Jesus went into Jerusalem by going through the “Eastern Gate” situated at the foot of the Mt. Of Olives.
Jesus promised His return to earth very soon! Rev 22:20
Rev. 22:20 He who testifies to these things says, "Yes, I am coming soon." Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.
· You know the way the Historical story of Christ unfolds – He was rejected and crucified at Calvary.
· Because the Jews rejected Him, salvation turned to the Gentiles – you & me. (Rom 11)
· He was buried and three days later He arose from the grave! We’ll look at this more next Sunday.
· Jesus was on this earth after His resurrection for 40 days ministering and teaching about the Kingdom.
· He promised He would return just as we have seen Him go into heaven. (Lu 24:50-51; Acts 1:10-11, etc)
John 14:3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.
Jesus feet will “touch down” on the Mt. of Olives! Zech 14:4,9
Zech. 14:4 On that day his feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, east of Jerusalem, and the Mount of Olives will be split in two from east to west, forming a great valley, with half of the mountain moving north and half moving south.
Zech. 14:9 The LORD will be king over the whole earth. On that day there will be one LORD, and his name the only name.
· Jesus’ feet left the Mount of Olives when He ascended into heaven – they will touch back down on the Mt. Of Olives when He returns to be King over the whole earth.
· Isn’t it interesting the very same wall and gate that existed during the days of Jesus is still there today!
· The wall and the Eastern Gate stands between the Temple Mount and the Mt. Of Olives!
Jesus will enter the “sealed” Eastern Gate! Ez 43:2, 4; 44:1-2
Ezekiel 43:2, 4 and I saw the glory of the God of Israel coming from the east. His voice was like the roar of rushing waters, and the land was radiant with his glory… 4The glory of the LORD entered the temple through the gate facing east.
· Ezekiel saw the glory of the Lord returning from the East then entering through the Eastern Gate!
· His presence will fill the land with His radiant glory!
Ezekiel 44:1-2 Then the man brought me back to the outer gate of the sanctuary, the one facing east, and it was shut. 2The LORD said to me, "This gate is to remain shut. It must not be opened; no one may enter through it. It is to remain shut because the LORD, the God of Israel, has entered through it.
· Notice the gate is to remain shut. This same gate Jesus rode through on the back of a humble donkey.
· This future time Jesus returns not on a lowly donkey but as a conquering King over the whole earth.
· Why is this the only gate sealed today? God’s purpose will prevail – His Word is true! Listen carefully.
· Today every gate surrounding Jerusalem is open except the Eastern gate – Why?
· God predicted 600 years before Christ in Ez 44 the gate is to remain shut – sealed up. Who sealed it?
· Muslims sealed this entrance because of its close proximity to their holy site – the dome of the rock.
· They sealed it knowing this prophecy of the return of the Messiah through this gate. They also placed a Muslim graveyard just outside the wall – attempting to thwart the return of the Messiah (He would never desecrate Himself by walking over the graveyard of dead bodies! Thus preventing the Messiah from entering Jerusalem at His second coming! – No Muslim graveyard would ever stop King Jesus!
· My friends, God’s eternal plan – His purpose will prevail! AMEN! --- AMEN!
2. Examine my DEPTH of Worship. V37-40
37When he came near the place where the road goes down the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen: 38"Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!" "Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!" 39Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, "Teacher, rebuke your disciples!" 40"I tell you," he replied, "if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.”
· Joyfully praising God in loud voices – “Hosanna” – an expression of praise and petition.
· Very large crowds, stirred, shouted, praised, they were jubilant, the people were excited – but why?
· “Whole city was moved” (Mt 21:10) – They were really into worship, or were they??
· Many thought Jesus was coming to put down the ruthless rule of the Roman Empire. They thought Jesus was going to be their new “earthly” King NOT their spiritual King.
· A few short days later a crowd was crying out… “Crucify Him”.
· Jesus said, If people won’t praise Him, the stones will. The heavens & stars declare His glory.
· Where’s my focus of attention? How’s my worship? Is it upon the Lord or myself?
· Examining my depth of worship should be a daily exercise. A genuine look at my life.
· A deep serious examination, how much am I in love with the Lord? (A commitment to obedience)
· Are we stirred in our spirit to worship the One True God? How’s my depth of spirituality?
· The crowds that day had many reasons for their jubilation – some correct and some incorrect.
· Not a surface Christian but a deep-rooted believer committed to following Christ no matter the cost.
3. Examine the TEARS of Christ. V41
41As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it
· In the midst of this jubilation and joy, in the midst of the Hosanna’s and palm branches…
· Jesus was weeping over Jerusalem (also at Lazarus’s tomb and in the garden).
Why the tears and sadness of Jesus?
· Superficial Belief – many were shallow followers of Jesus. Motivated for the “things” Jesus could provide them such as food, healing, help, power, popularity, etc.
· Spiritual Blindness –He knew what was in their hearts. “He saw” the city. They were blinded. There are many things that blind us today – the world, flesh, devil but the root cause of blindness is sin (pride)
· Rejection and lost opportunity – Jesus knew in the midst of this celebration, He would be rejected as the true Messiah. This was predicted in Mt 20:18-19 and other places.
· When the Lord looks into your heart – will tears well up in His eyes?
Recognize the time when God comes to you… Do I know when the Lord speaks to me?
V44 because you did not recognize the time of God’s coming to you."
· When God speaks to my heart, do I recognize it’s God speaking to me?
· When you are sitting listening to the message – sensing God the Holy Spirit tugging on your heart.
· When He speaks it always brings us to a decision time – a choice we must make – accept or reject.
· The choice we make has eternal consequences of infinite proportions – the eternal destiny of your soul.
4. We are ETERNALLY Triumphant in Christ! V42
42and said, "If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace…
· Life is full of choices we make – the choice of salvation is eternally critical.
· Know Jesus, Know Peace – No Jesus, No Peace!
Ps 29:11 “The Lord blesses His people with peace”
Mark 11:9-10 Those who went ahead and those who followed shouted, "Hosanna!" "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!" 10"Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David!" "Hosanna in the highest!"
“Hosanna” – Save Now! Save us we Pray!
· Admit your sin and need of a Savior. Believe Jesus took your place on the Cross. Confess Him as your personal Savior and Lord.
· Accept Him and find peace, reject Him and live in “FOG” – blinded to the reality of truth.
Ephes. 2:8-9 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-- 9not by works, so that no one can boast.
Ø Jesus Triumphed!
Revelation 5:5 Then one of the elders said to me, "Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals."
Ø Believers Triumphant!
2 Corinthians 2:14 But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him.
We have Been…
· Forgiven!
· Declared Righteous!
· Adopted into God’s Family!
· Sealed with God’s Holy Spirit!
· Made Conquerors through Christ!
WE ARE TRIUMPHANT!
Let’s Pray
