Series: When Jesus Comes To Your Town [#1]
JESUS, IN OUR TOWN
Mark 11:1-11
Introduction:
2004 will be one of the most memorable years Hobbs has ever experienced. While campaigning for re-election, President George W. Bush became the 1st president to ever come to Hobbs.
Some very interesting things happened: People who normally can’t stand up for more than 5 minutes were able to stand up for 5, 6, even 7 hours. People who say 9 a.m. is too early for church was up and standing in the cold by 5 a.m. People who hate crowds stood shoulder to shoulder with thousands. People who repeatedly criticized President Bush were excitedly waiting to see him.
With this in mind, let me ask you this question, “What if Jesus was coming to our town”?
Mark 11:1-11
Give To Jesus?
If 2 men walked into your home, took the keys to your truck off your table, and preceded to get into your truck and turn the ignition on; what would you do? If you hollered out at them and asked them what they were doing and they said, “Jesus needs to borrow your truck, we’ll bring it back later”; would you just say, “O.k.”?
How much are you willing to give to Jesus? It is one thing to give Him something that wouldn’t really matter; but to give Him something that you really needed is a different story.
In our city, Jesus would have a hard time getting us to give Him what He needed. In fact, He does have a hard time getting us to give Him what He needs.
We live in a time when just getting people to come to church for 1 hour is our goal. What happened to giving Jesus all the time He needs? What happened to giving Jesus our families? What happened to giving Jesus all of our possessions?
Go To Jesus?
If you knew that Jesus was coming to Hobbs entering in a truck on the Eunice Highway and there was going to be a parade, would you go? What kind of turnout do you think there would be?
As Jesus approached Jerusalem, there were 4 types of people there as He entered. As we look at these 4 types, which one fits you?
1. Adversaries: It is not listed in this Gospel account, but we know from other Gospel accounts that their were some there who wanted to kill Jesus. They wanted nothing to do with Jesus or what He stood for.
2. Apathetic: There were some who really didn’t care one way or the other.
3. Animated: These people screamed ”Hosanna" on Sunday and said nothing . . . or worse, they said "Crucify Him" at the end of this same week. These are the people who follow the crowd. They will sing the hymns, serve on committees, etc…; but never make a commitment to Jesus. They are going to go whichever way is popular, whichever way is the most fun, or whichever way “ministers to them the most".
4. Authentic: This is the person that is like the owner of the colt. Whatever Jesus says they will do. Where He sends, they will go. What He asks for, they will give.
Grieve Jesus?
Luke 19:41
As Jesus approached Jerusalem He cried. Why did He cry? He cried because they didn’t get it. They did not understand Who He was, what He was doing, or why He came.
If Jesus came riding in your truck down the Eunice Highway into Hobbs, would He cry over our city?
Conclusion:
[Play video clip: “Calendar Christian”]
Are you a calendar Christian? Who, if not us will change our city for Jesus Christ? As it stands right now, I see many things that make Jesus cry, while we sit in our churches and act religious. Will we change?
