The Stone The Builders Rejected

INTRODUCTION

STATUES AND PARADES

Have you seen the images of the head of Saddam being dragged through the streets with Iraqui’s hitting it with their shoes

They would say the word Saddam and spit. Or run up to U.S. soldiers and shout ’George Bush good.’”

"Typically a shoe is regarded as unclean because we walk on the ground and pick up all this dirt and things. So for Muslims, it’s very rude to see the back of your shoe."

The custom has roots in both the Bible and the Koran, the Muslims’ holy book. When Moses was on Mount Horeb (Sinai), God said, "Do not draw near this place. Take your sandals off your feet for the place where you stand is holy ground." (Exodus 3:5)

The Koran account in Surra 20 is almost a duplicate. "So when he came to (the fire), a voice was uttered: ’O Musa (Moses): Surely I am your Lord, therefore put off your shoes; surely you are in the sacred valley, Tuwa."

Muslims have taken that order to heart. While Christians don’t think twice about sitting in church with their shoes on, Muslims remove theirs upon entering a mosque.

"You don’t want to make it dirty because you put your forehead to the floor during prayer," a spokesman for the Islamic Foundation of Greater St. Louis said, who added that a shoe represents the lowest of the low to the Muslim. "That’s why when you go to somebody’s home, you don’t wear shoes inside the house."

ILL: Shoes on the head of Saddam; shoes on the head of Jesus;

The higher they are, the harder they fall.

TRANSITION

Of all the undeserved parades of tyrants and murderous dictators, like the pomp of Hitler’s Third Reich, and of all the statues of a Lenin or a Saddam - it was just as before with Nebuchadnezzar -

This day we consider the so called Triumphal Entry of Jesus:

Jesus “triumphal entry” according to the Zechariah 9:9 prophecy was for the purpose of personally demonstrating the apostasy of Israel, culminating in the pronouncing of judgment on Israel in the “woes” and lament of Matt. 23. In Matt. chapter 21, His basis for judgment is depicted in the actions of temple cleansing (21:11-17), the cursing of the barren fig tree (21:18-22), and communicated in his word on John’s message and authority (21:23-32) and his parable of the vineyard owner (21:44-41). The chapter ends in Jesus’ application of the rejection of the cornerstone (Psalm 118:22-23) and his prophecy that the kingdom will be taken from Israel (21:42-46). While this chapter portrays unrepeatable events limited to the unique context of Israel and their apostasy in the face of their incarnate Messiah and King, the principles of God’s judgment on men, nations, and even churches are applicable. Rejecting God’s holiness in worship, His purpose in fruitfulness, His Word-bearing messengers, and ultimately His Son brings judgment, resulting in the removal of the kingdom.

NARRATIO

Psalm 118 is a hard to classify.

The Kinds of Psalms: PSALM. Praise, Supplication, Adoration, Lamentation, Messianic.

This is a temple processional Praise Psalm with a significant Messianic prediction.

GIVE THANKS FOR CHARACTER OF THE LORD

Psalm 118:1 Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.

2 Let Israel now say, "His mercy endures forever."

3 Let the house of Aaron now say, "His mercy endures forever."

4 Let those who fear the LORD now say, "His mercy endures forever."

APP: Christians are to be thankful people. There very opposite of thankfulness is ingratitude expressed in grumbling. CHILDREN to you grumble when you do not get your way? If we introduce a song you don’t like are you going to grumble and murmur.

GIVE THANKS FOR THE CHASTENING OF THE LORD

5 I called on the LORD in distress; The LORD answered me and set me in a broad place.

6 The LORD is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?

7 The LORD is for me among those who help me; Therefore I shall see my desire on those who hate me.

8 It is better to trust in the LORD Than to put confidence in man.

9 It is better to trust in the LORD Than to put confidence in princes.

10 All nations surrounded me, But in the name of the LORD I will destroy them.

11 They surrounded me, Yes, they surrounded me; But in the name of the LORD I will destroy them.

12 They surrounded me like bees; They were quenched like a fire of thorns; For in the name of the LORD I will destroy them.

13 You pushed me violently, that I might fall, But the LORD helped me.

14 The LORD is my strength and song, And He has become my salvation.