Sermon nuggets Fri Aug 1
Theme- Triumphal Entry
Verses- John 12:16-19 At first his disciples did not understand all this. Only after Jesus was glorified did they realize that these things had been written about him and that they had done these things to him.
17 Now the crowd that was with him when he called Lazarus from the tomb and raised him from the dead continued to spread the word. 18 Many people, because they had heard that he had given this miraculous sign, went out to meet him.
19 So the Pharisees said to one another, "See, this is getting us nowhere. Look how the whole world has gone after him!"(NIV)
The Significance of the Crowd
There will be a day when all of the world will be shouting Hosanna in the highest. The event of this experience was a foretaste of the entrance once again into Jerusalem at the second coming of Jesus.
There was not this celebration in mass when Jesus rose from the dead, but there will be one greater when He returns as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. All will know his power and ultimate victory.
The parade had more prophetic implication than what anyone would guess. The disciples think back over the event years after it happened and realized what was really happening that day. Palm Sunday is always about the Lordship of Christ. These symbols of Palm Sunday were more significant than just mere coincidence. The praise of fickle men that day was prepared by the Father to glorify the Son.
Most of the people missed what was going on and even the disciples didn't fully understand until after Jesus ascension. But Christ is still rejected today. It is not uncommon for the orthodox Jew today to see their leaders as doing the work of the Lord in establishing the strong nation of Israel. Yet today there is still a rejection of anything to do with Jesus. Not that long ago Israel's supreme court has ruled that Messianic Jews are not entitled to automatic Israeli citizenship. The ruling clarified the state's 1950 Law of Return-which grants automatic citizenship to virtually all Jews-by further defining what it means to be a Jews. They said that those who believe in Jesus are in fact, Christians and therefore as members of another faith are ineligible for automatic citizenship, regardless of their nationality or birth race.
Israel has perpetuated a long-standing rejection of Jesus by organized Judaism which accepted atheists and they make up a good share of Israeli political leadership. It was not only then, but also now that there is a cost to following Him. Palm Sunday is always an issue of the Lordship of Jesus.
The rejection is also world wide. People do not like to submit thier wills to anyone. Most in the world do so out of force and laws of the land. When Chirst now presends Himself it requires the heart to follow. Many wanted Jesus to be what they wanted him to be. Then they would follow, but if he did not fit their vision, they left. Others saw Him as Lord to be followed whether or not they understood all that was happening or was going to happen. Many folowed once they become aware of His resurrection power. Yet in this event people did not see the strength of Christ, but rather his humility. Yet in his humility was strength. It was the strength to obey in the face of opposition. His obedience was a mark of his divinity.
Those who believed then and those who believe now, see the reason for the celebration. He is Lord.
Pastor Dale
Friday, August 1, 2008
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Significance of the Colt John 12:14-15
Sermon nuggets Thur July 31, 2008
Theme Triumphal Entry
Verses John 12: 14-15 Jesus found a young donkey and sat upon it, as it is written, "Do not be afraid, O Daughter of Zion; see, your king is coming, seated on a donkey's colt."
At first his disciples did not understand all this. Only after Jesus was glorified did they realize that these things had been written about him and that they had done these things to him.
Significance of the Colt
Jesus came riding in on a colt or a foal of an ass. That seems odd doesn't it? Jesus instructed the disciples who went into town earlier that evening exactly where this donkey was to be found and what to say to the owners. "The Lord has need of this."
The donkey in our society is a beast of burden. One would not have the same status that a horse rider would have. In fact in parades if there is a donkey or a mule usually it is a clown riding on it. When Macabee came riding in Jerusalem he rode on a Stallion, strong and mighty for battle. Yet Jesus rode on an ass.
In that culture when a King came riding on a donkey that meant they were not at war. They were not coming to fight, but they were coming in peace. The people might have asked, “Wasn't Jesus the King coming to conquer Herod, rather than peace?” Jesus was coming to bring peace with God to all who trusted in Jesus. He was to be the King of all who followed Him by faith.
The significance of a young colt not ridden before is important too, in the understanding of the times. Even the details were all part of the plan of Almighty God. He also showed that He had control over animals that have never been ridden. The Old Testament declared this would happen many years before he was born, "Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout, daughter of Jerusalem! See your king comes to you, righteous and having salvation, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of an ass. "
Eileen Lageer wrote a small parable entitled Palm Monday. "The donkey awakened, his mind savoring something pleasant. He arched his neck walking with mincing steps. "That group of people by the well" he said to himself, "I'll go and show myself to them" They took no notice. "Throw your garment down." he said crossly. "Don't you know who I am?"
They stared at him in amazement. Someone threw a stone. "Miserable infidels!" he muttered as he turned away in rage. I'll go down by the market. Some good people are sure to be there and recognize me." But it was the same. "The palm branches! Where are the palm branches?" he shouted. "Have you forgotten?" Dazed. he returned to his mother.
“Foolish child," she said gently. "Without Him you can do nothing.".
Certainly there is a parable for us. As we are used by Almighty God it is for his glory and our blessing. But may we be like that donkey used ages ago only to uphold Jesus so people can see Him. So people would see Jesus coming in peace not to destroy, but to love; not to condemn, but to help; not with strength of armies but with the strength of humility and service.
Pastor Dale
Theme Triumphal Entry
Verses John 12: 14-15 Jesus found a young donkey and sat upon it, as it is written, "Do not be afraid, O Daughter of Zion; see, your king is coming, seated on a donkey's colt."
At first his disciples did not understand all this. Only after Jesus was glorified did they realize that these things had been written about him and that they had done these things to him.
Significance of the Colt
Jesus came riding in on a colt or a foal of an ass. That seems odd doesn't it? Jesus instructed the disciples who went into town earlier that evening exactly where this donkey was to be found and what to say to the owners. "The Lord has need of this."
The donkey in our society is a beast of burden. One would not have the same status that a horse rider would have. In fact in parades if there is a donkey or a mule usually it is a clown riding on it. When Macabee came riding in Jerusalem he rode on a Stallion, strong and mighty for battle. Yet Jesus rode on an ass.
In that culture when a King came riding on a donkey that meant they were not at war. They were not coming to fight, but they were coming in peace. The people might have asked, “Wasn't Jesus the King coming to conquer Herod, rather than peace?” Jesus was coming to bring peace with God to all who trusted in Jesus. He was to be the King of all who followed Him by faith.
The significance of a young colt not ridden before is important too, in the understanding of the times. Even the details were all part of the plan of Almighty God. He also showed that He had control over animals that have never been ridden. The Old Testament declared this would happen many years before he was born, "Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout, daughter of Jerusalem! See your king comes to you, righteous and having salvation, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of an ass. "
Eileen Lageer wrote a small parable entitled Palm Monday. "The donkey awakened, his mind savoring something pleasant. He arched his neck walking with mincing steps. "That group of people by the well" he said to himself, "I'll go and show myself to them" They took no notice. "Throw your garment down." he said crossly. "Don't you know who I am?"
They stared at him in amazement. Someone threw a stone. "Miserable infidels!" he muttered as he turned away in rage. I'll go down by the market. Some good people are sure to be there and recognize me." But it was the same. "The palm branches! Where are the palm branches?" he shouted. "Have you forgotten?" Dazed. he returned to his mother.
“Foolish child," she said gently. "Without Him you can do nothing.".
Certainly there is a parable for us. As we are used by Almighty God it is for his glory and our blessing. But may we be like that donkey used ages ago only to uphold Jesus so people can see Him. So people would see Jesus coming in peace not to destroy, but to love; not to condemn, but to help; not with strength of armies but with the strength of humility and service.
Pastor Dale
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Significance of Shouting John 12:13
Sermon nuggets Weds July 30
Theme Triumphal Entry
Verses- 12:13 They 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!"
The Significance of the Shouting
Not only are palms tradition for Palm Sunday, but the songs of Hosanna and Hosanna in the highest are song as part of the reflection of the day Jesus rode into Jerusalem to prepare for His sacrifice. It also has significance for the celebration to worship our Lord.
The word, "hosanna" means Save now. Hallelujah what a Savior. The shouts are important just to recognize the expression of Joy. Emotion is exhibited in both the non-verbal, the Waving of the branches, as well as the verbal, the shouts of victory as a conqueror comes into town.
They believed in God and so it was natural to associate Jesus with the will of God. God was using this one, called Jesus as an instrument to re-establish the Kingdom of Israel in their thinking. Here there is also a quote from the Old Testament Psalm 118:25,26 "O Lord, Save us; O Lord grant us success. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord For from the house of the Lord we bless you." This was part of the psalm known to the Jews as the Hallel. This was part of the memory work that all serious Hebrew boys had to learn and that is still true today. They sang this often at great acts of praise and thanksgiving in the Temple and regularly in the Synagogue now. This is an significant part of the Passover ritual.
According to Josephus, the Jewish historian, these very verses were sung and shouted by the crowd of Jerusalem when they welcomed back Simon Maccabaeus after he had conquered Acra, and wrestled it from Syrian dominion more than a hundred years before. There is no doubt that when the people sang this Psalm there were looking on Jesus as God's anointed. To the crowd he was like Simon Maccabaeus, and certainly to many as the anticipated Messiah as they understood him.
Jesus' very name means Savior. The Hebrew name Joshua means Savior The Angels sang to the shepherds that night when Jesus came into the world that this day in the city of David a Savior is born which is Christ the Lord. A savior brought the people to shout Hosanna. They were fulfilling the prophecies. They were tools of God to not only bring praise to the only begotten son of the Father, but also to fulfilling the prophecies of old. That is why in another Gospel Jesus could say to the Pharisees who were objecting to the children shouting praises to Jesus, that if they stopped the stones themselves would cry out. The Savior is coming, the Savior Jesus son of God is coming. “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.”
Do you ever get so excited about Jesus Christ you feel like shouting? We are pretty reserved people for the most part. But even the rocks will cry out when the realization of the wondrous work of God is seen in the story of our redemption. It is something worthy of praise.
Pastor Dale
Theme Triumphal Entry
Verses- 12:13 They 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!"
The Significance of the Shouting
Not only are palms tradition for Palm Sunday, but the songs of Hosanna and Hosanna in the highest are song as part of the reflection of the day Jesus rode into Jerusalem to prepare for His sacrifice. It also has significance for the celebration to worship our Lord.
The word, "hosanna" means Save now. Hallelujah what a Savior. The shouts are important just to recognize the expression of Joy. Emotion is exhibited in both the non-verbal, the Waving of the branches, as well as the verbal, the shouts of victory as a conqueror comes into town.
They believed in God and so it was natural to associate Jesus with the will of God. God was using this one, called Jesus as an instrument to re-establish the Kingdom of Israel in their thinking. Here there is also a quote from the Old Testament Psalm 118:25,26 "O Lord, Save us; O Lord grant us success. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord For from the house of the Lord we bless you." This was part of the psalm known to the Jews as the Hallel. This was part of the memory work that all serious Hebrew boys had to learn and that is still true today. They sang this often at great acts of praise and thanksgiving in the Temple and regularly in the Synagogue now. This is an significant part of the Passover ritual.
According to Josephus, the Jewish historian, these very verses were sung and shouted by the crowd of Jerusalem when they welcomed back Simon Maccabaeus after he had conquered Acra, and wrestled it from Syrian dominion more than a hundred years before. There is no doubt that when the people sang this Psalm there were looking on Jesus as God's anointed. To the crowd he was like Simon Maccabaeus, and certainly to many as the anticipated Messiah as they understood him.
Jesus' very name means Savior. The Hebrew name Joshua means Savior The Angels sang to the shepherds that night when Jesus came into the world that this day in the city of David a Savior is born which is Christ the Lord. A savior brought the people to shout Hosanna. They were fulfilling the prophecies. They were tools of God to not only bring praise to the only begotten son of the Father, but also to fulfilling the prophecies of old. That is why in another Gospel Jesus could say to the Pharisees who were objecting to the children shouting praises to Jesus, that if they stopped the stones themselves would cry out. The Savior is coming, the Savior Jesus son of God is coming. “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.”
Do you ever get so excited about Jesus Christ you feel like shouting? We are pretty reserved people for the most part. But even the rocks will cry out when the realization of the wondrous work of God is seen in the story of our redemption. It is something worthy of praise.
Pastor Dale
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Significance of the Palms John 12:13
Sermon Nuggets Tues July 29, 2008
Theme- Triumphal Entry
Verses- John 12:13 They 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!"
The Significance of Palms.
Each Spring we celebration Palm Sunday as the beginning of Holy Week. We are reminded of this passage where many in the crowed carried palm branches and waved them and laid them on the road before Jesus as He was entering into Jerusalem.
The palm tree has a strong tall straight trunk with a crown of branches on the top that stuck out like a crown on the head of a great king of trees. Although the tree was used for poles, food, leaves for thatched roofs and making containers, people also waved the palm branches. This was part of a custom of celebration. We do the same thing, only we call them pomp-pomps. Most cheerleaders at athletic events will attract attention and excitement in their yells, and shaking of the pomp pomps. It is part of the expressing of enthusiasm. When the Twins won their world series one of the ways the people showed support and excitement was the waving of the homer hanky.
Palm branches were used in the Old Testament for rejoicing. Lev.23: 41 " On the first day you are to take choice fruit from the trees, and palm fronds, leafy branches and poplars, and rejoice before the Lord your God for 7 days." This was a celebration known at the time as the Feast of the tabernacles. Related of course to when God chose to dwell in their midst in the tabernacle. When a tent housed the presence of God and was referred to as the Holy of Holies.
Interestingly, at this time many of the Jews were staying in booths and tents preparing for the Passover commemorating the time when Moses led them out of Egypt. They recognized God was in their midst and they celebrated. Now, again there was God in their midst. There was prophetic Old Testament celebration of the presence and provision of God for His people.
The crowds saw Jesus provide food with the feeding of the 5,000. They saw a king who would heal the sick and raise the dead. They wanted a new King that would rule many years as long as he would give them what they wanted.
Other people are always setting up their own expectations for the Lord, but Jesus refuses to live up to the misguided expectations. He will not allow us to make him over, set the agenda, or determine the terms of our relationship together. He is the one who tells us, not we him.
Crowds don't change much throughout the centuries however. They were as fickle as any other crowd. They can rally to the polls to elect a official, then rally to want to kick him out of office, depending on the mood of the day. It happens to just about every president. It happens for some good and bad reasons. Crowd appeal is very shallow. Let us all be careful to get caught up in what seems to be group pressure for whatever the reason.
One day Jesus can be hailed as the Savior and the next 5 days be shouted at and spit upon and crucified.
We have a glimpse of another celebration that we find in Rev. 7:9 "After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. And they cried out in a loud voice. Salvation belongs to our God."
Palms branches were significant of celebration of victory, and religious expression that God was with them. Indeed he was and He is.
Pastor Dale
Theme- Triumphal Entry
Verses- John 12:13 They 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!"
The Significance of Palms.
Each Spring we celebration Palm Sunday as the beginning of Holy Week. We are reminded of this passage where many in the crowed carried palm branches and waved them and laid them on the road before Jesus as He was entering into Jerusalem.
The palm tree has a strong tall straight trunk with a crown of branches on the top that stuck out like a crown on the head of a great king of trees. Although the tree was used for poles, food, leaves for thatched roofs and making containers, people also waved the palm branches. This was part of a custom of celebration. We do the same thing, only we call them pomp-pomps. Most cheerleaders at athletic events will attract attention and excitement in their yells, and shaking of the pomp pomps. It is part of the expressing of enthusiasm. When the Twins won their world series one of the ways the people showed support and excitement was the waving of the homer hanky.
Palm branches were used in the Old Testament for rejoicing. Lev.23: 41 " On the first day you are to take choice fruit from the trees, and palm fronds, leafy branches and poplars, and rejoice before the Lord your God for 7 days." This was a celebration known at the time as the Feast of the tabernacles. Related of course to when God chose to dwell in their midst in the tabernacle. When a tent housed the presence of God and was referred to as the Holy of Holies.
Interestingly, at this time many of the Jews were staying in booths and tents preparing for the Passover commemorating the time when Moses led them out of Egypt. They recognized God was in their midst and they celebrated. Now, again there was God in their midst. There was prophetic Old Testament celebration of the presence and provision of God for His people.
The crowds saw Jesus provide food with the feeding of the 5,000. They saw a king who would heal the sick and raise the dead. They wanted a new King that would rule many years as long as he would give them what they wanted.
Other people are always setting up their own expectations for the Lord, but Jesus refuses to live up to the misguided expectations. He will not allow us to make him over, set the agenda, or determine the terms of our relationship together. He is the one who tells us, not we him.
Crowds don't change much throughout the centuries however. They were as fickle as any other crowd. They can rally to the polls to elect a official, then rally to want to kick him out of office, depending on the mood of the day. It happens to just about every president. It happens for some good and bad reasons. Crowd appeal is very shallow. Let us all be careful to get caught up in what seems to be group pressure for whatever the reason.
One day Jesus can be hailed as the Savior and the next 5 days be shouted at and spit upon and crucified.
We have a glimpse of another celebration that we find in Rev. 7:9 "After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. And they cried out in a loud voice. Salvation belongs to our God."
Palms branches were significant of celebration of victory, and religious expression that God was with them. Indeed he was and He is.
Pastor Dale
Monday, July 28, 2008
Triumphal Entry John 12:12-16
Sermon Nuggets Mon, July 28
Theme- Triumphal Entry.
Verses John 12:12-16
12 The next day the great crowd that had come for the Feast heard that Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem.
13 They 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!"
14 Jesus found a young donkey and sat upon it, as it is written,15 "Do not be afraid, O Daughter of Zion; see, your king is coming, seated on a donkey's colt."
16 At first his disciples did not understand all this. Only after Jesus was glorified did they realize that these things had been written about him and that they had done these things to him.
The Triumphal Entry
Most people like a parade. I still enjoy watching them, but one of my highlights as a child was watching the Detroit Hudson Day Thanksgiving parade. There were clowns, bands, costumes and floats but the best part of the parade was Santa Claus who came into town at the conclusion. When I was in High school our band was invited to march in it. I had different priorities then. About a mile into the parade I had broken the head to my drum, and couldn't play the music so ended up walking along with the rest of the drummers. As we turned the corner to approach the end of the parade the view of the cameras were in sight. I turned the drum over and pretended to be playing for all I was worth in front of the national T.V. while the other drummers were really making the noise. Looking good, but it was only for show.
The passage of Scripture that we are looking at this morning talks of a parade. It is a celebration of Jesus' entry into Jerusalem before the Passover. I read one commentary that said there were about 3 million people that were part of it. I do not know how they came up with that large of a number, but it was the Passover and all the Jews who could came into the great city to celebrate this event.
Word spread that Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead. Many wanted to see the man who could do this. Excitement was in the air, as two towns joined together from Bethany into Jerusalem. They were waiting to witness the coming of the celebrated guest...Jesus Christ.
Palm Sunday is exciting. But why all the fuss? What were they celebrating? Most didn't know. Many wanted to join in the fun of the occasion. Some, like me in the Thanksgiving Day Parade were there for show but not making music. Most thought they were welcoming a new King, a Jewish King, who was so powerful that he was going allow Israel rule over the Romans. Others I think in the parade of Palms just curiosity seekers, others want to be healed. Others firmly believed he was the Messiah sent from God.
We have great gatherings today with special events, like Promise Keepers, Billy Graham crusade or city wide prayer gatherings. The larger churches grow into Mega-churches and now Mega-churches grow into Giga-churches. There is something about a crowd that makes excitement contagious. When there are few who gather it can diminish the spirit of a crowd as well. But what is important to Jesus is the heart behind all the excitement, whether large or small.
Pastor Dale
Theme- Triumphal Entry.
Verses John 12:12-16
12 The next day the great crowd that had come for the Feast heard that Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem.
13 They 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!"
14 Jesus found a young donkey and sat upon it, as it is written,15 "Do not be afraid, O Daughter of Zion; see, your king is coming, seated on a donkey's colt."
16 At first his disciples did not understand all this. Only after Jesus was glorified did they realize that these things had been written about him and that they had done these things to him.
The Triumphal Entry
Most people like a parade. I still enjoy watching them, but one of my highlights as a child was watching the Detroit Hudson Day Thanksgiving parade. There were clowns, bands, costumes and floats but the best part of the parade was Santa Claus who came into town at the conclusion. When I was in High school our band was invited to march in it. I had different priorities then. About a mile into the parade I had broken the head to my drum, and couldn't play the music so ended up walking along with the rest of the drummers. As we turned the corner to approach the end of the parade the view of the cameras were in sight. I turned the drum over and pretended to be playing for all I was worth in front of the national T.V. while the other drummers were really making the noise. Looking good, but it was only for show.
The passage of Scripture that we are looking at this morning talks of a parade. It is a celebration of Jesus' entry into Jerusalem before the Passover. I read one commentary that said there were about 3 million people that were part of it. I do not know how they came up with that large of a number, but it was the Passover and all the Jews who could came into the great city to celebrate this event.
Word spread that Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead. Many wanted to see the man who could do this. Excitement was in the air, as two towns joined together from Bethany into Jerusalem. They were waiting to witness the coming of the celebrated guest...Jesus Christ.
Palm Sunday is exciting. But why all the fuss? What were they celebrating? Most didn't know. Many wanted to join in the fun of the occasion. Some, like me in the Thanksgiving Day Parade were there for show but not making music. Most thought they were welcoming a new King, a Jewish King, who was so powerful that he was going allow Israel rule over the Romans. Others I think in the parade of Palms just curiosity seekers, others want to be healed. Others firmly believed he was the Messiah sent from God.
We have great gatherings today with special events, like Promise Keepers, Billy Graham crusade or city wide prayer gatherings. The larger churches grow into Mega-churches and now Mega-churches grow into Giga-churches. There is something about a crowd that makes excitement contagious. When there are few who gather it can diminish the spirit of a crowd as well. But what is important to Jesus is the heart behind all the excitement, whether large or small.
Pastor Dale
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