It's quiet. It's early. The coffee is hot. The sky is still black. The world is still asleep. The day is coming. In a few moments the day will arrive. It will roar down the track with the rising of the sun. The stillness of the dawn will be exchanged for the noise of the day. The calm of solitude will be replaced by the pounding pace of the human race. The refuge of the early morning will be invaded by decisions to be made and deadlines to be met.
For the next twelve hours I will be exposed to the day's demands. It is now that I must make a choice. Because of Calvary, I am free to choose. And so I choose.
I Choose Love ... No occasion justifies hatred; no injustice warrants bitterness. I choose love. Today I will love God and what God loves.
I Choose Joy ... I will invite my God to be the God of circumstance. I will refuse the temptation to be cynical ... the tool of the lazy thinker. I will refuse to see people as anything less than human beings, created by God. I will refuse to see any problem as anything less than an opportunity to see God.
I Choose Peace ... I will live forgiven. I will forgive so that I may live.
I Choose Patience ... I will overlook the inconveniences of the world. Instead of cursing the one who takes my place, I'll invite him to do so. Rather than complain that the wait is too long, I will thank God for a moment to pray. Instead of clinching my fist at new assignments, I will face them with joy and courage.
I Choose Kindness ... I will be kind to the poor, for they are alone. Kind to the rich, for they are afraid. And kind to the unkind, for such is how God has treated me.
I Choose Goodness ... I will go without a dollar before I take a dishonest one. I will be overlooked before I will boast. I will confess before I will accuse. I choose goodness.
I Choose Faithfulness ... Today I will keep my promises. My debtors will not regret their trust. My associates will not question my word. My wife will not question my love. And my children will never fear that their father will not come home.
I Choose Gentleness ... Nothing is won by force. I choose to be gentle. If I raise my voice may it be only in praise. If I clench my fist, may it be only in prayer. If I make a demand, may it be only of myself.
I Choose Self-Control ... I am a spiritual being ... After this body is dead, my spirit will soar. I refuse to let what will rot, rule the eternal. I choose self-control. I will be drunk only by joy. I will be impassioned only by my faith. I will be influenced only by God. I will be taught only by Christ. I choose self-control.
Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. To these I commit my day. If I succeed, I will give thanks. If I fail, I will seek his grace. And then, when this day is done, I will place my head on my pillow and rest.
Max Lucado
When God Whispers Your Name
Monday, April 30, 2007
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
Resurrection Sunday
What If It Had Never Happened?
1 Corinthians 15:12-19
Resurrection Sunday, April 8, 2007 (AM)
As we think of the Resurrection of our Lord, let’s look at magnitude of this great event.
• The Wonder of the Resurrection – The stone was rolled away.
• The Power of the Resurrection – The Dead coming to life.
• The Impact of the Resurrection – God the Father accepted Jesus as the Sacrifice for sin.
But what if Jesus had not come out of the grave. Let’s suppose the stone was rolled back and Christ was still in the tomb. The grave clothes were still around Him, the napkin still across His face, and He still lay among the dead.
What If Jesus Did Not Come Out Of The Grave?
1. The Preaching of the Gospel Would Be In Vain. “For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures,” – vv. 3,4
If Jesus did not come out of the grave…
• He did not conquer death, hell, and sin. They would still be mankind’s conquerors.
o The Good News would be Bad News. Instead of the news reading “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” – Romans 6:23 it would read, “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is just an empty promise.”
• There would be nothing worth preaching. Preaching would be a “no hope” message.
• The Gospel would be meaningless. “And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins!” – v. 17
2. The “Hall of Fame” Would Be the “Hall of Shame”. “These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a homeland. And truly if they had called to mind that country from which they had come out, they would have had opportunity to return. But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.” – Hebrews 11:13-16
Those who “were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection. Still others had trial of mockings and scourgings, yes, and of chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, were tempted, were slain with the sword. They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented—of whom the world was not worthy. They wandered in deserts and mountains, in dens and caves of the earth. And all these, having obtained a good testimony through faith, did not receive the promise, God having provided something better for us, that they should not be made perfect apart from us.” – vv. 35b-40 went through all of this in vain if there is no Resurrection of Christ. The faith of Old Testament saints looked forward to the promised salvation, whereas the faith of those after Christ look forward to the fulfillment of the promise. Both groups are characterized by genuine faith and are saved by Christ’s work on the cross and the Resurrection.
Paul could not have said, “And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.” – 1 Thessalonians 4:16b-17
3. Hell Would Be the Final Home of the Believer. “For if the dead do not rise, then Christ is not risen. And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins! Then also those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished.” – 1 Corinthians 15:16-18
This is a picture of those who have no hope. For if the Resurrection of Christ did not take place, all of our loved ones who were “saved” were not really saved at all but believed a lie. As a result, they have perished.
4. Thanks Be Unto God, He Was Resurrected. “But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive.” – vv. 20-22 Christ did die on the cross and God did raise Him from the dead. The stone was rolled back, the tomb was empty, only the grave clothes were there, and He was not among the dead. He truly did finish the work His Father sent Him to do. (Play “Further Still” by the Pfeifers)
Twelve ordinary men were witnesses to the Resurrected Savior.
Twelve ordinary men, along with the Apostle Paul and Stephen, carried the message of a Resurrected Savior to the lost. Many of these trusted men gave their life for their witness…
Andrew – Died on a cross
Mark – Dragged to death
Peter – Crucified upside down
Paul – Was beheaded
Jude – Was crucified
Stephen – Was stoned to death
Phillip – Was crucified
Matthew – Slain with a sword
James the Less – Beaten to death
Thomas – Was killed with a spear
John – Died of old age but suffered while the others were already in glory.
James - Was beheaded
Bartholomew - Was crucified
On this glorious day, we have a hope beyond this world because of our Resurrected Savior. He alone is the Christian’s hope. He can be yours also.
'Til the storm passes,
Pastor Gary
1 Corinthians 15:12-19
Resurrection Sunday, April 8, 2007 (AM)
As we think of the Resurrection of our Lord, let’s look at magnitude of this great event.
• The Wonder of the Resurrection – The stone was rolled away.
• The Power of the Resurrection – The Dead coming to life.
• The Impact of the Resurrection – God the Father accepted Jesus as the Sacrifice for sin.
But what if Jesus had not come out of the grave. Let’s suppose the stone was rolled back and Christ was still in the tomb. The grave clothes were still around Him, the napkin still across His face, and He still lay among the dead.
What If Jesus Did Not Come Out Of The Grave?
1. The Preaching of the Gospel Would Be In Vain. “For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures,” – vv. 3,4
If Jesus did not come out of the grave…
• He did not conquer death, hell, and sin. They would still be mankind’s conquerors.
o The Good News would be Bad News. Instead of the news reading “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” – Romans 6:23 it would read, “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is just an empty promise.”
• There would be nothing worth preaching. Preaching would be a “no hope” message.
• The Gospel would be meaningless. “And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins!” – v. 17
2. The “Hall of Fame” Would Be the “Hall of Shame”. “These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a homeland. And truly if they had called to mind that country from which they had come out, they would have had opportunity to return. But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.” – Hebrews 11:13-16
Those who “were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection. Still others had trial of mockings and scourgings, yes, and of chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, were tempted, were slain with the sword. They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented—of whom the world was not worthy. They wandered in deserts and mountains, in dens and caves of the earth. And all these, having obtained a good testimony through faith, did not receive the promise, God having provided something better for us, that they should not be made perfect apart from us.” – vv. 35b-40 went through all of this in vain if there is no Resurrection of Christ. The faith of Old Testament saints looked forward to the promised salvation, whereas the faith of those after Christ look forward to the fulfillment of the promise. Both groups are characterized by genuine faith and are saved by Christ’s work on the cross and the Resurrection.
Paul could not have said, “And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.” – 1 Thessalonians 4:16b-17
3. Hell Would Be the Final Home of the Believer. “For if the dead do not rise, then Christ is not risen. And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins! Then also those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished.” – 1 Corinthians 15:16-18
This is a picture of those who have no hope. For if the Resurrection of Christ did not take place, all of our loved ones who were “saved” were not really saved at all but believed a lie. As a result, they have perished.
4. Thanks Be Unto God, He Was Resurrected. “But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive.” – vv. 20-22 Christ did die on the cross and God did raise Him from the dead. The stone was rolled back, the tomb was empty, only the grave clothes were there, and He was not among the dead. He truly did finish the work His Father sent Him to do. (Play “Further Still” by the Pfeifers)
Twelve ordinary men were witnesses to the Resurrected Savior.
Twelve ordinary men, along with the Apostle Paul and Stephen, carried the message of a Resurrected Savior to the lost. Many of these trusted men gave their life for their witness…
Andrew – Died on a cross
Mark – Dragged to death
Peter – Crucified upside down
Paul – Was beheaded
Jude – Was crucified
Stephen – Was stoned to death
Phillip – Was crucified
Matthew – Slain with a sword
James the Less – Beaten to death
Thomas – Was killed with a spear
John – Died of old age but suffered while the others were already in glory.
James - Was beheaded
Bartholomew - Was crucified
On this glorious day, we have a hope beyond this world because of our Resurrected Savior. He alone is the Christian’s hope. He can be yours also.
'Til the storm passes,
Pastor Gary
Monday, April 02, 2007
King Jesus
CONSIDER THIS KING
John 12:12-19
Sunday, April 1, 2007 (AM)
The stage is set – The curtain rises – The last act of the drama begins. Here comes Jesus into the city of Jerusalem.
Jesus is beginning the last week of His earthly ministry. Jesus' arrival into Jerusalem takes place on Sunday – on Friday of this week He will be crucified – a week from this event He will rise from the dead.
"The next day a great multitude that had come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, took branches of palm trees and went out to meet Him, and cried out:
" Hosanna!
' Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD! The King of Israel!"
14 Then Jesus, when He had found a young donkey, sat on it; as it is written:
" Fear not, daughter of Zion;
Behold, your King is coming,
Sitting on a donkey's colt."
His disciples did not understand these things at first; but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things were written about Him and that they had done these things to Him. Therefore the people, who were with Him when He called Lazarus out of his tomb and raised him from the dead, bore witness. For this reason the people also met Him, because they heard that He had done this sign. The Pharisees therefore said among themselves, "You see that you are accomplishing nothing. Look, the world has gone after Him!"– John 12:12-19
Many thousands of people crowded the narrow streets approaching this holy city at Passover time. Garments and palm branches were spread on the road. People were shouting "Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD! The King of Israel!."
Jesus, the King of Glory, the Holy Son of God, the Creator of the universe was coming. A short time later Jesus laments over Jerusalem, "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing! See! Your house is left to you desolate; for I say to you, you shall see Me no more till you say, 'Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD!'" – Matthew 23:37-39
Now, in the year 2007, the story is still the same, "Your King is Coming".
Let's take some time to consider this King.
1. THIS KING IS A DIFFERENT KIND OF KING
We Americans aren't too familiar kings. We have never had one. We watch a coronation of a king in another country and marvel at the splendor that is put into it. The Old Testament speaks of the many kings of Israel but the top two were David and his son Solomon. But we have never personally experienced what it is like to have a king rule over us.
I remember watching a movie starring John Goodman of Rosanne fame who played a king in "King Ralph." He was an American who was a long lost relative of royalty and was next in line to be King of England. Now, this was not a typical king. He did not know how to be one or act like one. No matter the title he had, he was not cut out to be a king.
When Lady Diana married Charles, heir to the throne of England, much of the world watched as this magnificent wedding took place. I'm sure there was envy from many wishing they could experience such a moment. To be married to the heir to the throne of England.
But we know how long this storybook marriage lasted. A very short time. Divorce and adultery became the talk of the town. Tabloids spreading the news about the marriage falling apart and how would this affect Charles' chances of fulfilling his claim to the throne. What A Mess!
There is something about royalty that seems to draw our attention, a certain fascination that comes with the lives of those who are crowned King – the power, the glory. The same is true of those in power such as presidents, prime ministers, and dictators.
But, there is one exception – that being an encounter with the Kingdom of the Christians' King – King Jesus.
Jesus is a different kind of King.
0 While most royalty comes determined to rule, He comes determined to serve.
0 While many rulers spend time building their egos and flexing their muscles, He comes with a totally disarming humility.
0 While most kings ride white stallions or majestic Boeing 747s, King Jesus rides a donkey.
He knew what He was doing. The King chose His vehicle of transportation. The horse stands for war and that's what the people wanted. They longed for a leader who would set them free from the yoke of Rome. But Jesus rode a donkey, a symbol of meekness, a symbol of peace.
The Pharaoh's of Egypt prepared great monuments for themselves long before they died. Today, grand funerals have leaders of nations standing in silent tribute and the world paying honor to all their accomplishments.
Jesus was different – He prepared for the cross. His was an undignified kind of death. "Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame [disregarding its shame], and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. – Hebrews 12:2 His fellow rulers didn't fly in from around the world to pay Him honor.
No, for your King is a different kind of King.
2. THIS KING KNOWS PRECISELY WHO HE WAS AND WHO HE IS
Most Kings have inherited their position. Most have probably entered into their reign with uncertainty.
But Jesus knew precisely who He was.
0 He knew He was the Messiah spoken of by the Old Testament scriptures.
0 He had prepared Himself for the kind of entrance into Jerusalem described by Isaiah and Zechariah.
0 This One would be humble, making His entrance on a donkey.
0 His whole style of ministry and life was one of shying away from publicity.
0 He avoided large crowds when He could.
0 He refused to take the power-oriented stance of other leaders.
His triumphant entry into Jerusalem was designed to seal His doom. It was the catalyst which would stir the anger and arouse the jealousy of the religious establishment, setting the stage for the greatest event in all of human history.
Not only did your King know precisely who He was when He entered Jerusalem: right now He knows who He is as He desires to rule and reign in your life.
3. THIS KING COMES WITH A COMPASSION FOR SOULS AND BODIES
Only hours after His triumphal entry into Jerusalem, Jesus wept. Have you ever seen a King weep? Have you ever watched a President shed tears? After President George W. Bush was elected there were several events when he got a little teary-eyed. These moments were caught on camera and became a subject of debate for the talking heads on TV. They wondered aloud if a man who showed emotion publicly was qualified for office. We don't want to see our rulers weep; we see it as a sign of weakness.
Jesus was different: He stopped and wept for Jerusalem. "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing! See! Your house is left to you desolate; for I say to you, you shall see Me no more till you say, 'Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD!'" – Matthew 23:37-39-
Jesus healed broken bodies as the blind and lame freely approached Him. He didn't keep them waiting – He didn't flaunt His rank in their faces. The simple people; the people with broken bodies and shattered dreams; the people who hurt in the soul where you can really feel hurt; these are the people He drew to Himself.
He did it then, He still does it now – That's the kind of Lord He is. He wants to transform your life today through the regenerating power of the Holy Spirit.
Once a mentally impaired young boy seated himself on the floor in a drugstore and began to play with some bottles he had taken from the shelves. The druggist ordered him to stop, then scolded him with an even sharper tone. Just then the boy's sister came up, put her arms around him, and whispered something in his ear.
Right away, he put the bottles back in place.
"You see," his sister explained, "he doesn't understand when you talk to him like that. I just love it into him."
This King Jesus we're talking about today – He wants to love it into you.
Jesus' compassion for you is real – it is available – and He is ready to bring deliverance to you today if you'll just let Him break down the walls of resistance and let Him gain entrance to your heart.
4. This King Comes With Trust And Truth
Jesus is a King who brings compassion, but He also brings truth. He tells you what you need instead of what you want. He tells you that the wages of sin is death.
He tells you that someday you will stand before God, accountable for all that you have done in this life if you reject Him. He warns of judgment. He warns of eternal hell, total alienation and separation from Himself.
Your King goes to the Garden of Gethsemane and falls on His face before His Father and pleads His case. "Father, if there be any other way, let this cup pass from Me. Nevertheless, not My will but Your will be done." If there is some other way. But Father, I know you love Me and I know you love the world. I am willing to bare this cup of shame, disgrace, filth, the most disgusting of all things, the very vomit of Satan, so that Bob, Shirley, Penny, Mary and Ray, Gail, Doris, John, Laurie, Edna, Cindy, Martha, Dorothy, Don, Barb, Phil, Richard, Peggy, Jack, Vicky, Pete, Virginia, Art, Marlo, MaKayla, Mona, Otis, Truly, Ken, Stacy, Preston, Anna, Sheryli, Harland, Carol, Zella, Jeanne, Loretta, Brenda, Linda, Jeff, Angie, Caleb, MaKayla, Ron, Lisa, Melvin, Ed, Laura, Joyce, Dale, Ruby, Andrew, Lynn, Heather, Jenna, Joe, Misty, Brittany, Whitney, Ernie, Peggy, Chris, Alisha, Danny, Marty, Joan, Bill, Barbara, Vanessa, Rich, Max, Sheria, Delah, Roy, Anna, Jennifer, Allie, John, Judy, Shelley, Kyle, Steven, Rachel, Theresia, Elsie, Hugo, Teresa, Ken, Michelle, Abigail, Flora, Curtis, Roma, Gail, Kevin, Cheryl, Samantha, Pat, Linda, Anna, Dusty, Rusty, Jeremy, Sharinna, Cheyenne, Ray, Debbie, Jackie, Carl, Debbie, Ashley, Ron, Tracy, Emily, Andrew, Mark, Margaret, Michael, Shurae, Stephanie, Nikki, Ken, Joyce, Dave, Angel, Wade, Brian, Andrea, Emma, Terry, Frances, Ken, Cindy, Caroline, Angelina, Levi, Craig, Judy, Josh, Cody, Dayton, Martha, Syble, Linda, Dan, Charlotte, Jeff, Charlotte, Carl, Sue, Kim, Dan, Becky, William, Reba, Herb, Hazel, Ruby, Vern, Sue, Audrey, Amanda, Molly, Emily, Bob, Carol, Ollie, Lorraine, Shirley, Gary, Kathy, Alex, Tim, Stormie, Willie, Rodney, Rita, Ruth , Robert, Rudy, Carol and you would not have to go to hell.
That's the kind of King He is.
He talks about more than positive thinking. He talks about more than getting a grip on your life. He tells you that ultimately you cannot succeed in your own strength. He warns you to face up to it now and to come to Him while you can.
His approach demands your response – Either you are with Him or you are not – There is no neutral ground.
John 12:12-19
Sunday, April 1, 2007 (AM)
The stage is set – The curtain rises – The last act of the drama begins. Here comes Jesus into the city of Jerusalem.
Jesus is beginning the last week of His earthly ministry. Jesus' arrival into Jerusalem takes place on Sunday – on Friday of this week He will be crucified – a week from this event He will rise from the dead.
"The next day a great multitude that had come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, took branches of palm trees and went out to meet Him, and cried out:
" Hosanna!
' Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD! The King of Israel!"
14 Then Jesus, when He had found a young donkey, sat on it; as it is written:
" Fear not, daughter of Zion;
Behold, your King is coming,
Sitting on a donkey's colt."
His disciples did not understand these things at first; but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things were written about Him and that they had done these things to Him. Therefore the people, who were with Him when He called Lazarus out of his tomb and raised him from the dead, bore witness. For this reason the people also met Him, because they heard that He had done this sign. The Pharisees therefore said among themselves, "You see that you are accomplishing nothing. Look, the world has gone after Him!"– John 12:12-19
Many thousands of people crowded the narrow streets approaching this holy city at Passover time. Garments and palm branches were spread on the road. People were shouting "Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD! The King of Israel!."
Jesus, the King of Glory, the Holy Son of God, the Creator of the universe was coming. A short time later Jesus laments over Jerusalem, "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing! See! Your house is left to you desolate; for I say to you, you shall see Me no more till you say, 'Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD!'" – Matthew 23:37-39
Now, in the year 2007, the story is still the same, "Your King is Coming".
Let's take some time to consider this King.
1. THIS KING IS A DIFFERENT KIND OF KING
We Americans aren't too familiar kings. We have never had one. We watch a coronation of a king in another country and marvel at the splendor that is put into it. The Old Testament speaks of the many kings of Israel but the top two were David and his son Solomon. But we have never personally experienced what it is like to have a king rule over us.
I remember watching a movie starring John Goodman of Rosanne fame who played a king in "King Ralph." He was an American who was a long lost relative of royalty and was next in line to be King of England. Now, this was not a typical king. He did not know how to be one or act like one. No matter the title he had, he was not cut out to be a king.
When Lady Diana married Charles, heir to the throne of England, much of the world watched as this magnificent wedding took place. I'm sure there was envy from many wishing they could experience such a moment. To be married to the heir to the throne of England.
But we know how long this storybook marriage lasted. A very short time. Divorce and adultery became the talk of the town. Tabloids spreading the news about the marriage falling apart and how would this affect Charles' chances of fulfilling his claim to the throne. What A Mess!
There is something about royalty that seems to draw our attention, a certain fascination that comes with the lives of those who are crowned King – the power, the glory. The same is true of those in power such as presidents, prime ministers, and dictators.
But, there is one exception – that being an encounter with the Kingdom of the Christians' King – King Jesus.
Jesus is a different kind of King.
0 While most royalty comes determined to rule, He comes determined to serve.
0 While many rulers spend time building their egos and flexing their muscles, He comes with a totally disarming humility.
0 While most kings ride white stallions or majestic Boeing 747s, King Jesus rides a donkey.
He knew what He was doing. The King chose His vehicle of transportation. The horse stands for war and that's what the people wanted. They longed for a leader who would set them free from the yoke of Rome. But Jesus rode a donkey, a symbol of meekness, a symbol of peace.
The Pharaoh's of Egypt prepared great monuments for themselves long before they died. Today, grand funerals have leaders of nations standing in silent tribute and the world paying honor to all their accomplishments.
Jesus was different – He prepared for the cross. His was an undignified kind of death. "Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame [disregarding its shame], and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. – Hebrews 12:2 His fellow rulers didn't fly in from around the world to pay Him honor.
No, for your King is a different kind of King.
2. THIS KING KNOWS PRECISELY WHO HE WAS AND WHO HE IS
Most Kings have inherited their position. Most have probably entered into their reign with uncertainty.
But Jesus knew precisely who He was.
0 He knew He was the Messiah spoken of by the Old Testament scriptures.
0 He had prepared Himself for the kind of entrance into Jerusalem described by Isaiah and Zechariah.
0 This One would be humble, making His entrance on a donkey.
0 His whole style of ministry and life was one of shying away from publicity.
0 He avoided large crowds when He could.
0 He refused to take the power-oriented stance of other leaders.
His triumphant entry into Jerusalem was designed to seal His doom. It was the catalyst which would stir the anger and arouse the jealousy of the religious establishment, setting the stage for the greatest event in all of human history.
Not only did your King know precisely who He was when He entered Jerusalem: right now He knows who He is as He desires to rule and reign in your life.
3. THIS KING COMES WITH A COMPASSION FOR SOULS AND BODIES
Only hours after His triumphal entry into Jerusalem, Jesus wept. Have you ever seen a King weep? Have you ever watched a President shed tears? After President George W. Bush was elected there were several events when he got a little teary-eyed. These moments were caught on camera and became a subject of debate for the talking heads on TV. They wondered aloud if a man who showed emotion publicly was qualified for office. We don't want to see our rulers weep; we see it as a sign of weakness.
Jesus was different: He stopped and wept for Jerusalem. "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing! See! Your house is left to you desolate; for I say to you, you shall see Me no more till you say, 'Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD!'" – Matthew 23:37-39-
Jesus healed broken bodies as the blind and lame freely approached Him. He didn't keep them waiting – He didn't flaunt His rank in their faces. The simple people; the people with broken bodies and shattered dreams; the people who hurt in the soul where you can really feel hurt; these are the people He drew to Himself.
He did it then, He still does it now – That's the kind of Lord He is. He wants to transform your life today through the regenerating power of the Holy Spirit.
Once a mentally impaired young boy seated himself on the floor in a drugstore and began to play with some bottles he had taken from the shelves. The druggist ordered him to stop, then scolded him with an even sharper tone. Just then the boy's sister came up, put her arms around him, and whispered something in his ear.
Right away, he put the bottles back in place.
"You see," his sister explained, "he doesn't understand when you talk to him like that. I just love it into him."
This King Jesus we're talking about today – He wants to love it into you.
Jesus' compassion for you is real – it is available – and He is ready to bring deliverance to you today if you'll just let Him break down the walls of resistance and let Him gain entrance to your heart.
4. This King Comes With Trust And Truth
Jesus is a King who brings compassion, but He also brings truth. He tells you what you need instead of what you want. He tells you that the wages of sin is death.
He tells you that someday you will stand before God, accountable for all that you have done in this life if you reject Him. He warns of judgment. He warns of eternal hell, total alienation and separation from Himself.
Your King goes to the Garden of Gethsemane and falls on His face before His Father and pleads His case. "Father, if there be any other way, let this cup pass from Me. Nevertheless, not My will but Your will be done." If there is some other way. But Father, I know you love Me and I know you love the world. I am willing to bare this cup of shame, disgrace, filth, the most disgusting of all things, the very vomit of Satan, so that Bob, Shirley, Penny, Mary and Ray, Gail, Doris, John, Laurie, Edna, Cindy, Martha, Dorothy, Don, Barb, Phil, Richard, Peggy, Jack, Vicky, Pete, Virginia, Art, Marlo, MaKayla, Mona, Otis, Truly, Ken, Stacy, Preston, Anna, Sheryli, Harland, Carol, Zella, Jeanne, Loretta, Brenda, Linda, Jeff, Angie, Caleb, MaKayla, Ron, Lisa, Melvin, Ed, Laura, Joyce, Dale, Ruby, Andrew, Lynn, Heather, Jenna, Joe, Misty, Brittany, Whitney, Ernie, Peggy, Chris, Alisha, Danny, Marty, Joan, Bill, Barbara, Vanessa, Rich, Max, Sheria, Delah, Roy, Anna, Jennifer, Allie, John, Judy, Shelley, Kyle, Steven, Rachel, Theresia, Elsie, Hugo, Teresa, Ken, Michelle, Abigail, Flora, Curtis, Roma, Gail, Kevin, Cheryl, Samantha, Pat, Linda, Anna, Dusty, Rusty, Jeremy, Sharinna, Cheyenne, Ray, Debbie, Jackie, Carl, Debbie, Ashley, Ron, Tracy, Emily, Andrew, Mark, Margaret, Michael, Shurae, Stephanie, Nikki, Ken, Joyce, Dave, Angel, Wade, Brian, Andrea, Emma, Terry, Frances, Ken, Cindy, Caroline, Angelina, Levi, Craig, Judy, Josh, Cody, Dayton, Martha, Syble, Linda, Dan, Charlotte, Jeff, Charlotte, Carl, Sue, Kim, Dan, Becky, William, Reba, Herb, Hazel, Ruby, Vern, Sue, Audrey, Amanda, Molly, Emily, Bob, Carol, Ollie, Lorraine, Shirley, Gary, Kathy, Alex, Tim, Stormie, Willie, Rodney, Rita, Ruth , Robert, Rudy, Carol and you would not have to go to hell.
That's the kind of King He is.
He talks about more than positive thinking. He talks about more than getting a grip on your life. He tells you that ultimately you cannot succeed in your own strength. He warns you to face up to it now and to come to Him while you can.
His approach demands your response – Either you are with Him or you are not – There is no neutral ground.
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