Point of Grace Online Worship - March 24, 2024

Point of Grace - 3.24.24 Sermon Notes – Palm Sunday – “If you only knew what would bring you Peace!”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-CkhFQol0xE

The Prominence of Holy Week in the Gospels (chapters)

                     Baptism  (3 years)      Palm Sunday  (1 week)      Resurrection   

Matthew             3                                         21                                      28

Mark                   1                                          11                                       16

Luke                    3                                         19                                       24

John                     1                                         12                                       20 (21)

Matthew 21 As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, 2 saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me. 3 If anyone says anything to you, say that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away.”
4 This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet:
5 “Say to Daughter Zion,
    ‘See, your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey,
    and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.’”

6 The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them. 7 They brought the donkey and the colt and placed their cloaks on them for Jesus to sit on. 8 A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 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 heaven!”
10 When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, “Who is this?”
11 The crowds answered, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.” 

Context of Tension

-        Jesus was traveling to Jerusalem for Passover (35,000 – 100,000+)

-        Romans, Jewish Leaders (Pharisees), Zealots, Pilgrims

-        Jesus had raised Lazarus 2-6 weeks earlier in Bethany 2 miles away.

-        He was popular among Galilean pilgrims coming to the festival.

-        Jesus healed 2 blind men in Jericho 2 days before

-        He rides in on a donkey (Zech. 9:9)

-        Accepts the praise of the people as Messiah (Psalm 118:25-26)

-        Cleared the Temple and called it back to its purpose as a “House of Prayer”  

Luke 19 39 Some 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.”

41 As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it 42 and said,
 “If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace—but now it is hidden from your eyes. 43 The days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment against you and encircle you and hem you in on every side. 44 They 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.”

This Palm Sunday is a time of God’s coming,
He comes humble … but He comes as the King, who was crucified and now risen and reigning,
He comes to bring peace to all who will receive Him who will surrender to Him alone in worship crying out,
“Hosanna! Hosanna!  Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.”

Point of Grace Online Worship - April 2, 2023

Point of Grace Worship 4.2.23 Sermon Notes – “The Palm Sunday Invitation”

The Palm Sunday Invitation

The story? Jesus? Response?

John 12 12 The next day the great crowd that had come for the festival 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 on it, as it is written: 15 “Do not be afraid, Daughter 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 these things had been done 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 performed this 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!”

What’s the Story?

In the last two weeks Jesus has: - raised Lazarus from the dead - healed 10 lepers - reveals the Kingdom of God to children and a rich man - healed blind Bartimaeus accepting “Son of David” title - invites himself over for dinner with Zaccheus - is extravagantly anointed by a woman in Bethany

Anticipation and expectation among thousands of Galilean pilgrims was at a fevered pitch as Jesus arrives in 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 on it, as it is written: 15 “Do not be afraid, Daughter Zion; see, your king is coming, seated on a donkey’s colt.”

Jesus?

Jesus is King - who comes humbly - to save resolutely – beyond all expectation – fueled by extravagant love!

He just didn’t fit into any of the categories people had for Him!

Response?

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 these things had been done 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 performed this 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!”

The Palm Sunday Invitation

- Follow Jesus this week. We each need as much of Jesus as we can get.  

Possibilities

- The Daily Pause

- Worship – Gathering Opportunities

- I get to say “Yes” every day to my King who comes for me!

Point of Grace Online Worship - April 10, 2022

Point of Grace Worship 4.3.22 Sermon Notes – “Palm Sunday!”

Jesus Enters Jerusalem The last week of Jesus’ life occupies significant real estate in the Gospel narratives.

Matthew 21 As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, 2 saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me. 3 If anyone says anything to you, say that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away.”

4 This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet: 5 “Say to Daughter Zion, ‘See, your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey, and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.’”

6 The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them. 7 They brought the donkey and the colt and placed their cloaks on them for Jesus to sit on. 8 A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 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 heaven!”

10 When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, “Who is this?” 11 The crowds answered, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.”

“Hosanna” – Save Now I Pray – “Rescue me … please”!

“Son of David” – To accept this title meant you were claiming to be the rightful “forever” King.

Notice Jesus:

• Setting the agenda

• Acting in humility and sacrificial love

• Accepting the title as the role of “Savior King”

• Beginning a week of “underwhelming” people and their expectations

Notice People:

• There is a difference between “Trusting Jesus as Savior/King and the idea Trusting Jesus as Savior/King”

• James/John and Two Blind Men - Matthew 20:20-34

• The Galilean Pilgrims and Jerusalem – The Religious Establishment  

Luke 19 41 As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it 42 and said, “If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace—but now it is hidden from your eyes. 43 The days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment against you and encircle you and hem you in on every side. 44 They 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.”

What about Me?

From the “Loving Idea of Jesus Saving” to “Loving the Jesus Who Saves”

Hosanna – “Save me now I pray!” “Rescue me Jesus – please!”