Three Personal Questions from the Triumphal Entry

28 After telling this story, Jesus went on toward Jerusalem, walking ahead of his disciples. 29 As he came to the towns of Bethphage and Bethany on the Mount of Olives, he sent two disciples ahead. 30 “Go into that village over there,” he told them. “As you enter it, you will see a young donkey tied there that no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. 31 If anyone asks, ‘Why are you untying that colt?’ just say, ‘The Lord needs it.’ ” 32 So they went and found the colt, just as Jesus had said. 33 And sure enough, as they were untying it, the owners asked them, “Why are you untying that colt?” 34 And the disciples simply replied, “The Lord needs it.” 35 So they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their garments over it for him to ride on. 36 As he rode along, the crowds spread out their garments on the road ahead of him. 37 When he reached the place where the road started down the Mount of Olives, all of his followers began to shout and sing as they walked along, praising God for all the wonderful miracles they had seen. 38 “Blessings on the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven, and glory in highest heaven!” 39 But some of the Pharisees among the crowd said, “Teacher, rebuke your followers for saying things like that!” 40 He replied, “If they kept quiet, the stones along the road would burst into cheers!” 41 But as he came closer to Jerusalem and saw the city ahead, he began to weep. 42 “How I wish today that you of all people would understand the way to peace. But now it is too late, and peace is hidden from your eyes. 43 Before long your enemies will build ramparts against your walls and encircle you and close in on you from every side. 44 They will crush you into the ground, and your children with you. Your enemies will not leave a single stone in place, because you did not recognize it when God visited you.”

ETS: Jesus enters Jerusalem with praise to begin his passion week.

ESS: The event of Jesus' Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem requires us to search for the answer to some critical questions.

OSS: People will be confronted with the need to answer some critical questions arising from Jesus' Triumphal Entry.

PQ: How will I answer the questions raised from Luke's account of Jesus' Triumphal Entry?

UW: Questions

Title: Three Personal Questions from the Triumphal Entry

INTRODUCTION:

A- Bold statement made by some people:

1- “I wish that I had lived during the days when Jesus was on earth - It would have been so much easier to believe in Him.”

a- Think again! We have so much more evidence and history to form the foundation of our faith.

The ability to cross-reference the Old and New Testaments to see the truth.

The testimony of eye-witnesses who walked with Jesus and saw his actions and heard him teach.

The written and spoken testimonies of lives who have been transformed by the Gospel.

The confirmation of the life and work of Jesus through His resurrection.

B- The reality of our choice:

1- We have all of the evidence needed for making a choice to trust in and follow Christ as our Lord and savior.

TS: We must answer three personal questions raised by the Triumphal entrance into Jerusalem.

I- AM I WILLING TO BE COMPLETELY OBEDIENT TO CHRIST? (LUKE 19:28-34).

28 After telling this story, Jesus went on toward Jerusalem, walking ahead of his disciples.

29 As he came to the towns of Bethphage and Bethany on the Mount of Olives, he sent two disciples ahead.

30 “Go into that village over there,” he told them. “As you enter it, you will see a young donkey tied there that no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here.

31 If anyone asks, ‘Why are you untying that colt?’ just say, ‘The Lord needs it.’ ”

32 So they went and found the colt, just as Jesus had said. 33 And sure enough, as they were untying it, the owners asked them, “Why are you untying that colt?” 34 And the disciples simply replied, “The Lord needs it.”

A- I must decide if Jesus is who He claims to be.

1- Both the disciples and the owners of the donkey colt had to make this determination.

(Luke 6:46-49)

Luke 6:46–49 NLT

46 “So why do you keep calling me ‘Lord, Lord!’ when you don’t do what I say? 47 I will show you what it’s like when someone comes to me, listens to my teaching, and then follows it. 48 It is like a person building a house who digs deep and lays the foundation on solid rock. When the floodwaters rise and break against that house, it stands firm because it is well built. 49 But anyone who hears and doesn’t obey is like a person who builds a house right on the ground, without a foundation. When the floods sweep down against that house, it will collapse into a heap of ruins.”

a- Is Jesus the Lord of my life?

Am I seeking to find out how he wants me to live in my daily life?

I am to seek to please him in every area of my life.

(Proverbs 3:5-6) “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.”

b- Am I striving to obey what He shows me to do in my daily life?

How can I call Him Lord and refuse to obey?

“46 “So why do you keep calling me ‘Lord, Lord!’ when you don’t do what I say?

c- If not, you have not yielded to Christ’s lordship in your life.

B- I must decide if I can trust Jesus and commit to completely obey Him.

The disciples had to decide if Jesus’ prediction could be trusted and had to commit to a corresponding course of action.

47 I will show you what it’s like when someone comes to me, listens to my teaching, and then follows it.

48 It is like a person building a house who digs deep and lays the foundation on solid rock. When the floodwaters rise and break against that house, it stands firm because it is well built.

49 But anyone who hears and doesn’t obey is like a person who builds a house right on the ground, without a foundation. When the floods sweep down against that house, it will collapse into a heap of ruins.”

1- It is foolish to refuse to obey his teachings.

a- Storms, tests, and trials are going to come into my life-that is a given fact!

b- If I seek God’s directions and strive to obey them, I will have the strength to endure life’s storms, tests, and trials.

c- If I do not seek His direction or refuse to obey him, my life will collapse in ruin.

2- Ultimately, I must make the choice-obedience or disobedience.

a- To attempt to avoid making a decision is to make a decision to be disobedient.

Refusal to seek His direction is choosing to disobey!

Ignorance is not bliss- especially being willingly ignorant.

b- Partial obedience is disobedience.

II- AM I TOTALLY COMMITTED TO THE PERSON OF CHRIST ? (LUKE 19:35-37).

Luke 19:35–37 NLT

35 So they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their garments over it for him to ride on. 36 As he rode along, the crowds spread out their garments on the road ahead of him. 37 When he reached the place where the road started down the Mount of Olives, all of his followers began to shout and sing as they walked along, praising God for all the wonderful miracles they had seen.

A- Do I express joy about all Jesus has done for me on the everyday road of life? (Luke 19:35-37) .

Luke 19:35–37 NLT

The disciples gave Jesus what they had for his use.

The disciples openly praised God for all that Jesus had done.

1- How long has it been since you openly gave God credit for the things he has done for you?

2- How long has it bee since you thought about the blessing of God in your life and your relationship with Him brought a song to your heart and lips?

B- Do I really understand who Jesus is? (Luke 19: 38-40)

Luke 19:38–40 NLT

38 “Blessings on the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven, and glory in highest heaven!” 39 But some of the Pharisees among the crowd said, “Teacher, rebuke your followers for saying things like that!” 40 He replied, “If they kept quiet, the stones along the road would burst into cheers!”

“ ἐαν οὑτοι σιωπησουσιν οἱ λιθοι κραξουσιν” = “If they kept quiet, the stones along the road would burst into cheers!”

1- All of nature knows its creator.

a- The wind and the sea bowed to the authority of Jesus!

b- The sea held up Jesus as he walked upon it!

c- Even death bowed to Jesus and release the dead at Christ’s command.

2- Note Jesus’ words to his critics...

39 But some of the Pharisees among the crowd said, “Teacher, rebuke your followers for saying things like that!”

40 He replied, “If they kept quiet, the stones along the road would burst into cheers!”

a- Our Savior is one-of-a-kind! He is the one-and-only Son of God!

b- He is the only Savior for all people (Acts 4:12).

Acts 4:12 NLT

12 There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved.”

III- AM I PASSIONATELY MOTIVATED BY THE DESPERATE CONDITION OF THE WORLD AROUND US -- LIKE JESUS WAS? (LUKE 19:41-44).

Luke 19:41–44 NLT

41 But as he came closer to Jerusalem and saw the city ahead, he began to weep. 42 “How I wish today that you of all people would understand the way to peace. But now it is too late, and peace is hidden from your eyes. 43 Before long your enemies will build ramparts against your walls and encircle you and close in on you from every side. 44 They will crush you into the ground, and your children with you. Your enemies will not leave a single stone in place, because you did not recognize it when God visited you.”

A- Do I understand the lostness of the people we see? (Luke 19:41-42).

Luke 19:41–42 NLT

1- Jesus saw the city and the people.

2- Jesus recognized that the people did not understand the way to peace with God.

(1 Timothy 1:15) “This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners...”

B- Do I understand what lies ahead for those who do not know Christ? (Luke 19:43-44) .

Luke 19:43–44 NLT

43 Before long your enemies will build ramparts against your walls and encircle you and close in on you from every side. 44 They will crush you into the ground, and your children with you. Your enemies will not leave a single stone in place, because you did not recognize it when God visited you.”

1- Jesus knew what was ahead for the people of Jerusalem.

2- The road ahead held total devastation because of the people’s rejection of their Messiah.

Those who reject Christ are already under condemnation.

(John 3:17–18)

John 3:17–18 NLT

17 God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him. 18 “There is no judgment against anyone who believes in him. But anyone who does not believe in him has already been judged for not believing in God’s one and only Son.

C- Does the present and future states of the lost motivate me into action? (Luke 19:41b).

Luke 19:41b NLT

41 But as he came closer to Jerusalem and saw the city ahead, he began to weep.

I must allow the condition and plight of the lost world around me to stir my heart and motivate me into action to reach them.

1- Jesus wept (ἔκλαυσεν = To cry loudly, to weep bitterly, burst into tears. Ingressive aorist active indicative) over the plight of the people.

2- His love and concern over our condition is what caused his sacrifice!

(Romans 5:8).

Romans 5:8 NLT

8 But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.