Palm Sunday: When Life Feels Out of Control
Holiday Messages • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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ANNOUNCEMENTS:
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When God speaks to you today & Alter Slides
DECLARATION:
Ephesians 2:20–22 (ESV)
20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. 22 In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.
SVCC is built by God, upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, and with Christ Jesus as the cornerstone.
We are joined together by union with Christ, we are growing, and we are a dwelling place of God by his Spirit.
Prayer for...
INTRODUCTION:
Review:
WHY?…
TODAY: For disciples Palm Sunday’s high quickly becomes feeling of being out of control.
From positive, uplifting to tired and on the edge.
Opening Scripture:
Matthew 26:38–40 “38 Then he said to them, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and watch with me.” 39 And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I [SON OF MAN] will, but as you [GOD THE FATHER] will.” 40 And he came to the disciples and found them sleeping. And he said to Peter, “So, could you not watch with me one hour?”
Background: After last supper on Night before Crucifixion…sit while I pray!
Jesus disciples were not doing what He asked (Stay awake)!
Have you ever fallen asleep praying!…often how I fall asleep :)
Jesus Couldn’t Control Disciples
Jesus Couldn’t Control Disciples
How do you feel when you aren’t in control?…frustrated, losing mind, need coffee :)
The Illusion of Control: The cognitive bias that leads us believe we have control over outcome when in reality we don’t.
More we try to control - more we’re afraid of losing control.
More we’re afraid - more we try to control.
Matthew 26:42 “42 Again, for the second time, he went away and prayed, “My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done.””
You don’t always have the power to control, but you always have the power to surrender.
You don’t always have the power to control, but you always have the power to surrender.
Where is God when life doesn’t go like we want? —Cause it? Allow it? Use it?—Where is he when life hard
Researchers studied younger Gen’s belief’s about God! (Under 30?)
Default religion younger—MTD—Moralistic Therapeutic Deism.
Moralistic—Equates religion with being good, moral, and nice.
Therapeutic—Faith is a means to improve your life. (Religion better)
Deism—God is real but not involved unless you really need him.
Believe… “A mostly uninvolved God exists to make our lives better!”
Examples: My faith in God should help me to have a happy, healthy, comfortable, trouble free life!
Problem—If God wants me happy—Not—God failed! Something wrong w/me!
Follow Jesus > Pray God’s Will > Life is still hard?
Follow Jesus > Pray God’s Will > Life is still hard?
God’s will is rarely easy! But it’s always good.
Rarely easy—Wasn’t for Jesus—Wasn’t for his mom Mary! Mary—(May it be)—Watched son die—Jesus—(Your Will)—Cross! Arrested—Beaten—Whipped him almost unconscious! Drove spikes through wrists, feet—Hung naked
Could have taken control—Called legions of angels!
What are you trying to control that you need to surrender?
What are you trying to control that you need to surrender?
Examples: Relationship?—Health?—Finances—Future?—Job?—Kids?
REAL FAITH starts between the IF and the NEVERTHELESS! Matthew 26:39 “39 And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.””
Everything in culture invites us to live contrary to the Gospel. You take charge. You control your destiny. You make it happen.
39 Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.
TO FOLLOW JESUS IS TO SURRENDER CONTROL.
**Call up group to sing (Emma and Brinley w/ Kim on Drums)
Conclusion/Reflection:
Story of fighting waves and surrendering to the flow of the water.
Surrender isn’t a one-time event.
Surrender is a daily choice.
God can do way more with you surrender than you can do with your control.
God’s will is rarely easy but it’s always good!
You don’t have power to control—Always have power to surrender.