Jesus The King

KEY PASSAGE: John 12:12-19 (NASB)

Welcome

Happy Palm Sunday! We welcome you to our Sunday morning worship service, which includes our first-time visitors. First-time visitors, please stand so we can see you and recognize you, and let us welcome our online viewers. We are glad to have you with us today.

PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION

Heavenly Father, we humbly come before You and ask You to sustain us by Your mercy, Your grace, and Your power. May the words of my mouth and the meditations of all our hearts be pleasing in Your sight, O LORD, our Rock, and our Redeemer. We pray this in the mighty name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and our King. Amen.

Tithe and Offering

Giving is a big part of our Sunday worship experience. Your tithe and offering help this church in many ways. Your gifts allow our staff and volunteers to serve you. What should mark us as a church is that we don’t just come to church every Sunday for God to give us something to receive. But as a church, we also want to be a channel of blessing, and through your giving, we can share the good news and make an everlasting impact in our community and around the world. Ushers, please pass around the offering plates so we can collect our tithe and offerings. Please follow the directions on the screen on how to give.

Announcement

Please look up on the screen as we make our announcement. Remember that our Good Friday Service is on March 29, 2024, at 7:00 p.m. Our church’s weekly Bible Study is at 7:00 p.m. every Wednesday.

Declaration of Faith in God

Let us stand and say the Declaration of Faith in God together.

SERMON INTRODUCTION

Grace and peace from God our Father and His Son Jesus, who came to take away the sins of the world! Today is the first Sunday of Passion Week, also called Holy Week. We have been teaching and ministering to you for two months on the sermon series The Names of the Holy Spirit. But today, as we celebrate Palm Sunday, I want to share a special message with you. On this day, the church celebrates the anniversary of Jesus’ Triumphant Parade into Jerusalem. This was the only “public demonstration” recorded in Scripture that our Lord Jesus allowed while ministering on earth. In most church circles, it is called Palm Sunday.

As we gather on this special occasion of Palm Sunday, we embark on a journey to explore the profound significance of this pivotal event in Christian history. Let us open our hearts and minds to the truths revealed through Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem.

SERMON EXPOSITION

Let me begin by saying that God has a house. The name of His house is called His kingdom. God’s kingdom is His rule over His creation. This creation is called God’s house. The earth is the Lord’s, the fullness thereof, and the world and all they dwell in it. He calls the creation His dwelling house. God decided that He would run His house a certain way, and He would run this house through a creature He would create who would run His house on His behalf for Him, and that creature would be called mankind.

And so, in Genesis chapter 1, the Bible says that God created Adam and Eve, and He says, “I am going to let them rule.” Psalm 8, verses 4 to 6, says that God created man a little lower than the angels and that when He created man a little lower than the angels, He said, "I created them so that they might rule."

Psalm 115, verse 16 says, the heaven belongs to God, but the earth belongs to man. So, God created an earthbound creature, man, whose job was to run His house in God’s way. There was a big problem: Adam fumbled the ball because he turned the running of the earth over to the devil when he rebelled against the owner of the house, God. When Adam rebelled against the owner of the house, and he turned the house over to the devil, sin entered into the world, bringing chaos to humanity and corrupting God’s creation. God wants His house back, but because God set it up, He would only run His house through a man, through a human being, and He did not cancel that approach. And so, God says, “I need another man because the first Adam failed to run my house my way." This led to the unfolding of the Old Testament, anticipating a man who would run God’s house God’s way, a King if you will, who would rule on earth from the perspective of heaven. You see, the whole Old Testament is the anticipation of this King. This King would come through the Jews who would sit on the throne of David, who would oversee Israel and, from Israel, rule the world. And so, the prophets anticipated this, King. Abraham anticipated this King, and David’s line also anticipated this King.

Zechariah 9, verse 9, says, "When this king comes, you will see Him because He will be riding on a donkey." So, we shouldn't be surprised that when Jesus was ready to reveal His kingship, He told His disciples, "Go get a donkey. It is time for me to ride." When the magi came when Jesus was born, they said, “Where is He that was born king of the Jews, that we might come and worship Him?”

The whole Old Testament anticipated the arrival of the King. Zechariah’s chapter 9, verse 9 prophecy was fulfilled in John's chapter 12, verses 13-15, our text for today. Jesus, in His humility, rode on a donkey, symbolizing peace and humility, rather than a conquering king on a horse. World-renowned evangelist Billy Graham said, “Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem was not about earthly power but the fulfillment of God's redemptive plan.”

When Jesus came, John the Baptist took center stage in Matthew chapter 3, verse 2, and John the Baptist says, “Repent, for the kingdom of God is at hand.” When Jesus began preaching in Matthew 4:17, He stepped onto the stage of history and said, “Repent, for the kingdom of God is right in front of you.” When Jesus sent out His disciples to preach in Matthew chapter 10, verse 7, He says, “You go out, and you proclaim the kingdom of God has arrived because the king is here.”

So, when we talk about Jesus Christ today, you may know Him as Savior, and that is who He is, but today, I want you to make sure you understand Him as King because He is a king, He has a kingdom, a house over which He rules.

As Jesus rode into Jerusalem with His disciples on Palm Sunday, we are told they were greeted by a shouting crowd who, in ancient Israel style, rolled out the “red carpet” for Jesus. John says that some people took palm tree branches, went out to meet Jesus, and began shouting, “Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord, indeed, the King of Israel!” Hosanna is the Hebrew expression meaning “save us.” This is a plea for immediate action on the part of the King.

So, it was this claim to His kingdom as king that got Jesus killed. In John chapter 19, verses 14 to 22, Pilate says, "Here is Your king." Pilate refers to Jesus as King, and the same folks who shouted Hosanna said, “Crucify Him, crucify Him.” That is after they laid our palm branches on Palm Sunday, laid out their coats, and said, “Hosanna, the king has arrived.” One week later, they said, “Crucify Him.”

Today, many folks come to church every Sunday and say, “Hosanna,” but leave and say, “Crucify Him.” We don't mind Jesus being King by name and on paper as long as Jesus is not King by authority. We don't mind Jesus carrying the title as long as Jesus is not telling us what to do. Let me explain something about God’s kingdom. God’s kingdom is not a democracy. Let me repeat, “God’s kingdom is not a democratic where you get to vote.” Because God doesn’t need your vote, God needs your obedience.

Thank God for political leaders, but God’s kingdom is not the November elections. God is not asking you for your vote or seeking your permission. God wants to declare what He wants done on earth as it is in heaven. Jesus wants to be your Savior, but He also wants to be your ruler. He wants to be the one who has the final say over all matters in your life.

When Jesus says, “My kingdom is not of this world,” He does not mean my kingdom is not in this world. He implies that the kingdom authority doesn't come from this world. The kingdom authority I exercise in this world comes from the world I came from. I come from heaven down to earth to answer the Lord’s prayer; thy kingdom comes, thy will be done, where? On earth as it is in heaven.

So, when you say Jesus’ name is the King, you declare that Jesus Christ has the final say over my decisions. Now, this is where it gets a little tricky (complicated). We want Jesus to have the final say over the decisions we agree with.

We want Jesus to have the final say over the decisions we like (excellent). We want Jesus to have the final say over the decisions that make us comfortable (wonderful), but that is not how rulers rule. The idea is not for the ruler to adjust to the rulee. I just gave you a new word for your dictionary. The idea is for the rulee to adjust to the ruler. Jesus Christ wants to be your Savior who takes you to heaven (watch this) and your King who rules your life in history, which means that your question on every subject in your life should be one.

“What do you want me to do about this?” When you begin asking that question to Jesus your King and answering that question in the affirmative, and by the affirmative, I mean “yes,” there are only two words you are supposed to give to that question, “Yes, Lord. Yes, King.” When you ask and answer that question, you are now functioning as a citizen of His kingdom, and the non-believer has no obligation. But once you accept Christ and then have the nerve to get baptized because baptism is not just that you have accepted Christ. Baptism is you saying, “And now I want you to know that I submit myself to His rule and authority over my life, and I will adjust my decisions to His rule.”

The problem is that we bring our own rules into God's kingdom. We bring how we were raised down south or up north, how we were raised in Africa, what Mama taught me, what Daddy taught me, what the media taught me, what this taught me. We bring our old way of thinking and living into this kingdom, which means conflict with God and His Son, Jesus Christ. If you have accepted Jesus Christ, your obligation is to your King, not the crowd. Your obligation is to your King and not what the media is saying. That is why the Bible says you are not committed to this world order. It doesn't matter how many people like it, how many people agree with it, how popular the opinion is, or whether they say it is legal or not. Your obligation is Jesus, Your King.

First and foremost, the question is, “What does my King say? Because He rules, He is my authority.” That Is why the Bible says, “Seek ye first the kingdom of God.” Matthew 6:33 says, “And His righteousness,” and then He says, "All these things will be added to you.” In other words, “Seek my kingdom, and the King will got your back. I like how Luke puts that same verse because Luke throws in something else. Luke throws in a zinger. Luke wants you to know that when you seek first the kingdom of God, in Luke chapter 12, verses 31 and 32, he says, “When you seek the kingdom of God,” I love this: he says, “It is my Father’s pleasure to give you the kingdom.”

See, when you get saved, that part is easy because you go to Jesus Christ and acknowledge you are a sinner and need a Savior. You trust Him for the gift of eternal life and the forgiveness of sins, and based on His promise, you are given eternal life, and you come through the door. “I am the way, the truth, and the life; I am the door.” You go through Jesus, and now you enter the kingdom. However, John 3:3 says you cannot enter the kingdom unless you are born again.

Jesus says, Matthew 28:19-20, “All authority has been given to me, not only in heaven,” but He says, “on earth. I am in charge of what finally happens at work. I am in charge of what finally happens in your house. I am in charge of what finally happens in your relationships. I am in charge of all that. So, if I am in charge of all that, it is in your best interest to let me rule all of that.” And so, Jesus says your job is to repent, for the kingdom of God is at hand.

He is King, and I will give you the final designation of His name in Revelation 17:14, where it says, “These will wage war against the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them because He is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those who are with him are called and the chosen and the faithful.” Then, in chapter 19, verse 16, “And on His robe and His thigh, he has a name, a name within King of kings and Lord of lords.” It says in verse 19, “And I saw the beast and the kings of the earth, and their armies assembled to make war against Him who sat on the horse and against his army.”

Jesus is not only King; He is King of kings. Okay, don't miss that. Jesus is also the King of kings. When it talks about Jesus being the King of kings, it says the kings of the earth go against Him. That means all the other people who think they are in charge will come against Jesus the King. Jesus will show the kings that He is not only the King. He is the King of all the other kings. The folks who think they are in charge, who think they have the last word, Jesus is the king over the top of them.

So, the folks you are afraid of, those who got more money than you, those who have more influence than you, and those who have a higher position than you, Jesus said, “I am King over them. I am not only King over you; I am King over the folks who you think are king over you.

I can overrule the people you think can't be overruled because I am the King of kings and Lord of lords. That is why no human being has the last word over me. No human being has the last word over you because no human being is King of kings. They may be kings, but they are not the King,” alright. Jesus is the King, and He has the final word.

Illustration

In the book of Revelation, when Jesus comes, He is not just coming to be nice. He is coming to show up and show off. It is like the man who saw the wagon run away with a little boy in it, and he saw the wagon, a horse was dragging the wagon. The boy would be killed. The man ran over and got to the horse on time. He stopped the horse and saved the little boy’s life.

Call to Action (Conclusion)

As I conclude the sermon, I want us to recommit to honoring Jesus as our King and following His example of humility and servanthood. Let us carry the spirit of Palm Sunday throughout our lives, proclaiming Jesus as King in every aspect of our being. God bless you.

Call to Action (Conclusion) and Altar Call

One of the great offers of our Savior Jesus Christ is life plus abundant life. That means a fulfilled life. So many people exist today because they don't possess the life of God. If you don't know that you have the life of God, let's get that fixed right now. Jesus Christ is offering you His life as we celebrate Palm Sunday. The Bible says whoever has the Son has life. Don’t leave here today and miss the opportunity to come to Christ and know Him as your King. If you want to recommit your life to Christ and get close to God, you can do that today.

So, if you want life, not existence, the forgiveness of sins, the guarantee of heaven, and having Jesus Christ involved with your life on earth, all of that is in this package called life, and He is offering it to you for free. Well, not a lot is for free today, but this is life is free; how do you get it? You go to Jesus Christ and trust Him alone for it. You don't work for it; you don't earn it. You don't go to church for it. Only the person of Christ can give that kind of life. So, I will say a prayer, and you pray it after me. You have to mean it for yourself.

Lord Jesus, I know I am a sinner. I know I can't save myself, but You have offered me the free gift of eternal life in exchange for my sin, so I place my sin next to Your cross, believing You died as my substitute, and now I receive eternal life that You said you would give me for free if I came to you for it. So, I accept that now. And thank You for my new salvation. In Jesus name, we pray. Everyone says Amen.

Would you bow your heads and close your eyes? Let’s pray.

Benediction

Heavenly Father, we thank you for the profound truths revealed to us through the events of Palm Sunday. I pray that You help us walk in Christ’s humility and servanthood and proclaim His kingship to the world. I thank You for that in Jesus name. Amen!

Well, thank you for being here today and part of this service. God bless you, and may the peace of God be with you. We look forward to seeing you all on Wednesday for Bible Study.