Our Jerusalem

I. Introduction - Schedule of Holy Week

A. Holy Week starts with Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem. All the hype about Lazarus’ raising has created anticipation. The path over the Mount of Olives, down through the Kidron Valley and into the gates of the city are lined with people and gives Jesus an incredible perspective as He enters the holy city.

B. Luke 19:28-42

C. Jesus’ mind was sset on the city. The long ride down the mount of olives leaves plenty of time to contemplate Jerusalem’s history and vision.

Matthew 23:37 (NIV) “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing.”

All through the NT there is a focus on cities and households, not just individuals.

Jesus entered Jerusalem on a mission, we are called this morning to enter Athens with the same mindset.

II. Our Jerusalem - Athens

A. A Spiritual History of Athens - I was born and raised in this community. I have always loved my town but I have not always had hope for it. There has been a rich heritage but also a dark past.

15 years ago, our county used to be the highest in the state in Methamphetamine use. We were in the top 2% in the state in teen pregnancy. We also used to triple the state average in child abuse and have ranked in the top 10% for domestic violence. We were over 168% higher than the national average in rape.

Occult reputation - We have been known for satanic worship and witchcraft. We have been an epicenter of all kinds of folklore concerning the dark practices many focused around geographical locations.

Racism - Our area was also known for KKK activity all the way up until the 90’s as racial violence and division was still a very real ordeal to the African American community.

A hub of abortion - A doctor who as the “Father of abortion” was from Athens and after becoming a humanist in college came back here to run his clinic. It has been estimated that 5,000 abortion were performed in the late 60’s until he moved to Dallas. This was the largest concentration known at the time.

Socio-economic barriers may have shielded many of you from these facts, but as a son of a law enforcement officer I knew the stories.

B. A Spiritual Vision for Athens - Sanctuary

The Turn - As I would drive into our city, returning to visit my parents, I would sense a dark heaviness as I rounded the hills into Athens on 175. As I become more spiritual aware I became more sensitive to the evil in our city.

In 2008 I started to pray earnestly for our city as I drove around the loop and eventually went on three day isolated time of pray and fasting. At that time the Lord gave me the word “Sanctuary.” Athens would become a safe place for people to come and meet with God, to heal and be restored. To rest under the wings of Jesus.

Some pastors, at that same time, went to known geographical areas with a reputation of occult practices and started praying for light to prevail over darkness.

In 2011 over 5,000 people gathered on the square of Athens to join in one heart to keep the nativity scene when an atheist activist group choose our city to make an example of. I believe they woke a sleeping giant. The heart was bigger and far more impactful than keeping our nativity, it began to unite the churches as 5,000 people agreed Henderson County belonged to Jesus.

Since then churches have been working together and recently started to worship together as we pursue oneness. The unity and oneness of the church is bringing a light like this city has never known.

The stats have been changing, we are no longer an epicenter for darkness but for light. People are traveling and being drawn to our city to heal and be a part of the move of God instead of the schemes of the enemy.

C. What’s your donkey?

Zechariah 9:9 (NIV) 9 “Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion!  Shout, Daughter Jerusalem!  See, your king comes to you,  righteous and victorious,  lowly and riding on a donkey,  on a colt, the foal of a donkey.”

Give whatever. “The Lord Needs It”

Prearranged decision? - The owners of the donkey probably knew Jesus. They didn’t know what it would be but I they were ready to give! Have we made the decision ahead of time to give Jesus whatever he needs when he asks?

Time, Talent, Treasures! - Do you have an ownership or stewardship mindset in these three areas. When the time comes to give your donkey, will you have already given it in you heart to Jesus?

Sacrifice your plans. Do you think they had plans for the donkey? Do you think this was within their plans?

Give praise - “Rejoice” “Shout” “The Rocks will cry out!”

Do you see Jesus coming to our city? Do you see and hear of him doing great things? Give Praise. Don’t let the rocks outdo you.

If we perceive a movement of Jesus into our Jerusalem, we would praise. Some in the crowd missed him that day. Be like those who believe the testimonies instead of being threatened by them like the Pharisees.

There are so many testimonies of folks getting saved, healed, and delivered by Jesus in Athens. Believe and rejoice!

Jesus will take your donkey and bring peace through humility.

a. Zechariah 9:9 used poetic parallelism to describe the messianic king riding on a donkey to bring salvation to his people. His coming would break all instruments of war and bring peace to the city of peace through humility.

b. How does Jesus bring peace to our city through us? We will be bold in our prayers and humble in our approach. Jesus was moving heaven and earth riding into Jerusalem on humility.

III. Conclusion and Invitation

A. What’s your donkey? Is there any donkey you would not untie and give fully to Jesus?