A Lot Can Happen in a Week

Introduction

Tremendously honored to be with you today. This is a second home to me and I consider you family. Family has fun, talks back, and speaks the truth. I want to honor your pastors (and team) and my family.

Scripture(s)

(ESV) — 28 And when he had said these things, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. 29 When he drew near to Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount that is called Olivet, he sent two of the disciples, 30 saying, “Go into the village in front of you, where on entering you will find a colt tied, on which no one has ever yet sat. Untie it and bring it here. 31 If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ you shall say this: ‘The Lord has need of it.’ ” 32 So those who were sent went away and found it just as he had told them. 33 And as they were untying the colt, its owners said to them, “Why are you untying the colt?” 34 And they said, “The Lord has need of it.” 35 And they brought it to Jesus, and throwing their cloaks on the colt, they set Jesus on it. 36 And as he rode along, they spread their cloaks on the road. 37 As he was drawing near—already on the way down the Mount of Olives—the whole multitude of his disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen, 38 saying, “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” 39 And some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples.” 40 He answered, “I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out.”

(ESV) — 22 Pilate said to them, “Then what shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?” They all said, “Let him be crucified!” 23 And he said, “Why? What evil has he done?” But they shouted all the more, “Let him be crucified!”

Illustration

My family and I moved to Jax about 12 years ago. It took us that amount of time to really decide that Florida was home. So last year, we decided to go through the process of building our house. My wife and I had a vision to build our dream home over a year ago and we began to get things in order. We saved money, we cut off cable, we said no to a lot of things for this yes. We paid off debt. We worked hard. As we began the building process we designed it, we went to our land EVERYDAY and prayed on the land. We wrote scriptures on the beams of the house. We anointed the foundation with oil. It was incredibly exciting. We were about a week out from closing and we are trying to get the final closing numbers and work out the logistics when I get a phone call from our finance company and they share with me that the deal fell through. 1 week out!!! I didn’t renew my lease, I already had the rental truck ordered, we had furniture and appliances scheduled to be delivered and I get a phone call telling me, NEVER MIND!!

Transition

It was like that storm that comes out of nowhere and all the time you spent cleaning your car is wasted. Isn’t it weird how good things take a long time to develop but a single phone call can change everything that was established? You work 5 years on a marriage and in 1 moment you learn of infidelity and it hits you out of nowhere. Life is a marathon but we often don’t have the stamina to keep running at the same pace when you discover the road you’ve been on is a dead end. As I process it, I can’t think of a more extreme journey than Jesus.

It was like that storm that comes out of nowhere and all the time you spent cleaning your car is wasted. Isn’t it weird how good things take a long time to develop but a single phone call can change everything that was established? You work 5 years on a marriage and in 1 moment you learn of infidelity and it hits you out of nowhere. Life is a marathon but we often don’t have the stamina to keep running at the same pace when you discover the road you’ve been on is a dead end. As I process it, I can’t think of a more extreme journey than Jesus.

Background/Context

Jesus has been in ministry for roughly 3.5 years. He has done some amazing things:

Turned water to wine

Showed control over the elements:

Walked on water

Rebuked the wind

Healed the sick, brought sight to the blind, helped the lame to walk ()

Brought deliverance to the oppressed

Fed the hungry

Developed a flawed but faithful team made up of mostly people under 20

Get Perspective

Get Prepared

Get Your Praise On!

Closing