Empty graves part 2

Jerry underwood

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Empty graves part 2

Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass.

INTRODUCTION

His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself.

And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.

And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.

And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.

And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.

INTRODUCTION

Good morning Southpointe, Welcome to our Palm Sunday service.

We are excited about Easter service coming up, I hope you are as excite as we are. We are looking for many prodigal to come home that day.

And we are looking for you to come and invite and bring mom & dad, grandma, grandpa, aunt, uncle, children, grandchildren, your neighbors and friends.

I want to reinforce our Good Friday, this Friday night we will be having communion and just a great time together in kicking off our Easter celebration.

It starts at 7:00 pm, we started doing this last year and it just something that I believe as the Pastor we need to do and what a service we had.

Many people from other churches came and it was just good. Hope you come this Friday!!

Well let’s get to the sermon:

The Sadducees had a tradition in which they believed the Messiah would show up four days before Passover. They kept the gates of the Temple open so that He could walk right in to His rightful place.

Because of this, Jewish people excitement was at its peak.

The Romans would have all troops activated and on alert for this day. They feared the Jews would try another revolt which had happened in the past. Tensions were very high on that day.

That is the very day Jesus chose to enter Jerusalem on a donkey fulfilling the prophecy!

I have never been on Hosanna Street in Jerusalem. But they tell me If you are coming from Bethlehem and then through Bethany, the road climbs over a ridge and as you reach the top, spread out before you on the other side of the Kidron Valley is the beautiful city of Jerusalem.

I have been up and down Hosanna Street in Jerusalem a number of times. If you are coming from Bethlehem and then through Bethany, the road climbs over a ridge and as you reach the crest, spread out before you on the other side of the Kidron Valley is the beautiful city of Jerusalem. I wish I had a projector to show you the scene from this road. The dominant feature in the view of the city is the Dome of the Rock. The Dome of the Rock now stands where the Temple once stood. The rock inside that dome has the footings of the Holy of Holies in the dimensions recorded in God’s word. There is even a carved out area on top of the rock in the dimensions of the Ark of the Covenant. That ridge was once called the Mount of Olives. Two-thirds of the way down that hill into the Kidron Valley is the Church of All Nations and the Garden of Gethsemene.

The main view of the city is the Dome of the Rock. The Dome of the Rock now stands where the Temple once stood.

They say that the rock inside that dome has the footings of the Holy of Holies in the dimensions recorded in God’s word. There is even a carved out area on top of the rock in the dimensions of the Ark of the Covenant.

hat ridge was once called the Mount of Olives. Two-thirds of the way down that hill into the Kidron Valley is the Church of All Nations and the Garden of Gethsemene.

That ridge was once called the Mount of Olives. Two-thirds of the way down that hill into the Kidron Valley is the Garden of Gethsemene.

And if you know there was also a empty borrowed grave in this picture. One that was not bought for Jesus but one that God the Father had ordained for Jesus’ body to lay in.

You see, Jesus was headed for that empty borrowed grave. His journey begin like this:

Then Mary took a twelve-ounce jar of expensive perfume made from essence of nard, and she anointed Jesus' feet with it, wiping His feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance.

But Judas Iscariot, the disciple who would soon betray Him, said,

"That perfume was worth a year's wages. It should have been sold and the money given to the poor."

Not that he cared for the poor—he was a thief, and since he was in charge of the disciples' money, he often stole some for himself.

Jesus replied, "Leave her alone. She did this in preparation for My burial.

Could you think about this starting on this journey which was label as triumph entrance.

But the outcome was a empty borrowed grave.

I was just thinking about how today we won’t planned our funeral in advance. many people do but very few>

And if we do planned it is crazy stuff like something like Cody would do>

LIke there’s a funeral home in Altanta that you can have a drive-thru funeral.

There was a funeral were you can have your body standing up or leaning on a motorcycle.

One man married his dead girlfriend at her funeral, He put a ring on her finger and everything.

But I want you to understand that Jesus’s funeral was planned out and it was not weird but ordained.

And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.

This was all prearranged: That before the earth was form that Jesus was to die and be put it a borrow tomb.

Jesus was on the final leg that was label Triumph entrance,

Jesus went down that road on a donkey. It was a donkey that had never been ridden. This donkey had yielded its back to its Creator and willingly carried Him down that road.

That donkey happens to be a lot like us when we came to Jesus for salvation. We come, used to having our own way, but knowing we have met our Creator and need to yield our life to Him.

I got to thinking about this and I started wondering what Jesus was thinking as He was walking to His death.

Now I don’t want you put a downer on this service but then I got to think everyone of us are walking on this journey to our death.

And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:

It is kinda like the green miles, or Heath and his chicken truck.

At the end of the road, wait death.

I wonder if Jesus was thinking like we are right now on this journey?

I wonder how the people who was on the same journey but really, maybe was thinking on that line.

The crowds that had witnessed Lazarus resurrection shouted

The crowds that had witnessed Lazarus resurrection shouted “Hosanna” which means, “Save us now!” Yasha anna in Hebrew. They are quoting from (NIV)25 O LORD, save us; O LORD, grant us success. 26 Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD. From the house of the LORD we bless you. 27 The LORD is God, and he has made his light shine upon us. With boughs in hand, join in the festal procession up to the horns of the altar. 28 You are my God, and I will give you thanks; you are my God, and I will exalt you.29 Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.

“Hosanna” which means, “Save us now!”

They were quoting from

Save now, I beseech thee, O LORD: O LORD, I beseech thee, send now prosperity.

Blessed be he that cometh in the name of the LORD: we have blessed you out of the house of the LORD.

God is the LORD, which hath shewed us light: bind the sacrifice with cords, even unto the horns of the altar.

Thou art my God, and I will praise thee: thou art my God, I will exalt thee.

O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.

They are saying Jehovah (LORD) save us! To come in the name of the LORD is to come in His authority. He has made His light to shine on us. Jesus said He was the Light of the world.

They are saying Jehovah (LORD) save us! To come in the name of the LORD is to come in His authority. He has made His light to shine on us. Jesus said He was the Light of the world. Isaiah predicted the Messiah would be a Light to the Gentiles. Then in verse 27 we have variation in the texts. The NIV is more accurate in translation representing a clearer understand of the original language and predicts they will be waving boughs before Him unto the altar in the Temple. Then verse 28 – You are my God! Oh if only they would have heard their own prophecies that they had memorized so faithfully. And verse 29 is incredible as this is what was sung when the Presence of God filled the first Temple built by Solomon. By the way, it’s a chorus. As the people sang this in Solomon’s day, and I think they sang it more than 2 or 3 times, the Presence of God so filled the Temple that everyone had to step outside. () And what was happening right there in Jerusalem on that first Palm Sunday? The presence of God is about to walk into the Temple, the incarnation of God!

Then in verse 27 it is saying :

Jesus is the one who bringing the light to the world.

Then verse 28 – You are my God! Oh if only they would have heard their own prophecies that they had memorized so faithfully.

And verse 29 is incredible as this is what was sung when the Presence of God filled the first Temple built by Solomon.

Then verse 28 – You are my God! Oh if only they would have heard their own prophecies that they had memorized so faithfully. And verse 29 is incredible as this is what was sung when the Presence of God filled the first Temple built by Solomon. By the way, it’s a chorus. As the people sang this in Solomon’s day, and I think they sang it more than 2 or 3 times, the Presence of God so filled the Temple that everyone had to step outside. () And what was happening right there in Jerusalem on that first Palm Sunday? The presence of God is about to walk into the Temple, the incarnation of God!

Oh give thanks unto the Lord for He is good: for His mercy endureth for ever.

I would think that this is what it would kinda be like:

Dannie and Mark sing: God is Good

Think about it for a minute : As the people sang in Solomon’s day,when the temple was be opened and sacrifice had been made and as they were sang the Presence of God filled the Temple that everyone had to step outside.

And what was happening right there in Jerusalem on that first Palm Sunday? The presence of God is about to walk into the Temple, the incarnation of God!

Do you see this morning that this is a picture for you?

The Lord wants you for a Temple of the Holy Spirit.

Jesus wants to fill you, so that it is no more you that live but Christ that lives in you.

He wants to fill you, so that it is no more you that live but Christ that lives in you.

We need to sing, “He is good and His love endures forever” until we are filled to overflowing with the presence of the King.

Are we welcoming His presence into us as a Temple? Are our doors open and waiting? And do we recognize Him when He comes?

Jesus comes to us humbly, and sometimes we think it is just our brother, just a passage of Scripture, just an event in an ordinary day, but it is the King!

The Jews sang about a generation that sought the face of God.

Open up, ancient gates! Open up, ancient doors, and let the King of glory enter.

Be always ready for humble King Jesus to come in ways you least expect.

Let’s go back to Jesus on that palm Sunday: The welcoming crowd shouted,

"Blessings on the King who comes in the name of the LORD! Peace in heaven, and glory in highest heaven!"

This was a very dangerous thing to be expressing at that moment. The Pharisees knew the verse in Zechariah about the King coming on a donkey and were aware of the watchful eyes of Rome.

This was a very dangerous thing to be expressing at that moment. The Pharisees knew the verse in Zechariah about the King coming on a donkey and were aware of the watchful eyes of Rome. It wasn’t helping the tense situation to shout about a king on this particular day. They asked Jesus to rebuke his disciples. But Jesus told them if the disciples were quiet the stones would cry out. Jesus was familiar with the prophecy too. He saw the command to the daughter of Jerusalem to “Shout” and knew it would be fulfilled with our without people.

It wasn’t helping the tense situation to shout about a king on this particular day. They asked Jesus to rebuke his disciples.

But Jesus told them if the disciples were quiet the stones would cry out.

Now this is what you got to know:

In ancient Israel a shout would be lifted up as an army went into battle. Here is a little rag tag army entering Jerusalem to conquer, but they have come led by the Prince of Peace on a donkey. They lift up a shout of praise.

Our culture is fascinated with prophecies. One of the ways I like to get my weekly dose of humor is to look at the tabloid headlines as I go through the supermarket checkout line. They are always proclaiming some hidden prophecy is found or some secret code has helped to understand what some ancient prophet said. What is amazing to me is even when they are in error year after year, people still want to read it. The Bible has never been wrong. Its prophecies are accurate in every detail. It tells us what is coming in detail and yet most people never pick up their Bible! This prophecy about our Lord entering Jerusalem is amazingly detailed. speaks of the Daughter of Zion and Jerusalem rejoicing greatly and shouting. The sisters of Lazarus were indeed rejoicing for the resurrection of their brother. The women that followed Jesus were rejoicing that they were loved of God and forgiven. In ancient Israel a shout would be lifted up as an army went into battle. Here is a little rag tag army entering Jerusalem to conquer, but they have come led by the Prince of Peace on a donkey. They lift up a shout of praise.

In ancient Israel a shout would be lifted up as an army went into battle.

Here is a little rag tag army entering Jerusalem to conquer, but they have come led by the Prince of Peace on a donkey. They lift up a shout of praise.

The people of that times following along, must have had a lot of faith because their army and their leader didn’t seem to be very strong.

Jesus was to be going to the throne and to rule instead he was going to the cross and a empty grave.

Can i tell this morning that it was in the empty grave that victory was won!!

It was in a time when the world and the believers was thinking it was over and death had won again.

O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?

The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.

But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

All four gospels speak of the tomb (grave) in which owned Joseph of Arimathea, who was secretly a disciple of Jesus.

Jesus was in a borrowed tomb.

It was not the end results which seems to be death the end but it was what is going to happened thru the grave, it is the be used purpose.

Abraham and Sarah:

a. Sarah being barren was not the end result

Begin instead: Isaac

Moses and the red sea:

Begin of a nation

Peter’s failure

David and Bethsheba:

bold and powerful leader

God has got a planned laid out for you too.

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

The grave will be empty. It is a borrowed tomb, grave. The end results is what important. And God has greater plans.

That time in the grave is just a time for resurrection.

He came as the righteous One. How many people can be said to have entered Jerusalem in righteousness? And next are those powerful words, “having salvation”. Jesus came offering them peace with God. He came in peace to give the people peace. They preferred salvation from taxation to salvation of their souls – and so in a few days they would prefer Barabbas to be freed instead of Jesus. Jesus could see that this was their mindset, and so in the midst of this praise, with people waving the palm branches like a national flag, Jesus wept.

(NIV) "If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace--but now it is hidden from your eyes. Peace was not a new king that would war against Rome. It was a King that would offer them peace with God. Jesus could see that their desire to have an earthly king would be their destruction. If they had received the salvation that Jesus offered, they would not have revolted against Rome and been destroyed, crucified by the thousands.

Look at the last part of that amazing prophecy, “gentle and riding on a donkey…” This is how the Lord comes to us today too. He gently knocks upon the door of our hearts. He enters only at our invitation. I’m amazed at His patience. It should break our hearts that He is so persistent and yet so gentle.

The Romans don’t seem to have been too concerned. After all, there are no swords. When the ancient kings of Judah, from whom Joseph and Mary were descended, came into a town on a donkey it meant that they came in peace. The town could relax and prepare to welcome them. But if they came on a war-horse, it meant a battle was about to ensue. The time for Jesus to humbly and in gentleness offer Himself to man is drawing to an end. Just as this prophecy and have been fulfilled in amazing detail, so the other prophecies will soon come to pass. Turn to Zechariah 14for the real triumphal entry.

That is the Triumphal Entry! The day is coming when armies will surround Jerusalem. At that time Jerusalem will fall and half the people will be removed. But then the LORD Himself will fight against those nations that have taken Jerusalem.

For more detail we’ll turn to (NIV) 11 I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and makes war. 12 His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. 13 He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. 14 The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. 15 Out of his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. "He will rule them with an iron scepter." He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. 16 On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.

As the armies of the world loot Jerusalem He will descend from heaven on His war-stallion with the saints of God – the redeemed, following Him into battle. Apparently He will dismount upon the Mount of Olives as Zechariah predicted. He will execute justice in the earth, for He is Faithful and True. He would not be faithful or true if He did not punish the wicked that refuse to turn from their rebellion against God. It is in total justice that He judges and makes war. He is the Word of God. John received this revelation and it was John who had written in His Gospel that the Word became flesh and lived among us. The reign of the Messiah as a ruler of the earth will begin. It was what the religious leaders were hoping for at the first coming, at least in a limited form that included them in some position of power. But it is not the powerful that will reign at His side. No, it is the meek who will inherit the earth.

Just as the first prophecy has been fulfilled, so the second one will be fulfilled in detail. He will reign as King over the earth and execute justice and judgement upon it. I would like us to consider the path the majority of the Jews chose. They wanted a fulfillment to prophecy that met their personal desires for power and position. They wanted a messiah of their own making and for their own purposes. The real Messiah had never made His triumphal entry into their hearts. Gentle Jesus still offers salvation to those who have chosen their own messiahs. He will not take second place to them, and He will not make you give them up. He just continues to offer Himself, and wait for you to offer yourself to Him. One day it will be too late.

Palm Sunday! The ones that shouted ‘yasha anna’ will be shouting, “Crucify Him” in just four days, because He did not do what they wanted Him to do. They wanted Him to fulfill their expectations, not be LORD of their life. Where do you stand, total surrender to the Lordship of Christ, or expecting Him to fulfill your expectations? Yasha anna – save now – not from Rome, but from my own misguided desires. If He reigns in you now, He will reign in and through you then. Where will you be at the Second Triumphal Entry? It all depends on if you have allowed a triumphal entry into your heart!

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