Giving up on Popularity

Story about Humility

Undercover Boss

Jesus as Undercover Boss.

In the show the undercover boss would walk amongst his employees to see how they were doing. That is exactly what Jesus did.

Philippians 2:6–8 ESV

who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

Philippians 2:10 ESV

so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,

Phil 2:

Philippians 2:6 ESV

who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped,

Philippians 2:8 ESV

And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

Philippians 2:4 ESV

Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.

Can I just say, He’s still doing it today? He’s not bending our will and forcing us to follow Him. He gives us a choice. But Jesus is humble and gentle and patient.

His great desire is that we would worship him in Spirit and in truth… and this passage is one that can teach us that.

The Story

Why I love preaching from a story.

It shows us in real time principals that Jesus wants to get across to us.

Everyone loves a good story

How to preach from a story

You have to follow the rules of the story

Plot

Setting

Characters

Point of View

Theme

Symbolsm

Conflict

Now because of time I can only go over a few of these and if you’ll offer me some license, I think we will get to a deeper understanding of who Christ is and what was in His heart in this moment.

As a sidebar, we should always know that in the narrative if anything in the Bible is a response that is required of us and a demonstration of how we are to act.

Elements of the Story

Point of View

Matthew was a narrative of Christs time on Earth written to the Jewish people.

The genealogy right in chapter one starts with this verse.

Matthew 1:1 ESV

The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.

Why not Adam? Why not God?

David was the “best” king and it was promised to the Israelite people that out of the tribe that the one true king would come out of that lineage.

Abraham was given the covenant that out of his descendents the entire world would be blessed.

The Israelite people needed to know the Jesus was the fulfillment of the promise.... He was the King… the Messiah… the savior of the world.

Setting:

The Jewish people were an oppressed people

“there was great distress in Israel, such as had not been since the time that prophets ceased to appear among them” ()

“there was great distress in Israel, such as had not been since the time that prophets ceased to appear among them” ()

The Israelites were experienceing a great hope and I can’t say great loud enough. There was great anticipation in the day.

Prophecies were happening left and right.

John the Baptist… the voice of one crying in the wilderness. Making the path straight for the messiah....

Jesus - friend of sinners - miracles - taught with authority.

Jesus -

The colt.

Zechariah 9:9 ESV

Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; righteous and having salvation is he, humble and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.

Zec 9:9

Isaiah 62:11 ESV

Behold, the Lord has proclaimed to the end of the earth: Say to the daughter of Zion, “Behold, your salvation comes; behold, his reward is with him, and his recompense before him.”

Characters..

Disciples - simply did what they were told...

The colt owners - bunch of gossips

The crowd -

Matthew 21:9 ESV

And the crowds that went before him and that followed him were shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!”

Mt 21

Those still in Jerusalem — hearing this is the guy - the prophet...

Here’s the problem --- They didn’t quite get it. - they called him prophet vs. messiah

Jesus

fulfilled the prophecy

His attempt was to be humble

He desperately wants us to get it

Luke 19:41–42 ESV

And when he drew near and saw the city, he wept over it, saying, “Would that you, even you, had known on this day the things that make for peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes.

lk 19:

Conclusion

Therein lies the story of passover Sunday

We can remember the story if the first passover where the people of Israel were saved by the blood of the lamb....

They had one thing to do… apply the blood and you live. If you didn’t, the firstborn would die.

Fast forward to Jesus’s password.. they worshipped and praised him, but they didn’t quite get it. Their praise was--- yay we are finally going to get what we want. Not He is worthy to receive all glory and honor.

They needed to follow him.. but Jesus wept because no matter how popular He was in that moment… they did not know the way to peace.

Today we are in a different place. We get to see the things in His Word. We get to read and know about the prince of peace.... but we have one thing to do ..... Apply the blood of the Lamb.

So where is your peace being robbed from you?

Is it things being done to you?

Is it your own lack of faith?

Are the problems around you so big you can see the answer?

Maybe you are doing great, but I live in this world my peace gets robbed all the time. I want those things that are oppressing me to be wrecked. But God has a better plan. Apply the blood. Apply the fact that Jesus came to this earth to rescue, to heal, and to save. Lets lift our hearts to Him and pray.