An Unlikely Hero

Good morning, and thank you for being with us here at Thomson Presbyterian church and listening to the sermon that we have for you today. I would like to encourage you to considering following along and our sermons through our website or even listening to our local radio station wtho, 101.7 FM every Sunday at 9:30 as we begin to look at how to livestream and hopefully by next week. We will have this sermon series live streaming for you, hopefully on Easter, but thanks for joining us today. And I would ask that you turn in your Bibles to Luke chapter 19. Luke chapter 19 verses 28 through 44 this morning Luke 19-28 through 44 everything from the ESV and I would ask that you pay special attention to the word of Our Lord this morning.

And we had said these things he went on ahead going up to Jerusalem. And what are you doing here to Bethpage and Bethany at the mount that is called all of it. He sent two of his disciples saying go into the village in front of you wear on entering you will find a Colt tied on which no one has ever yet. Sat untie it and bring it here. If anyone ask you why are you in time? If you still say this, the Lord has need of it. So those who were sent away went away and found it just as he had told them and as they were on time to cold its owner said to them, why are you in time to call and they said the Lord has need of it and they brought it to Jesus and throwing their cloak on the cold. They sat Jesus on it. And as he rode along they spread their cloaks on the road 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 loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen saying blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord peace in heaven and glory in the highest and some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to them teacher review your disciples and he said I tell you if these were silent the very Stones would cry out. And what are you doing here and saw the city he wept over it sank. Would that you even you had known of this day the things that make for peace, but now they are hidden from your eyes for the days will come upon you when your enemies will set up a barrier barricade around you and Surround you and him you in on every side and tear you down to the ground you and your children within you and they will not leave one stone upon another in you because you did not know the time of your visitation the grass withers the flower Fades, but the word of the Lord endures forever. Let us pray father. We thank you Lord for your word for your truth and all these times in which there are false words. There are untrue sterilized of the devil. We pray the Lord that you would always bring us back to your word to your truth knowing that it is truth. Our life that there is no other means by which we are to know you that you revealed yourself and you're very worried and we thank you. Oh Lord that everything that we need for our own salvation to be called by your name is written in your word into the believed. Through faith. We will just now oh Lord as we look at your word. Give us your wisdom and discernment in Christ's name. We pray all men.

At Christmas time. I was introduced to a movie. I don't remember us this year a few years ago. I don't really remember but the movies called the star and it is a Christmas movie about a basically about a donkey really that carries married. And of course Mary being the mother of Jesus from Nazareth to Bethlehem and Beyond donkey named Bo you're the star of the show, right? So Bo runs around with all these amazing things so that at the end of the movie, right? We know the Christmas story that Christ may be born and what a glorious day that is it all culminates here in Jesus birth. So it is a somewhat of a Christmas movie and there's a scene in in this movie where there's young donkey. He's attached to a grindstone and they're milling and he's sticking to be free right? He knows that life is more than just being tied to have a millstone. And grinding it and so he says to the older donkey this with him. He says I know it feels like we're just going in circles and a little donkey of course and all of those wisdom response while yes, we are. You think we're both his journey in life was more than just being a donkey at the more than being a beast of burden. He wanted to take action wanted to find himself knew that he was called for something greater. Any of the story is really good in the sense that it it shows that you know, God uses many different people and animals and in situations to bring about the birth of his son Jesus Christ and sew in a bow here is really excited and in trying to You know the movie trying to resent us a story about though and then being something greater on the story of Jesus birth movie represents for us really is an issue that we have in the church today. So I'm going to look at it in a negative sense. And I know that's not always good to deal with kids movies in a negative sense, but but here meow. In this movie We tend to take the story about Jesus Christ and we make it about a donkey. We tend to even in our own life today come up with very creative ways to distract from the simple. Central figure which is Jesus Christ in our own life today when we approached scripture what we're not always trained just start by looking at scripture life and our own way where we're really looking at. What is this for me? What's the application? What am I to do with this story? That's how we trained people over the years and the church is to look at this from your own perspective and to really trying to figure out what I am to do with this but at the end of the day this story really isn't about a donkey is Jesus about his birth about what God has done to reconcile and bring peace to the world. And so I'm somewhat encouraged by this but yet we have the church at 10 to do the same thing. So I understand I get it and I think we just need to be very careful with this because we we can do the very same thing with this passage that we're looking at today this passage that we see today is not about it's not about at the hockey. It's about Jesus Christ about our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and what he is doing on behalf of his people. Just like in the movie The Star we see Beau as the star rather than Jesus who seems to be just a character in the background of the result of this being, you know, Jesus being born doing all the wonderful work. And so we need to be very careful with that. And the reason for that is as we go through things in this life things such as this pandemic a blow to the economy a struggle with having to be isolated in Georgia we are now under this shelter at homeless shelter in place and so you're not have you know the freedoms you normally have and so we may even feel like Bo it sometimes we want to get out of here and so we may very well fall into this trap and so I want us to be very careful of that today that look at this since not as one about a donkey or palms or children or any of that stuff. Those things are wrong created by God and not to be shunned in any way but this passage really isn't about any of those things it's really about Jesus Christ and his Prophet priest and King Jesus Christ throughout scripture fulfills these three offices and this morning when I look at how he does that and we are going to talk about Jesus as Prophet priest and king from this passage. So very quickly. Let me go through these first the prophet Jesus as the prophet Weaver's 28 And we had it said these things he went on ahead. Now who is scripture are we typically used to saying things? Well the profits go through the Old Testament, you know that the prophets are always out bringing God's word. They are the mouthpiece for God once the fall takes place and God has distanced himself from the world because of since we have the prophets coming in and speaking for God and we see if they're all the Old Testament Israel is is really with profits with the word of God coming to the interior is Jesus the prophet Who is coming and it starts look even says before he does anything in this passage. He first says something he says what's going to happen. Is it just predicting what's happening? He is it or what's going to happen? He is telling his disciples. This will come to pass. I want a profit of old did that they really didn't understand or may not have had the full inside because God is Sovereign they may not have known what was going on. She just might have I'm not going to go ahead and just because of his divinity. I'm going to go ahead and say that he did he knew what was going to transpire. He was going to predict something that you knew was going to happen because God is in control and so as the Prophet The Prophet that all other prophets are pointing to Jesus is fulfilling that role. Hear as he's speaking. That's why it's very important for us to look at the words of Christ here being spoken. Go into the village in front of you who are on entering. You will find a Colt. I know how did Jesus know that there was going to be a cold? She has God so he knew on which he says no one has ever get sad and tired and bring it here. If anyone ask you why are you in Thailand get used to say this? Oh Lord has need of it and isn't it interesting that when the disciples go and say that the owner of the Colts speaks no more. Nothing. No regard whatsoever Jesus and his word is what's being highlighted hear Jesus as the prophet and Jesus speaking. We need not downplay the fact that when Jesus speaks very important things happened. We may think of Jesus calming the storm and it wasn't that Jesus pulled out of wander waved his hand know it was that Jesus spoke. Much like God creating the world. Ex nihilo as he spoke it into existence.

In Matthew chapter 3 1617 we read of this baptism of Jesus and at the end of that you remember what what God says about Jesus his son. He says and behold a voice from Heaven said this is my beloved Son. With whom I am. Well pleased. Here's a prophet that was sent by God and that is words are so important that God is pleased with everything that Jesus says we need to be encouraged by that. We need to remember that as we look at the words of Jesus Christ John John also confirms. This doesn't even John 1 Chapter 1 verse 1. He says in the beginning was the word and the Word was with God and the Word was God. This word here is capitalized in my version probably isn't used as you go on and read the rest of John you understand that the word here is referring to Jesus Christ and his role as profit and first New chapter 1 John chapter 1 he says he was in the beginning with God all things were made through him. And without him was not anything made that was made for the light of men into the darkness and the Darkness was not has not overcome it Jesus then is the word. Not only do we have all these passengers confirming this but we have Jesus actually personifying this as I just pointed out in these verses. He says in verse 33 34. He says what's going to happen if he tells the disciples what to expect and sure enough they do right? They come to fruition. And so we need to be mindful of this that God was pleased with the work of Jesus Christ. He is pleased of the things that Jesus is speaking of in what he is saying,

And so let us be mindful that when we think of the words of Jesus Christ that they aren't just things that are going to come true because he just get it right. This is in a lucky guess stop by Jesus the word of God being spoken the god of the Universe 2 God who is Sovereign over all things, you know, here's a great way to hear from Hebrews chapter 1 verse 1 through to his a great reminder buy the right of Hebrews. It says long ago that many times and in many ways God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days, he has spoken to us by his son will be appointed the air of all things through whom also he created the World Hears Jesus In This Very passage before he even gets on the cold for them gets on the donkey speaking. As a prophet the prophet the Son of God who is come to Proclaim all things that are true. We're brothers and sisters how awesome would it be if we took the word Christ seriously that we looked in this time of need to The Words of Christ. What if we read our Bible what if we got in there and clone to these words so they had a meaning and Truth in our life that as we go through this life and the term on the frustrations that we are surrounded by now that we would be encouraged by Jesus Christ knowing that his words are true. We live in a world in which words don't really mean things do that have double meaning sometimes for some people they can be used in various ways in various contact for the words of Jesus Christ recruit. Let us cling to that. Let us look to that today high priest the priest above all priests. We know the Old Testament. We see all of these high priests that were established. Some of them went awry some of them I brought sin upon the people some of them led the people astray and into said but here is a high priest that doesn't do any of that as matter fact he fulfills his role and what his role is as high priest is to act on behalf of the people to be the mediator that brings peace between God and man looking for 42. Would that you even you had known on this day the things that make for peace is basically saying as I'm coming in in this triumphal entry I'm coming in as a servant as a priest who standing in the gap between you host Center and God and I'm going to enter into this work which I will go and die on a cross for you that I might shed my blood that I might die for you the sinner so that the wrath of God is a p

You receive Mercy.

Jesus is the mediator of a hole between a holy God and a sinful people. We are about to witness in this story Jesus riding on a Colt being being lauded as King in the one who is sent by the king in his role as a priest going and mediating for his people.

We also read in Hebrews about this role of Jesus and this being of a high priest. And it's not just Jesus is the mediator. Jesus is one who sympathizes with his people. And Hebrews 4:14 since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens Jesus the son of God, let us hold fast our confession. We do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are yet without sin. Let us then with confidence that we may receive mercy and find Grace to help in time of need.

What is this is when we see Jesus is our high priest. We know that we can then go to him in our time of trouble in her time of need and end with our prayers with our supplications. Some of us are hurting today. Some of us are needed a sum of honestly don't know what to do. So it may be living in fear. But at the end of the day if our faith and trust in Jesus Christ, we know he stands in the Gap that he is our high priest and we can go to him. 3 isn't unable to sympathize

and therefore we can have this confidence. If we draw near to the throne of grace brother sisters draw near to the throne of grace put your eyes on Jesus Christ this morning, whatever is going on in your life. What struggles you have a look at Jesus Christ to other things. Not too symbols, not to Palms not to Tunes not two donkeys. Look none other than to Jesus Christ.

So the last thing I would bring her attention to is the fact that Jesus fulfills his role. Fills his role as king Prophet priest and now King and boy is this ever a passes that is wrought with the kingship of Jesus Christ this fairly evident to most of us who have heard that story even as we grew up in the church as young children, we knew holy holy holy Hosanna Hosanna king of King Lord of Lord. That's what's being praised. Blessed is the king verse 38 who comes in the name of the Lord peace in heaven and glory in the highest.

Here's a crowd of people his disciples that are praising him. Why because he is their King and they know it.

Here's the evidence.

The evidence is in the fact that what he said was going to happen actually happened because Jesus in some way is already Sovereign over his creation. Jesus is already not only saying what's going to happen but he is making all the things happened so that it comes to fruition the cult and how it was tied and where it was and what was going to be sad. All of those things again. Jesus didn't just predict as if he had some crystal ball. No, no, he sent those things because he knew what was going to happen. He had ordained all of those things. He had made them happen. Adam laid out the way that they were supposed to be. In the crowd responded to that. Lifting him up and bringing him in and his triumphal entry. But here's another evidence piece that I want you to look at. Look at verse 40. This is an amazing piece for me. What a glorious verse. And see in verse 39 and some of the Pharisees then in the crowd said to him teacher refute your disciples know they're saying you're not the king and let's go ahead and tell them that you're not there and they are wrong for giving glory to you.

Until Jesus responds. No listen I am the king here. So here's what he says in verse 40. I tell you if these were silent the very Stones would cry out brothers sisters. There's not a person in this world that can make an inanimate object and a math. I don't care what you believe about a I I don't care what's going on in technology. You can try to prove me wrong. There's not a single one on this Earth that can make an inanimate object and there's not a single person that can take something unliving and make it living. Yes, Jesus says I am the king who can make rocks cry out and glorify God see the end result here of all the work of Christ is to glorify God the father that in his role as Prophet priest and King that if the people do not respond appropriately that people do not Bow Down and Worship a holy God in the people. Do not look at Jesus Christ as the king will guess what the rest of creation will and Jesus has control over all things that these inanimate object know who the Creator is is to be worship brothers sisters. Do we know who's to be worship today?

Are we worshiping Palms are we worshiping things that we were sipping people? Are we worshipping our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ the King? He's the king.

See you soon, Jesus and his role as Prophet priest and King gives us hope in this trying time and time and which things around us are fading away or Norms are societies are economies governments.

people communities businesses towns All these things are fading away. As people around us are dying. Our family. Our friends are Brothers and Sisters in Christ people. We don't even know by the thousands are dying around us in this pandemic. Our lives are changing. Are they our schools have stopped our work has stopped some of our income has stopped.

our freedom our liberties some of those things are no longer available to us.

We're face really to realize that all things are passing away as we await the return of Jesus Christ. We're beginning to realize that we are not in control of all things aren't we some of us think that we are the king some of us think that we are the central figure in the store, but the reality is no Jesus Christ is the central figure. and all of creation

our response during this time is to look none other than to Jesus Christ in both.

And all of his offices as Prophet priest and King. And then to rest in him to look at Jesus Christ and say yes, he is the prophet. Yes, he is the priest. Yes. He is the king.

We can't believe what Jesus says is true. Can't wait. Because he's the prophet that all other prophets let up to see what Jesus has promised and is promising to us. He will do we can trust and have faith and that we can also trust in the fact that he is our high priest that he is our mediator that would we are in need.

We can go and rest in him for our Salvation. We know that he will hear our prayer that he sympathizes with our knees. There may be people out here who think that nobody understands. Let me tell you Jesus understand. Jesus understands

can also because of his role as king trust and his work in this world. We may not know what God is doing right now in our life. We may never know. I tell you what Jesus Does. And at the end of the day the work of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is to bring glory to the father to bring glory to God. God will receive glory in all things even the things that are taking place in our life today.

I don't know what's going on in your life. You probably don't know what's going on in your life. But at the end of the day because of who Jesus is and what Jesus has said. God will be glorified even through our pain and suffering even through our misery. What should our response be? Our response simply be to trust in Jesus. Jesus the prophet Jesus the priest and Jesus the key.

I watched another movie with my daughter could tell until I'm at home often. We watch The Chronicles of Narnia Prince Caspian movie and you know what struck me about this movie is that I'm not up on the books. I'm not sure if it's true to the book or not. But in the movie anyway Peter who is the oldest of the kings and queens of combat. Anuria is the oldest child protagonist of the story when they come back he thinks so highly of himself that when he finds out that the telmarines are now trying to destroy the narnians. That he wants to protect the narnians and he wants to do so on his own. I remember throughout the movie even at different very various X multiple times. He is asked by his siblings and by others shouldn't you wait for Aslan? If you remember the story at all, I remember as mine is the line. He was the king of Narnia the true king Peter and the rest of my just kind of kings and queens. But Aslan is the true king of Narnia. Peter throughout this movie attempts to do things himself what happens to many of his fellow narnians kill people die creatures die narnians die because Peter is so arrogant and prideful that he tries to do everything himself.

Brothers and sisters, let us be a people. Do not try to do things yourself, but who look to Jesus Christ the true savior? As we seek to persevere during these trying times. Now there's a great passages are closed Matthew 28 19 through 20. Most of us are very familiar with the Great Commission. Go therefore and Make Disciples of all Nations baptizing in the name of the father Son and Holy Ghost verse 26 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. Never catch the very end of that. The last sentence in the passage it says this and behold I Am With You Always to the end of the age. Only Jesus a prophet priest and King can be trusted in that problem. You trusted him today. Will you trust in him? tomorrow What's Grace's Heavenly Father? We thank you Lord for your word for your Truth. For Your Glory for your power Your Majesty. We asked the Lord that you would be with us. Now people in a people lost in need of a king. I need of a high priest and most in need of your word from the prophet teaches. Oh Lord to rely completely on you and all things in Christ name. We pray. Ahmed brothers and sisters I pray that you would receive the benediction and then God's mercy and Grace would be upon you the benediction. Now the Savior who died who lives and who Reigns Grant you Joy and labor peace and trouble hope and despair and faithfulness and Temptation now and forevermore. I'll man thank you for being with us today. I pray that you will be with us again next week the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on that and I'll man