The King is Coming! Hosanna!
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It’s so good to celebrate isn’t it?
This morning being able to come back to in person gathering is a wonderful celebration.
Imagine getting the news that you don’t have to work anymore, your bills are paid off and you are financially secure tfor he rest of your days! YAHOO! Right!
Some would be content with that for a while but then there’s only so much relaxation and leisure you can have.
We all need a break now and then, but not an endless holiday. Meaningful work, close friends and something to look forward to is needed. These things won’t change both here on earth and in heaven.
When you have a relationship with God through Jesus Christ you are wealthier than the richest person in the world. Remember much of our treasure is ahead of us in heaven.
Let’s talk about heaven this morning.
I don’t think we have a clear picture.
Do you think we will be bored there?
What do you think it will be like?
What do you think we will be doing?
Don’t worry God is not boring!
Heaven won’t bore you. It will bring fulfillment and celebration!
I love to celebrate!
All your dreaming, praying and focusing, risk-taking and investing - is a prelude to greater service, happier work and richer fulfillment in heaven. We are God’s children and we are always moving forward (or at least we should) even as we depart the earth.
When you celebrate you look forward to something you don’t dread it?
So here today I would say we are looking to heaven. At least that’s what I will assume.
Look Forward to Heaven
Look Forward to Heaven
We all know this world is not our home and we have invested our lives in the things of heaven.
The heros of scripture thought of heaven, saying they are just here briefly, they are pilgrims on the earth, seeking a homeland, desiring a better place - a heavenly one.
Abraham was confidently looking forward to a city with eternal foundations, a city designed and built by God.
Jesus too longed for Heaven as He approached the end of His Earthly life, telling his disciples this:
Remember what I told you: I am going away, but I will come back to you again. If you really loved me, you would be happy that I am going to the Father, who is greater than I am.
We are told to look forward to heaven too.
Since everything around us is going to be destroyed like this, what holy and godly lives you should live, looking forward to the day of God and hurrying it along. On that day, he will set the heavens on fire, and the elements will melt away in the flames. But we are looking forward to the new heavens and new earth he has promised, a world filled with God’s righteousness.
And so, dear friends, while you are waiting for these things to happen, make every effort to be found living peaceful lives that are pure and blameless in his sight.
Note the words Look Forward and make every effort to be found living peaceful lives, pure and blameless in His sight.
Three times Peter told us to look forward:
To anticipate what God has for us in the future
For the Return of Christ - the creation of the new heaven and the new earth
Our eternal home in heaven
Our anticipation empowers us to live holy, Godly and purposeful lives in this present age.
Illustration:
There are many people that have moved away from Newfoundland who just long to be home.
When you are away just being able to come home to smell the salt water and see the beautful scenes we get to enjoy and take for granted each day, these guys miss so much and long for. The food, the friends, the family and the fun.
Many long and yearn to be here in Newfoundland so much but circumstances cause them to have to live away. I love Newfoundland and I feel so happy that I get to live where I do.
But friends I long for a place that is better than Newfoundland and for a city that is greater than St. John’s, don’t you?
Thinking about and anticipating heaven should be the driving force of our lives, especially because through prayer we can stay in close contact with someone who already lives there.
If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God.
C.S. Lewis said:
“A continual looking forward to the eternal world is not a form of escapism or wishful thinking, but one of the things a Christian is meant to do. It does not mean that we are to leave the present world as it is. If you read history you will find that the Christian who did most for the present world were just those who thought most of the next”.
Look forward to a Rousing Welcome
Look forward to a Rousing Welcome
Expect a rousing welcome. Don’t be afraid of dying! You will get a rich welcome over there. Can you imagine?
Like the Israelites crossing the Jordan, we have not passed this way before (Josh. 3:4)
Peter the apostle said that if you serve Jesus faithfully:
and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Think about what it was like. Remember reading about it in scripture.
Finally the Messiah, the promised king is coming into Jerusalem.
The entry into Jerusalem was carefully planned not just this particular day but years before, before the world was created even. Jesus is the “Lamb who was slain at the foundation of the world”.
There were hints placed throughout scripture, prophets spoke about it (possibly unknowingly) but with great detail. Think about that day.
The Cheers and the Tears!
Mark 11:1-11 Jesus comes to Jerusalem as King.
As Jesus and his disciples approached Jerusalem, they came to the towns of Bethphage and Bethany on the Mount of Olives. Jesus sent two of them on ahead. “Go into that village over there,” he told them. “As soon as you enter it, you will see a young donkey tied there that no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks, ‘What are you doing?’ just say, ‘The Lord needs it and will return it soon.’ ”
The two disciples left and found the colt standing in the street, tied outside the front door. As they were untying it, some bystanders demanded, “What are you doing, untying that colt?” They said what Jesus had told them to say, and they were permitted to take it. Then they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their garments over it, and he sat on it.
Many in the crowd spread their garments on the road ahead of him, and others spread leafy branches they had cut in the fields. Jesus was in the center of the procession, and the people all around him were shouting,
“Praise God!
Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the Lord!
Blessings on the coming Kingdom of our ancestor David!
Praise God in highest heaven!”
So Jesus came to Jerusalem and went into the Temple. After looking around carefully at everything, he left because it was late in the afternoon. Then he returned to Bethany with the twelve disciples.
They were thrilled to have Jesus, the king, the Messiah come to Jerusalem.
They were shouting Hosanna! Waving Palm branches. There was such a high celebration.
Can you feel the momentum building?
Hosanna - Praise yes, but also Save Us! What did those words mean?
They recognized they needed salvation. But salvation from whom?
Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!
Then they were throwing down cloaks and branches like you would put out a royal red carpet for royalty.
For 6 Centuries the people have been waiting for a Savior. To deliever them from the Roman influence. The one that was the promised Messiah they read in scriptures and were taught about at temple.
Jesus came into town not riding on a Stallion like most galliant Kings would. Jesus came riding on a humble lowly donkey. When the people saw him they cheered because they believed He was there to save them and stake God’s kingdom on the Earth.
The donkey He rode in on was borrowed that had never been ridden because ancient tradition forbids anyone but the King to ride His donkey or colt. The donkey has a red carpet created by the clothes of the people who watched and rejoiced.
What a welcome!
We have so much to look forward to. Keep holding on to looking forward.
Look Forward to a Rich Reward
Look Forward to a Rich Reward
This time of year there are many awards shows. With awards shows they give away swag bags. Some of these bags are valued at $225,000 for a gift bag?
They have $75 bath bombs
Certificates for plastic surgery
12 day cruise vouchers
Trips on a submarine
Romatic getaway at a Spanish lighthouse
$25000 worth of cosmetics
There’s just so much richness in there.
But how much greater is the “abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness” that the Lord offers us.
For the genuine follower of God, one word of welcome or commendation by our precious Lord is a million times better than any awards gift bag.
The Bible teaches us there will be a moment in the future when our work for the Lord will be evaluated. This is the judgment seat of Christ.
For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.
I believe the judgement seat of Christ will occur immediately after the rapture of the church to heaven.
Dr. David Jeremiah
“This judgment is for Christ to assess every believer’s earthly works to determine what rewards are to be received”.
The Bible describes these rewards as crowns:
The Victor’s crown
Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.
2. The Crown of rejoicing
For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes? Is it not you?
3. The Crown of Righteousness
Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.
4. The Crown of Life
Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.
5. The Crown of Glory
And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.
The greatest reward will be seeing those in heaven who have been influenced by your work. When God rewards you you then understand you have achieved something in life after all - far more than you ever thought.
Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.
Look forward to a Royal Throne
Look forward to a Royal Throne
Randy Alcorn
“Work in heaven won’t be frustrating or fruitless: instead it will involve lasting accomplishment, unhindered by decay and fatigue, enhanced by unlimited resources”.
The greatest energy and enthusiasm in heaven will be around the throne of God when we cast our crowns at His feet and worship Him with full understanding and joy.
We get a preview in s Rev. 4 & 5, the saints and the angels of heaven will sing in a loud voice:
Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, saying:
“To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb
be praise and honor and glory and power,
for ever and ever!”
After all the things we have looked at and talked about can you imagine the moment when tens of millions of us join the tens and millions of angels - and we life our voices in a choir of billions and sing of God’s amazing grace!
Your eyes will see the king in his beauty
and view a land that stretches afar.
Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting:
“Hallelujah!
For our Lord God Almighty reigns.
Let us rejoice and be glad
and give him glory!
For the wedding of the Lamb has come,
and his bride has made herself ready.
Fanny J Crosby wrote the hymn “ And I shall see Him face to face and tell the story saved by grace”.
The closer we get to heaven, the greater our longing for Jesus face.
Conclusion:
This morning let’s think about all the things we get to celebrate. Think about how great our God is. Think about that day many years ago Jesus rode in on a donkey knowing fully and completely what was coming this week.
The people looked with anticipation and excitement. With Cheers and tears of celebration and hope in their eyes.
Jesus looked at the city through the tears, remember He is fully human, but still fully divine and will continue the duty, the will of His father. Jesus knew what this week would bring to His life.
They cheer for Him on Palm Sunday but on Friday they rejected him, hated Him and spit on Him.
Jesus had tried hard to get through to the people. He sent prophets, He worked miracles. Nothing seemed to really open their eyes. Even those who were there cheering Him on were there for selfish reasons. They had their own agenda for Jesus, to rescue them.
Hosanna! Save Us! That is still a prayer ringing out today!
My Child is sick. My health is failing. I have no purpose, no direction. Save me!
God promised to build his house - dynasty through David’s lineage that will endure forever.
Today, Palm Sunday, the triumphal entry the one who carries the brightness of God’s glory descends from Bethany and the Mount of Olives and enters the east gate of the holy city and went to the Temple.
The most exciting moment of all is still to come. One day very soon we will see the glory of God break through the Eastern sky!
He is coming back to rapture His bride, the church! It will be a glorious day! My friends we need to be ready. If you are here and you are not ready, now is the time, welcome Him into your heart He is ready to receive you.
Sing: I believe He’s coming back like He said.
And I shall see Him Face to face
This World is not my home I am just passing through.
The King is coming