TODAY WE ARE GOING TO TALK ABOUT
· People going on trips
WHEN SOME PEOPLE TRAVEL
· They get to the motel
· And unpack everything
· And put them in the drawers
AND WHEN THEY GET READY TO LEAVE
· They have to pack it all up again
· They say that while they are there
· They want to make it their home
WHEN WE GO SOMEWHERE
· And stay in a motel
· We never unpack
· And when we get ready to go
· We are already -- ready
YOU MIGHT AGREE OR DISAGREE
· But I am not going to overly focus
· On something that is just
· A short weekend trip
AND WHETHER I AM ALIVE
· For 60 – 80 – 100 years
· Compared to eternity
· It’s nothing more than a weekend trip
YOU MUST REMEMBER
· I don’t overly focus on short stays
· No matter where they are
THERE IS A SPECIAL TRIP
· That I want to focus on today
· It started out as a celebration
· And ended up with a death
IT WAS A TRIP
· That Jesus took
· A trip into the city
JESUS WAS FINALLY GOING TO JERUSALEM
· As he approached Bethpage and Bethany
· He sent two of His disciples ahead
· He said they would find a donkey
AND THEY WERE TO BRING IT BACK
· So he could ride it into Jerusalem
· It would be a trip
· that would alter the world
THEY WENT ON AND GOT THE DONKEY
· Jesus mounted it and started his trip
· Many disciples followed him
JESUS KNEW WHERE HE WAS GOING
· He knew the directions
· And he knew the price
· It would cost him to get there
Let’s pick this up by reading –
LUKE 19:36-38
‘As He went along, people spread their cloaks on the road. When He came near the place where the road goes down the Mount of Olives, the whole crowed of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen:
“Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!”
TODAY IS PALM SUNDAY
· It is also called Passion Sunday
· What is the difference?
PALM SUNDAY FOCUSES ON
· The celebration of his followers
· Because they were showing
· That Jesus was the King
THEY THOUGHT HE WAS AN EARTHLY KING
· But Jesus was the Godly King
PASSION SUNDAY FOCUSES ON
· What Jesus went thru
· During that last week
WHEN WE HEAR THE WORD “PASSION”
· We think of an extreme feeling
· Like the passion of young love
BUT THE LATIN MEANING OF “PASSION”
· Means “passio”
· It means “extreme suffering”
· the Passion of the Christ
· would be translated, “The Suffering of the Christ”
NEXT SUNDAY IS EASTER
· A time we take every year
· To acknowledge what Jesus did for us
· His taking the punishment of our sins
AT EASTER, MOST PEOPLE FOCUS
· On Easter Egg hunts
· Or making their twice yearly trip
· To attend a church
AND AS SOON AS EASTER IS OVER
· We quickly forget about it
· Until the same time next year
MANY PEOPLE LOOK AT THIS TRIP
· Jesus made into Israel
· It is called the Triumphal Entry
· Because for the first time -
· Jesus is being hailed as a king
· even if it was the wrong kind of king
AND AS SOON AS THEY
· Look at this trip
· They barely gloss over the cross
· And start looking at
· The resurrection of Easter
THIS IS CALLED
· Seeing the facts
· Without taking the time
· To understand any of them
IT IS IMPORTANT TO SEE THIS TRIP
· For without this trip
· The cross would not have happened
BUT WE MUST LOOK AT THE CROSS, TOO
· For it is at the cross
· That our sins were taken away from us
IT WAS AT THE CROSS
· Where we find the real meaning
· Of why Jesus came to earth
· In the first place
EASTER INCLUDES EVERYTHING
· that happened to Jesus
· From this journey – to the cross – to the empty tomb
“E” STANDS FOR ENCOURAGEMENT
In ROMANS 15:4, Paul states,
‘For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures, we might have hope.’
1 TIMOTHY 6:17 tells us,
‘Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.’
WE GET ENCOURAGEMENT
· Thru Scripture because that is where
· we find hope
BUT THE ONLY WAY WE CAN RECEIVE
· that encouragement and hope
· is through Jesus.
· It is available only because of the cross.
WE GO THRU MANY STORMS
· And sometimes feel
· All bruised up & burned out
GOD PROMISES THAT HE WILL NEVER
· Break a bruised reed
· And He won’t snuff out
· A burnt wick
GOD WILL HELP US THRU OUR STORMS
· Because of what He did on Easter
· So many years ago
IF JESUS COULD OVER COME THE GRAVE
· God can certainly overcome our storms
DURING THE TIME WHEN GERMANY
· was divided by the wall
· the Communist government built
· a tall radio antenna to send out propaganda
AT THE TOP OF THIS ANTENNA
· was a big round globe
· God used that globe
· To spread encouragement to the people
AT A CERTAIN POINT IN THE DAY
· the sun would reflect from this globe
· in the form of a huge cross
· and it could be seen all over the city
THEY PAINTED THE GLOBE
· But the cross continued to shine
· That cross gave encouragement
· Because it showed God had not left them
FLATTER ME & I WILL LIKE YOU
· Criticize me & I will not like you
· But encourage me & I will never stop loving you
“A” STANDS FOR ANGEL
WHEN THE WOMEN WENT TO THE TOMB
· the angel told them to go in and look
· God is inviting you to take a look today, too
· Because He wants another witness
THERE WERE OVER 500 WITNESSES
· Who saw Jesus after He was raised
· If each one of them were to come up here
· and gave a 10-minute testimony
· it would take over three days
“S” STANDS FOR SURPRISE
ALL OF US HAVE BEEN SURPRISED
· At sometime in our lives
· We know that there are
· Good surprised and there are bad surprises
I AM REMINDED OF A TRAGIC STORY
· about a young soldier returning Viet Nam
· He called his parents when he got to L.A.
HE TOLD HIS MOTHER
· That he had brought a friend home
· He said he had nowhere else to go
HE SAID HIS FRIEND
· Had been shot up pretty bad
· Was missing one leg and one arm
· And face was disfigured
HE ASKED IF HIS FRIEND
· Could live at their house
HIS MOTHER SAID THAT WOULD NEVER DO
· They were much too sociable
· To have someone like that living with them
THEN SHE SAID SHE WAS IN A HURRY
· Because she was late for a party
· And told him to call her later
WHEN SHE GOT HOME
· From the party
· She noticed a highway patrolman
· Waiting for her
HE TOLD HER THAT A SOLDIER
· Had been found dead
· In a seedy California hotel
HE HAD BEEN BADLY INJURED
· He was missing one arm and one leg
· And his I.D. showed that he was
· Her son
THAT STORY SHOWS US TWO THINGS
· First, it shows that not all surprises are good ones
· And it shows that no matter what our plight
· Jesus accepts us --- just as we are
THE MOTHER WAS STUNNED & SURPRISED
· Just like the women were
· When they went to the empty tomb
· None of them expected what they found
“T” STANDS FOR TELLING
AFTER THE ANGEL INVITED THE WOMEN
· To look inside the empty tomb
· they were told to go and tell
· this good news to others.
THIS COMMAND APPLIES TO US, TOO
· But many of us make a choice
· To disobey and ignore it
WHY DO WE DO THIS ?
· Because we aren’t comfortable
· Talking about Jesus
· To those who might not want to hear
RATHER THAN HAVE SOMEONE
· Think ill of us
· We ignore this command from Jesus
· And then go to church and sing
· “I HAVE DECIDED TO FOLLOW JESUS”
HERE IS WHAT CHRISTIANS
· have done to Christianity over the years
· we softened the truth
· so we wouldn’t offend anyone
THAT ALLOWED SOME UNTRUTH
· To creep into our teachings
· And then we started preaching
· Some of this untruth
AND NOW WE HAVE A RELIGION
· That is nearly unfit
· For human consumption
AND WE END UP
· With a society that doesn’t trust us
· Who rejects the church
· And what it stands for
GALLUP POLLS SHOW
· 78% of Americans - think churches are money hungry
· 71% think they are dishones
· 61% say they don’t care about people
WHY DO THEY THINK THIS WAY ?
· Because of what they’ve seen
· Christians doing and saying
ONE MAN SAID
· He lived his life in such a way
· As to impact others for Jesus
IT ISN’T THE WAY A MAN LIVES
· That impacts people for Jesus the most
· It is the word of God
· That he shares with others
YOU WILL NEVER IMPACT ANYBODY
· Unless your actions show it
· And your words speak it
DO YOU KNOW HOW MOST PEOPLE
· Come to know Christ ?
· It is because somebody
· Actually invites them to church
IT SHOULD BE THAT THEY COME TO CHRIST
· Because someone talks to them about Jesus
· But if that won’t happen
· They need to go to church
· where they can hear about Him
I WANT YOU TO REMEMBER - -
THE MOST EFFECTIVE WAY WE EVANGELIZE
· is inviting someone to come to church with us
95% OF ALL CHRISTIANS
· come to Christ because someone invited them to church
WE STRUGGLE WITH TELLING OTHERS
· We fail to see how much impact
· Our words can have on them
BUT WE CLEARLY SEE
· How much their words
· Affect us
A COLLEGE STUDENT
· Joined the army
· He was a psychology major
HE FOUND HIMSELF WITH THE JOB
· Of dishing out apricots
· In the chow hall
· But everyone refused them
SOLDIERS HATE APRICOTS
· So, using the psychology he learned
· He started saying …..
· “You have to have some - do you want one bowl or two?”
· everyone said “One.”
THIS PROVES TWO THINGS
· A good soldier will follow orders
· And words are very powerful, indeed
AND SINCE OUR WORDS
· Carry so much power
· We need to be like the woman at the well
SHE WENT AND TOLD EVERYONE ABOUT JESUS
· Saying that He knew all about her
· And He still loved her
NONE OF THOSE PEOPLE
· Would have know about Jesus
· If she would not have told them
· And somebody you know won’t either
· Unless you tell them
“E” STANDS FOR EXCITEMENT
OUT OF THE MOUTHS OF BABES
· In the newspaper cartoon “FAMILY CIRCUS”
· Little Billy and his brother were looking at easter eggs
· As their mother continued to shop
BILLY LOOKS UP AND SAYS
· “This might be Good Friday
· but Sundays’ gonna be even gooder!”
BAD ENGLISH BUT EXCELLENT OBSERVATION
THOSE THAT FOLLOWED JESUS
· As He rode into Jerusalem
· Were very excited
· It was a festive time
BUT WHAT A DIFFERENCE A DAY MAKES
A MAN LOST HIS JOB
· he was out of money
· couldn’t find another job
· and on the verge of losing his home and car
HE FELT LIKE WE WOULD FEEL
· He had done everything in his power
· To no avail --- and he was ready to give up
· But he began praying
THEN HE RECEIVED A LETTER
· It was from a company
· He had interviewed with months before
· It offered a job with a handsome salary
SEE – HE HAD DONE ALL HE COULD DO
· And he was still hopeless
· But then he turned to God
· The same God who offers us our only hope
WHAT A DIFFERENCE A DAY MAKES
· and what a difference hope gives
· The most hope we will ever see
· Is found in the written word of God.
MANY OF US LIVE
· in the day before the miracle
· the day of the trial
IF YOU HAPPEN TO BE THERE RIGHT NOW
· Be encouraged - help is on its way
· And it is being brought to you
· By Jesus Christ
“R” STANDS FOR THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS
CONFUCIUS IS STILL IN HIS GRAVE
· Buddha and Muhammad are still in the grave
· Christianity offers the world
· The only One who has come up from His grave
IF WE WANT TO HAVE ETERNAL LIFE
· we need to go through the only One
· who is still living
· and that person is Jesus Christ.
A SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHER HAD FINISHED TELLING
· The story of how Jesus was crucified
· And how he later came out of the tomb
TO MAKE SURE HER CHILDREN
· Had comprehended it, she asked ….
· If anyone knew what Jesus said
· When he first came out of the tomb
ONE LITTLE GIRL RAISED HER HAND
· She said, “I know what He said!”
· She lifted her arms up and said, “He said ----- TA-DA!”
IF WE STOP TO THINK ABOUT IT
· Jesus really is the TA-DA
· Of Christianity
· There is nothing that can top Him
THE RESURRECTION IS THE VERY CENTER
· Of everything we believe
IF IT HAD NOT BEEN FOR THE TOMB
· The cross wouldn’t mean anything
IF IT WEREN’T FOR THE CROSS
· The ride into Jerusalem
· Would have just been an uncomfortable
· Ride into the city
HAVE YOU EVER HEARD OF KAY ARTHUR?
· She writes Bible studies
· And has impacted millions for Christ
BUT SHE HASN’T ALWAYS BEEN A CHRISTIAN
· When she was in her 20’s
· She was married to a manic—depressive
· Who would beat her
SHE WAS HAVING AN AFFAIR
· With a married man
· And she had no friends to lean on
HER HUSBAND ONCE GOT DEPRESSED
· And threatened to kill himself
· She said, “GO AHEAD, NOBODY WILL CARE.”
· And he did
ON HER WAY HOME FROM THE CEMETARY
· She started screaming at God
· She shook her fist and said …
· “If you want to do something for me -- just die!”
LATER THAT DAY
· She realized that is exactly
· What He did do for her ….
· He died for her
SHE SAID THAT WAS THE FIRST TIME
· She ever felt real hope
· And she gave her heart to Jesus
MAYBE YOU’RE HERE TODAY
· and your feeling the same way
· Maybe you need some hope in your life
· you’ll only find it
· in a resurrected Lord named Jesus Christ
A PASTOR WAS GOING TO FILL HIS CAR UP
· before a long holiday weekend
· As he pulled into the gas station
· he saw that he wasn’t the only one with that idea
THERE WERE MANY CARS WAITING IN LINE
· The gas station attendant was working quickly
· to make sure all the cars could get gas
FINALLY HE WALKED OVER TO THE PASTOR’S CAR
· “I am sorry for the delay,” he said.
· “But everyone waits until the very last minute
· before they decide to get gas.”
THE MINISTER SAID
· “They do that in my line of work, too.”
WE NEVER KNOW WHEN WE ARE LEAVING THIS EARTH
· and it doesn’t make sense
· to wait until the very last minute to get prepared
· because by then, we might go to the wrong destination
JESUS RODE INTO TOWN
· totally prepared for what lie ahead
· and knowing those who loved Him
· would soon turn against Him
· He knew the cross lay ahead of Him
BUT HE ALSO KNEW THAT HE WOULD RISE AGAIN
· What a difference a day makes
· But sometimes, we wait a day too long
· Can I help you get ready this morning -
· For that trip you are someday going to take?
INVITATION
