Thank you Rev. Mark Edge
He Knows Who & Where You Are
Mar 11:1 ¶ And when they came nigh to Jerusalem, unto Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount of Olives, he sendeth forth two of his disciples,
Mar 11:2 And saith unto them, Go your way into the village over against you: and as soon as ye be entered into it, ye shall find a colt tied, whereon never man sat; loose him, and bring [him].
Mar 11:3 And if any man say unto you, Why do ye this? say ye that the Lord hath need of him; and straightway he will send him hither.
Mar 11:4 And they went their way, and found the colt tied by the door without in a place where two ways met; and they loose him.
Mar 11:5 And certain of them that stood there said unto them, What do ye, loosing the colt?
Mar 11:6 And they said unto them even as Jesus had commanded: and they let them go.
Mar 11:7 And they brought the colt to Jesus, and cast their garments on him; and he sat upon him.
Mar 11:8 And many spread their garments in the way: and others cut down branches off the trees, and strawed [them] in the way.
Mar 11:9 And they that went before, and they that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna; Blessed [is] he that cometh in the name of the Lord:
I. What would be on your mind if you knew you were going to die within a week?
Spend as much time with those you love most
Settle any disputes with whomever you were at odds with
Pay any debts that you owed
Take care of unfinished business
Eat your favorite foods
See or do something you'd always wanted to see/do
There would be little time for sleep
There would be little time for trivial pursuits
There would be no time for the insignificant details of life
A. Most of us don't get that opportunity-most of us don't get a forewarning that our lives will come to end within a week
But Jesus did
This passage was the beginning of the last week of His life
As God, in His foreknowledgem He knew exactly what was going to happen in the next several days
There would be a triumphant entry
There would be a Passover meal
There would be a betrayal, a denial, a mock trial, a beating, imprisonment, excrutiating pain, humiliation, crucifixion, death
The most important event in all of human history was about to take place-the salvation of mankind
He who knew no sin would become sin for us
His time was limited-He had lots to do-He had to make sure these disciples were prepared to carry on the work He had begun
Can you imagine what was on His mind?
So many details, so many decisions, so many things to consider!
And yet - he says to his disciples - "In the neighboring village there is a unbroken colt tied; untie him and bring him to me."
A seemingly insignificant, unimportant, irrelevant animal is on His mind---even its location, its condition and its purpose!
II. Can you imagine what is on God's mind today?
Time is running out-there is much to do-Jesus is preparing to return!
There are nations to prepare-there are prophecies to fulfill-the Antichrist is getting ready to emerge
There is a world to be saved-there are prayers to be answered-there is a Church to put in order
Can you imagine what is on God's mind right now?
So many details, so many decisions, so many things to consider!
And yet, although you may seem to be insignificant, unimportant, and irrelevant in the big scheme of things, God knows exactly who you are, where you are and what He wants to do with your life!
III. Trip to NYC
I felt very small and insignificant
Some of the most famous people live here
Some of the most powerful people-most wealthy-most influential
Surrounded by tens of millions-just a face in the crowd-a nobody
God said to me, "But I know who you are! I know you by name! Be encouraged, because you are significant to me, you're filled with my Spirit! You know who I am! You have a relationship with me! You know how to pray and worship and you know my Word!"
A feeling of worth and joy swept over me!
Folks, you may not be known to the world
You may not have your name in lights
Wall Street may not be aware you exist-Hollywood may not acknowledge you are alive-Washington DC may not recognize your name
JESUS DOES!
He knows your name-He knows where you live-He knows how you're feeling right now-He knows what you're going through-Jesus knows what He wants to do with your life!
IV. THE COLT WAS TIED
He is aware of your problems-He knows what binds you-He knows what your struggle is
What is hindering you today? What is limiting your freedom? What Is keeping you from walking about in liberty?
The Lord has sent His disciples to loose you! Its His desire to set you free! He wants to untie you! Today is the day!
V. THERE IS A REASON THE COLT WAS TIED
No man had ever sat on it
Wild-unbroken-unyielding-independent
Job talks about the wild ass
Job 39:5 Who hath sent out the wild ass free? or who hath loosed the bands of the wild ass?
Job 39:6 Whose house I have made the wilderness, and the barren land his dwellings.
Job 39:7 He scorneth the multitude of the city, neither regardeth he the crying of the driver.
Job 39:8 The range of the mountains [is] his pasture, and he searcheth after every green thing.
A wild, unbroken donkey is good for nothing, its life is aimless and it wanders about with no purpose.
If you won't submit to God, if are unwilling to yield your will to the Lord, if you won't allow God to be in control----you will remain tied up, bound up, life good for nothing, wander aimlessly with no purpose.
OR you can submit today - yield to Him and be set free!
VI. THE COLT WAS BY A DOOR WHERE TWO WAYS MET
You are at a moment of decision
There is an open door of opportunity
You are at a crossroads
Will you let the Lord use your life and give it purpose?
VII. IF SOMEONE ASKS YOU, "WHY?"
If they say, "Why are you changing?"
"Why are you going to that church?"
"Why do you pray so much, read your Bible, live the way you do?
When they question you-misjudge your motives-question your decisions
Simply answer "THE LORD HAS NEED OF ME!"
He wants me! He values me! He has called me to a higher purpose than to just wander aimlessly through life! He knows who I am and He knows what He wants to do with my life!
VIII. WHEN HE USES YOU, HE'LL GET THE GLORY!
No one said "Look at the colt!"
No one said "What a magnificent animal!
No, all eyes were on the One who rode the donkey-the focus was on the One who sat on the colt
All of the glory was given to Him-"Hosanna, Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!"
