Sermon Central
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"The King's Tears"
Contributed by Rick Finitzer on Apr 23, 2014 (message contributor)
Summary: What I hope you will see this morning as we look at the Triumphal Entry of Jesus into Jerusalem is the great compassion of the Lord Jesus Christ! Judgment was looming for the people of God but the Savior continued to call people to follow!
Cornerstone Church Palm Sunday – 4.13.14
“The King’s Tears”
Most of you know that I grew up as an unbeliever. My parents went to church like many Americans but I would say that they were not born again believers in the Lord Jesus Christ. Besides some of the trauma I experienced later because of their bitter divorce (I guess all divorce has bitter overtones) I had a fairly normal upbringing.
Somewhere in my teens I chose not to do what the family was going to do that day. My parents had decided to go to an amusement park. I think that it was Cedar Point. I knew that they would be home late. Maybe midnight!
This led me to do one of those things you later regret. You got it, while the cats were away, the mouse began to play! I invited some friends over. Certainly there isn’t any harm in having just a few friends over! We asked the older brother of a friend of ours to buy us some brew! All seemed to be under control. A few guys, a few brewskis and no parents home!
The word got around that a party was happening at the Finitzer’s house. More friends came than I anticipated. If I remember correctly, some came that I only knew marginally. What started out to be a good time started to be a problem. Things were getting out of hand! I dismissed it for a while thinking I still had a lot of time before my parents returned.
Then doorbell rang. I’m sure that it wasn’t the first time that night. Someone at the party answered it. They said, some man is out here and he wants to get into his driveway!
Guess what? My dad was standing at the door!
JUDGEMENT WAS COMING!
My father had returned earlier than expected!
* Because I’m still here you know I survived!
* It was a good lesson! When you play you pay!
God the Father’s judgment of Israel is looming on the horizon as well!
* His judgment is like an approaching storm.
* You know the storm is coming, but for some strange reason you think you have more time to flee for safety than you do!
GOD HAS REVEALED HIMSELF TO THE WORLD:
THROUGH HIS GLORIOUS CREATION (Natural Revelation)
Ps. 19:1-4 NIV The heavens declare the glory of God; … Their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world.
THROUGH HIS GLORIOUS WORD (Special Revelation)
2 Pet. 1:20-21 NIV …For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.
THROUGH HIS GLORIOUS SON (Divine Revelation)
Hebr. 1:1-3 NIV … but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe. The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word.
Unbelievers then and now continue to disregard these messages from God!
Rom. 1:18-19 NIV The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them.
Judgment is coming to the children of Israel and one day to the rest of the world yet they refuse to humble themselves before God and turn to Him!
* They are as naïve as those who watched as the band played on while the Titanic was sinking!
* Their doom was unavoidable!
What I hope you will see this morning as we look at the Triumphal Entry of Jesus into Jerusalem is the great compassion of the Lord Jesus Christ!
2 Pet. 3:9 NIV The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
God will one day complete His judgment of the world! He must!
WHY?
* He is Holy!
* He is Righteous!
* He is Just!
The world may appear to be out of control! In a state of chaos!
* God is sovereign and still in control!
* Currently He is displaying His mercy, grace and His patience!
Jesus’ emotions revealed during His Triumphal Entry show us His compassion.
Jesus’ weeping over the lostness of His people and the holocaust He knew was on the horizon for them is often overlooked!
* God’s love for sinners is seen in His desire to send His Son to die for the sins of the world!
* Jesus’ love for sinners is seen in the fact that He willingly is going to give His life to redeem mankind!
