SERMON SEEDS

R4 – THE WEEK OF JANUARY 28, 2019

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LUKE 19:28-40 – WELCOME THE KING

Jesus had been in Jerusalem before, this is the first time He presented Himself as King when He arrived.  

• Not everyone welcomed the Lord Jesus with fervor.
• Not everyone welcomed the Lord Jesus warmly.
• Not everyone welcomed the Lord Jesus sincerely
• In fact, the city as a whole, and especially the leadership had rejected Him. They were plotting to kill him. And Jesus wasn’t fooled.  Luke 19:42-44

There were those, however, who did welcome Jesus in the right way. They did things which were proper and generous considering that they were welcoming the Messiah, the Son of God, and the King of the Ages.

   

The Lord Jesus Christ is King!

The first time He came to earth He came to die. He came to give His life for the sins of the world. 1 Corinthians 15:3-4

 

After Jesus’ resurrection from the dead He ascended to Heaven.

He is coming again! When He comes to earth the next time, King Jesus will have rule over everything! Acts 1:11, Philippians 2:9-11

We know that Jesus is in Heaven.

We know that He sits at the right hand of God, making intercession for the saints.

We also know that He is on earth convicting the world and indwelling His followers through the Holy Spirit.

 

When Jesus gave the great commission, the charge to world evangelism and discipleship, He promised his disciples that He would always be with them.

 

Matthew 28:19-20

 

If Jesus is with us should we not make Him feel welcome in our lives? Of course, we should!  The question is, “How do we make the King feel welcome?”

   

HOW DO WE WELCOME THE KING TODAY?

 

WELCOME THE KING WITH FAITH

 

As you read the story of this Palm Sunday, you find that the disciples are in the middle of this celebration.

 

• Two of them went to get the donkeys.
• Several of them placed their clothes down as a saddle.
• Others placed their clothes on the ground while others cut down branches and placed them on the ground. The donkey walked on these.

• It was the disciples who began to rejoice and praise God and shout hosannas.

 

A disciple was a follower. He was a learner.

 

To be a good disciple, a good learner, a good follower, you must believe in the person you are following.

 

It will do no good to claim you are a follower of anything or anybody, unless you believe in that person or cause.

 

If you claim to be a follower of the Lord Jesus, you must believe on Him!

• You must believe that you are a poor lost sinner.
• You must believe that Jesus died on the cross for your sins and that He was buried and rose again.
• You must believe that He alone has provided forgiveness of your sins, and trust Him explicitly for eternal life. John 14:6, John 3:16, 36 We become a disciple of Jesus Christ when we trust Him as Savior by faith, but as we live our Christian lives we must still place faith or trust in Him.

• We must trust Him for Help
• We must trust Him for power
• We must trust Him as we pray
• We must trust Him by seeking Him, trying to please Him, trying to know His will, and trying to know Him better. Hebrews 11:6

Let me ask you. Have your ever been hurt when someone hasn’t trusted you?

How much more is the Lord Jesus hurt when we claim to be His disciples and don’t trust Him!   

 

WELCOME THE KING WITH OBEDIENCE – Vss. 29-35

 

When you are with a king, the king is in charge.

You make a king feel welcome by obeying His wishes, by letting Him be king.

 

In verses 29-35 the Lord gives directions to two of the disciples.

He tells them to go to a village and get an unbroken colt.

They are to bring the colt to Jesus, and if anyone asked what they were doing, they were to say, “The Lord hath need of Him.”

Those disciples went and did exactly as they were told.

Matthew 21:6 - And the disciples went, and did as Jesus commanded them,

 

If we believe that Jesus is King or Lord, then we have an obligation to obey Him.

If we believe that Jesus is our Savior, that He gave His life so we can be forgiven and have eternal life, then we should also want or desire to obey Him. John 14:15 and 21

 

• If you love the Lord Jesus obey Him when He calls you to pray.
• If you love the Lord Jesus, obey Him when He calls you to Holy living.
• If you love the Lord Jesus, obey Him when He calls you to read His Word.
• If you love the Lord Jesus, obey Him when He calls you to be baptized.
• If you love the Lord Jesus obey Him when he calls you to be a pastor, a missionary, or a Christian School teacher.
• If you love the Lord Jesus obey Him when He calls you to forgive or to trust Him explicitly.

 

My father used to say that being obedient children was the best gift we could give him on holidays. Isn’t this true for our King as well? 

 

THE BEST GIFT WE CAN GIVE THE LORD JESUS IS OUR OBEDIENCE.

 

WELCOME THE KING WITH GIFTS – Vss. 32-36

 

Obedience is the best gift, but there are other gifts we can give.

A king receives more than taxes.

He will receive gifts from his own subjects.

He will receive gifts from foreign dignitaries and foreign nations.

 

Our Lord Jesus received the gift of a loan of a young colt, simply because he needed the colt to fulfill prophecy.

In verses 35-36 casting one’s clothes in the way was a symbol of royalty. But it was also a form of a gift to the Lord Jesus.

   

If Jesus is our King, we should want to give Him gifts as well. What can we give the Lord Jesus?

 

• We can give Jesus our time.

Some parents today don’t have time to give their children.

How tragic that is!

Some parents would rather pay their children than spend time with them.

My Dad worked 2 or 3 jobs at a time and still found time for Boy Scouts, school programs, and family outings.

 

It is all the more tragic when we have time for shopping, dinners, fellowships, hunting, sports, television and yard work, but we can’t find time to spend with Jesus on a daily basis.

Time is a valuable commodity.

Shouldn’t your king get first “dibs” on your time? Ephesians 5:15-17

 

• We can give Jesus our Resources.

 

Sharing our resources with our King is a logical thing to do, and it should be enjoyable as well!

2 Corinthians 9:7, Matthew 6:19-21, Proverbs 19:17

 

When we invest in Christ’s church, in world evangelism, and in the care of the needy, we are giving the Lord gifts that will eventually bring eternal reward.   

   

• We can give Jesus ourselves.

 

This gift is the best gift of all, because if Jesus has us, he will have our time, our money, and our talents and gifts because he will have us. Romans 12:1-2, Galatians 2:20

 

WELCOME THE KING WITH PRAISE – Vss. 37-38

 

A king will often receive verbal praise.

Our King Jesus is worthy of all our praise.

 

Hebrews 13:15, Revelation 5:11-12

Vss. 37-38 – These disciples praised the Lord for all the mighty works they had seen.

   

• Has the lord saved your soul? Praise Him!
• Has the Lord saved a friend of loved one? Praise Him!
• Has the Lord answered prayer? Praise Him!
• Has the Lord met your needs? Praise Him!
• Has the Lord protected you? Praise Him!
• Has the Lord shown you beauty in nature? Praise Him!

 

WELCOME THE KING!   

 

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NUMBERS 14:24 – MINORITY MAN

"But my servant Caleb, because he had another spirit with him, and hath followed me fully, him will I bring into the land whereinto he went; and his seed shall possess it."

 

Comic books, radio and television have come up with more than their share of super heroes. To name a few, there's been Superman, Batman, Spiderman, Aquaman, Super Girl, Batgirl, Marathon Man, and Wonder Woman, to name a few.

 

It is best to get our heroes and role models from the Bible. Perhaps if we gave them nick names they would be more appealing to today's youth.

David could be "Slingshot Man", Daniel could be "Lion Man". Gideon could be "Pitcher Man".  Shadrack, Mishack and Abednego could be "The Asbestos Triplets."  And what about our hero in this passage. Caleb could be "Minority Man" because he stood for God in a minority of two (Joshua was the other person.)

Review the story of Numbers 13:26-33 and 14:1-10.

Caleb, "The Minority Man" was commended by God.

 

HIS IDENTITY AS GOD'S SERVANT

 

But my servant Caleb,

It is nice when someone calls you a servant of God. To me, there is no greater compliment.

It would be nice if history remembers each of us as servants of God.

And, it is true that each of us as born again Christians are servants of God, at least in name.

 

But God is speaking here. He is making a value judgment. Although all Israel could technically be called the servants of God, God is saying "CALEB IS MY SERVANT!" Not bad for a man who was almost stoned a short time ago. 

 

Israel's opinion of Caleb at this point was not very high. But God's was.  And it is God's opinion that is important!

 

Oh that God would say this of you and me! "__________ is my servant!"

Not because of my position as a pastor, but because of the practice of servanthood in my life!

 

 

We talk about people who have a "servant's heart".

And we usually think of it in the context of serving others.

That's fine, but we need to go further in our thinking.

 

A person with a real servant's heart is:

 

• One who loves God and appreciates all that God has done to save him. Deuteronomy. 6:4-5

• One who wants to please God first, last and always. Luke 14:26-27, Psalm 139:23-24
• One who makes doing God's will the most important thing in his life.

 

If doing God's will is truly the most important thing in your life then, you will have trusted Christ as Savior.  I realize that pleasing God and doing God's will are very closely related. Because we want to please God, we want to do His will! Ephesians 5:15-17  

 

THE INFLUENCE OF ANOTHER SPIRIT

 

But my servant Caleb, because he had another spirit with him,

 

I see two possibilities for meaning here.

This could mean that Caleb had a different attitude. Caleb had an attitude of trust when the others were not trusting. He had confidence in God when no one else had confidence in God!

 

There will be times when God will be calling you to trust Him when no one else is trusting Him.

 

The second possibility, and the one that I prefer, is that the other Spirit working on Caleb was none other than the Holy Spirit of God. If we are going to have success we must have the Spirit of God in control in our lives. Ephesians 5:18

 

The work of the Holy Spirit will place us in a minority.

Spirit filling comes as we confess and forsake sin.

Spirit filling comes as we ask and trust God for it.

 

THE IMPORTANCE OF GOD'S LEADERSHIP

 

But my servant Caleb, because he had another spirit with him, and hath followed me fully,

 

There is such a thing as partial obedience, but that does not please God.  Caleb did not believe in partial obedience. He followed God fully. God's leadership was of the utmost importance to Caleb.

 

Caleb was not like many of us who are "buffet believers".

At a buffet you pick and chose what you want. "I'll take the steak but not the fish. I'll have the mashed potatoes but not the sweet potatoes. I'll enjoy the pie but leave the cake."

 

A "buffet believer" picks and chooses when and how he will obey God.

"Oh, I like tithing, but don't ask me to witness."

"I don't want to tithe but I'll witness."

"I'll come to Sunday School, but don't look for me in the Evening Service."

"I'll help feed the poor, but I won't come to Prayer Meeting.

 

In Caleb's case, while the others were choosing to not obey God, Caleb was ready to enter the Promised Land right then, Giants or not!

When we follow God fully, we will strive to make our obedience total!

 

HIS INHERITANCE IN GOD'S LAND

 

…him will I bring into the land whereinto he went; and his seed shall possess it.

 

Caleb entered the Promised Land.

Caleb's children inherited the Promised Land

 

There is much to inherit as we serve God, walk in His Spirit and follow His leadership.

 

We will manifest the fruit of the Spirit. Galatians 5:22-23

There will be supernatural joy, thanksgiving and submission. See Ephesians 5:19-21, Acts 1:8

 

 There will be lives influenced on behalf of Christ. Philippians 2:12-16

 

And as we enter the land of victory and train our children properly they will inherit the same things. Proverbs 22:6

 

In Numbers 14:24 God makes a statement about Caleb the "Minority Man". But my servant Caleb, because he had another spirit with him, and hath followed me fully, him will I bring into the land whereinto he went; and his seed shall possess it.

 

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PSALM 5 – WHAT A WAY TO START THE DAY!

 

Psalm 5 is considered a "morning Psalm". We can start each day:

 

SEEKING GOD'S FACE - Vss. 1-3

 

SEEING GOD'S RIGHTEOUSNESS - Vss. 4-6

 

STANDING IN GOD'S STRENGTH - Vss. 7-10

 

SHARING GOD'S JOY - Vss. 11-12

 

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JEREMIAH 9:23-24 – GOOD ADVICE

 

Thus saith the Lord, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: [24] But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the Lord which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the Lord.

 

AVOID FALSE GLORY - Vs. 23

Don't glory in your wisdom.

Don't glory in your might.

Don't glory in your riches.

 

ATTAIN TRUE GLORY - Vs. 24

Glory in understanding the Gospel

Glory in knowing Christ

Glory in knowing God's attributes

 

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MARK 14 – CULMINATING ACTIONS – PART 1

MARK FOR MEN – A COMPLETE SET OF STUDY NOTES - LESSON #16

THINK ABOUT IT!

• To you, what was the most remarkable thing that Jesus said or did the night before He was crucified?
• Thinking about all the Gospel accounts, what were Jesus' biggest concerns the night before He died?

 

In Mark 14 we are told of Jesus' actions the night of His arrest.  These actions, along with His actions in Mark 15 take us right through to His death for our sins.

I. ANOINTING - Vss. 1-9

• Why would the people be in an uproar if Jesus had been arrested on a feast day?    Vss. 1-2
• Who was the woman who brought the ointment? John 12:1-8
• Why were some of the apostles indignant?  John 12:4-6
• What was the purpose of this anointing?  Do you think that the lady knew what she  was doing? Luke 10:39

II. BETRAYAL - Vss. 10-11

• What motivated Judas to betray Jesus?  Do people betray Him today for the same reason?
• Jesus was actually killed on a feast day.  How did Judas' actions make this possible?

III. PASSOVER - Vss. 12-31

A. Preparation - Vss. 12-16

• What was significant about Jesus' eating the Passover with His disciples?

      1 Corinthians 5:7

• The location of the Passover was kept secret. Why?

B. Pronouncement - Vss. 17-21

• Why was Jesus' announcement so shocking?

• What do the Apostles' questions tell us about the Apostles? Vs. 19
• What does Vs. 20 tell about the Spiritual condition of Judas?

C. Meal - Vss. 22-25

• What impresses you most about the Lord's Table?
• How should we be careful about our conduct at the Lord's Table?

 

D. Hymn - Vs. 26

E. Warning - Vss. 27-31

 

• Why did Jesus warn the disciples that they would be scattered? Zechariah 13:7
• Was Peter sincere?  Why were he and the Apostles so adamant?

IV. GETHSEMANE - Vss. 32-42

• Do you think that the Apostles prayer habits were anything like ours?
• Why did Jesus single out Peter for rebuke in Vs. 37?
• Why does Jesus want us to "watch and pray"?  Mark 13:34-37, 1 Peter 4:7
• Why was Jesus willing to have "the cup" removed?
• Why was Jesus willing to accept "the cup"?

V. ARREST - Vss. 43-52

• What was remarkable about the way Judas betrayed Jesus?
• Why was the incident about the man in the linen cloth inserted by Mark?

VI. MOCK TRIAL - Vss. 53-65

• Why did the Jews have trouble finding witnesses against Jesus?
• What motivated the high priest to ask if he was Christ? Vs. 61
• Why was Jesus condemned to die?

VII. DENIAL Vss. 66-72

• What are some ways Christians deny Christ today?
• Why is it so easy to deny Christ?
• What was the difference between the sorrow of Judas and the sorrow of Jesus?
• What does Peter teach us about the future of repentant Christians?

 

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ROMANS 16:1-16 – GOD’S NOBODIES ARE SOMEBODIES

We all know people who are nobodies.  These are people who are not widely known or famous.  In fact, most of us would consider ourselves to be nobodies.  In Romans 16:1-16 we have a list of people who were greeted by the Apostle Paul as he finished the letter to the Romans. There are people who Paul knew and loved, and who were fellow brothers and sisters in Christ.  We do not know much about these people, who might be considered by most a list of nobodies.  However, like us today, although these people may appear to be insignificant, but they are not.  What can we learn about being a nobody from these people?

 

THEY WERE INDIVIDUALS

Each one of these were a name, not a number.

Each one of them was unique from the other. Even identical twins are not identical.

Each one was an individual, whose name was written out not only in the Bible, but in the Lamb’s Book of life. Revelation 20:15.

Each one was an individual who was “accepted in the beloved”. Ephesians 1:6

 

THEY WERE IMPORTANT

Each person was a child of God. John 1:12

Each person had realms of influence such as work, business, home, school, church etc.

Each person was a part of the body of Christ. 1 Corinthians 12:13

Each person had a Spiritual gift to be used for God’s glory. Romans 12:3-8, 1 Peter 4:10-11

Each person had been called to do good works. Ephesians 2:10

Each person had been called to do their best. Colossians 3:17, 23

 

THEY WERE IMMORTAL

They had everlasting life. John 3:16

They would ever be with the Lord. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17

They were citizens of the New Jerusalem. Revelation 21:1-8

 

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JAMES 5:13-18 – IT’S TIME TO PRAY!

 

THE PATTERN FOR PRAYER - Vss. 13-16a

Many people carry penknives in their pockets. The penknife has many uses. It can punch a hole, make a slice, trim a piece of wood, cut a rope or string. Those who have penknives can find innumerable uses for them.

 

Prayer is like a penknife. It is helpful in so many different ways.

There are different prayer patterns for different situations.

If a person is afflicted, he is to pray. Vs. 13

If a person is happy or merry, he is to praise ("sing psalms"). Vs. 14

If he is sick he is to call for the church leaders to come, pray, confess and anoint. Vss. 14-16a

 

THE PROMISE OF ANSWERED PRAYER - Vs. 16b

 

THE PROTOTYPE (MODEL) OF A PRAYER WARRIOR - Vss. 17-18

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