Palm Sunday

Sermon notes from Sunday 14 April 2019

Matthew 21 verses 1 - 11

This is the account of the Lord entering into Jerusalem.  You only have to look at the 4 gospels and see how important this entry into Jerusalem was.  Every gospel writer has placed it there in their writings.  This is the beginning of the Passion Week culminating in the day Jesus was nailed on the cross.  What a death crucifixion was.  The Lord hanging on that cross.  Not a bone in his body was broken.  When they came to the Lord they realised he was already dead.  He was in control.  Not the Roman army.  Pilate said "I have the power to crucify you."  Jesus replied "you have no power but that which is given unto you." (John 19 verses 10 and 11)  The power of the Lord was shown clearly at Calvary when he was crucified, buried and rose again.  There are so many things in these verses but I want to look at 4 areas surrounding this event. 

The promise that was fulfilled.  Once the Lord set his sights to come into Jerusalem there was a promise of God fulfilled.  We still see God`s promises fulfilled even to this day - think of the verse that reads "where 2 or 3 are gathered together in my name there am I in the midst." (Matthew 18 verse 20)  God is already here and he knows all about you right now.  Matthew is veery quick to tell us in verse 4 "all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet."  The prophet referred to here is Zechariah 9 verse 9.  God promised through Zechariah to his people Israel that he would send a king 500 years before the birth of Christ.  God told Zechariah what to write, an event that he perhaps did not understand.  We know of course that when Jesus came "he came unto his own and his own received him not." (John 1 verse 11) Peter wrote "Of which salvation the prophets have inquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you.  Searching what or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ and the glory that should follow." (1 Peter 1 verses 10 and 11)  The prophets had the Holy Spiirt to help them write what we have before us.  They took time to search and sift through the word of God.  As we go through the word today we see these marvellous promises God has given to these men of old.  We need to sit down with them and study them ourselves.  Micah told us about the birth of Christ when it would take place.  The wise men came to Herod`s palace.  They told Herod that they had seen a star in the east and they had come to worship the new born king.  Herod asked them to tell him where he was once they had found him as he also wanted to worship him.    Herod consulted the scribes and wise men and they were able to turn to the scripture that Micah had written 6/700 years previously.  Micah had said he would be born in Bethlehem.  They knew all about it but didn`t apply it.  The promises of God are nothing to us unless we apply them.  The word Peter uses is "searched" which refers to miners who go down into the mines to seek out precious stones.  They work all day in the veins of the earth that they might somehow find nuggets of gold and precious metals.  That is the very word Peter was using.  Do I sit down with the word of God and be meticulous as those miners?  Peter said of the Lord`s promises "the Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness but is longsuffering to us ward, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance." (2 Peter 3 verse 9)  Sometimes the promises of God do not come too quickly.  Sometimes we don`t always see that promise fulfilled but God will fulfil it one day.

The prince.  The prophecy referred to in Zechariah 9 was very detailed.  "This is thy king."  God didn`t want them to mix up the details.  The one riding into Jerusalem is your king.  Matthew recognised the details and tied up the prophecy with this great event.  There were multitudes before Jesus and multitudes followed him.  He was the prince.  He was coming here on the colt, the foal of an ass.  The natural thinking was for a king to come on a white horse.  The Lord was however coming on a foal.  It was the symbol of humility and peace.  The white horse was a sign of a victorious leader.  Our Lord would die on the cross for our sins to give us a peace the world cannot give us.  Is he the king of my life today?  He was arrested, brought before the elders, there he would be beaten and scourged.  The people had the prince in their midst.  Have we come today to seek the prince?  To get our eyes on him in alll his glory and splendour?  Here was Pilate handing him over to the soldiers who took him into the Judgment Hall, took a lash with 3 or 4 leather strips with bone in each of them and beat his back with it.  This is God`s own son doing this for you and I.  It is important to get our eyes on him.  The Roman soldier would pull that lash down his back.  That is why scripture says his back was like a ploughed field.  Then they laid a crown of thorns on his head.  He is taken out to the people.  Pilate would say to the crowd "behold your king".  He would go on "should I crucify your king?"    Here in this chapter Jesus is riding into Jerusalem in fulfilment of the promise.  Every eye is on him.  The focus of their attention.  At the feast of the Passover in John 12 verse 21 we read "certain Greeks among them that came up to worship at the feast.  The same came therefore to Philip which was of Bethsaida of Galilee and desired him saying Sir we would see Jesus."  They were not interested in anything else.  Isn`t that  a wonderful way to come to the fellowship.  Remember on the Mount of Transfiguration Jesus` face and clothes shone.  They were whiter than snow.  Listening to Moses and Elijah.  A tremendous time.  Peter wanted to make 3 tabernacles.  He was caught up with seeing Elijah, a man he had heard so much about.  On the other side there is Moses who had led the Children of Israel out of Egypt, the great law giver.  Is it any wonder Peter said "we must stay here, we must make tabernacles for them to live in."  He got his eyes off the Lord.  He lost his focus on Christ. 

The people.  Verse 1 of chapter 21 says that Jesus sent 2 of his disciples on an errand.  He wanted them to go into the city and find a donkey.  They were to loose it and bring the donkey to Jesus.  "The disciples went and did as Jesus commanded them." (verse 6)  Think of the obedience of these 2 disciples.  Jesus told them to go and find the donkey.  An usual request I am sure the disciples thought.  They went forth just as Jesus told them and the donkey was there.  Jesus told them that if anyone was to ask they were to tell them that Jesus had need of it.  They had obedience that day.  Peter asked one day about taxes.  Someone had asked him "does your master pay taxes."  Jesus told Peter to go down to the sea and the first fish he would catch would have a coin in its mouth.  There would be enough to pay for their taxes with that coin.  Peter went and did exactly as Jesus told him to do.  He had faith.  The woman with the alabaster box poured the ointment onto Jesus` feet.  She was giving the Lord her very best.  The disciples gave their very best.  On the seashore Jesus preached from Peter`s boat and told him to push out into the water.  Jesus asked and Peter gave all that he had.  The boy with the 5 loaves and 2 fishes gave all he had to the Lord.  No-one else could do it  The only one who could offer it to the Lord.  There is something specific for you to do today - he told the 2 disciples to go and bring the donkey, they went and brought it.

The praise.  In verses 8 to 11 we read they sang and worshipped and praised the prince who was coming.  "all the city was moved" as a result.  Do we praise God today, worship him wholeheartedly?  What a scene this was - Jesus coming into the city and the people crying out with praise.

The shepherd who found the lost sheep

Sermon notes from Sunday 7 April 2019 pm

Luke 15 verses 1 - 7

Whenever we turn to Luke chapter 15 there is a subject running right through it - lost.  First the lost sheep, then the lost coin and finally the lost son.  I want us to think of this portion of scripture not from the point of the sheep or the lamb.  They point us to a sinner that is lost.  You and I are in danger of going out into a lost Christless eternity the moment we close our eyes in death. That is the danger for this lamb, lost on the mountainside.  I want to point you to the shepherd who goes out to look for the lost lamb.  A picture of the Lord Jesus Christ as he hung on the cross to die for you, to save your precious soul.

The thoughtful endeavour of the shepherd.  Verse 1 the Lord is speaking, drawing the sinners and publicans to himself.  That does not please the Pharisees and leaders, they see him as having company with sinners.  As he speaks he shows them their great need.  Consider the heart of the shepherd.  A shepherd had 100 sheep when he discovered one was missing.  He makes sure the 99 are safe and goes out to find the one that is lost.  When he finds the lost sheep he puts in on his shoulders and brings it home.  There is a time of rejoicing because this lamb was found.  That lamb was on his heart and mind.  He knew the 99 were safely gathered in yet he knew one was wandering about on the mountainside.  As darkness fell wild beasts would begin to roam looking for the sheep.  On his mind and heart was that one little sheep.  The burden the Lord has for you - he sees you as lost and in great danger.  Upon his heart and mind is you tonight.  On Calvary`s cross he suffered and was put to death that he might save your soul.  Here is the mind the Lord had.  He came to bring victory for you.  As he suffered and died he said "it is finished".  He gave up the ghost.  The Roman centurion standing beside the cross was able to say "surely this was the Son of God."  Paul says in Philippians 2  verse 6 "Who being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God. But made himself of no reputation and took upon him the form of a servant and was made in the likeness of men."  Here is the mind of a shepherd - that he would take on the form of a servant if it meant he could save your soul.  "And being found in the fashion as a man he humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross."  Spiritually speaking the day is far spent, the night of eternity is just around the corner.  The devil is roaming about to stop you from coming to Christ.  God is not willing that you should perish.  Jesus looking over Jerusalem one day wept because he would have gathered sinners to himself but they would not come.  He calls on you tonight that you might come to him.

It will take a tireless effort.  Jesus says when it comes to the shepherd`s attention that one is lost he sets out to find it.  He is pointing to the Pharisees, to look into the heart of the one who is the shepherd.  Can almost imagine the shepherd retracing his steps to where he led the sheep that day.  He makes every effort.  "He came unto his own and his own received him not." (John 1 verse 11)  The Saviour draws near, seeks to draw near to your heart, stands at your hearts door, he knocks and calls, he wants to come in but then you say no and he has to go away.  The Saviour has left heaven`s glory, came down into this sin cursed world, pleads with you to be saved for all eternity.  Jesus demonstrates the efforts to find and save sinners.  In John 4 Jesus is going through Samaria.  A place ridiculed by all the people - why - because the Jews and Samaritans had nothing to do with each other.  "He must needs go through Samaria".  He comes to a well wearied and tired, sits down by the well.  This woman comes out to the well.  That is why he had to go through this land.  Here was a lost soul, a woman living in deep sin.  People turned their backs on her.  That is what the Lord does.  He comes just for you tonight.  Remember as he made his way down through the busy street to Jairus` house he met a woman on the way.  She was healed the moment she believed and touched Jesus` hem.  The Lord stops everything.  One woman who needed his attention.  He stopped with just one woman.  The work had been done in her body but he stopped to give her assurance.  What a wonderful Saviour we have.  He is drawing near to you.  Just as he stopped with the woman at the well and the woman in the street, Jesus bids you to come to him tonight.  You are lost tonight in your sin and Jesus has time for you.

The triumph that was experienced.  In verse 5 we read "and when he found it."  He went out to the mountainside and searched for the lamb.  All of a sudden he found the sheep that was lost.  He lifted the lamb onto his shoulders and made his way home again.  He searched until he found it, did not give up.  Picture that lamb in his cowering behind the bush.  Maybe he has heard the roar of the lion.  It cannot save itself, cannot find its own way home.  Then all of a sudden the shepherd is there.  He felt secure and safe that moment.  You cannot save yourself but there is a Saviour who can come and save your soul.  Just as the shepherd reached down and placed it firmly on his shoulders.  His efforts turned into a triumph.  Imagine the devil watching that week running up to the crucifixion.  He gets the nation to reject Christ.  He got all the religious leaders to build up such a list of things against Jesus then he gets Judas to betray him.  Judas comes down and takes the Lord by the shoulder and kisses him. Jesus is arrested and taken away.  Then when Jesus was standing in Pilate`s judgment hall the devil tells Pilate "if you let this man go you will have no friends, Herod will drop you like a stone, you will lose your job prospects."  Satan put it into his heart that this Saviour should be turned away, rejected.  Finally on the cross the devil came "this is it, we have got rid of him altogether."  The greatest plan of salvation God himself completed it that day.  Satan is a defeated foe tonight.  If you were to come to Christ and trust him as Saviour there is nothing the devil can do.  Do you know Christ as your Saviour and Lord?  Colossians 2 verse 15 "having spoiled principalities and powers he made a show of them openly triumphing over them in it."  That is when he won the great battle.  Tonight he has found you and you are not saved.  He wants to find you and place you on his shoulders.

The thankful expression - verses 6 and 7.  The joy that was on the shepherds heart by his call to his friends.  He lifted this lamb off his shoulders.  This lamb was lost on the mountainside, now it is safe.  There`s  joy in heaven tonight over one sinner coming in faith to Christ.  Would you come to Christ tonight, would you be saved?  The Saviour stands with his hands outstretched and beckons you to come. 

The God of second chances

Sermon notes from Sunday 7 April 2019 am

Exodus 3 verses 1 – 14

In this portion we see the summons God gives to Moses.  As Moses gazed into the burning bush he met God, heard what God had to say to him and thought on the task ahead - to bring the children of Israel out of Egypt.  I`m sure he thought "what a task".  God was calling him to bring his people out from under the taskmasters and oppression.  They were a people lying in the lap of the wicked one.  Men and women do not really know what they need.  Moses asked "who am I to go down."  He was the instrument and God would be the working power behind it all.  "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." (Philippians 4 verse 13)  The Lord is with us continually.  Moses had this great promise in verse 12 "certainly I will be with thee."  Moses asked in verse 11 "who am I that I should go unto Pharoah and that I should bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt?"  Remember David when he was sent to his brothers, he heard and seen the great Goliath.  He went down without any armour.  Even the men of valour were hiding but David didn`t.  He told Goliath "I come in the name of the Lord of hosts." (1 Samuel 17 verse 45)  We go in the name of the Lord not in our own strength or abilities.  Look at this place Moses came to.  We can come to that same place today.

A place of reconciliation for Moses.  God can only use those who are redeemed in his work.  Before we start we have a great problem - there has to be a place of reconciliation at the cross of Calvary.    God draws us to this place.  Just as Moses was curious to see why the bush did not burn away so God draws us to himself.  This was a place where God met with his wandering child.  Hagar the maid of Sarah was told to go into Abraham.  Sarah wanted her to bear Abraham`s child but she soon despised her when she became pregnant.  She ran away into the wilderness.  She said "thou God seest me." (Genesis 16 verse 13)  At the very farthest point in the desert Moses met with God.  No-one knew where he was because 40 years previously he had run away.  "There is nothing hid from the eye of him of whom we have to do."  (Hebrews 4 verse 13)  40 years earlier he had fled Egypt and no-one knew anything about him but God only.  Hebrews 11 verses 24, 25 and 26 fills in the detail of Moses` life in Egypt and life in exile.  He came to a crossroads in his life.  He had a choice to make.  Hebrews tells us about the choice he made.  "Choosing rather to suffer the affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season."  Moses could easily have decided to ease the pain of his own people but that was not God`s plan.  God revealed the great plan he had for him.  He would be used by God.  That left him in a great dilemma.  Perhaps he was being treated as Pharaoh’s grandson but one day he would take over the rulership.  What a choice he had – to sit on the throne of this great empire or take a stand with the slaves who had nothing.  Stephen in Acts of the Apostles refers to the choice Moses made when he said in chapter 7 verse 25 “For he supposed his brethren would have understood how that God by his hand would deliver them; but they understood not.”  Moses went before God though, he tried to take matters into his own hands.  He thought he could do it in his own strength.  In his enthusiasm to rise up and do God’s work he slew an Egyptian and hid his body in the sand.  40 years later God was bringing him back to the place where he had fled from God.  It was a place of reconciliation.

A place of recognition.  The place where Moses met with God was “holy ground”.  He was instructed to take off his shoes – Moses had to be prepared to stand before God.  40 years had elapsed, God was bringing him back again to do his purpose.  It is easy to get out of the will of God.  We need to be reconciled and we need to recognise that as well.  What a privilege it is to pray to God.  Imagine we have someone in heaven who spoke the word and everything came into being.  Someone who took the dust of the ground and created a man, then breathed into him and he became a living soul.  Can we take that haphazardly?  “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace that we might obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4 verse 16) The God of heaven bends down to hear my cry.  God’s eye is constantly on me.  “Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.” (Hebrews 10 verse 22)  When the priest would go into the Holy of Holies in the Old Testament he could wash himself first.  He recognised the need to be clean.  Moses’ shoes represented the walk he had.  God wanted him to take them off.  When Isaiah came into the temple one day he had a vision of the glory of God and he said “woe is me for I am undone, because I am a man of unclean lips and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for mine eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts.” (Isaiah 6 verse 5)  When Moses spoke with God at the burning bush he recognised who he was.  We are all sinners saved by grace.  When we come into the presence of God we are sinners saved by grace.  Perhaps Moses looked back to the day when he killed the Egyptian.  How he failed and faltered in his life.  The devil will always be bringing our failings up to us but God comes again.  Moses has to be honest and truthful before God.  It is an approach of recognition.

A place of revelation.  Caught up with the burning bush it was then that God spoke to Moses.  As we come before God and look into his word we need to approach it with real passion.  It is through the revelation of God to our hearts.  God was turning his attention back to Egypt, to a nation of people suffering.  He saw their affliction and was painting a picture for Moses.  “I have also seen the oppression wherewith the Egyptians oppress them.”  We all need a revelation from God.  It was a revelation to Moses – he is the God of second chances.  God gave that same second chance to Jonah and Peter.  He doesn’t rule us out because of failures in the past.  Moses would constantly think back to Egypt.  Sometimes we lose the edge for winning souls.  We should ask God to stir us up again.  That can only be done through God’s word directly to us.  God was talking to Moses about a people who were in an awful state, afflicted, oppressed.  God saw them as souls that needed to be saved.  There are still souls perishing today, going out into a lost and Christless hell for all eternity.  We need that revelation from God as we study the word of God.  God will reveal that to us, will let the Holy Spirit challenge us.  Moses was challenged – he could see his brethren and family living in Egypt who needed to be saved.

A place of reservation.  God had said “come now therefore and I will send thee” but Moses said “who am I that I should go.”  God`s reply came back “Certainly I will be with thee.”

A place of resolution.  Moses looks into the bush and says “Behold when I come unto the children of Israel”.  He wants to know what to say.  He is now resolved to do what God has asked.  He is overcoming his fears and thoughts.  He is overcoming the apathy and coldness.  He is resolved. to do what God has asked him to do.  “Them that honour me I will honour.” (1 Samuel 2 verse 30)