Celebrating Jesus: Palm Sunday and Our Faith Journey
Summary
Welcome to Palm Sunday, a day of celebration and reflection as we commemorate Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem. As we hold our palm branches high, we echo the cries of "Hosanna, Hosanna, Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord," remembering the significance of this day. This week, known as Holy Week, invites us to reflect deeply on the events leading to Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection. I encourage you to participate in the upcoming services, including the Service of Darkness, the sunrise service, and our Easter worship, as we journey through the pivotal moments of Jesus' life.
Today, we witnessed the beautiful act of baptism, a public declaration of faith and a symbolic representation of dying and rising with Christ. Kristen and Faith's baptisms remind us of the transformative power of faith and the new life we receive through Jesus. As we celebrate their commitment, we are reminded of our own faith journeys and the importance of community in nurturing and supporting one another.
Our focus today is on the Passover and its fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The Passover lamb, chosen without blemish, foreshadows Jesus, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world. Just as the Israelites applied the lamb's blood to their doorposts for protection, we are called to apply the blood of Jesus to our lives, ensuring our deliverance from spiritual death. This act of faith is not about having all the answers but about trusting in Jesus' sacrifice and embracing the new covenant established through His blood.
As we partake in communion, we remember Jesus' body broken for us and His blood shed for the forgiveness of our sins. This sacred meal is a reminder of our participation in His death and resurrection, calling us to live fully for Him. Let us be ready, like the Israelites, to move at God's command, participating actively in His mission and sharing the hope of salvation with the world.
Key Takeaways:
- Palm Sunday marks the beginning of Holy Week, a time to reflect on Jesus' journey to the cross and His ultimate sacrifice for our salvation. This week invites us to engage deeply with the events of Jesus' life and to participate in services that commemorate His passion and resurrection. [00:00]
- Baptism is a powerful symbol of faith, representing our identification with Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection. It is a public declaration of our commitment to follow Christ and a reminder of the new life we receive through Him. [00:08:38]
- The Passover lamb in Exodus foreshadows Jesus, the Lamb of God, who was chosen to take away the sin of the world. Just as the Israelites applied the lamb's blood for protection, we must apply Jesus' sacrifice to our lives for spiritual deliverance. [01:17:50]
- Communion is a sacred act of remembrance, inviting us to participate in Jesus' death and resurrection. It calls us to live fully for Him, embracing the new covenant established through His blood and sharing the hope of salvation with others. [01:31:29]
- We are called to be active participants in God's mission, ready to move at His command. Like the Israelites, we must be prepared to go wherever God leads, sharing the message of Jesus' love and redemption with the world. [01:36:31]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:01:08] - Palm Sunday Reflections
[00:08:38] - Baptism Celebrations
[00:17:50] - The Passover Lamb
[00:22:06] - The Lamb's Blood Applied
[00:24:56] - Consuming the Lamb
[00:27:32] - Belief and Application
[00:31:29] - Participation in Communion
[00:33:42] - Ready to Move
[00:36:31] - Victory in the Lamb
[00:38:23] - Invitation to Respond
[00:43:05] - Farewell and Announcements
[00:45:00] - Closing Blessing
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Matthew 21:5 - "Tell daughter Zion, 'See, your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey, and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.'"
2. 1 Corinthians 5:6-8 - "Your boasting is not good. Don’t you know that a little yeast leavens the whole batch of dough? Get rid of the old yeast, so that you may be a new unleavened batch—as you really are. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed."
3. Exodus 12:3-5 - "Tell the whole community of Israel that on the tenth day of this month each man is to take a lamb for his family, one for each household."
Observation Questions:
1. What actions did the people take to welcome Jesus into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, according to Matthew 21:5? How does this reflect their understanding of who Jesus was? [00:00:00]
2. In the sermon, how was the act of baptism described, and what symbolism was associated with it? [01:08:38]
3. What specific instructions were given to the Israelites regarding the Passover lamb in Exodus 12:3-5? How does this relate to the sermon’s message about Jesus as the Lamb of God? [01:17:50]
4. How does the sermon describe the significance of communion in relation to Jesus' sacrifice? [01:31:29]
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the imagery of Jesus entering Jerusalem on a donkey contrast with the expectations of a king? What does this tell us about the nature of Jesus' kingship? [00:00:00]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that baptism is a public declaration of faith? How does this relate to the personal faith journey of individuals like Kristen and Faith? [01:08:38]
3. How does the concept of Jesus as the Passover lamb deepen our understanding of His role in salvation? What does it mean for Jesus to be "without blemish"? [01:17:50]
4. What does the sermon suggest about the importance of being ready to move at God's command, and how does this relate to the Israelites' experience during the Passover? [01:33:42]
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on the significance of Palm Sunday in your own life. How can you prepare your heart to fully engage with the events of Holy Week? [00:00:00]
2. Baptism is described as a powerful symbol of faith. If you have been baptized, how has this experience impacted your faith journey? If not, what steps might you consider to explore this commitment? [01:08:38]
3. The sermon emphasizes the need to apply Jesus' sacrifice to our lives. What practical steps can you take to ensure that you are living under the protection of His sacrifice? [01:24:56]
4. Communion is a time of remembrance and participation in Jesus' death and resurrection. How can you approach this sacred act with a renewed sense of purpose and gratitude? [01:31:29]
5. The Israelites were instructed to be ready to move at a moment's notice. How can you cultivate a readiness to respond to God's call in your own life? What might be holding you back from being fully available to His mission? [01:33:42]
6. Consider the role of community in nurturing faith, as highlighted in the sermon. How can you actively support others in their faith journeys, and how can you seek support from your community? [01:08:38]
7. The sermon calls us to share the hope of salvation with the world. Identify one person in your life who needs to hear about Jesus' love and redemption. How can you initiate a conversation with them this week? [01:36:31]
Devotional
Day 1: Reflecting on Jesus' Journey to the Cross
As Palm Sunday marks the beginning of Holy Week, it is a time to deeply reflect on Jesus' journey to the cross and His ultimate sacrifice for our salvation. This week invites believers to engage with the pivotal events of Jesus' life, from His triumphant entry into Jerusalem to His crucifixion and resurrection. By participating in services that commemorate His passion and resurrection, we are reminded of the profound love and sacrifice that Jesus demonstrated for humanity. This reflection is not just a historical remembrance but a call to live in the light of His sacrifice, allowing it to transform our lives and deepen our faith. [00:00]
"Therefore, let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire." (Hebrews 12:28-29, ESV)
Reflection: How can you intentionally engage with the events of Holy Week to deepen your understanding of Jesus' sacrifice and its impact on your life today?
Day 2: Baptism as a Symbol of New Life
Baptism is a powerful symbol of faith, representing our identification with Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection. It is a public declaration of our commitment to follow Christ and a reminder of the new life we receive through Him. The act of baptism signifies a transformative journey, where believers are called to leave behind their old selves and embrace a new identity in Christ. As we witness baptisms, like those of Kristen and Faith, we are reminded of our own faith journeys and the importance of community in nurturing and supporting one another. [08:38]
"Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life." (Romans 6:3-4, ESV)
Reflection: Reflect on your own baptism or commitment to Christ. How can you live out the new life you have received through Jesus in your daily actions and decisions?
Day 3: The Fulfillment of Passover in Christ
The Passover lamb in Exodus foreshadows Jesus, the Lamb of God, who was chosen to take away the sin of the world. Just as the Israelites applied the lamb's blood to their doorposts for protection, believers are called to apply Jesus' sacrifice to their lives for spiritual deliverance. This act of faith is not about having all the answers but about trusting in Jesus' sacrifice and embracing the new covenant established through His blood. It is a call to live in the assurance of His protection and deliverance from spiritual death, allowing His sacrifice to guide and shape our lives. [17:50]
"For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed. Let us therefore celebrate the festival, not with the old leaven, the leaven of malice and evil, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth." (1 Corinthians 5:7-8, ESV)
Reflection: In what ways can you apply the sacrifice of Jesus, the Lamb of God, to your life today, ensuring your spiritual deliverance and growth?
Day 4: Communion as a Call to Live Fully for Christ
Communion is a sacred act of remembrance, inviting believers to participate in Jesus' death and resurrection. It calls us to live fully for Him, embracing the new covenant established through His blood and sharing the hope of salvation with others. As we partake in communion, we remember Jesus' body broken for us and His blood shed for the forgiveness of our sins. This sacred meal is a reminder of our participation in His death and resurrection, urging us to live in a way that reflects His love and sacrifice to the world. [31:29]
"The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ? Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread." (1 Corinthians 10:16-17, ESV)
Reflection: How can you live out the significance of communion in your daily life, actively participating in Jesus' mission and sharing His love with those around you?
Day 5: Being Ready to Move at God's Command
Believers are called to be active participants in God's mission, ready to move at His command. Like the Israelites, we must be prepared to go wherever God leads, sharing the message of Jesus' love and redemption with the world. This readiness requires a heart attuned to God's voice and a willingness to step out in faith, trusting in His guidance and provision. It is a call to live with purpose and intentionality, allowing God's mission to shape our priorities and actions. [36:31]
"And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, 'Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?' Then I said, 'Here I am! Send me.'" (Isaiah 6:8, ESV)
Reflection: What steps can you take today to be more attuned to God's voice and ready to move at His command, sharing His message of love and redemption with those around you?
Quotes
"Hosanna, Hosanna Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord So today they would lay these branches Bigger branches, of course You got one little palm branch, right? They would lay these down on the street And Jesus would come in So what we would like you to do In a moment when we do the greeting We would like you to lay your palm branches Onto the ground As you come out for greeting And walk around After the baptisms And that way you walk on the palm branches Just like Jesus would have When he came into Jerusalem that day To die on our behalf So I just want to encourage you This whole week This is what we call Holy Week I want to encourage you To just reflect on what Jesus has done for you Brendan's going to give you more information On what's going on this week But you do not want to miss The service of darkness I want to encourage you to be here And I want to encourage you to be at sunrise And also our Easter worship service It's going to be a great week Where we focus on the events Of what took place in Jesus' life In his last days" [00:19:38]
"second Corinthians five through six five six and eight says your boasting is not good don't you know that a litter leaven leavens the whole batch of dough clean out the old leaven so that you may be a new unleavened batch as indeed you are for Christ our Passover lamb has been sacrificed therefore let us observe this feast not with old leaven or with the leaven of malice and evil but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth today I'll preach on the Passover and that is what this meal comes from it was a meal that was established by Moses that was carried out that Jesus completed and we do one part of that every time we come together if you're in this room and you are a believer in Jesus Christ this is an open table God welcomes you Christ welcomes you if you're not a believer I encourage you not to take of this as you don't understand what his death burial and resurrection mean to you yet but when we break this bread it reminds us of he became the bread of life he was broken on our behalf and as we lift up this cup it reminds us that his blood was shed the new covenant so that we can have a relationship with Jesus Christ" [01:08:55]
"The sacrifice that God would make to deliver his people. So last week we talked about what? Abraham's lamb. Thank you. Abraham's lamb. As God is showing us, he would provide a way for us. Today we're going to see that God will provide a way to deliver his people through the blood of the lamb. As we talk about this Passover, I want us to we have to fast forward and see that Jesus fulfills this Passover. That when we talk about this Passover meal and we talk about the Passover lamb, we're talking about a foreshadow of what Jesus would do for you and me." [01:18:09]
"And so, when we see this, that God chose the Lamb to be slain. He chose a Lamb that had to be without blemish. What's that mean? Without any fault. Spotless. Completely pure. So, Jesus ultimately would be that. Now, let me ask you a question. Anybody in here never sinned? Any takers on this side? This side? You're saying little Maddie, but you know what? Actually, the Bible teaches what? We inherit sin through what? Adam. Right? We're all under sin. Listen, but I'm giving you the answer, but I'm just seeing if there's any fair. Anybody want to take in the middle?" [01:21:22]
"Now, they had never done this before. This is the first time. There have been sacrifices before. Obviously, Abraham and Isaac knew of sacrifices because they were both going to do this. We also know from the beginning, I've talked about the Garden of Eden. There was shedding of blood. There had to be because there were skin garments that covered their shame. Right? So, this system was not foreign to them, but doing it this way was new and unique. And so, the blood would be chosen from the lamb that would be unblemished to cover their sin. This wasn't a random animal. This wasn't random chance. This was chosen." [01:22:43]
"God chose each family to pick one unblemished animal to take their place. And if you were just like a newlywed, you're supposed to get with your neighbor, the closest one to you, figure out how much food you need, and then sacrifice an animal to be sufficient for that meal for you. So, God made a way for everyone to participate in this. The foreshadow is that Jesus is a spotless lamb. Listen to 1 Peter 1, 19 through 20. But with the precious blood of Christ, like that of an unblemished and spotless lamb. Do you see what Peter's doing here?" [01:23:49]
"He is connecting Jesus to the spotless, unblemished lamb that would be chosen for the Passover. And he is saying here, Jesus is that unblemished and spotless lamb. He was foreknown before the foundation of the world. But he has been revealed now in these last days. See, they had to look forward to Jesus. We get to look back and see the cross. There is no excuse for us not to be able to figure this out. I want you to hear that. If you're alive today, yes, you can be a skeptic and you can do all these things. But man, we have so much information and so much more access to the word of God than any generation before us." [01:25:54]
"Listen, what God is saying is if you applied the blood to the doorpost of your home, when the angel of death would have come by, he would have passed over. And that's why we get the word Passover. It would pass over that home, sparing that home. That's why he says no one is to leave. Once you put the lamp, don't leave. You can't leave your home until morning. Stay there and I will pass over. You will be protected by the blood of the lamb. The foreshadow is that Jesus' blood on the cross should be the blood that covers our sin, that atones our sin, that protects us like doorposts on our lives. The blood of the lamb washes away our sin." [01:26:52]
"By faith, we become saved. We must apply this. We must receive Christ. We must say, Jesus, I believe. I mean, listen, belief doesn't mean you have to have it all figured out. Did you know that? Let me give you an example. I know some of you, Brad's going to come, I'm a mechanic. Some of you all know how to take care of trucks and tinker with things, right? Some of you, listen, when I have a problem with my cell phone, you know who I go to? Samuel fixed this, right? Right? If I have a problem with a vehicle, I go to somebody who knows how to tinker with that stuff, right? So we need to know that sometimes you need to have someone that shows you how to do this. God is showing us how to come to salvation. God is showing us that there is a way, and it's Jesus." [01:28:11]
"Listen, you don't have to have it figured out to receive Christ. You just have to believe. You just have to believe. I believe in Jesus. I believe that what he did for me is sufficient for me. I want to apply that to my life. Today, I pray that someone will trust in the blood of Jesus Christ for the atonement of their sins today. I pray today that someone will receive Christ into their life for the first time and call upon his name for salvation and apply the lamb's blood of life. The next thing is the lamb must be consumed. Listen, this was awesome. They got to eat the whole lamb. And you couldn't leave any of it. And if you did, you had to burn it first day in the morning. So you better proportion it correctly or you're going to be like eating all night, right? So listen to what happened, though, over COVID." [01:32:07]
"God wants you to take every part of who he is into your life. You need to be all in. There's no halfway in. Listen, I was committed by the time that lamb was burning. Jesus committed to you. You need to commit to him. We need to be all in. We're called to be participants. You know, I love what Paul said. And by the way, he did that on the fly, you guys. That was awesome. Just gave the Holy Spirit over to do that testimony. And he's right. I will ask you to participate because God asked you to participate. You are not created to sit in the pew and just listen to me. You are created to go out into the world and be on mission for God." [01:34:30]
"The last thing is the people were delivered. There is victory in the Lamb of God. Now, we're not singing victory for Jesus, but let me tell you what, that's the Baptist anthem. There is victory in Jesus. There is victory in the blood of the Lamb. The victory is this in Exodus 12, 29 through 31. Now, at midnight, by the way, I stay up late. I'm always up at midnight. All right, but listen, they probably weren't. But at midnight, when the Lord struck every firstborn male in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh, who sat on his throne, to the firstborn of the prisoner who was in a dungeon, to the firstborn of all livestock, during that night, Pharaoh got up along with his officials and all the Egyptians, and there was a loud wailing throughout all of Egypt because there wasn't a house without someone dead." [01:35:21]
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