Embracing Christ's Kingship and Compassion in Our Lives
Summary
In today's sermon, we explored the profound truths of Jesus' final days, His identification with humanity, and the implications for our lives as believers. We delved into the narrative of Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem, a moment that was both a fulfillment of prophecy and a prelude to His ultimate sacrifice on the cross. This entry was not just a ceremonial procession; it was a declaration of Jesus' kingship and His mission to bring salvation to all.
We reflected on the raising of Lazarus, an event that not only showcased Jesus' power over death but also His deep compassion for humanity. This miracle stirred the hearts of many and set the stage for Jesus' entry into Jerusalem. As believers, we are reminded that our faith is not about defending God or engaging in theological debates. God is sovereign, and His plans are unshaken by the changing tides of culture or science.
We also considered the concept of resilience, which is central to our care and discipleship. We are created in the image of God, uniquely gifted, and we have a Savior who is active in our lives, as well as the help of the Holy Spirit. This understanding of our identity and resources empowers us to face life's challenges with strength and hope.
Furthermore, we examined Jesus' humanity and His full identification with our struggles. His actions in the temple, where He overturned the tables of the money changers, were not just about justice; they were a response to the barriers that prevented people from accessing God. Jesus' anger was fueled by His love for the disenfranchised and His desire for all to have full access to the Father.
As we approach Easter, we are called to walk closely with Jesus, to experience the power of His resurrection, and to embrace the work He accomplished on the cross for us personally. We are encouraged to move beyond the exhaustion of religious performance and to rediscover the beauty and wonder of worshiping with the body of Christ.
In our ministry, we are committed to serving others, whether it's through aftercare for trafficked girls, community development, or legal advocacy. We are reminded that our actions are rooted in the love of Christ and the desire to see lives transformed by His grace.
Key Takeaways:
- Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem was more than a historical event; it was a testament to His kingship and His mission to bring salvation to all. As we reflect on this moment, we are reminded of the importance of acknowledging Jesus as Lord in every area of our lives. [49:33]
- The raising of Lazarus from the dead is not just a display of Jesus' power but also a revelation of His compassion and empathy for us. This miracle invites us to trust in Jesus' power to bring life to the dead areas of our own lives and to offer that same hope to others.
- Our resilience as believers is not self-derived but is rooted in our identity as image-bearers of God, our unique gifting, the active presence of our Savior, and the help of the Holy Spirit. This understanding equips us to navigate life's challenges with confidence and grace.
- Jesus' actions in the temple reveal His heart for justice and His opposition to anything that hinders people from accessing God. We are called to emulate His passion for removing barriers and to facilitate others' encounters with the divine.
- As we prepare for Easter, let us engage with the season not as a religious obligation but as an opportunity to deepen our relationship with Christ. We are invited to experience the transformative power of His resurrection and to live out the implications of His sacrifice in our daily lives.
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. John 11:1-44 - The Raising of Lazarus
2. John 12:12-19 - The Triumphal Entry
3. Matthew 21:12-13 - Jesus Cleanses the Temple
#### Observation Questions
1. What was the significance of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead, and how did it impact the people around Him? (John 11:1-44)
2. Describe the scene of Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem. What were the people's reactions, and what did this event signify? (John 12:12-19)
3. What actions did Jesus take in the temple, and what was His motivation behind these actions? (Matthew 21:12-13)
4. According to the sermon, what are some ways Jesus identified with humanity during His final days? [01:11:43]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the raising of Lazarus demonstrate both Jesus' power and His compassion? What does this tell us about His character? (John 11:1-44)
2. In what ways does Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem fulfill Old Testament prophecy, and why is this significant for believers today? (John 12:12-19)
3. What barriers did Jesus address when He cleansed the temple, and how does this reflect His heart for justice and accessibility to God? (Matthew 21:12-13)
4. Reflecting on the sermon, how does understanding our identity as image-bearers of God and having the help of the Holy Spirit equip us to face life's challenges? [01:18:38]
#### Application Questions
1. Jesus' triumphal entry was a declaration of His kingship. How can you acknowledge Jesus as Lord in every area of your life this week? (John 12:12-19)
2. The raising of Lazarus invites us to trust in Jesus' power to bring life to dead areas of our lives. Identify one area in your life that feels "dead" and discuss how you can invite Jesus' power into that situation. (John 11:1-44)
3. Jesus' actions in the temple were driven by His desire to remove barriers to God. Are there any barriers in your life or community that prevent people from accessing God? How can you work to remove them? (Matthew 21:12-13)
4. The sermon emphasized resilience rooted in our identity in Christ. What specific steps can you take this week to strengthen your resilience in the face of challenges? [01:18:38]
5. As we approach Easter, how can you move beyond the exhaustion of religious performance and rediscover the beauty and wonder of worshiping with the body of Christ? [01:09:45]
6. Reflect on the ways your actions can serve others, especially in areas like aftercare for trafficked girls or community development. What is one practical way you can serve your community this week? [01:02:22]
7. Jesus fully identified with our struggles and showed deep compassion. How can you show compassion to someone in your life who is struggling right now? [01:11:43]
Devotional
Day 1: Acknowledging Jesus as Sovereign Lord
In the midst of a world that often seems chaotic and out of control, the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem stands as a powerful reminder of His sovereignty and His purpose to bring salvation to all. This event was not merely a historical footnote; it was a deliberate fulfillment of prophecy, signaling the coming of the King who would reign with justice and peace. As believers, recognizing Jesus as Lord means more than just a title; it involves submitting every aspect of our lives to His rule and authority. It is in this submission that we find true freedom and the fullness of life that Jesus promises.
The acknowledgment of Jesus' kingship challenges us to examine our priorities and loyalties. It invites us to consider whether we are living in a way that honors Him as our Lord, not just in our words but in our actions and decisions. It is a call to align our lives with His kingdom values and to be agents of His love and salvation in the world around us. [49:33]
Zechariah 9:9 (ESV)
"Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; righteous and having salvation is he, humble and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you have not fully acknowledged Jesus as Lord, and how can you begin to submit that area to His kingship today?
Day 2: Compassion and Empathy of Jesus
The raising of Lazarus is a profound demonstration of Jesus' power over death and His deep compassion for humanity. This miraculous event is not just a testament to His divine nature but also a clear display of His empathy towards our suffering and pain. Jesus wept with those who mourned, showing that He is not a distant deity but a Savior who is intimately acquainted with our griefs and sorrows. This act of raising Lazarus from the dead offers us a glimpse into the heart of God, who desires to bring life and hope to the darkest areas of our existence.
As we reflect on this miracle, we are encouraged to trust in Jesus' power to bring life to the places within us that feel lifeless and hopeless. It also compels us to extend the same compassion and empathy to others, offering the hope of Jesus to those who are in the midst of despair. The resurrection power that Jesus displayed is available to us today, promising restoration and new beginnings. [07:40]
John 11:25-26 (ESV)
Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?"
Reflection: Who in your life is in need of the hope that Jesus offers, and how can you demonstrate His compassion to them this week?
Day 3: Rooted in Divine Resilience
Resilience is a quality often admired in individuals, but for believers, it is not a trait that we muster on our own. Our resilience is deeply rooted in our identity as image-bearers of God, our unique gifting, the active presence of our Savior, and the help of the Holy Spirit. Understanding who we are in Christ and the resources available to us empowers us to face life's challenges with strength and hope. We are not left to navigate the storms of life in our own strength; we are equipped and sustained by the One who created us and knows us intimately.
This divine resilience enables us to persevere through trials and to emerge stronger, not because of our own capabilities, but because of the power of God at work within us. It is a resilience that is born out of faith and reliance on the promises of God, which are unchanging and reliable. As we embrace our identity in Christ and lean on the Holy Spirit, we can approach each day with confidence, knowing that we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. [07:40]
2 Corinthians 4:7-9 (ESV)
"But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed."
Reflection: In what situation do you need to rely more on God's strength rather than your own, and how can you remind yourself daily of your identity in Christ?
Day 4: Jesus' Heart for Justice and Access to God
Jesus' actions in the temple, where He overturned the tables of the money changers, reveal His deep concern for justice and His opposition to anything that hinders people from accessing God. His righteous anger was not a display of uncontrolled emotion but a passionate response to the exploitation and barriers that prevented people from worshiping freely. Jesus' heart for the disenfranchised and His desire for all to have full access to the Father is a model for us to follow. We are called to emulate His passion for removing barriers and to facilitate encounters with the divine for others.
This call to justice is not just about addressing social issues; it is about reflecting the character of God in our world. It challenges us to look at our own lives and communities to identify where we might be contributing to barriers that prevent others from coming to God. It invites us to take action, to be advocates for the marginalized, and to create spaces where all can experience the love and grace of Christ. [07:40]
Isaiah 56:7 (ESV)
"These I will bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer; their burnt offerings and their sacrifices will be accepted on my altar; for my house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples."
Reflection: What is one barrier in your community that prevents people from accessing God, and what is one step you can take to help remove that barrier?
Day 5: Embracing the Transformative Power of Resurrection
As Easter approaches, it is an opportunity not for religious obligation but for a deepening relationship with Christ. The season invites us to engage with the transformative power of Jesus' resurrection and to live out the implications of His sacrifice in our daily lives. The resurrection is not just a historical event to be celebrated once a year; it is a reality that should shape our existence every day. It calls us to move beyond the exhaustion of religious performance and to rediscover the beauty and wonder of worshiping with the body of Christ.
Embracing the work of the cross personally means allowing the resurrection power of Jesus to change us from the inside out. It means letting go of our old ways and stepping into the new life that He offers. As we prepare for Easter, let us seek to experience the power of His resurrection in a fresh way, allowing it to transform our perspectives, our relationships, and our mission in the world. [07:40]
Romans 6:4-5 (ESV)
"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. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his."
Reflection: How can you more fully embrace the transformative power of Jesus' resurrection in your life, and what is one change you can make this week to reflect that power?
Quotes
- "God's not insecure when some alarming new piece of science comes out... God just carries on... we don't need to be alarmed either and we don't need to fight it we just need to keep worshiping Jesus." [01:17:55] (Download | )
- "The more I learn about trauma therapy... the more biblical sense it makes that God made us resilient. Resiliency... acknowledges that we all have some special things on board... we are all bearers of the image of God... uniquely gifted... we have a savior who is active in our lives... we have the help of the Holy Spirit." [01:19:14] (Download | )
- "It was the blatant limitation on access to God that motivated Jesus' rage... the faces in his immediate memory and the voices in his ears likely fueling his anger at those keeping them out." [01:07:57] (Download | )
- "One of the great pleasures of helping a girl walk a journey from being trafficked to wholeness is seeing the realization that she does not have the limitations on her life that she once believed." [01:08:31] (Download | )
- "As we approach Easter... I pray that the Holy Week is like no other for you... that he personally shows you the power of the Resurrection in a new way even as you trust him for the work that he did on the cross for you specifically." [01:09:08] (Download | )
- "I'm always moved most by the humanity of Jesus... His heart for and his full identification with humanity is most moving all the way to the Cross." [01:11:43] (Download | )
- "The triumphal entry begs the question why was Jesus suddenly so famous... word had gotten out that he raised somebody from the dead... Lazarus was one of the reasons for the crowds." [01:13:45] (Download | )
- "This made it harder for the poor to access God and I'm making the case that they might have just crossed him on the wrong day... It's a hard day." [01:15:08] (Download | )
- "Jesus is legitimately mourning Jerusalem... when we are mourning it's a bad day." [01:16:29] (Download | )
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