Embracing the Future: Jesus as Our Humble King
Summary
Celebrating the next generation is a powerful reminder of the growth and future of our faith community. Reflecting on past experiences, such as the time when a national tragedy brought us together in prayer, highlights the importance of unity and support within our church. Today, seeing the stage filled with children shouting "Hosanna" is a testament to the vibrant future we are nurturing. As we continue to invest in the next generation, we are excited to announce the hiring of a new student pastor to lead our middle and high school ministries, further emphasizing our commitment to raising a generation that will make a difference.
Palm Sunday marks the beginning of Holy Week, a time when Jesus made His triumphant entry into Jerusalem. The people shouted "Hosanna," expecting Jesus to be a governmental king who would overthrow Roman oppression. However, Jesus came as a spiritual king, offering eternal salvation rather than political change. This misunderstanding serves as a reminder that how we perceive someone internally affects how we treat them externally. Our relationship with Jesus should be more than just a means to avoid punishment; it should be a deep, transformative connection.
Jesus is a humble, serving, and sacrificial king. His humility is evident in His willingness to wash the feet of His disciples, a task reserved for the lowest servant. This act symbolizes His desire to cleanse us from our sins. As a serving king, Jesus prioritizes impacting lives over adhering to religious rules, as demonstrated when He healed a man on the Sabbath despite the disapproval of religious leaders. His ultimate sacrifice is encapsulated in John 3:16, where He gave His life so that we might have eternal life.
As we approach Easter, let us remember that we are not just celebrating a good man or prophet, but the Savior of the universe. Jesus' kingship is characterized by humility, service, and sacrifice, and He invites us to be part of His kingdom. Whether you are new to faith or have been walking with Jesus for years, consider how you can deepen your relationship with Him and invite others to experience His transformative love.
Key Takeaways:
1. Celebrating the Next Generation: Investing in the next generation is crucial for the future of our faith community. By nurturing and supporting our children and youth, we are ensuring that the message of Jesus continues to thrive and impact lives for years to come. [26:46]
2. Understanding Jesus' Kingship: Jesus' entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday was misunderstood by many who expected a political savior. Instead, Jesus came as a spiritual king, offering eternal salvation. This reminds us to align our expectations with His true purpose. [47:34]
3. The Humble King: Jesus demonstrated humility by washing His disciples' feet, symbolizing His willingness to cleanse us from sin. His humility challenges us to serve others selflessly, reflecting His love and grace in our interactions. [55:00]
4. The Serving King: Jesus prioritized impacting lives over adhering to religious rules, as seen when He healed on the Sabbath. His example encourages us to focus on serving others and making a difference, even when it challenges societal norms. [01:02:57]
5. The Sacrificial King: Jesus' ultimate sacrifice on the cross is a testament to His love for humanity. By giving His life, He offers us eternal life and a restored relationship with God. This profound act of love calls us to live sacrificially for others. [01:06:18]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [13:00] - Celebrating the Next Generation
- [26:46] - Announcement of New Student Pastor
- [35:00] - Worship Through Giving
- [40:00] - Palm Sunday Significance
- [47:34] - Understanding Jesus' Kingship
- [51:12] - Knowing the Voice of the King
- [55:00] - The Humble King
- [58:51] - The Serving King
- [01:02:57] - Healing on the Sabbath
- [01:06:18] - The Sacrificial King
- [01:09:18] - Invitation to the Kingdom
- [01:12:19] - Prayer and Commitment
- [01:20:48] - Closing and Next Steps
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. John 18:36-37
2. John 13:1-9
3. John 3:16-17
---
Observation Questions:
1. What was the crowd's expectation of Jesus as He entered Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, and how did it differ from His true purpose? [47:34]
2. How did Jesus demonstrate humility during the Last Supper, and what was the significance of His actions? [55:00]
3. In the story of Jesus healing on the Sabbath, what was the reaction of the religious leaders, and how did Jesus respond to their expectations? [01:02:57]
4. According to John 18:36-37, how does Jesus describe His kingdom, and what does this reveal about His kingship?
---
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the misunderstanding of Jesus' kingship by the people of Jerusalem reflect our own misconceptions about His role in our lives today? [47:34]
2. What does Jesus' act of washing the disciples' feet teach us about the nature of true leadership and service? [55:00]
3. How does Jesus' willingness to heal on the Sabbath challenge the religious norms of His time, and what does this tell us about His priorities? [01:02:57]
4. In what ways does John 3:16-17 encapsulate the sacrificial nature of Jesus' kingship, and how should this impact our understanding of His love for humanity?
---
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you had expectations of Jesus that were not met. How did this affect your relationship with Him, and how can you align your expectations with His true purpose? [47:34]
2. Jesus demonstrated humility by serving His disciples. Identify a specific way you can serve someone in your life this week, even if it means stepping out of your comfort zone. [55:00]
3. Consider a situation where societal or religious norms have prevented you from acting in love or service. How can you prioritize impacting lives over adhering to these norms? [01:02:57]
4. John 3:16-17 speaks of Jesus' ultimate sacrifice. How can you live sacrificially for others in your daily life, and what specific actions can you take to demonstrate this love?
5. Jesus' kingship is characterized by humility, service, and sacrifice. Choose one of these attributes to focus on this week. What practical steps can you take to embody this attribute in your interactions with others?
6. Think of someone in your life who may have a misunderstanding of Jesus' role. How can you engage them in a conversation that clarifies His true purpose and kingship?
7. As we approach Easter, how can you deepen your relationship with Jesus and invite others to experience His transformative love? Identify one person you can invite to an Easter service or event.
Devotional
Day 1: Investing in the Future of Faith
Celebrating the next generation is a powerful reminder of the growth and future of our faith community. By nurturing and supporting our children and youth, we are ensuring that the message of Jesus continues to thrive and impact lives for years to come. The sight of children shouting "Hosanna" is a testament to the vibrant future we are nurturing. As we continue to invest in the next generation, the hiring of a new student pastor to lead our middle and high school ministries further emphasizes our commitment to raising a generation that will make a difference. [26:46]
"Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it." (Proverbs 22:6, ESV)
Reflection: Who is one young person in your life that you can encourage or mentor this week? How can you intentionally invest in their spiritual growth?
Day 2: Aligning Expectations with Jesus' True Purpose
Palm Sunday marks the beginning of Holy Week, a time when Jesus made His triumphant entry into Jerusalem. The people shouted "Hosanna," expecting Jesus to be a governmental king who would overthrow Roman oppression. However, Jesus came as a spiritual king, offering eternal salvation rather than political change. This misunderstanding serves as a reminder that how we perceive someone internally affects how we treat them externally. Our relationship with Jesus should be more than just a means to avoid punishment; it should be a deep, transformative connection. [47:34]
"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord." (Isaiah 55:8, ESV)
Reflection: In what ways have you misunderstood Jesus' purpose in your life? How can you realign your expectations with His true mission of spiritual transformation?
Day 3: Embracing Humility in Service
Jesus is a humble, serving, and sacrificial king. His humility is evident in His willingness to wash the feet of His disciples, a task reserved for the lowest servant. This act symbolizes His desire to cleanse us from our sins. As a serving king, Jesus prioritizes impacting lives over adhering to religious rules, as demonstrated when He healed a man on the Sabbath despite the disapproval of religious leaders. His humility challenges us to serve others selflessly, reflecting His love and grace in our interactions. [55:00]
"Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves." (Philippians 2:3, ESV)
Reflection: Identify one act of service you can perform this week that reflects Jesus' humility. How can you serve someone without expecting anything in return?
Day 4: Prioritizing Lives Over Rules
Jesus prioritized impacting lives over adhering to religious rules, as seen when He healed on the Sabbath. His example encourages us to focus on serving others and making a difference, even when it challenges societal norms. This approach calls us to evaluate our own priorities and consider how we can make a meaningful impact in the lives of those around us. [01:02:57]
"And he said to them, 'The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.'" (Mark 2:27, ESV)
Reflection: What is one societal or religious norm that you feel called to challenge in order to serve others better? How can you take a step towards making a difference in someone's life today?
Day 5: Living Sacrificially for Others
Jesus' ultimate sacrifice on the cross is a testament to His love for humanity. By giving His life, He offers us eternal life and a restored relationship with God. This profound act of love calls us to live sacrificially for others. As we approach Easter, let us remember that we are not just celebrating a good man or prophet, but the Savior of the universe. Jesus' kingship is characterized by humility, service, and sacrifice, and He invites us to be part of His kingdom. [01:06:18]
"Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends." (John 15:13, ESV)
Reflection: What is one way you can live sacrificially for someone else this week? How can you demonstrate Christ's love through your actions?
Quotes
I believe that there's a lot to celebrate on any given Sunday. I think Sunday should be the most hype, excited moment, day of the week. Come on. Best hour ever. I do because we've got so much to celebrate with Jesus. We've got so much to celebrate in connecting with others. And today we filled the stage at both locations with so many kids that one got stepped on. Sorry. And that was me, by the way. [00:25:27] (26 seconds)
We value the next generation. That's all the way from birth through college. We love it so much. But we've hired a couple that's going to come in and take our middle school and high school ministries to a whole new level and reach more people than we ever have before in that age group. I'm so excited about it. But that's enough hearing about it from me. We're going to show you a video. And, Florence, the faces may look a little familiar. Let's hear from them. [00:26:06] (27 seconds)
You know, one of the things I love about singing songs like that is that it's not just a song. It's not about a key or a pitch or an instrument or anything. It's a declaration to say, God, I recognize where what I have comes from. I recognize. And when we have, I'm just going to be honest, we have a true encounter with Jesus. I don't know how we can keep that in. I don't know how we can't just get excited about it. You know what, God? Everything I have is from you. [00:39:11] (26 seconds)
How we see Jesus determines how we treat Jesus. And so if Jesus to me, I don't know your church background. Maybe this is your first time ever in church. Maybe it's your first time back in a while. Maybe you've grown up in church, but it's a certain type of church. Or maybe you're just giving it a chance for one last moment. You know, we had somebody come in on a revival night on Wednesday night that said, I was going to end my life tonight, but God saved my life in revival nights right here in this room. [00:48:49] (29 seconds)
Jesus is not just indicating I am a king. He's not just indicating that this is the very thing that I was born for and put on earth for is to be a king. Here's what he's saying, that if you know me and you're a part of my kingdom, you know what I say. You know what I sound like. You know what I'm trying to tell you. It's like this, right? If you got kids in the room or grandkids, right? I have three amazing kids, 13, 11, and six. [00:51:12] (25 seconds)
Jesus is a humble king. In fact, in John chapter 13 verses 1 through 8, we see a collection of, or a recollection, if you will, of what took place at the Lord's Supper, the last supper right there. And it says this, now before the feast of the Passover, Jesus knowing that his hour had come and he would depart out of this world to the father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. And during supper, the devil having already put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon, to betray him. [00:53:33] (32 seconds)
Jesus knew everything that was and had already happened. It was very clear to him what was going to take place. He knew that the betrayal of Judas, he knew the betrayal of everybody, of Peter, when the rooster crowed three times, he knew the torture and the pain. And it says, he got up from supper and he laid aside his garments and he took a towel and he girded himself. [00:54:22] (23 seconds)
Jesus is a humble king. And here's what I want us to realize today. That everyone you encounter this week, at home, at work, in the stores, at Starbucks, wherever you go, whatever you do, good, bad, celebratory or not, I need you to hear me. Jesus wants to wash the dirtiest parts of their life just like he does yours. There's nobody exempt from that. And I can hear your thoughts. Well, you don't know. [00:58:51] (27 seconds)
Regardless of where you are and what you've done, this Palm Sunday, let it be a reminder that we're not just serving a good man. There's been a lot of good men that walk the earth. Now, we're serving the king that gave everything so that you and I could walk away with eternal security in God the Father. Father, and we never have to be the same again, and a new life is now ours because the old us passed away, and through him, the new us is born again. [01:08:08] (30 seconds)
Chatbot
-
I'm an AI bot trained only on this specific sermon. Do you have any questions about it?