Proclaiming God's Goodness Amidst Unmet Expectations
Summary
In today's gathering, we reflected on the profound significance of Palm Sunday, a day that marks the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. This event is a powerful reminder of the fulfillment of messianic prophecy, as foretold in Zechariah 9:9, where the King would come riding on a colt. This day was filled with high expectations and declarations of Jesus as King, as the people shouted "Hosanna" and laid down palm branches in His honor. However, the same crowd that celebrated His arrival would soon call for His crucifixion, revealing a shift in their expectations and declarations when Jesus did not meet their earthly desires for a political savior.
We are reminded that our faith should not be swayed by unmet expectations. Our circumstances, no matter how challenging, should not alter our declaration of God's goodness and faithfulness. We are called to proclaim His goodness continually, regardless of the trials we face. Our words hold power, and we must choose to speak life and truth, aligning our declarations with God's promises.
Furthermore, we are encouraged to use every opportunity to share the gospel and make disciples. Our lives should reflect the goodness and mercy of God, and we should be intentional in proclaiming His name in all we do. This is not limited to those in ministry but is a call for every believer. We must be vigilant in what we allow into our hearts and minds, as it will inevitably influence what comes out of our mouths.
As we stand firm in our faith, let us not be silent. Let us declare His goodness, His mercies, and His promises. Let us be bold in our witness, using every platform and opportunity to share the love and truth of Jesus Christ. In doing so, we fulfill our calling to be His disciples, bringing glory to His name.
Key Takeaways:
1. Unchanging Goodness of God: Despite our circumstances, God's goodness remains constant. Our trials and unmet expectations should not alter our declaration of His faithfulness. We must continue to proclaim His goodness, trusting that He is working all things for our good. [48:44]
2. Power of Our Words: Our words hold significant power, and we must choose to speak life and truth. Our declarations should align with God's promises, regardless of what we see in the natural. By doing so, we affirm our faith and trust in His sovereignty. [01:19:23]
3. Proclaiming His Goodness: We are called to proclaim God's goodness and mercy in every aspect of our lives. This involves using every opportunity to share the gospel and make disciples, reflecting His love and truth in all we do. [01:32:36]
4. Faith Over Expectations: Our faith should not be dictated by unmet expectations. We must remain steadfast in our belief, trusting that God's plans are higher than ours. This requires a shift in focus from our desires to His divine purpose. [01:15:43]
5. Intentional Living: We must be intentional in what we allow into our hearts and minds, as it influences our actions and words. By filling ourselves with God's Word, we can effectively proclaim His goodness and fulfill our calling as His disciples. [01:29:57]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [31:03] - Communion and Surrender
- [48:44] - God's Unchanging Goodness
- [01:04:38] - Repurposing Time for Worship
- [01:07:30] - Understanding Palm Sunday
- [01:12:12] - High Expectations and Unmet Desires
- [01:15:43] - Faith Over Unmet Expectations
- [01:19:23] - The Power of Our Words
- [01:29:57] - God's Faithfulness in Every Situation
- [01:32:36] - Proclaiming His Goodness
- [01:35:07] - The Great Commission
- [01:44:44] - Closing and Declaration of Blessings
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: The Significance of Palm Sunday
Bible Reading:
1. Zechariah 9:9
2. Luke 19:28-40
3. Psalm 148
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Observation Questions:
1. What was the significance of Jesus riding on a colt during His entry into Jerusalem, as mentioned in Zechariah 9:9 and Luke 19:28-40? How did this fulfill the messianic prophecy? [01:07:30]
2. In Luke 19:39-40, how did Jesus respond to the Pharisees when they asked Him to rebuke His disciples? What does this reveal about the importance of proclaiming His kingship? [01:19:23]
3. According to the sermon, what were the people's expectations of Jesus during His triumphal entry, and how did these expectations change by the end of the week? [01:12:12]
4. How does Psalm 148 encourage us to praise God, and what elements of creation are called to join in this praise?
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the fulfillment of Zechariah 9:9 in Jesus' entry into Jerusalem reinforce the reliability of God's promises? What does this mean for believers today? [01:07:30]
2. The sermon mentioned that unmet expectations can lead to a change in our declaration of God's goodness. How can believers guard against this shift in their faith? [01:15:43]
3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that our words hold power, and how should this influence the way we speak about our circumstances and God's promises? [01:19:23]
4. How does the call to praise in Psalm 148 relate to the sermon’s emphasis on proclaiming God's goodness and mercy in every aspect of our lives?
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when your expectations of God were not met. How did you respond, and what can you do differently in the future to maintain your faith and declaration of His goodness? [01:12:12]
2. The sermon emphasized the power of our words. Identify a situation in your life where you need to change your language to align with God's promises. What specific steps will you take to speak life and truth? [01:19:23]
3. Consider the platforms and opportunities you have to share the gospel. What is one specific action you can take this week to proclaim God's goodness to someone in your life? [01:35:07]
4. The sermon encourages intentional living by filling our hearts and minds with God's Word. What is one practical way you can incorporate more of God's Word into your daily routine? [01:29:57]
5. Think about a recent challenge or trial you faced. How did you declare God's goodness during that time, and how can you improve in proclaiming His faithfulness in future trials? [48:44]
6. Identify one area of your life where you have allowed unmet expectations to change your declaration of God's goodness. How can you realign your focus to trust in His divine purpose? [01:15:43]
7. Psalm 148 calls all creation to praise God. How can you incorporate more praise into your daily life, and what impact do you think this will have on your relationship with God?
Devotional
Day 1: The Unwavering Goodness of God
In the midst of life's challenges and unmet expectations, it is crucial to remember that God's goodness remains constant. The triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday serves as a poignant reminder of this truth. The crowd's initial celebration of Jesus as King quickly turned to cries for His crucifixion when He did not fulfill their earthly desires for a political savior. This shift highlights the danger of allowing our faith to be swayed by circumstances. Instead, we are called to continually proclaim God's goodness, trusting that He is working all things for our good, even when we cannot see it. Our declaration of His faithfulness should not be contingent on our current situation but rooted in the unchanging nature of His character. [48:44]
"For the LORD is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations." (Psalm 100:5, ESV)
Reflection: In what area of your life are you struggling to see God's goodness? How can you choose to proclaim His faithfulness in that area today?
Day 2: The Transformative Power of Our Words
Our words hold significant power, shaping our reality and influencing those around us. The sermon reminds us that our declarations should align with God's promises, regardless of what we see in the natural. By speaking life and truth, we affirm our faith and trust in His sovereignty. This requires a conscious effort to guard our hearts and minds, ensuring that what we speak reflects God's truth rather than our fears or doubts. As believers, we are called to use our words to build up, encourage, and proclaim the goodness of God, trusting that He is in control and working all things for our good. [01:19:23]
"Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear." (Ephesians 4:29, ESV)
Reflection: Think of a recent conversation where your words could have been more life-giving. How can you intentionally speak words of encouragement and truth in your interactions today?
Day 3: Proclaiming God's Goodness in Every Aspect of Life
We are called to proclaim God's goodness and mercy in every aspect of our lives, using every opportunity to share the gospel and make disciples. This involves reflecting His love and truth in all we do, not just in ministry but in our everyday interactions. Our lives should be a testament to His goodness, drawing others to Him through our words and actions. This requires intentionality in how we live, ensuring that our hearts and minds are filled with God's Word so that we can effectively proclaim His goodness and fulfill our calling as His disciples. [01:32:36]
"Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples!" (1 Chronicles 16:24, ESV)
Reflection: How can you use your current platform or sphere of influence to share God's goodness with others today?
Day 4: Faith Beyond Unmet Expectations
Our faith should not be dictated by unmet expectations or the shifting circumstances of life. Instead, we are called to remain steadfast in our belief, trusting that God's plans are higher than ours. This requires a shift in focus from our desires to His divine purpose, recognizing that He is working all things for our good, even when we cannot see it. By placing our trust in His sovereignty, we can find peace and assurance, knowing that He is in control and that His plans for us are good. [01:15:43]
"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD." (Isaiah 55:8, ESV)
Reflection: What is one expectation you have that may not align with God's purpose? How can you surrender this expectation to Him and trust in His divine plan?
Day 5: Intentional Living and Guarding Our Hearts
We must be intentional in what we allow into our hearts and minds, as it influences our actions and words. By filling ourselves with God's Word, we can effectively proclaim His goodness and fulfill our calling as His disciples. This requires vigilance in guarding our hearts against negative influences and being intentional in our spiritual growth. As we immerse ourselves in His truth, we are better equipped to reflect His love and truth in all we do, drawing others to Him through our words and actions. [01:29:57]
"Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life." (Proverbs 4:23, ESV)
Reflection: What is one habit or influence you need to guard against to protect your heart? How can you replace it with something that draws you closer to God today?
Quotes
And that situation that you walked in with right now, as we get ready to participate together in communion, we can declare God, I surrender it to you. and it's covered by the blood and as we go to take communion declare right now if it's illness in your body that there's healing that's coming brokenness there's restoration that's coming issues in health or with children or finances or false accusation or whatever it might be declaring that Jesus is going to have the last word. [00:29:47] (52 seconds)
For as often as you eat this bread and you drink this cup you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes and Father this morning we thank you for the victory that's on the way even though we may not see it in the natural eyes right now God we thank you for the victory that's on the way in our marriage in our family in our physical body God we thank you for anxiety and depression and worry must bow its knee to the name of Jesus because of the blood. [00:34:31] (47 seconds)
Even if you're here right now under the sound of my voice lay hands on yourself if you're dealing with an issue physical healing that is needed lay hands over yourself declaring that healing is coming in Jesus name God we thank you for you're our banner and our defender and our vindicator I come against tormenting voices and tormenting spirits and the mind in the name of Jesus declaring God that we walk in freedom because of the blood of Jesus stronghold broken this morning in the name of Jesus. [00:35:33] (50 seconds)
And Father, I declare that as a church and a body We are declaring we will walk in line with you In step with you Courageous and filled with boldness to do and follow and obey what you call. And God, I thank you for you never let us down and you show up on time. And I thank you, God And I thank you, God In advance for what's coming. [00:53:57] (40 seconds)
And church, listen to me. We cannot, I want to say it again, we cannot let our unmet expectations change our declaration of who God is. And that's what a lot of us find ourselves in. We get saved and we have an expectation. I'm saved now, so all of this is just going to go away. And this is happening. Or I'm praying for this. And I've been praying for six months, a year, two years, four years, five years, ten years. I've been praying for this, and my expectation hasn't been met. It hasn't happened. Therefore, I stop declaring his goodness. [01:13:46] (40 seconds)
But it doesn't change his goodness. And at times, we allow our unmet expectations to take priority over our confession of who God is. And a few weeks ago, we did a little mini-series, Which Voice? And we talked about which voice are we listening to? Which are the voices that we're listening to? The voices of the ten saying that what God promised ain't going to happen. Or the voice of the two that are saying, Hey, this is what God said. Let's go. [01:14:80] (29 seconds)
They told Jesus tell them to stop singing hosanna tell them to stop declaring your king tell them to shut up and Jesus replied answered them verse 40 i tell you that if these should keep silent the stones would immediately cry out i read that and the holy spirit just hit me because here's the reality the world wants us to be silent and even religious leaders want us to be silent oh no no no you can't say that here we can't use those words those are too spiritual oh you can't do this oh you can't do that oh you can't do the other that comes from a bunch of religious leaders. [01:20:47] (52 seconds)
We got to start thinking that way understanding that like I think and I don't know who this is for this morning, many of us want to pick and choose the promises that are for us well I'll claim the promise of healing but not this one no no that one's not for me or I'll claim this one but no no that's that's for the more spiritual or that's for the this that's for that all of God's promises are yes and amen and they're all applying to us. [01:25:28] (38 seconds)
When you and I begin to see everything through the eyes of God's goodness through the eyes of God's mercy using every opportunity to clear his goodness using every opportunity to clear his mercy yesterday we had our men's breakfast and then followed by our women's breakfast and when when when the ladies finish and they're all leaving I usually go outside I start putting away the chairs or whatever the case might be and once everything was done there was just a couple of ladies left it was a I think it was Adriana and and Pastor Ibai Belinda might have still been there and Sarah they were they were there right. [01:31:04] (33 seconds)
We need to know how to use every opportunity because there's people that we have influence that we because this is the other lie of the enemy oh you're so insignificant that's not gonna help anybody no the Bible says that that Apollo sowed the seed and Paul watered it but God gave the increase and you don't know if the little drop of water that you shared is the final little piece that is needed to make the tree sprout so I love the parable of the sower what is the parable of the sower say the sower went out to sow and he spread the seed and some fell on stony ground some fell on thorny ground some fell by the wayside and some fell on good soil all of the seeds sprouted. [01:37:55] (52 seconds)
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