Palmarum

+ Palm Sunday +
March 28, 2010
Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the LORD!
Peace in heaven and glory in the highest! (Luke 19:38)
What is the formula for success? What are charismatic leaders doing and saying that attracts thousands and thousands to hang on their every word? What price must you pay to be part of the party of popularity? Can the church learn from or imitate secular business models in order to increase our market share of souls? The crowd of disciples on this day shouted: Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the LORD! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest! Only one man knew what price must be paid for that to be fully accomplished. Only one man could do what was needed to prove for all time how much God loved the world. As it became evident that the path to peace and glory would lead first to the cross, the crowds became silent and melted away. God’s idea of success looked like failure; God’s strategy for setting captives free appeared as foolishness; and God’s plan of salvation turned the world upside down. What happens when the Holy Spirit moves us to become followers of the One who was crucified for us? When we follow the One who has been given all authority in heaven and in earth, we will also come to share in His victory over death and the grave.
1. All we have belongs to Him and serves His kingdom
a. The Lord hath need of him.
b. Our time, energy and talents serve His kingdom
2. We begin to rejoice and praise God for all the mighty works we have seen.
a. Lazarus raised after four days
b. Prisoners set free, dead brought to new life
3. The response of Jesus to those who do not yet see
a. The stones would immediately cry out
b. He saw the city and wept over it…you did not know the time of your visitation