Palm Sunday
Pastor Aaron Sutherland
Jesus is looking for followers who will seek His ways above their own.
I. JESUS IS LOOKING FOR FOLLOWERS WHO ARE TEACHABLE
Matthew 21:1-6
Now when they drew near to Jerusalem and came to Bethphage, to the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, “Go into the village in front of you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her. Untie them and bring them to me. If anyone says anything to you, you shall say, ‘The Lord needs them,’ and he will send them at once.” This took place to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet, saying, “Say to the daughter of Zion,
‘Behold, your king is coming to you,
humble, and mounted on a donkey,
on a colt, the foal of a beast of burden.’” The disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them.
John 14:15
If you love me, keep my commands.
Too often we draw a distinction between our love FOR Jesus and our obedience TO Jesus.
II. JESUS IS LOOKING FOR FOLLOWERS WHO ARE MISSIONAL
Matthew 21:7-9
They brought the donkey and the colt and put on them their cloaks, and he sat on them. Most of the crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. And the crowds that went before him and that followed him were shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!”
Often we are looking for someone to save us from the oppression of circumstance, Jesus comes to save us from the oppression of our sin.
Jesus didn’t die for the problems out there, Jesus died for the problems in here.
III. JESUS IS LOOKING FOR FOLLOWERS WHO ARE FRUITFUL
Matthew 21:12-13
And Jesus entered the temple and drove out all who sold and bought in the temple, and he overturned the tables of the money-changers and the seats of those who sold pigeons. He said to them, “It is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer,’ but you make it a den of robbers.”
Religion always seeks to get, not to give.
Matthew 21:14
And the blind and the lame came to him in the temple, and he healed them.
Discussion Questions
1.Have you ever experienced the correction of God? If so, how? And what was the outcome?
2. What does it look like to live life on Christ’s Mission?
3. If fruitfulness is God’s hope for us, can you identify places in your life that may not be currently fruitful? And if so, what changes might that invite you to consider?
