This week, we began a brand-new sermon series where we are looking at the last week of Jesus' life. Throughout this series, we will see how Jesus lived deliberately and intentionally with one purpose in mind: paying the price for our sins on the cross and conquering sin and death. Today, we are looking at Jesus' ride into Jerusalem, where He would ultimately be arrested, tried, crucified, and buried in order to overcome sin and death.
Who do you know who lives deliberately, focused on their purpose and their goals?
1. What things often keep people from living deliberately? 2.Read Luke 19:28-35. How did the unnamed owners of the donkey demonstrate faith and obedience?
28 After telling this story, Jesus went on toward Jerusalem, walking ahead of his disciples. 29 As he came to the towns of Bethphage and Bethany on the Mount of Olives, he sent two disciples ahead. 30 “Go into that village over there,” he told them. “As you enter it, you will see a young donkey tied there that no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. 31 If anyone asks, ‘Why are you untying that colt?’ just say, ‘The Lord needs it.’” 32 So they went and found the colt, just as Jesus had said. 33 And sure enough, as they were untying it, the owners asked them, “Why are you untying that colt?” 34 And the disciples simply replied, “The Lord needs it.” 35 So they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their garments over it for him to ride on.
3. Read Luke 19:36-40. What is significant about the way people responded to Jesus in this passage of Scripture? What did they not realize about Jesus?
36 As he rode along, the crowds spread out their garments on the road ahead of him. 37 When he reached the place where the road started down the Mount of Olives, all of his followers began to shout and sing as they walked along, praising God for all the wonderful miracles they had seen. 38 “Blessings on the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven, and glory in highest heaven!” 39 But some of the Pharisees among the crowd said, “Teacher, rebuke your followers for saying things like that!” 40 He replied, “If they kept quiet, the stones along the road would burst into cheers!”
4. Read Luke 19:41-44. What made Jesus weep in this passage of Scripture?
41 But as he came closer to Jerusalem and saw the city ahead, he began to weep. 42 “How I wish today that you of all people would understand the way to peace. But now it is too late, and peace is hidden from your eyes. 43 Before long your enemies will build ramparts against your walls and encircle you and close in on you from every side. 44 They will crush you into the ground, and your children with you. Your enemies will not leave a single stone in place, because you did not recognize it when God visited you.”
1. Many of the people who worshiped Jesus in Luke 19 would ultimately reject Jesus. How do people reject Jesus today? 2. The people who worshiped Jesus in Luke 19 called Jesus "king." What they did not realize was that He is the King of kings. What is the proper response when you see and interact with a king? 3. As the King, Jesus deserves our obedience. Is there anything He has been calling you to do that you need to take a step of obedience and obey Him?
There are so many people in our world today in need of the hope that Christ offers. Easter is one of the times that people are most willing to attend a church service. Be thinking about who you can invite to one of our Easter services. Share with your group who you can invite. After everyone has shared, pray for these people. Pray that they would be receptive to the invitation to come to church on Easter and that they would ultimately come to have a relationship with Christ.
Jesus’ journey to Jerusalem was no ordinary trip. It carried weighty significance. You see, this journey to Jerusalem was predicted in the Old Testament and signified that Jesus was the long-awaited King that the Jewish people had been waiting for. He was, and is, the King. Let’s turn to Scripture now to see what we learn about Jesus being the King of kings.
Hundreds of years before Jesus came to earth as a baby, the prophet Zechariah predicted His journey to Jerusalem. The fulfillment of this prophecy was further proof that Jesus was no ordinary man. He was the Son of God, the long-awaited King whom the Old Testament promised. Let's look at Zechariah's prophecy now. 1. Read Zechariah 9:9-10.
9 Rejoice, O people of Zion! Shout in triumph, O people of Jerusalem! Look, your king is coming to you. He is righteous and victorious, yet he is humble, riding on a donkey— riding on a donkey’s colt. 10 I will remove the battle chariots from Israel and the warhorses from Jerusalem. I will destroy all the weapons used in battle, and your king will bring peace to the nations. His realm will stretch from sea to sea and from the Euphrates River to the ends of the earth.
2. What did this passage of Scripture reveal about Jesus? 3. How did Jesus fulfill this prophecy? 4. How are we, as followers of Christ, to respond to this prophecy about Jesus? (Hint: See verse 9.)
Scripture predicted that the long-awaited King would come from the line of King David. David was perhaps the most well-known and beloved king of Israel, but Jesus is even better than David! He came to save the world from sin. 1. Read Isaiah 9:6-7
6 For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 His government and its peace will never end. He will rule with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor, David, for all eternity. The passionate commitment of the Lord of Heaven's Armies will make this happen!
2. What does this passage of Scripture reveal about Jesus? 3. How did Jesus fulfill this prophecy? 4. How will Jesus rule, according to this passage of Scripture? How does this truth bring hope?
Jesus came to earth in the humblest circumstances. He came as a baby and was born in a stable. He came as a servant and gave His life for the sins of the world. Revelation reveals that one day, Jesus will return to earth. This time, however, He will return as the King of all kings. Take a look at what Revelation teaches about Jesus’ second coming. 1. Read Revelation 19:11-16.
11 Then I saw heaven opened, and a white horse was standing there. Its rider was named Faithful and True, for he judges fairly and wages a righteous war. 12 His eyes were like flames of fire, and on his head were many crowns. A name was written on him that no one understood except himself. 13 He wore a robe dipped in blood, and his title was the Word of God. 14 The armies of heaven, dressed in the finest of pure white linen, followed him on white horses. 15 From his mouth came a sharp sword to strike down the nations. He will rule them with an iron rod. He will release the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty, like juice flowing from a winepress. 16 On his robe at his thigh was written this title: King of all kings and Lord of all lords.
2. How will Jesus come the second time, according to this passage of Scripture? 3. How does Jesus’ second coming compare to the circumstances of His first? 4. How does what you learn about Jesus in this passage of Scripture impact the way you think about responding to Him as the King? The world is in need of the hope that only Jesus, the King of Kings, can bring. One of the ways we can introduce Jesus, the King of all kings, to others is to share the Bridge Diagram with them. Watch the Bridge Diagram video HERE. Next, divide into groups of two or three and practice sharing it in your groups. The more comfortable you all become practicing this diagram, the better prepared you all will become to share about Jesus, the King of all Kings, and the hope that He brings.
You love him even though you have never seen him. Though you do not see him now, you trust him; and you rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy. 1 Peter 1:8
©2024 Sagebrush Church
