Presence Of Jesus Demands A Response
Palm Sunday Message
ANCHOR SCRIPTURE:
‘I know your deeds, that you are neither cold (invigorating, refreshing) nor hot (healing, therapeutic); I wish that you were cold or hot. So, because you are lukewarm (spiritually useless), and neither hot nor cold, I will vomit you out of My mouth [rejecting you with disgust].
Revelation 3:15-16 (Amplified Bible)
NOTE: Presence of Jesus Demands a Response
- What makes your heart quicken?
Spouse – Kids – Friends – Sports – latest Tik Tok video? How about Jesus?
- Response Reflects Relationship:
Deeper the Root – Sweeter the Fruit
If being in the presence of Jesus doesn’t quicken a response, Check Your Fruit.
- Response to Jesus is indicator of heart’s condition towards God. Gift = Giver
Holy Week examples of Responses to Jesus
The 7 R’s of Responding To The Presence of Jesus – Leah PIRATE
1. Rejoicing
Triumphal Entry
8 A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9 The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Hosanna in the highest heaven!” (used to express adoration, praise, or joy.) (removed cloaks – no sin, shame or cover ups)
Matthew 21: 8-9
2. Resistance
– Clear temple – No fear of God
In the temple he found those who were selling oxen and sheep and pigeons, and the moneychangers sitting there. And making a whip of cords, he drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and oxen. And he poured out the coins of the moneychangers and overturned their tables. And he told those who sold the pigeons, “Take these things away; do not make my Father's house a house of trade.”
John 2:14-16 (ESV)
3. Rejection
– disciples fell asleep
Peter said to him, “Even if I must die with you, I will not deny you!” And all the disciples said the same. MADE INNER VOW HE COULD NOT KEEP
Jesus Prays in Gethsemane
36 Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, “Sit here, while I go over there and pray.”
41 Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
NOTE: Jesus asking them to pray was for their benefit. Not His.
NOTE: Even in the presence of Jesus, we still must pray to avoid temptation
Matthew 26:35–45
BONUS:
51 A young man was following Him, wearing nothing but a linen sheet over his naked body; and they *seized him. 52 But he pulled free of the linen sheet and escaped naked.
Mark 14:51-52 (NASB)
4. Rebellion
- Judas
While he was still speaking, Judas came, one of the twelve, and with him a great crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests and the elders of the people.
Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, “The one I will kiss is the man; seize him.”
And he came up to Jesus at once and said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” And he kissed him.
Jesus said to him, “Friend, do what you came to do.” Then they came up and laid hands-on Jesus and seized him.
Matthew 26:47–50
5. Restoration
– Began PROCESS of Peter being restored
Known as The Look
61 The Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how He had told him, “Before a rooster crows today, you will deny Me three times.”
Luke 22:61 (Amplified Bible)
Greek – turned meant Jesus twisted a full 180%
Looked – intense gaze.
- Not to intimidate Peter, but bring him into a posture of conviction, repentance, and restoration.
- The Look of God Instructs:
8 I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you should go; I will advise you with My eye upon you.
Psalm 32:8 (NASB)
Restoration Process Continued Post Resurrection:
Jesus Restores Peter - John 21:15-17
- Jesus continues PROCESS of restoration.
- Doesn’t return vengeful, but cooks breakfast after they abandoned Him.
- Jesus asked Peter 3 times – Do You Love Me – one to cover each sin of denial.
- Words hurt and heal – Your encounter with Jesus changes speech.
6. Reverence
– Woman anointing oil
… a woman came up to him with an alabaster flask of very expensive ointment, and she poured it on his head as he reclined at table.
… In pouring this ointment on my body, she has done it to prepare me for burial.
Truly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will also be told in memory of her.”
Matthew 26:6–13
NOTE: Mark 14:3 (NIV)
…She broke the jar and poured the perfume on his head.
7. Receive
Forgiveness and Salvation
39 One of the criminals hanging beside him scoffed, “So you’re the Messiah, are you? Prove it by saving yourself—and us, too, while you’re at it!”
40 But the other criminal protested, “Don’t you fear God even when you have been sentenced to die? 41 We deserve to die for our crimes, but this man hasn’t done anything wrong.” 42 Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.”
43 And Jesus replied, “I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
Luke 22:39-43
CLOSING –
Are You Lukewarm to the Presence of Jesus.
Neutrality is not an option –
Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.
(John 3:18 NIV)
If so, Repent – Confess – Be Forgiven – Live in Freedom
We Want To Connect
Dr. Scott & Leah Silverii