The LORD's Day, Palm Sunday, March 28, 2010

Palm Sunday Truths

Matthew 21.1-11

This is such a meaningful and emotional passage of scripture to believers. It was also a passage in Jesus' Life.

It was Passover Week in Jerusalem (as it is this week). When the temple was standing Jerusalem would swell with pilgrims from all over the world who had come to celebrate this feast in the Holy City. In the Jewish mind the Passover meant the end of wandering. The Book of Revelation speaks in chapter 21 of the New Jerusalem, which is the Eternal City of God. That is our home.

Jerusalem became a place of rest. David captured it from the Jebusites and made it Israel's capital. It became a place of rest. The LORD permitted on the Mount Moriah, a permanent place to be built for worshipping Him under the Old Covenant. In 1982 the Knesset proclaimed Jerusalem to be the eternal capital of Israel. Much of what we see going on in the tensions in the Middle East revolve around that 600 acre parcel of land called the Temple Mount. As one person described it, "It is the most volatile piece of property on earth." One can feel the tension in approaching it and more so on it.

On this particular Passover in 32 A.D. there were high hopes for a Messiah- an anointed political deliverer- One who would bring peace to Jerusalem. This was the sentiment of the crowds. Back then there were deals that were struck between the religious leaders of the Jews and the occupying forces of Rome. Basically the religious leaders kept the people under control and Rome permitted them to keep their temple.

For three and half years Jesus had ministered throughout Galilee and the surrounding country. He had been to Jerusalem enough (even as a boy) that those who lived there knew Who He was and what He was about (or so they thought).

So on the day, after the last Sabbath before this Passover, as multitudes were thronging to Jerusalem, Jesus permitted for the first time publicly the proclamation by the crowds that He was the promised Messiah. He did this knowing that in a few days this would precipitate into His death- which was all part of God's plan.

That is the history behind this passage we read. What does this Living Word say to us today? We see the love of God here, Jesus came to Jerusalem to die for the sins of the whole world. We see the surrender to the will of the Father in Heaven. We see hope because He knew the cross would not be His final work but the beginning of people coming into His kingdom.

What are some of the truths here in this first Palm Sunday?

1. The Certainty of God's Word.

Someone asked the question last night on Facebook, "Why do people promise they are going to do something and then not do it? Why don't they just not promise?" Why indeed! My thoughts went to this point in the message.

Peter in writing his second letter refers to "the prophecy of scripture"

(II Peter 1.20) He is referring to the prediction of events relating to Christ's Kingdom and to its triumph.

There was an Old Testament prediction which is referred to verse 4&5 given by the LORD to Zechariah, which is what happened on that first Palm Sunday and which we celebrate today.

Many promises of the LORD in His Word have this futuristic element... a result of hope. Here are a few:

* those who wait upon the LORD will renew their strength. They will mount up with wings like eagles- they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not faint. Isaiah 40.31 Now: wait, Then: Your strength is renewed.

* Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him and will direct your paths. Proverbs 3.5-6

Now: Trust, then: He will direct you. Too often we are getting the cart before the horse- we are looking for direction while we are faltering in trusting in Him.

* Don't be anxious about anything, but in prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4.6-7) Now: pray, then: peace, Far too often I find myself dwelling on the petition and not enough or at all on the Thanksgiving (for past answers!) Fulfill your part and God will do what He says on His promises.

In Mark 14.49 Jesus said, "The scriptures must be fulfilled." What a powerful Word we have in God's Word. All the scriptures will be fulfilled- the prophecies concerning the Christ and the promises concerning us as His people!

Secondly this morning we see this truth in this Palm Sunday passage:

2. His Disciples Do What He Tells Them. v.6

That is what a disciple is- one who has obedience, faith and trust in His Word.

What is in His Word. Why we study it and seek to understand it- so we can put it into practice. Matthew 7.24-27

What His Spirit prompts us to do. Those inner nudgings, those encouragements, those words of strength to others.

3. Wherever Jesus Walks In, the Whole Place is Stirred. v.10

Stirred = sio- to rock, vibrate sideways and to and fro, to agitate, to tremble, throw into a tremor

Gospel Annie on the bus

We need Him:

In the world

In our country

On Long Island- neighborhoods - in Brentwood, in Bay Shore

Share the Lamb- Passover Tradition

In His Church

In Our Homes

In Our Lives

Holy Week has always been a special week here. Different things happening. Holy Week is a week of Hope and Expectation. As we walk with Jesus through this week, expect wonderful things to happen!

The LORD's Day, March 21, 2010

Choices

Genesis 13.1-17

Life is full of choices. Some carry little or no consequence. Like when at the Diner the waitress asks, "Would you like Jello or rice pudding for dessert?" Maybe if you are watching your weight there could be a conseqence to this but it is very small. (Go ahead and have the whipped cream!)

Other choices are huge like, "Who will I marry?" and "How will I live my life?" and "Where will I spend it?" These questions were already settled for Abram and Lot. They had returned from the "detour" to Egypt during the famine. They were back in Bethel, the House of God. As they were moving along, the lnad could not support them both (vs.5-7)

1. God's Blessings Made Them Face A Choice. v.6

This is true in a congregation as well as in a family. I was born in Queens in 1956. My dad and mom and I lived in an upstairs apratment on North Conduit, right across from Kennedy Airport (before it was called Kennedy). In May 1959 we moved out on the Island to Bellmore and in April 1960 my brother was born. (That is what was called family planning back in the day). We lived in that little bungelo until 1963 when we moved into a Cape Cod on the other side of town. Shortly after that move my sister was born. The family was growing and we needed more room. This was similar to Abram and Lot.

God blesses and we need to make room for those blessings, not only in our homes but in our hearts. Blessed are the children whose parents make room for them.

2. Abram Gave His Nephew Lot A Choice. v.9

Abraham could have taken the better land by virtue of the fact he was the one called by God and he was older. Abraham didn't believe in entitlements. He was confident God would bless him. His faith in the LORD freed him from grabbing the best or looking out for number one. Besides this he had his heart set on the Eternal City. Hebrews 11.10 For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, Whose Architect and Builder is God... v.16 they were longing for a better country- a heavenly one. Note: Are we? I need to stop there because this is a whole other message.

So Abram chose not to choose. He let God choose for him by letting Lot choose. Let chose what appeared to be the best land. He chose what appealed to his eyes (v.10) Abram went with the faith in his heart. Lot's choice was foolish and eventually destructive. He lost everything.

How very careful and prayerful we should be about the issues of life.

"Keep your heart with all diligence for out of it come the issues of life." Proverbs 4.23 One of the verses my grandmother wrote in my autograph book from 6th grade 42 years ago. The other was Proverbs 3.5-6

Do you see the deeper truth here? People can become "very spiritual" when faced with big decisions or disease or death. The 3 D's... but that is not God's way. He wants us to be spiritual so that when we face decisions like Abram it isn't a traumatic or dramatic thing, The decision is alreay made for us! We go with the faith God has placed there.

3. Lot Chose Grass- Abraham Chose God.- vs.11-17

See the greater issue here? We chose daily (Jesus spoke about our cross like this). He taught us to pray like this and live like this. Choosing what is right, humility and trusting in Him.

The well watered plain was near the wickedness of Sodom. This is often true. When choices are based purely on money we fall into the sinful traps set around us. We don't see them for what they are. When decisions are made on what is appealing then destruction is usually not far off.

If money were the deciding factor Hudson Taylor would never have launched the China Inland Mission.

Abraham made the right choice and God blessed him. We will have the same thing happen to us. Think about the ultimate blessing that Abraham received- through you all the nations of the earth will be blessed. Isaac- Jacob- David- JESUS- God's family- born from above.

What appealed to be a life of relative ease and wealth for Lot ended up in ashes. Lot,in time, lost it all, while Abraham ended up praying for him and enjoying God's continued blessings until he went on to the greatest blessing- the one out of this world- being with the LORD forever.

Choose this day Whom you will serve.

The LORD's Day, March 14, 2010

The Call of God

Genesis 12.1-3

Abraham's call, the first in scripture whee God is calling someone from one locale to another, sets a pattern for future calls from the LORD.

Genesis, this book of beginnings, sets precedences for things mentioned in it. For example each time we see a rainbow we remember the promise God made never to flood the earth again. The rainbow's purpose is to remind of us this.

This call to Abraham constituted the rest of the Old Testament:

Abraham- Isaac- Jacob/Israel Twelves sons- 12 tribes A Nation

It found its ultimate fulfillment in the New Testament

The LORD - Abraham- David- JESUS CHRIST

Isaac was the foreshadowing of the Promised Son- THE LORD Jesus

Galatians 3.9 So those who have faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith.

The blessing given to Abraham has come to the Gentiles through Jesus Christ (3.14)

Does this mean the God is done with Israel? Absolutely not! Look at Romans 11.25-27

Abraham's call- the call of God

1. The LORD Calls Us Away v.1

He told Abram to leave three things. He called him away from:

*His Country Our citizenship is in heaven and we eagerly await a Savior from there, the LORD Jesus Christ. Philippians 3.20 We are called to be good citizens of the country we live in here on earth (I Timothy 2.1-2) but this is temporary.

I received my renewed US Passport this week. It came from our Department of State. It is on the way to the Chinese Embassy in the city to get a visa so I can go to China next month. I was born in Queens and am an American by birth. When I got my first passport I had to send the raised seal birth certificate I got at the hospital where I was born in Hollis. But my name is written down in heaven. When I was 7 years old I asked Jesus to come into my heart and my name was recorded in the Lamb's Book of Life. I an American for whatever years I will travel here on earth but I will be with Jesus forever- Heaven is where my true citizenship is.

God called Abram away from:

His People. Ur of the Chaldees was a place of idolatry. God was calling Abram away from all that. He was calling him away from all that was familiar and secure: manners, customs, values and He was bringing him to be the father of a new race of people.

His Father's Household. The LORD wanted Abraham to find security and identity in his Father in Heaven. God calls our hearts from earth to heaven. He calls us to a life that is governed by Him.

When God calls...

2. He Calls Us to a Place -v. 1b

For Abram it was to the Land of Canaan, which became the Promised Land/ Israel.

We are called and shown the way to the Promised of Heaven. John 14.1-3

God calls us to places here on earth. I believe many times it is not to a different locale, although sometimes it is, but rather to a new place of standing with Jesus. In John 4 Jesus called the Woman at the Well in Samaria to believe in Him, to have her spiritual thirst quenched with Living Water. she believed and became a missionary in that town of Sychar where she lived. (John 4.34-42)

Sometimes this call is to a deeper life, a closer walk with Jesus our Master. If He is calling you today, do not harden your heart but say to Him, "LORD Jesus, help Yourself- take me. I'm Yours!"

3. The LORD Has Promises For Those Who Obey v.2-3

There are promises for the sinner and the backslider, promises of forgiveness and restoration if they turn to the LORD.

There are many promises for obedient believers- in fact the greater our love for Jesus, the more we appreciate and enjoy His promises. It is often from the sidelines that the complaints come from.

Abraham's Promises Galatians 3.6-9

Great Nation I Peter 2.9

Great Name Our names are written down in heaven Hebrews 12.23, Luke 10.20

Great Blessing v.8-9,14 Salvation and being filled with His Spirit

God calls us. We must respond. Following the LORD is not always easy but it always filled with blessings - even in difficult times.

God calls us. He wants a meaningful relationship with us. He wants us to walk with with Him. He wants the best for us. He wants us to be ever growing in the likeness of Christ coming forth in you and me.

The LORD's Day, March 7, 2010

Finishing Well

Genesis 11.27-32

We have spoken about this before. Life is a journey. From birth to death we are moving along a path. Paul, the apostle, describes it as a race. He wrote to the Corinthian Church: "Run in such a way as to get the prize." (I Corinthians 9.24)

I received an invitation to run in an "Alumni Half Mile" this month in Valley Stream. The invitation went "If you dare..." Into my mind immediately came the Old Timers Games of baseball. I remember my dad laughing at these once great players and how much weight they had gained, etc.

I decided my competition days were long gone. I love to run today and it is good for me but I am running for fun and to keep in some shape.

Running in a race has always been serious business (for me).

There is a race we are all in and that is the one Paul was referring to- the race of life, the journey to heaven. We can learn from this early part of Abraham's life. There are things which will help us here in our journey to heaven. Abraham was headed in the same direction we are this morning.

1. A Long Distance Race's Outcome is not Determined Solely by how We Start. v.31a

In a sprint, a dash, a short distance it is extremely important how one starts. Those races are not won at the finish line only but many times coming out of the starting blocks.

In my High School days, while the distance runner of whom I was a part would be running grueling intervals around the quarter mile track, the hurdlers and the sprinters would be on the starting line with blocks and they would be practicing getting out of them- time after time. For a long distance race we would start standing up. Even the commands were different in start of a sprint.

With a long distance race it is the whole race that matters from start to finish. Life is a long distance race- a marathon - a journey. The start is not unimportant. You must begin by being born again, but then comes the journey.

Ur of the Chaldees was a prosperous city, a trading center and it was rich in gold. Even today in Iraq (where Ur was located) there is potential for great wealth for all its inhabitants. Ur also had a structure very similar to the one described in the beginning of this chapter, the Tower of Babel. It was called a ziggurat. It was sort of a temple tower where the stars and the planets were worshipped- like in modern day astrology (which has no place in the true believers life!)

God was calling Abraham or Abram as he was called then away from all of this. For Abraham the start of the race or journey to heaven was leaving all of this and going to a place God would show him- it was a place flowing with milk and honey.

There is a cost in following Jesus. There are things we must leave behind. It is noteworthy that all these things He calls us from are things which could eventually harm us and weigh us down in our journey. I remember the day the coach told us to avoid coffee, french fries and potato chips... and at that time my dad worked for Wise Potato Chips! (my employer over the summers!)

2. A Crucial Period in a Long Distance Race is the Middle Point, the Halfway Mark. v.31b

Terah, Abraham's father's name means "delay"

Haran means parched or barren. They settled there. This was not God's plan. This was theirs.

When we delay in following the LORD ad His Word, we experience barrenness and dryness in our souls.

It appears Terah, by virtue of his name, was the reason for the delay.

Family can be a problem in following the LORD.

Matthew 12.46-50, 10.37-39 He wants us, like Abraham, to find our identity in Him... not in our family or place of birth but in Him.

By the next chapter (12.5) they are back on track they set out for the land of Canaan.

The middle of the journey is crucial. The middle of gardening, of climbing a mountain.

In the races I ran at Sunken Meadow, as a teenager, most of the time I passed other runners in the middle of the race. This was after we passed what we called Cardiac Hill- the most difficult part behind us because of the training our coach put us through we were running strong while other teams were dropping back.

If you are in the place of delay or barrenness or thirst spiritually today it is time to move on and get the journey going again.

3. In a Great Sense, there can be No Settling Here. v.32

Peter writes I Peter 1.17 ...live your lives as strangers here in reverent fear.

Don't settle down like you are going to be here forever (because you are not!)

Like Abraham Hebrews 11.8-10 looking forward to the city with foundations, Whose Architect and Builder is God.

God called Abraham to a place here on earth- Israel- but the ultimate call (and Abraham felt this in his heart) was to heaven.

We are people of destiny- not destinations.

Run the race with perseverance marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith.

When we arrived at Van Cortland Park in the Bronx before the race we walked the course so we would know what was coming up. We can't do that in life. The people of Ur and Babel tried with their towers, people today try with the horoscope, even world leaders have use it. It doesn't work. It is not God's way. We don't have the luxury of walking the course before we run it but we have something far Greater!!! We have the LORD! Let's all finish well!