Luke 19:45-48

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Last week we looked at the Triumphal Entry that Jesus made into Jerusalem and we saw the lesson of the Triumphal Entry is simple… because of our sinful nature mankind has a natural bent to see God through a man-centered theology.  We want what we want and we want God to satisfy those wants.  The nation of Israel despised the fact that they were under the thumb of the Roman government, and that’s the main reason they wanted the Messiah to come… they had an agenda, and they were willing to worship Jesus as long as they thought His agenda was their agenda.  Israel had some hard lessons to learn.  It is only when we renew our minds through the lens of Scripture that we can have a Christ-centered theology.  God is God.  We are here to serve Him… He is not here to serve us. Our text today is going to show us the consequences of having a man-centered theology.

Luke 19:28-44

What comes to mind when you hear the phrase, “Jesus’ Triumphal Entry?”  Do you think about the multitudes who cried out, “Hosanna. Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord?”  Do you think about the thoughts that might have been running through Jesus’ mind, knowing that while they were hailing Him as the King who comes in the name of the Lord today, within one week the very same people would be crying out, “Crucify Him?”  What an emotional time this must have been for our Lord… yes, He was God manifest in the flesh, but He was also human.  He never used His powers of deity to make life easier for Himself as He went through the ups and downs of living in a sin-cursed world.

Luke 19:11-27

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At the NANC annual conference this year one of the plenary speakers asked, “How many of you like to take tests?”  Of the roughly 1,000 in attendance I was one of (I think) maybe 10 people who raised their hand.  I have always liked tests… I like the challenge.  But I will admit I don’t like surprise tests.  I know the areas where the Lord has gifted me (and where He hasn’t).  If I know the material that is going to be covered on a test I can usually go over it and over it and over it enough to do well.  I am not one who can just show up w/o a whole lot of study and do well.  The thought of showing up for a test w/o putting in an enormous amount of preparation sends chills up my spine.

Luke 19:1-10

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As we get ready to read and study our text this morning let’s remember the context.  Just because we are starting a new chapter, that doesn’t mean that there is a break in the thought… sometimes (many times?) I find chapter breaks to be more harmful than helpful.

In chapter 18 we saw Jesus took the time to heal a blind man.  At first glance we would think how terrible it must have been for Bartimaeus to have been blind… and it was a terrible thing.  But consider this.  Suppose Bartimaeus never lost his sight.  While that would be a good thing on the one hand, I wonder if he would have seen his need of a Savior?  I am not suggesting he couldn’t have gotten saved apart from his blindness, but I trust it is obvious that his handicap made it much easier for him to see his need of the Lord Jesus.

Guest Preacher Dr. Bill Barber

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Luke 18:28-43

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Last week we looked at the account of the rich, young ruler… a young man who thought he had kept the commandments fully… a young man who thought he loved God with all his heart, soul, mind, and strength… a young man who thought he loved his neighbor as himself… but when Jesus exposed the young man’s love of money for what it was (idolatry), he went away sad.  He was sorry, very sorry… but not sorry enough.

As we saw last week riches are not sinful… riches can be used in many good ways that please and honor our Lord.  It is not possessing riches that keeps people out of Heaven… Abraham, David, and Solomon were extremely wealthy men just to mention a few.  However, when a person is possessed by riches he cannot enter the kingdom of Heaven for no man can serve two masters. 

Luke 18:18-27

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Before we read our text today I want to remind you of what has just been taking place.  Jesus has been stirring things up with the Pharisees… those religious leaders who were trusting in themselves that they were righteous, and He stirred them up by telling them the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector.

Luke 18:15-17

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D. L. Moody was staying with some friends while he was out of town preaching several years ago.  When he returned to his friend’s house after one evening service, Moody told his host that there had been two and a half conversions that night. “Two adults and a child, I suppose?” asked his host. “No,” Moody said, “two children and one adult.  The children have their whole lives to give to the Lord.  The adult has only half of his left to give.”

Easter 2010

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The Apostle Paul was right when he said if Jesus Christ did not rise from the grave then our preaching is empty and your faith is empty.  The Christian faith rises or falls on whether or not Christ did indeed rise from the dead. That being the case, do you think that God would expect mankind to make such an important decision… a decision that literally affects our eternal destiny… w/o giving us sufficient evidence as to whether the resurrection is fact or fiction?

Palm Sunday :: John 19:1-22

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As we come to the 19th chapter of John, here is the scene.  The fickle crowds have just cried out, “Give us Barabbas!” This is the same crowd that cried out just one week ago, “Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!  The King of Israel!”

Jesus is now standing before Pilate in what is the last of His 6 trials.  His 3 Jewish trials were before Annas, Caiaphas, and the Sanhedrin.  His 3 Roman trials were an earlier appearance before Pilate, who sent Him to Herod, who sent Him this last time to Pilate again.  And while it appears on the surface as if Jesus is being judged by Pilate, we will see in reality it is Pilate (and all of humanity) that is being judged by God… and that judgment took place at the Cross.