3.24.2024 | WELCOMING THE KING
Matthew 21:5 NLT
Tell the people of Jerusalem, “Look your King is coming to you. He is humble, riding on a donkey – riding on a donkey’s colt.”
As His Disciples, we want to welcome the presence of the King into our hearts, our homes, and our city.
1. When the King showed up the city was shaken like an earthquake.
Matthew 21:10 NLT
The entire city of Jerusalem was in an uproar as He entered. “Who is this?” they asked.
2. When the King showed up the tables were turned upside down and the temple was cleansed.
Matthew 21:12 NLT
Jesus entered the Temple and began to drive out all the people buying and selling animals for sacrifice. He knocked over the tables of the money changers and the chairs of those selling doves.
Matthew 21:13 NKJV
And he said to them, “It is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer, but you have made it a den of thieves.’”
3. When the King showed up, people were healed.
Matthew 21:14 NLT
The blind and the lame came to Him in the Temple, and He healed them.
4. When the King showed up, the children were filled with praise!
Matthew 21:15 NLT
The leading priests and the teachers of the religious law saw these wonderful miracles and heard even the children in the Temple shouting, “Praise God for the Son of David.” But the leaders were indignant.
Matthew 21:16 NLT
They asked Jesus, “Do you hear what these children are saying?” “Yes.” Jesus replied, “Haven’t you ever read the Scriptures? For they say, ‘You have taught children and infants to give You praise.’”
How do we welcome the presence of the King?
1. We present ourselves as willing donkeys.
Luke 19:31 NLT
If anyone asks why you are untying that colt, just say The Lord needs it.
The price for our peace was the cross where Jesus died for our sins. Colossians 1:20
Jesus is looking for willing vessels that will carry Him into their world. He has need of us!
Lord I will go wherever You want me to go. I will do whatever You want me to do. I will say whatever You want me to say.
2. We open every door as yielded temples
Jesus cleansed the temple of that which grieved the Father. Every believer is a temple of the Holy Spirit.
1 Corinthians 6:19 NLT
Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself.
A. We want Him to cleanse our temples of anything that grieves the Holy Spirit.
B. We want Him to cleanse our church body of anything that grieves the Holy Spirit.
Ephesians 4:30 NKJV
And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
Joel 2:13 MSG
Change your life, not just your clothes.
C. We want every room to be cleansed and filled with His Presence.
3. We come before Him as praising children
The children were crying out in the temple: Hosanna to the Son of David. (Matthew 21:15)
Matthew 21:16b NLT
Haven’t you ever read the Scriptures? For they say, ‘You have taught children and infants to give You praise.’
Psalm 22:3 NLT
Yet You are holy, enthroned on the praises of Israel.
WE WANT TO GIVE GOD PRAISE!
Discussion Questions
Is there anything holding you back from complete surrender to the Lord?
If there is, what would it be?
Are you willing to consecrate that to the Lord?
Is there any area of your life that needs to be cleansed?
Is there any area of our church family that needs to be cleansed?
What hinders you from living a life of greater praise? How can you overcome that?