04.10.2022 | MORE THAN A PALM BRANCH
MORE THAN A PALM BRANCH
1. See Him Rightly
Luke 19:11-12 (NIV) – “While they were listening to this, He went on to tell them a parable, because He was near Jerusalem and the people thought that the Kingdom of God was going to appear at once. He said: ‘A man of noble birth went to a distant country to have himself appointed king and then to return.’”
Luke 19:13-14 (NIV) – “So he called ten of his servants and gave them ten minas. ‘Put this money to work,’ he said, ‘until I come back.’ But his subjects hated him and sent a delegation after him to say, ‘We don’t want this man to be our king.’”
Luke 19:15-16 (NIV) – “He was made king, however, and returned home. Then he sent for the servants to whom he had given the money, in order to find out what they had gained with it. The first one came and said, ‘Sir, your mina has earned ten more.’”
Luke 19:17-19 (NIV) – “‘Well done, my good servant!’ his master replied. ‘Because you have been trustworthy in a very small matter, take charge of ten cities.’ The second came and said, ‘Sir, your mina has earned five more.’ His master answered, ‘You take charge of five cities.’”
Luke 19:20-21 (NIV) – “Then another servant came and said, ‘Sir, here is your mina; I have kept it laid away in a piece of cloth. I was afraid of you, because you are a hard man. You take out what you did not put in and reap what you did not sow.’”
Luke 19:22-23 (NIV) – “His master replied, ‘I will judge you by your own words, you wicked servant! You knew, did you, that I am a hard man, taking out what I did not put in, and reaping what I did not sow? Why then didn’t you put my money on deposit, so that when I came back, I could have collected it with interest?’”
Luke 19:24-25 (NIV) – “Then he said to those standing by, ‘Take his mina away from him and give it to the one who has ten minas.’ ‘Sir,’ they said, ‘he already has ten!’”
Luke 19:26-27 (NIV) – “He replied, ‘I tell you that to everyone who has, more will be given, but as for the one who has nothing, even what they have will be taken away. But those enemies of mine who did not want me to be king over them—bring them here and kill them in front of me.’”
“The term ‘religion’ refers to man-made effort that utilizes works to please God. It is very easy to mistake being religious for having a relationship with God.” – Joseph Matera
Signs you have a religious spirit: (Joseph Matera)
A. You try to earn God’s love and salvation.
B. You are always critical of other people’s walk with God.
C. You desire position and honor in the church more than honor from God.
D. You project righteousness, but inwardly are filled with anger and resentment.
2. Serve Him Rightly
Luke 19:28 (NLT) – “After telling this story, Jesus went on toward Jerusalem, walking ahead of His disciples.”
Mark 11:1-2 (NLT) – “As Jesus and His disciples approached Jerusalem, they came to the towns of Bethphage and Bethany on the Mount of Olives. Jesus sent two of them on ahead. ‘Go into that village over there,’ He told them. ‘As soon as you enter it, you will see a young donkey tied there that no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here.’”
Mark 11:3-4 (NLT) – “If anyone asks, ‘What are you doing?’ just say, ‘The Lord needs it and will return it soon.’ The two disciples left and found the colt standing in the street, tied outside the front door.”
Mark 11:5-6 (NLT) – “As they were untying it, some bystanders demanded, ‘What are you doing, untying that colt?’ They said what Jesus had told them to say, and they were permitted to take it.”
Mark 11:7-8 (NLT) – “Then they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their garments over it, and He sat on it. Many in the crowd spread their garments on the road ahead of Him, and others spread leafy branches they had cut in the fields.”
Mark 11:9-10 (NLT) – “Jesus was in the center of the procession, and the people all around Him were shouting, ‘Praise God! Blessings on the One who comes in the Name of the Lord! Blessings on the coming Kingdom of our ancestor David! Praise God in highest heaven!’”
Luke 19:39-40 (NLT) – “But some of the Pharisees among the crowd said, ‘Teacher, rebuke Your followers for saying things like that!’ He replied, ‘If they kept quiet, the stones along the road would burst into cheers!’”
Matthew 21:10-11 (NLT) – “The entire city of Jerusalem was in an uproar as he entered. ‘Who is this?’ they asked. And the crowds replied, ‘It’s Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.’”
Psalm 118:25-26 (NLT) – “Please, Lord, please save us. Please, Lord, please give us success. Bless the One who comes in the Name of the Lord. We bless You from the house of the Lord.”
Zechariah 9:9 (NLT) – “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.”
We can miss the thing we need due to a focus on things we want!
They were not interested in the real Jesus.
Luke 19:41-42a (NLT) – “But as He came closer to Jerusalem and saw the city ahead, He began to weep. ‘How I wish today that you of all people would understand the way to peace.’”
Discussion Questions:
1. Do you see Him rightly? Is your understanding of who Jesus is moving you into consistent action on His behalf?
2. Are you advancing the Kingdom?
3. Are you taking “risky” opportunities to build the Kingdom?
4. Are you “playing it safe” in your relationship with Jesus, or are you all in?
5. Are you going through the motions in your worship? Or is a personal connection present?