The Fulfilled Prophecy of Palm Sunday
Gathering
Take time to gather informally and preview the service outline. If you'd like to participate in communion, please be prepared to do so.
Service
I. Opening
Welcome and Introduction: Welcome, everyone, to our Palm Sunday service. Today, we remember Jesus's triumphant entry into Jerusalem, a moment of prophecy fulfilled and a testament to God's perfect timing. As we reflect on this day, let's embrace the journey of waiting and acting in faith, guided by the lessons Jesus teaches us through His actions. Let's prepare our hearts to receive the message God has for us today.
Opening Prayer: Lord, as we gather this Palm Sunday, we open our hearts to the lessons of faith, patience, and trust You have for us. Guide us through this service, that we may understand Your will more deeply and follow Your path more closely. Bless our time together. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Scripture: Matthew 21: 8-11 – Most of the crowd spread their coats on the road [as before a king], while others were cutting branches from the trees and spreading them on the road. The crowds that went ahead of Him, and those that followed Him, were shouting [in praise and adoration], “Hosanna to the Son of David (Messiah); BLESSED [praised, glorified] IS HE WHO COMES IN THE NAME OF THE LORD; Hosanna in the highest [heaven]!”
When He entered Jerusalem, all the city was trembling [with excitement], saying, “Who is this?” And the crowds were saying, “This is the prophet Jesus, from Nazareth in Galilee.”
II. Worship and Praise
Let's enter into a time of worship.
Video Link: The Gambler - Kenny Rogers with Lyrics - YouTube
Reflection: here’s some points of reflection that can help deepen your engagement with the song's themes and how they relate to spiritual life:
- What are your thoughts on a song about gambling during a church service? Reflect on how the gambler's advice might mirror wisdom in life's uncertainties, especially as it pertains to faith.
- What about drinking whiskey? What does this inclusion say about finding and understanding God's truths in all aspects of life, not just those explicitly labeled as 'spiritual'? How can we discern lessons of wisdom and guidance in unexpected places?
- "Knowing what to throw away and knowing what to keep." How does this line from the song resonate with decisions you've made in your spiritual journey? Think about times you've had to discern what aspects of your life to hold onto and what to let go in faith.
- "The best that you can hope for is to die in your sleep." While seemingly grim, how can this idea of ultimate peace connect with the Christian hope of eternal rest in God? Consider the peace that comes from living a life aligned with God's will.
- Discernment: The gambler's advice to "know when to hold 'em, know when to fold 'em, know when to walk away, and know when to run" can be seen as a metaphor for discernment. How does this concept apply to making decisions in your life? Discuss moments when you've felt the guidance of the Holy Spirit in choosing your path.
- The gambler and the narrator share a moment of vulnerability and learning. How does this interaction remind you of mentorship or discipleship in the Christian faith? Reflect on the importance of sharing wisdom and learning from one another in our spiritual walks.
These reflection points aim to bridge the song's narrative with spiritual themes, encouraging a deeper contemplation of life's decisions, the pursuit of wisdom, and the peace found in faith. They invite the congregation to find connections between the song's secular story and the truths of their spiritual journey.
We have been taught that God is “no respecter of persons” and that what He’s done for one of us He will do for all of us. God loves you. God loves me. God loves whiskey-drinking gamblers too. Christ died for us all.
III. Communion
Communion is a sacred time to remember Jesus' sacrifice, offering us forgiveness and eternal life through faith. This act is for those who have welcomed Jesus as their Savior and leader. If you're still on your journey of faith, please feel free to observe and reflect during this time. Know that you're valued and respected, regardless of where you are in your spiritual journey.
For those who have chosen to follow Jesus, let's share in communion together. We'll start with the bread, symbolizing Jesus' body given for us, and then share the cup, representing His blood shed for a new covenant of grace and forgiveness.
- "Jesus took bread, blessed it, broke it, and gave it to His disciples, saying, 'Take, eat; this is My body.'" (Matthew 26:26; Mark 14:22) - Please partake of the bread.
- “He took a cup, gave thanks, and said, 'Drink from it, all of you. This is My blood of the covenant, poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.'" (Matthew 26:27-28; Mark 14:23-24) - Please partake of the cup,
Prayer: Heavenly Father, we humbly thank You for the gift of Your Son, Jesus Christ, who established this new covenant of love and forgiveness with His sacrifice. May this communion deepen our connection to You and to each other as Your family. Guide us to live out the grace we've received in our words and actions every day. Amen.
IV: The Fulfilled Prophecy of Palm Sunday
It's Palm Sunday. This marks the day of the triumphant return of Jesus into Jerusalem—a direct fulfillment of prophecy. This day marks a masterful blend of divine timing and deliberate action. Traditionally, churches have celebrated this day by having children wave palm branches.
Spoiler alert: That's not really expressed in Scripture quite like that.
We do read in Matthew 21:8 "Most of the crowd spread their coats on the road [as before a king], while others were cutting branches from the trees and spreading them on the road" -- later in verse 16, (after Jesus had traveled to the Temple) we read "and they said to Him, “Do You hear what these children are saying?” And Jesus replied to them, “Yes; have you never read [in the Scripture], ‘OUT OF THE MOUTHS OF INFANTS AND NURSING BABIES YOU HAVE PREPARED AND PROVIDED PRAISE FOR YOURSELF’?”
There's nothing I can find of children waving palm branches before Jesus. We can still call it "Palm Sunday" though, doesn't bug me... because something very important did happen that day.
On what we now call “Palm Sunday” prophecy was fulfilled after extensive waiting of the people of Israel.
1. Discerning God's Timing
Amos 3:7 - "Surely the Sovereign LORD does nothing without revealing his plan to his servants the prophets." This scripture reinforces the concept that God communicates His divine plans and intentions through prophets, highlighting the importance of being attentive to prophetic revelation.
This verse means that God shares His plans with us, especially about when things will happen. It's a clear message that if we're trying to figure out what God wants us to do and when He wants us to do it, we need to be connected to Him. We do this through reading the Bible, praying, and being open to the Holy Spirit.
For discerning God's timing, this scripture is straightforward. God doesn't keep secrets about the important things He's going to do. He wants us to know His plans. This doesn't mean we'll always get a loud and clear message about every decision we need to make. But it does mean that God guides us, especially in the big moments and decisions in our lives.
So, understanding God's timing is about staying close to Him and being ready to listen. It's about trusting that He will guide us when it's important and that He has a plan for us. We just need to be paying attention and ready to follow when He shows us the way.
Just as the gambler in the song possesses the wisdom to know when to make his moves, Christians are called to discern God’s timing in their lives. This involves prayer, patience, and seeking God's guidance through His Word and the Holy Spirit.
Jesus chose Palm Sunday to enter Jerusalem. This fulfilled the prophecy from Zechariah 9:9 and marked a pivotal moment in biblical history. This act wasn't random; it was a deliberate, planned moment that revealed His kingship in a way that resonated with the expectations of the people and the words of the prophets. By riding into Jerusalem on a donkey, Jesus signaled His identity as the Messiah in a manner that was both humble and kingly, aligning perfectly with God's timing and the prophecies about Him. This demonstration of perfect timing shows us how Jesus was in sync with God's plan, choosing a moment that would maximize the impact of His message and fulfill the scriptures, guiding us by example to seek and adhere to God's timing in our lives.
2. The Courage to Act and the Wisdom to Wait
The gambler's advice reflects the need for balance between taking bold steps and knowing when to hold back. In spiritual terms, this translates to the wisdom in discerning when God calls us to step out in faith versus when to wait for His direction.
Jesus waited approximately 30 years before starting His public ministry, despite knowing His identity and mission from an early age. He waited for the divine timing to commence His work, which was then carried out with perfect adherence to God's plan, culminating in His death and resurrection for humanity's salvation. This demonstrates the balance between divine timing and decisive action when the moment is right.
In Psalm 27:14, we read "Wait for the LORD; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the LORD!" This verse combines the act of waiting with the call to be strong and courageous, suggesting that waiting is not a passive surrender but a dynamic state of readiness and faith in God's timing.
Waiting and action are crucial aspects we embrace simultaneously in our spiritual lives. This Truth—Like all of God’s Truth—overpowers our human logic. This isn't just making two opposing tasks work together; it's about realizing they are inseparable, each vital to the other's effectiveness.
In our walk with God, waiting is as vital as taking action—both continuous expressions of our faith. But even more so: waiting and action are not opposites, they are not intertwined, and they are not interdependent. As we continue to trust in God and lean not on our own understanding, we realize that waiting and action are the same thing.
3. Accepting Outcomes with Faith
Accepting outcomes with faith means trusting God’s plan, no matter what happens. We can't control every result, but we can decide to trust that God's plan is bigger and better than ours. Whether we're in a season of waiting or action, what happens next isn't in our hands. It's in God's.
This trust gives us the strength to keep moving, to make decisions without fear, and to face life's unpredictability with confidence. It's about knowing that our success isn't defined by outcomes but by our faithfulness to God’s path for us.
Proverbs 3:5-6 is clear: 'Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.' This isn't just advice; it's a way of living. It means our job isn't to figure everything out but to follow God and leave the outcomes to Him.
When we talk about accepting outcomes with faith, we're talking about a deep trust in God. It's knowing that whether things go our way or not, we're still on the right path because it's the one God has set us on. That's where real peace and joy come from—not from controlling every detail, but from trusting the One who does."
Here's an example: If we plant wheat at the right time and under the right conditions, God makes the wheat grow. If we plant and care for corn properly, God will make corn grow. But never have we planted wheat and have corn come up! If we do what we are called to do we have trust that God will generate results.
Over time, God may not generate the results that we desire--not all crops come to fruition even though we may think we do all the right things. But also, we can trust that we won't plant wheat and get apples somehow. Our faith comes with the blessings of expectations.
Conclusion
Palm Sunday reminds us of God's faithfulness and His promises coming true. Looking at Jesus's entry into Jerusalem shows us the importance of waiting purposefully, acting decisively, and having faith in the outcomes. Our waiting and actions are essential parts of God's bigger plan, unfolding with the same care and intention that marked Palm Sunday. So move ahead with confidence and know that our lives are unfolding according to a plan that's in the hands of our God who always keeps His promises on His schedule.
V: Offering
As we continue in our worship, we have the opportunity to participate in the act of giving. The Bible reminds us in 2 Corinthians 9:7 (NIV), "Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver."
Join me in prayer as we prepare our hearts for this act of giving. Heavenly Father, we thank You for the blessings You have bestowed upon us. As we bring our offerings before You today, we do so with hearts full of gratitude. May these gifts be used for the furthering of Your Kingdom and the spreading of Your love. Bless each giver abundantly, and may our cheerful giving be a reflection of Your generosity toward us. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.
As we collect the offering, we do want to remind everyone that this part of the service is an opportunity to give but is in no way considered a requirement. We have the special opportunity here at Prepper Church to give all of the offering to a good cause that we choose.
Thank you for your generous hearts and faithful giving. Your contributions play a vital role in supporting the causes that we support. May God bless you abundantly as you continue to be cheerful givers. Amen.
VI: Closing
Closing Prayer: Dear Lord, on this Palm Sunday, we thank You for the reminder of Your faithfulness and the fulfillment of Your promises. Help us to discern Your timing, act with courage, and accept outcomes with faith, trusting in Your sovereign plan. As we leave today, keep our hearts focused on Your path, filled with peace and joy in Your presence. Amen.
Closing Remarks: As we conclude our service, let's carry the message of today into the week ahead. Remember, our journey with God is marked by both waiting and action, all under His guidance. Let's move forward with confidence, knowing we're part of a greater story that unfolds in His perfect timing. Have a blessed week, everyone.
Local Group Discussion and Fellowship
Here are a few suggestions to consider for discussion points after the service, aimed at deepening the congregation's engagement with the message:
- Discerning God's Timing in Personal Life: Invite reflections on moments when participants felt God's timing at work in their lives. How did they recognize it, and what was the outcome of trusting in that timing?
- Combining Waiting with Action: Discuss the challenges of combining waiting on God with taking action. Ask participants to share experiences where they had to navigate this balance and how it impacted their faith journey.
- Trusting God When Outcomes Differ from Expectations: Encourage a conversation about times when the outcomes of actions weren't what was hoped for or expected. How did participants reconcile these moments with their faith? What lessons were learned about trust and surrender?
- Applying the Lessons of Palm Sunday Today: Ask how the lessons of Palm Sunday can be applied in today's context. How does understanding Jesus's deliberate fulfillment of prophecy and His example of divine timing influence the way we live our faith today?
- The Role of Community in Waiting and Acting: Discuss the importance of community support in periods of waiting and action. How can the church community better support each other in discerning God's timing and trusting in His plans?
- What are your thoughts about there not being any scripture reference to children waving palm leaves? Discss this tradition, how it might have come to be, and if it could be rooted in unrecorded truth or just a fun thing to do.
Comments
Post a Comment