Services/Sermon in Longview 05.04.2020

Grace be unto you and peace from God our Father. Let us join our hearts and minds this morning in opening prayer and thanksgiving.

Dear Heavenly Father, Thou Creator and Maker of life, we thank You again this morning hour that You have given us the ability to gather around Your holy and precious Word, that we can, yet in this time of uncertainty and trial and worry, freely gather around Your Word in our homes. You care for us, dear Father, as You have promised and as we have witnessed up to this day. We thank You yet again that we can gather before Your Word. And we thank You, dear Father, for all that You have given to us, our families, our loved ones, our travel escorts, those that also care for us during our time here, and that You daily provide us with all that we need. You know our needs. You know our worries. You know our sorrows. Dear Father, we pray that You would continue to care for us as You have done. And above all, dear Father, we thank You that You have given us Your Son, our dear Lord Jesus, who through His life, His suffering, His dying, and His blood, You have made us heaven acceptable.

And we enclose our prayers this morning in that prayer that Your Son has taught us. Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.

For a text this morning, I'll read a gospel text appointed for this Palm Sunday. It comes from another year on the church calendar. But it is found in the Gospel of John, chapter 12, verses 12 through 24. And the words in Jesus' name are as follows:

On the next day, much people that were come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, took branches of palm trees, and went forth to meet Him, and cried, Hosanna! Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord. And Jesus, when He had found a young ass, sat thereon as it is written, Fear not, daughter of Zion. Behold, thy King cometh, sitting on an ass's colt.

These things understood not His disciples at the first. But when Jesus was glorified, then remembered they, these things were written of Him, and that they had done these things unto Him. The people, therefore, that was with Him, when He called Lazarus out of His grave, and raised Him from the dead, bear record. For this cause, the people also met Him, for that they heard that He had done this miracle.

The Pharisees, therefore, said among themselves, Perceive ye how ye prevail nothing? Behold, the world is gone after Him. And there were certain Greeks among them that came up to worship at the feast. The same came, therefore, to Philip, which was of Bethsaida, of Galilee, and desired him, saying, Sir, we would see Jesus.

Philip cometh and tell Andrew, and again Andrew and Philip tell Jesus. And Jesus answered them, saying, The hour is come that the Son of Man shall be glorified. Verily, verily, I say unto you, except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone. But if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit. Amen.

And this text is a very familiar portion of God's Word to all of us, the triumphant re-entry to Jerusalem that we celebrate here on this day, this Palm Sunday, every year. And this entry that Jesus had back to Jerusalem, we may say, for the last time during His ministry, during His time here on earth. It had already been prophesied by the prophet Zechariah more than 500 years prior.

And we could read that part, that portion in Zechariah found in chapter 9 where it says, Rejoice greatly O daughter of Zion, shout, O daughter of Jerusalem, behold, thy king cometh unto thee. He is just and having salvation, lowly and riding upon an ass and upon a colt the foal of an ass.

And so, we understand that Zechariah was moved by God to give those words, to give that prophecy, that understanding to His own people that Jesus, the Savior, would come and that they would witness His entry in this lowly and humble manner. And the words of that prophet were well known unto the Jews at the time. They studied the words, the Bible of that time. The Old Testament was well known by Jews.

But here in this event, this entry where the disciples were accompanying Jesus then during that entry, how it says here in verse 16, these things understood not His disciples at the first. But when Jesus was glorified, then remembered they that these things were written of Him and that they had done these things unto Him.

I suppose that meant that all the events that followed this entry, all those events of what we call Passion Week, the week before Jesus' death. And we see here that these disciples didn't recognize the significance of that event, how this week and this triumphant return to Jerusalem signified the most important moment in the history of the world. How Jesus' death is the most important event that we see that has occurred.

It was promised in the Old Testament for thousands of years. It was God's promise that He would send a Savior. And there on Palm Sunday that final week of His life had started. But those disciples didn't recognize that this was indeed taking place. Jesus had told them in so many ways and so many times that His life would be sacrificed, and yet they didn't recognize along with many that this was happening.

And how we also at times don't recognize the significance of events when we're in the moment that we know those major milestones in our lives can occur and our life is forever changed. How marriage and births of our children and grandchildren, even more simple events like a change in a house move, a change in a job, how these can significantly affect our lives, even a new co-worker or neighbor or schoolmate and how we can look back later and realize after that moment our life was so significantly changed.

But we don't necessarily realize at the time it occurs. And even we realize our marriage to our spouse and those children that we have, how significant those events are, but when we look back we realize how significant it was that we realize looking at our children how much we love them and how we may now worry and care for one so much after that day.

And so it is now true that we are in this time of this plague that's going throughout the world and we wonder what does this mean also to our lives that will our lives be changed looking forward and we have many questions in life as to how normalcy will return and although we wonder we today remain patient knowing that God will yet care for his own that he has promised to care for us until the end of the world.

But our battle of faith does not change. We don't find with any events in life, even major events, that our own personal battle of life becomes easier. We at times find ourselves victorious over one temptation or a sin that plagues us, plagues our life, and we find ourselves going from one, you may say, side of the narrow way to the other side of the way, that how quickly we as humans can fall into sin and temptation.

And even if we overcome those sins and temptation, how we can also fall into the sin of pride and self-righteousness that we struggle as believers to stay on this narrow path. But we also see here in this story of this re-entry into Jerusalem how the Pharisees that hated and feared Jesus, how they were frustrated with this event, how they commented there, I'm sure as observers watching the throngs of people welcoming Jesus into Jerusalem, how they said among themselves here in verse 19, the Pharisees therefore said among themselves, perceive ye how ye prevail nothing? Behold, the world is gone after him.

They had plotted and planned to kill Jesus just a short time prior to this re-entry. That Jesus had been nearby in the town of Bethany just a short time prior and he had there performed a miracle that was witnessed by so many as he had done before. He raised one from the dead and the person he had raised from the dead just prior was his very friend Lazarus.

And this event was witnessed by so many being in close proximity to Jerusalem and being nearby so many of those followers that they had also gone to support Lazarus' sisters Martha and Mary and were there nearby when Jesus showed up four days after Lazarus' death.

And how they also witnessed when Jesus went there to the graveyard, they rolled the stone away and Jesus said, Rise Lazarus, Lazarus. And he said in chapter 11 of John, Lazarus come forth. And he that was dead came forth bound hand and foot with grave clothes and his face was bound about with a napkin. And Jesus saith unto him, Loose him and let him go.

And it says then many of the Jews which came to Mary and had seen the things that Jesus did believed on him. So there had been so many witnesses just a short time prior that they now when Jesus returned back to Jerusalem gathered in large crowds to welcome him. They wanted to see this man who had raised Lazarus from the dead.

And the Pharisees also had been so frustrated with this event, this miracle, that they had also plotted not only to kill Jesus but also Lazarus. It says in chapter 12 verse 9, but much people of the Jews therefore knew he was there and they came not for Jesus' sake only but that they might see Lazarus also whom he had raised from the dead.

But the chief priest consulted that they might put Lazarus also to death because that by reason of him many of the Jews went away and believed on Jesus. So the Pharisees needed the worship of man for their false doctrine. They in their self-righteousness wanted the worship of men.

And we could even read later in verse 42 and 43 about these chief priests, scribes, and Pharisees, nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him, but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him lest they should be put out of the synagogue, for they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.

And so we see that so many there were witnessing that reentry of Jesus into Jerusalem. So many praised and sang praises of Hosanna to Jesus. But there were those also who also witnessed but were not believers.

And there in Jerusalem, which is a melting pot, a transition there between Egypt and the Middle East, the city was mainly comprised of Jews but there were also those Roman soldiers and many visitors.

And here in our text today, we see that there were these Greek visitors who were also among the throng and asked the disciples, can we also see Jesus? That they wanted to also see this one who so many spoke about.

But what was Jesus' response when his disciples came and told him of these two, or these Greek visitors that also wanted to see him? Jesus answered in verse 23 and 24 at the end of our text. He said, The hour is come that the Son of Man should be glorified. Verily, verily, I say unto you, except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone. But if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.

Jesus didn't even address that point that those visitors would want to see him. Rather, he spoke there of the most important matter in life. He spoke of that event that was to come. That Easter, Good Friday, where he would be died on the cross. And that Easter Sunday, when he would be glorified. There where he would rise from hell with victory over death and sin.

And he also spoke of this most important matter for you and I, dear brother and sister, this matter of living faith and repentance. He spoke of this most important matter. That here he said, except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone.

What did he mean here with these words? That we understand and have seen in parables also this use of seed of God's word. How it may enter into the heart of one in good soil. And here he speaks of a seed that falls into the ground and dies.

And we understand through faith that this here he speaks of faith. How this seed which dies that one who believes realizes that it is not of our own power, own works that make us heaven acceptable. That we of ourselves must die of our own works.

But this seed which brings forth as it says much fruit is that seed of life that is given into the heart of a believer. That one who realizes that it is not under their own power that they can believe. But it is through the merit work of Jesus who here was to die for you and for me.

And we can read also about the words of Apostle Paul who speaks of living faith where he says to the Romans, for if ye live after the flesh ye shall die. But if ye through the spirit do mortify or kill the deeds of the body ye shall live.

So these are the same words here that Jesus spoke to his disciples during this entry into Jerusalem. That he did not want people to see him merely for that miracle that he performed. But they would understand that he was sent by God. And that they would understand that the most important thing is for one to be personally believing.

And it even says here in his words that corn of wheat fall into the ground and die. It abideth alone. That faith is personal. We cannot believe for another and another cannot believe for us. That this faith is the most important matter in our lives.

That it does not matter what else has occurred in the world around us. And even on that day that it did not matter that Jesus had performed this miracle of bringing life back to Lazarus except he wanted to make the point that your own faith is most important to you.

And we could also read a portion where a certain rich man had asked Jesus found in Matthew chapter 19 18 and the young man saith unto him all these things have I kept from my youth. Sorry I'll go back a little further and behold one came and said unto him, Good master, what good things shall I do that I may have eternal life?

And he saith unto him, Why callest me good? There is none good but one, that is God. But if thou wilt enter into life keep the commandments.

And he saith unto him which Jesus said, He that do no murder, thou shall not commit adultery, thou shall not steal, thou shall not bear false witness, honor thy father and mother, and thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.

And the young man said unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth. What lack I yet?

Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast and give to the poor and thou shalt have treasure in heaven and come and follow me.

But when the young man heard that saying he went away sorrowful for he had great possessions.

So Jesus here in our text also wants to remind us that all men need to strive for eternal life and that we don't worry and wonder and watch what happens in this life.

He also spoke in chapter Matthew chapter 10 of this matter that he that taketh not his cross and followeth after me is not worthy of me. He that findeth his life shall lose it and he that loses his life for my sake shall find it.

So we see today in the world around us that the world is full of temptation, desires, and things that attract us. I remember as a young man how so many of my believing friends lost this most precious faith due to attraction of those things of the world, worldly music, the entertainment, and a lifestyle of pleasure.

And how today these friends have no hope of salvation and we would pray that God yet today would kindle that spark, would awaken their conscience, would bring realization back into their life that the most important matter in life is not the things of this world but it is our gaze to eternal life.

That those events that occur in our life here are but a flash in the pan as it says elsewhere in the Bible, our life is but vapor which disappears or the grass and the flowers that wither and die, that our life here on earth is so short and how eternal life, eternal hope is the most important matter in the life of man.

But where there is hope, where there is life yet today there is hope and we hope and pray that God would reawaken those lost ones unto his kingdom.

And we see here in verse 25 that he that loveth his life shall lose it and he that hated his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.

So we understand through faith that we must battle in faith to reach that heavenly glory. It is not that we hate our life here. We endure in a battle. We weary and we tire on this journey. We hate the sin that attracts us so often and slows our journey down.

But even this morning our dear brother and sister as you find yourself today struggling and worrying that what will this world become, that uplift your heart even this morning hour. God has cared for you. God has promised to care for all of his own and uplift your heart and believe all worries and doubts and sins forgiven in Jesus name and precious blood.

Be of good cheer and I too coming to this place ask also can I hear my sins and doubts forgiven? I promise to believe with you.

And I'll read a little further here in our text how even there in that final week Jesus struggled as a man and it says in verse 27, Now is my soul troubled and what shall I say? Father save me from this hour.

So we see here that Jesus although he was that second image of God, though he was God himself, he also had worries, had trials and was tempted as you and I.

And here he was troubled knowing the significance of his final entry into Jerusalem and he worried knowing that he would be sacrificed there on the cross and he spoke even to his father saying, Save me from this hour.

But for this cause came I unto this hour. So here he knew what his purpose was on earth, that he knew he was here to sacrifice himself for your sins and the sins of all mankind.

And he said, Father glorify thy name. And there at that moment even before all the witnesses there during that final entry into Jerusalem a voice came from heaven saying, I have both glorified it and will glorify it again.

That he sent his son to perform those miracles that many would believe on his name but he also knew that he would raise up Jesus again with that power over sin and death and the devil and that power of Easter that God was victorious over death.

And many of the people there heard that voice and they here in verse 29, the people therefore that stood by and heard it said that it thundered, others said an angel spake to him.

So there they were also witness of God speaking directly from heaven. But although there were so many miracles performed by Jesus and even this voice from heaven, there were those who saw it and yet did not believe.

And we could read further, but though he had done so many miracles before them yet they believed not on him.

We could read further, He hath blinded their eyes and hardened their heart that they should not see with their eyes nor understand with their heart and be converted and I should heal them.

And as we read before, nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him lest they should be put out of the synagogue for they loved the praise of men more than they loved the praise of God.

So dear brother and sister today be uplifted knowing that Jesus died for your sake and mine and that here is recorded this event of the final entry into Jerusalem and how so many witnesses there who had gathered to see Jesus gathered to praise and thank their savior who were believing as you and I today.

But also there were those there although they were witnesses of these very events yet they also could not believe.

But dear brother and sister be uplifted in your faith today that you can yet believe your sins and doubts forgiven even as you find yourself today during this time of difficulty and trial.

And also we thank God that he allows his word to go out throughout the world to be heard also by all men, that he would awaken those who have been blinded, that he would rekindle their consciences and that he would awaken those and give a path to his kingdom to those who are seeking.

And we thank God yet this morning hour that he has allowed his word to be preached throughout the world.

So believe yet for a moment dear brother and sister it pays to believe. This is God's kingdom. We are thankful that we can be cared for so well in his kingdom here today as he has promised to care for his own until that last day.

In Jesus name Amen.

Let us join in the benediction: The Lord bless us and keep us. The Lord make his face shine upon us and be gracious unto us. The Lord lift up his countenance upon us and give us peace.

In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Ghost. Amen.