Sermon Cloud

A Different Kind Of King

1.         Entrance of the King. (Luke 19:28-36)

2.         Responses to the King. (Luke 19:37-40)

• Some were amused.
• Some were excited.
• Some were threatened.

3.         Heart of the King. (Luke 19:41-44)

Sermon Questions for Luke 19:28-44

If you have feedback, please let David Fuquay know at dfuquay@jacksonvillechapel.org. 

SPECIFIC PRAYER  (suggestions)

            As we move from Ruth to Palm Sunday, the idea of shattered expectations keeps coming up.  Some where hopes and dreams that did not come to fruition.  Others are perceptions that get shattered in a good way.  However, no matter what there is a sense of loss and a sense of having to deal with change.  God has built the universe to make us deal with constant change.  Pray for that this week.  Go around the room and ask what has changed recently in your life?  What can we pray specifically about regarding that change?  Was there a sense of loss, whether the change was good or bad?  How have your expectations been altered recently? How are you dealing with it?  Where does God need to work in your life right now?

SCRIPTURE AND SHARING

Crawl:

Who do you consider royalty in America?  In other words, who could you meet and feel like this was someone of importance, influence, and fame that would make you nervous?  Another way to ask this question, who do you admire who is famous?

What would it be like to meet the King or Queen of a foreign nation?  How would you react?  How would you feel?  Have you ever been in the presence of royalty?

Why is it important see Jesus as King?  (Because He wants to rule [be King] of your life)

One of the things that strikes me about this passage, is a Jew could see what was happening in real time, and connect it to the Bible.  Do you know the Bible well enough to that?  Can you see what is going on in society and connect it to what the Lord has said in His Word? (1 Ki 1:32-34 and 2 Ki 9:13)

What is the significance of Passover?  (a time when all Jews were expected to be in Jerusalem)  Why did Jesus use Passover to reveal Himself as King?

Walk:

Read Luke 19:28-36 as a group

Notice the context, what was Jesus talking about right before his entrance?  Why is this significant?  Are you ready for the return of Jesus?  Do you realize you will have to give an account for what He has given you?  How are you using His resources for His glory?  Name some of the things He has given you which you will be held accountable for their use.

This short passage demonstrates another miracle, but the disciples have no response to it (see verse 32, It is possible the miracle of the donkey set off the praise we find verse 37, but for a moment, assume it does not).  Why is that?  Had they grown so accustomed to miracles that they seem to be everyday occurrences?  Was their faith and trust so high that when Jesus said it, there was no shock in its fulfillment?  What about you, do you take everyday miracles for granted?  What has something the Lord has done recently that should be recognized and celebrated b y the group?

What do you think about miracles?  Do you REALLY believe God still works, outside of nature, today?  If so, what should our response be when something outside the ordinary happens that glorifies Him?

How has (past tense) God prepared you for what is happening in your life right now?  How is God preparing your right now, for what is coming?

Read Luke 19:37-44

Has anything ever happened in your life, where you felt like if you did not give praise to God, even the stones would cry out?  Has there ever been such a compelling event where you had to tell everyone and anyone?

Many times, when people come to faith, they are zealous about sharing their new found faith, but have little foundation.  After a solid foundation has been laid, they normally lose that passion.  Why is that?  How can we avoid the loss of our passion? How can we regain it? Has this happened to you?  Is there a strategy we could use to get the passionate new believers haring their faith in a way that builds their faith into a solid foundation?

How is your worship?  Would you categorize it as joyful?  Why or why not?

Many times Christians do not celebrate what is going on around the world or even next door, if they do not have a personal stake in it.  Why is that?  Why do those connected to the church (like the religious Pharisees) have a hard time celebrating kingdom achievements over individual efforts?  How can we maintain a kingdom mindset?  What can this group do to raise our kingdom awareness?

Jesus weeps, as others rejoice.  He shared in the future pain and devastation of Jerusalem even when others could not see it.  How does it make you feel knowing you have a king who shares your pain?  What do you think Jesus does when He looks into your future decisions, choices, and circumstances?  Does He weep or rejoice? 

Run:

In a crowd of people praising God and celebrating the King, Jesus is weeping. Have you ever felt like this?  Like the whole world was rejoicing, but you were sad?

Where does Jesus need to rule more fully in your life?

Key Words and Further Study:

Passover- The Bible traces the origin of Passover to the exodus. According to Exodus 12, on the evening of the 14th of the first month (Abib; later called Nisan), the Israelites gathered in family units to sacrifice a yearling sheep or goat. They used hyssop to apply blood from the lambs to the sides and tops of the door frames of their homes and roasted the lambs. They also prepared bitter herbs and bread without yeast. They ate the food hastily and with their sandals on their feet as a sign of their readiness for a quick departure. That night, the Lord killed Egypt’s firstborn but spared Israel….Of all of Israel’s festivals, Passover is of the greatest importance to the New Testament because the Lord’s Supper was a Passover meal (Matt. 26:17–27; Mark 14:12–25; Luke 22:7–22;)… In passing the bread to the disciples and telling them that it was his body and that they should eat of it, Jesus was perhaps presenting himself as the Passover lamb. Christ is thus described as “our Passover lamb” in 1 Corinthians 5:7 and as “the Lamb who was slain” in Revelation 5:12. John’s Gospel points out that none of Jesus’ bones were broken in his crucifixion in allusion to the requirement that none of the Passover lamb’s bones be broken (John 19:33–37; cf. Exod. 12:46).^[1]

Consider having communion together as a group.  For instructions, go to http://www.smallgroups.com/articles/2003/buildcommunitythroughcommunion.html

SERVICE (fodder for ideas)

             Tonight we talked about having a kingdom mindset.  What can we do to have a better kingdom mindset in this group?  How can we bless others that we may not personally (or the church may not personally) benefit from?  How can we be better informed and involved?  What is God calling US to do to impact His kingdom?