We are currently going through a sermon series in the Gospel of Matthew. Today, however, we are pushing pause on going through Matthew, and are celebrating Palm Sunday. We will be talking about John 12:12-26 in the message today.

Today, we’re celebrating Palm Sunday, the Sunday that comes before Easter. Have you ever wondered what Palm Sunday is all about? Why do we celebrate it? Where in the Bible does it come from? Today, we’re talking about just that! In John chapter 12, we see many different reactions to Jesus, one of which includes waving palm branches.


Poor Reactions to Jesus:
1. The crowd: Jesus does what I want
John 12:12-13, 17-18, Matt. 6:19-21, 33, Rom. 8:5, Col. 3:2, Luke 12:29-31, John 6:27, Ps. 34:9-10
2. The Pharisees: Going to God without Jesus
John 12:19, 14:6, 19:15, Matt. 6:10, Acts 4:12, 1 Tim. 2:5, John 3:16, Rom. 10:9, John 3:36
3. Some Greeks: Spectating Jesus
John 12:20-26, Gal. 2:20, Matt. 28:19-20, James 1:22, 27, 2:14-26, Heb. 11:6

What Jesus actually requires of us:
Leaving all else behind, we are to follow and serve Him, with everything we have
John 12:23-26, Luke 14:33, Matt. 5:6, 2 Cor. 5:17, Phil. 3:7-8, Luke 18:28-30

Getting Started
1. Take some time to read over John 12:12-26 and pray.

2. Have you ever read or heard about this before? What stood out to you as we were talking about it?

3. What common misconceptions do you think people have about Palm Sunday? What misconceptions have you had about Palm Sunday?


Diving In
Read John 12:12-18 again, and think about the perspective the crowd must have had when they heard and saw Jesus riding into Jerusaelm. What thoughts do you think were running through their heads?

- The crowd looks at Jesus, and wants Him to accomplish their own agendas. Have you ever been guilty of treating your relationship with Jesus in the same way?
- How can you avoid making the same mistake that the crowd made?

Read John 12:19 again, and think about the perspective that the Pharisees had. Why do you think that their perspective is so dangerous to have?

- Have you ever made the mistake of trying to be a “godly” person without Jesus? If so, how, and what happened?
- How do you think that our own legalistic tendencies will cause us to make the same mistake that the Pharisees made?
- How can you avoid making the same mistake that the Pharisees made?

Read John 12:20-26 again. Do you think Jesus’ response is peculiar? Why do you think He responded that way? What mistake were the Greeks making?
- Why do you think we often make the mistake of wanting to “see Jesus” without following Him.
- What would it look like in your life for you to follow and serve Jesus, instead of just seeing Him?
- How can you avoid making the same mistake that the Greeks made?


Read John 12:23-26 again. What in Jesus’ response stands out to you? How does that affect your life in this season?

Applying the Scripture
What are your biggest takeaways from this passage of God’s Word?
- What practical step(s) do you need to implement in your life to apply what God has taught you in this passage of Scripture?
- How would applying this affect your life and your relationship with the Lord?
- Who can you ask to keep you accountable to applying this to your life?

CHURCH FAMILY NEEDS: Pray for the Ewing family; Jason unexpectedly passed away recently. Pray for Jerry Jamrozy, who has bone cancer.

MISSIONARIES: This month pray for Janyne Johnston.


FAMILY OF THE WEEK: Each week we’ll pray for a different family in our church. This week pray for the Ewings.

HILLSIDE HAPPENINGS: Pray that the church would continue to stay unified under Christ. Pray for our livestream and for the people joining us there. Pray for Casa Del Alfarero, the Spanish-speaking Missionary Church 5 minutes from our building.

CURRENT HAPPENINGS: Pray for the war in Israel. Pray for the war in Ukraine.

Attendance
In-person on 3/17/24: 55
Online views (through 3/20): 5

Giving
Online: (3/11/24-3/17/24): $80
In-Person on 3/17/24: $180 for general
Total general needed weekly to meet budget: $1623

This is a great time to join a small group! Joining a small group is a great way to grow in your faith. There is a small group that meets on Sunday mornings, at 9:30am, and men’s and women’s groups that meet every other Tuesday evening. For more information, please see Pastor Josh.

We are currently working on replacing our road sign, and saving up for a new roof. We are also trying to put a small group meeting area together. Would you prayerfully consider partnering with us financially to make these things happen? For more information, please talk to Pastor Josh.

We will be having a baptismal service soon. Have you accepted Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior, yet haven’t gotten baptized? We believe baptism is an outward expression of what God has done in your heart. For more information, please talk to Pastor Josh.

If you do not receive our weekly emails, announcements, and prayer requests, please join our email list! You can do so by going to hmcworship.com/im-new

TECH: Our worship team is looking for someone who would like to run sound and/or slides. Please see Pastor Josh.

WORSHIP TEAM: Would you like to help out on the worship team? Please see Carolyn Dodd for details.

PRAYER GUIDE: Will you be in prayer for Hillside? Prayer guides are available at the welcome counter. Also, if you would like to be a prayer advocate, please see Pastor Josh.

MAINTENANCE TEAM: Would you like to help out on the maintenance team? We need help inside and outside the building. Please see Jeff Soule for details.