Christian Life Church
April 13, 2025 at 8:30am & 10:30am
When we misunderstand what God is doing, we can miss what God is doing.
Locations & Times
Christian Life Church Columbia
2700 Bush River Rd, Columbia, SC 29210, USA
Sunday 8:00 AM
PALM SUNDAY APRIL 13, 2025
SCRIPTURE
The next day (Palm Sunday) the large crowd that had come to the feast heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet Him, crying out, “Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!” And Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it, just as it is written, “…your King is coming, sitting on a donkey’s colt!” John 12:12-15
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. But now it is too late, and peace is hidden from your eyes. Before long your enemies will build ramparts against your walls and encircle you and close in on you from every side. They will crush you into the ground, and your children with you. Your enemies will not leave a single stone in place, because you did not recognize it when God visited you.” Luke 19:41-44
When we misunderstand what God is doing, we can miss what God is doing.
THE PEOPLE MISUNDERSTOOD
1/ The people misunderstood the assignment.
The Jews believed Messiah was coming as a militant leader to establish an earthly kingdom. But Jesus came as a servant leader to establish an eternal Kingdom.
2/ The people misunderstood the signs.
The Donkey
In ancient times, kings rode donkeys when bringing peace and horses when bringing war.
Jesus was bringing peace. Not between Israel and Rome, but between God and man.
The Palm Branches
In ancient times, waving palms was an act of celebration after a military victory.
Jesus was bringing victory. Not over physical enemies, but over death, hell, and grave.
The Words
In ancient times, “Hosanna” meant “Save us.”
Jesus was bringing salvation. Not from governments, but from the wrath of God.
The Procession of the Lambs
In ancient times, this was an event bringing thousands of lambs into Jerusalem.
Jesus wasn’t just a lamb for God, but the Lamb of God!
THE EFFECTS OF MISUNDERSTANDING
1/ Misunderstanding God can produce resistance.
“What I am doing you do not understand now, but afterward you will…” John 13:7
2/ Misunderstanding can produce bitterness.
God had taken the Israelites out of Egypt. But now taking Egypt out of them.
3/ Misunderstanding can produce confusion.
Then all the disciples deserted Jesus and ran away. Matthew 26:56
There is a difference between questioning and accusing.
4/ Misunderstanding can produce discontent.
But the people refused to listen to Samuel’s warning. “Even so, we still want a king,” they said. “We want to be like the nations around us.” …and the Lord replied, “Do as they say, and give them a king.” 1 Samuel 8:19-22 (selected)
“One of the forms of God’s judgment is giving us what we want.” Michael Gorman
5/ Misunderstanding can produce sin.
Jonah understood what God was doing, but didn’t understand why.
This moves us from operating in the Spirit and to working in the flesh.
TOWARDS UNDERSTANDING
1/ Go to the Word of God.
“What does God say about this situation?”
Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. Psalm 119:105
A person cannot know the will of God or the ways of God without the word of God.
2/ Go to the counsel of God.
“What is the Spirit speaking about this issue?”
Once again David inquired of the Lord, and the Lord answered him… 1 Samuel 23:4
3/ Go to the church of God.
“What are my spiritual leaders saying about this concern?”
…in an abundance of counselors there is safety. Proverbs 11:14
4/ Go to the people of God.
“What are my wise, godly friends telling me?”
The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice. Proverbs 12:15
5/ Go to the perspective of God.
“Am I seeing this through an eternal lens?”
For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts. Isaiah 55:8-9
SCRIPTURE
The next day (Palm Sunday) the large crowd that had come to the feast heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet Him, crying out, “Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!” And Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it, just as it is written, “…your King is coming, sitting on a donkey’s colt!” John 12:12-15
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. But now it is too late, and peace is hidden from your eyes. Before long your enemies will build ramparts against your walls and encircle you and close in on you from every side. They will crush you into the ground, and your children with you. Your enemies will not leave a single stone in place, because you did not recognize it when God visited you.” Luke 19:41-44
When we misunderstand what God is doing, we can miss what God is doing.
THE PEOPLE MISUNDERSTOOD
1/ The people misunderstood the assignment.
The Jews believed Messiah was coming as a militant leader to establish an earthly kingdom. But Jesus came as a servant leader to establish an eternal Kingdom.
2/ The people misunderstood the signs.
The Donkey
In ancient times, kings rode donkeys when bringing peace and horses when bringing war.
Jesus was bringing peace. Not between Israel and Rome, but between God and man.
The Palm Branches
In ancient times, waving palms was an act of celebration after a military victory.
Jesus was bringing victory. Not over physical enemies, but over death, hell, and grave.
The Words
In ancient times, “Hosanna” meant “Save us.”
Jesus was bringing salvation. Not from governments, but from the wrath of God.
The Procession of the Lambs
In ancient times, this was an event bringing thousands of lambs into Jerusalem.
Jesus wasn’t just a lamb for God, but the Lamb of God!
THE EFFECTS OF MISUNDERSTANDING
1/ Misunderstanding God can produce resistance.
“What I am doing you do not understand now, but afterward you will…” John 13:7
2/ Misunderstanding can produce bitterness.
God had taken the Israelites out of Egypt. But now taking Egypt out of them.
3/ Misunderstanding can produce confusion.
Then all the disciples deserted Jesus and ran away. Matthew 26:56
There is a difference between questioning and accusing.
4/ Misunderstanding can produce discontent.
But the people refused to listen to Samuel’s warning. “Even so, we still want a king,” they said. “We want to be like the nations around us.” …and the Lord replied, “Do as they say, and give them a king.” 1 Samuel 8:19-22 (selected)
“One of the forms of God’s judgment is giving us what we want.” Michael Gorman
5/ Misunderstanding can produce sin.
Jonah understood what God was doing, but didn’t understand why.
This moves us from operating in the Spirit and to working in the flesh.
TOWARDS UNDERSTANDING
1/ Go to the Word of God.
“What does God say about this situation?”
Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. Psalm 119:105
A person cannot know the will of God or the ways of God without the word of God.
2/ Go to the counsel of God.
“What is the Spirit speaking about this issue?”
Once again David inquired of the Lord, and the Lord answered him… 1 Samuel 23:4
3/ Go to the church of God.
“What are my spiritual leaders saying about this concern?”
…in an abundance of counselors there is safety. Proverbs 11:14
4/ Go to the people of God.
“What are my wise, godly friends telling me?”
The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice. Proverbs 12:15
5/ Go to the perspective of God.
“Am I seeing this through an eternal lens?”
For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts. Isaiah 55:8-9