Series: The Importance of…

The Importance of Praise and Worship

 

INTRO: Continuing with our series, “The Importance of…” Today is Palm Sunday. It is today that we celebrate the entrance Of Jesus the Christ into Jerusalem as a savior and King. It is today we that remember the waving of the palms in the hands of the people who knew that Jesus was special. It is today, we need to see the Importance of Praise and Worship.

 

Matthew 21:1-17(NKJV) 1Now when they drew near Jerusalem, and came to Bethphage, at the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples,
2saying to them, “Go into the village opposite you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her. Loose them and bring them to Me.
3And if anyone says anything to you, you shall say, ‘The Lord has need of them,’ and immediately he will send them.”
4All this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying:
5 “Tell the daughter of Zion, ‘Behold, your King is coming to you, Lowly, and sitting on a donkey, A colt, the foal of a donkey.’”  
6So the disciples went and did as Jesus commanded them.
7They brought the donkey and the colt, laid their clothes on them, and set Him on them.
8And a very great multitude spread their clothes on the road; others cut down branches from the trees and spread them on the road.
9Then the multitudes who went before and those who followed cried out, saying: “Hosanna to the Son of David! ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’  Hosanna in the highest!”
10And when He had come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, “Who is this?”
11So the multitudes said, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth of Galilee.”
12Then Jesus went into the temple of God and drove out all those who bought and sold in the temple, and overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who sold doves.
13And He said to them, “It is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer,’  but you have made it a ‘den of thieves.’
14Then the blind and the lame came to Him in the temple, and He healed them.
15But when the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful things that He did, and the children crying out in the temple and saying, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” they were indignant
16and said to Him, “Do You hear what these are saying?” And Jesus said to them, “Yes. Have you never read, ‘Out of the mouth of babes and nursing infants You have perfected praise’?”  
17Then He left them and went out of the city to Bethany, and He lodged there.


AS we look into this scripture, we see something that was important to Jesus…

Jesus went to Jerusalem for a special day of worship

 

Should we do less? (worship)

 

Passover for them

 

Time of thanks, reflections, and praise

 

At the same time it was a…

Remembrance of hurt, need, and providence

 

Pardon for us (like the Passover)

 

They…

Coveted and needed help

 

The failure to obey teaches us the…

Consequence was horrendous (for them and us)

 

Life was blood bought (and used)

 

Jesus spent the week getting ready (do we?)

 

Matthew 20:25-34(NKJV) 25But Jesus called them to Himself and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who are great exercise authority over them.
26Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant.
27And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave—
28just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”
29Now as they went out of Jericho, a great multitude followed Him.
30And behold, two blind men sitting by the road, when they heard that Jesus was passing by, cried out, saying, “Have mercy on us, O Lord, Son of David!”
31Then the multitude warned them that they should be quiet; but they cried out all the more, saying, “Have mercy on us, O Lord, Son of David!”
32So Jesus stood still and called them, and said, “What do you want Me to do for you?”
33They said to Him, “Lord, that our eyes may be opened.”
34So Jesus had compassion and touched their eyes. And immediately their eyes received sight, and they followed Him.

 

He…

Touched people’s lives

 

(do we bring sight to anyone?)

 

Arranged for a ride into town

 

He had a need for a colt

 

He has a need for us!

 

 

Jesus showed up on a donkey colt

(Not my idea of a great entrance – could have at least rode a Mustang)

 

His…

Humility is appreciated

 

Honor seen and noted- vs. 5 (Zech. 9:9)

 

We must now look at the obvious point of this scripture…

Jesus received worshipful praise and acclamation

 

What can we notice about this worship service?

 

He showed up

 

They showed up

 

There was…

Wonderful praise

 

Waived palms in the air

 

Coats and palms in the way

 

Wonderful worship given

 

Spontaneous

 

Selfless

 

Sincere

 

Simple

Unashamed

Unselfish

Without pretense

 

 

There was both acclamation and action as they worshipped the Lord that day. We need more than just words. We need more than just showing up. We need more than just action (waiving our hands, etc.). BUT WE DO NEED TO WORSHIP THE LORD!!!!!

 

The bottom line that day…

Jesus was recognized as special

 

The question was asked…

Who is this? - 10

 

Have you ever asked this question (even if only in your thoughts?

 

I like the question that was given to Jesus in Luke 7 and His answer…

Luke 7:20-23(NKJV) 20When the men had come to Him, they said, “John the Baptist has sent us to You, saying, ‘Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?’”
21And that very hour He cured many of infirmities, afflictions, and evil spirits; and to many blind He gave sight.
22Jesus answered and said to them, “Go and tell John the things you have seen and heard: that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, the poor have the gospel preached to them.
23And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me.”

 

 

We see the…

Crowd’s idea of who He was

 

“This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth of Galilee.” Vs. 12

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yet, I desire an answer from you…

Who is this Jesus to you?

 

Have you perfected praise for Him?

 
“…You have perfected praise’?” – Matt. 21:16
 
What does He have for you?

 

What do you have for Him?

 

How important is praise and worship for you?

 

Do you look for opportunities to praise Him?

 

 

 

Gary Marcum – New Beginnings Church – 032810am