Palm Sunday – Centennial Park Baptist Church – April 5th, 2009 -10:30 am

 

COMING , CONDEMING , CLEANSING

 

Mark 11: 1-26

 

Mark paints for us 3 scenes from Jesus’ final week on earth.

 

The Backdrop of Each Painting:

 

·        Jerusalem at Passover

·        Population tripled during the feast

·        Volatile environment

 

Scene # 1 – COMING - vs. 1-6

 

-         Jesus had entered Jerusalem before!  Boy / worshipper / teacher

 

-         Now - as a KING

 

-         The two disciples – vs. 1 – are given a real test of S___________________

 

-         They obeyed in every detail, and at some risk

 

-         Spurgeon: “What a church we should see on earth if such obedience were true of every Christian.”

 

Scene # 1 gives us a lesson on PRIDE. 

 

God’s pattern in Scripture is that a person must first be a SERVANT.

 

Scene # 2 – CONDEMNING - vs. 12-14; 20–25

 

 

Jesus Picture Gallery of Prayer:

 

            1.  Prayer must be in the WILL of God – I John 5: 14-15

 

            2. Person praying must abide in the LOVE of God – John 15: 7-14

 

            3. Prayer is constant – not an ER approach – I Thessalonians 5:17

 

Spurgeon:  “ Prayer pulls the rope down below and the great bell rings above in the ears of God.  Some scarcely stir the bell for they pray so languidly;  others give only an occasional jerk at the rope.  But those who communicate with Heaven grasp the rope boldly and pull continuously with all their might.”

 

4. Prayer must be permeated with thanksgiving – I Thessalonians 5:18

 

5. True prayer involves FORGIVENESS.  Mark 11:25 and  HUMILITY

     - I Peter 3: 7-9

 

Scene # 2 gives us a lesson on PRAYER

 

 

Scene # 3 – CLEANSING - vs. 15-17

 

-         Court of the Gentiles – should have been for PRAYING

 

- Instead: PREYING and PAYING

 

- Why does Mark especially mention the people who sold doves?  vs. 15

 

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- Before we quickly condemn the Jewish religious leaders, let’s ask ourselves these questions:

 

* Does the community of Grimsby see CPBC as a house of prayer?

 

* Are all people welcomed here?

 

* Do we flee to church on Sundays to cover up our sins or maintain our reputation?

 

* Do we come to church on Sundays with one focus – to  WORSHIP

 

 and GLORIFY God?  If we all do that how could it change our worship services?

 

* The court of the Gentiles was cluttered.  Do we come to church with our Spirits cluttered?

 

* If Jesus were to show up in our house of worship, what changes would He make?

 

* The physical structure of CPBC is no guarantee of blessing from God.  It’s what

 

we do in this place from our HEART.

 

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