Sermons

One story within another almost always points to parallel stories in the Bible.
The presence of God produces fruit.
Jesus cursed the fig tree because it did not produce fruit in the season of the coming of the Kingdom of God.
The tables of the money-changers were overturned to show that atonement is not something that can be bought with money.
The buyers and sellers of sacrificial animals were driven out to bring an end to sacrificing animals for forgiveness.
Jesus stopped people from carrying anything through the temple to usher in the end of cultic rituals for purification.
Jesus has been replacing the temple throughout His ministry: healing the sick, forgiving sins, and restoring people to society.
Jesus replaced the tables of the money-changers with the Lord’s Table, where remember that He alone atoned for our sins.
Jews thought that prayer was more effective in the temple, but Jesus tore down the barriers and invites all people to be a part of the new temple.
We can’t hide a lack of fruit behind fig leaves of rituals and church attendance.

There is always room in our lives for more Scripture and more prayer.
The triumphant entry of Jesus into Jerusalem was nothing like a Roman triumphant entry. There were no spoils of war, prisoners, army, or golden chariot.
The people were expecting a conquering king to come and reestablish Davidic reign.
Riding on a young colt was a symbol of Jesus coming in peace rather than as a conqueror.
Hosanna means “Please! Save us!”
The people were praising Jesus, but their motives were what Jesus could do for them.
As we grow in our relationship with Jesus, our prayer life should grow as well.
Asking God to meet our needs is an important part of prayer, but prayer is much more that only asking and receiving. It includes adoration, gratitude, confession, and more.
Jesus doesn’t want to be a priority in your life. He wants to be the center.

The crowd was with Jesus for 3 days without food. Their desire to be with Him was greater than their desire for food.
Jesus had compassion on the crowd. Compassion means to co-suffer with someone. Jesus had more than empathy or pity; He suffered with the crowd.
Jesus gave them what they needed to sustain them on their way home.
Jesus knows more than anyone else what you are going through because He has compassion for you. He endures your struggles with you.
Jesus made sure the entire crowd was fed and satisfied. Even when we can’t see Jesus from where we are, He still cares deeply for us.
Being yoked with Jesus is another image of His compassion.
The compassion of God…
…gives our souls rest.
…restores our hope.
…leads us through the struggle to the cross.
…knows we’re starving and gives us the Bread of Life to sustain us.
…gets us all the way home to Him.
…became the Passion of Christ.