[0:00]Hey, what's happening? Levi Skipper here, pastor of Sagemont in Houston. I want to welcome you. Thank you so much for taking the time out just to check out the message today. Our desire really is to help people take their next step following Jesus. So whatever step that is for you, we're here to serve you. If you're a member of our church and maybe you're out of town, so you're kind of checking us out today, welcome. But if you're not a member of our church and you live in our area, I want to invite you to come join us really for worship right here corporately as we gather together to worship the Lord Jesus Christ. And then at the same time, if you're out of town and maybe you can't get here, let me encourage you. Don't use this as kind of a supplement to going to church. Find yourself a church home where they're preaching the truth, where you can be encouraged in the faith and also use your spiritual gifts to help the body grow. Again, welcome to our time together today.
[0:54]All right, John's gospel chapter 12, beginning of verse 12. If you just stand with me in honor of God's word. The Bible says here, verse 12, On the next day, the large crowd who had come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, took the branches of the palm trees and went out to meet Him, and began to shout, "Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel." Jesus, finding a young donkey, sat on it; as it is written, Fear not, daughter of Zion; behold, your King is coming, seated on a donkey's colt. These things His disciples did not understand at the first; but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things were written of Him, and that they had done these things to Him. So the people, who were with Him when He called Lazarus out of the tomb and raised him from the dead, continued to testify about Him. For this reason also the people went and met Him, because they heard that He had performed this sign. So the Pharisees said to one another, "You see that you are not doing any good; look, the world has gone after Him." Let's bow together. Father, this morning, thank you, uh just for your word. God, as we open up the scripture as we worship you. Uh we know that the enemy of our souls would attack every single person in this room. uh seeking to cause us to look away, uh seeking to cause us to not pay attention to what your word has to say. But Lord Jesus, would you give us ears to hear and eyes to see and then lives to obey? And God, would you do a work in the lives of those who have not trusted in you yet, they've not crossed the line of faith. They don't know for certain that they have a relationship with you. Would you do something today just to speak to their hearts and draw them to yourself as only you can? Uh God, each time I stand and preach, I count it a great privilege and opportunity. Uh Lord, I've just asked that the spirit of God would move this morning. And that's in the name of Jesus that I pray and everybody said, amen, amen, you can be seated this morning. So what was the purpose of Jesus arriving on the earth? Uh, what exactly did he come for? Well, when you study the life of the Lord Jesus Christ through all four gospels, you get a great little picture of the purpose of Jesus. In fact, we could kind of give it to you in four quick little statements here. Uh Jesus was sent from heaven to save humanity from their sin. In Luke's gospel chapter 19 and verse 10, the Bible says the Son of Man has come to seek and save that which was lost. We also know that Jesus came to reveal God to us and to fulfill the law and the prophets. You know, in first John, uh we actually discover that Jesus is God spelling himself out to the world. In Matthew chapter 5 and verse 17, Jesus said, don't think that I came to abolish the law and the prophets. No, no, no, I didn't come to abolish it, but to fulfill it. We also know that the purpose of Jesus was to defeat evil and establish the kingdom of God. In fact, John writes in first John 1:3 or first John chapter 3 verse 8, the son of God appeared for this purpose to destroy the works of the devil. Aren't you glad Jesus is going to destroy the works of the devil? We also know that Jesus came to offer eternal life. In John chapter 10 verse 10, the Bible says the thief comes to steal, kill and destroy, but I have come that they might have life and have it abundantly. You see, the Lord Jesus Christ was fulfilling the purpose of God the Father while he was here upon the Earth. Now, here's what you and I need to grab hold of, as the Lord Jesus was fulfilling God's purpose, uh there was a satanic attack upon the life of Jesus. Satan did not want Jesus fulfilling the purpose of God. And so he attacked on many occasions. And this morning, you and I are going to really see some test in this text of scripture that Jesus endured. And as a result of that, you and I are going to learn how we are also to endure the test that come into our lives. In fact, just like Jesus has a purpose, you have a purpose as well. Now, all of ours, uh really is the same. If we're followers of the Lord Jesus Christ, there are four primary purposes of your life. So if you know Jesus, here's what should be true about your life this morning. Uh every single one of us is to glorify God in all things. The Bible says in first Corinthians 10:31, whatever you do, do it all to the glory of God. What does that mean? That means magnify the Lord with your life. Whatever you're doing, wherever you find yourself, seek to magnify the Lord. All of us as well are called to love God and to love others. In fact, Jesus taught this in Matthew chapter 22 very clearly as he gave us the great commandment. Love the Lord your God with all your heart, your soul, your mind, and your strength and love your neighbor as yourself. And then we also know our purpose is to mature, we are to grow spiritually. In fact, the Bible makes a promise to us in Romans 8:29, for those whom he foreknew, he also predestined to become conformed to the image of His son. So here's what I want you to know, if you came to faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, God takes it upon himself, personal responsibility, to conform you into the image of the Lord Jesus Christ. Your character should be more like Jesus now than when you first met Jesus. Your conduct should be more like Jesus now, then when you first met Jesus. And ultimately one day, aren't you grateful? God is going to make you as much like Jesus as you possibly can be without becoming God. He's going to give you a glorified body fit for eternity, never to mess with sin again. That's a good place to say amen, right? Now, we also, there was three people who are happier than you all are. I'm with them, all right?
[8:16]There's also a purpose that God has for every single one of us as his followers and that purpose is that we would make disciples. Matthew chapter 28 gives us the great commission, go and make disciples of all the nations. Uh that's why we have here at Sagemont this great purpose in our church that we are helping people take their next step following the Lord Jesus Christ. What is that? That's just simply discipling people, that's helping people mature in their walks with the Lord. Now the reason that I share this with you is because I wanted you to see that Jesus had a purpose. God the Father gave to him, he was to fulfill, and he was tested. But I also wanted you to see this morning that the Lord has given you as his disciple, a purpose. that you are to fulfill, but you are also going to be tested. Because the last thing the enemy wants for you is for you to live a life of obedience to God the Father's purpose. So this morning, we just asked a very simple question, then we get a good answer as we look at uh this text of scripture that we often talk about as Palm Sunday. So here's the question, how do we respond when test come our way? How do we respond when test come our way? Now, I only got two points this morning. Y'all with me, say amen. Uh the first point, however, is super long, all right? So, it's going to take a while to get through that one. The last one just to ease your mind is a little shorter. But you'll want to drop both of these down. Uh the very first point this morning is very simple. Uh don't let hype go to your head. Don't let hype go to your head.
[10:43]Did you know the Bible actually teaches us? I'm going to give you the verse a little sooner than I was planning on doing it. But the Bible teaches us in Proverbs 27:21, the crucible is for silver, the furnace is for gold. But listen to this. But each is tested by being praised.
[11:15]You see, often times we think of test as temptations to fall into sin. But I want you to know this morning that there are tests will come into your life and mine that are actually test of praise. Where people will be hyped up about you and the ministry that you're involved in. And they will heap praise on you. They will talk about how awesome you are, how you're making such a difference.
[11:50]That's when you've got to be very careful that the hype doesn't go to your head.
[12:05]Verse 12 and 13.
[12:12]On the next day, large crowd who came to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, took the branches of the palm trees and went out to meet Jesus, and they began to shout Hosanna. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel. Now, the scattered Jewish people had arrived in Jerusalem to celebrate a common feast known as Passover. The atmosphere was electric. Uh Now, why is that the case? Well, because they had heard that Jesus was on his way. Jewish historian, this is extra biblical resource, written by Josephus, not Bociphus, but Josephus. Y'all know Bociphus, don't you? He says, and this is interesting that two million people would have descended upon the city for celebration, two million people. Also, because it was Passover, they would have been bringing with them many lambs to be sacrificed. Josephus once again estimates that somewhere above 250,000 lambs would have been ushered into Jerusalem during this particular time. So imagine that this morning. They are waving palm branches, which is a symbol of peace and victory. Uh they're quoting Psalm 118, which is considered a Messianic Psalm, a promise that a Messiah king would come to Israel and set them free. You have Jesus arriving on the scene while you simultaneously have over 250,000 little lambs that are being ushered into Jerusalem. But how many of you know the greatest lamb was the Lord Jesus Christ, and here he comes during this time of Passover? And what are they doing? They're shouting, they're singing, Hosanna, right? It literally means uh please save. It literally means save us now. And they are proclaiming Jesus to be the King of Israel, the long awaited Messiah. They saw Jesus, however, a little differently. They viewed him as a political figure sent by God to free Israel from the oppression of the Roman government. However, listen closely, that was not God the Father's purpose for his son in his first coming. He was sent to free them not from a political system, but to free them from the penalty and the power and the presence of sin. That's why Jesus came. He was coming not to establish at this coming an earthly kingdom, but he was coming to establish a spiritual kingdom. But the hype was great. But Jesus was undistracted. He focused on God's purpose. Verse 14 and 15, the Bible says Jesus finding a young donkey sat on it. And that as it is written, fear not, daughter of Zion; behold your King is coming seated on a donkey's colt. Now, this is actually a prophecy from Zachariah in the Old Testament, about the coming Messiah king. So to kind of set a little context for you, so you can see what was happening whenever this particular promise was made by God. I want you to know that the Babylonians had destroyed Solomon's temple and carried the Jewish people off into captivity. Not long after that, the Persians had defeated the Babylonian Empire and under King Cyrus, he actually issued a decree that all of those who were scattered Israelites, could actually return back to Jerusalem. And as soon as they arrived, they began to rebuild the temple, which had been destroyed previously. Now, the reason they wanted to rebuild the temple is so that they could have a place where they could worship God. Now interestingly, they got after it to begin with and they laid the foundation of the temple. But then they became very apathetic spiritually. They were discouraged by enemies that were coming from the outside, they were discouraged by enemies that were even from inside the camp. And as a result, they walked away from the project of rebuilding the temple and they began to focus on their own homes and their own lives and their own future. And they completely disregarded the Lord. Zachariah shows up, this bold loud mouth prophet, and he declared the truth to the people of Israel, dragging to grab their attention and draw them back to God's purpose for their life. And Zachariah encouraged them in the midst of their discouragement with a promise that in the future, a Messiah king would arrive and he would be riding on a donkey.
[18:29]In fact, it was 550 years. previous that Zachariah spoke about what you and I just read about in John's gospel chapter 12 when Jesus arrived on a donkey.
[18:50]Jesus did not come to topple a Roman government. The Lord Jesus Christ was the King, there's no doubt about that, but he rode no war horse, he had no sword, he wore no crown. He didn't come in a chariot, he fulfilled Zechariah's prophecy, which came 550 years before, and he came humbly riding on a young male donkey. And the hype from the people centered on Jesus being their hope. Listen closely for political salvation.
[19:35]However, as they were exclaiming and singing, Hosanna, save us now. Jesus remained focused on his purpose to bring man hope for eternal salvation. He was being praised, but it was a test.
[20:09]Verse 16. Are y'all still with me? We're doing Bible study, y'all out there? These things His disciples did not understand at the first; but when Jesus was glorified, by the way that term glorified speaks about the time frame after his death, burial and resurrection. When he was glorified, then they remembered that these things were written of him and that they had done these things to him. The disciples in this moment lacked perspective. They were not viewing this event through the lens of the cross and the resurrection. They'd not yet witnessed Jesus glorified. As a matter of fact, many of them who were following the Lord Jesus Christ, even his close 12 wanted a place in the kingdom. Remember how often they would argue over it? It's like, where am I going to sit in your kingdom? Can I sit to your left? Can I sit to your right? What's my role going to be? They were so concerned about themselves. But after Jesus' ascension, the spirit of God took up residence in the lives of those who had trusted in the Lord Jesus. And as a result of the spirit of God living within the early disciples, they were reminded by the Holy Spirit of this event in John's gospel chapter 12. John was actually one of the disciples, and he says, we remembered after his glorification. How did they remember? The spirit of God brought it to their memory. That's by the way, the spirit of God does that, doesn't he? We're going to learn so much about the Holy Spirit as we continue through this study of John's gospel.
[22:15]I can't wait to uh get to it. But right now, I'm in John 12, so y'all quit rushing me.
[22:25]The hype about Jesus continued from the chants of Hosanna to the testimonies of those who had seen Lazarus raised from the dead. So in verse 17, check out what the Bible says. So the people, who were with Him (Jesus) when He called Lazarus out of the tomb and raised him from the dead, continued to testify about Him. So they were pointing at Jesus riding on the donkey. So here comes Jesus riding on the donkey. Here's, you know, some two million people, imagine the the the layout, I mean, palm branches are being laid out so Jesus can ride it. But then you also have scattered throughout this entire picture, all of these little lambs that are being carried by the Israelites to be sacrificed at the temple. And they're singing Hosanna, and those who had seen Lazarus raised from the dead, they're grabbing their friends, they're saying, this is the guy I was telling you about. He's the one that said, Lazarus come forth and Lazarus came out hopping. So they're amazed by this. Verse 18, for this reason the people went and met Jesus because they heard that he had performed this sign. Everybody wanted a glimpse of Jesus, everybody wanted a little time with Jesus, everybody wanted to speak with Jesus. But aren't you grateful this morning, that Jesus wasn't distracted from obeying God the Father's purpose?
[24:19]Remember when Satan tempted, this is free. Y'all with me? Y'all seem like you're listening, so I'm going to give you all extra stuff. Remember when Jesus was tempted by the devil? One of the temptations was Satan took him up on a high mountain and said, hey, the whole world and its kingdoms, I will give to you. Remember that temptation? Now, he's coming into Jerusalem and the people are like, this is our king. We want him now, save us now. Jesus remained focused.
[25:00]He came to save from sin and death, fulfill the law and prophets, defeat evil, offer eternal life. He obeyed God the Father's purpose for his life, even under the test of man's praise. And so there's the text again, Proverbs 27:21, the crucible is for silver and the furnace for gold, and each is tested by being praised. Now, here's what I want you to know this morning, when you obey God in your life, you're going to discover that there will be praise from people.
[25:50]When you get involved in ministry and you begin to make disciples and you begin to glorify God and you begin to love the Lord and love others, people are going to pat you on the back. They're going to glad hand you, they're going to talk about how awesome you are and how godly you are and they're going to praise you.
[26:15]But praise is a test. That's what the Bible says.
[26:26]Don't let hype go to your head. Pride comes before the fall. Hype from man, are y'all listening? Say yes? All right, because this is pretty awesome right here. Hype from man is a test revealing our character. Don't become self-centered and start believing the hype. Don't fall in love with man's praise.
[26:56]Don't begin molding your life to accommodate the praise and expectations of others. So, so what are we saying here? I'm saying stay focused on glorifying the Lord, loving others, growing spiritually and making disciples. God has that purpose for all of us who know him. Don't get distracted by any hype that comes along with it. Don't let hype go to your head, cause you to walk away from God's purpose for your life. All right, that was point number one. I told you it was going to be long, did I tell you the truth? Point number two. It may be just as long. Let me double check.
[27:56]Number two, drop this down, don't let hurt derail you. Don't let hurt derail you.
[28:07]Verse 19, the Bible says, the Pharisees said to one another, you see that you're not doing any good. Look, the world has gone after him. I love Eugene Peterson's paraphrase of this verse. The Pharisees took one look and they threw up their hands. It's out of control, the world's in a stampede after Jesus. Their real desire was to kill Jesus, but they didn't know they couldn't pull that off when people were flocking to him or else their own lives would be at risk. So these haters were after Jesus throughout the entirety of John's gospel. They wanted to inflict hurt upon Jesus, they wanted to destroy his reputation. They began in John chapter one and chapter two to question and dismiss Jesus. We've seen this throughout this gospel as we walked through it. In chapter two, they began to oppose Jesus, and tension began to arise. In chapter five, there's hostility towards Jesus, where he was accused of breaking the law by healing a man on the Sabbath. Uh they also couldn't stand that he claimed God to be his father. And then in chapter seven, they accused Jesus of false teaching. And then in chapter eight, they sought to humiliate Jesus in front of everybody by presenting to him a woman caught in adultery. Also in chapter eight, they accused Jesus of blasphemy and even said that he was possessed by a devil. They called him the devil himself. They wanted Jesus dead because he made himself out to be God. After the resurrection of Lazarus, they were like, we've got to get rid of this guy. The amount of opposition that Jesus faced was crushing. But aren't you glad Jesus was not derailed from his purpose?
[30:19]Reminds me of what Paul wrote about his own ministry in second Corinthians 4:8 and 9. Listen closely, we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed, perplexed, but not despairing, persecuted, but not forsaken, struck down, but not destroyed. Our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. Listen to the preacher for just a moment, when you suffer for doing what is right, as you are, it feels heavy. It's piling up on you. But when you measure what you're experiencing now with the glory, the weight of glory that God has for you, this little trouble over here is light and momentary. This is like a feather that will disappear, but the glory of God will fall upon you in the last day.
[31:34]Oh my word, this is good.
[31:47]So what am I saying? As you seek to fulfill God's purpose in your life, you're going to get some hype, you're also going to get some hate. When hate comes, don't let it derail you. Like Jesus, you may face some questions, people may question your motives, people may dismiss you, they may oppose you, they may even grow hostile towards you. They may seek to accuse you, they may seek to humiliate you, violently oppose you, and whenever this occurs, don't be derailed from God's purpose. Stay steadfast, suffer well with Jesus. Paul tells us in Philippians 3:10, listen to this verse. That I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings.
[32:51]Everybody wants to fellowship in his resurrection, but very few want to fellowship in his sufferings. When you suffer for doing what is right, you are fellowshipping with the sufferings of Jesus. And that is interesting, right? You do what's right and you suffer. And what do we typically say? We, Lord, I was doing what you told me to do and this is what I'm getting, this is the repayment? What's up with that?
[33:43]By the way, could Jesus have said this?
[33:49]My question is, did Jesus suffer? Did he suffer for doing what was right? He without a doubt. Why would you think that you're not going to suffer for doing what is right in a crooked and perverse world? When suffering comes, you're fellowshipping with the Lord Jesus Christ.
[34:25]Y'all know I've been preaching since I was 19 and I'm 27 now, so it's been several years.
[34:44]So I wrote this in with a pin.
[35:01]Don't let what others have done to you keep you from following God's purpose and serving his body.
[35:16]Don't do it. Now, listen, as a pastor, how many times do I hear, well, I went to church and I was doing my thing and I was serving and these people said this. And bless God, I just quit doing anything.
[35:34]Great. So you're not doing God's will for your life anymore because these few people over here hurt your feelings? Come on, man.
[36:01]But here's what I wanted to tell you.
[36:09]I wrote this in with a pen. Don't let what others have done to you keep you from following God's purpose and serving his body.
