“Like Palm Sunday, Jesus still needs your donkey”
Date: April 9, 2017
Scripture:Mark 11:1-11
Text:Mark 11:2b
Theme:Are we willing to give up our “donkey” to serve Him?
Introduction:Zechariah 9:9, “Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout, Daughter of Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and having salvation. Gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.” The donkey is a humble symbol of both peace and royalty, yet the donkey is known as a ‘beast of burden.’ Sure footed, untiring, willing.
Jesus sent his disciples to fetch a donkey, from Bethphage. “Tell the owner that I need it and he will let it go.” Everyone was willing here – the disciples, the owner, and the donkey. The story relates how the people rejoiced when Jesus, their King came riding into Jerusalem – thinking he was about to set up his kingdom, over-through the Romans, and set the oppressed free. The people were indeed willing!
“Hosanna (save us now), Hosanna (save us now) --- everyone shouted, and Jesus rode into Jerusalem. He knew why he had come – it was for the cross, not a throne, yet he was willing.
Back to the beginning where the disciples asked the owner for the donkey, and he was willing…
How willing are we to let go of our donkey (beast of burden) to serve Jesus today?
Are we…
- Willing to let go of our Stuff?( We’re keepers and we like to keep what we have)
- Materialism“He who dies with the most toys --- still dies”
- Bank AccountMatthew 7:21-23, “Not everyone who says …”
- Possessions
- Willing to let go of our Status?(We’re proud of our achievements and don’t like to step down)
- CareerMark of status
- ReputationReputation – what people think of you.
Character – what your wife or husband, and God know about you.
- Comfort ZoneMatthew 10:37-39, “Anyone who loves his …”
- Willing to let go of our Saber?( We’re fighters and we don’t like to give in)
- SurrenderGenesis 22, Abraham and Isaac
- ServeRomans 12:1-2, “I beseech you therefore …”
- SeekMatthew 6:33, “But seek first the kingdom of God …”
“I Surrender All” by Judson W. VanDe Venter, who struggled with developing his talent as an artist or becoming what God wanted – He surrendered and became an evangelist.
Conclusion:
Lord, may I be willing to let go of the burdens that hold me back and give them to you. Lord, here’s my donkey – it’s me!
Pogo – “I’ve discovered our greatest enemy, and he’s us!”
Scriptures:
Mark 11:1-11 (NIV), As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage and Bethany at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of his disciples, 2saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and just as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. 3If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ say, ‘The Lord needs it and will send it back here shortly.’”
4They went and found a colt outside in the street, tied at a doorway. As they untied it, 5some people standing there asked, “What are you doing, untying that colt?” 6They answered as Jesus had told them to, and the people let them go. 7When they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks over it, he sat on it. 8Many people spread their cloaks on the road, while others spread branches they had cut in the fields. 9Those who went ahead and those who followed shouted, “Hosanna!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” 10“Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David!” “Hosanna in the highest heaven!”
11Jesus entered Jerusalem and went into the temple courts. He looked around at everything, but since it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the Twelve.
Mark 11:2b (NIV),…Untie it and bring it here.
Zechariah 9:9 (NIV), Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout, Daughter Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.
Matthew 7:21-23 (NIV), “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ 23Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’
Matthew 10:37-39 (NIV),Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. 38Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me. 39Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it.
Genesis 22:8 (NIV), God himself will provide the lamb.
Romans 12:1-2 (NIV), Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Matthew 6:33 (NIV), But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
I SURRENDER ALL…
All to Jesus I surrender, All to him I freely give; I will ever love and trust him, in his presence daily live.
All to Jesus I surrender, Humbly at his feet I bow, Worldly pleasures all forsaken, take me Jesus take me now.
All to Jesus I surrender, Make me, Savior, wholly thine; May thy Holy Spirit fill me, May I know thy pow’r divine.
All to Jesus I surrender, Lord, I give myself to thee; Fill me with thy love and power, let thy blessing fall on me.
I Surrender all, I surrender all, All to thee, my blessed Savior, I surrender all.