A Prophet's View of Palm Sunday
by Rev. Kirby Williams
Reasons to believe the message of the "Triumphal Entry".
Text: Zech. 9:1-14
Date: 04/01/2012, the Traditional service.
Occasion: Palm Sunday
Description:
Palm Sunday is a celebration of Christ's so-called "Triumphal Entry" to Jerusalem at the beginning of Passion Week. As John explains these events in his Gospel, he (along with all the other Gospel writers) quotes a prophecy from Zechariah 9:9. For most of us the image of Jesus riding into Jerusalem to the shouts of "Hosanna" on the back of a donkey is a familiar scene. But many people do not realize this is part of a powerful, pre-authenticated prophecy that gives us concrete reasons to believe the cosmic mission of Christ and His Kingdom. In this message, we will go back to the ninth chapter of Zechariah and look at the amazing prophecies concerning the events preceding the coming of the Kingdom of Heaven. Specific prophecies that have all ready been fulfilled, and give us reasons to believe the message of Palm Sunday-- that our King has come to us in humility, bringing righteousness and salvation for those who will accept Him. The prudent will take heed and realize the many fulfilled prophecies of the Bible give us undeniable reasons to believe the message of the Gospel, and to take the warnings of the next "triumphal entry" seriously.
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I. Introduction
II. Exposition of the text, Zech. 9:1-14.
A. Missing the obvious, John 12:14-16.
B. God's agent from the north, vs. 1-8.
1. Historical perspective.
2. The kingdoms of the north.
3. The destruction of Tyre.
a. Description of the prophecy.
b. The fulfillment of the prophecy.
c. A prophecy you can believe in!
4. The destruction of Philistia, vs. 5-7.
5. The protection of Israel, vs. 8.
a. Alexander set his sights on Jerusalem.
b. The amazing history of Josephus.
c. A prophecy you can believe in!
C. The Triumphal Entry from Zechariah's perspective, Zech 9:9-14.
1. The people of God should rejoice, vs. 9a.
2. Because their King is coming, vs. 9b.
a. A King to bless the people.
b. A King bringing righteousness, Isa. 53:11.
c. A King bringing salvation.
d. A humble and lowly King.
e. A King on a donkey.
3. A King with a battle plan, vs. 10-14.
a. Establish a Kingdom of peace.
b. Set the captives free.
4. A prophecy you can believe in!
III. Application
A. What the prophecy of Palm Sunday means to you.
B. A prophet's view of the next "triumphal entry", Rev. 19:11-16, Phil. 2:10-11, 2Cor. 5:10.
IV. Conclusion
