January 23, 2011
Morning Service

Matt. 21:1-9

 

Review:

1.                  In our studies this past year we began with St. Jn, then the Book of Acts, and then back to Matthew.

2.                  John gave to us the Divinity of Jesus of Nazareth. 

3.                  Then on to the Book of Acts that showed us the workings of the Holy Ghost throughout the church.

4.                  Then we came back to the book of Matthew the tax collector, to see the human side of Jesus of Nazareth.

5.                  In this book of Matthew we started out with:

• the forerunner of the Messiah, John Baptist, in the spirit of Elijah. 
• Then we saw Jesus begin His ministry by being baptized by John.
• We saw Jesus tempted by satan.
• We have the beatitudes.
• The sermon on the mount.
• From the sermon on the mount till now Jesus has been going about teaching, and healing all that came to Him.

 

Today we begin the final chapter in the life of the Lord.  His triumphal entry into Jerusalem.  The last passover meal with His disciples.  His betrayal.  His mocked trial.  His conviction.  His walk to Calvary.  His crucifixion.  His burial, and His resurrection.

 

John told us “these things are written that you might believe.”  I am trusting the Lord that these 3 books have built your faith, that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God.  Believing that if this has happened we should have a wonderful, spiritual walk in 2011.  Jesus is coming soon, and we want to be ready when He does.  We don’t want to be all wrapped up in the things of the world, but in the things of God.

 

Today we are ready for chapter 21.  In chapter 20 Jesus gave the parable of the laborers.  Then told of His D.B.R.  Warned of being over ambitious.  Finished the chapter with the healing of the two blind men. 

Let’s begin chapter 21:

 

Mat 21:1-17 KJVR  And when they drew nigh unto Jerusalem, and were come to Bethphage, unto the mount of Olives, then sent Jesus two disciples,  (2)  Saying unto them, Go into the village over against you, and straightway ye shall find an ass tied, and a colt with her: loose them, and bring them unto me.  (3)  And if any man say aught unto you, ye shall say, The Lord hath need of them; and straightway he will send them.  (4)  All this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying,  (5)  Tell ye the daughter of Zion, Behold, thy king cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass.  (6)  And the disciples went, and did as Jesus commanded them,  (7)  And brought the ass, and the colt, and put on them their clothes, and they set him thereon.  (8)  And a very great multitude spread their garments in the way; others cut down branches from the trees, and strewed them in the way.  (9)  And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest. 

• At the beginning of Jesus’ ministry he attended a wedding.  His Mother ask Him to supply some wine for the wedding, and He replied, “my hour has not yet come.”
• But now has His last hours come.
• At the beginning of His journey to Calvary, it starts out really great.  He fulfills the prophecy of Zechariah.  “Tell ye the daughter of Zion, Behold, thy king cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass.”
• The people are praising, and giving glory to God, because One has come in the Name of the Lord.
• They recognize that this One is a representative from God, and much more.  And He is fulfilling this prophecy of Zechariah.

 

A VERY ACCURATE PROPHECY.  Thy king cometh to thee.  We understand Him to be the King of Kings. 

• 1Ti 6:14-15 KJVR  That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ:  (15)  Which in his times he shall show, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords;
• Rev 17:14 KJVR  These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.
• The lamb shall overcome them.  ALL FORCES OF EVIL.
• For He is Lord of Lords, and King of Kings.
• Look at those who are victorious with Him.  The called, the chosen, and the faithful.  If you are going to be in the Lord’s army these are the qualifications, called, according to the gospel message.  Chosen by God Almighty, just like the army of Gideon.  Faithful to the end, disciples He can trust. 

Then notice:  The idea of your King coming to you:

Rev 19:1-16 KJVR  And after these things I heard a great voice of much people in heaven, saying, Alleluia; Salvation, and glory, and honor, and power, unto the Lord our God:  (2)  For true and righteous are his judgments: for he hath judged the great whore, which did corrupt the earth with her fornication, and hath avenged the blood of his servants at her hand. 

• The martyred Saints have cried out from under the altar, “Rev 6:9-10 KJVR  And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held:  (10)  And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?
• NOW IS THE HOUR.  Now is the time for true and righteous judgment on the unrighteous.

 

(3)  And again they said, Alleluia. And her smoke rose up forever and ever.  (4)  And the four and twenty elders and the four beasts fell down and worshiped God that sat on the throne, saying, Amen; Alleluia.  (5)  And a voice came out of the throne, saying, Praise our God, all ye his servants, and ye that fear him, both small and great.  (6)  And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.  (7)  Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honor to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. 

• What a glorious picture.  The world has it’s glamorous events, presidential dinners, the emmys, the Oscars, but they won’t hold a candle what is happening here.
• The world is preparing for the royal marriage of Prince Charles in England, but it will nothing compared to the wedding of the church to the Lamb of God.

(8)  And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.  (9)  And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God. 

• I wished we could comprehend how wonderful this event is going to be.  How contrary to the worldly standards this event will be.
• To the royal wedding in England, you will not be invited, only certain of the upper class people will be.
• However, to the marriage supper of the Lamb, all the redeemed will be there.  The poor, the homeless, yes, and even some of the rich, but all those that are CALLED, CHOSEN, AND FAITHFUL.

(10)  And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellow servant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.  (11)  And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.  (12)  His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself.  (13)  And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. 

• This is our meek Jesus of Nazareth, THE LION OF THE TRIBE OF JUDAH.  No more meek, and lowly, BUT HIGH, AND LIFTED UP, TO HIS FULL STATURE OF GLORY.

(14)  And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.  (15)  And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.  (16)  And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.

YES, HE CAME THE FIRST TIME MEEK, AND LOWLY, RIDING ON THE COLT.  HE WAS DESPISED, AND REJECTED OVERALL.  SOME PRAISED, AND WORSHIPPED HIM, BUT MOST MOCKED, AND CRIED OUT CRUCIFY HIM.  AS YOU CAN SEE IT WON’T BE LIKE THAT THE SECOND TIME HE COMES.

EVEN SO, COME QUICKLY LORD JESUS.