Palm Sunday
Contagious Christianity - Across the Street
April 10, 2022
Pastor Eric Nidiffer
Ephesians 5:1 (NLT) Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are His dear children.
“Two processions entered into Jerusalem on a spring day in the year 30. It was the beginning of the week of Passover, the most sacred week of the Jewish year….From the east, Jesus rode a donkey down the Mount of Olives, cheered by His followers…On the opposite side of the city, from the west, Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor of Idumea, Judea, and Samaria, entered Jerusalem at the head of a column of imperial calvary and soldiers. Jesus procession proclaimed the Kingdom of God; Pilate’s proclaimed the power of empire.” – The Last Week (Borg/Crossan)
Zechariah 9:9-10 (NLT) Rejoice, O people of Zion! Shout in triumph, O people of Jerusalem! Look, your king is coming to you. He is righteous and victorious, yet He is humble, riding on a donkey – riding on a donkey’s colt. I will remove the battle chariots from Israel and the warhorses from Jerusalem. I will destroy all the weapons used in battle, and your king will bring peace to the nations. His realm will stretch from sea to sea and from the Euphrates River to the ends of the earth.
Galatians 5:14 (NLT) For the whole law can be summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”
Matthew 27:22 (NLT) Pilate responded, “Then what should I do with Jesus who is called the Messiah?”
- Jesus was
Luke 9:51 (ESV) When the days drew near for Him to be taken up, He set His face to go to Jerusalem.
- Jesus was
Luke 18:31 (NLT) Taking the twelve disciples aside, Jesus said, “Listen, we’re going up to Jerusalem, where all the predictions of the prophets concerning the Son of Man will come true. He will be handed over to the Romans, and He will be mocked, treated shamefully, and spit upon. They will flog Him with a whip and kill Him, but on the third day He will rise again.”
- Jesus was
Hebrews 12:2 (NLT) We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting Him, He endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now He is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.
Going Deeper
Think of Ephesians 5:1. Over the course of 2022 we as a Church have been diving into the
Discipleship Ingredients and deepening our walk with Jesus. How have you seen your life change?
In what ways do you mimic/imitate Jesus more this year than in previous years?
Write down your answers and mark your growth.
Next weekend is Easter. We know Jesus went into Jerusalem with the World on His heart and mind.
His call is clear upon all of our lives, He desires us to enter our Jerusalem as well and reach
those who are lost in hopelessness and darkness. Take moment and make your Intentional,
Courageous and Passionate plan to reach those around you. This week, invite them to Thrive,
tell them your story, and share the Good News!
Watch it again @ www.wearethrive.org/thrive_videos/
All scripture is from the NLT unless otherwise noted