Sermon Part 4: “As You Journey to Jerusalem, Ride the Donkey, and Not the Bull!”
[When tempted with anger are you a donkey rider, or bull rider?]
Introduction
Good Morning Saints and Happy Palm Sunday! Today, we will complete the Sermon Series, “Life is a Thinking Man’s Game.” I thought we should end the Series with a big bang! So follow me closely.
We Are “Christ” in the Earth and Abide in God!
The Apostle John wrote that as Jesus Christ is, so are we in this world. (I John 4:17) When Jesus Christ ascended into the heavens, He took His seat at the right hand of the throne of God. (Mark 16:19, Heb.1:3, 10:11-14, 12:2; 1 Pet. 3:22; Acts 7:55-56) Just as Jesus is seated at the right hand of the throne of God the Father, so are we on earth. Wow! As Saints of God, this is where we should start our faith walk with the Lord. Jesus Christ is The King, The Lord, and The Great High Priest—and as the children of God, we are the heirs of God and joint-heirs with Jesus. God in Christ Jesus has made us the kings, lords, and priests of the earth. (Rom. 8:17 & Rev.1:5)
Moreover, we possess the same Spirit (life) of Jesus Christ, and it is “His life” that Jesus lives through us. (Col. 3:3 & Gal. 2:19-21) One of the enumerable gifts Jesus has given to every born-again believer is “His Peace.” (John 14:27) The word “peace” in the Greek translation is “eirene,” which conveys the meaning “prosperity, oneness, quietness, rest—set at one again with God. MY, My, my have you ever stopped to think about and give God praise that you have the prosperity, quietness, and oneness of Jesus? There is no greater serenity with reward we can experience than having “Oneness” with God. When you abide in God, nothing nor any person can upset your apple cart!
Say it with me now, “I have Peace, the Peace of Jesus Christ—prosperity, quietness, and oneness with God—that Jesus enjoys seated at the right hand of the throne of God.”
The Oneness we have with God I have talked about in prior Sermons last year—as we taught about dwelling in the secret place of the Most High God (Love) (Ps.91:1) No foe can resist the power of God when we abide in the Love of God, and go about loving and forgiving all people, including our enemies. Moreover, God says when we love our enemies we are as complete (perfect) as Himself. (Matt. 5:43-48)
Symbolically, we can also think of our Oneness with God in our born-again hearts—as our “Jerusalem within.” The day we received Jesus Christ as Lord and received the Holy Ghost, we cried Abba Father, the Holy Ghost testifying that God is in His Holy habitation—God’s place, God’s temple. (I Cor. 3:16-17 & 6:19) When the new heavens and earth are established, God will make the city of Jerusalem (The New Jerusalem) His physical dwelling place on earth. Many Scriptures testify to this glorious truth, for God has chosen this earthly city to dwell in and to establish His name among men. See the following Scriptures that witness this awesome truth.
Psalm 132:13-14
For the Lord has chosen Zion; He has desired it for His habitation. This is My resting place forever; Here I will dwell, for I have desired it.
Isaiah 65:18-19
But be glad and rejoice forever in that which I create; for behold, I create Jerusalem to be a joy, and her people to be a gladness. I will rejoice in Jerusalem and be glad in my people; no more shall be heard in it the sound of weeping and the cry of distress.
Revelation 21:1-27
Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”
With great anticipation and rejoicing we look forward to this glorious day when God shall physically dwell on earth with us in the New Jerusalem. Now, watch this.
Our Peace Anticipates Unrest
Jesus Christ has given to us His Peace in anticipation of tribulation that is in the world today and to come. Jesus knows that in this fallen, and soon to perish world, there is intense trouble—that Satan will use people and institutions to seek to bring unrest to disturb the peace. Daily, we are to seek God and commune with Him in the secret place of our hearts (Our Jerusalem). (Matt. 6:33 & John 4:23-24) As we abide in God, we bear much fruit—the works of Christ and greater works. (John 15:1-5 & John 14:12) The enemy, with all that is in him wants to stop born-again Christians from being fruitful unto God. Just as weeds seek to grow up, and in and around the rose bush and kill the rose—so Satan seeks to use people to choke the Word of God, and passion for living for Jesus, out of you. (Luke 22:31)
But my dear Saints of God, we must stop and think about our lives in Christ Jesus. As we have said throughout the Series, we are not to be ignorant of the devices of Satan. (II Cor. 2: 11) The enemy comes to seek whom he may devour. He has no power over our lives, but what we yield to him. We must watch and pray that we enter not into temptation, as the Lord has admonished us. (Matt. 26:41 & Luke 18:1) We must humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God, and resist the devil with the Word of God and he will flee. (I Pet.5: 6-7)
Now, you know the devil is not going to appear before you with horns and a pitch fork and start robbing, killing and destroying. (John 10:10) No, no he is going to use people and entities to tempt you in opposing God. More specifically, Satan is going to use people/entities to try to keep you from abiding in God—in your “Holy Jerusalem.” Thus, you should anticipate that Satan will send people, even the people you love at times; such as family, friends, neighbors, and coworkers who will seek to cause conflict and offenses with you.
You will notice as you seek to draw nearer to God in worship, prayer, and devotion—Satan will send folks who will seek to cause confusion, arguments, bad tidings—anything to get you to open your mouth and speak evil and guile. Satan majors in tempting Christians to get upset and speak out of turn. (Eph. 4:29) He wants you as I call it to “ride the bull—to just say any evil thing off of the top of your head without thinking first, like as they say a “bull in a china shop.” Satan wants you to get angry and speak profanity when people get on your nerves or hurt your feelings—or just to make profanity and evil sayings a part of your vernacular. Throughout the Series we have learned that evil communications shorten longevity and bring many evil days your way—so we must refrain from such. (I Pet. 3:10)
As born-again Christians—the “Christs” in the earth possessing the Lord’s Peace—there is never a reason to yield to unrighteousness. (Rom. 6:13) There is never a need for you to “ride the raging bull,” to speak evil communications—to get into shouting matches, cursing and cussing fits, hurling insults, or to become a chimney of gossip. For you are an Ambassador of Christ and have a personal responsibility to represent God and the kingdom of God with honor and glory. As such, see the following writing of the Apostle Paul at Ephesians 4:31-32. It reads:
Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:
And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.
Paul says it all right there. Evil speaking must have no place in our lives. Rather love, kindness, and forgiveness are our mantel ornaments. As born-again Christians, we have the power over what we say, even when our emotions run-high in stressful and adversarial situations. We can and must remain in love, and speak the truth without compromising the Word of God with all people. I call this, “Riding the donkey into your Jerusalem”—ever staying prayerful, watchful, and humble before God; letting nothing interfere with you abiding in God daily. (Rom 8:35-39)
This reminds me of story. Many years ago, when I worked in the federal government, there were several coworkers of mine who were born-again Christians. I enjoyed working with them and during work-breaks we would talk all things Bible. When we saw each other in the hallways, often, we would share Scriptures and testimonies to encourage one another.
However, one day, I went into the copier room and one of my Christian coworkers (Holy Ghost filled, fire baptized, Bible carrying, tongue talking, sister in Christ) was having a heated discussion with another coworker. She did not know I was in the room. Their voices were so loud, you could hear them down the office corridor. The Christian coworker was shouting obscenities at the other worker. I was quite surprised at her behavior, as I had never seen her act this way. She was truly “riding the bull” that day! When she finally saw me standing in the doorway, her eyes got big and she immediately stopped ranting.
She said to me, “Pastor I’m so sorry. I just lost it, please forgive me.” My sister in Christ didn’t need to ask my forgiveness. Instead she needed to repent (Meaning to change the way you think, to the way God thinks.) forgive herself, and then go and find the coworker she insulted and resolve the offense. (Eph.1:7 & Matt.18:15)
That’s called “true repentance,” and walking in the Peace of Christ!
I didn’t get a chance to finish my conversation with the coworker, as I had to rush to a meeting. But this kind of thing happens frequently with born-again Christians, and we all can learn from this example. If given the time, what I had planned to say to her was: Let’s set aside the incident and evil speaking, and reflect on who you are in God in Christ Jesus. Yes, just calm down, get a cup of coffee, and think for a moment.
Just think about this one truth: As Jesus Christ is so are you in the earth. Now walk in this reality. You are Jesus in the earth. Going forward, let that rule your thinking, personality, behavior, and performance—then you will find yourself getting up on your donkey riding into your Jerusalem. Saints, always remember to move forward, never backward in Christ. No matter what you have done wrong, repent of it, and get back up on the donkey and ride with Jesus Christ!
Jesus Christ Chose To Ride A Donkey in Humility Into Jerusalem, You Should Too In This Life!
The story of Palm Sunday illustrates for every born-again Christian—the “Christs’ in the earth—how we are to walk in fellowship with God in our hearts (our Jerusalem). That is, in complete humility unto God. This was the lifestyle of Jesus as He lived and ministered in the earth. God anointed Jesus with the Holy Ghost and power and he went about doing good everywhere, healing the sick and those oppressed by the devil for God was with Him. (Acts 10:38) Jesus, though equal with God, humbled Himself and walked as a servant unto God, even in death. (Phil. 2:5-8)
Please understand that the humility, lowliness of heart, and meekness that Jesus displayed was never weakness. Rather, the humble heart of Christ meant that He was fully submitted to God, and only was found saying what God said and doing what He had seen the Father do—regardless of the opposition. (John 12:49 & 8:42)
The Holy Bible tells us, (in fulfillment of prophecy) to announce His Kingship in coming into Jerusalem, Jesus chose to ride on a donkey, even a young donkey. (Zach.9:9) Donkeys are humble creatures and they are neither proud nor extravagant, but simply humble. Jesus, the King of Kings, chose to demonstrate before all of the Jews from every nation who would gather for Passover in Jerusalem, His humility by riding on a humble beast.
Let’s examine the ride into Jerusalem and the Temple, recorded at Luke 19:28-40, and notice how the Prince of Peace responded to adversity.
28 And when he had thus spoken, he went before, ascending up to Jerusalem.
29 And it came to pass, when he was come nigh to Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount called the mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples,
30 Saying, Go ye into the village over against you; in the which at your entering ye shall find a colt tied, whereon yet never man sat: loose him, and bring him hither.
31 And if any man ask you, Why do ye loose him? thus shall ye say unto him, Because the Lord hath need of him.
32 And they that were sent went their way, and found even as he had said unto them.
33 And as they were loosing the colt, the owners thereof said unto them, Why loose ye the colt?
34 And they said, The Lord hath need of him.
35 And they brought him to Jesus: and they cast their garments upon the colt, and they set Jesus thereon.
36 And as he went, they spread their clothes in the way.
37 And when he was come nigh, even now at the descent of the mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen;
38 Saying, Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest.
39 And some of the Pharisees from among the multitude said unto him, Master, rebuke thy disciples.
40 And he answered and said unto them, I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out.
41 And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it,
42 Saying, If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! But now they are hid from thine eyes.
43 For the days shall come upon thee, that thine enemies shall cast a trench about thee, and compass thee round, and keep thee in on every side,
44 And shall lay thee even with the ground, and thy children within thee; and they shall not leave in thee one stone upon another; because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation.
45 And he went into the temple, and began to cast out them that sold therein, and them that bought;
46 Saying unto them, It is written, My house is the house of prayer: but ye have made it a den of thieves.
47 And he taught daily in the temple. But the chief priests and the scribes and the chief of the people sought to destroy him,
48 And could not find what they might do: for all the people were very attentive to hear him.
Notice that in verse 39, the Pharisees tried to pour cold water on the parade, demanding Jesus to quiet down the throngs of people rejoicing and praising His coming. But Jesus replied to them with the Word of God—saying, “…if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out.” (Isa. 55:12 & Hab. 2:11) This is the stance we should also take when people want to voice complaints about our service to God—when they question and ridicule us for going to Church, studying the Bible, praying, praising, or witnessing Christ to others.
Furthermore, when Jesus Christ purified the Temple of the money changing thieves, He proclaimed that God’s House is the “House of Prayer,” according to the Word of God. (Is. 56:7) Do you see how Jesus never departs from the Word in dealing with intense times, even when “holy angered” by the actions of unrighteous people and wicked religious leaders. In like manner, we must not let anything interfere with our worship of God—just because people desire to, for example, commercialize the Holy Days of Christmas and Easter—we must stand for the true meaning of the birth of Jesus, His crucifixion and Resurrection in preaching and winning the lost to God.
Lastly, notice that as Jesus taught in the Temple, His adversaries sought to vex Him the more. In Matthew’s account of Jesus’ Triumphal entry into Jerusalem, while teaching in the Temple, Jesus healed the blind and lame that came to Him. (Matt. 21:10-16) The Chief priests and scribes saw the mighty miracles of Jesus and the children crying the saying, “Hosanna to the son of David; and were enraged. They decried to Jesus, “hearest thou what they say.” But Jesus replied: Yea; have ye never read, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou has perfected praise?” Jesus was quoting Psalm 8:2.
Additionally, Luke wrote that while daily teaching the people in the Temple, the chief priests and the scribes, and the leaders of the people, “sought to destroy him.” The Amplified Bible states, they were seeking to put Jesus to death, but were unsuccessful because the people hung onto His words and stuck by Him.” (Luke 19:47-48) Though many murderous plots and attempts were made against Jesus, He never lost His Peace—His Oneness with God. Even though at any time Jesus could have summoned multitudes of angels to fight and deliver Him from trouble, He was steadfast in accomplishing God the Father’s Will, even unto the death of the cross. (Matt. 26:53)
We should also be assured that when the enemy comes in like a flood against us, we are to hold our Peace and let the Lord fight our battles. When people try to engage in arguments, and even take violent actions against us, we must stand still and see our salvation. God is always with us, therefore, we can offer our enemies both cheeks to slap, as God will fight for us. See the following Scriptures as evidence.
Exodus 14:13
And Moses said unto the people, “Fear ye not. Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will show to you today; for the Egyptians whom ye have seen today, ye shall see them again no more forever.
Isaiah 59:19 reads:
So shall they fear the name of the Lord from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun. When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him.
II Chronicles 20:15
And he said, “Hearken ye, all Judah and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem, and thou King Jehoshaphat! Thus saith the Lord unto you: Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God’s.
Romans 8:31
What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?
Given these truths, as we abide in God in Christ Jesus, why should we ever choose to ride the bull, rather than the donkey in life? God will never leave us without support in any hostile situation—so why position your tongue to trade insults with anyone—to banter, fuss, argue, gossip, murmur, or complain?
Let us put away all evil speaking and guile, the root of which comes from “Situational Complaining,” and abide in and walk with God in love. The deeper we walk in the Spirit, the greater the power we have over our eternal universe (heart), to bring God’s desires (heaven’s best) to earth through speaking the promises of God in Jesus Christ.
Life is a thinking man’s game. Let us always stay far ahead of the devil’s devices of engaging in the foolishness of evil communications, and let our speech instead be filled with grace and truth from the Word of God. (Col. 4:5-6) In this way, all people will be able to see we are Christ in the earth, and heirs and rulers of the world. Amen.
Stay on the donkey and never ride a bull again. The Lord’s Peace be with you always. In Jesus Christ we worship forever! Amen.
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See you next week the Lord willing!