Sermon
The Promised Messiah
Gods desire is for us to achieve His purpose in us and He wants to partner with us all the way
Introduction:
Life was hard for the common people during the time of Christ. Taxes were high and the Romans who occupied Israel at that time were very hard task masters. The people had a fervent desire for a Messiah who would rescue them from oppression and bondage.
Jesus entered Jerusalem to spend His last week on earth. And when the people saw Jesus riding on a donkey (as prophesied in Zechariah 9:9) they greeted Him with shouts of "Hosanna to the Son of David. Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest!"The people greeted Jesus as the "Promised Messiah", the promised Descendant of David! The word "Messiah" means "Anointed One", the name given to the promised Deliverer who would come to the people of Israel as the great Savior and Redeemer. The name "Christ" is the Greek equivalent of "Messiah", so that the name Jesus Christ really means "Jesus the Messiah", or "Jesus the Anointed One". The people were hoping Jesus would save them from their hardships, expel the Romans and set up a powerful and independent kingdom. But the Bible says, "the Son of Man has come to seek and save that which was lost." (Luke 19:10). And when the people realised they had a different agenda to Christ's their praise on Palm Sunday became a curse on Good Friday. And yet, regardless of the opposition and challenges He faced, Jesus the Messiah was determined to do the will of the Father. He had purpose, perspective and passion to go all the way to the cross to give His life as a ransom for many, and to save humanity from
their sin, so that you and I may have eternal life.
Lessons from today’s message
Each one of us has a goal and purpose in life. We may face opportunities,
challenges, victories and hardships, but God wants to partner with us all the way in our life's journey so that we may achieve our God-given purpose. Jesus the Messiah had:
(A) Purpose - (Matthew 21:3; Jeremiah 29:11; John 15:16; Ephesians 2:10)
(B) Perception - (Matthew 21:8-9; 2 Corinthians 4:18; Psalm 118:26)
(C) Passion - (Matthew 21:10-11; Luke 19:41-44; Hebrews 12:1-3)
Life Application
(A) What is it that you want to achieve in your life the year 2012?
(B) What challenges will you be facing to achieve your goal for this year?
(C) What have you planned to do to address some of those challenges?
(D) What areas of life you think you can improve to achieve your goal?
