Lee Street Church
Notes of Meeting 28th March 2021
We welcomed Stephen Neill as our guest speaker.
Worship for Palm Sunday led by Ken Cowell
Matthew 21. 1-9 1 As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of his disciples, 2 saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me. 3 If anyone says anything to you, tell him that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away.” 4. This took place to fulfil what was spoken through the prophet: 5 “Say to the Daughter of Zion, ‘See your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.’” 6 The disciples went and did as Jesus instructed them. 7 They brought the donkey and the colt, placed their cloaks on them, and Jesus sat on them. 8 A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, 9 The crowds went ahead of him them and those that followed the shouted, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Hosanna in the highest!”
Being Palm Sunday it’s often only today that we read about Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem. As it is recorded in each gospel we can realise that it’s an important event in the life of Jesus. Up till this time, Jesus has kept his true identity hidden from the crowds, but he now reveals it to them in a most dramatic and unmistakeable way. To enter Jerusalem sitting on a donkey wasn’t just a gimmick but the fulfilment of the prophecy concerning the Messiah, the future King of Israel. Jesus was clearly declaring he was the promised Messiah and no doubt all his miracles added to his claim. The casting down of their cloaks ahead of him and their waving of palm branches by the crowds was their acceptance of him as the Messiah, his kingship and victory. The shouting of “Hosanna” meant “Save, save us now” so they were looking for imminent victory over the Roman Empire. After 100 years or so the name Hosanna came to mean a general exclamation of praise similar to our “Hallelujah and Praise the Lord”. This Palm Sunday we also bring our worship to Jesus this as our Messiah, King and Victor. Let’s praise him with “Lift up your heads to the coming King” - 136
Lift up your heads to the coming King;
Bow before Him and adore Him, sing
To His majesty, let your praises be
Pure and holy, giving glory
To the King of kings.
Steven Fry
Song 189 Hosanna, hosanna, hosanna in the highest
HOSANNA, hosanna, hosanna in the
highest.
Hosanna, hosanna, hosanna in the highest.
Lord we lift up Your name, with hearts full of praise,
Be exalted, O Lord, my God,
Hosanna in the highest.
Glory, glory, glory to the King of kings.
Glory, glory, glory to the King of kings.
Lord, we lift up Your name, with hearts full of praise,
Be exalted, O Lord, my God,
Glory to the King of kings.
Carl Tuttle.
Prayer
SONG 384 You are the King of glory
YOU ARE THE KING OF GLORY,
You are the Prince of Peace;
You are the Lord of heaven and earth,
You’re the Sun of righteousness.
Angels bow down before You,
Worship and adore, for
You have the words of eternal life,
You are Jesus Christ the Lord.
Hosanna to the Son of David!
Hosanna to the King of kings!
Glory in the highest heaven,
For Jesus the Messiah reigns.
Mavis Ford. Copyright © 1978 Word’s Spirit of Praise Music/Adm. by CopyCare.
Worship (continued)
It’s hard to understand how this crowd who worshipped Jesus as King were only a few days later crying for his execution saying “Crucify him, Crucify him”. Jesus had not met their expectations. What had gone wrong? They were right about his identity. He was the Messiah, God’s anointed Saviour but they were totally wrong about his mission. They looked to Jesus as their political national hero to save them from the Roman Empire. But God did not send Jesus to save them from the Roman Empire but to save mankind from their sin, guilt and judgement. This was to be not by a military campaign but by his own death on the cross for our sin. They could never accept a Messiah who suffered and died on a cross so he was rejected outright. Jesus went on to explain that it was his death on the cross alone that could only bring eternal life. He went to say:
John 12.23-24: “Jesus replied, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. I tell you the truth, unless a grain of wheat, falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.” Jesus was that grain of wheat which died and brought eternal life to those who trust in him. The cross was the only way to salvation.
Song 596 When I survey the wondrous cross
WHEN I SURVEY THE WONDROUS CROSS
On which the Prince of glory died,
My richest gain I count but loss,
And pour contempt on all my pride.
Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast,
Save in the death of Christ my God:
All the vain things that charm me most,
I sacrifice them to His blood.
See from His head, His hands, His feet,
Sorrow and love flow mingled down:
Did e’er such love and sorrow meet,
Or thorns compose so rich a crown?
Were the whole realm of Nature mine,
That were an offering far too small;
Love so amazing, so divine,
Demands my soul, my life, my all!
Breaking of Bread
Stephen’s Talk
The OldTestament is full of pictures of and references to the coming Messiah e.g. In Isaiah we see references and pictures of one who was coming who would be: o A Saviour o The Lamb of God o A Man of sorrows.
• This morning I’d like to focus on a passage from Isaiah which paints another picture of The Lord Jesus and one which we don’t often think about, but one which I believe we should meditate upon more often and that gives us great encouragement as Christians – Christ The Victorious Warrior.
• We often hear people asking: ‘why does God allow evil to flourish’? ‘will good triumph over evil?’ The passage we will look at this morning provides us with a clear and unambiguous answer to such questions.
• The passage provides us with encouragement in a world where evil appears to have the upper hand and righteousness and justice are increasingly being eroded.
Isaiah 63:1-6 Background
• Judah/Israel desolate, forsaken, desperate situation, dark days, enemies oppressing the people, a bleak outlook for the nation – the consequences of their disobedience and abandonment of God.
• The prophet Isaiah interceding with God on behalf of Zion/Israel – encouraging/urging the people to pray for deliverance/ restoration – chapter 62 – a call to action to wait upon God to send relief.
• Beginning of chapter 63, (1-6): the prophet has a vision which encourages him not to give up and energises him to continue his intercession on behalf of the nation and – comes in the middle of Isaiah’s prayer The Edomites.
• Enemies of Israel, descendants of Esau – he sold his birth right – profane, worldly outlook, values other things more than his birth right • Hostile to the people of God, opposed the Israelites as they entered the promised land, continuously looked for opportunities to attack/oppose them.
• Edom in Scripture always typifies opposition and hostility to God – powers that are opposed to God and His people • In the days of Isaiah the nation of Israel was being oppressed by the Edomites – it seemed that there was no hope, the nation was on the ropes, the enemy appeared to have the upper hand.
• Edom also symbolises all the powers arrayed against The Lord Jesus and the early church • And the forces that will gather together for the final conflict – Armageddon Isaiah’s Vision – a glimpse of the ultimate to encourage Isaiah and the nation.
• Out of the gloom He sees a man coming towards him • Appearance of someone who had been in a fierce battle – obvious to the prophet that he is a victor • His garments were red stained with blood, splendid – glory of his apparel.
• He was marching with confidence and power – a conqueror – greatness of His strength
• The air of a victorious warrior, stately, dignified, power, strength, confidence • Isaiah cries out ‘who is this?’ – the prophet and the people stand back in amazement – Behold Him.
• The mighty warrior responds to Isaiah – It is I:
o Speaking in righteousness – the king of righteousness.
o Mighty to save.
• Isaiah asks another question: ‘why is your apparel red and your garments like one who treads the wine press’?
• The man responds: He has triumphed:
o ‘I have trodden the wine press alone…
o I trod them in my anger and trampled them in my wrath/fury.
o Their lifeblood spattered on my garments – for the day of vengeance was in my heart and the year of redemption had come.
o I looked but there was no one to help A wonderful picture/vision of Christ – the victorious warrior.
• For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God: Romans 3:23.
• The world corrupted by sin, under the curse of sin – imperfect • A desperate situation, helpless and hopeless.
• Since the beginning of time the forces of evil (Edom) have opposed God and His people and His Church.
• But into this gloomy/hostile world, a ‘man’ appeared – Luke 2 – I bring you good tidings of great joy which shall be to all people for unto you is born this day a Saviour who is Christ the Lord.
• Who is this humanity asks ? – let’s look at Him – our only hope, our certain hope - the everlasting Son of God:
o So meek and lowly - Born in a stable
o The teachers of the law enquired.
o The petrified disciples asked when Jesus calmed the storm.
o The people enquired as He rode into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday.
o The centurion at cross.
• It is I – John 6:20 – Jesus walks on water • Glorious – His face shone as the sun on the Mount of Transfiguration • Righteous • Anger and fury against sin • Mighty to save • Came to restore the glory which Satan and sin had violated – he came from heaven to vindicate God’s honour and God’s glory – not just to save us – the great motive was to restore His glory on earth.
• Garments crimson with blood o Crushed Satan at the cross:
o Final victory when all His enemies (Edomites) will be destroyed / trampled under foot Revelation 19:19-20 – the final battle between God and evil and God’s wrath and vengeance is poured out – the winepress of God’s wrath.
o Ultimate triumph of good over evil for ever.
• He trod the wine-press alone:
o The central theme of the Bible from beginning to end and of the Gospel.
o Salvation is the work of Christ and Christ alone.
o No angel could our place have taken, highest of the high though he – nailed to the cross despised forsaken was one of the Godhead three o Alone in Gethsemane, alone on the cross, alone in the three hours of darkness, alone in the tomb.
• But now we see him, who for a little while was made lower than the angels, namely Jesus, crowned with glory and honour (Hebrews 2:9).
• Revelation 19:16: On His robe and on His thigh, He has a name written, King of Kings and Lord of Lords Why is this so encouraging for us as Christians today?
• Justice will ultimately prevail over injustice, good will ultimately prevail over evil.
• Our Lord Jesus Christ, the VICTORIOUS WARRIOR will one day be recognised as King of Kings and Lord of Lords and EVERY knee will bow before Him – The crowning day is coming.
• For all eternity, we will be beneficiaries of his VICTORY over sin, Satan and all the forces of Edom for all eternity.
Notices
- Wednesday evening – Bible study (Zoom)
- Next Sunday – Easter Day. Besides celebrating with resurrection hymns and songs, there will be an opportunity for anyone who wishes to share a word of testimony, maybe of what the resurrection means to you today.
Closing Song
Stephen played a video of “To God be the glory”