Sermon

“Ride, Jesus, Ride!” - John 12 - April 13th, 2025 - Pastor Scotty Brown

Outwest Bible Church Podcast

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  1. If you got your Bibles, we are going to look at this beginning of Holy Week, this Palm Sunday,

  2. when Jesus took that trek into Jerusalem and riding up on the foal of a donkey.

  3. And I've ridden, anybody ever rode a donkey?

  4. If you rode a donkey, raise your hand.

  5. Hey, right on, some fellow hee-hawrs.

  6. Yeah.

  7. Eehaw, eehaw.

  8. And it's quite an experience.

  9. They travel a little different than other mounts.

  10. But it's quite interesting, the fact that the Lord rode.

  11. And I was going to tell a story, but I don't think I have time.

  12. So, but we're going to look at two great rides that Jesus makes.

  13. And the first one, obviously, is this one.

  14. We'll just mention the second one a little bit towards the end.

  15. But the title of my message is Ride, Jesus Ride.

  16. Sounds like a cowboy church title, right?

  17. Ride, Jesus Ride.

  18. And the Lord likes to ride.

  19. You know, I was looking at this.

  20. And in the scriptures, you know, the Lord rides.

  21. Growing up, that's probably why I did some cowboy rodeo stuff and have horses and stuff is because I like to ride.

  22. I remember being little trying to ride sheep before there was such a thing as mutton busting.

  23. And I was telling some folks last night, we used to ride a big, great, big, gray goat called Ike.

  24. And Ike was tethered to a ditch and he was big.

  25. And so we would get on him and everybody did pretty good until Ike jumped the ditch.

  26. And halfway across the ditch, he would hit the end of his tether.

  27. And things would come to a screeching halt.

  28. And, but it's always exciting to ride something.

  29. I know some of you guys are bikers, you know, and a cool ride.

  30. I love riding motorcycles.

  31. It's just my wife won't let me have one.

  32. She probably should because she's got a pretty good life insurance policy on me.

  33. I'm probably, I'm a little worth more to her dead than I am alive.

  34. But the Lord rides.

  35. And as you look through scripture in Deuteronomy 33, it says he rides the heavens.

  36. And Psalm 18 verse 10 says he rides on the wings of the wind.

    Psalms 18:10

  37. Some wind riding.

  38. That'd be pretty cool.

  39. Right?

  40. Psalm 68, four.

  41. He rides through the deserts.

  42. Isaiah 19, one says he rides on a swift cloud.

  43. And we see in the New Testament where Lazarus dies and he gets an angel ride.

  44. And I can't wait for my angel ride.

  45. It's going to be awesome.

  46. And exciting.

  47. And so here's Jesus.

  48. And we're going to pick the story up in verse 12.

  49. But a little preface here.

  50. It's six days before Passover.

  51. And Jesus is hanging out with Mary, Martha, and Lazarus.

  52. And Lazarus at this time has been risen from the dead.

  53. That Jesus called him out of the grave.

  54. And he was regenerated.

  55. And obviously news travels fast when the dead come back to life.

  56. It's kind of a rare thing.

  57. And years ago, I remember talking to my dad.

  58. And we were, I was young in the Lord and we were talking.

  59. And I'm going, man, how?

  60. Man, these disciples, they just turned the world upside down.

  61. How'd they do that?

  62. So fast.

  63. My dad looked at me and kind of chuckled.

  64. He said, son, it's not every day that somebody rises from the dead.

  65. Never to die again.

  66. And that's what Jesus did.

  67. No wonder news traveled fast.

  68. And so here they are.

  69. They're at Bethany.

  70. This is where Mary anoints Jesus.

  71. And that fragrant oil that is going to be with him throughout the Passion Week.

  72. Everybody that encountered Jesus, no doubt, was just lambasted with this fragrance of perfume

  73. that she had anointed him with.

  74. You know how smell sparks your memory?

  75. I think it's one of the biggest reminders that we have is smell.

  76. It reminds you of things.

  77. And so no doubt those soldiers, every time they got a whiff of something like that, they remembered

  78. what happened during that Passion Week.

  79. Pretty powerful thought.

  80. And so they're hanging out and they chastised Mary for doing this, saying that the money could

  81. have been used.

  82. And in verse 9, it says,

  83. Now a great many of the Jews knew that he was there, and they came, not for Jesus' sake only,

  84. but that they might also see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead.

  85. But the chief priest plotted to put Lazarus to death also, because on account of him,

  86. many of the Jews went away and believed in Jesus.

  87. Oh, John chapter 12, I'm sorry.

    John 12 chapter mention

  88. We're out of Luke, we're in John.

  89. I got excited, I'm sorry.

  90. John 12, that was verse 9 that we just, verses 9 through 11 we just read.

  91. But so they were going to kill Lazarus.

  92. Here's the, what Jesus raised him up from the dead, and they're going to kill him.

  93. It's like, you know, there's one thing, it's one thing to be kind of stupid, but to be stupid on purpose?

  94. Really?

  95. I mean, really?

  96. Jesus just raised Lazarus from the dead.

  97. Well, let's kill him.

  98. It didn't work last time.

  99. Right?

  100. And people, they don't get it.

  101. You've talked to those people that you've shared the gospel with, and they don't get it.

  102. I mean, it's just like a glazed look over their eyes.

  103. They don't get it.

  104. And usually the reason for that is people think they're okay.

  105. I'm okay.

  106. You're okay.

  107. Aren't we?

  108. Aren't we all okay?

  109. No.

  110. Nobody's okay.

  111. Right?

  112. There's this desperate wickedness in our hearts.

  113. And when you come face to face with that, and when you own it, right?

  114. It too is like a schoolmaster that drives you to Jesus.

  115. Because I know that that's the only goodness I'm going to find is there in this person.

  116. This person of Christ Jesus.

  117. And so let's read verses 12 through 19, and we'll get into this.

  118. And it says,

  119. a donkey's colt and his disciples did not understand these things at first. But when Jesus

  120. was glorified, then they remembered that these things were written about him and that they had

  121. done these things to him. Therefore, the people who were with him when he called Lazarus out of

  122. his tomb and raised him from the dead bore witness. For this reason, the people also met him because

  123. they heard that he had done this sign. The Pharisees therefore said among themselves, you see that you are

  124. accomplishing nothing. Look, the world has gone after him. Let's pray. Lord, thank you for your word.

  125. Lord, thank you for this picture of you coming in humility for us, Lord. And you call us to come to

  126. you and to walk in humility as your word tells us, Lord, that you lift up the humble, but you oppose

  127. the proud. And so, Lord, in humility, we come before you and we come looking at your word, Lord, and

  128. thanking you for it, Lord, that it inspires us to be like the one who bought us with his precious blood.

  129. And so, Lord, may we just be that flock, that people group, Lord, that are faithful to our king.

  130. And we pray it in Jesus' mighty name. Amen. And so, so here it is. It's the next day, right? It's the next

  131. day probably after he was anointed there and they, he's a great multitude is gathered because why? Because

  132. it's, it's, it's going to be holy week. And, and Jesus enters Jerusalem, not as a political conqueror, but as a

  133. humble king, bearing in peace and salvation. And the, the Jews were looking for this. They were looking for

  134. the consolation of Israel. They were looking for the Messiah to come and, and, and no doubt had some

  135. expectation. So this great crowd, um, as they come together looking towards this one. And some, um,

  136. believe that the, the, the raising of Lazarus was really a launch for Jesus. This, this, this person

  137. who could raise the dead and, and all the buzz about the, the Passover and the religious festivities that

  138. week. And, and, and, and the crowd was looking at him and they all come together and they began to

  139. shout and quote Psalm 118. Hosanna, right? Hosanna, blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.

  140. Blessed is the King of Israel. They're, they're recognizing him as a King. But sadly to say,

  141. most of them recognize him as a, as a political King, as a King, that's going to come and overthrow

  142. Rome and, and not be under the, the Roman rule anymore. Um, it's, it's filled with the messianic

  143. expectation, but so many people, they missed about what this, what this Messiah was going to be like,

  144. that he was going to, that he was going to fulfill the, the, the writings that we see of the prophet

  145. Isaiah, right? And, um, that word Hosanna means to save us. Lord grant us success. Blessed is he who

  146. comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna. That's what they're saying. And, um, but they got it wrong.

  147. Like so many people, right? Oh, I, I, I believe in the teachings of Christ. I think Jesus was a cool dude.

  148. I had a, I had a, had one of those rainbow people tell me, yeah, JC's cool, man. He's cool.

  149. But he's not their King. He's not their Lord. And that's what he comes to, uh, rule and reign over,

  150. not a geographic location there in the middle East. He comes to rule and reign over our hearts,

  151. yours and mine. And why is it that when we become Christians, when we're converted,

  152. we ask him to come into our hearts. I want him to reside right here and, and to be my,

  153. to be my conscience and to be my guide, guide, um, the palm branches, right? They're laying them down

  154. and the disciples and throw their clothes on the coat, symbolized victory and national pride.

  155. And, uh, but sometimes re is associated with revolts. So maybe that's what they're thinking

  156. is a revolt against Rome. Warren Wiersbe says this, the crowd was shouting for salvation,

  157. but they were thinking in terms of political deliverance, not spiritual.

  158. And so Jesus, he's, he's in a place of humility in verses 14 and 15. It says, um,

  159. then Jesus, when he had found a young donkey sat on it, as it is written, fear not daughter of Zion,

  160. behold, your King is coming sitting on a donkey's coat. It says that Jesus found the donkey here.

  161. We know that in the other gospels, he sends his disciples to go get the donkey, right? He says,

  162. yeah, you're going to find this colt tied, right? So he's, he's getting close to being halter broke,

  163. but that's about it. And those of us who have been on a colt before, if they've never been started,

  164. they're just halter broke. Uh, sometimes it's kind of a rodeo, right? They just kind of go and wander.

  165. You can't, you don't really have any, any steering, but this colt was ridden by his maker,

  166. the one who created him. And, uh, and he makes a beeline for where the Lord was guiding him with his eyes.

  167. I love the old story between, uh, the conversation in heaven, in horsey heaven,

  168. between secretariat and man of war, you know, and, um, and they get up there and, and the guy,

  169. the, the horse that's overseeing the gate is go man, go. Who's heard of those horses, right?

  170. There's go man, go. There's man of war, there's secretariat. Well, go man, go says, uh, uh, or secretariat

  171. and, and, um, man of war. So you're the king up here to go man, go and go man, go says, Oh no,

  172. no. And he points over to a old donkey standing on a heel with his head bowed low. He said,

  173. you're not the king up here. He says, Oh no, he is. That donkey's a king. Yeah. He's the only one

  174. that carried the Lord. So, so even, even secretariat, man of war and go man, go are humbled by the donkey.

  175. And any cowboy would be humbled by riding a donkey. It's a sign of humility. It was a sign of peace.

  176. The Kings didn't ride donkeys unless it was a time of peace. And it was just a casual thing because

  177. donkeys aren't really that fast. And, um, they, they, they, they preserve themselves. The horse doesn't

  178. preserve himself. A horse is, it runs with rage. It tells us, but I, I got to turn there just for a

  179. second and read to you. This is just a horse guy. I apologize. It's in sound. It's found in Job chapter

    Job 40 chapter mention

  180. 40. Uh, if you got a Bible, you can turn there. And it's just the difference between a donkey and a,

  181. and a horse. And, and it, and it says this, excuse me, it's, it's chapter 39 of Job. And you remember

  182. the Lord is questioning Job at this time. And he's, he's going, prepare yourself, Job, because I'm going

  183. to ask you some questions, dude. Right? Prepare yourself like a man. And I'm going to ask you. And so

  184. the Lord says, have you given the horse strength? Have you clothed his neck with thunder? Can you

  185. frighten him like a locust? His majestic snorting strikes terror. He paws in the valley and rejoices

  186. in his strength. He gallops into the clash of arms. He mocks at fear and is not frightened, nor does he

  187. turn back from the sword. The quiver rattles against him and glittering spear and javelin. He devours

  188. the distance with fierceness and rage, nor does he come to a halt because the trumpet has sounded.

  189. At the blast of the trumpet, he says, aha, he smells the battle from afar and the thunder of captains and

  190. shouting. That's a horse. That's not a donkey. However, donkeys are, are quite smart. They're quite a bit

  191. smarter than horses because the clash of arms and the sounds they respond to. And they're,

  192. they're very privy to, but the donkey was a beast of burden, right? It was a beast of burden.

  193. This was a burden. Our Lord was going through here and it's symbolized by this donkey. Also for,

  194. for you equine people, the donkey had what breeders call a Christ stripe. You ever heard of it? Heard of a

  195. Christ stripe. The Christ stripe is the doistal stripe that goes down the middle of his back. And then there's

  196. another black, dark stripe that goes right over his shoulders. And so when a donkey's skin is laying on the

  197. ground, it's a perfect cross, right? And just an interesting tidbit. And, and, and Jesus chooses this,

  198. this donkey to, to ride into Jerusalem. And Luke tells us that Jesus sets his face.

  199. Isaiah chapter 50 verse seven tells us, it says, the Lord God will help me. Therefore, I will not be

    Isaiah 50 chapter mention

  200. disgraced. Therefore, I have set my face like flint. I know that I will not be ashamed. And many believe

  201. that that's pointing to this time when Jesus is riding into Jerusalem, he is laser focused on what

  202. he's about to do and what he was going to experience. And he sets his face like flint. And so this is a

  203. fulfillment of Zechariah chapter nine. That's the prophecy where behold your King. And so he's riding

  204. a donkey, not a war horse. And, and this is what we know is the triumphal entry, not triumphal in the

  205. world's terms, but it was triumph of humility over pride and peace over war. That's what Jesus triumphed

  206. over. And he was, he was going to triumph over sin and death. And so this, this was a,

  207. this was a day that the disciples didn't recognize here in verse 16 until later, they didn't realize

  208. this. This, this was a, an appointed day. And it says his disciples did not understand these things

  209. at first, but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered. And that's what happens. That's why we

  210. read God's word is because he, as you read God's word, he's going to bring to remembrance those things.

  211. And I think I've shared this with you before. If you put God's word in your heart, then the Holy

  212. Spirit has something to draw on and bring to your remembrance. If you don't read God's word,

  213. the Holy Spirit has nothing to work with, right? Except for a bunch of useless gray matter.

  214. But when you put it in your heart, right? As the Psalmist said, I write your word on the pages of my heart

  215. that I might not sin against you.

  216. And so they're reminded later after Jesus is glorified, oh, this day, this day that Jesus rides in,

  217. it was an appointed day. It was prophesied by the prophet Zechariah.

  218. There's a lot of appointed days. There's appointed days for you and me.

  219. We know that in Hebrews chapter nine, verse 27, there's a, there's an appointment for us to die.

  220. That's an appointment you're not going to miss. Just saying.

  221. You won't miss that appointment.

  222. For Jesus, there was an, there was an appointment day.

  223. There was an appointment to ride in. There was an appointment day to die.

  224. There was an appointment day to rise from the dead.

  225. There was an appointment day to ascend.

  226. There's an appointment day for the rapture of the church.

  227. There's an appointment day for the day that Jesus Christ comes back to earth and sets up to his kingdom.

  228. It's all appointed.

  229. And it's going to happen.

  230. All of it.

  231. Because we see so much of it has already happened.

  232. I was reading devotionally in, in Ecclesiastes.

  233. This morning.

  234. It's interesting.

  235. I did a funeral yesterday and I always lead out of, read out of Ecclesiastes.

  236. And, but this is found in verse, verse, verse 14.

  237. It says, in the day of prosperity, be joyful.

  238. But in the day, listen, of adversity, consider.

  239. Surely God has appointed the one as well as the other.

  240. So that man can find out nothing that will come after him.

  241. God's appoint, appointments.

  242. Those, those hard things sometimes are appointed.

  243. Maybe just to keep us from getting too comfortable in this life.

  244. Because I find myself sometimes wanting to be comfortable.

  245. And I know that's not God's heart for me.

  246. To be comfortable.

  247. But to be just uneasy enough to, to set my sights toward heaven,

  248. much like Abraham and Sarah, that they were seeking a, a building, a city whose builder and maker was God.

  249. That's what they were seeking.

  250. They knew it wasn't here.

  251. That's why they lived in tents.

  252. I can't convince my wife of that.

  253. But this wasn't just a fulfillment of Zechariah 9.

  254. It was also a fulfillment of Daniel chapter 9.

    Daniel 9 chapter mention

  255. Right?

  256. So if you've got a Bible, turn there real quick.

  257. We're going to look at Daniel chapter 9 here for just a couple minutes.

    Daniel 9 chapter mention

  258. I don't want to go over too much.

  259. But it's pretty powerful stuff.

  260. And many of you know this, this passage of scripture, Daniel.

  261. So he, he starts out chapter 9.

  262. He's praying.

  263. And he realizes that the children of Israel who are in captivity at this time,

  264. Nebuchadnezzar had come in, taken them captive.

  265. Right?

  266. Then the Medes and the Persians came and took over the Babylonian empire.

  267. But in the interim, the Bible says, God had told Israel,

  268. When you go into captivity, you owe me 70 years.

  269. God saw that Israel was in debt to him for 70 years.

  270. Because for 490 years, they had not rested their ground like they were supposed to.

  271. Giving it a Sabbath rest.

  272. He said, 70 years, you've robbed from me.

  273. I'm taking it back.

  274. I'm putting your hind end in captivity.

  275. God chasing those who he loves.

  276. Just saying.

  277. And some people, this whole replacement theology is going around today.

  278. God is not done with Israel.

  279. I think that's obvious.

  280. Anybody that can reason or think logically that you realize.

  281. But he says, 70 years.

  282. Daniel realizes that 70 years is about up.

  283. He's an old man now.

  284. And God takes this opportunity as Daniel humbles himself

  285. and comes before the Lord to send the angel Gabriel

  286. and to give him instructions.

  287. He says, Gabriel, I'm going to tell you something about the number 70,

  288. but it's not 70 years.

  289. It's 70 weeks of years.

  290. How many is that?

  291. Bible trivia.

  292. What's seven times seven?

  293. 49.

  294. Put a zero on the end of it.

  295. 490 years.

  296. He says, Daniel, there's going to be 490 years determined.

  297. Listen.

  298. You're going to be 590 years.

  299. You're going to be 590 years.

  300. You're going to be 590 years.

  301. You're going to be 590 years.

  302. You're going to be 590 years.

  303. You're going to be 590 years.

  304. You're going to be 590 years.

  305. You're going to be 590 years.

  306. You're going to be 590 years.

  307. You're going to be 590 years.

  308. You're going to be 590 years.

  309. You're going to be 590 years.

  310. You're going to be 590 years.

  311. You're going to be 590 years.

  312. You're going to be 590 years.

  313. You're going to be 590 years.

  314. You're going to be 590 years.

  315. You're going to be 590 years.

  316. But, right?

  317. Jerusalem is anything but the city of peace.

  318. In fact, most rockets in the Middle East are pointed at Jerusalem because there's a hatred

  319. for the little Satan that they call Israel.

  320. America's right there with them because we're considered the great Satan.

  321. But, so 490 years.

  322. And he says that from the going forth of the command to Nehemiah.

  323. You can look at this in the book of Nehemiah.

  324. To restore and build Jerusalem until Messiah the Prince.

  325. Listen, there shall be 7 weeks.

  326. That's 49 years.

  327. And then 62 weeks.

  328. Which that's 69 weeks in total.

  329. That's 483 years.

  330. And so, as soon as Artaxerxes told Nehemiah to go back, the clock started ticking.

  331. 483 years.

  332. 483 years.

  333. It says until Messiah the Prince.

  334. Most Bible scholars believed that it was to the day that Jesus rode in to Jerusalem.

  335. So Robert Anderson, who wrote a book called The Coming Prince, ciphered it out.

  336. And it was according to a 360 day year.

  337. And he said it was 173,880 days from what Artaxerxes told him to go back to when Jesus rode in on the donkey.

  338. And it was fulfilled.

  339. 483 years are fulfilled of the 400.

  340. And then the clock stops.

  341. Right there.

  342. It stopped.

  343. The clock stopped.

  344. And then it says,

  345. And after the 62 weeks.

  346. So you got 7 weeks.

  347. And then after the 62 week period.

  348. Which is 483 years.

  349. Messiah shall be cut off, but not for himself.

  350. And the people of the Prince who is to come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary.

  351. Many believe that was fulfilled by Titus in 70 AD.

  352. And the end of it shall be with a flood until the end of the war.

  353. Desolations are determined.

  354. That all this has happened in the interim.

  355. After the clock stopped.

  356. That Jesus stopped the clock by riding down the Mount of Olives.

  357. And so there's one week left.

  358. Seven years.

  359. Seven years to complete the 490 years that the angel told Daniel about in Daniel chapter 9.

    Daniel 9 chapter mention

  360. 9.

  361. 9.

  362. And so.

  363. That's coming folks.

  364. That's a.

  365. That's a coming attraction.

  366. Are you watching?

  367. It's pretty.

  368. It's pretty important for us to be watching.

  369. What's happening in our world right now.

  370. And so.

  371. It was an appointed day.

  372. Zachariah 9.9 is fulfilled.

  373. And.

  374. Daniel chapter 9.

    Daniel 9 chapter mention

  375. Is fulfilled.

  376. Where the Messiah comes.

  377. And stops the ticking.

  378. Of the clock of the 70.

  379. 70 weeks of Daniel.

  380. One week.

  381. Yet to be.

  382. Expired.

  383. And that time hasn't started yet.

  384. And so.

  385. Most believe that that will start with the signing of the peace treaty.

  386. The clock will start ticking again.

  387. Seven years.

  388. And that.

  389. There'll be.

  390. We know it is the great tribulation.

  391. And so.

  392. As Jesus rides in.

  393. No doubt.

  394. The people are still buzzed up.

  395. Right.

  396. Verses 17 and 18 says.

  397. Therefore the people.

  398. Who were with him.

  399. When he called Lazarus out of his tomb.

  400. And raised him.

  401. Up from the dead.

  402. Bore witness.

  403. No doubt.

  404. They're telling everybody.

  405. That's in the city at this point.

  406. And for this reason.

  407. The people also met him.

  408. Because they heard that he had done this sign.

  409. What's this guy look like?

  410. They can raise people from the dead.

  411. Do you?

  412. I think I want to know him.

  413. Do you know him?

  414. It's important to know him.

  415. Not just know about him.

  416. A lot of people know about Jesus.

  417. But they may not know Jesus.

  418. Jesus has come.

  419. Jesus has come.

  420. That we might know him.

  421. And the power of his resurrection.

  422. That we're going to look at next week.

  423. As we celebrate this week.

  424. So.

  425. No doubt.

  426. This raising of Lazarus.

  427. Had such a significant influence.

  428. On the.

  429. On the feast.

  430. Time here in Jerusalem.

  431. And.

  432. People's eyes.

  433. Were.

  434. Being open.

  435. They realize that this dude.

  436. Has to be.

  437. Divine.

  438. Right?

  439. That he has to have divine authority.

  440. To raise the dead.

  441. Much like.

  442. Nicodemus being convinced.

  443. When he comes to Jesus.

  444. He says nobody can do.

  445. These works.

  446. Except somebody.

  447. Who is from God.

  448. Nobody can do this.

  449. Nicodemus recognized.

  450. That is a very religious man.

  451. And it was prophesied.

  452. Right?

  453. It was prophesied.

  454. By Isaiah.

  455. In chapter 35.

  456. Verses 5 and 6.

  457. It says.

  458. Then were the eyes of the blind.

  459. To be open.

  460. And the dead will rise up.

  461. And shout for joy.

  462. Isaiah told him.

  463. That it was coming.

  464. So they came to see Jesus.

  465. But they kind of.

  466. Also wanted to see the guy.

  467. That had been dead for a while.

  468. Right?

  469. They were curious.

  470. R.C. Sproul says.

  471. Many came to see the miracle.

  472. But few stayed.

  473. To carry the cross.

  474. Right?

  475. Few stayed.

  476. To carry the cross.

  477. So.

  478. The opposition grows.

  479. Towards Jesus.

  480. Here in.

  481. Verse 19.

  482. Verse 19.

  483. We already read.

  484. Over in verse 11.

  485. Where.

  486. Where.

  487. Or.

  488. In verse 10.

  489. When they were plotting.

  490. To kill.

  491. Lazarus.

  492. Two.

  493. Jesus already told them.

  494. What was going to happen.

  495. To him.

  496. They didn't get it.

  497. But here.

  498. In verse 19.

  499. It says.

  500. And the Pharisees.

  501. Therefore.

  502. Said among themselves.

  503. You see.

  504. That you are accomplishing.

  505. Nothing.

  506. Look.

  507. The world.

  508. The world.

  509. The world.

  510. Has gone after him.

  511. Would to God.

  512. That the world.

  513. Would go after Jesus.

  514. The blind eyes.

  515. Just for some reason.

  516. Can't see.

  517. Or won't see.

  518. Who he is.

  519. And what he offers.

  520. Is.

  521. Is.

  522. It's such a good deal.

  523. Right.

  524. That you can come.

  525. To God.

  526. Just like you are.

  527. He accepts you.

  528. Just like you are.

  529. He loves you so much.

  530. He won't leave you.

  531. Like you are.

  532. He'll change your life.

  533. And yet.

  534. People won't come.

  535. So even his enemies.

  536. Recognizing.

  537. Is.

  538. Are recognizing.

  539. Oh my gosh.

  540. This guy's influence.

  541. It's incredible.

  542. Obviously.

  543. And.

  544. They are fulfilling.

  545. Scripture as well.

  546. Coming against him.

  547. Where it said.

  548. In Psalm 2.

  549. The kings of the earth.

  550. Rise up.

  551. And rulers band together.

  552. Against the Lord.

  553. And against his Christ.

  554. They're going to do it again.

  555. And again.

  556. And again.

  557. And again.

  558. That old saying.

  559. Is true.

  560. Power corrupts.

  561. An absolute power.

  562. Corrupts absolutely.

  563. These leaders.

  564. And their frustration.

  565. Shows the.

  566. It's inevitable.

  567. It's inevitable.

  568. That.

  569. There's going to be.

  570. The clash.

  571. Between.

  572. The.

  573. The earthly kingdoms.

  574. In the kingdom of God.

  575. Which leads us.

  576. To our last ride.

  577. And I'll.

  578. I'll close.

  579. Here.

  580. But.

  581. Because of that.

  582. The Lord's going to come again.

  583. But this time.

  584. He is going to ride a horse.

  585. A white one.

  586. And it's going to.

  587. And it's going to.

  588. And it's going to.

  589. And it's going to.

  590. Devour the distance.

  591. With rage.

  592. And there's going to be.

  593. A sharp sword.

  594. That goes out of his mouth.

  595. And it's going to.

  596. Condem.

  597. Those.

  598. Those kings.

  599. Those earthly kingdoms.

  600. That come against him.

  601. And.

  602. And.

  603. And it's going to be a ride.

  604. That we're with him.

  605. Right.

  606. Jude tells us.

  607. Quoting.

  608. Enoch.

  609. Of all people.

  610. Well.

  611. He should know.

  612. What it's like.

  613. To go to heaven.

  614. Right.

  615. He quotes.

  616. Enoch.

  617. And he says.

  618. In Jude 14.

  619. Verse 14.

  620. He says.

  621. And I saw the Lord.

  622. Coming.

  623. With 10,000s.

  624. Of his saints.

  625. That'd be you and me.

  626. Because that's the second coming.

  627. That is talking about.

  628. Here.

  629. Here.

  630. And so.

  631. All these seekers.

  632. Were at this feast.

  633. And they were.

  634. They were.

  635. They were seeking.

  636. But what were they seeking?

  637. What are you seeking today?

  638. What is it that you seek after?

  639. I mentioned the.

  640. The movie.

  641. Risen.

  642. And in the movie.

  643. There's this scene.

  644. Where after the resurrection.

  645. This Clavius is.

  646. He's.

  647. He wakes up.

  648. And Jesus is sitting up on a rock.

  649. By himself.

  650. So he goes up.

  651. There to talk to Jesus.

  652. And.

  653. And.

  654. And.

  655. He's sitting there.

  656. He don't even.

  657. He don't even know what to say.

  658. And in the movie.

  659. Jesus asked him this question.

  660. And maybe he would ask you this question.

  661. He says.

  662. Clavius.

  663. What is it.

  664. That you seek?

  665. What do you want?

  666. You want certainty?

  667. You want a day without death?

  668. Is that what you want?

  669. There was some.

  670. Those were some words that Clavius had used.

  671. Obviously.

  672. That had came back.

  673. To him.

  674. But what is it.

  675. That you seek?

  676. Some were seeking a sign.

  677. Right?

  678. They just wanted to see a sign.

  679. Oh.

  680. You say you're from God.

  681. Give me a sign.

  682. People think.

  683. Seeing is believing.

  684. Seeing is not believing.

  685. Folks.

  686. Believing is seeing.

  687. It's faith.

  688. That God.

  689. Honors.

  690. It's faith.

  691. That God blesses.

  692. Some.

  693. Some.

  694. Some.

  695. Some.

  696. Some were just seeking to kill him.

  697. Some were seeking to use him.

  698. Some were seeking.

  699. Gain from him.

  700. I think that's true today.

  701. Some people.

  702. Uh.

  703. What.

  704. Jesus.

  705. What can you do for me?

  706. He's already done everything he needs to do for you.

  707. Maybe you should ask.

  708. Lord.

  709. What do you want me to do?

  710. When Paul had his encounter.

  711. Or.

  712. Saul of Tarsus.

  713. He had his encounter with Jesus.

  714. He said.

  715. Lord.

  716. What do you want me to do?

  717. The first thing he got right.

  718. Was calling him Lord.

  719. What do you want me to do?

  720. Because the Lord has.

  721. When we come to him.

  722. We have to.

  723. We come to him by faith.

  724. But then.

  725. He requires some things of us.

  726. He requires repentance.

  727. Turn.

  728. Right.

  729. Turn from your sin.

  730. Turn wholeheartedly.

  731. To me.

  732. Surrender.

  733. Your life.

  734. Pick up your cross.

  735. And follow me.

  736. If you have a Bible.

  737. Turn very quickly to Rev.

    Revelation 19 chapter mention

  738. Chapter 19.

  739. And I'll just read it.

  740. I've read this quite a bit before.

  741. But.

  742. I love it.

  743. I think it's a great way to.

  744. Impress our minds right here.

  745. Towards the end.

  746. Towards the end.

  747. In verse 11.

  748. Of chapter 19.

  749. Of the book of Revelation.

  750. Now I saw heaven open.

  751. And behold a white horse.

  752. And he who sat on him.

  753. Was called faithful and true.

  754. And in righteousness.

  755. He judges and makes war.

  756. His eyes are like a flame of fire.

  757. And on his head.

  758. Were many crowns.

  759. He had a name written.

  760. That no one knew.

  761. Except himself.

  762. He was clothed with a robe.

  763. Dipped in blood.

  764. And his name is called.

  765. The word of God.

  766. And the armies of heaven.

  767. Clothed in the.

  768. In fine linen.

  769. White and clean.

  770. Followed him on white horses.

  771. That'd be us.

  772. Now out of his mouth.

  773. Goes a sharp sword.

  774. That with it.

  775. He should strike the nations.

  776. And he himself will rule them.

  777. With a rod of iron.

  778. He himself treads the wine presses.

  779. Of the fierceness.

  780. Of the wrath of almighty God.

  781. And he has on his robe.

  782. And on his.

  783. His thigh.

  784. A name written.

  785. King of kings.

  786. And Lord of lords.

  787. Now one ride has happened.

  788. And one is yet to happen.

  789. And this one's going to be exciting.

  790. It's going to be exciting for everyone involved.

  791. Now it might be extremely fearful for some.

  792. But he's coming.

  793. He's coming.

  794. And.

  795. And it's going to be.

  796. An incredible.

  797. Event.

  798. When Jesus comes.

  799. That second time.

  800. And establishes.

  801. His kingdom.

  802. I'm going to close with this verse.

  803. I was reading it.

  804. And I don't even know why I read it.

  805. I must have read ahead.

  806. And in the devotional reading.

  807. Of the hanging on Bible.

  808. Through the Bible reading.

  809. But.

  810. In.

  811. In.

  812. In.

  813. In Psalm 45.

  814. Verses three.

  815. And four.

  816. I read these verses.

  817. It says.

  818. Gird your sword.

  819. Upon your thigh.

  820. I think we just read that.

  821. In Revelation.

  822. Oh mighty one.

  823. Oh mighty one.

  824. With your glory.

  825. Listen.

  826. With your glory.

  827. And your majesty.

  828. In.

  829. And your majesty.

  830. And in your majesty.

  831. Ride.

  832. Prosperously.

  833. Prosperously.

  834. Ride.

  835. Prosperously.

  836. Anyone who rides with Jesus.

  837. Is going to prosper.

  838. Oh maybe not like you think.

  839. Right.

  840. You may not prosper.

  841. You know.

  842. In finance.

  843. Or.

  844. Or.

  845. Or wealth.

  846. Or.

  847. Owning things.

  848. But Jesus said.

  849. He said.

  850. Life is.

  851. Does not consist.

  852. In the abundance of things.

  853. Life consists.

  854. By walking by faith.

  855. With the God who created you.

  856. That gives you a future.

  857. And a hope.

  858. That sometimes.

  859. Like.

  860. Solomon told us earlier.

  861. That.

  862. You don't even really know.

  863. You're going through hard things.

  864. You think.

  865. Where's God.

  866. He's right there.

  867. Maybe even appointing.

  868. Those hard things.

  869. Because if I've said it once.

  870. I've said it a thousand times.

  871. God's so much more concerned.

  872. With our character.

  873. Than he is with our comfort.

  874. I pray that you're riding with Jesus.

  875. Would you pray with me.

  876. Lord thank you.

  877. Thank you for loving us.

  878. Thank you for this future.

  879. And this hope that you give us.

  880. Lord that it's.

  881. It's filled with your.

  882. Your glory.

  883. That's filled with.

  884. Excitement.

  885. Sorry.

  886. And Lord.

  887. You're going to.

  888. You're going to complete.

  889. What you've.

  890. Predicted.

  891. Lord you're going to.

  892. Make that appointment.

  893. With your.

  894. Presence.

  895. And with your coming.

  896. And I just pray that we.

  897. By your.

  898. By your spirit.

  899. Lord would be.

  900. Those who are.

  901. Ready.

  902. That we're ready.

  903. When you.

  904. Call us.

  905. That we'll humble ourselves.

  906. As you humbled yourself.

  907. Willing to go to that cross for us.

  908. Willing to lay it all down.

  909. And you require the same of us.

  910. That we're going to.

  911. That we're going to.

  912. That we're going to.

  913. To lay it all down.

  914. That they would.

  915. Just set it aside.

  916. Lord.

  917. That they would realize.

  918. That apart from you.

  919. As your word tells us.

  920. In John 15.

  921. We can do nothing.

  922. Absolutely nothing.

  923. And so Jesus.

  924. I just ask.

  925. That you would.

  926. You would give us.

  927. Your spirit.

  928. That you would save us.

  929. From ourselves.

  930. Lord.

  931. That you would help us.

  932. To put ourselves.

  933. Behind us.

  934. And put you.

  935. Before us.

  936. Lord.

  937. Lord.

  938. And that we would never lose sight.

  939. Of what you did.

  940. This passion week.

  941. As we remember.

  942. Your coming.

  943. We just pray.

  944. For those who.

  945. Lord.

  946. Are.

  947. Just standing on the sidelines.

  948. They're not willing.

  949. To get involved.

  950. Lord.

  951. Call them.

  952. Lord.

  953. That they would see.

  954. What you did.

  955. And be inspired.

  956. To realize.

  957. Lord.

  958. That we.

  959. Absolutely.

  960. In the big picture.

  961. We give up nothing.

  962. And we gain everything.

  963. By following you.

  964. In Jesus' name, amen.

  965. Let's all stand.

  966. I'm going to rock out here.

  967. The king is coming.

  968. Oh, I should get the pick out of here.

  969. Let's try that again.

  970. Oh, the king is coming.

  971. Yes, the king is coming.

  972. I just heard the trumpet sounding.

  973. And now his face I see.

  974. Oh, the king is coming.

  975. The king is coming.

  976. Praise God.

  977. He's coming for me.

  978. Sing that again.

  979. Oh, the king is coming.

  980. Oh, the king is coming.

  981. The king is coming.

  982. The king is coming.

  983. The king is coming.

  984. The king is coming.

  985. And now his face I see.

  986. Oh, the king is coming.

  987. The king is coming.

  988. The king is coming.

  989. The king is coming.

  990. Praise God.

  991. Praise God.

  992. He's coming for me.

  993. Praise God.

  994. Praise God.

  995. He's coming for me.

  996. God bless you guys.

  997. Have a great week.

  998. If you need prayer, come up and pray with the prayer team, would you?

  999. Thank you.

  1000. Thank you.