It is safe to say, knowing all of you here today, that you have a home, and that you have doors with locks. I would imagine also that you lock your doors and have a certain sense of comfort, of peace, and of safety. But did you know that most locks can be broken in a matter of a second by an invader with the right tool, and know-how? I am not trying to put fear into your hearts, just the opposite. This lesson will remind us that locks, doors, windows and yes, walls cannot save us from an enemy with a purpose.  And spiritually speaking–walls are ineffective period. But we do have access to one who does have the power to protect us–to be our strength–and to be with us whenever we need help…

With all that is going on around us, seeing so many people shaken, overwhelmed and misguided: We are thankful that we serve God and that because of the Rock of our Refuge we do not have to be shaken by the events of life. We are on stable ground, and God has given us wisdom and knowledge and the keys to peace through His word, through His Son…

When Jesus told His disciples that “one of you will betray Me” (John 13:21), that must have been a shocking moment in their already troubled lives. Matthew records “And they were exceedingly sorrowful, and each of them began to say to Him, “Lord, is it I?” (Matthew 26:22). Those 4 words can keep us from all kinds of trouble, all manner of sin, if we would just ask daily, Lord, is it I? We will examine some of the ways this can help us avoid trouble and maintain a right relationship with our Lord… 

Men put “blinders” on their horses to keep them from being distracted by peripheral things. God’s word can work for us in the same way. It can keep us focused on what is important and train us not to be concerned with the sins of this life that so easily ensnare.

Humility is What the Lord Wants us to Learn:  Jesus laid aside His garments? What a scene! The almighty Creator, the King of kings and Lord of lords, stooping to perform a task so lowly that most men would consider it beneath their dignity! Jesus taught, “And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted” ( 23:12). James wrote, “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up” – (James 4:10). Peter said, “humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time” (1 Peter 5:6) Putting on Humility has Great Reward! We should be so humble…Servitude is What the Lord Wants us to Learn:  Jesus demonstrated that we should not consider ourselves too high and mighty to serve. Remember the words of our Lord, “just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many” ( 20:28). Let us learn how we can develop desired to serve in humility…

Consider the words of the Master as He taught the disciples, “…just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many” (Matt. 20:28). Jesus not only spoke these words but He was a doer. He showed us this service through the example of His own life. Healing the sick, feeding the hungry, and by His sacrificial death on the cross. Truly the Son of Man did come to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” Our LORD, our MASTER Jesus was willing to serve us in the most perfect and complete sense by laying down His life for us. What will we do to serve Him in return? Let us consider together, what is involved in serving God and it all starts with…

Those who refuse to admit the recorded history of Jesus of Nazareth do so because they have put their own will above the will of God. They do so because the love the praise of men, more than the praise of God. They do so because they wish to erase history in their own minds, and the power of creation, which is inescapably by design. When we read the record of Jesus entering Jerusalem riding on a donkey, we are reading history, and the fulfillment of prophecy (Zachariah 9:9). The key is to allow God’s will to be greater than “my will”. Jesus did this, so can we.

“27 Now My soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save Me from this hour’? But for this purpose I came to this hour. 28 Father, glorify Your name. Then a voice came from heaven, saying, “I have both glorified it and will glorify it again” (John 12:27-28). Being An Again of God. God will glorify His name again and again and the question is will you be the one that brings Him the glory? What must we do to bring glory to God’s name? What does it take to be an AGAIN of God’s?

Just imagine the scene—a great multitude hears that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, not to an official gathering of leaders, but rather a great number of common people—thousands “took branches of palm trees and went out to meet Him, and cried out: “Hosanna! ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’ The King of Israel!”  (John 12:13-14). Contemplating this magnificent scene and wonder, what will it be like when the saints are delivered up to the Father? What will it be like to see the face of God? What will it be like to see the glories of Heaven? What will it be like to see Jesus on that Day?

Paul has a formula for every child of God that will truly enable us to “shine as lights in the world”:  Consider these 5 points: Work out our own salvation – Phil. 2:12, Do so with “fear and trembling” – Phil. 2:12, Allow God to work in you – Phil. 2:13, Do all things without “murmuring and disputing” – Phil. 2:14 and Be children of God without fault, by being “blameless and harmless” – Phil. 2:15