Praising God in the Midst of Suffering - Apr 5, 2020

Praising God in the Midst of Suffering

Text: Luke 19:28-40

Thesis: Praising God during suffering is a Testimony of our Faith in Jesus Christ and to the Power of the Holy Spirit who lives in us!

1. Praising God during suffering is our testimony of our Faith in Jesus Christ. (vs28-34)
2. Jesus’ choice of animal to ride was intentional.

“It was a deliberate claim to be king, a deliberate fulfilling of the picture in Zechariah 9:9. But even in this Jesus underlined the kind of Kingship which he claimed. The ass in Palestine was not a lowly beast that it is this country. It was noble. Only in war did kings ride horses; when they came in peace they come upon an ass. So Jesus by his actions came as a king of love and peace, and not as the conquering military hero whom the mob expected and waited.” (William Barclay, Luke, page 240.)

1. Jesus was totally in control and knowledgeable of all things, even in the locating of the colt.

“Those who were sent ahead went and found it just as he had told them.” (vs32)

1. Our God is Omniscient!

“I find it a great comfort and encouragement knowing that God knows all things and loves me!” Pastor Chuck

1. Jesus was willingly on his way to Golgotha! (see John 10:14-18)
2. Jesus’ many disciples gave expression of their Faith in Jesus Christ as their King.

“They brought it (the colt) to Jesus, threw their cloaks on the colt and put Jesus on it. As he went along, people spread their cloaks on the road.” (vs35-36)

1. Praising God during suffering is our testimony of the power of the Holy Spirit who lives within us.
2. The followers of Jesus were experiencing the moving of the Holy Spirit when they “began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen…” (v37b)
3. Jesus had healed many and delivered many from demons! They knew suffering and because of Jesus they now have hope!
4. “Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, Teacher, rebuke your disciples.” (vs39)
5. Not everyone will approve of you praising God.
6. Jesus defends those who are praising Him!

“I tell you” ‘he replied’ “if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.” (Vs40)

1. When we praise God, He is Glorified, and we are strengthened.
2. Since God inhabits our praises there is something supernatural that takes place within us.
3. God’s Spirit will empower us to have the courage to praise Him in difficult times.

“For God did not give us a Spirit of fear, but of power, love and a sound mind.” (2 Timothy 1:7)

1. Jesus by the words of his disciples knew that God had revealed to them that he was the Messiah.

“Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” (vs 38)

1. Jesus earlier explained that Peter’s recognition of him, as the Messiah, was from God. (See Mathew 16:13-17)

“Jesus replied, ‘Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my father in heaven.