Come | A Sermon on Matthew 4:19

Introduction
It’s been a tough week in a lot of ways. First of all, we had the remembrance of 9/11, which was a dark day in the history of our country, and we were already thinking about that. And then, with the violence we’ve seen this week—the murder of Charlie Kirk—it just breaks your heart. To see these things happening, playing out on our screens, on social media, and people bickering back and forth about it, pointing fingers at each other, it just hurts to think this is the world we live in and this is the way people act.

It’s easy to get swept up in it, to be overwhelmed either by sadness, or by anger, or by fear. But as I think about what’s happening in the world, it helps us see very plainly that our ways of doing things don’t work. They’re broken. They don’t lead to the solutions we hope for and long for.

So the message the Lord laid on my heart today is this: Come and look at a different way. A different way forward. Is there a better way?People are reeling from the tragic murder of Charlie Kirk. Some feel he is a martyr for boldly professing his faith, while others are angry at his rhetoric. Both sides are pointing fingers. Violence, outrage, and accusation swirl in the air.
If we’re not careful, we can get swept into the very cycle of destruction Jesus came to break.

Jesus and His followers faced similar issues in His day. The same troubles that plague the human heart today plagued people’s hearts then. The Jews were oppressed by the Romans, and they hated the Romans. The Romans, in turn, didn’t respect the Jews. It was a constant struggle that continued even after Jesus walked the earth.

Christ, the Son of God—the most perfect person who ever lived—was nailed to a cross. And while on the cross, He said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” He warned His followers: “If you follow Me, the world will hate you, because darkness hates the light.”

That’s exactly what happened. The first martyr, Stephen, was murdered simply for speaking the truth about Jesus Christ. Later, James and others were also killed.

But here’s the remarkable thing: how could a group of people teaching about love, refusing to lash out, possibly survive? And yet they did. We are here today in a Christian church because the faith of Christ, the way of Christ, His Kingdom, is the one that lasted.

Israel’s old kingdom is gone. Rome, with all its power, is gone. But the Kingdom built upon love still stands, because love is the most powerful force in the universe.

Matthew 4:19
¹⁹ Jesus called out to them, “Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!”

Jesus’ Invitation: Come
In Matthew 4:19, Jesus’ very first word to His disciples was “Come.”  He didn’t start with a lecture on doctrine.  He didn’t demand that they already understand the whole mission.  He simply invited them into His presence: Come and see. Come and learn. Come and walk with Me.

This is where true change begins:

This is where true change begins—not in anger or retaliation. Anger may be a catalyst, but it’s not the answer. The answer is recognizing the world is broken, that our ways don’t work, and that we are utterly helpless to heal it on our own.

Jesus knows it.  We know it.  And so, Jesus invites us to come try His way.  His invitation is wide enough for everyone.  In His day, Jesus invited Jews & Gentiles (whom Jews despised).  He invited tax collectors and the Zealots (who wanted to kill tax collectors).  He invited Romans & people who hated Romans.  All these different groups were broken and needed God’s forgiveness and healing.  If Jesus could bring a Zealot and a tax collector into the same circle, He can bring us together too.

Today, Jesus invites conservatives and progressives, Americans and non-Americans, people of all walks of life. He looks at you—your life, your brokenness, your struggles—and says: “You’ve tried your way. It hasn’t worked. Come, try My way.”

A Different Path Forward
The world says: “Fight fire with fire. Get even. Destroy your enemy.”
Jesus says: “Love your enemy. Pray for those who persecute you.”
The world says: “Do what feels right.  Make yourself happy.  Look out for your own.”
Jesus says: “Deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow Me.”

On the surface it sounds foolish. How could surrender bring victory? But this is the paradox of the Gospel. In His death, Jesus defeated death. In His forgiveness, He broke sin’s chains. Only His way interrupts the endless cycle of hate, violence, and destruction.

It’s like light shining in the darkness—darkness cannot overcome it. The cycle of hate ends only when one side refuses to pick up the sword and instead picks up the cross. That’s true in personal relationships, in national politics, and in international affairs.

The Real Enemy: Ephesians 6:12
We must remember: people are not the enemy.
Ephesians 6:12 reminds us, “Our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against rulers, against authorities, against the powers of this dark world.”

The other side is not your enemy. Sin is. Satan is. And the cure is Christ.  That’s why His invitation is so urgent: Come.

Show me one place in the New Testament where Christians took up arms against their enemies.  There is only one place I know of.  Peter in the Garden of Gethsemane…[i]  Jesus told Peter in Matthew 26:52 “Those who use the sword will die by the sword.”

Test His Way
Jesus told His first disciples, in effect: “Come try My way. Walk with Me. Test it out and see.”  What if instead of lashing out, you came to Jesus first?  What if instead of nursing bitterness, you laid your pain at His feet?  What if instead of seeing others as enemies, you saw them as fellow sinners in need of grace?

An Invitation: Come and see.
The word today is simple but profound: Come.
Come as you are.
Come with your anger.
Come with your grief.
Come with your questions.
Come with your sin.

Jesus doesn’t ask you to clean yourself up first. He simply says: “Come, follow Me.”

But come with your whole heart. Don’t do it halfway. When you come fully, you’ll discover His way—unconventional but eternally true—is the only path to peace, healing, and victory.

Closing Prayer
Father, I pray for hurting hearts today. As fears swirl, as doubts plague us, as we see violence around us, as we see our community and country turning into something we don’t want it to be—help us, O Lord. Give us faith to trust in You. Help us follow Your Son with our whole hearts, so that we may find healing and forgiveness and be part of the Kingdom that lasts forever. In the name of Christ we pray, Amen.

[i] Matthew 26:51–52; Mark 14:47; Luke 22:49–51; John 18:10–11

"Following God" | A Sermon by Guest Speaker, Amy Harris

This week we have a guest blogger post.  Amy Harris shares her struggle with fear and uncertainty as she stepped into a new church role. Though she prayed for closed doors if it wasn’t God’s will, every door opened—including support from her husband. She reflects on Hebrews 11, James 1, and Isaiah 55, teaching that true faith means trusting God’s character and promises, even without full understanding. Growth requires stepping out of comfort zones, facing fear, and obeying despite uncertainty. She encourages the congregation not to miss God’s blessings by hesitating but to follow His leading with trust and confidence.

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Chris asked me several weeks ago to type something up for the newsletter about how excited I was for my new role at the church. Then, two weeks ago, he said, “Oh, can you preach on the 31st?” So, I figured—why type a few paragraphs when he’s given me twenty minutes in the pulpit and I can just talk and talk and talk?

If I’m being completely honest, I couldn’t write anything for the newsletter because “excited” was not the adjective that I was feeling. Stressed, frustrated, confused, unsure—those sounded more accurate, but probably not what he was hoping to accomplish with my brief article.

And if you’ve stopped by and asked me how things are going, I’m not one to sugarcoat things. If my words didn’t come across as my honest thoughts, my face surely did—I have no control over my facial expressions.

Now, let me stop here and make a statement: I’m not leaving my job. This isn’t my resignation sermon. If you only pay attention every now and then, or if I lose you after the first few minutes, you could walk away thinking I’m done. So, call it a spoiler alert—but that isn’t how this chapter ends. This isn’t even the true subject of today’s message; it’s simply my inspiration for it.

Called Into Something New

Have you ever felt called into something and you knew 100% it was meant to be? No reservations, just peace, excitement, and certainty? I have. I can remember multiple times when God gave me a beyond-a-shadow-of-a-doubt “yes.” Those are good, those are fun.

But this job opportunity was not that kind of experience for me. I had reservations. I was hesitant, uncertain, and full of questions. This new role meant big changes—my weekly schedule, my finances, my workload, and my commute (and yes, traffic on Cleveland Highway at 8:00 a.m. nearly drove me insane!).

I began praying very specific prayers: “Lord, if this is not Your will, close the door.” I prayed that before Chris even took the job description to the HR Committee. But the HR Committee approved it. Door one open.

Then the Finance Committee agreed the position was important and trusted God to provide funding. Door two open.

Finally, I thought my husband would close the door. He doesn’t like uncertain change any more than I do. But when I asked him, instead of “No,” he simply texted, “I think you should change.” God wasn’t closing doors—He was holding them wide open.

So why was I still questioning Him?

Faith Tested

I realized I trust God completely when things are out of my control. But when I do have a say—when choices affect my family, time, and finances—I hesitate.

Yet Hebrews 11:1 says: “Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see.”

Faith is more than believing God exists—it’s trusting His character and His promises. Even when we don’t see the outcome, we walk by faith. Hebrews 11 reminds us of people who died still believing God’s promises without seeing them fulfilled. Sometimes our faith isn’t even for our blessing—it’s for someone else’s.

Isaiah 55:8–9 says: “My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways.”

A lack of understanding does not excuse a lack of obedience.

Growing Through Trials

James 1 says: “When troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.”

Faith is like a muscle—the more you use it, the stronger it gets. The more you obey God’s call, even when uncomfortable, the easier it becomes to live faithfully.

Fear is the number one barrier to following God. We want guarantees before we take the first step. But growth comes when we step forward without a guarantee—when we get comfortable being uncomfortable.

One month into this new role, I still don’t know exactly where God is leading. But I know this: He opened every door, and He has a plan.

Conclusion

I love Jesus. I love my church. You, my church family, are one of the most precious parts of my life. Your encouragement, kindness, and prayers mean more than I can say.

And because I listened to God’s voice, I get to be part of growing the ministries of Pleasant Grove Methodist in ways I never imagined. I don’t know what that will look like yet, but I know I won’t miss His blessings—because I said “yes.”

So I ask you:

• What areas of your life do you need to stop overthinking and start following God’s direction?

• Is He calling you out of your comfort zone?

• Is fear keeping you from His blessings?

Don’t miss what He has in store for you. Ask Him. Seek His guidance. Be still and listen. And remember—He will never call you anywhere He won’t also go with you.

Philadelphia - Hold on to What You Have | A Sermon on Revelation 3:7-13

Introduction
In John 14:6, Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me."

This is both an exclusive statement and an open invitation. It’s exclusive because anyone who refuses Jesus cannot come to God or Heaven. But it’s open to everyone, because anyone who chooses to come through Jesus is welcome.

This same Jesus spoke to seven churches in ancient Turkey. Today, we look at what He said to the church in Philadelphia—a small, weak church.

Revelation 3:7-13
⁷ “Write this letter to the angel of the church in Philadelphia.

This is the message from the one who is holy and true,
    the one who has the key of David.
What he opens, no one can close;
    and what he closes, no one can open:^[c]

⁸ “I know all the things you do, and I have opened a door for you that no one can close. You have little strength, yet you obeyed my word and did not deny me. ⁹ Look, I will force those who belong to Satan’s synagogue—those liars who say they are Jews but are not—to come and bow down at your feet. They will acknowledge that you are the ones I love.

¹⁰ “Because you have obeyed my command to persevere, I will protect you from the great time of testing that will come upon the whole world to test those who belong to this world. ¹¹ I am coming soon.^[d] Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take away your crown. ¹² All who are victorious will become pillars in the Temple of my God, and they will never have to leave it. And I will write on them the name of my God, and they will be citizens in the city of my God—the new Jerusalem that comes down from heaven from my God. And I will also write on them my new name.

¹³ “Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches.

The Key of David
In the opening lines, Jesus—holy and true—says He holds the “key of David.” This means He has full authority to give people access to God and His Kingdom. He welcomes all who truly belong to God.
If you follow Jesus as Lord and Saviot, if you've truly repented of your sins and follow Him, He welcomes you into the Kingdom of God.  And He has the key to let you in!
But the thing about keys is, the both unlock and lock the door.  And whether it is a good thing that a door is locked or unlocked depends on what side of the door you are on.  You don't want to be locked out of the Kingdom.  But once you are inside the Kingdom, it is a really good thing for the door to be locked behind you so you are protected from the evil locked outside.

The Synagogue of Satan
In the first century, Jewish people proudly claimed to be God’s chosen people. But many rejected Jesus, God’s Son and the promised Messiah. Even worse, they opposed Christians who followed and served Him. They believed the claim that Jesus was the Messiah was false and even blasphemous. They thought Christianity was a dangerous break from Judaism, especially because Christians welcomed Gentiles into God’s family without making them follow Jewish traditions.

Early Christians were sometimes accused before local authorities of being troublemakers or heretics, which hurt their reputations and could lead to being excluded from their communities, losing income, or even facing legal punishment.

Jesus said they were “liars who claim to be Jews but are not.” He called them a “synagogue of Satan,” meaning they were a group of people working against God and His Kingdom.

Jesus promised that one day He would humble the “synagogue of Satan,” making them bow at the feet of the Christians in Philadelphia and admit that God loves them as His chosen people.

The Great Tribulation
In verse 10, Jesus talks about something that many end-times teachers and so-called prophets love to discuss—the Tribulation. He says, “Because you have obeyed my command to persevere, I will protect you from the great time of testing that will come upon the whole world to test those who belong to this world.”

The “Great Tribulation,” which Jesus warned about in Matthew 24:21 and Mark 13:19, will be unlike anything the world has ever seen—worse than anything before, and never to be repeated. Over time, so much has been said about it that the phrase has even made its way into popular culture.

For about the last 200 years, many Christians have believed that believers will be taken from the earth before the Tribulation begins (a view called the pre-tribulation rapture). But for most of church history, Christians were taught they would go through the Tribulation before Jesus returns. So a big question remains: Will Christians escape it, or will we have to endure it?

Sometimes, as comfortable American Christians, we might think we’ll be spared from any real trouble—especially if we believe we’ll be raptured before things get bad. But many of our brothers and sisters around the world already face intense persecution for their faith. They’ve been beaten, imprisoned, and even killed for following Jesus.

Whether or not we escape the Great Tribulation, the Bible calls us to be ready, to trust Jesus no matter what, and to stay faithful even when life is hard. Our hope isn’t in avoiding trouble—it’s in Jesus, who promises to be with us through it all. 

Stories of the Resurrection | A Sermon from Matthew 28:1-10

Introduction
Imagine how powerful it must have been—to hear, firsthand, the stories about the empty tomb…

to listen as eyewitnesses told how they met the risen Jesus face to face… to share in the amazement, the confusion, the hope, and the joy.

The resurrection of Jesus is not just one moment in time—it’s a living reality that changed everything. And the early followers of Christ didn’t keep it quiet. They told their stories. Again and again. Around dinner tables. Around campfires. In whispered prayers and loud celebrations.

Over the next several weeks, we’re going to step into those stories.  We’re going to listen in, walk alongside them, and soak in the wonder of the Resurrection—not just as history, but as a life-changing truth that still speaks to us today.

Each week, we’ll hear a different story of the Resurrection.  Each one offers a fresh glimpse of the Risen Jesus.  Each one teaches us what it means to be faithful followers today — in a world that still needs hope, still needs grace, still needs Him.

So I invite you — not just for today — but for the next seven weeks:
Come hear the Stories of the Resurrection. 
Come discover what God wants to show you through them.
Come experience the Risen Lord for yourself.

Matthew 28:1-10
¹ Early on Sunday morning,^[a] as the new day was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went out to visit the tomb.

² Suddenly there was a great earthquake! For an angel of the Lord came down from heaven, rolled aside the stone, and sat on it. ³ His face shone like lightning, and his clothing was as white as snow. ⁴ The guards shook with fear when they saw him, and they fell into a dead faint.

⁵ Then the angel spoke to the women. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I know you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. ⁶ He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead, just as he said would happen. Come, see where his body was lying. ⁷ And now, go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and he is going ahead of you to Galilee. You will see him there. Remember what I have told you.”

⁸ The women ran quickly from the tomb. They were very frightened but also filled with great joy, and they rushed to give the disciples the angel’s message. ⁹ And as they went, Jesus met them and greeted them. And they ran to him, grasped his feet, and worshiped him. ¹⁰ Then Jesus said to them, “Don’t be afraid! Go tell my brothers to leave for Galilee, and they will see me there.”

The Frightening Events at the Tomb
The two Marys came to the tomb that morning with a heavy task.  They weren’t coming to celebrate. They weren’t coming with hope.  They were coming to do what love and duty demanded—to properly prepare Jesus' body for burial.  (His body was laid to rest hastily without the proper honors because of the Sabbath.)

But what they found was anything but quiet or peaceful.  First, the ground shook with a violent earthquake. Can you imagine it?  Not just a little rumble—the kind of shaking that rattles your bones and makes your heart jump into your throat. It was powerful enough to roll away the stone in front of Jesus’ tomb, a stone as heavy as a car.

And if that wasn’t enough, they saw something even more terrifying — an angel of the Lord, brilliant and blinding like lightning.  This wasn’t a sweet, chubby baby angel from a Christmas card.  This was a heavenly warrior, radiant with the raw power of God.

The Roman soldiers — fighters trained to face death head on — were so overwhelmed that they fainted as if they were dead. The sight of God's messenger knocked them out cold on the ground.

If the soldiers reacted that way, just think how terrifying it must have been for two grieving women standing there alone.

And yet, they stayed.  Even in their fear, even when the ground trembled and the heavens split open, they stayed.  And because they stayed, they saw something no one else saw: the beginning of the greatest hope the world has ever known.

When fear shakes your world and everything feels overwhelming, will you run?
or will you stay and trust that God is about to do something amazing?

The Angel’s Message: He Is Risen
As amazing as it is to see an angel, this story is not about the angel.  It’s something much more!  The angel had a job—a mission from heaven.  He was sent to deliver a message to anyone faithful and bold enough to come near the tomb.

The angel declared:
"Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said." (Matthew 28:5-6)

What a moment!  The tomb wasn't just empty because someone moved the body.
It was empty because Jesus was alive — just as He promised.

The angel even invited them to see for themselves:  "Come and see the place where he lay."

Right there before their eyes was firsthand proof — offered to faithful hearts willing to seek.

But the angel didn’t stop there.  He gave them a mission and a message of their own:
"Go quickly and tell his disciples: 'He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’”

The women were the first to be entrusted with the news that changed the world.  And they weren’t supposed to keep it to themselves.  They were called to go and tell—to bring light and hope to others who were still hiding in fear and sorrow.

How have you experienced the Risen Christ in your own life?  When has He met you in a moment of fear, sorrow, or confusion—and shown you that He is alive and with you?

When you experience the hope of the risen Jesus, do you keep it to yourself—or are you willing to go and share it with others who need to hear it?

Just like the women at the tomb, you don’t have to have all the answers or a perfect plan.
You simply have to be willing to go and tell—to carry the good news that Jesus is alive, and He is waiting for all who will seek Him.

Meeting Jesus on the Way
The women didn’t waste a moment.
Matthew says they "hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy." (Matthew 28:8)
Think about that. 
They were still trembling, still trying to process everything they had seen and heard.
But even in their fear, even with their hearts racing, they obeyed.  They ran to tell the others.

And that’s when it happened…  Jesus met them on the way.
They didn’t have to make it all the way to Galilee.
They didn’t have to wait until everything made sense. 
They simply obeyed and Jesus showed up.

He appeared to them personally.  He let them fall at His feet and worship.
And again, He reassured them: "Do not be afraid."
Then He sent them on with the same mission:
"Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me."

Here’s the beautiful truth:
When we step out in obedience, even when we’re afraid, even when we don’t fully understand,
Jesus meets us on the way.  He comes close.  He comforts us.  He guides us.
He strengthens and equips us for the journey ahead.

Where might Jesus be waiting to meet you—not at the end of your journey, but
right here, right now, as you take your next step of faith?

Closing
The two Marys came to the tomb expecting death.  Instead, they found life.
They came weighed down with sorrow.  Instead, they left running with joy.

They didn't have all the answers yet.  They didn’t have it all figured out.
But they knew one thing — Jesus was alive.  And that changed everything.

Today, we are just like them.  We come with our doubts, our fears, and our brokenness.
But if we are willing to seek Jesus—even when the ground shakes and the world feels uncertain —He will meet us on the way.  He will remind us:  "Do not be afraid."

And He will send us—not just to sit still and wonder—but to go and tell.
So as we leave today, remember this:  The tomb is empty.  Jesus is alive.
And He is calling you to go and share that hope with a world that desperately needs it.

Closing Hymn – “Surely The Presence Of The Lord Is In This Place” #306
Today, we have the priveledge of welcoming 2 new members into our church family.
John and Tina-Marie Shultz come to us, transferring their membership from
Tomoka UMC, in Ormond Beach, FL.  Let’s stand and sing Surely the Presence of the Lord is in This Place as they make their way down to the front of the church.

John and Tina-Marie Schultz join the church…

Benediction
You have seen the empty tomb!
You have heard the good news!
Now go…
Go in courage, in hope, and in joy…
to tell the world that Jesus is risen!
And be sure of this:  He will meet you on the way.

 

Jesus or Barabbas | A Palm Sunday Sermon

Introduction
The Palm Sunday story is important to remember. Not just because it’s fun to have our kids enter the sanctuary singing and waving palm branches. There is a critical message in this story we need to hear, but often miss.

It’s a story that goes right down to the core of what it means for us to live as Christ’s followers. So, I encourage you to listen closely and think deeply today. Hear the Palm Sunday message with fresh ears.

Matthew 21:6-11
⁶ The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them. ⁷ They brought the donkey and the colt and placed their cloaks on them for Jesus to sit on. ⁸ A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. ⁹ The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted,

“Hosanna^[b] to the Son of David!”

“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”^[c]

“Hosanna^[d] in the highest heaven!”

¹⁰ When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, “Who is this?”

¹¹ The crowds answered, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.”

Hosanna!
There are several important symbols in this story that reveal what’s really going on. The first clue is the word the people shouted.  What did they shout?
They shouted “Hosanna!”  The word sounds like a praise, but it has a specific meaning. It’s a quote of Psalm 118:25, “Please, Lord, please save us.  Please, Lord, please give us success.” Hosanna means:  Lord Save us!

Now, when the Israelites shouted Hosanna to Jesus, they had a specific salvation in mind. They were NOT demanding He save them from their sins so they could go to heaven.  No. They meant, “Save us from these Romans who rule over us and oppress us!” The Israelites wanted to be rid of the Romans. They wanted Israel to be an independent Kingdom again.  They wanted prosperity. They wanted Israel to be great again like it was back in its glory days.

A Second Symbol: The Palm Branches
The second symbol that reveals what the Palm Sunday story is really about is the palm branches.
Palm branches were the national symbol of Israel.  They became the national symbol of Israel in 167 BC when the Maccabees, a family of Jewish priest, led a successful military revolt against the Seleucid Empire and gained Jewish independence.  The Israelites celebrates their victory by waving palm branches.  Afterwards, Israel was independent for about 80 years before the Romans took over Israel.

So as Jesus entered Jerusalem on Palms Sunday, the Jews waved palm branches the same way Americans might wave American flags at a fourth of July parade.  They waved their palm branches, remembering how the Maccabees revolted and gained Jewish independence, and they shouted to Jesus, “Hosanna! Lord, please save us from these Romans!”

…to the son of David!
A third symbol is how they addressed Jesus. The called Him: the son of David. The Jews in Jerusalem wanted to go back to what they considered the glory days of Israel. In their minds, David’s kingdom was the greatest time in Israelite history. He conquered all their enemies.  He untied Israel as one nation. He established peace and prosperity.  And Israel was respected by all the nation around them. (Of course, they conveniently forgot that David levied tremendously high taxes.  God said there was so much blood on his hands he couldn’t build God a temple.  David is also known for an adulterous affair with Bathsheba and for murdering her husband, Uriah, to cover it up. And David’s son, Absolom, led a rebellion and tried to steal David’s Kingdom.) But the Jews of Jesus’ day wanted Israel to be great again, like it was back when David was king. And so they waved their Palm branches, shouted: “Hosanna! Lord, save us now (like the Macabbees)!  And make us great again (like we were when David was king)!”

Donkey/Warhorse
There’s one more symbol—the donkey.  Jesus rode in on a donkey.  Actually, it was a donkey’s colt (a baby donkey).  This was the fulfilment of prophecy from Zechariah 9:9. But it was also sent a powerful message that did NOT align with the hopes of the crowds cheering for Jesus.  They wanted a military king who would bring a sword and ride in on a warhorse to defeat the Romans.  But Jesus came in on a humble little baby donkey talking about peace and forgiveness, and telling everyone they needed to “love their enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” This was not the image or words of a conquering king.  They were not the words most Jewish people in Israel expected or wanted to hear.

Pilate and his Roman military also came to Jerusalem that day.  (It is well documented that Roman governors like Pilate rode into Jerusalem to maintain order on major Jewish festivals like Passover, which drew large crowds and carried the potential for unrest.  And when the Romans arrived, they rode in on Warhorse with banners flying and swords and armor flashing.  They wanted to make sure everyone in Jerusalem could see their military power so as to deter any thought of rebellion.

So we have this contrast—Jesus on a humble donkey and Pilate and the Romans on warhorses. It’s clear what the people wanted.  They wanted Jesus to be their military king who would save them by kicking out the Romans and make Israel great again like it was when David was king. It’s clear they were excited, but it’s also sad that they missed the whole point of why Jesus came. And we can see this sadness bring Jesus to tears in Luke’s version of the Palm Sunday story.  In Luke, Jesus weeps over Jerusalem, because He knows hey won’t listen to Him. 

Nevertheless, Jesus spent a week preaching and teaching in Jerusalem. He taught them about the Kingdom of God and invited them to receive it. But Jesus wasn’t offering the kind of Kingdom they wanted.  Instead of peace, they wanted war. Instead of forgiveness, they wanted revenge.  Instead of love, they wanted to hate the Romans.  Instead of serving, they wanted power. And instead of the King of Heaven, they wanted Barabbas.

Jesus was betrayed by Judas and arrested on Thursday night. He was tried and sentenced to death. On Friday, Pilate sought to have him released.

Luke 23:18-20
¹⁸ Then a mighty roar rose from the crowd, and with one voice they shouted, “Kill him, and release Barabbas to us!” ¹⁹ (Barabbas was in prison for taking part in an insurrection in Jerusalem against the government, and for murder.) ²⁰ Pilate argued with them, because he wanted to release Jesus. ²¹ But they kept shouting, “Crucify him! Crucify him!”

Jesus or Barabbas?
People haven’t changed much in 2,000 years.  We still struggle to pick Jesus over Barrabas.
“What?!” You say, “I would never choose Barrabas over Jesus!”  Is that so?
Whenever we choose the ways of the world over the ways of Jesus, we’re choosing Barabbas.
When we demand immediate results instead of trusting God’s timing, we’re choosing Barrabas.
When we prioritize safety and comfort over obedience and sacrifice, we’re choosing Barrabas.
When we follow the crowd instead of standing for truth, we’re choosing Barrabas.
When we elevate charisma or influence over character, we’re choosing Barrabas.
When we choose temporary gain over eternal reward, we’re choosing Barrabas.
When we define success by winning instead of by faithfulness, we’re choosing Barrabas.
When we choose the kingdoms of this world over God’s Kingdom, we are choosing Barrabas.

Who Will You Choose?
So here we are—just like the crowd in Jerusalem 2,000 years ago.
Jesus enters humbly, offering peace, forgiveness, and the way of the cross.
Barabbas stands as the symbol of worldly strength, quick fixes, and the kind of power that dominates.  The people had a choice then. You have a choice now.

Every day, with every decision—how you treat your neighbor, how you lead your family, how you handle conflict, how you vote, how you speak, how you spend, how you love—you are choosing:  Jesus… or Barabbas.

Will you submit to Jesus—even when it means patience, humility, and sacrifice?
Or will you go with the crowd, shouting "Save us!" but only on your terms?

Will you lay down your life and follow the servant King on the donkey?
Or will you cling to the world's ways, hoping for glory, comfort, prosperity, and control?

So today, I challenge you to look honestly at your life. 
Not just what you say you believe—but your choices. 
Actions speak louder than words.

And ask yourself:
Whose Kingdom am I really choosing?

 

Stewardship & Responsibility - Reflections from Eden | A Sermon on Genesis 2:15-20 & Matthew 25:15-30

Introduction
Last week in our message, we explored the importance of relationships that the creation story in Genesis 2 emphasizes.  There are so many interesting ideas and themes to explore in the creation story, but today I want to focus on the idea of stewardship and responsibility.  Let’s start by reading part of the Garden of Eden story and consider what it may teach us about stewardship and then we’re going to look at what Jesus said about stewardship.

Genesis 2:15-20
¹⁵ The Lord God placed the man in the Garden of Eden to tend and watch over it. ¹⁶ But the Lord God warned him, “You may freely eat the fruit of every tree in the garden— ¹⁷ except the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. If you eat its fruit, you are sure to die.”

¹⁸ Then the Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper who is just right for him.” ¹⁹ So the Lord God formed from the ground all the wild animals and all the birds of the sky. He brought them to the man to see what he would call them, and the man chose a name for each one. ²⁰ He gave names to all the livestock, all the birds of the sky, and all the wild animals. But still there was no helper just right for him.

God Created Us to Be Stewards
God places Adam in the Garden of Eden and instructs him to work and take care of it, showing humanity’s role as caretakers of creation.  God also has Adam name all the animals.  In ancient Middle Eastern culture, knowing someone’s name often meant having power or authority over them.  Adam’s job of naming the animals shows his responsibility and authority over nature.  This story reveals part of our purpose in life is to watch over and manage God’s creation.  We are to be stewards.  That is why we can use the resources of creation to help sustain us.  But, that doesn’t mean we abuse creation, because it belongs to God.

A steward, from a biblical Christian perspective, is someone entrusted by God to manage and care for His creation and resources. This includes everything from the environment to personal relationships to our talents and our finances. A steward is called to faithfully use these gifts with responsibility, wisdom, and obedience, reflecting God’s will and purpose. Ultimately, a steward’s role is to honor God by fostering growth, serving others, and making choices that align with God’s plan.  Jesus told a parable to remind us of our purpose as God’s stewards.  The parable is found in Matthew 25:15-30.

Matthew 25:14-18
¹⁴ “Again, the Kingdom of Heaven can be illustrated by the story of a man going on a long trip. He called together his servants and entrusted his money to them while he was gone. ¹⁵ He gave five bags of silver to one, two bags of silver to another, and one bag of silver to the last—dividing it in proportion to their abilities. He then left on his trip.

¹⁶ “The servant who received the five bags of silver began to invest the money and earned five more. ¹⁷ The servant with two bags of silver also went to work and earned two more. ¹⁸ But the servant who received the one bag of silver dug a hole in the ground and hid the master’s money.

The Effect of Inflation on Money
I want to point out a basic financial principle about “interest” here, because it answers a question people often have about this parable.  Money doesn’t hold its value.  If someone gave you $100 50 years ago and you put it in a mason jar and buried it in the ground, and then dug today, how much would it be worth?  Still $100, right?  But $100 today doesn’t go as far as it did 50 years ago, right?  Because of inflation, you would need at least $634 today to have as much buying power as $100 had 50 years ago.  So, the two servants who invested their master’s money ensured the money didn’t lose value.  But the money the third fearful servant buried has lost value.

Matthew 25:19-30
¹⁹ “After a long time their master returned from his trip and called them to give an account of how they had used his money. ²⁰ The servant to whom he had entrusted the five bags of silver came forward with five more and said, ‘Master, you gave me five bags of silver to invest, and I have earned five more.’

²¹ “The master was full of praise. ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let’s celebrate together!’

²² “The servant who had received the two bags of silver came forward and said, ‘Master, you gave me two bags of silver to invest, and I have earned two more.’

²³ “The master said, ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let’s celebrate together!’

²⁴ “Then the servant with the one bag of silver came and said, ‘Master, I knew you were a harsh man, harvesting crops you didn’t plant and gathering crops you didn’t cultivate. ²⁵ I was afraid I would lose your money, so I hid it in the earth. Look, here is your money back.’

²⁶ “But the master replied, ‘You wicked and lazy servant! If you knew I harvested crops I didn’t plant and gathered crops I didn’t cultivate, ²⁷ why didn’t you deposit my money in the bank? At least I could have gotten some interest on it.’

²⁸ “Then he ordered, ‘Take the money from this servant, and give it to the one with the ten bags of silver. ²⁹ To those who use well what they are given, even more will be given, and they will have an abundance. But from those who do nothing, even what little they have will be taken away. ³⁰ Now throw this useless servant into outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

Which Servant Do You Want To Be?
Jesus’ Parable teaches us the importance of being good stewards and managing the resources God has given us. In the story, a master gives his servants different amounts of money and expects them to use it wisely while he is away.  But this is a story about us.  We are the servants in the story.  God is the Master.  He made us.  He placed us on this earth.  He entrusted to us all the talents and resources we have.  We are responsible for using what God gives us and God expects us to use it all for His glory, not just for our own selfish desires.  And we are to be fruitful with God’s resources.

Jesus’ parable also gives us a warning.  One day, the Master is going to return and ask each and everyone of us to give an account on how we managed God’s resources.  Were we fruitful?
Now which one of the servants do you want to be when the God asks you to give an account?

Stewardship involves every aspect of our lives, because everything we have and all that we are is a gift from God.  Jesus came to call us back to this way of living.  A life where we fulfill our God given purpose to be good stewards who view everything in our lives as a way to honor and glorify God.  Glorify Him with the work you do.  Glorify Him with the money you have.  Glorify Him by the way you lead your family.  Glorify Him by the way you treat you friends, raise your children, serve in your church…  Honor and glorify God as a good steward in every part of your life.

Stewardship Challenge
In my church, we did a special activity to practice what it means to be a good steward.  Each person who came to worship that day received a $5 bill as part of a stewardship challenge. Their task was to pray and ask God how they could use the $5 to bless someone that week. They were free to spend the money however they felt led, but the goal was to make a positive impact in someone else’s life. I encouraged them to be creative, thoughtful, and prayerful in how they choose to use this gift.

What would you do if you received $5?  Would you:
Buy a meal or a coffee for someone in need or surprise a stranger by paying for their order.
Purchase a small gift to give someone (like a greeting card or flowers).
Buy supplies (such as snacks, bottled water, or hygiene products) to give to someone in needs.
Combine your $5 with others to make a larger impact, such as buying groceries for a struggling family.  

Part of the point of this exercise is to make it plain to everyone that the money is not theirs.  It was given to them to be used for a purpose:  to be a blessing to others.  When we think of our own resources--our money, our talents, our time--these also are not our own.  They were given to us by God.  And we are to use them in ways that align with God's values and purposes for our world.  We are to be good steward who use God's resources in ways that honor and glorify Him.  Are you being a goof steward?  How do you need to change to do better?