WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:08.400 Good morning. My name is Matthew Capone, and I'm the pastor here at Cheyenne Mountain 00:00:08.400 --> 00:00:14.480 Presbyterian Church, and it's my joy to bring God's Word to you today. A special welcome if 00:00:14.480 --> 00:00:19.039 you're new or visiting with us. We're glad that you're here, and we're glad that you're here not 00:00:19.039 --> 00:00:25.519 because we're trying to fill seats, but because we're following Jesus together as one community, 00:00:25.519 --> 00:00:30.100 and as we follow Jesus together, we become convinced that there's no one so good. They 00:00:30.100 --> 00:00:34.939 don't need God's grace, and no one so bad that they can't have it, which is why we come back 00:00:34.939 --> 00:00:41.719 week after week to hear what God has to say to us in His Word. We're taking a little break from our 00:00:41.719 --> 00:00:48.579 series in the Gospel of Mark for the season of Easter this morning for Palm Sunday. We're going 00:00:48.579 --> 00:00:54.280 to take a look at two passages, John chapter 12 and Hebrews chapter 2, and I'll warn you right away, 00:00:54.280 --> 00:01:00.700 I'll be focusing mostly on Hebrews chapter 2, but I want us to look at John chapter 12 so we have 00:01:00.700 --> 00:01:07.019 this reminder, this context of what it is we're talking about when we talk about Palm Sunday, that 00:01:07.019 --> 00:01:14.620 Jesus is coming in as a king into Jerusalem. And we're just going to have a simple question, which is 00:01:14.620 --> 00:01:24.260 this, why would we sing at Jesus entering Jerusalem? In our passage from John, I'm not sure if there's 00:01:24.260 --> 00:01:29.320 singing or not, but they're certainly praising Him. They're excited about the fact that Jesus is 00:01:29.320 --> 00:01:38.580 coming into the city, riding in like a king. Why should we be excited? What would move us to sing 00:01:38.580 --> 00:01:46.460 for Jesus entering Jerusalem? So with that question, I invite you to turn with me. You can find both 00:01:46.459 --> 00:01:53.699 passages printed in your worship guide. You can also flip quickly in your phone or in your Bible, 00:01:53.819 --> 00:01:58.459 no matter where you go, remember that this is God's Word. And God tells us that His Word is more 00:01:58.459 --> 00:02:04.899 precious than gold, even the finest gold, and it's sweeter than honey, even honey that comes straight 00:02:04.899 --> 00:02:10.400 from the honeycomb. And so that's why we read now, starting at John chapter 12, verses 12 through 15. 00:02:10.400 --> 00:02:17.319 The next day, the large crowd that had come to the feast heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. 00:02:18.080 --> 00:02:25.500 So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet Him, crying out, Hosanna! Blessed is He who 00:02:25.500 --> 00:02:33.659 comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel. And Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it, 00:02:33.659 --> 00:02:43.159 just as it is written, Fear not, daughter of Zion. Behold, your King is coming, sitting on a donkey's colt. 00:02:43.879 --> 00:02:49.500 And we turn now to Hebrews chapter 2, verses 14 and 15. 00:02:50.300 --> 00:02:57.439 Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise partook of the same things, 00:02:57.439 --> 00:03:03.759 that through death He might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is the devil, 00:03:04.159 --> 00:03:09.939 and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery. 00:03:11.319 --> 00:03:15.020 I invite you to pray with me as we come to this portion of God's Word. 00:03:17.620 --> 00:03:25.379 Our Father in heaven, we praise you that Jesus is not just our Savior, but He's also our King. 00:03:25.379 --> 00:03:31.280 And we thank you that you've given us your Word to instruct us and to help us. 00:03:31.780 --> 00:03:39.939 We ask for that help. This morning, we confess that we are not up to the task of understanding 00:03:39.939 --> 00:03:44.659 and believing what you have to tell us unless your Spirit and your help is with us. 00:03:44.859 --> 00:03:50.479 And so we ask for that Spirit and that help, that as we look at your words to us, 00:03:50.479 --> 00:03:57.639 that you would move in our hearts and our minds, that we would see and love and adore you more and more. 00:03:58.819 --> 00:04:04.120 We thank you that we don't have to worry right now about whether we've done enough or been good enough 00:04:04.120 --> 00:04:09.060 to earn these things from you, but instead we simply ask them in the mighty name of Jesus Christ. 00:04:09.620 --> 00:04:09.939 Amen. 00:04:09.939 --> 00:04:10.120 Amen. 00:04:10.120 --> 00:04:10.180 Amen. 00:04:14.319 --> 00:04:22.959 The 2004 feel-good sports movie Miracle tells the story of the USA hockey team in 1980 00:04:22.959 --> 00:04:30.220 and how they defeated Russia, and it opens in Colorado Springs, of all places, in 1979 00:04:30.220 --> 00:04:32.740 at the headquarters of USA hockey. 00:04:33.319 --> 00:04:37.740 Later in the movie, we'll get to see a little bit of the Broadmoor World Arena from 1979. 00:04:37.740 --> 00:04:43.980 And there's this meeting, this interview with Herb Brooks, who they're considering to be the coach of this team, 00:04:44.079 --> 00:04:47.480 about how in the world they're going to be able to defeat the Soviet Union. 00:04:47.840 --> 00:04:50.000 The Soviet Union has this lock on the Olympics. 00:04:50.180 --> 00:04:52.819 They've won it for three or four Olympics in a row. 00:04:53.199 --> 00:04:55.639 And the American team has been incredibly embarrassed. 00:04:55.860 --> 00:04:59.819 They recently lost to a B team from the Czech Republic. 00:04:59.980 --> 00:05:02.699 And so they have this discussion about whether they have any hope 00:05:02.699 --> 00:05:08.740 and what they're going to be able to do if they're going to be able to pull together a team fast enough 00:05:08.740 --> 00:05:10.979 and train them quickly enough. 00:05:11.159 --> 00:05:16.379 Now, there's lots of ideas that are put onto the table about how it is they're going to be able to accomplish this, 00:05:16.539 --> 00:05:19.120 whether they have any chance against the Soviets. 00:05:20.099 --> 00:05:24.199 There's one idea, however, that never gets put on the table. 00:05:24.199 --> 00:05:31.920 No one suggests that they should try to find better players from other countries. 00:05:33.360 --> 00:05:35.899 Now, it seems like an obvious solution to me. 00:05:36.099 --> 00:05:37.319 The Russians are beating you. 00:05:37.379 --> 00:05:38.099 What should you do? 00:05:38.399 --> 00:05:39.339 Hire some Russians. 00:05:41.240 --> 00:05:41.419 Right? 00:05:41.959 --> 00:05:45.659 I mean, that seems like that would solve the problem immediately. 00:05:46.120 --> 00:05:47.319 And so why do they not do this? 00:05:47.419 --> 00:05:50.159 Why do they not recruit people from another country? 00:05:50.160 --> 00:05:55.480 If you think I'm asking a stupid question, it's because I am. 00:05:57.000 --> 00:05:58.780 It's obvious, right? 00:05:58.860 --> 00:06:01.920 That is part of the logic of the Olympics. 00:06:02.260 --> 00:06:04.300 That's part of the logic of victory. 00:06:04.420 --> 00:06:08.160 The champion has to be one of you. 00:06:09.400 --> 00:06:11.360 That question is not even raised. 00:06:11.440 --> 00:06:15.320 You probably think I'm an idiot for asking it because those are the rules. 00:06:15.480 --> 00:06:17.220 No one would think anything different. 00:06:17.220 --> 00:06:21.500 Of course, the USA Olympic team is made up of Americans. 00:06:21.780 --> 00:06:25.100 That's the only way it's going to be able to happen. 00:06:25.280 --> 00:06:27.680 You don't get to hire mercenaries. 00:06:28.820 --> 00:06:31.840 Mercenaries are in it for themselves, right? 00:06:31.920 --> 00:06:35.820 It's one of you who does it for all of you. 00:06:36.880 --> 00:06:41.420 Americans are required for an American victory. 00:06:41.420 --> 00:06:46.939 This principle is obvious to us when it comes to the Olympics. 00:06:46.939 --> 00:06:52.100 It is so obvious to the author of the book of Hebrews that he assumes it. 00:06:52.220 --> 00:06:53.060 Verse 14. 00:06:53.480 --> 00:07:02.340 If Jesus is going to be our great champion, of course, he's going to have to become human. 00:07:02.339 --> 00:07:07.899 That is the only way he's going to be able to represent us. 00:07:07.979 --> 00:07:08.699 Verse 14. 00:07:09.219 --> 00:07:14.859 Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things. 00:07:14.899 --> 00:07:21.159 In other words, he became a man that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death. 00:07:23.059 --> 00:07:25.939 Only Americans can represent America. 00:07:26.239 --> 00:07:28.000 Nothing else makes sense. 00:07:28.519 --> 00:07:29.239 It's obvious. 00:07:29.240 --> 00:07:33.819 Only a man can represent men. 00:07:34.720 --> 00:07:39.180 Jesus, as the champion of his people, becomes like his people. 00:07:39.980 --> 00:07:45.079 Jesus, as the champion of his people, wins for his people. 00:07:45.560 --> 00:07:48.400 That's the only way it can happen. 00:07:50.259 --> 00:07:53.420 Who won in 1980 against the Russians? 00:07:54.000 --> 00:07:56.379 Was it the 20 members of the team? 00:07:56.379 --> 00:07:59.259 Or was it the United States of America? 00:08:01.180 --> 00:08:01.740 Yes. 00:08:02.879 --> 00:08:03.439 Yes. 00:08:03.560 --> 00:08:06.980 It was the 20 members of the team and the United States of America. 00:08:07.199 --> 00:08:10.920 It was necessary for American players to defeat Russian players. 00:08:11.180 --> 00:08:15.199 It's the only way it could be a victory for America on behalf of America. 00:08:15.399 --> 00:08:19.339 It was necessary for a man to defeat Satan. 00:08:19.339 --> 00:08:22.819 That's the only way it could be a victory for men. 00:08:22.819 --> 00:08:30.779 That's what we see on Palm Sunday in our passage from the Gospel of John. 00:08:31.159 --> 00:08:35.939 Jesus, as the king, is coming in to defeat Satan. 00:08:36.199 --> 00:08:41.259 When Jesus rides into Jerusalem, he rides in as our champion. 00:08:41.519 --> 00:08:44.559 He rides in to be a conqueror. 00:08:44.559 --> 00:08:50.159 In the movie, when the final showdown comes between the Russian team and the American team, 00:08:50.299 --> 00:08:56.279 we see the Americans coming onto the ice for the first time as the crowd welcomes them 00:08:56.279 --> 00:09:00.039 because they have arrived to have the final showdown in battle. 00:09:00.239 --> 00:09:03.459 When Jesus rides in as our king on Palm Sunday, 00:09:03.699 --> 00:09:10.000 he is skating in on the ice, getting ready to defeat and conquer Satan. 00:09:10.000 --> 00:09:14.440 He is preparing for that battle. 00:09:15.460 --> 00:09:22.000 Jesus has showed up here in John chapter 12 because it's time for Satan to get trashed. 00:09:24.399 --> 00:09:29.159 Why is it that we sing about Jesus entering Jerusalem? 00:09:29.419 --> 00:09:32.279 Why is it that we celebrate Palm Sunday? 00:09:32.399 --> 00:09:35.399 There are many things, certainly, that we celebrate around Easter. 00:09:35.559 --> 00:09:36.559 One of them is this. 00:09:36.559 --> 00:09:40.879 Our champion, Jesus, is entering the arena. 00:09:42.059 --> 00:09:47.079 Our champion, Jesus, has finally come into Jerusalem for the final showdown. 00:09:47.439 --> 00:09:52.479 Our champion, Jesus, is here to take Satan out back. 00:09:54.159 --> 00:10:00.759 If you look in your worship guide, page four, we have this verse from 1 John chapter 3, verse 8. 00:10:00.759 --> 00:10:06.079 The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil. 00:10:07.359 --> 00:10:11.239 Jesus came because Satan had to be crushed. 00:10:11.579 --> 00:10:14.919 Jesus came because of the promise that we read in Genesis chapter 3 00:10:14.919 --> 00:10:20.659 that one day the offspring of the woman would come and bruise the head of the serpent, 00:10:20.899 --> 00:10:25.759 which is a nice way of saying that Jesus came to curb-stomp Satan. 00:10:26.899 --> 00:10:31.199 That is why he is arriving here in Jerusalem. 00:10:31.200 --> 00:10:41.960 As the USA team enters into the arena before the game, what are the people shouting? 00:10:43.420 --> 00:10:46.600 It's USA, USA, right? 00:10:46.820 --> 00:10:49.540 Because that's what you do when your champion arrives. 00:10:49.539 --> 00:10:55.919 John chapter 12, what are these people saying as Jesus enters the arena? 00:10:56.599 --> 00:10:58.500 Verse 13, Hosanna. 00:10:59.339 --> 00:11:05.519 Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel. 00:11:05.519 --> 00:11:09.840 What do we do with Jesus, our King? 00:11:09.939 --> 00:11:13.960 We follow the people of Palm Sunday, and we praise him. 00:11:15.319 --> 00:11:18.319 We also are able to sing hallelujah. 00:11:18.319 --> 00:11:22.139 We are also able to say that Jesus is our great and mighty King, 00:11:22.220 --> 00:11:25.000 and we are excited in praising him here, now, this morning, 00:11:25.039 --> 00:11:28.840 because he has come as our champion to finish our enemy once and for all. 00:11:28.840 --> 00:11:34.540 That is why and what we celebrate at Palm Sunday. 00:11:35.340 --> 00:11:38.560 That's what we did earlier when we sang shout to the Lord together. 00:11:38.700 --> 00:11:41.460 We said, power and majesty, praise to the King. 00:11:43.100 --> 00:11:45.460 Jesus has skated onto the ice. 00:11:46.960 --> 00:11:51.420 And now, for the rest of Holy Week, we get to watch the game, 00:11:52.220 --> 00:11:53.879 knowing how it ends. 00:11:53.879 --> 00:11:59.639 The time for Satan to be defeated has come. 00:12:03.139 --> 00:12:05.139 And so we see here this answer, right? 00:12:05.220 --> 00:12:06.919 We praise him because he comes. 00:12:07.220 --> 00:12:10.960 He comes to wreck the devil, and we find out more, 00:12:11.120 --> 00:12:14.759 verse 14 of Hebrews chapter 2, what that means. 00:12:16.500 --> 00:12:19.200 He himself likewise partook of the same things, 00:12:19.200 --> 00:12:23.920 that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death. 00:12:24.540 --> 00:12:29.340 Now, what does it mean here that Satan is the one who has the power of death? 00:12:29.400 --> 00:12:31.200 Well, I want you to think about it this way. 00:12:32.200 --> 00:12:34.820 I'm someone who enjoys a good trail run. 00:12:35.160 --> 00:12:38.180 One of my favorite places to go run is in Cheyenne Mountain State Park, 00:12:38.259 --> 00:12:40.759 which is just 10 minutes south of here. 00:12:41.840 --> 00:12:43.920 And when you run in Cheyenne Mountain State Park, 00:12:43.980 --> 00:12:46.600 one thing you have to be aware of is there's a lot of snakes. 00:12:46.600 --> 00:12:51.940 And snakes, during the summer, or really all the time, like to stay warm. 00:12:52.600 --> 00:12:55.680 Where's the best place for them to hang out if they want to stay warm? 00:12:56.700 --> 00:12:57.580 Right on the trail. 00:12:58.620 --> 00:13:00.940 Because there's no cover or protection on the trail. 00:13:01.019 --> 00:13:03.060 So they can just sit and lie out in the sun. 00:13:03.879 --> 00:13:07.940 And so my job as I'm running along is to keep my eyes open 00:13:07.940 --> 00:13:10.159 to make sure I don't step on a snake. 00:13:10.259 --> 00:13:12.840 In fact, there was one time I jumped over two snakes in a row. 00:13:12.840 --> 00:13:16.200 You might be thinking at this point, 00:13:16.340 --> 00:13:19.960 what is wrong with me that I would be running in the state park with all these snakes? 00:13:21.160 --> 00:13:23.860 Why do I not have a healthier fear? 00:13:25.560 --> 00:13:26.860 And the reason is this. 00:13:27.540 --> 00:13:29.320 It's not the bite that kills you. 00:13:30.100 --> 00:13:31.000 It's the venom. 00:13:33.379 --> 00:13:36.840 Most of the snakes in Cheyenne Mountain State Park are harmless. 00:13:36.840 --> 00:13:39.500 They are garter snakes. 00:13:40.660 --> 00:13:42.320 Garter snakes can bite you. 00:13:42.660 --> 00:13:43.820 They can't kill you. 00:13:44.899 --> 00:13:45.759 I did my research. 00:13:45.899 --> 00:13:49.600 There's only one snake in Cheyenne Mountain State Park that can kill you, 00:13:49.879 --> 00:13:50.840 and it's the rattlesnake. 00:13:51.440 --> 00:13:54.180 Now, I had a conversation, I think it's been a couple years at this point, 00:13:54.259 --> 00:13:55.600 with one of the park rangers over there, 00:13:55.620 --> 00:13:56.240 and they told me, 00:13:56.740 --> 00:13:58.860 you don't need to worry about the rattlesnakes too much 00:13:58.860 --> 00:14:01.320 because the rattlesnakes are extremely territorial, 00:14:01.660 --> 00:14:03.680 which means there's only a few of them. 00:14:03.679 --> 00:14:06.679 So you got all these garter snakes. 00:14:06.819 --> 00:14:08.759 I want to say, don't quote me on this, 00:14:08.879 --> 00:14:09.639 there's maybe like, 00:14:10.059 --> 00:14:12.279 I can probably count the rattlesnakes on one hand 00:14:12.279 --> 00:14:13.559 that are in Cheyenne Mountain State Park, 00:14:13.739 --> 00:14:14.739 and it's a big park. 00:14:15.679 --> 00:14:15.859 Okay? 00:14:16.739 --> 00:14:19.159 It's not the bite that kills you. 00:14:19.839 --> 00:14:20.899 It's the venom. 00:14:23.979 --> 00:14:25.259 The point is this. 00:14:26.339 --> 00:14:28.099 Outside of Jesus, 00:14:29.039 --> 00:14:31.740 death is a rattlesnake. 00:14:31.740 --> 00:14:34.440 Outside of Jesus, 00:14:34.639 --> 00:14:36.060 death is a rattlesnake. 00:14:36.419 --> 00:14:38.639 It doesn't just kill you physically, 00:14:38.779 --> 00:14:40.000 it doesn't just hurt you physically, 00:14:40.139 --> 00:14:40.639 the bite, 00:14:41.440 --> 00:14:44.639 it can also kill you spiritually, 00:14:45.200 --> 00:14:45.639 the venom. 00:14:47.519 --> 00:14:49.560 Death doesn't just kill you physically, 00:14:50.080 --> 00:14:50.680 the bite, 00:14:51.159 --> 00:14:53.820 it can kill you spiritually as well. 00:14:53.899 --> 00:14:54.620 It has venom. 00:14:55.120 --> 00:14:58.360 It can separate you from God forever. 00:14:58.360 --> 00:15:00.460 Outside of Jesus, 00:15:00.700 --> 00:15:02.120 death is a rattlesnake. 00:15:03.659 --> 00:15:05.000 With Jesus, 00:15:05.960 --> 00:15:08.039 death is a garter snake. 00:15:09.340 --> 00:15:13.060 The power of death has been removed. 00:15:13.320 --> 00:15:15.159 When death bit Jesus, 00:15:15.740 --> 00:15:17.940 he absorbed all its venom. 00:15:19.519 --> 00:15:21.639 There is no venom left. 00:15:21.820 --> 00:15:23.820 When death bites you, 00:15:23.820 --> 00:15:27.540 there is no venom left for you either. 00:15:29.020 --> 00:15:29.280 Okay? 00:15:29.700 --> 00:15:31.980 That's part of what 1 Corinthians 15 means 00:15:31.980 --> 00:15:32.820 when it says this. 00:15:33.220 --> 00:15:33.720 Oh, death, 00:15:33.800 --> 00:15:34.700 where is your victory? 00:15:34.860 --> 00:15:35.320 Oh, death, 00:15:35.420 --> 00:15:36.500 where is your sting? 00:15:36.900 --> 00:15:38.560 The sting of death is sin, 00:15:38.600 --> 00:15:40.360 and the power of sin is the law. 00:15:40.760 --> 00:15:41.960 But thanks be to God 00:15:41.960 --> 00:15:43.320 who gives us the victory 00:15:43.320 --> 00:15:44.960 through our Lord Jesus Christ. 00:15:45.820 --> 00:15:46.640 Oh, death, 00:15:46.740 --> 00:15:47.600 where is your sting? 00:15:47.680 --> 00:15:48.140 In other words, 00:15:48.220 --> 00:15:48.440 death, 00:15:48.560 --> 00:15:49.480 where is your venom? 00:15:49.480 --> 00:15:53.259 You know what all you can do now is? 00:15:53.580 --> 00:15:55.240 All you can do is bite. 00:15:55.940 --> 00:15:56.779 You can't kill. 00:15:59.879 --> 00:16:01.680 The reality of death 00:16:01.680 --> 00:16:03.580 is still here for all of us. 00:16:04.120 --> 00:16:05.360 If you're a Christian, 00:16:05.560 --> 00:16:08.300 its threat and its power is gone. 00:16:09.159 --> 00:16:11.000 That's why we both lament 00:16:11.000 --> 00:16:13.680 and rejoice at the funeral of a Christian. 00:16:14.080 --> 00:16:15.860 1 Thessalonians 4 tells us 00:16:15.860 --> 00:16:16.740 that we grieve, 00:16:16.740 --> 00:16:18.519 but not as the world grieves 00:16:18.519 --> 00:16:19.680 because we have hope. 00:16:20.080 --> 00:16:21.860 We know that this person 00:16:21.860 --> 00:16:23.259 has experienced the bite. 00:16:23.659 --> 00:16:24.680 They are dead physically. 00:16:24.980 --> 00:16:25.840 We also know 00:16:25.840 --> 00:16:27.460 they have not experienced the venom. 00:16:27.620 --> 00:16:29.080 They are not dead spiritually. 00:16:29.279 --> 00:16:29.680 In fact, 00:16:29.940 --> 00:16:30.860 what's true of Paul 00:16:30.860 --> 00:16:32.159 says in Philippians 1 00:16:32.159 --> 00:16:33.120 that if they die, 00:16:33.220 --> 00:16:34.539 they go to be with Christ. 00:16:34.860 --> 00:16:36.600 They're in the presence of Jesus, 00:16:36.879 --> 00:16:39.159 and death cannot keep them from that. 00:16:40.379 --> 00:16:42.779 Death has lost its power. 00:16:44.539 --> 00:16:46.080 If you are a Christian, 00:16:46.080 --> 00:16:47.660 death will bite you, 00:16:49.060 --> 00:16:51.300 it will not and cannot 00:16:51.300 --> 00:16:52.759 ultimately kill you. 00:16:54.000 --> 00:16:55.560 It is inconvenient. 00:16:55.900 --> 00:16:56.639 It is uncomfortable. 00:16:57.020 --> 00:16:57.980 It is tragic. 00:16:58.820 --> 00:17:01.040 It is not ultimately fatal. 00:17:02.920 --> 00:17:05.200 Jesus dealt with the venom 00:17:05.200 --> 00:17:07.620 when he dealt with Satan. 00:17:08.259 --> 00:17:10.259 It cannot kill your soul. 00:17:11.759 --> 00:17:12.900 Death is not your end. 00:17:12.900 --> 00:17:15.840 Jesus disarms death. 00:17:17.880 --> 00:17:21.580 He has removed the power of Satan, 00:17:21.980 --> 00:17:23.960 which is the power of death. 00:17:25.320 --> 00:17:26.759 Now, if you were with us 00:17:26.759 --> 00:17:28.160 a few weeks ago 00:17:28.160 --> 00:17:29.400 when Jonathan Clark preached, 00:17:29.460 --> 00:17:31.040 he gave us this amazing, 00:17:31.259 --> 00:17:33.220 wonderful quote about our hope, 00:17:33.600 --> 00:17:35.180 and so I pinned him down on it, 00:17:35.560 --> 00:17:37.160 and I made him help me find it. 00:17:37.160 --> 00:17:41.380 And that quote is on page three 00:17:41.380 --> 00:17:42.060 of your worship, 00:17:42.220 --> 00:17:44.600 no, it's on page five 00:17:44.600 --> 00:17:45.500 of your worship guide. 00:17:46.240 --> 00:17:47.600 And he told us this, 00:17:48.180 --> 00:17:49.140 that if we're in Christ, 00:17:49.779 --> 00:17:51.259 we know that our bad things 00:17:51.259 --> 00:17:52.779 will turn out for good, 00:17:53.360 --> 00:17:55.759 our good things cannot be taken from us, 00:17:56.040 --> 00:17:57.720 and the best things are yet to come. 00:17:58.540 --> 00:18:00.440 Our bad things will turn out for good, 00:18:00.920 --> 00:18:03.220 our good things cannot be taken from us, 00:18:03.560 --> 00:18:05.600 and the best things are yet to come. 00:18:05.599 --> 00:18:08.679 Those things are true and only true 00:18:08.679 --> 00:18:10.139 because the power of death 00:18:10.139 --> 00:18:11.919 no longer has a hold on us. 00:18:12.399 --> 00:18:14.599 Our bad things will turn out for good, 00:18:15.240 --> 00:18:17.279 so there's nothing Satan can hold over us. 00:18:17.859 --> 00:18:20.579 Our good things cannot be taken away from us. 00:18:21.019 --> 00:18:22.899 Death does not threaten the inheritance 00:18:22.899 --> 00:18:25.059 that we have as sons and daughters of God, 00:18:25.659 --> 00:18:27.359 and the best things are yet to come. 00:18:27.439 --> 00:18:29.199 We know how the story ends. 00:18:29.279 --> 00:18:31.000 The story ends in a great, 00:18:31.299 --> 00:18:32.519 the greatest feast 00:18:32.519 --> 00:18:34.039 as we're gathered together again 00:18:34.039 --> 00:18:36.319 as God's people and brought back into his presence. 00:18:37.259 --> 00:18:38.159 In other words, 00:18:38.279 --> 00:18:40.259 no matter what happens in this life, 00:18:40.319 --> 00:18:43.240 we cannot lose what is most precious and valuable. 00:18:43.559 --> 00:18:45.859 No matter what happens in this life, 00:18:45.920 --> 00:18:47.940 it's what we talked about in 1 Peter 1, 00:18:48.480 --> 00:18:50.720 Satan cannot threaten our inheritance. 00:18:51.859 --> 00:18:54.839 We have a treasure that's been stored up 00:18:54.839 --> 00:18:57.000 that is untouchable. 00:18:57.000 --> 00:18:59.339 Why is that true? 00:19:00.140 --> 00:19:02.720 Because Jesus destroyed the devil. 00:19:04.420 --> 00:19:08.140 And that's what we're celebrating on Palm Sunday. 00:19:10.500 --> 00:19:13.539 Verse 14 also tells us about his strategy. 00:19:14.859 --> 00:19:17.259 It's not just that he destroyed the devil, 00:19:17.339 --> 00:19:18.880 but he did it through a specific way. 00:19:19.279 --> 00:19:19.960 Through death, 00:19:20.359 --> 00:19:24.019 he might destroy the one who has the power of death. 00:19:24.019 --> 00:19:28.019 He used death to destroy death. 00:19:29.139 --> 00:19:30.079 In the movie Miracle, 00:19:30.160 --> 00:19:32.599 as they're watching the game tape of the Russians, 00:19:32.740 --> 00:19:34.059 the coach points out to them 00:19:34.059 --> 00:19:36.519 that you don't defend the Russians, 00:19:36.759 --> 00:19:37.720 you attack them. 00:19:38.980 --> 00:19:40.579 You take their game 00:19:40.579 --> 00:19:42.680 and you shove it right back in their face. 00:19:44.180 --> 00:19:46.539 Because the Russians were used to being able 00:19:46.539 --> 00:19:47.720 to outskate anyone, 00:19:47.859 --> 00:19:49.400 and so they'd always stay on the attack, 00:19:49.500 --> 00:19:50.440 never on the defense. 00:19:50.440 --> 00:19:52.220 Their goal was to return 00:19:52.220 --> 00:19:54.420 and play their same game against them, 00:19:54.539 --> 00:19:55.600 to make them, 00:19:55.840 --> 00:19:57.279 force them to play defense 00:19:57.279 --> 00:19:59.519 and let the Americans play offense. 00:20:00.180 --> 00:20:01.759 Jesus takes death, 00:20:02.539 --> 00:20:04.700 he takes its game, 00:20:05.039 --> 00:20:07.580 and he shoves it right back in its face. 00:20:09.180 --> 00:20:10.940 Jesus does the unexpected, 00:20:11.140 --> 00:20:11.440 the counterintuitive, 00:20:12.220 --> 00:20:14.440 he uses death to destroy death. 00:20:14.440 --> 00:20:19.559 And so that's why verse 15, 00:20:20.160 --> 00:20:21.519 he's able to deliver us 00:20:21.519 --> 00:20:23.160 from the fear of death. 00:20:24.000 --> 00:20:25.400 He delivers all those 00:20:25.400 --> 00:20:26.519 who through fear of death 00:20:26.519 --> 00:20:29.299 were subject to lifelong slavery. 00:20:30.799 --> 00:20:32.160 This means a lot of things, 00:20:32.160 --> 00:20:33.960 to be delivered from the fear of death. 00:20:34.720 --> 00:20:37.519 It certainly means that we're delivered 00:20:37.519 --> 00:20:40.559 from death being held over our heads 00:20:40.559 --> 00:20:41.140 as a threat. 00:20:41.880 --> 00:20:43.880 We saw that with John the Baptist last week. 00:20:43.880 --> 00:20:44.900 Herod kills him. 00:20:46.360 --> 00:20:46.980 So what? 00:20:48.560 --> 00:20:50.420 John the Baptist gets to go 00:20:50.420 --> 00:20:51.260 and be with Christ. 00:20:52.180 --> 00:20:53.900 That's one of the amazing things 00:20:53.900 --> 00:20:55.680 about Christians during persecution. 00:20:56.600 --> 00:20:58.060 Death is not a threat to them. 00:20:58.940 --> 00:20:59.980 And so it's a challenge 00:20:59.980 --> 00:21:01.000 and a witness 00:21:01.000 --> 00:21:02.880 to those who are opposing them 00:21:02.880 --> 00:21:03.740 and persecuting them, 00:21:03.780 --> 00:21:06.700 that they have a supernatural hope 00:21:06.700 --> 00:21:07.880 beyond the grave. 00:21:09.500 --> 00:21:11.180 Doesn't just mean that death 00:21:11.180 --> 00:21:13.380 can no longer be held over our heads, 00:21:13.380 --> 00:21:15.820 but death not being a threat anymore 00:21:15.820 --> 00:21:17.440 means that we can look death 00:21:17.440 --> 00:21:19.460 in the face without fear. 00:21:21.060 --> 00:21:22.860 We live in a culture right now 00:21:22.860 --> 00:21:25.020 that refuses to look death in the face. 00:21:26.760 --> 00:21:28.240 That's why we live in a culture 00:21:28.240 --> 00:21:31.000 that is obsessed with youth. 00:21:32.600 --> 00:21:33.680 We live in a culture 00:21:33.680 --> 00:21:35.200 that's obsessed with looking 00:21:35.200 --> 00:21:37.380 and staying as young as possible, 00:21:37.720 --> 00:21:38.940 as long as possible. 00:21:38.940 --> 00:21:39.779 Why? 00:21:44.200 --> 00:21:45.519 Because they're subject 00:21:45.519 --> 00:21:47.320 to lifelong slavery 00:21:47.320 --> 00:21:48.660 through fear of death. 00:21:50.100 --> 00:21:52.640 If there's nothing after death, 00:21:52.799 --> 00:21:54.460 then you have to do 00:21:54.460 --> 00:21:56.660 everything you can to avoid it. 00:21:57.340 --> 00:21:59.680 You must not look it in the face. 00:22:01.279 --> 00:22:02.160 It's the same reason 00:22:02.160 --> 00:22:04.900 our culture can't talk about death. 00:22:04.900 --> 00:22:08.100 We used to have funerals 00:22:08.100 --> 00:22:09.240 and memorial services. 00:22:11.140 --> 00:22:12.800 Now we have celebrations of life. 00:22:13.759 --> 00:22:14.300 Now, first of all, 00:22:14.340 --> 00:22:15.220 don't hear what I'm not saying. 00:22:15.300 --> 00:22:16.600 If you've had a celebration of life, 00:22:16.640 --> 00:22:17.720 I'm not throwing you under the bus. 00:22:18.400 --> 00:22:19.360 What I am saying 00:22:19.360 --> 00:22:20.019 is that Christians 00:22:20.019 --> 00:22:20.920 are the only ones 00:22:20.920 --> 00:22:22.060 who can truly celebrate 00:22:22.060 --> 00:22:23.500 the life of someone who's died. 00:22:25.280 --> 00:22:26.800 If there is nothing 00:22:26.800 --> 00:22:28.440 after this life, 00:22:29.180 --> 00:22:30.900 then at some level, 00:22:31.060 --> 00:22:31.519 ultimately, 00:22:31.759 --> 00:22:33.340 everything in this life 00:22:33.339 --> 00:22:34.379 is meaningless. 00:22:35.939 --> 00:22:37.039 We cannot have 00:22:37.039 --> 00:22:38.720 a true celebration of life 00:22:38.720 --> 00:22:39.419 without grieving 00:22:39.419 --> 00:22:40.839 what needs to be grieved. 00:22:41.919 --> 00:22:42.819 And that celebration 00:22:42.819 --> 00:22:43.799 is hollow 00:22:43.799 --> 00:22:44.740 if there's nothing 00:22:44.740 --> 00:22:45.459 after death. 00:22:46.740 --> 00:22:47.699 That celebration 00:22:47.699 --> 00:22:48.459 is hollow 00:22:48.459 --> 00:22:49.519 if you and I 00:22:49.519 --> 00:22:50.879 are simply tortured 00:22:50.879 --> 00:22:52.339 atoms in this universe. 00:22:54.179 --> 00:22:55.579 But it's Christians 00:22:55.579 --> 00:22:57.159 who are no longer subject 00:22:57.159 --> 00:22:58.919 to lifelong slavery. 00:22:58.920 --> 00:23:01.640 It's because Jesus 00:23:01.640 --> 00:23:03.759 came and crushed 00:23:03.759 --> 00:23:05.340 the head of the serpent 00:23:05.340 --> 00:23:06.900 that we no longer 00:23:06.900 --> 00:23:08.640 have to fear death 00:23:08.640 --> 00:23:10.100 that we can look it 00:23:10.100 --> 00:23:11.100 in the eyes. 00:23:13.680 --> 00:23:14.759 We don't live 00:23:14.759 --> 00:23:15.759 with the fear of death 00:23:15.759 --> 00:23:16.400 because we look 00:23:16.400 --> 00:23:17.660 to something after it. 00:23:17.700 --> 00:23:18.800 We have hope 00:23:18.800 --> 00:23:19.800 for more. 00:23:21.980 --> 00:23:22.539 Tim Keller 00:23:22.539 --> 00:23:23.320 talks about this 00:23:23.320 --> 00:23:23.860 in his book 00:23:23.860 --> 00:23:25.340 Hope in Times of Fear 00:23:25.340 --> 00:23:26.460 which came out last year 00:23:26.460 --> 00:23:27.500 which is about the hope 00:23:27.500 --> 00:23:28.680 that we have 00:23:28.680 --> 00:23:29.819 because of the resurrection 00:23:29.819 --> 00:23:30.700 and he points out 00:23:30.700 --> 00:23:32.720 that life in this world, 00:23:33.059 --> 00:23:33.740 living in this world 00:23:33.740 --> 00:23:34.299 and our culture, 00:23:34.420 --> 00:23:35.360 we're told that there's 00:23:35.360 --> 00:23:36.640 nothing that comes 00:23:36.640 --> 00:23:37.980 after death. 00:23:39.140 --> 00:23:40.180 And he points out 00:23:40.180 --> 00:23:40.640 that ultimately 00:23:40.640 --> 00:23:41.940 that makes our lives 00:23:41.940 --> 00:23:42.440 meaningless. 00:23:43.480 --> 00:23:44.480 We try to take comfort 00:23:44.480 --> 00:23:46.140 in symbolic transcendence, 00:23:46.539 --> 00:23:48.039 the idea that what we do 00:23:48.039 --> 00:23:48.880 will live on 00:23:48.880 --> 00:23:49.480 in our work 00:23:49.480 --> 00:23:50.079 or in the lives 00:23:50.079 --> 00:23:50.640 of our children. 00:23:51.340 --> 00:23:52.279 But the reality 00:23:52.279 --> 00:23:53.519 is that in the end 00:23:53.519 --> 00:23:54.259 whether you live 00:23:54.259 --> 00:23:55.240 a life of goodness 00:23:55.240 --> 00:23:56.019 or of cruelty 00:23:56.019 --> 00:23:57.200 will make no final 00:23:57.200 --> 00:23:58.019 difference at all, 00:23:58.839 --> 00:23:59.420 the knowledge 00:23:59.420 --> 00:24:00.839 of ultimate oblivion 00:24:00.839 --> 00:24:02.960 even when somewhat repressed 00:24:02.960 --> 00:24:04.319 seeps in 00:24:04.319 --> 00:24:05.599 and robs life 00:24:05.599 --> 00:24:06.839 of significance. 00:24:07.980 --> 00:24:08.920 No one can live 00:24:08.920 --> 00:24:09.480 consistently 00:24:09.480 --> 00:24:10.279 with the belief 00:24:10.279 --> 00:24:11.539 that we are only matter 00:24:11.539 --> 00:24:12.759 and that our ultimate end 00:24:12.759 --> 00:24:13.559 is oblivion. 00:24:14.200 --> 00:24:15.559 So we have no hope. 00:24:17.039 --> 00:24:17.559 Unless. 00:24:18.519 --> 00:24:19.980 Unless there is a God 00:24:19.980 --> 00:24:20.700 who has promised 00:24:20.700 --> 00:24:21.620 to guide history 00:24:21.620 --> 00:24:22.940 not to an end 00:24:22.940 --> 00:24:24.319 but to a new beginning. 00:24:24.319 --> 00:24:25.960 to a world 00:24:25.960 --> 00:24:26.879 in which finally 00:24:26.879 --> 00:24:27.859 death and evil 00:24:27.859 --> 00:24:29.279 are completely destroyed 00:24:29.279 --> 00:24:31.200 and justice and peace 00:24:31.200 --> 00:24:32.039 reign supreme 00:24:32.039 --> 00:24:33.939 the sign of which 00:24:33.939 --> 00:24:35.159 is the resurrection. 00:24:37.019 --> 00:24:38.039 Brothers and sisters 00:24:38.039 --> 00:24:38.960 because Jesus 00:24:38.960 --> 00:24:40.559 rides in on Palm Sunday 00:24:40.559 --> 00:24:41.579 to crush the head 00:24:41.579 --> 00:24:42.099 of the devil 00:24:42.099 --> 00:24:43.500 you have hope 00:24:43.500 --> 00:24:45.059 not just in this life 00:24:45.059 --> 00:24:46.099 but in the life to come. 00:24:47.059 --> 00:24:48.399 What you do now 00:24:48.399 --> 00:24:49.319 truly does 00:24:49.319 --> 00:24:50.500 echo through eternity. 00:24:50.500 --> 00:24:52.480 what you suffer now 00:24:52.480 --> 00:24:54.319 cannot threaten 00:24:54.319 --> 00:24:55.460 what is most precious 00:24:55.460 --> 00:24:56.900 and most valuable. 00:24:57.940 --> 00:25:00.420 You no longer live 00:25:00.420 --> 00:25:02.619 in the lifelong slavery 00:25:02.619 --> 00:25:03.460 that comes 00:25:03.460 --> 00:25:05.119 through the fear of death. 00:25:05.119 --> 00:25:11.559 In the 2008 movie 00:25:11.559 --> 00:25:12.299 Gran Torino 00:25:12.299 --> 00:25:13.699 Clint Eastwood 00:25:13.699 --> 00:25:14.939 plays this man 00:25:14.939 --> 00:25:16.059 named Walt Kowalski 00:25:16.059 --> 00:25:17.759 and Walt is a bitter 00:25:17.759 --> 00:25:19.279 Vietnam War vet 00:25:19.279 --> 00:25:21.179 who forms a relationship 00:25:21.179 --> 00:25:22.039 with his neighbor 00:25:22.039 --> 00:25:23.199 a young boy 00:25:23.199 --> 00:25:23.839 named Tao. 00:25:24.659 --> 00:25:25.899 And Tao gets mixed up 00:25:25.899 --> 00:25:27.319 in a violent gang 00:25:27.319 --> 00:25:28.079 in town 00:25:28.079 --> 00:25:30.000 and finally gets 00:25:30.000 --> 00:25:30.859 on the wrong side of them 00:25:30.859 --> 00:25:31.439 the violence 00:25:31.439 --> 00:25:32.699 escalates 00:25:32.699 --> 00:25:33.339 more and more 00:25:33.339 --> 00:25:34.379 until Walt decides 00:25:34.379 --> 00:25:35.059 it's time 00:25:35.059 --> 00:25:35.659 for him 00:25:35.659 --> 00:25:36.959 to defend Tao 00:25:36.959 --> 00:25:38.019 and finish it 00:25:38.019 --> 00:25:39.259 once and for all. 00:25:40.279 --> 00:25:41.279 And so we see him 00:25:41.279 --> 00:25:42.559 making his preparations 00:25:42.559 --> 00:25:44.419 for his final showdown 00:25:44.419 --> 00:25:45.399 with a gang 00:25:45.399 --> 00:25:45.980 that's threatening 00:25:45.980 --> 00:25:46.519 his friend. 00:25:46.619 --> 00:25:47.039 He goes 00:25:47.039 --> 00:25:48.240 and he gets a haircut 00:25:48.240 --> 00:25:49.859 he makes sure 00:25:49.859 --> 00:25:51.119 his lawn is mowed 00:25:51.119 --> 00:25:53.699 he makes his final confession 00:25:53.699 --> 00:25:55.179 to a Catholic priest 00:25:55.179 --> 00:25:57.019 and then he shows up 00:25:57.019 --> 00:25:57.980 at the gang's apartment 00:25:57.980 --> 00:25:59.019 and he stands 00:25:59.019 --> 00:26:00.000 on the street 00:26:00.000 --> 00:26:00.659 in front of it. 00:26:01.980 --> 00:26:02.919 They open up 00:26:02.920 --> 00:26:03.360 their windows 00:26:03.360 --> 00:26:04.039 and they look 00:26:04.039 --> 00:26:04.740 out at him 00:26:04.740 --> 00:26:06.340 and Walt begins 00:26:06.340 --> 00:26:07.080 to yell at them 00:26:07.080 --> 00:26:07.580 telling them 00:26:07.580 --> 00:26:08.300 all the things 00:26:08.300 --> 00:26:09.680 that they've done wrong. 00:26:10.860 --> 00:26:12.160 While he's doing this 00:26:12.160 --> 00:26:12.740 all the windows 00:26:12.740 --> 00:26:13.320 in the neighborhood 00:26:13.320 --> 00:26:13.960 around him 00:26:13.960 --> 00:26:14.960 also open up 00:26:14.960 --> 00:26:15.920 and so we have 00:26:15.920 --> 00:26:16.560 this scene 00:26:16.560 --> 00:26:18.039 with tons of spectators 00:26:18.039 --> 00:26:19.940 watching every move. 00:26:20.980 --> 00:26:22.480 As the gang members 00:26:22.480 --> 00:26:23.560 draw their guns 00:26:23.560 --> 00:26:24.500 we see Walt 00:26:24.500 --> 00:26:25.539 pull out a cigarette 00:26:25.539 --> 00:26:28.800 and then he reaches 00:26:28.800 --> 00:26:29.920 into his jacket 00:26:29.920 --> 00:26:30.960 like he's going 00:26:30.960 --> 00:26:31.680 to pull out a gun. 00:26:32.920 --> 00:26:34.700 instead 00:26:34.700 --> 00:26:35.820 he pulls it out 00:26:35.820 --> 00:26:37.019 and all he's holding 00:26:37.019 --> 00:26:38.519 is a lighter 00:26:38.519 --> 00:26:39.259 for his cigarette 00:26:39.259 --> 00:26:42.019 and at that moment 00:26:42.019 --> 00:26:43.720 the gang kills him. 00:26:43.820 --> 00:26:45.019 They just open fire 00:26:45.019 --> 00:26:45.640 in the street 00:26:45.640 --> 00:26:47.660 and we see this man 00:26:47.660 --> 00:26:48.380 fall down dead. 00:26:50.259 --> 00:26:51.519 What he does there 00:26:51.519 --> 00:26:52.779 is the exact opposite 00:26:52.779 --> 00:26:53.980 of what we expect. 00:26:54.120 --> 00:26:54.920 The last thing 00:26:54.920 --> 00:26:55.640 we think is going 00:26:55.640 --> 00:26:56.120 to happen 00:26:56.120 --> 00:26:57.580 is that Clint Eastwood 00:26:57.580 --> 00:26:58.940 is going to show up 00:26:58.940 --> 00:26:59.940 to a gunfight 00:26:59.940 --> 00:27:01.560 with nothing but a lighter 00:27:01.559 --> 00:27:02.619 and give up his life. 00:27:02.899 --> 00:27:03.799 What we want 00:27:03.799 --> 00:27:04.740 in that situation 00:27:04.740 --> 00:27:06.220 is for him to come 00:27:06.220 --> 00:27:07.379 and bring full 00:27:07.379 --> 00:27:08.740 and final justice 00:27:08.740 --> 00:27:10.059 by being the one 00:27:10.059 --> 00:27:11.139 not who is shot 00:27:11.139 --> 00:27:11.899 but the one 00:27:11.899 --> 00:27:12.759 who does the shooting. 00:27:13.460 --> 00:27:14.279 But instead 00:27:14.279 --> 00:27:15.200 he reverses 00:27:15.200 --> 00:27:16.539 all of our expectations 00:27:16.539 --> 00:27:17.700 as something radical 00:27:17.700 --> 00:27:18.759 and counterintuitive 00:27:18.759 --> 00:27:19.679 and different. 00:27:20.079 --> 00:27:20.799 Walt decides 00:27:20.799 --> 00:27:21.859 that he is going 00:27:21.859 --> 00:27:23.200 to defeat death 00:27:23.200 --> 00:27:24.879 by death. 00:27:24.880 --> 00:27:26.640 he is going 00:27:26.640 --> 00:27:28.020 to defeat this gang 00:27:28.020 --> 00:27:29.080 not by shooting 00:27:29.080 --> 00:27:30.640 but by being shot. 00:27:31.200 --> 00:27:32.520 And so in the next scene 00:27:32.520 --> 00:27:33.920 we see the police officers 00:27:33.920 --> 00:27:34.660 showing up 00:27:34.660 --> 00:27:35.700 and they tell Tal 00:27:35.700 --> 00:27:37.020 that because Clint 00:27:37.020 --> 00:27:37.880 has done this 00:27:37.880 --> 00:27:38.900 in the open square 00:27:38.900 --> 00:27:39.840 where everyone 00:27:39.840 --> 00:27:40.780 can see it 00:27:40.780 --> 00:27:41.840 they have all 00:27:41.840 --> 00:27:42.580 the witnesses 00:27:42.580 --> 00:27:43.520 they need 00:27:43.520 --> 00:27:45.140 to finally convict 00:27:45.140 --> 00:27:46.820 and imprison this gang. 00:27:47.820 --> 00:27:48.580 Walt knows 00:27:48.580 --> 00:27:49.380 that the chain 00:27:49.380 --> 00:27:50.200 of violence 00:27:50.200 --> 00:27:50.800 is not going 00:27:50.800 --> 00:27:51.280 to be ended 00:27:51.280 --> 00:27:52.540 by more violence 00:27:52.540 --> 00:27:53.780 but by death. 00:27:53.779 --> 00:27:56.319 brothers and sisters 00:27:56.319 --> 00:27:57.960 we also have a king 00:27:57.960 --> 00:27:59.220 who rode in on a donkey 00:27:59.220 --> 00:28:00.079 and did something 00:28:00.079 --> 00:28:00.759 the opposite 00:28:00.759 --> 00:28:02.279 of what the Jewish people 00:28:02.279 --> 00:28:03.639 wanted and expected. 00:28:03.940 --> 00:28:04.759 They were looking 00:28:04.759 --> 00:28:06.019 for a conqueror 00:28:06.019 --> 00:28:07.940 who would clean house 00:28:07.940 --> 00:28:08.960 with the Romans 00:28:08.960 --> 00:28:10.399 who would use force 00:28:10.399 --> 00:28:11.599 to end force. 00:28:12.700 --> 00:28:14.099 Instead he comes 00:28:14.099 --> 00:28:14.940 to trample 00:28:14.940 --> 00:28:15.680 and crush 00:28:15.680 --> 00:28:16.680 the head 00:28:16.680 --> 00:28:17.359 of the enemy 00:28:17.359 --> 00:28:18.139 of his people. 00:28:18.500 --> 00:28:19.220 He comes 00:28:19.220 --> 00:28:20.460 to take care of 00:28:20.460 --> 00:28:21.339 and destroy 00:28:21.339 --> 00:28:22.139 Satan 00:28:22.139 --> 00:28:23.759 once and for all. 00:28:23.779 --> 00:28:26.379 he defeats 00:28:26.379 --> 00:28:26.940 death 00:28:26.940 --> 00:28:28.539 through death. 00:28:29.000 --> 00:28:29.259 Tal 00:28:29.259 --> 00:28:29.980 is no longer 00:28:29.980 --> 00:28:30.440 subject 00:28:30.440 --> 00:28:31.539 to the lifelong 00:28:31.539 --> 00:28:32.339 slavery 00:28:32.339 --> 00:28:33.259 the fear 00:28:33.259 --> 00:28:34.299 of the gang. 00:28:35.299 --> 00:28:36.619 He is now 00:28:36.619 --> 00:28:37.039 able 00:28:37.039 --> 00:28:38.180 to live 00:28:38.180 --> 00:28:39.240 his life. 00:28:40.579 --> 00:28:41.660 Why is it 00:28:41.660 --> 00:28:42.660 that we celebrate 00:28:42.660 --> 00:28:43.559 Palm Sunday? 00:28:44.440 --> 00:28:45.839 We celebrate it 00:28:45.839 --> 00:28:46.440 because it is 00:28:46.440 --> 00:28:47.240 when Jesus 00:28:47.240 --> 00:28:48.339 came in 00:28:48.339 --> 00:28:49.220 to fully 00:28:49.220 --> 00:28:49.980 and finally 00:28:49.980 --> 00:28:50.720 destroy 00:28:50.720 --> 00:28:51.759 the works 00:28:51.759 --> 00:28:52.879 of the devil. 00:28:54.480 --> 00:28:55.160 And so that's 00:28:55.160 --> 00:28:55.759 why we're able 00:28:55.759 --> 00:28:56.379 to say 00:28:56.379 --> 00:28:57.259 with the people 00:28:57.259 --> 00:28:58.359 in the crowd 00:28:58.359 --> 00:28:59.440 Hosanna 00:28:59.440 --> 00:29:01.539 blessed is he 00:29:01.539 --> 00:29:02.259 who comes 00:29:02.259 --> 00:29:02.879 in the name 00:29:02.879 --> 00:29:03.500 of the Lord 00:29:03.500 --> 00:29:04.420 even 00:29:04.420 --> 00:29:05.599 the king 00:29:05.599 --> 00:29:06.599 of Israel. 00:29:07.359 --> 00:29:08.079 Let's pray. 00:29:08.079 --> 00:29:10.599 our father 00:29:10.599 --> 00:29:11.000 in heaven 00:29:11.000 --> 00:29:11.720 we praise 00:29:11.720 --> 00:29:11.899 you 00:29:11.899 --> 00:29:12.419 and thank 00:29:12.419 --> 00:29:12.579 you 00:29:12.579 --> 00:29:12.919 that you 00:29:12.919 --> 00:29:13.399 are not 00:29:13.399 --> 00:29:13.819 just our 00:29:13.819 --> 00:29:14.199 savior 00:29:14.199 --> 00:29:14.759 but our 00:29:14.759 --> 00:29:15.099 king 00:29:15.099 --> 00:29:15.839 that you 00:29:15.839 --> 00:29:16.319 came 00:29:16.319 --> 00:29:16.659 and you 00:29:16.659 --> 00:29:17.240 defeated 00:29:17.240 --> 00:29:18.619 and trampled 00:29:18.619 --> 00:29:19.059 Satan 00:29:19.059 --> 00:29:20.319 once and for all. 00:29:21.099 --> 00:29:21.579 We ask you 00:29:21.579 --> 00:29:22.079 would give us 00:29:22.079 --> 00:29:22.740 the hope 00:29:22.740 --> 00:29:23.819 that comes 00:29:23.819 --> 00:29:24.480 from knowing 00:29:24.480 --> 00:29:25.199 that death 00:29:25.199 --> 00:29:26.159 cannot threaten 00:29:26.159 --> 00:29:27.119 what is most 00:29:27.119 --> 00:29:27.960 valuable 00:29:27.960 --> 00:29:28.799 to us 00:29:28.799 --> 00:29:29.539 that it can 00:29:29.539 --> 00:29:30.099 bite us 00:29:30.099 --> 00:29:31.299 but it cannot 00:29:31.299 --> 00:29:31.879 kill us. 00:29:32.839 --> 00:29:33.359 We ask that you 00:29:33.359 --> 00:29:33.980 would show us 00:29:33.980 --> 00:29:34.919 Jesus this week 00:29:34.920 --> 00:29:35.460 in all his 00:29:35.460 --> 00:29:35.860 beauty 00:29:35.860 --> 00:29:36.600 and his 00:29:36.600 --> 00:29:36.900 glory 00:29:36.900 --> 00:29:37.279 and you'd 00:29:37.279 --> 00:29:37.700 bring us 00:29:37.700 --> 00:29:38.500 back together 00:29:38.500 --> 00:29:39.620 on Friday 00:29:39.620 --> 00:29:40.600 and on Sunday 00:29:40.600 --> 00:29:41.620 that we would 00:29:41.620 --> 00:29:42.320 remember and 00:29:42.320 --> 00:29:43.279 celebrate and know 00:29:43.279 --> 00:29:43.740 what it is 00:29:43.740 --> 00:29:44.180 that he's done 00:29:44.180 --> 00:29:44.660 for us. 00:29:45.120 --> 00:29:45.759 We ask all 00:29:45.759 --> 00:29:46.320 these things 00:29:46.320 --> 00:29:46.800 in the mighty 00:29:46.800 --> 00:29:47.460 name of Jesus 00:29:47.460 --> 00:29:47.960 Christ. 00:29:48.480 --> 00:29:48.720 Amen. 00:29:50.180 --> 00:29:50.940 I invite you 00:29:50.940 --> 00:29:51.340 to stand 00:29:51.340 --> 00:29:51.660 for our 00:29:51.660 --> 00:29:52.279 closing hymn.