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The humble donkey — not exactly what comes to mind when you picture the triumphant entry of a king, is it? Yet on that first Palm Sunday, Jesus chose this unlikely animal as His royal transportation, setting in motion the most pivotal week in human history.

Pastor Steven takes us on a powerful journey through John 12, where we witness crowds laying palm branches before Jesus, shouting "Hosanna!" as He enters Jerusalem. But beneath this celebration lies a profound paradox: the King of Kings deliberately chose humility over grandeur, service over spectacle. Why would the Creator of the universe, who witnessed the fall of Satan and was present at creation itself, choose such humble beginnings?

The answer reveals the heart of God's kingdom principles. Just as Jesus selected a borrowed donkey rather than a majestic steed, He consistently uses the unlikely and overlooked to accomplish His purposes. Throughout the message, we discover a challenging truth — many of us are crying out for God to use us, but we're refusing to be the donkey. We want to be impressive and admired, not humble servants carrying Jesus to His purpose.

This message draws a powerful parallel between Jesus' entry into Jerusalem and the woman who anointed His feet with expensive perfume. While others defined her by her past sins, Jesus saw her act of brokenness as preparation for His burial. Her positioning at His feet — washing away the residue of His journey with her tears — models the vulnerability and surrender that attracts God's presence.

"Brokenness attracts the broken," Pastor Steven reminds us. The same crowds shouting "Hosanna" would soon cry "Crucify Him," showing that the path to purpose is often paved with pain and misunderstanding. What feels like burial might actually be God planting you for greater growth.

Ready to let go of what's holding you back? If God can use a donkey, if He can use a sinful woman to illustrate brokenness, imagine what He can do with you. This Palm Sunday message will challenge you to embrace God's sometimes uncomfortable preparation process as the very pathway to your greatest purpose.

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Have you ever noticed toxic patterns in your life that you just can't seem to shake? The ones you promise to address "someday," but somehow that day never comes?

We're beginning a powerful detox series addressing the spiritual contaminants we've allowed to infiltrate our lives. In this eye-opening message, we confront the dangerous nature of self-deception—that peculiar ability we have to see everyone else's problems while remaining blind to our own.

Like contestants on American Idol who've convinced themselves they have talent despite all evidence to the contrary, we excel at believing our own hype. We tell ourselves comforting lies: "I don't have a problem," "I'm not as bad as some people," or the classic "This is just the way I am." Meanwhile, these toxic beliefs poison not just our own spiritual lives but contaminate everyone around us. As Psalm 36 reveals, "In their own eyes, they flatter themselves too much to detect or hate their sin."

The path forward requires something most of us actively avoid: ruthless self-examination. It's time to pray like David did in Psalm 139: "Search me, O God, and know my heart... Point out anything in me that offends you." This process isn't comfortable—it's like checking for ticks after being in the woods, finding toxins in the most embarrassing and inconvenient places. But leaving them unaddressed leads to spiritual disease.

God desires to clothe you with righteousness, but first, you must shed everything else you're wearing—the pain, hurt, anxiety, and loneliness you've been carrying. You cannot put on His cloak over what you're already wearing; the weight would be unbearable.

Ready to break free from the prison of self-deception? Join us as we begin this journey of spiritual detoxification that will transform your relationship with God and others.

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Words possess extraordinary power—the ability to leave lasting marks on our lives and the lives of others. In this compelling message on "Lethal Language," we explore how even casual comments from strangers can create emotional scars that follow us for decades.

Drawing from Proverbs 12:18, we discover that "the words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing." This truth contradicts the childhood saying that "sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me"—a protective lie we tell ourselves to mask deep wounds. The reality? Words can inflict pain more lasting than physical injuries.

For believers, our speech carries even greater responsibility. Jesus commanded us to love one another so the world would know Him through that love. When Christians speak harshly or judgmentally, we may unwittingly drive people away from God rather than drawing them closer. A thoughtless comment might forever change someone's spiritual journey.

The message takes us to Isaiah 6, where the prophet has a profound encounter with God's holiness. Immediately aware of his "unclean lips," Isaiah experiences divine purification when a burning coal from the altar touches his mouth. Only after this cleansing could he respond to God's call with "Here am I, send me."

This spiritual principle remains vital today: before effectively speaking God's truth, we must submit to His purifying work. Many want God's blessings without the transformation His presence demands. We desire Him as an addition to our lives rather than allowing Him to tear down and rebuild completely.

What comes out of your mouth? Does it honor God and bring life to others? The invitation stands to say, "God, purify my lips, take away my shame, hurt, and pain." When we surrender our speech, our words become vessels of His life-giving power rather than weapons that wound.

Join us next Sunday for "Who's Your Daddy?"—a Father's Day message about finding true identity through understanding our Heavenly Father.

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