How often do you struggle with right and wrong? You know what’s right but the wrong is loud and temps you to go your way.

If you’re like me that battle is more frequent than you would like to admit.

This could be said as the struggle between God and man. God is all that’s right, man desires all that’s wrong.

We like to think that Jesus didn’t have this struggle but He did. We see this battle when He was tempted in the wilderness. His response was the use of Gods word and He didn’t fall. We see this in John 12 as well. He had a choice God or man, right or wrong.

Jesus was both fully God and fully man. At this point He knew what was going to take place and from the beginning He could have played the trump card and abandoned this plan. Listen to what was going on in His mind as He shared with those around Him.

John 12:27-32 ESV

• He was experiencing trouble in His soul.
• The doubt - is there purpose?
• The temptation - get me out of this.
• The security came as He defined the purpose.
• As He leaned into God He brought glory to the Father.
• God responded
• I have glorified myself.
• I will glorify myself again.
• Man responded
• We make excuses.
• We explain things away.
• Jesus resolved the issue
• I will follow through.
• Through this I will draw all man to me.
• All that’s wrong bows before Christ and is forgiven as we come to Him.

John 20:1-10 ESV

• The call
• The call was never to a man hanging on a cross. The cross would rot and the body would decay leaving no hope.
• The call has always been to a living God who faced death and defeated it.
• If you came before the dead then you would leave the same way you came, dead.
• When Jesus raised from the dead He brought glory to the Father as He prayed for.
• As we bring all that’s wrong before our living God, He will cover all that’s wrong with all that’s right.
• His power to raise the dead is the same power that will raise new life in you.

Conclusion

We refer to this day as resurrection day because Jesus had died and was raised on this day.

This is also marked as salvation day because as He raised Himself He will raise you from your dead ways and save you to new life.

Can we celebrate His resurrection and our salvation

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Luke 19:28-40 the message

Blessed is he who comes,
the king in God’s name!
All’s well in heaven!
Glory in the high places!

• A day of joy and acceptance for all the wrong reasons.

Why did they praise and accept Him?

• They were looking for political freedom and a way out from under Roman rule. Someone who would over throw current powers.
• They weren’t concerned about spiritual health, they had that under control with all their laws, ceremonies, and sacrifices.

Why did you first praise and accept Him?

• Did you desire a better life?
• Was it status driven?
• Maybe you understood the need for salvation.
• Spiritual health over shadows any other needs.

Luke 19:41-44 the message

• This day also marks the beginning of a week that would be full of change and challenge.

They refused to change and resisted the challenge.

• They wouldn’t give up tradition and submit to the challenge of following Him.

Have you refused change and hid from the challenge to follow Him?

• As you have been serving Christ…….
• How have you struggled with tradition?
• Have you found yourself slipping away from following Him?
• Seeing Jesus and recognizing Him for who He really is are 2 completely different things.
• We can look in the bible and see Jesus.
• We can know who He is based on what we read and what we are told.
• To recognize Him for who He really is, is much different, it is the difference between looking through a glass of water that distorts your vision high definition.

2 Corinthians 3:16-18 the message

• We look at this passage like it’s a day in the future but it’s about the day we are living in now.

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Who would you say you are?

Who do you know on that level?

There are 2 people I want you to get to know this morning and one I’ll introduce to you latter.

Luke 15:11-32 ESV

• This son was asking for his inheritance which he would’ve received after his father died.
• He was basically saying you are dead to me so give me what’s mine.
• Imagine telling your creator your father you are dead to me.
• If the words did clarify it enough his actions did.
• He sold himself to the place that took everything from him.
• In the mind of a son this can be risky because of rejection. Will he be rejected? Does his father know all that he has done and said?
• In spite of the fear he went back anyways.
• He was probably rehearsing his speech along the way.
• Before anything could be said, the father came to him not to confront him but to embrace him.
• Confession needed to happen but love is greater.
• The confession didn’t hinder the celebration because the celebration had already been prepared for.
• The robe, ring, and shoes were ready for this moment.
• Do you know how long it takes for a calf to be raised for slaughter? 18-24 months.
• This is the moment that determines your maturity.
• Will you be happy and rejoice or mad and pout?
• If your answer is like mine has been then you need to confess like he did.
• He was afraid that his brother would get more than him.
• He too had became a prodigal because of his jealousy.
• What has caused you to be a prodigal?
• The father exposed the severity of what had happened to his brother and the beauty of what was done for him as well.
• We don’t know the end of this parable.

1. Did the younger son stay humble and in right relationship with the father?
2. Did the older son repent and continue in right relationship with the father?
3. Did the younger apologize to his brother?
4. Should it matter to the older brother or should he have loved him regardless?

• Now let me introduce you to the 3rd person. You already know a lot about him but I want you to see Him for who He is.

Conclusion

Who are you in this story?

Where do you stand with your creator?

Who do you know that is like these brothers in need of repentance?

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