Matthew 20:17-19; 21:1-11
#1. Satan’s evil desire.
Matthew 20:18, 19 (NIV) “We are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and the teachers of the law. They will condemn Him to death and will turn Him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified. On the third day, He will be raised to life!”
It is the battle of final victory for all mankind.
Satan aims to take as many of us with him as he can.
1. To possess and control.
2. To tempt and destroy.
2 Corinthians 4:4 (NIV) “The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.”
Satan promises the best but pays with the worst.
He promises honor and pays with disgrace.
He promises pleasure and pays with pain.
He promises profit and pays with loss.
He promises life and pays with death.
1 Peter 5:8 “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”
#2. Supernatural fulfillment.
Matthew 21:4, 5 (NIV) “This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet: ‘Say to the daughter of Zion,’See, your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.’”
Many did not consider the prophecies valuable, nor did they see the significance of what was happening before their eyes.
1 John 2:16 “For everything in the world…comes not from the Father, but from the world.”
The fulfillment of the donkey.
Laying down of their cloaks.
All God does is by divine direction and intention.
Do you live by chance or by divine and intentional direction from God, according to His plan?
#3. Jesus…the Savior.
Matthew 21:10, 11 (NIV) “When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, ‘Who is this?’ The crowds answered, ‘This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.’”
How do we explain that...unless He really was who He said He was?”
Some remembered........
“Who is this?”
“This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.”
Matthew 16:16 “You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God.”
Satan would like us to take a chance that eternity doesn’t exist; not to believe the Scripture.
He is the King of all Kings.
"God, I can't save myself; I need you in my life. I need you to be my Messiah. I need you to be my Savior."
God save me.