by Pastor Peter Lim
At passover, it appeared the crowd welcomed Jesus but they miss the real worth...
Big idea:
Jesus enters Jerusalem as promised king not with worldly power but in humility and peace
Are we superficial admirers or true followers of Jesus?
Luke 19:28-40
After He had said these things, He was going on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. [29] When He approached Bethphage and Bethany, near the mount that is called Olivet, He sent two of the disciples, [30] saying, “Go into the village ahead of you; there, as you enter, you will find a colt tied on which no one yet has ever sat; untie it and bring it here. [31] If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ you shall say, ‘The Lord has need of it.’ ” [32] So those who were sent went away and found it just as He had told them. [33] As they were untying the colt, its owners said to them, “Why are you untying the colt?” [34] They said, “The Lord has need of it.” [35] They brought it to Jesus, and they threw their coats on the colt and put Jesus on it. [36] As He was going, they were spreading their coats on the road. [37] As soon as He was approaching, near the descent of the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of the disciples began to praise God joyfully with a loud voice for all the miracles which they had seen, [38] shouting: “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord; Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” [39] Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Him, “Teacher, rebuke Your disciples.” [40] But Jesus answered, “I tell you, if these become silent, the stones will cry out!”
Jesus embarked on His fateful journey from here onwards
Spreading the coats on road symbolise respect
Jesus had showed them kingdom value, kingdom authority and kingdom way of life
"the lord has need of it" where authority can compel, it hints at Jesus claim to authority
Psalm 118:26
Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord; We have blessed you from the house of the Lord.
Jesus was the anointed God that comes as king
The palm branches were symbols of military conquest
The people saw Jesus as a warrior king who would deliver them from roman occupation
Pharisees told Jesus to stop the people from proclaiming Him as Messiah King
1. Kingship Redefined
Zechariah 9:9-10
Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout in triumph, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; He is just and endowed with salvation, Humble, and mounted on a donkey, Even on a colt, the foal of a donkey. [10] I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim And the horse from Jerusalem; And the bow of war will be cut off. And He will speak peace to the nations; And His dominion will be from sea to sea, And from the River to the ends of the earth.
This prophecy was fulfilled hy the triumphant entry of Christ on the first palm sunday
The people have preconceived idea of Jesus as King but He came to define what is God's standard instead
A. CHARACTER: Jesus is the humble and righteous King
- Jesus redefined kingship in terms of his character his purpose and the extent of his rule
B. PURPOSE: He came ro bring shalom oeace to the world
- Jesus came to bring peace and salvation, donkey symbolise peace and human flourishing and life with God. While the people in Jerusalem hoped for deliverance from roman rule, Jesus redefine...
C. EXTENT: not just geographical but to conquer your heart and mine
- Christ kingdom will overide all kingdoms of the earth. Jesus did not come first to conquer nations but to conquer your heart and mine
what are some expectations that i have of Christ today?
Application #1
- Discover the nature of christ kingdom and trust His way of ruling
Christ doesn't need to live up to our expectation of Him. He will act in his ways, His time and on His terms. He calls for obedience from us. He came to set the standards of what the kingdom is about
He call for obedience and allegiance to His good rule. We should align ourselves to who He His
Superficial admirers only praise Him when He fits their agenda. we want to be true disciples of Christ.
2. Kingship Rejected
Luke 19:41-44
When He approached Jerusalem, He saw the city and wept over it, [42] saying, “If you had known in this day, even you, the things which make for peace! But now they have been hidden from your eyes. [43] For the days will come upon you when your enemies will throw up a barricade against you, and surround you and hem you in on every side, [44] and they will level you to the ground and your children within you, and they will not leave in you one stone upon another, because you did not recognize the time of your visitation.”
The coming of Jesus is the coming of God Himself. God was drawing near to them revealing Himself
Those who shouted "hosanna" and welcome Him on palm sunday quickly turn into cries of crucify Him
Many in the crowd were not truly committed to Jesus - they admired him but they did not follow Him. They were spiritually blind
Jesus tears reveal the humanity and heart of God
40 years later Jerusalem fell under roman
God grieves and weeps for those who are in spiritual blindness and those who reject what brings them peace
Recognition of Christ the king must leads to repentance
Application #2
- Embrace Christ as Saviour-King
Application #3
- Carry Christ heart to reach the lost
Submitting to Christ kingship and rule means:
- repentance
- committing to follow Jesus
- being change by Him
- and follow His mission
The tears of Christ speaks of the infinite value of every soul
Example:
A bowl that was bought at a garage sale for $4 was sold for $2.8 million
May our hearts break for the lost like Christ heart broke for Jerusalem that day
Share Christ message of peace and salvation
See the worth of my friends, loved ones, relatives and join Christ in weeping for them
Saturday, March 21, 2026
Thursday, March 12, 2026
Living as Kingdom witnesses
by Ps Wilson
Big idea:
God's kingdom citizen live distinct lives that display God's reign
People around us should be able to recognize us belonging to Jesus through the way we live
The Kingdom Theme in Matthew:
- The King's arrival (Matthew 2-3)
- The Kingdom's teachings by Jesus (Matthew 5-7; 10; 13; 18; 23-25)
- The Kingdom's manifestation through Jesus' signs and wonders (Matthew 8-9; 14-17)
- The King's crucifixion, death and resurrection (Matthew 26-28)
- The King's commission to make disciples (Matthew 28:18-20)
Matthew 5:13
“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.
Salt was used for:
- flavour
- preservation
- covenant making (Leviticus 2:13)
Salt symbolise the permanence of the covenant and the faithfulness of those entered into the covenant
Salt was used to flavour food, represent purity from decay and corruption, and symbolise the permanence of a covenant in ancient times
"The first struggle"
- is that many of us have not yet embraced every word of God wholeheartedly
Do you believe that you are the salt of the earth?
- If you don't believe you will not live as one. If you are the salt, You will preserve integrity and truth and not participate in falsehood, our society around us will become different
Kingdom living begins with the conviction of God's word in your heart
"The second struggle"
- is that we have divided our lives into the sacred and the secular
This is not God's will to divide sacred and secular
Kingdom witness is for the world as well
Jesus knows the imperfection in our lives and Jesus is waiting to takeover. Do we want to allow Him to make every space in our lives as sacred?
Matthew 5:14
“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.
Matthew 5:15
Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.
Light is not to be hidden or covered
Matthew 5:16
In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
He gave the most important punchline that God's people must shine so that people can see Jesus
God's people are to bear His image, represent Him in the world through what we do, so that people around us can see the King that we serve
We're to be bold to do good works, wherever He place us. The glory we receive from the world must praise God whom we are following. It is only complete when others see King Jesus
Salt does it's function discreetly in the background. Whereas light exposed darkness and brings truth publicly
Be ready to expose Evil and wickedness when required
Love positively for the kingdom
Father let your power and presence takeover my secular space daily
Big idea:
God's kingdom citizen live distinct lives that display God's reign
People around us should be able to recognize us belonging to Jesus through the way we live
The Kingdom Theme in Matthew:
- The King's arrival (Matthew 2-3)
- The Kingdom's teachings by Jesus (Matthew 5-7; 10; 13; 18; 23-25)
- The Kingdom's manifestation through Jesus' signs and wonders (Matthew 8-9; 14-17)
- The King's crucifixion, death and resurrection (Matthew 26-28)
- The King's commission to make disciples (Matthew 28:18-20)
Matthew 5:13
“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.
Salt was used for:
- flavour
- preservation
- covenant making (Leviticus 2:13)
Salt symbolise the permanence of the covenant and the faithfulness of those entered into the covenant
Salt was used to flavour food, represent purity from decay and corruption, and symbolise the permanence of a covenant in ancient times
"The first struggle"
- is that many of us have not yet embraced every word of God wholeheartedly
Do you believe that you are the salt of the earth?
- If you don't believe you will not live as one. If you are the salt, You will preserve integrity and truth and not participate in falsehood, our society around us will become different
Kingdom living begins with the conviction of God's word in your heart
"The second struggle"
- is that we have divided our lives into the sacred and the secular
This is not God's will to divide sacred and secular
Kingdom witness is for the world as well
Jesus knows the imperfection in our lives and Jesus is waiting to takeover. Do we want to allow Him to make every space in our lives as sacred?
Matthew 5:14
“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.
Matthew 5:15
Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.
Light is not to be hidden or covered
Matthew 5:16
In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
He gave the most important punchline that God's people must shine so that people can see Jesus
God's people are to bear His image, represent Him in the world through what we do, so that people around us can see the King that we serve
We're to be bold to do good works, wherever He place us. The glory we receive from the world must praise God whom we are following. It is only complete when others see King Jesus
Salt does it's function discreetly in the background. Whereas light exposed darkness and brings truth publicly
Be ready to expose Evil and wickedness when required
Love positively for the kingdom
Father let your power and presence takeover my secular space daily
Thursday, March 5, 2026
The Church is the ambassador of the King
by Ps Meng Cham
Big idea:
The spirit empowers the church to extend the kingdom to all the nations through Christ the king's authority
1. the mystery of the church
- the king's assembly
Ephesians 3:1-6
For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles— 2 Surely you have heard about the administration of God’s grace that was given to me for you, 3 that is, the mystery made known to me by revelation, as I have already written briefly. 4 In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, 5 which was not made known to people in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God’s holy apostles and prophets. 6 This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.
Mystery was used 7 times by Paul. Mystery means God's hidden plan and purpose that has now been revealed through the Holy Spirit
How do we see the church?
A. As the One New Humanity
Ephesians 2:11-12
Therefore, remember that formerly you who are Gentiles by birth and called “uncircumcised” by those who call themselves “the circumcision” (which is done in the body by human hands)— 12 remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world.
Ephesians 2:13-16
But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ. 14 For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, 15 by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, 16 and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility.
Ephesians 4:3-6
Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
B. As the citizens of God's kingdom
Ephesians 2:19
Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household,
C. As the Temple of God
Ephesians 2:18
For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.
Ephesians 2:21-22
In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. 22 And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.
Through the Holy Spirit God is gathering us to His holy temple
We are sacred space, therefore we don't need to travel to a sacred space
We are left here to do what we can do while on the earth
We are not only the king's assembly but we are also the king's ambassadors (embassy on earth)
2 Corinthians 5:17-18
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come:[a] The old has gone, the new is here! 18 All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation:
2 Corinthians 5:20a
We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.
What are we suppose to do?
# We are in The Ministry of Reconciliation
- Our Model is not of this world but Christ, we just need to represent Christ wherever we are
- We implore to those outside to come into the ministry of reconciliation
Ephesians 6:19b-20
Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.
We are facing Opposition that needs prayer to breakthrough
Ephesians 6:10-12
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
Not every prayer we pray or every good deeds we do yields the result we expected because of the unseen evil powers
Not yet, we can expect resistance
All those unseen forces cannot defeat us Unless we give up ground
A good defence is the best offence
Ephesians 6:14-17
Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
Belt of truth - Our integrity
The breastplate of righteousness - Our confidence, Guards our hearts
The shoes of readiness - Our response, No need to be reactive
The shield of faith - Our trust, Blocks the doubt
Helmet of salvation - Our assurance, Our Security
The sword of the spirit - Our reliance, Is the word of God
All useless Without empowerment of the Holy Spirit
Pray all times with all kinds of prayers
Discipleship Is not optional but engine to the kingdom of God
We're the living example to the world, a foretaste to those outside what eternity is like
- Example of this is the case of PR vs Citizen
Discipleship or reaching out to someone: We Should not look for a way to opt out
Are you a PR enjoying the benefits of the kingdom or Are you a Citizen Taking up responsibility?
When things are ok there's no difference whether PR or citizen but when things goes wrong, there is a different
God help me to represent you to live well
Big idea:
The spirit empowers the church to extend the kingdom to all the nations through Christ the king's authority
1. the mystery of the church
- the king's assembly
Ephesians 3:1-6
For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles— 2 Surely you have heard about the administration of God’s grace that was given to me for you, 3 that is, the mystery made known to me by revelation, as I have already written briefly. 4 In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, 5 which was not made known to people in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God’s holy apostles and prophets. 6 This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.
Mystery was used 7 times by Paul. Mystery means God's hidden plan and purpose that has now been revealed through the Holy Spirit
How do we see the church?
A. As the One New Humanity
Ephesians 2:11-12
Therefore, remember that formerly you who are Gentiles by birth and called “uncircumcised” by those who call themselves “the circumcision” (which is done in the body by human hands)— 12 remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world.
Ephesians 2:13-16
But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ. 14 For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, 15 by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, 16 and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility.
Ephesians 4:3-6
Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
B. As the citizens of God's kingdom
Ephesians 2:19
Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household,
C. As the Temple of God
Ephesians 2:18
For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.
Ephesians 2:21-22
In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. 22 And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.
Through the Holy Spirit God is gathering us to His holy temple
We are sacred space, therefore we don't need to travel to a sacred space
We are left here to do what we can do while on the earth
We are not only the king's assembly but we are also the king's ambassadors (embassy on earth)
2 Corinthians 5:17-18
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come:[a] The old has gone, the new is here! 18 All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation:
2 Corinthians 5:20a
We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.
What are we suppose to do?
# We are in The Ministry of Reconciliation
- Our Model is not of this world but Christ, we just need to represent Christ wherever we are
- We implore to those outside to come into the ministry of reconciliation
Ephesians 6:19b-20
Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.
We are facing Opposition that needs prayer to breakthrough
Ephesians 6:10-12
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
Not every prayer we pray or every good deeds we do yields the result we expected because of the unseen evil powers
Not yet, we can expect resistance
All those unseen forces cannot defeat us Unless we give up ground
A good defence is the best offence
Ephesians 6:14-17
Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
Belt of truth - Our integrity
The breastplate of righteousness - Our confidence, Guards our hearts
The shoes of readiness - Our response, No need to be reactive
The shield of faith - Our trust, Blocks the doubt
Helmet of salvation - Our assurance, Our Security
The sword of the spirit - Our reliance, Is the word of God
All useless Without empowerment of the Holy Spirit
Pray all times with all kinds of prayers
Discipleship Is not optional but engine to the kingdom of God
We're the living example to the world, a foretaste to those outside what eternity is like
- Example of this is the case of PR vs Citizen
Discipleship or reaching out to someone: We Should not look for a way to opt out
Are you a PR enjoying the benefits of the kingdom or Are you a Citizen Taking up responsibility?
When things are ok there's no difference whether PR or citizen but when things goes wrong, there is a different
God help me to represent you to live well
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