Main Text: Matthew 21:1-11 (ESV) 1 Now when they drew near to Jerusalem and came to Bethphage, to the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples, 2saying to them, “Go into the village in front of you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her. Untie them and bring them to me. 3 If anyone says anything to you, you shall say, ‘The Lord needs them,’ and he will send them at once.” 4 This took place to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet, saying, 5 “Say to the daughter of Zion, ‘Behold, your king is coming to you, humble, and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a beast of burden.’ ” 6 The disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them. 7 They brought the donkey and the colt and put on them their cloaks, and he sat on them. 8 Most of the crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9 And the crowds that went before him and that followed him were shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!” 10 And when he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred up, saying, “Who is this?” 11 And the crowds said, “This is the prophet Jesus, from Nazareth of Galilee.”

Preaching Point: Jesus reveals himself as the promised King of Kings and urges each of us to decide whether we will worship him as King or remain uncertain about who he is.

Teaching Points:

1. Recognize That Jesus Came to Be Your King (vv. 1-6)
2. Welcome Jesus as Your King (vv. 7-9)
3. Correct Your Deficient View of Jesus (vv. 10-11)

Application Questions:

1. Write down one observation or application you found helpful from this week’s sermon. Why did it stand out to you?
2. Read Matthew 21:1-7 and Zechariah 9:9-10. Why did Jesus intentionally ride a donkey into Jerusalem, and what does this fulfillment of prophecy reveal about the King he came to be?
3. Read Matthew 25:31-34 and Philippians 2:10-11. How do these passages show that Jesus is King over everyone, not just those who acknowledge him as such? How should this shape the way we think about evangelism and calling all people to submit to Christ?
4. Read Matthew 21:6-9 and 2 Kings 9:12-13. How do the actions of the people in these passages demonstrate honor and submission to a king?
5. What are some ways you can actively welcome and honor Jesus as King in everyday life? (think of your priorities, time, obedience, love etc.)
6. Read Matthew 21:10-11. The crowds described Jesus as a prophet, but their understanding of him was incomplete. What are some common misunderstandings people today have about Jesus?
7. What are some deficient views of Jesus that you have had to correct in your life either in the past or present? And how can you guard yourself against a distorted or deficient view of Jesus moving forward?

Main Text: Matthew 20:29–34 (ESV) 29 And as they went out of Jericho, a great crowd followed him. 30 And behold, there were two blind men sitting by the roadside, and when they heard that Jesus was passing by, they cried out, “Lord, have mercy on us, Son of David!” 31 The crowd rebuked them, telling them to be silent, but they cried out all the more, “Lord, have mercy on us, Son of David!” 32And stopping, Jesus called them and said, “What do you want me to do for you?” 33 They said to him, “Lord, let our eyes be opened.” 34 And Jesus in pity touched their eyes, and immediately they recovered their sight and followed him.

Preaching Point: Recognizing the compassionate authority of the Son of David should cause us to unashamedly depend on his mercy as we follow him daily.

Teaching Points:

1. Do You: Recognize the Merciful Son of David? (vv. 29-30)
2. Do You: Shamelessly Depend on Jesus? (v. 31)
3. Do You: Faithfully Follow Jesus? (vv. 32-34)

Application Questions:

1. Write down one observation or application you found helpful from this week’s sermon. Why did it stand out to you?
2. Read 2 Samuel 7:12-17, Ezekiel 34:23-24, and Luke 1:30-33. How do these passages deepen your understanding of why the blind men’s recognition of Jesus as the “Son of David” in Matthew 20:29-34 was so significant?
3. What could you miss about the identity of Jesus if you don’t recognize him as the Son of David?
4. How does God’s desire for your shameless dependence on him strengthen your resolve to “cry out all the more” (cf. Matt 20:31) in reliance on him?
5. Read 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 and 1 Corinthians 1:18-25. Why might shameless dependence on Jesus be viewed as weakness in our culture? How can you resist the pressure to project independence when what you truly need is deeper dependence on him?
6. Read Mark 8:34-35 and Galatians 2:20. After encountering Jesus in Matthew 20, the blind men immediately followed him as his disciples. Since encountering the saving work of Christ, how would you characterize your pursuit of following Jesus?
7. In what area of your life have you been slow to follow Jesus, and what necessary change will you make to pursue faithful obedience in that area?

Main Text: Matthew 20:20–28 (ESV) 20 Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came up to him with her sons, and kneeling before him she asked him for something. 21 And he said to her, “What do you want?” She said to him, “Say that these two sons of mine are to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your kingdom.” 22 Jesus answered, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am to drink?” They said to him, “We are able.” 23 He said to them, “You will drink my cup, but to sit at my right hand and at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father.” 24 And when the ten heard it, they were indignant at the two brothers. 25 But Jesus called them to him and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. 26 It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, 28 even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Preaching Point: We must pursue greatness not by amassing power and authority, or by seeking greater status, but by serving and sacrificing for others as Christ did for us.

Teaching Points:

1. Stop Seeking Status (vv. 20-21)
2. Trust God’s Placement Plan (vv. 22-24)
3. Imitate Christ’s Costly Service (vv. 25-28)

Application Questions:

1. Write down one observation or application you found helpful from this week’s sermon. Why did it stand out to you?
2. Read James 3:13-16 and 2 Corinthians 10:17-18. Where are you most tempted to selfishly seek power, status, or recognition, and how can that pursuit hinder your relationship with God?
3. How would you distinguish between a selfish pursuit of status and a humble ambition that seeks to honor God through excellence?
4. Read Matthew 20:20-21. How can you make sure that the things you want are not selfish attempts at grabbing power, status, or recognition?
5. Read 1 Peter 5:6-7 and 1 Chronicles 29:12. Why can trusting God’s plan for your life and your eternity be so difficult?
6. How does trusting God’s placement for you free you to serve sacrificially instead of worrying about missed opportunities?
7. Read John 13:12-16 and Matthew 20:25-28. What does imitating Christ’s costly service look like to you?
8. Where can you imitate Christ’s costly service this week, and what might that service or sacrifice look like practically?