THINK ABOUT IT!

· Why is Palm Sunday a significant day to remember?

· What was the atmosphere of Palm Sunday? Why is that atmosphere ironic?

· What practical lessons can we learn from Palm Sunday?

In Mark 11 we see Jesus' "triumphant" entry into Jerusalem and some of the activities that followed.

I. THE TRIP - Vss. 1-11

A. INSTRUCTIONS CONCERNING TRANSPORTATION - Vss. 1-3

B. SECURING THE COLT - Vss. 4-7

D. WORSHIP OF THE KING - Vss. 8-10

With clothing - Vs. 8
With labor - Vs. 9
With Voice - Vss. 10-11

E. ENTRANCE INTO JERUSALEM - Vs. 11

· The Lord "had need of the colt". Does He have need of us? How? Why?

· Jesus was given a Messianic welcome into Jerusalem. What was the crowd probably expecting of Jesus? Why was the crowd quick to turn on Him in a few short days?

· What was Jesus looking for in verse 11?

· Does Jesus examine his church today? How should this challenge us?

II. THE TREE - Vss. 12-14, 20-26

A. DISCOVERY AND PROCLAMATION - Vss. 12-14

B. THE DEAD TREE - Vss. 20-21

B. SPIRITUAL LESSONS - Vss. 22-26

Faith - Vss. 22-23
Prayer - Vs. 24
Forgiveness - Vss. 25-26

¨ Was Jesus wrong to curse the fig tree?

¨ Although it was early for figs, leaves and figs arrive around the same time. If it was full of leaves, there should have been figs.

¨ How was the nation Israel like the fig tree? Has Israel in any sense been cursed for her actions?

¨ The disciples were amazed at the speedy withering of the fig tree. How does Jesus' statement of verse 22 incriminate the disciples and us? Hebrews 11:6

¨ It is easy to make great statements of faith. Why is it hard to maintain faith after making great statements? Verse 23, Hebrews 11:6

¨ What does verse 24 tell us about our prayers lives?

¨ What does verse 24 tells us about the prayer life of our church?

¨ Because of where these verses appear in the text, what can we can conclude about unforgiveness and prayer?

III. THE TRADERS - Vss. 15-19

A. ACTION BY JESUS - Vss. 15-16

B. TEACHING BY JESUS - Vs. 17

C. RESPONSE OF JESUS - Vss. 18-19

§ This event took place in the "Court of the Gentiles". This is where purchases could be made for temple worship. The family of the high priest ran the concessions.

§ How was dealing in the temple similar to going to a Pirates or Steelers game?

§ Carrying things through the temple could very well pollute it. How does this apply to us today?

§ Is the church to be a "house of prayer" like the temple?

§ Why is such little emphasis placed on corporate prayer today?

§ We know how a liberal church can be a "den of thieves" with its sales and games. How can a fundamental church become a "den of thieves"?

§ Why did the leadership want to destroy Jesus? What stopped them?

IV. THE TEST - Vss. 27-33

A. QUESTION OF AUTHORITY - Vss. 27-28

B. QUESTION CONCERNING JOHN - Vss. 29-30

C. QUANDARY OF THE LEADERS - Vs. 31-32

D. TRIUMPH OF JESUS - Vs. 33

Ø What right did the leaders have to question Jesus?

Ø What right did Jesus have to do what He did? His right was superior.

Ø The questioning of Jesus revealed the key problem that the leaders had. What was it?

Ø What did the authority of John have to do with Jesus' authority?

Ø Why did Jesus' question about John silence the leaders?