April 13, 2025
A Lot Can Change in a Week
Pastor Ricky Smith

Sermon Notes

John 12:12-19
The next day the large crowd that had come to the feast heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, crying out, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!” And Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it, just as it is written, “Fear not, daughter of Zion; behold, your king is coming, sitting on a donkey’s colt!” His disciples did not understand these things at first, but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things had been written about him and had been done to him. The crowd that had been with him when he called Lazarus out of the tomb and raised him from the dead continued to bear witness. The reason why the crowd went to meet him was that they heard he had done this sign. So the Pharisees said to one another, “You see that you are gaining nothing. Look, the world has gone after him.”

I. Jesus Was Humble as the Crowds Praised Him as King

II. Jesus Offers a Second Chance

Christ deserves full-time followers

III. Jesus is Gracious to Slow Learners

Next Steps

• I confess my sin and turn to Jesus as King for the first time.
• I confess I am a slow learner and fully submit to Jesus as Lord today.
• I choose to join Jesus’ mission by sharing Him boldly.

Deep Dive

1. Read John 12:16 and John 14:26. How does the Holy Spirit teach and remind us about truth?
2. Why do you think the disciples didn’t understand the significance of these events until later?
3. How has hindsight or reflection helped you understand God’s work in your life?
4. How can we be more aware of what God is doing in the present?

Springboards

1. What is your biggest fear? Why?
2. Read Matthew 28:1-10. Why is it important that the angels said not to fear?
3. How does the risen Jesus give you courage today?