Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:15-21
Intro
But today, is Palm Sunday. It’s the day we remember when Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey; as the humble king of Israel. Just like we did, the people in Jerusalem waved palm branches.
What did they say? “Hosanna” which means “Save us” Son of David. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.” The people recognized Jesus as the promised Messiah. But he didn’t immediately claim the throne in Jerusalem and save them from their Roman oppressors. And because of that, most of the people rejected him.
While many expected Jesus to be military hero, He came first to reign in our hearts as king of a spiritual kingdom. “Reign” R-E-I-G-N not the rain that comes from Clouds. It means when a king sits on his throne and he’s in charge of all the people and everything in all the kingdom. Today, we will consider the ways that the love of God reigns over our past. Because of Jesus’ death on the cross in our place, we do not have to be defined or controlled by our mistakes and sins, or the events that happened in our past.
Many people believe that their past is a constant hinderance to their present and future. It can be a heavy burden to bear when you feel weighed down by past choices you made.
OUT WITH THE OLD AND IN WITH THE NEW
Ephesians 4 and Colossians 3 are encouraging passages about inviting the Holy Spirit to help us clean house and make room for His control and reign in our lives. As we stay in God’s Word, He keeps showing us areas to turn over to His control.
Reconcile means to restore good relations between people.
This is all God’s gracious gift. And it means that getting past your past is not something you can do on your own. We cannot overcome our sins or make up for them by simply doing good things. Though our sin broke our relationship with him, his love reigns over and removes our sin, making us right with him. God has reconciled or restored a good relationship between us and himself.
When we confess our sin against God and receive his forgiveness, we experience a restored relationship with him. God declares us free and we are made new.
Not only that, but we then become part of God’s plan for reconciling others around us. When we see ourselves forgiven and loved by God, by His grace we can love and forgive others and help them become new creations too.
GOD’S LOVE FOR US AND GOD’S LOVE THROUGH US
Jesus wants to make his invitation to the world through the way we live and the things we say. It has all been made possible through Jesus Christ.
READ 2 Corinthians 5:21
Jesus took on our sin, our mistakes, our brokenness, and even our past shame and nailed it to the cross. Even though he was perfect and sinless, He became sin in our place. It was an act of love for him to die for us, even as we were still sinners and not looking for God.
OUR WRONGNESS IS REPLACED BY GOD’S RIGHTEOUSNESS
Take Aways
For many people, hearing the truth that God will forgive all our past seems just too good to be true and far too simple to trust. Most people want to add their own hard work and effort to earn God’s approval. But the Bible says salvation is a priceless gift. God invites people to simply receive His forgiveness and grace or love and simply allow it to reign in our lives. Then, and only then, will we experience the joy and freedom of new life.
If you’ve never confessed your sin to God, admitted that you need a Savior, believed that Jesus died in your place and came back to life, do that today!
If you are not doing much to share that good news with others, then search and pray to see what’s missing. Why is God’s grace not what you’re passionate about and excited to share? Spend some time in God’s Word remembering what He has done for you and what you were before He saved you. Then share it!
