Sermon: What Jesus Deserves

Sermon Date: 4/13//2025

Bible Verses: Matthew 21:9

Speaker: Rev. Timothy "Tim" Shapley

Theme: https://uppbeat.io/t/northwestern/a-new-beginning

A Palm Sunday Message

Introduction:
Palm Sunday marks the beginning of Holy Week, the final week of Jesus' earthly ministry before the cross. On this day, Jesus entered Jerusalem as King, fulfilling prophecy and receiving the worship He truly deserved.

Matthew 21:9 records the people shouting:

"Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!"

Yet, just days later, some of these same voices cried, “Crucify Him!” (Matt. 27:22).

This Palm Sunday, we must ask ourselves:

• Does Jesus get the worship He deserves in our lives?
• Will we praise Him only when it’s convenient, or will we honor Him as King every day?

Let’s look at what Jesus deserves and how we should respond.

1. Jesus Deserves Our Worship (Matthew 21:1-11)

As Jesus entered Jerusalem, the people spread their cloaks and palm branches before Him—a sign of honor and submission.

Why Did Jesus Deserve Worship?

1. He is the Fulfillment of Prophecy (Zechariah 9:9; Matthew 21:4-5)

• "Behold, your King is coming to you, lowly, and sitting on a donkey."
• This wasn’t just a random event—Jesus was fulfilling God’s plan from centuries before!

He is the True King (Luke 19:38)

• "Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord!"
• Jesus was not just a teacher or a prophet—He was and is the King of Kings!

He is Worthy of All Praise (Luke 19:39-40)

• When the Pharisees told Jesus to stop the people from praising Him, He responded:

"I tell you that if these should keep silent, the stones would immediately cry out."

• Creation itself knows Jesus deserves worship—but do we?

➡️ Application: Does Jesus get our worship every day, or only when it’s easy?

2. Jesus Deserves Our Obedience (Matthew 21:12-17)

After entering Jerusalem, Jesus went to the temple and cleansed it of corruption.

• Matthew 21:13 – "My house shall be called a house of prayer, but you have made it a den of thieves!"
• The people worshiped with their words, but their actions dishonored God.
• Jesus deserves not just our songs on Sunday, but our obedience every day!

➡️ Application: Is our heart a “house of prayer” or a “den of thieves”?

3. Jesus Deserves Our Loyalty (Matthew 26:31-35, 69-75)

On Palm Sunday, the people cheered for Jesus, but by Friday, they turned away. Even Peter, one of Jesus' closest disciples, denied Him three times (Matt. 26:74-75).

“74 Then he began to curse and swear, saying, “I do not know the Man!”

Immediately a rooster crowed. 75 And Peter remembered the word of Jesus who had said to him, “Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.” So he went out and wept bitterly.”

Why did the people turn on Jesus?

1. He wasn’t the King they expected.

• They wanted a political ruler, but Jesus came to defeat sin, not Rome.

It became dangerous to follow Him.

• When Jesus was arrested, His followers scattered in fear.

➡️ Application: Do we only follow Jesus when it’s comfortable, or are we loyal no matter what?

4. Jesus Deserves Our Lives (Romans 12:1-2)

Jesus didn’t come just to receive a moment of praise—He came to transform lives.

Paul tells us in Romans 12:1:

"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service."

• Jesus gave everything for us—He deserves everything from us.
• True worship is not just words—it’s a life fully surrendered to Him.

➡️ Application: Have we truly given Jesus our lives, or just part of them?

Conclusion: Will We Worship Him Like He Deserves?

On Palm Sunday, the crowd shouted “Hosanna”, but many of them later turned away.

The question for us is:
✅ Will we be like those who worshiped Jesus only when it was easy?
✅ Or will we worship, obey, and follow Him every day—no matter the cost?

Jesus Deserves:

✔️ Our Worship – Not just with words, but with our hearts.
✔️ Our Obedience – A life that reflects His holiness.
✔️ Our Loyalty – Faithful to Him even when it’s hard.
✔️ Our Lives – Everything we are, surrendered to His will.

This Palm Sunday, let’s not just wave palm branches—let’s give Jesus what He truly deserves.

Will you worship Him not just today, but every day?