The Triumphal Entry: Faith in the Face of the Cross

Canaan Fellowship

00:00 / 00:28:42

Bruce Hempel’s Palm Sunday sermon connects the themes of faith in adversity to Jesus’s Triumphal Entry. He encourages believers to respond to life’s challenges with trust in God’s goodness and control, rather than despair, using personal anecdotes and the story of a former Iranian Revolutionary Guard commander’s conversion to illustrate profound faith. The sermon culminates in a call to surrender to Christ as King, regardless of the cost.

[00:00:00] The sermon begins by tying a previous message on “life and death in the power of the tongue” to how we react to life’s difficulties—with faith or unbelief.
[00:00:35] Bruce shares a personal story of breaking a bolt while repairing an engine as an example of a frustrating situation that tests one’s reaction.
[00:01:51] He poses a central question: When things “go wrong,” do we believe terrible things will happen, or do we believe God is in control and will bring good from it?
[00:03:03] An example from prison ministry is given, where two men were denied parole, highlighting the process of being honest with God about disappointment while growing in faith.
[00:04:43] Faith is described as full of life and hope, asserting “the story’s not finished yet,” in contrast to despair.
[00:05:14] The focus shifts to Jesus’s Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem, where he entered as the prophesied, humble king riding on a donkey.
[00:06:06] While the crowds anticipated immediate change, Jesus uniquely knew he was heading toward betrayal, suffering, death, and resurrection.
[00:07:09] Listeners are given “homework” to read all four Gospel accounts of the Triumphal Entry: Matthew 21, Mark 11, Luke 19, and John 12.
[00:07:53] Bruce emphasizes that the events of Holy Week were real-life experiences, and our real-life challenges require a genuine faith response that moves from head knowledge to heart conviction.
[00:09:21] He references Romans 8:28 as a key verse to stand on, that God works all things for good for those who love him.
[00:09:49] The sermon reviews Matthew 21:1-17, noting Jesus’s detailed foreknowledge and provision (the donkey and colt) as an example of God as Jehovah Jireh.
[00:12:27] The act of riding a donkey is connected to King Solomon, symbolizing Jesus’s kingship.
[00:13:17] The crowds hailed Jesus as a prophet but lacked full understanding of him as the Messiah, while the children’s praises were correct.
[00:14:46] Bruce strongly encourages doing the “homework” of reading Scripture, promising that the Holy Spirit will speak personally through it.
[00:15:41] He discusses the uncertainty we face in trials (e.g., a loved one’s illness) and states that the foundation for faith and peace is knowing God is good and keeps his promises.
[00:16:35] He distinguishes between faith for a specific desired outcome and a deeper faith that trusts in the Father’s goodness regardless of the outcome.
[00:17:01] The testimony of a former Iranian Revolutionary Guard commander is shared in detail, describing his devout Muslim upbringing, his violent career, his growing conviction, and his conversion after identifying with the Apostle Paul.
[00:21:22] Upon surrendering his life to Jesus, the man found a profound peace from being in unity with God’s will.
[00:21:44] His faith led him to escape Iran, eventually reaching the Netherlands, where he experienced Christian fellowship and joy.
[00:23:48] After much prayer, he decided to publicly share his testimony on a Christian broadcast, despite risks to his family still in Iran, finding peace in his surrender to God’s will.
[00:26:10] This story is connected to Jesus’s teaching in John 14 on peace and obedience, illustrating what it means to make Jesus Lord.
[00:26:44] The conclusion urges listeners to trust in who is in control, even when we don’t know the outcome, and to fully surrender to Christ.

Scripture References

Matthew 21
Mark 11
Luke 19
John 12
Romans 8:28
John 14

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