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Matthew 21:1-11

As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, "Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me. If anyone says anything to you, tell him that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away."

This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet:

"Say to the Daughter of Zion, 'See, your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.'"
[Zechariah, 9:9]

The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them. They brought the donkey and the colt, placed their cloaks on them, and Jesus sat on them. A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted,

"Hosanna to the Son of David!"

"Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!"

"Hosanna in the highest!"

When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, Who is this?

The crowds answered, "This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee."
MATTHEW, 21:1-11

SET APART

When Jesus sent the two disciples into Jerusalem to find a donkey, he knew what he was doing. Despite the fact that there would be many donkeys in the busy city, one would stand out to them in a crowd. They would recognize which one Jesus was in need of.

Being 'Set apart' is one 'Definition' of Holiness.

The dictionary defines holiness as: 'To be set apart by, and dedicated to, God'.

THERE ARE THREE 'TYPES' OF HOLINESS (Isaiah, 6:1-9).

a. MAJESTIC SANCTIFICATION.

"Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty" (6:3). Separate from the Ordinary. God is great, in his presence we are all small. Revelation 19:1-6 "Alleluia"

b. CEREMONIAL SANCTIFICATION.

The fire burning on the Temple Altar (6:6).

Separate from the Secular. Cannot be partly for God and partly for yourself.

c. MORAL SANCTIFICATION.

Isaiah longed for the cleansing of his soul (6:5).

Separate from Sin. "The Blessing of a Clean Heart" - William Booth.

The 'Tithe' is "Holy unto the Lord".

"A tithe of everything from the land, whether grain from the soil or fruit from the trees, belongs to the LORD; it is holy to the LORD." Leviticus, 27:30

HOLINESS INVOLVES GOD'S CHOICE.

a. The Jews were a holy people, a chosen nation, a royal priesthood.

"Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation." Exodus, 19:5-6

b. Jesus reminded the disciples of this truth.

"You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit - fruit that will last." John, 15:16a

c. Now, Christians are a holy people, a chosen nation, a royal priesthood.

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God. I Peter, 2:9

Jesus prays for all believers.

They are in the world and Jesus asks for them to remain so.

They are to be the 'salt' - the seasoning, difference. They must stand out from the crowd.

"My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth." John, 17:15-17

We are told to love nothing of the world.

Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For everything in the world - the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does - comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives for ever.
I John, 2:15-17

Though great the world's attractions be, I pass, contended by;

Gladly I sacrifice their charms for those enjoyed on high.

Lord, cleanse my hands and cleanse my heart, all selfish aims I flee,

My faith reward, thy love impart, and let me dwell with thee.

William Drake Pennick, SASB 461: 2

AVAILABLE

'The Cost of Discipleship' is great.

According to Jesus himself, there can be 'NO Rival … NO Refusal … NO Return'!

a. THERE CAN BE NO RIVAL (Luke, 14:26).

"If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters - yes, even his own life - he cannot be my disciple." Seek first the kingdom of God!

b. THERE CAN BE NO REFUSAL (Luke, 9:23, 14:27).

"If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me… And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple."

c. THERE CAN BE NO RETURN (Luke, 9:62)

"No one who puts his hand to the plough and looks back is fit for service in the Kingdom of God."

WILLING TO BE LED

"Holiness is a relationship with God which increasingly expresses itself in Christ-like living."
Frederick Coutts

Take time to be holy, let him be thy guide, and run not before Him whatever betide;

In joy or in sorrow still follow thy Lord, and, looking to Jesus, still trust in his word.
William Dunn Longstaff, SASB 458: 3

Christ has Suffered and set a Standard. We follow his Steps.

If you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. To this you were called because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. I Peter, 2:20b-21

There's joy in following Jesus all the way; there's joy in following Jesus every day.

Keep in step with the Holy Spirit, for only he can make us holy. Not surprising,

really, as Holiness has its source in God. For God is "Holy, holy, holy".

ASSOCIATED WITH CHRIST

Where the Christian goes, Jesus goes. We are his representatives.

We are Christ's ambassadors.
II Corinthians, 5:20a

We are not to proclaim our thoughts… feelings… soapboxes…, instead:

"Go to the great city of Nineveh and proclaim to it the message I give you." Jonah, 3:2

HIS MESSAGE.
What is the difference between God's Truth and God's Message?

"Remember who you belong to… say and act accordingly!"

SET FREE

Before Christ could use the donkey, it had to be set free.

Would you be free from your burden of sin? There's power in the blood!
Would you be free from your passion and pride? There's power in the blood!

My tempers are fitful, my passions are strong,

They bind my poor soul and they force me to wrong.

Beneath thy blest billows deliverance I see, o come, mighty ocean…!
William Booth, SASB 298: 3

"I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. So if the son sets you free, you will be free indeed." John, 8:34-36

BUT THE SIN WE CLING TO ENTANGLES US.

Since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Hebrews, 12:1