In Luke 19, we see Jesus riding in to Jerusalem as a victorious king, but many in the crowd did not recognize the nature of his kingdom nor his triumph.

In Luke 19, we see that the triumphal entry of Jesus is anything but triumphal. He goes through Bethphage, which means house of unripe figs. Did Jesus curse a fig tree to warn us we need to perform? No. In fact, the opposite is true. Find out how the shriveled fig tree frees us.

Throughout the Bible we see the Lamb of God with foreshadowing in Genesis as Abraham follows God's direction and goes up the mountain to sacrifice Isaac. The blood of the lamb over the doorpost during the Passover allowed the first borns in Israel to be spared. Micah prophesied of the coming lamb, and then John the Baptist says, "Behold the lamb who takes away the sin of the world!"

Unfortunately, due to technical difficulties, we did not get the whole sermon recorded on video, but the audio file is complete. We have been on a journey with Jesus from Galilee to Jerusalem. We read how Zacchaeus was a child of God who was ripping off God's people. The children of God did not like Zacchaeus, but after Zacchaeus had been with Jesus, he was changed-he planned to repay those from whom he had stolen. Jesus said Salvation is come to this [Zacchaeus'] house. The Greek word sozo means salvation coming down to us here on earth.

In Luke Chapter 18, we see a pharisee who doesn't even know that he has a problem with pride. We can't look down on other people. No matter how respected we may be, we have to recognize that apart from the blood of Jesus Christ, we are no better than filthy rags. We instead need to have the attitude of the publican, "God, be merciful to me a sinner!"

In Luke 19, we read the story of the chief publican, Zacchaeus. We see Jesus calling Zacchaeus (a name which means innocent, pure & not guilty) to the life for which he was created. We need to learn the Word of God so that we can do what it says. Jesus doesn't hesitate to go in to the cursed places in your life, even if that is your own perception of who you are. Jesus gave all of his children eternal life. Our job as followers of Jesus is to share this wonderful news so that his children can live and walk in abundant life.

In Luke Chapter 12, we read about a man whose treasure was in things of this earth, and it did not ultimately profit him. What should our mindset be? God provides for us, and we should not be too concerned with the natural things of this earth. However, in Prov. 6:6-11, God points to the ant as an insect to be admired for its work ethic. We should work to provide for our families and plan for the future, but we should not focus on this to the exclusion of helping others and furthering God's kingdom. Let's live as if Jesus is coming back today and find comfort and joy in that thought.

We begin the new year in Mark 12:28 learning how we can live a kingdom life that glorify's God, one that not only applauds but applies the Bible to our every day lives.

In this message we continue in our study of the story of Esther, with Elder Melvin examining the way we live as citizens of two different kingdoms. Scripture tells us that as God's children we are citizens of heaven, but we are citizens of the earthly kingdom we live in as well. So, how do we go about living on the earth? Elder Melvin brings some clarity in the continued study of Esther.

Elder Melvin continues our study in the book of Esther, examining how God is at work even when he seems absent.