https://youtu.be/jPiiJt8F6Zs

I see Christians who can’t seem to manage their lives, not walking in the abundance that Christ offers. are they truly converted? Has there been heart change?Christ never intended for you to spend a lackluster destructive sinful life upon your salvationThe Bible talks about Suffering, but its suffering for being a Christian, not suffering because you haven’t been renewed by the Holy Spirit and are trying to live for God on your own strengthThe problem with a lot of people is that they aren’t much different than the story of Mark 11. Going through the motions, just paying lip service, being self serving, basically practicing false religion.  All talk. No conversion. Believing they are doing the right thing but failing.READ Mark 11:1-11There’s some great parts to this story, but the truth of the hearts of crowd is an often overlooked part of this story-Here’s whats going on- The Jewish people of the time are living in Israel and its capital, Jerusalem. Rome had been in control of Jerusalem for about 90 years at this pointRuthless Caesars and leaders who would exploit and control the jewish populaceThere was a Co-existent relationship between the Pharisees (the Jewish ruling class) they were in bed with Rome. One hand washed the other. Rome allowed the Jews to do whatever religious practice they wanted as long as it didn’t interfere with what they were doing.So its after 90 years of this that Jesus comes into Jerusalem and the people declare that Jesus is their ruler. HE is the king that is going to ‘save them’ from Rome. He is the “savior” the “messiah” that was to come- reestablish the Throne of David, throw over rome, and start a revolution. Change the government. Change their lives.

But here was the message of Jesus= Not here to save you from Rome, I’m here to save you from yourself1 Timothy 1:15 This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.Can you imagine a time when people thought a government was going to fix their lives?When their only hope was that they could have a ruler to rule them and a government to take care of themThis is when Christianity becomes a religion- when you want to satisfy self and worship idols1 Timothy 4:1 Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons,The essence of Christianity isn’t social or political reform, it is repentance and renewal.Jesus destroyed the religious people’s ideas about what was holding them back- Israel thought it was the politics that were holding them back, when the reality is that it was themselves that were holding them back. They needed deliverance from sin not from circumstance.The impact of the triumphal entry is found not just in the story, but in the actions of the people just a few days laterAs we enter into the end of Mark, chapters 11-16 cover about 7 days of history. This story takes place on a Sunday, and Friday, the hearts and mouths of this crowd will be drastically differentThe main curve is that they wanted their form of Religion. Their form of politics. Their answer for a king, and when Jesus didn’t fulfill that, they crucified him. They created a false religion not grounded in the essence of Christ. A self serving, intellectualThe triumphal entry is a large charade that doesn’t go much farther than the Sunday it happened on. Within a matter of days his kingship is forgotten, his impact lessened, and then they crucify him.How sad it would be if there were gathering places of people where they heralded Christ as king and a week later were crucifying him.What was in the hearts of the people in the crowd that day on the triumphal entry?Hope of Political power