Spring Lake Church

They were so close — and yet so far. The crowd had the scriptures, the prophecies, and a King standing right in front of them. But they wanted Him for all the wrong reasons.

In this week's episode of The Follow Up, Bill sits down with Jack and Garet to dig deeper into John 12:12–36 and the triumphal entry — commonly known as Palm Sunday. The crowd lines the road, waving palm branches and crying "Hosanna," but their hope is fixed on a political deliverer, not a suffering servant. This conversation unpacks why the desperation of that moment is both heartbreaking and deeply relevant to how we relate to Jesus today.

The discussion explores why Jesus rode in on a donkey instead of a war horse, what the upside-down kingdom actually looks like, and why the way up in God's economy is always down. Jack shares a powerful image of the inverted pyramid — the one with the broadest shoulders holding everything up — and the team wrestles with how easy it is to reshape Jesus into who we want Him to be rather than who Scripture reveals Him to be.

The conversation also turns personal. Garet shares how God led him to Green Bay in ways he could only see in hindsight, and Jack reflects on years of ministry preparation that seemed wasted until the exact moment God needed them. Both stories echo the disciples' experience in verse 16 — they didn't understand until they looked back.

The episode closes with a sobering but hopeful reminder: life is short, and every day is both our greatest and possibly last opportunity to live for Christ. Jack shares stories of sudden loss and restoration, pointing us back to the urgency of walking in the light while we still can.

Main Passage: John 12:12–36
Series: The Follow Up – Gospel of John
Week: 18

Chapters

00:00 – Introduction and what hit the hardest
02:50 – The desperation of the crowd and misguided expectations
04:00 – Why Jesus came as a suffering servant, not a conquering king
05:40 – The donkey, the palm branches, and nationalistic hope
06:35 – The upside-down kingdom and the inverted pyramid
07:15 – Knowing the true Jesus vs. making Him our mascot
08:00 – The Ricky Bobby illustration and reshaping Jesus
10:00 – Revelation and the full picture of who Jesus is
11:30 – Growth means discomfort — loving enemies and laying down your life
13:00 – Hindsight faith — the disciples didn't understand until later
14:00 – Garet's story of God leading him to Green Bay
14:40 – Jack's story of multi-site research that paid off years later
15:50 – Staying anchored when the world feels like it's crumbling
17:15 – Covid, the return to church, and God's sovereignty
18:50 – Life is short — repentance and the urgency of today
20:05 – The Three Doors Down story and living ready
21:05 – Final encouragement and next steps

If this episode encouraged you, like the video, leave a comment, and share it with someone who needs hope today. Your engagement helps more people encounter the life Jesus offers.

Spring Lake Church – Downtown
Sermon: The Beginning of The End
Teacher: Garet Meyer
Passages: John 12:12-36

In John 12:12–36, Jesus is welcomed as King, yet many misunderstand who He truly is. Pastor Jack challenges us to know the real Jesus—not a version shaped by our expectations. Jesus reveals that true life comes through surrender and sacrifice, pointing to the cross as God’s rescue plan. This sermon calls us to walk in His light, respond in faith, and follow Him with wholehearted trust.

springlakechurch.org | springlakechurch.org/give | springlakechurch.org/prayer

Spring Lake Church – Bellevue
Sermon: The Beginning of The End
Teacher: Jack Guerra
Passages: John 12:12-36

In John 12:12–36, Jesus is welcomed as King, yet many misunderstand who He truly is. Pastor Jack challenges us to know the real Jesus—not a version shaped by our expectations. Jesus reveals that true life comes through surrender and sacrifice, pointing to the cross as God’s rescue plan. This sermon calls us to walk in His light, respond in faith, and follow Him with wholehearted trust.

springlakechurch.org | springlakechurch.org/give | springlakechurch.org/prayer

Spring Lake Church – Downtown

Sermon: The Plot to Kill Jesus

Teacher: Jack Guerra

Passages: John 11:45-12:11

In John 11–12, we see how the raising of Lazarus draws sharply divided responses to Jesus. While many believe, others harden their hearts, revealing that even undeniable miracles do not convince everyone. This sermon explores how the light of Christ always provokes a reaction from darkness, how God sovereignly uses even human bitterness to accomplish His redemptive purposes, and how true worship often looks extravagant to those who don’t understand the depth of what Jesus has done. As opposition intensifies, we are invited to examine our own response to Christ—resistance, indifference, or wholehearted worship.

springlakechurch.org | springlakechurch.org/give | springlakechurch.org/prayer

Spring Lake Church – Bellevue

Sermon: The Plot to Kill Jesus

Teacher: Arlen Chastain

Passages: John 11:45-12:11

In John 11–12, we see how the raising of Lazarus draws sharply divided responses to Jesus. While many believe, others harden their hearts, revealing that even undeniable miracles do not convince everyone. This sermon explores how the light of Christ always provokes a reaction from darkness, how God sovereignly uses even human bitterness to accomplish His redemptive purposes, and how true worship often looks extravagant to those who don’t understand the depth of what Jesus has done. As opposition intensifies, we are invited to examine our own response to Christ—resistance, indifference, or wholehearted worship.

springlakechurch.org | springlakechurch.org/give | springlakechurch.org/prayer

In this episode of The Follow Up, we take a deeper look at John 11:1–44 and Jesus’ declaration, “I am the resurrection and the life.”

Pastor Adam joins the conversation to explore the raising of Lazarus and what this miracle reveals about Jesus’ power over death, His compassion for those who grieve, and God’s greater purposes in seasons of waiting. We discuss why Jesus delayed, how Mary and Martha expressed faith in the middle of loss, and why Jesus wept even though resurrection was moments away.

This passage reminds us that death is an enemy, not a design feature, and that real hope is found in a Person, not just a promise. We also reflect on spiritual resurrection and the confidence we can have that no heart is beyond Jesus’ voice.

If you are wrestling with unanswered prayers, grief, or trusting God’s timing, this episode offers encouragement rooted in the truth of who Jesus is.

Subscribe, share, and join us each week as we continue through the Gospel of John together.

Spring Lake Church – Downtown
Sermon: The Resurrection and The Life
Teacher: Adam Jackson
Passages: John 11:1-44

In John 11, we encounter Jesus not only as a miracle worker, but as the Lord over life and death. As Lazarus lies in the tomb, Jesus enters real grief, real doubt, and real loss—and declares, “I am the resurrection and the life.” This sermon reminds us that Jesus is present in our suffering, powerful over death, and faithful to give eternal life to all who believe. In the face of sorrow, we are invited to trust His love, believe His word, and live with courage and hope.

springlakechurch.org | springlakechurch.org/give | springlakechurch.org/prayer

Spring Lake Church – Bellevue
Sermon: The Resurrection and The Life
Teacher: Ryan Groshek
Passages: John 11:1-44

In John 11, we encounter Jesus not only as a miracle worker, but as the Lord over life and death. As Lazarus lies in the tomb, Jesus enters real grief, real doubt, and real loss—and declares, “I am the resurrection and the life.” This sermon reminds us that Jesus is present in our suffering, powerful over death, and faithful to give eternal life to all who believe. In the face of sorrow, we are invited to trust His love, believe His word, and live with courage and hope.

springlakechurch.org | springlakechurch.org/give | springlakechurch.org/prayer

In this episode of The Follow Up, the pastors dive deeper into John 10:22–42 and Jesus’ declaration as the Good Shepherd during the Feast of Dedication.

The discussion explores why Jesus’ words challenged expectations of a political Messiah and instead revealed a spiritual Shepherd who knows His sheep and holds them securely. You’ll hear thoughtful reflections on assurance of salvation, the difference between doubt and disbelief, and why following Jesus is rooted in what He has done, not what we maintain through effort.

The conversation also addresses difficult passages like Psalm 82, the danger of transactional faith, and practical ways believers can learn to recognize the Shepherd’s voice through Scripture, prayer, and community.

Subscribe, share, and join us each week as we continue going deeper into the Gospel of John and what it means to faithfully follow Jesus.

Spring Lake Church – Downtown
Sermon: The Great Shepherd and The True Sheep
Teacher: Jeff Lederer
Passages: John 10:22-42

In John 10:22–42, Jesus explains that true sheep recognize His voice, trust His works, and rest in the assurance that they are held securely in the Father’s hand. This sermon calls us to examine whether we are seeking Jesus Himself or merely what He can provide—and to live with humble trust in the Shepherd who gives eternal life and will never let His sheep be taken from Him.

springlakechurch.org | springlakechurch.org/give | springlakechurch.org/prayer