Sermons and Outlines

Luke 19:28-40 IF THE STONES COULD TALK

Intro: Ill. The Context. Ill. Palestine is filled with stones. Jesus had a lot of contact with rocks and stones during His ministry. He walked on the, sat on them, prayed on them, wept on them and bled on them. If those stones that Jesus came into contact with could talk, what stories would they tell? Today, as God gives me liberty, I am going to take you to several places when Jesus came in contact with stones. If stones could talk these would have a great story to tell. Let’s see if we can hear it today.

I. Mt. 4:3-4 STONES ON THE MOUNT OF TEMPTATION
They talk of His Sinless Nature
(Ill. 2 Pet. 2:22; 2 Cor. 5:21) When innocent blood was shed on Calvary, sin and Satan were forever defeated!) (Ill. He is still our Holy Savior today!)

II. John 2:6 STONES AT THE MARRIAGE OF CANA
They talk of His Provision

(Ill. Phil. 4:19 – He is still Jehovah-Jireh, "The LORD will see to it!" He is still "I AM" – Ex. 3:14) (Ill. He is worthy of your faith!)

III. John 4:6 STONES AT JACOB’S WELL
They talk of His Mission

(Ill. He picked the worse one in town to demonstrate his great purpose – Luke 19:10; Mark 2:17 – Ill. He still loves old sinners today.) (Ill. He is still seeking and saving all who come to Him – John 6:37!) (Ill. His mission is also ours – Mark 16:15; Acts 1:8)

IV. John 8:7 STONES IN THE TEMPLE COURT
They talk of His Forgiveness

(Ill. He is a forgiving Savior – Psa. 103:12 and so on!) (Ill. When a sinner comes to Him, He gives full justification – 1 Cor. 6:9-11 and so on!)

V. John 11:39-44 STONES AT THE TOMB OF LAZARUS
They talk of His Power

(Ill. He has the power to raise the physically dead and the spiritually dead as well! He is capable of raising up hell bound sinners – Eph. 3:20; Matt. 28:18. Ill. He can take a life ruined and wrecked by sin, touch it by His grace and make it over again.)(Ill. The touch of the Master’s hand.)

VI. Lk. 19:40 STONES AROUND JERUSALEM
They talk of His Glory

(Ill. The context. Jesus was being praised and glorified and the religious elite got upset over it. He is still worthy and they still get upset. But, we still need to be actively praising His Name.) (Ill. Praise is a command and not an option – Psa. 47:1; Heb. 13:15. Ill. Don’t feel like it – Do you reckon Job did? Job 1:20-21!)(Ill. I don’t want the stones doing my shouting. How about you?)

VII. Luke 22:41 STONES IN GETHSEMANE
They talk of His Agony

(Ill. He battled Satanic attack infinitely more intense than what He faced on the Mt. Of Temptation, but He prevailed and drank from the bitter cup so that you and I might taste the sweet nectar of salvation..) (Ill. Satan tried to kill Him, but He was victorious. Calvary was His goal and when He reached the cross, He finished the business He came here to do – John 19:30.)

VIII. Matt. 28:1-6 STONES AT THE GARDEN TOMB
They talk of His Resurrection

(Yes, He died, but He rose up again – Matt. 28:6. Now, He lives forever to make intercession for His people – Heb. 7:25. Yes, I am glad that Jesus died on the cross, but I am more glad that He rose from the dead. A dead Savior saves on one! Ill. Col. 3:3 – Our lives are tied with His. We will only live as long as Jesus does!)

IX. Acts 1:10-11 STONES ON THE MOUNT OF OLIVES
They talk of His Return

(Ill. He ascended back to the Father, but He left us the blessed hope and promise of His return – John 14:1-3; 1 Thes. 4:16-18.) (Get ready, for 1998 might just be the year when the Savior returns to claim His people.) The question is: Are you ready?

Conc: If the stones could speak you know what they would be saying? Just the same things that you and I ought to be saying today. As we stand here on the threshold of a New Year, we ought to get about the business of declaring His greatness to a lost and dying world. If the stones were to speak, they would be doing our job. Let’s get busy for Jesus and spread the message of His saving grace.