March 27, 2026
The Triumphal Exit
David Faust explores the drama of Palm Sunday, the contrast of cheers and Jesus’ tears, and the surprising victories won at the cross—ending with Christ’s triumphal re-entry in the resurrection.
Articles for tag: Palm Sunday
March 25, 2024
March Madness, Sadness, and Gladness
Consider the range of emotions that occurred during Jesus' final week . . .
March 22, 2021
Mar 28 | The Reward of Wisdom
As we enter this Holy Week we must be careful of unjust accusations against our Jewish forefathers for missing Jesus. If we do not embrace the wisdom from heaven, we might miss him too.
July 8, 2020
COVID-19 Compels Chitwood, 84, to Launch ‘Encouraging Word’ Videos
By Chris Moon At 84 years old—and after 62 years in ministry—Bob Chitwood is having no problem keeping up with the times. The pastor at Brownville Christian Church in Nebraska has been using the COVID-19 pandemic to take his church’s ministry to Facebook. Each week, Chitwood produces an 8- to 10-minute video he calls “An Encouraging Word,” where Chitwood shares a gospel principle at various locations around the tiny town of Brownville. He went to a local vineyard and winery and discussed Jesus as the true vine. He went down by the Missouri River to discuss the river of life.
April 27, 2020
The Time
By Stuart Powell John’s Gospel shares a conversation that occurred the Sunday before Jesus’ crucifixion which is often overlooked in the festive inauguration of Holy Week. Jesus replied, “The time has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. . . . Now my soul is greatly distressed. And what should I say? ‘Father, deliver me from this hour’? No, but for this very reason I have come to this hour” (John 12:23-27, New English Translation). How often had Jesus looked ahead to “the time”? Did he ever pause as he washed his feet to consider where the nails
April 21, 2020
“We’re Going to Come Out of This Stronger”
By Jim Nieman A small, country church in South Dakota is doing its best to meet the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the minister is convinced, “We’re going to come out of this stronger.” Preston Christian Church in Bruce, S.D., has adopted the same strategy as many other churches across the country by incorporating a drive-in service in their parking lot on Sunday mornings. A difference is that Preston Christian has been worshipping with their sister church, Brookings (S.D.) Christian Church, which is located about 20 miles away, the last three Sundays. PCC minister Tim Smith and BCC minister
March 28, 2020
Churches Make Easter Plans in Age of Social Distancing
By Chris Moon As worship life continues to change because of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, Restoration Movement churches now are faced with putting together one of the most significant worship services of the year—Easter Sunday, April 12. Some churches are letting the online-only worship experience drive their creativity. Others are carefully modifying their long-held Easter traditions to accommodate this time of social distancing (a relatively new but suddenly pervasive term for encouraging people to deliberately increase the space between one another to avoid spreading the virus). Journey Christian Church in Greeley, Colo., is planning a 30-minute Easter video production that
March 19, 2018
Lesson for March 25, 2018: Keep My Statutes and Ordinances (2 Chronicles 7:12-22)
Dr. Mark Scott wrote this treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson. Scott teaches preaching and New Testament at Ozark Christian College, Joplin, Missouri. This lesson treatment is published in issue no. 9–12 (March 4–25, 2018) of The Lookout magazine, and is also available online at www.lookoutmag.com. ______ By Mark Scott Praise should not be divorced from obedience. To praise God and then not obey God is hypocrisy. That was the problem on Palm Sunday. On Sunday the crowd said, “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” (Matthew 21:9), but by Friday the same crowd said, “Let him be crucified!”
March 14, 2016
Lesson for March 20, 2016: Struggling Faith (Mark 14:26-31, 66-72)
Dr. Mark Scott wrote this treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson. Scott teaches preaching and New Testament at Ozark Christian College, Joplin, Missouri, and has held preaching ministries in Missouri, Illinois, and Colorado. This lesson treatment is published in the March 13 issue of The Lookout magazine, and is also available online at www.lookoutmag.com. ______ By Mark Scott A common struggle we face is consistent faith. On Palm Sunday the people shouted, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” (Mark 11:9). But by Friday they shouted, “Crucify him” (Mark 15:14). Peter (and the other disciples) had that same
January 22, 2013
My Greatest Leadership Challenge
By Arron Chambers Have you ever played the trust game? You know, the one where you fall back and someone catches you? If you ever belonged to a church youth group and had a youth minister who didn”t always prepare, and occasionally needed a time “filler,” you”ve certainly played it. Yeah, I hate that game too. When I was younger, I hung out with the kids in the youth group who thought it was funny to let the preacher”s kid keep falling till he hit the ground. Yeah, that was a fun game . . . for the kids with
July 22, 2007
10 Things any Church Can Do to Enrich Worship
Ten practical ways to add a fresh spark to Sunday worship—from prayer and tech preparation to Communion, responsive readings, and special emphasis Sundays—so services stay engaging and God honoring.
November 12, 2006
A Tale of Two Brothers
Dave Smith recounts the conviction that followed years of mistreating his brother and the freedom found in asking forgiveness. Drawing from Matthew 18, he urges believers to forgive as God has forgiven.
