Teaching summary
In this Palm Sunday message, Pastors Leonard and Lori Rola reflect on the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem and emphasize the significance of His identity, authority, and the power of His name. They draw attention to the believer’s identity in Christ and explain how understanding it empowers us to operate in authority. Through Scripture, the pastors explain how grace triumphs over the law and reveal the prophetic fulfillment of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem. The message concludes with a powerful invitation to salvation and communion in remembrance of Jesus's finished work.
Bible verses referenced
John 16:24- "Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full."
Philippians 2:9-11- "Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name. That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."
Acts 19:13-15- "Then certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists, took upon them to call over them which had evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth.
And there were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jew, and chief of the priests, which did so.
And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye?"
Zechariah 9:9-10- "Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee. He is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass. And I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim, and the horse from Jerusalem, and the battle bow shall be cut off. And he shall speak peace unto the heathen: and his dominion shall be from sea even to sea, and from the river even to the ends of the earth."
Romans 5:1- "Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ."
Ephesians 2:8-9- "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God. Not of works, lest any man should boast."
Romans 10:9-10- "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation."
Matthew 26:26-28- "And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body. And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins."
Teaching notes
Table of Contents
- A Worshipful Opening and Global Ministry Connections
- The Power of the Name: John 16 and Spiritual Authority
- Identity in Christ and the Sons of Sceva
- Palm Sunday: Setting the Scene
- The Symbolism of the Prayer Shawls and the Law
- Joyful Praise and Living in Continual Thanksgiving
- Prophetic Fulfillment from Zechariah 9
- Jesus Weeps Over Jerusalem
- The Prophecy of Destruction and the AD 70 Siege
- Jesus Cleanses the Temple: A Statement Against Religion
- The Simplicity of Salvation
- Communion and Final Encouragement
A Worshipful Opening and Global Ministry Connections
Pastor Leonard begins by expressing heartfelt worship to Jesus and thankfulness for His love. He acknowledges the global reach of the ministry, giving thanks for supporters from South Africa, England, the Netherlands, the U.S., and Canada. Many are shut-in, unable to attend in person, but are still powerfully connected to the body of Christ.
The Power of the Name: John 16 and Spiritual Authority
Pastor Leonard shares a personal revelation during worship, emphasizing the authority believers have in Jesus’ name.
John 16:24-"Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full."
He explains how Jesus gave us the power of attorney—the right to use His name. Like a legal document, the value of that authority depends on who stands behind it. In our case, it’s Jesus, whose name is above every name.
Philippians 2:9-11- "Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow… and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."
Identity in Christ and the Sons of Sceva
Referencing Acts 19:13-15, Pastor Leonard illustrates what happens when people try to use Jesus’ name without understanding their identity.
Acts 19:15- "And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye?" Many believers, he says, don't recognize the identity they’ve received when born from above. They doubt their righteousness, sanctification, and oneness with Christ. But: "As he is, so are we in this world."
Pastor Leonard affirms: When you understand your identity, sickness and demons will know your name too.
Palm Sunday: Setting the Scene
The sermon turns to the events of Palm Sunday as told in Luke 19:29-46, when Jesus descends from the Mount of Olives, passing Bethphage (house of unripened figs) and Bethany (where the fig tree was cursed). These locations symbolize Israel’s failure to recognize their Messiah, despite carrying the promises.
The Symbolism of the Prayer Shawls and the Law
As Jesus rides the colt, people throw their garments—specifically, prayer shawls—on the path. This is symbolic: the prayer shawls represent the law, while Jesus (grace) rides above them. Just as the mercy seat covered the law inside the Ark of the Covenant, Jesus covers the law with grace.
Joyful Praise and Living in Continual Thanksgiving
Luke 19:37- "…the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen. "
The Greek verb used for "rejoicing" indicates continuous, unbroken praise.. Pastor Leonard encourages believers to adopt this lifestyle—always praising God regardless of circumstances. "The joy of the Lord is your strength.
Prophetic Fulfillment from Zechariah 9
Jesus's entrance fulfills Zechariah 9:9-10, a clear prophecy of the Messiah.
Zechariah 9:9- "Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass." Despite the religious leaders’ resistance, Jesus' fulfillment of prophecy was undeniable.
Jesus Weeps Over Jerusalem
Luke 19:41-42- "And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it, Saying, If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes." Jesus laments that the people missed their moment of visitation. They clung to the old covenant thinking instead of embracing grace.
The Prophecy of Destruction and the AD 70 Siege
Luke 19:43-44- "For the days shall come upon thee, that thine enemies shall cast a trench about thee… and shall lay thee even with the ground…"Jesus foretells the destruction of Jerusalem, which occurred in AD 70 under Roman siege. Pastor Leonard emphasizes this was a warning for those who refused to shift from law to grace.
Jesus Cleanses the Temple: A Statement Against Religion
Luke 19:45-46- "And he went into the temple, and began to cast out them that sold therein, and them that bought; Saying unto them, It is written, My house is the house of prayer: but ye have made it a den of thieves." Religion, Pastor Leonard says, still sells forgiveness—requiring repeated sacrifices and offerings. But Jesus came to end the cycle, offering a once-for-all solution:
John 1:29- "Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world."
The Simplicity of Salvation
Salvation is not based on works, but faith.
Ephesians 2:8-9- "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast."
Romans 10:9-10- "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus… thou shalt be saved." Pastor Lori urges anyone watching to make that confession today.
Communion and Final Encouragement
The sermon ends with a time of communion, remembering the Lord’s death and resurrection.
Matthew 26:26-28- "Take, eat; this is my body… Drink ye all of it; For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins."
The pastors remind everyone: the old covenant is gone—the new has come through the blood of Jesus.
We hope this article blessed you. Share this teaching with others and let them know the beauty of what Jesus did on Palm Sunday. If you confess Jesus as Lord for the first time today, reach out to New Life Ministry and let them celebrate with you. Grace and peace to you in Christ.