INTRO: Today is Palm Sunday, we remember the "Triumphant Entry" of Jesus into the city of Jerusalem, just a few days before His crucifixion, and then His resurrection.

I. The Story of Palm Sunday (Matt. 21:1-11)
Jesus seems to have been well received!
A. But he cast out the money changers
B. But he was criticized by the religious leaders
C. But he cursed the fig tree
D. But he told the parable of the tenants (Matt. 21:33-43)
E. But Judas betrayed Him
F. But Peter denied Him, and the disciples abandoned Him
G. But the crowd shouted "crucify Him" and release Barabbas.

II. Palm Sunday/ the Triumphal Entry is really a story about superficial religion.
A. Isaiah 3 is a record of the same superficial religion.
The Israelites were very religious!
B. But the Israelites were shameless about immorality (Is. 3:9).
C. The leaders were religious, yet oppressed the poor (Is. 3:14-15).
D. But the Israelites loved their materialism (Is. 3:16-24).

CONCLUSION: The OT Israelites were outwardly religious, but still immoral and materialistic.
The people of Jesus day welcomed Him one week, and crucified Him the next.
Jesus is looking for people who will truly accept Him as the Lord of their lives.
Do we do that, or are we like the Israelites of old? May the Lord help each of
us to live up to our profession of Faith, and be true disciples of Jesus.