His Steadfast Love Endures Forever

In one paragraph

Palm Sunday 2018 found the pastor tracing the ancient Jewish hymns of praise that formed the backdrop to Jesus's entry into Jerusalem, and drawing the congregation into that same pattern of public thanksgiving. The sermon moved from the Lesser Hallel, the psalms sung in anticipation of Passover, through Psalm 136, the Greater Hallel, and back to the crowd's cry of "Hosanna" on that first Palm...

Read together

1. Psalm 113 Read as part of the lesser Hallel, praising the Lord from the rising to the setting of the sun
2. Psalm 114 Read as part of the lesser Hallel, recalling Israel's exodus from Egypt and creation bowing before God
3. Psalm 115 Read as part of the lesser Hallel, contrasting the living God with silent, useless idols
4. Psalm 116 Read as part of the lesser Hallel, expressing love for the Lord who hears pleas for mercy
5. Psalm 117 Read as part of the lesser Hallel, calling all nations to praise the Lord for his steadfast love
6. Psalm 118 Read as the closing of the lesser Hallel, including the Hosanna cry and the blessing of the one who comes in the name of the Lord
7. Psalm 118:25-26 Identified as the source of the word Hosanna and the triumphal entry acclamation
8. Psalm 136 Read as the greater Hallel, with congregation responding 'his steadfast love endures forever' to each line
9. Matthew 21 The triumphal entry, the crowd spreading cloaks and palm branches and crying Hosanna to the Son of David
10. Joshua 2:10 Rahab tells the spies that Jericho heard how the Lord dried up the Red Sea and destroyed Sihon and Og

Talk about it

1. The pastor talked about how the crowds on Palm Sunday cried 'Hosanna' meaning 'save us now,' hoping Jesus would overthrow the Romans. In what ways do we come to God expecting Him to fix our circumstances on our terms rather than His?
2. Psalm 136 was sung responsively so the congregation could speak God's praise out loud together. What does it do to your faith when you say aloud what God has done, rather than just thinking it privately?
3. The pastor pointed out that Rahab heard about the God of Israel through what His people had done and said, and it brought her into the family of God. Can you think of a time when someone else's spoken praise or testimony opened a door for you, or when yours may have opened one for someone else?
4. The sermon drew a repeated contrast between God resisting the proud and giving grace to the humble, and noted this thread runs through Proverbs, Psalms, Peter, John and Paul. Where have you seen that pattern play out in your own life or in someone you know?
5. The pastor mentioned research linking thankfulness directly to joy, and said it does our hearts good to remember what God has done and say it out loud. What is one specific thing God has provided for you, the way people named grace, mercy, healing and protection during the service, that you could bring to the group tonight?