Luke 19:41
The day of God's visitation is a day of great opportunity, but it can be missed due to blindness, fear, and pride, resulting in sorrow and hopelessness.
Chuck Smith emphasizes the significance of recognizing God's visitation in our lives, as exemplified by Israel's failure to acknowledge Jesus as their King. He highlights that this day was foretold by prophets and marked by rejoicing, worship, and peace, yet many missed it due to blind leadership, fear of losing status, and pride. The consequences of missing this divine moment lead to sorrow from God and hopelessness for individuals, as they choose conflict over submission to Christ. Smith urges listeners to reflect on what may be holding them back from fully embracing Jesus as their King.
Text
"THE TIME OF VISITATION"
Intro: I believe that to each man there comes a day of God's visitation, that day that God
has ordained for him to receive Jesus Christ as King. "Seek ye the Lord while He may
be found, call upon Him while He is near, lest the evil days come when you say, I
have no pleasure in them."
I. THIS WAS THE DAY OF ISRAEL'S VISITATION.
A. A day foretold by their prophets.
1. Daniel 9:25, "From the time..."
2. Zech. 9:9, "Rejoice greatly O daughter of Zion, shout O daughter of
Jerusalem: Behold the King."
B. Jesus had made careful preparation.
1. Sent disciples to get colt.
C. First time Jesus allowed any king ot public acclamation.
1. When Pharisees called for Him to halt His disciples He responded..."the
very stones..."
D. The day of God's visitation is a day of:
1. Rejoicing, vs. 37 "Began to rejoice and praise God."
2. Worship, vs. 38, "Blessed be the King."
3. Peace, vs. 38, "Peace in heaven."
4. Glory, vs 38, "Glory in the highest."
II. THEY FAILED TO RECOGNIZE THEIR DAY, WHY?
A. They were blindly following their blind leaders.
1. Rather than search out for themselves they were swayed by
the prejudices of highly biased men.
2. Men today are highly opinionated against the Bible who have
never really read it or made a serious study of it. Why?
a. Somewhere along the line, they heard someone say, Bible sull of
contradictions.
1. "Name me a few."
3. Blind prejudice will cause you to miss your day of visitation.
B. Others feared for their positions.
1. What effect will it have on my business if I submit to the Lordship of
Jesus Christ.
2. Some fear what being righteous and honest would do to their futures.
C. Still others miss because of pride.
1. Can you imagine what the Romans thought of this procession?
2. Some today miss God's day of visitation because of pride.
D. Whatever the cause how tragic to miss.
III. THE RESULTS OF THEIR MISSING.
A. From the divine side sorrow.
1. See Jesus as He weeps.
a. He can,s,ee the calamities ahead -
b. He can see the temple in flames and leveled.
c. He can see the ruinous heap of what was once Jerusalem the golden.
d. He can smell the stench of the slain bodies.
2. These are the tings He sought to spare them from.
a. He desired to bring them peace but they chose rather a sword.
B. From the human side hopelessness.
1. If you miss God's day of visitation for your life, where are you going to
find peace?
a. You have chosen a sword, chosen to fight God rather than submit.
b. Your life will be in turmoil and conflict, no peace with heaven
means no peace on earth.
2. What is holding you back from acclaiming Jesus as your King today?
a. Will Jesus be weeping as you go out the door today?
Sermon Outline
- This Was The Day Of Israel's Visitation points: - A day foretold by their prophets - Jesus had made careful preparation - The day of God's visitation is a day of rejoicing, worship, peace, and glory - The day of God's visitation is a day of great opportunity
- They Failed To Recognize Their Day, Why? points: - They were blindly following their blind leaders - Others feared for their positions - Still others miss because of pride - Whatever the cause, how tragic to miss
- The Results Of Their Missing points: - From the divine side, sorrow - From the human side, hopelessness
Key Quotes
“Seek ye the Lord while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near, lest the evil days come when you say, I have no pleasure in them.” — Chuck Smith
“Rejoice greatly O daughter of Zion, shout O daughter of Jerusalem: Behold the King.” — Chuck Smith
“The very stones will cry out.” — Chuck Smith
Application Points
- Seek God while He may be found and call upon Him while He is near.
- Avoid blindly following blind leaders and instead seek the truth for yourself.
- Do not let fear or pride hold you back from acclaiming Jesus as your King.