Keeping the ROCKS Unemployed | Edward Jackson Jr | Sermon Notes — Hello Pastor

Sermon Notes

Keeping the ROCKS Unemployed

Edward Jackson Jr

Friendship Baptist Church • Mar 29, 2026 • 97 min

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Take this message with you through a journey of Scripture, reflection, and prayer.

Summary

On Palm Sunday, Pastor Edward Jackson Jr. unpacks Jesus' declaration that if His followers remained silent, the very stones along the road would cry out in praise. Believers are called to keep the 'rocks unemployed' by enthusiastically worshiping God themselves, drawing upon personal memories of His miracles, protection, and goodness. By refusing to be intimidated by opposition and keeping their eyes fixed on Christ's sacrifice on the cross, believers can press through every trial with confident praise.

Themes

Praise and WorshipGratitudeOvercoming OppositionPalm SundayPerseverance

Pastor's Points

1.

Because I have personally seen too much

2.

Because I refuse to be bullied by the opposition

3.

Because I know where He's headed

Key Points

1.
Because believers have been created to give glory to God, praise is a position that is already filled by His people rather than left to creation.
2.
Believers keep the rocks unemployed because they have personally witnessed God's mighty works, provisions, and miracles in their own lives.
3.
Remembering how God delivered, healed, and made a way when there was no way creates an unstoppable drive to praise Him publicly.
4.
Believers must refuse to be bullied into silence by critics, mockers, or hostile circumstances when expressing praise to God.
5.
Praising God in the face of opposition demonstrates that one's attention is fixed on the Problem Solver rather than being controlled or distracted by the enemy.
6.
Genuine worship is fueled by reflecting on where Jesus was headed on Palm Sunday—toward beatings, suffering, and the cross to redeem humanity.
7.
Anticipating Resurrection victory gives believers enduring joy even when reflecting on the heavy price Jesus paid on the cross.
8.
No matter what struggles or uncertainties arise in the coming week, believers are called to press their way through, trusting that God will take care of them.

Sermon Moments

“I hate to break it to the rocks of the world, but I'm here to publicly declare that this position has already been filled.”

“If you don't want to praise Him, somebody else will—but never will a rock cry out in my place.”

“They praised God because of all the mighty works they had seen. I don't need mama's testimony or daddy's testimony, I've seen enough for myself.”

“When you praise God in front of your opposition, it literally says to them, 'I ain't thinking about you.'”

“Stop spending energy thinking about your problem instead of praising your Problem Solver, your Protector, your Provider, and your High Priest.”

“He was headed to be crucified for a wretch like me... He would not come down from the cross to save Himself, He decided to die just to save me.”

“Be not dismayed whatever betide, God will take care of you beneath His wings of love.”

This Week

Choose to praise God openly and loudly wherever you are—at home, in church, in your car, or on the job—declaring that your position of praise is already filled.

Refuse to be intimidated or quieted by critics, mockers, or negative attitudes when expressing gratitude to God.

Keep your attention fixed on your Problem Solver, Provider, and Protector rather than wasting mental energy focusing on your opposition or difficulties.

Reflect regularly on all that God has personally done in your life—where He brought you from and how He kept you—so praise flows naturally.

Meditate on the immense sacrifice Jesus made on His way to the cross, giving thanks for His redeeming love.

Approach every trial and obstacle in the upcoming week with holy determination, pressing your way through with faith in God's keeping power.

Anticipate and celebrate Christ's resurrection victory with fellow believers, holding fast to the assurance that trouble does not last always.

Remember This

Believers must keep creation's rocks unemployed by giving God enthusiastic and relentless praise for what He has done, refusing to be silenced by opposition, and remembering Jesus' ultimate sacrifice on the cross.

A Challenge for You

Whatever trials or struggles you face in the week ahead, press your way through with confidence, knowing that God has blessings and purpose waiting for you and will take care of you beneath His wings of love.

These are personal sermon notes shared to help you remember the message — not a replacement for Scripture, your church, or your pastors.