When It Mattered Most—Jesus Showed Up | Louie Giglio | Sermon Notes — Hello Pastor

Sermon Notes

When It Mattered Most—Jesus Showed Up

Passion City Church • Apr 13, 2025 • 17 min

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

Summary

On Palm Sunday, as crowds in Jerusalem cheered for a miracle-working king, Jesus remained resolutely focused on His divine mission to lay down His life. Fulfilling the prophecy of Isaiah 50 by setting His face like flint, Jesus showed up for humanity when it mattered most. Reflecting on Christ's unwavering determination inspires believers to pause, contemplate the cross, and set their own faces like flint to live faithfully for Him.

Themes

The Determination of JesusGod's Unfailing PresenceThe Sacrifice of the CrossPalm Sunday and ProphecyFaithful Discipleship

Key Points

1.
As Jesus entered Jerusalem during Passover, crowds welcomed Him with palm branches and praise, though they expected a political king rather than a suffering savior.
2.
The raising of Lazarus in Bethany generated immense excitement among the people, leading crowds to gather and religious leaders to plot against both Jesus and Lazarus.
3.
Isaiah 50 prophesied that the Messiah would endure beating, mocking, and humiliation while setting His face like flint in complete trust upon God.
4.
Setting His face like flint signifies Jesus's unyielding resolve to fulfill God's saving mission despite every temptation, obstacle, and human pressure.
5.
Luke 9:51 highlights that as the time approached for Him to return to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem to accomplish the cross.
6.
While many carry painful memories of moments when people failed to show up for them, Jesus demonstrated God's immense love by showing up when it mattered most.
7.
Louie Giglio shared how his father unexpectedly showed up at his regional championship tennis match, illustrating the deep impact of presence in crucial moments.
8.
Charles Spurgeon's 1880 sermon reminded believers that contemplating Christ's resolve to save us should inspire us to set our faces like flint to live for Him.
9.
Believers are encouraged to pause and contemplate the cross deeply, allowing the weight of Christ's steadfast love to ignite fresh devotion in their lives.

Sermon Moments

“Jesus knew that even though praise was in the air and resurrection was in the air, Passover was on the cards and He knew what He had come to do.”

“Therefore, I have set my face like flint, and I know I will not be put to shame. (Isaiah 50:7)”

“God valued us so much that when it mattered most, Jesus showed up.”

“Louie Giglio's father showing up at his biggest high school tennis match, illustrating the profound power of showing up for someone when it matters most.”

“Charles Spurgeon: 'Come and think a while of him that your hearts may burn within you and that your faces may be set like flints to live and die for him who lived and died for you.'”

“Taking time with the cross not just to move quickly past it, but to sit with it and let it sit with us.”

This Week

Spend intentional time this week sitting with and contemplating the cross, reflecting deeply on Jesus's resolute determination to save you.

Meditate on Isaiah 50:4–7 to remember Christ's willingness to endure suffering and shame for the mission of God.

Read through John 12:9–15 to reflect on the contrast between the crowds' expectations and Jesus's true purpose as the Passover Lamb.

Allow the truth that Jesus showed up for you when it mattered most to anchor your heart in how deeply God values your life.

Ask the Holy Spirit to awaken in your heart a fresh fire and devotion to remain faithful to God through every challenge.

Choose to set your face "like flint" this week by standing firm in your Christian faith regardless of opposition or distractions.

Reflect on the true cost of following Jesus to the end, committing your daily decisions to living faithfully for Him.

Remember This

When it mattered most, Jesus resolutely set His face like flint toward the cross to save us, inviting us to live for Him with that same unwavering determination.

A Challenge for You

I pray the Holy Spirit will awaken us to the determination of Jesus to be faithful until the very end. And I pray that the Holy Spirit will awaken in us today the cost of following him to the end.

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