(Mat 16:13 )  “...Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?”

Introduction:     Who do you say Jesus is today? I present to you today the triumphant Christ. He is more than a teacher etc. and He deservers you full commitment. Palm Sunday reminds us of the triumphant entry of Jesus into Jerusalem . However, His real triumph came over death, hell, and the grave at Calvary and then when He arose from the grave! Jesus is the triumphant Christ because of:

I.          HIS ACCEPTABLE SACRIFICE (V.18)

            A.        Jesus Paid It All
Jesus paid the full payment for our salvation.

• (Heb 10:10)  "By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all."
• (Heb 10:12)  "But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;"
• (Heb 10:14)  "For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified."

Weekly and yearly sacrifices in the O. T. were a reminder that they were sinners. But, Jesus paid it all…once for all!

            B.         The Just For The Un-just

• (2 Cor 5:21 )  "For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him."

The rich became poor that we might become rich. The Son of God became the Son of Man so that the sons of men could become the sons of God. At Calvary , Jesus took my sin and in exchange gave me His righteousness.

            C.        To Bring Us To God (Reconciliation)
Jesus became a bridge (spanned between man (sin) and God. Reconciliation = restore (face to face).

• (Heb 2:17)  "Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people."
• (2 Cor 5:18 -19)  "And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; {19} To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation."

II.         HIS AWESOME SERMON (VV.19-21)

            A.        Preached To Demons (spirits) In Hell
“Preached” = herald (as a king), to proclaim or publish. Who are these demons?

1.      Jude 6

2.      2 Pet. 2:4

3.      Col.2:15

Calvary was the best the devil had (every other attempt was unsuccessful) but Jesus is not a victim, He is the VICTOR! “You took your best shot but, it didn’t work because your best shot was God’s predetermined plan and when you crucified the Lord of glory you played right into the hand of God!

            B.         Noah’s Message
Long suffering God – 120 years. We’re living in those days, expound. (Mat 24:37) "But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be."

            C.        The Figure Of Baptism (v.21) – The just shall live by faith!

III.       HIS ABSOLUTE SUCCESS (V.22)
The grave could not hold Him. Up from the grave He arose! Satan tried to get rid of Jesus. The world would like to get rid of Jesus. (Illus: Big Tom…thank you for taking my whipping.)

Conclusion:       Jesus is the triumphant Christ because of His acceptable Sacrifice, His Awesome Sermon, and His Absolute Success. Jesus Christ is the only Lord of Glory! He is King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Jesus deserves our first and our best, not second place or our leftovers.