SERMON NOTES: WIN, WAR AND WORSHIP

Palm Sunday

“WIN, WAR AND WORSHIP!”

Matthew 21;1-11

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INTRODUCTION

Today, we celebrate two (2) memorable and unique events: Palm Sunday and the retirement of Ms. Kathy Taylor Outley.  Palm Sunday is the first day of the most important eight (8) days in the Christian calendar: Palm Sunday today and Resurrection Sunday next Sunday!  Kathy is retiring after 38 years of full-time ministry at Windsor Village.  Glory times 2!

Palm Sunday commemorates Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem, a week before His Resurrection. As Jesus entered Jerusalem riding on a colt (an unridden donkey), the crowd waved palm branches.  The palm branches represent peace and victory. The palm branches on Palm Sunday symbolize the final victory Jesus would have over death, evil, and the enemy.

Jesus’ riding on the colt into Jerusalem fulfills the First Testament prophecy of Zechariah 9:9. When the people shouted “Hosanna” during Jesus’ entrance, the crowd was extolling Jesus as the undisputed King of kings and Lord of lords.  Hosanna means “save now”.  Psalm 118:26

Today’s message is designed to celebrate both the power and purpose of Palm Sunday and Kathy’s virtually unprecedented 38 years of uninterrupted service as Minister of Music at one Church. Let’s focus on: Win, War, and Worship. (Please note these are notes, just notes. The message is available online.)  Thank you!

WIN

1. Jesus is THE Winner!   Matthew 28:18
   1. When the crowd waved their palms and shouted “Hosanna!”, they were exclaiming victory!
   2. Whenever Jesus faced opposition, He was victorious! Always!  He never lost.  Jesus is undefeated, with a perfect record.
   3. Check Jesus’ record. Here are a few examples from each Gospel: Matthew 8:1-16; Mark 2:1-11; Luke 4:33-39; and John 2:1-11.
2. Kathy is a winner!
   1. Kathy is a winner because she believes in THE Winner, Jesus Christ.
   2. The Windsor Village Church Family’s picnic at Myers Ranch ….
   3. Dominoes and cards ….
   4. Singing at a small, intimate home-going celebration ……
3. You are a winner! 
   1. 1 Corinthians 9:24
   2. “We’re A Winner” by The Impressions: a feeble mind is in your way.
   3. Bill Russell vs. Michael Jordan vs. LeBron James as the G.O.A.T.?  There is no question!!!
   4. In order to be a winner, you must defeat, beat, or conquer something.
   5. Losing is what you do sometimes, but being a winner is who you are!  Losing a battle is temporary. Being a winner is permanent!

WAR

1. Jesus is THE Warrior!
   1. The images of Jesus described by John in Revelation 19:11-16 bear witness.
   2. Jesus makes war (v. 11); He is The Absolute Head of State (v. 12}; and the blood of the enemies is on His robe (v.13)
   3. The crowd in Matthew 21:1-11 raved about Jesus because, in part, He warred against the “isms” – and won: “diseaseism”; traditionalism; sexism; “Phariseeism”, etc.
2. Kathy is a warrior! 
   1. Kathy reconciles and manages the personal and professional dynamics in her multifaceted life.
   2. Kathy overcame the deaths of loved ones, sicknesses, disappointments, and stuff.
   3. She warred against her “stuff” offstage so she could minister on stage.
3. You are a warrior!
   1. You cannot be a winner without being a warrior.
   2. War offstage so you can minister to your personal and professional dynamics on your “stages”.
   3. Romans 8:37 and 1 Corinthians 15:57 are all over yah!
   4. Act on your values, not your feelings.

WORSHIP

1. Jesus worshipped His Heavenly Father!
2. When the crowd waved their palms and shouted “Hosanna!”, that was an act of worship.
3. Jesus Christ worshipped His Heavenly Father.   John 11: 41; Matthew 12:25; Luke 6:12
4. Worship is incredibly more important than we, as humans, realize. Both The Lord and the enemy recognize the seismic importance of worship. The enemy goes out of his way to make certain we do not!
5. For example:  Luke 2:13; 2: 20; Matthew 2:7-13
6. Most of Kathy’s songs focused on worship!
7. Our lives should focus on worship!
8. Worship is more than what we do on Sundays. When we limit our worship to Sundays, we handcuff ourselves and our lives.
9. Our worship is reflected in our lifestyle and daily living – one way or another!
10. Our worship fuels the spirit of warring, and our spirit of warring fuels our winning.
11. As your worship goes, so goes the quality of your life.

March 29, 2026

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