Churches in Guangdong, Zhejiang, Jiangsu, and Shaanxi held Palm Sunday services on March 24, commemorating Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem.
On the occasion of its 104th anniversary, Shiqiao Church in Guangzhou, Guangdong, carried out a retreat and Palm Sunday worship service, with congregants waving palm branches and shouting "Hosanna." Rev. Chen Suisheng encouraged believers to make good use of their spiritual gifts, fulfill their responsibilities, and unite to build the ongoing Panyu Church.
At River of Life Church in Zhenhai District, Ningbo, Zhejiang, a pastor surnamed Liu was invited to give a sermon titled “Meditation on Palm Sunday,” citing Luke 19:28-40 and John 12:12-19, said the church. Liu mentioned that the Passover was instituted to commemorate the miracle of killing the firstborn of Egypt, which enabled the Israelite people to leave Egypt. Because of the precious blood of the Lord, the disaster of death could pass over Christians. He guided believers to reflect on whether they were living out the life of Christ with the blood of Jesus.
Then, he continued, "God’s word has authority." When the Lord sent two disciples, who said to the owner, "The Lord needs it," the owner allowed them to take it.
Liu added, "The Lord is the peaceful king." Through His blood shed on the cross, He provided reconciliation between God and man, and among men. The pastor encouraged every Christian to be a peacemaker.
At Jinsha Church in Nantong, Jiangsu, a theological student named He Xiaofang gave a sermon titled "Jesus Is King," reported the church.
In several churches across Suzhou City in that province, pastoral staff and choir members entered the main buildings with palm branches. Preaching about Jesus riding into Jerusalem on a donkey, ministers guided believers to revisit Jesus' words and actions during His last week, encouraging them to embody Christian values in their lives.
At Jingxin Church in Xi'an, Shaanxi, Pastor Li Shizheng preached a sermon titled "Four Types of People on Glory Day."
The pastor mentioned that on Palm Sunday, Jesus, as the prince of peace, entered the city of Jerusalem on a donkey, receiving great glory. Then, the pastor discussed four types of people involved in Jesus' entry into Jerusalem on Glory Day.
He mentioned the first type of person who was inspired by the Holy Spirit to lend a donkey to Jesus. The pastor said they were like children who were willing to offer five loaves and two fish to feed 5,000 people.
The second type of person consisted of two disciples who followed Jesus' instructions and disciples who were praising God joyfully. They all believed that Jesus came in the name of the Lord. They not only cared about earthly things but also about heavenly matters.
The third type of person was the “blind follower” among the crowd, who either recognized Jesus as a prophet or thought Jesus was the Messiah as they understood it. The pastor pointed out that those who serve in the church should not blindly follow the crowd, such as by joining the choir or preaching on the altar to show off.
The fourth type of person was the Pharisee with ulterior motives. They pretended to be well-intentioned in reminding Jesus to rebuke his disciples, but in reality, they were covering up their deep-seated malice and envy.
Finally, the pastor urged believers to be like the first two types of people—those who willingly dedicated themselves and those who believed in Christ—rather than the latter two types of people.
- Translated by Abigail Wu
