Prepare The Way of the Lord: Palm Sunday Sermon Guide

Pastor Jason Ramos shares a powerful message on life transformation through Jesus Christ, drawing from his own journey from darkness to light. He shares his personal story of encountering Jesus and how one encounter can change everything, leaving our lives marked with forgiveness, purpose and freedom.

Download the sermon guide to print here.

Sermon Summary:

Jason shared his testimony of transformation after coming to Christ from a life of addiction, crime and darkness — experiencing the freedom that comes through following Jesus.
His sermon highlights Jesus’ ministry of healing, deliverance and compassion throughout the book of Matthew — showing how Jesus consistently met people at their point of need.
He illustrated how Jesus’ teachings on forgiveness are central to our relationship with God and others, using the parable of the unforgiving servant.
The triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem (Palm Sunday) reveals how Jesus came not to “win the game” but to “change the game” — entering humbly on a donkey rather than as a conquering king.

Key Scriptures:

“Don’t think you need a lot of extra equipment for this. You are the equipment. No special pills for funds. Keep it simple.” (Mark 6:8-9)
“Now Jesus began to go all over Galilee teaching in their synagogues preaching the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness among the people. The news about him spread throughout Syria. So they brought to him all those who were afflicted, those suffering from various diseases and intense pains and the demon-possessed, the epileptics, the paralytics and he healed them.” (Matthew 4:23-24)
“For if you forgive others their offenses your heavenly father will forgive you as well. But if you don’t forgive others your father will not forgive your offenses.” (Matthew 6:14-15)
“It’s not those who are well that need a doctor but those who are sick. Go and learn what this means: I desire mercy and not sacrifice. For I didn’t come to call the righteous but sinners.” (Matthew 9:12-13)
“The harvest is plentiful but the laborers are few. Therefore pray to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers.” (Matthew 9:37-38)
“From then on Jesus began to point out to the disciples that it was necessary for him to go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders, chief priests and the scribes, be killed and be raised the third day.” (Matthew 16:21)
“If anyone wants to come after me, he must deny himself, take up his cross and follow me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it and whoever loses his life for my sake will gain it.” (Matthew 16:24-25)

Lifegroup Questions:

What is a something God is doing in your devotional life this week?
Break up into 2’s and 3’s and ask each other:
- How is your devotional life going?
- Is it both the time and quality you want?
- How can we help each other?

Discussion Questions:

Jason shared his personal transformation story. How has your encounter with Jesus changed your life? What areas still need His transforming touch?
The sermon emphasizes Jesus’ compassion for the broken and hurting. Where do you see this compassion at work in your community today? How can you participate in it?
Jason highlighted how we can get “stuck on fishing for friends” rather than being “fishers of men.” What does this mean to you and how might it challenge your approach to relationships?
When have you experienced forgiveness that seemed impossible from a human perspective? How did this experience affect your understanding of God’s forgiveness?
The story of Jason meeting the man who shot him 23 years earlier demonstrates radical forgiveness. What’s the hardest thing you’ve had to forgive — or still need to forgive? What steps could you take toward forgiveness?
Jason used baseball analogies like being “on deck” or “up to bat.” In your spiritual journey right now, where would you place yourself in this analogy and why?
The sermon points out that Jesus didn’t come to “win the game” but to “change the game.” What does this distinction mean for how we live as Christians today?
Jesus entered Jerusalem humbly on a donkey rather than as a conquering king. How does this challenge our expectations of what success and power should look like?
The closing illustration describes Jesus as someone who jumps into our hole because “He’s been there before and knows the way out.” How does Jesus’ willingness to enter our suffering change how we view our own struggles?
Jason emphasized that we often “get hyped for the wrong things.” What are some things in your life that receive your excitement and attention? Are these aligned with what Jesus values?