Matthew 21:1-11
Philippians 2:5-11

A great many journeys of different types are culminating as we come to worship today. The building task force has been working the past few years to help us begin a new addition which will be starting this month. In two weeks we will have a groundbreaking ceremony and luncheon following our second service. In addition, we will also be celebrating the 40 day journey many of you have taken using Rick Warren's book, The Purpose Driven Life.

We are also announcing that our two christian education task forces have concluded their searches for directors for children's and youth ministries. In the near future, Kelley Marion will begin work with our children's programs. As he finishes teaching school, Josh Clemons, one of our church members, will assume responsibilities with our youth ministry.

No doubt there are other endeavors coming to an end as well. Normally, as one thing ends, another begins. The end of the work of the Christian education search teams means new staff will soon be working with us. The end of this phase of the building task force will result in new construction for the rest of this year. As the Purpose Driven Life study ends we are already receiving reports that some groups are making plans for new study opportunities or for doing some sort of mission or service project.

In the journey of the liturgical year we are coming to the end of Lent. Holy Week begins today. Next Sunday, Easter will signify not only the beginning of a new season but the opportunity for a new life which God promises to those who truly desire it.

On what has become to be known as Palm Sunday Jesus ends one phase of His earthly ministry and while He alone knows it, He begins the final week of His physical life on earth. The followers of Jesus believe, as they come to Jerusalem, that Jesus' teaching and healing ministry is the culmination of His soon-to-be celebrated coronation as Messiah and King of the Jews. For many believers this means the end to foreign rule and oppression and the ushering in of a new golden age of glory. The mother of the sons of Zebedee, James and John, is so certain of this new kingdom that she asks Jesus to give her sons places of special importance in His new government.

As Jesus enters Jerusalem, the crowds following Him break into singing and dancing. They place their coats on the ground for Him to ride upon which is something only done for kings. They wave palm branches and shout praises asking Jesus to save them from their difficulties.

If we stop to think about it life seems to be a series of endings and beginnings. I suppose we could say that there is no life if there are no possibilities for something new happening. Often when we are at these crossover places we have to have an idea or a plan as to what we want to do. The question is frequently asked, "What do you have in mind?" The person asking it wants to know our plans, wants to discover directions and wants to determine whether or not they will join us.

When the building task force did its work, it asked us what we had in mind. What facilities did we need and how would we use them? The architect and the contractor wanted to know the same things. Their questions helped us focus. Likewise the candidates who interviewed for our education positions wanted to know what we had in mind. What did we hope to have happen in these ministry areas? What would be expected of them and what support would others provide?

As Jesus came to Jerusalem, He knew what He had to do. He hoped that God might provide some other way, but He was prepared to do what was necessary. The disciples had something very different in mind. Only when God's Holy Spirit fully entered their lives did they understand what Jesus had in mind for them even though He had been preparing them for many months.

Now that many of you have completed the 40 days of study using Rick Warren's book, I wonder what you have in mind to do. Even those who did not read the book need to have a plan as to how to live your life. Corporately, we as a congregation, session and staff need to articulate what it is we have in mind to be and do.

Whatever our response I hope we are guided by Paul's words to the Philippians in Chapter 2, verse 5, "Let the same mind be in you that you have in Christ Jesus."

I am indebted here to Rick Warren and particularly to the last chapter of his Purpose Driven Life book. He suggests that each of us should have a Life Purpose Statement (p. 313) In this statement, which each person is encouraged to create, we get to say what we have in mind to do with our life. Hopefully this will be consistent with what God has in mind for each of us.

What is it that ultimately matters to you? What things are expected of you that you believe are worth pursuing? What are your specific spiritual gifts, passions, abilities, personality traits and experiences? How are you going to use them?

Rick Warren asks each of us to answer five questions:

1. Who/what will be the center of your life? Who or what is worthy of your life being given to them?
2. What characteristics do you most want to be associated with your life? When people describe you what adjectives do you want them to use?
3. What contribution will you make to the world in which you live?
4. What will you tell others that you consider to be of utmost importance?
5. With whom do you desire to share life beyond your immediate family?

Again, I ask you to consider whether or not you will attempt to have in yourself the same mind that was in Christ. We need to understand that the mind of Jesus was to love and serve God and neighbor. Another question I believe we need to ask ourselves is this, "Is the life I am leading worth celebrating?" If your answer is, "Yes!" you need to ask yourself if you are living your life for God? If you are, then the celebration is real. If your life is not worth celebrating what needs to change? Rick Warren suggests that those who cannot celebrate their life have not yet discovered and accepted their purpose.