"Journey of Stones: Crying Stones” | Rev. Vicki Harrison
A Celebration That Couldn’t Be Contained
Have you ever been part of a moment so exciting you just couldn’t stay quiet?
On Palm Sunday, that’s exactly what happened as Jesus entered Jerusalem. In this message from the Journey of Stones series, Pastor Vicki Harrison invites us into that powerful scene—one filled with celebration, expectation, and bold praise. Be sure to watch the full service video below or listen through the sermon audio player to experience it fully.
The crowd welcomed Jesus like a victorious king—shouting, celebrating, waving palm branches, and laying down their cloaks. But not everyone was celebrating. The Pharisees wanted the noise to stop.
Jesus’ response? If the people stayed silent, the stones themselves would cry out.
When Faith Refuses to Stay Quiet
This moment in Luke 19:37–40 reveals something deeper than celebration—it reveals the power of undeniable truth.
1. Jesus is worthy of bold, public praise
The crowd wasn’t reserved or quiet—they were overflowing with joy. They had seen miracles. They believed Jesus was the King. Their praise was loud because their faith was real.
2. Silence can become a spiritual problem
The Pharisees tried to quiet the crowd, and today, those same pressures still exist. Culture tells us to tone it down, keep faith private, and avoid making others uncomfortable.
But when we listen to those voices:
Our witness becomes muted
Our passion fades
Our faith becomes lukewarm
3. Even creation recognizes what we sometimes suppress
Jesus makes it clear: the truth of who He is cannot be contained. If people don’t speak, creation will. The stones “crying out” is a powerful image—reminding us that silence is not neutral. It’s a missed opportunity.
Breaking the Silence in Everyday Life
This message challenges us to examine where we’ve chosen silence over courage.
When was the last time you felt prompted to share your faith—but didn’t?
Have you ever avoided inviting someone to church because it felt uncomfortable?
Have you stayed quiet in moments where love or truth needed a voice?
These are what Scripture calls sins of omission—not what we did wrong, but what we failed to do.
This week, take one step:
Speak up. Invite someone. Encourage someone. Share your story.
You don’t have to be loud or forceful—but you are called to be faithful.
Consider joining a Group or taking a next step to grow in confidence and community as you live out your faith.
Living the Mission: Know, Grow, Go
At New Hope, we believe in a faith that moves.
Know Jesus – Experience the life-changing truth of who He is
Grow Faith – Let that truth shape your daily life
Go Multiply – Share that hope with others
Palm Sunday reminds us that following Jesus is not a silent journey. It’s a visible, active, contagious faith.
As we step into this season, may we be people who speak, live, and share boldly—so the stones don’t have to.
Learn more about our mission and how to take your next step: https://www.findnewhope.com/whoweare
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More Sermons in this Series
Other Sermons from Pastor Vicki
What happens when we stay silent about Jesus? On Palm Sunday, Pastor Vicki challenges us through Luke 19:40—if we don’t praise, the stones will cry out. Watch the full service or listen to the sermon today.