Podcast Summary: Times Square Church - Sermons

Episode: Donkeys, Dirt And Demons

Host: TSC.NYC (Pastor Tim Dilena)
Date: March 29, 2026

Episode Overview

This Palm Sunday message from Pastor Tim Dilena challenges listeners to never lose the “awe” of God, using the memorable theme of “Donkeys, Dirt and Demons.” Through powerful storytelling and scriptural reflection, Pastor Tim explores what happens when God’s people become complacent, letting their wonder fade into routine. Drawing on biblical references and personal anecdotes, he urges believers to remain sensitive, obedient, and enthusiastic in their faith, so that God never has to resort to speaking through other means—donkeys, dirt, or demons—to get their attention.

Pastor Tim calls the church to a renewal of reverence, lively worship, and wholehearted devotion, using vivid stories and honest questions to address the dangers of spiritual apathy.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

I. The Importance of Awe and Wonder (05:25–06:45)

• Palm Sunday’s Contrast:
  The crowd goes from shouting “Hosanna!” (a cry for salvation) at Jesus’ entry to “Crucify him!” in just five days.

  “I have this suspicion that those who shouted hosanna would soon shout, crucify him.” (05:55, Pastor Tim)

• Losing the Awe:
  Pastor Tim asks what causes our sense of awe before God to fade, warning against letting worship or church become routine or obligatory.

  “When awe turns to a yawn, we’re looking at a clock instead of looking to heaven.” (06:08, Pastor Tim)

II. Donkeys: When We Don’t Listen to God (19:00–26:47)

• The Story of Balaam’s Donkey (Numbers 22):
  Balaam ignores God’s clear instructions, so God uses a donkey to intervene.

  “Balaam, who wouldn’t listen to the voice of the Lord, was now going to have to listen to the voice of a donkey.” (23:13, Pastor Tim)

• Application:
  We risk hearing God only through unexpected or even uncomfortable channels when we ignore His Word.

  “May I never need a talking donkey to get me on the right path.” (25:03, Pastor Tim)

• Another Voice:
  Sometimes God uses judges, jail cells, or even hardships to reach those ignoring Him.

  “What is it going to take for some of us…that we have to wait for another voice to get us back on track?” (26:13, Pastor Tim)

III. Dirt: When the Sacred Becomes Common (27:18–37:03)

• Uzzah and the Ark of the Covenant (2 Samuel 6):
  Uzzah, who lived for 20 years with the Ark in his house, lost reverence and reached out to steady it, resulting in his death.

  “He sees it every single day. The Ark of the Covenant…20 years you have the presence of God there, and…you’re no longer awestruck.” (32:08–32:53, Pastor Tim)

• Stages of Familiarity:
  Pastor Tim uses a personal story of a cherished wedding gift that became disposable over time as a metaphor for how the things of God can become routine if we aren’t careful.

  “First it’s valued. Then it becomes common. Then it’s disposable.” (33:30, Pastor Tim)

• Letting the Ground Obey:
  Uzzah should have let the Ark fall—dirt would obey God’s order whereas irreverent familiarity leads to calamity.

• Warning:
  Church, worship, and even scripture can go from treasured to taken-for-granted if awe is lost.

IV. Demons: Faith Without Fear (38:47–45:32)

• Demons Know and Fear:
  Demons believe in God’s reality and shudder (James 2:19), but their belief does not lead to obedience.

  “When was the last time your belief made you shudder?...The demons also believe, and it makes them shudder.” (39:24, Pastor Patrick)

• A Call to Responsive Faith:
  It’s not enough to believe; genuine faith produces awe, conviction, and responsive worship.

  “Believing in Jesus but not obeying Him is exactly what Satan does.” (41:49, Cindy via Pastor Tim)

• Don’t Let Stones Praise for You:
  If God’s people don’t praise, creation will—so don’t lose your voice of worship in complacency.

V. Memorable Quotes & Moments

• On Routine Replacing Awe:

  “When the awe of God is lost, then God begins to challenge us with donkeys, dirt and demons.” (18:53, Pastor Patrick)

• On God’s Prescribed Order:

  “Who cares if there’s 30,000 men and a new cart? God’s going, that’s not the way I prescribed this thing.” (31:34, Pastor Tim)

• On Middle C (Jesus as the Standard):
  Pastor Tim tells a story from the book/movie “The Robe” about a music teacher using a tuning fork for Middle C as a metaphor.

  “Jesus is my Middle C...no matter who’s flat or sharp, He’s the standard.” (48:11, Pastor Tim)

VI. Calls to Worship & Repentance

• Worship Should Be Enthusiastic:

  “My belief in God makes me want to shout...What He has done for me, my wife and my children makes me have to stand up and just go, God, you are worthy to be praised.” (44:25, Pastor Tim)

• Don’t Let Others Replace Your Praise:

  “I don’t want dirt to speak to me. I don’t want rocks to praise for me. I don’t want donkeys to see for me or speak for me. I want to do it for God.” (44:57, Pastor Tim)

• Invitation:
  Pastor Tim invites those who want a renewal of awe in their lives, or to return to God, to raise their hands and pray for a fresh start.

  “You are the king; you overcame death, hell and the grave. Reign in my life. In Jesus’ name.” (59:30, Pastor Tim)

VII. Notable Timestamps

• 05:55–06:08: Discussion of the rapid shift from “Hosanna” to “Crucify him.”
• 19:00–26:47: Balaam’s donkey and learning to hear God’s voice.
• 27:18–37:03: Loss of reverence illustrated by Uzzah and the Ark.
• 38:47–45:32: Demons’ belief and why real faith is obedient and awestruck.
• 48:11–49:59: The “Middle C” illustration and Jesus as the unchanging standard.
• 54:49–59:30: Call to renewal, prayer, and corporate worship.

VIII. Tone and Style

Pastor Tim’s energy is passionate, direct, and often humorous, but always rooted in a call to authenticity and awe before God. The message is filled with relatable, down-to-earth stories but challenges listeners to take their faith seriously and never let routine, complacency, or religion steal their worship.

Conclusion

Don’t let your faith become “flat” or routine. Rediscover awe so you don’t need God to get your attention through donkeys, dirt, or demons. Let Jesus—unchanging, steady—be your “Middle C.” Prepare yourself for worship that is vibrant and real, holding nothing back for the King.

For further information and resources, visit tsc.nyc.