Prayer - In the Garden with Jesus

Hebrews 5:7 “who, in the days of His flesh, when He had offered up prayers and supplications, with vehement cries and tears to Him who was able to save Him from death, and was heard because of His godly fear,”

In an open garden (gethsemane), between the brook kedron and the foot of the mount of olives

In the first garden “Not your will but mine” changed Paradise to desert and brought man from Eden to Gethsemane. Now “Not my will but yours” brings anguish to the man who prays it but transforms the desert into the kingdom and brings man from Gethsemane to the gates of glory.

D. A. Carson

Mark 14:26, 32-42; Mat 26:30, 36-46; Luke 22:39-46; John 18:1.

Mt 26:37-38 “And He took with Him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and He began to be sorrowful and deeply distressed. Then He said to them, “My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch with Me.””

A moment of extreme crisis for our Lord

, sorrow, distress, even up to death

“Distressed” = terrified

The Crisis is now upon Jesus - He knows that He is returning to the Fathers right hand, but He knows that He must go through the cross. The crisis is the wrath of God - the payment of sin - Separation from the Father.

Mk 14:33-34 “And He took Peter, James, and John with Him, and He began to be troubled and deeply distressed. Then He said to them, “My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch.””

Lk 22:44 “And being in agony, He prayed more earnestly. Then His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.”

This was just the beginning of the passion

The Disciples

Mt 26:36-38 “Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and said to the disciples, “Sit here while I go and pray over there.” And He took with Him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and He began to be sorrowful and deeply distressed. Then He said to them, “My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch with Me.””

Mt 26:40-41 “Then He came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, “What! Could you not watch with Me one hour? Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.””

Mt 26:43-45 “And He came and found them asleep again, for their eyes were heavy. So He left them, went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words. Then He came to His disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners.”

Stay with Me

Watch and pray - there is real danger = temptation

Sleeping … Pray not for Jesus, but for yourselves

Three Retreats

He sought seclusion - alone and away from the disciples

His positions in prayer

He knelt down Lk 22:41 “And He was withdrawn from them about a stone’s throw, and He knelt down and prayed,”

He fell down Mk 14:35 “He went a little farther, and fell on the ground, and prayed that if it were possible, the hour might pass from Him.”

He fell on His face Mat 26:39 “He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, “O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.””

Addressed ABBA Father Mk 14:35-36 “He went a little farther, and fell on the ground, and prayed that if it were possible, the hour might pass from Him. And He said, “Abba, Father, all things are possible for You. Take this cup away from Me; nevertheless, not what I will, but what You will.””

Prayed same content - not repetition, just the same request

Prayed expecting results

He requests were answered

He had to drink of the wrath of God

“Your Will Be Done” - and it was!

Jesus was answered and His emotions responded to Truth. He faced the cross with a quiet determination.

Knowing The Will of God - Making Godly Decisions

Mt 6 10 “Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven.”

Scriptural Test -- Has God already spoken about it in the Word?

2 Timothy 3:16 NKJV

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,

Secrecy Test -- Would it bother me if everyone knew this was my choice?

Ephesians 5:12 NKJV

For it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret.

Stewardship Test -- What if everyone followed my example?

1 Timothy 4:12 NKJV

Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.

Spiritual Test -- Am I submitting to peer pressure or being Spirit led?

Are you being driven or peacefully led. shepherds lead / butchers drive

Galatians 1:10 NKJV

For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ.

Stumbling Test -- Could this cause another person to stumble?

People and our own children watch to see how we live - Our example / testimony

Romans 14:21 NKJV

It is good neither to eat meat nor drink wine nor do anything by which your brother stumbles or is offended or is made weak.

Serenity Test -- Have I prayed and received peace about this decision?

Did I ask God for His will to be done?

Philippians 4:6–7 NKJV

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Sanctification Test -- Will this keep me from growing in the character of Christ?

2 Corinthians 3:18 NKJV

But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.

Supreme Test -- Does this glorify God?

1 Corinthians 10:31 NKJV

Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

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