Jesus in the Garden of Prayer
Pray First • Sermon • Submitted
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· 9 viewsA message on Jesus Teaching about prayer in pressing times.
Notes
Transcript
Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder.
And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy.
Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me.
And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.
And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour?
Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.
He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done.
And he came and found them asleep again: for their eyes were heavy.
And he left them, and went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words.
Then cometh he to his disciples, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.
Rise, let us be going: behold, he is at hand that doth betray me.
Pre-Sermon Ice Breaker
Pre-Sermon Ice Breaker
If anyone gets a message from me about canned meat, don’t open it. It’s Spam.
Introduction
Introduction
Have you ever been between a Rock and a Hard Place? Aron Ralston has. His 2004 autobiographical book tells the story of an incident that occurred in 2003 when Ralston was canyoneering in Blue john Canyon in the Utah desert, where he became trapped for five days. The book recounts Ralston’s experience being trapped in the canyon and how he was forced to amutate his own right arm after it became trapped by a boulder. The phrase, “Between a Rock and a Hard place” goes back to ancient Greece and could easily describe Jesus experience in the Garden of Gethsemane. Gethsemane means “Oil Press.” An Oil press is where a large stone or rock is used to press the broken olives to squeeze ever last drop out of the harvested olives.
Maybe you have experienced times in your life when you felt like you were between a Rock and a hard place and were being pressed beyond your ability to endure. We find Jesus in just such a place in the Garden of Gethsemane and yet it is hear that Jesus teaches his disciples and us about prayer during those difficult times when it seems the heavens are brass and there is no answer. It is at these times that we are tempted to give up and give in.
In the Garden of Eden Adam failed to resist the serpent and chose instead to follow His own way over God’s. In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus, the second Adam, submitted fully to His Father’s purpose and plan. As he does we learn from his prayers and his instructions to his disciples the important truths that will help us to experience ultimate victory and find strength in our most difficult moments.
Let’s examine Jesus 3 prayers in the Garden of Gethsemane and draw from them helpful lessons when we are between a rock and a Hard Place
Body
Body
I. A Prayer of Investigation, vs. 36-39
I. A Prayer of Investigation, vs. 36-39
Jesus says to his disciples - Tarry Ye
This is the Greek word Meno. It means to stay or abide.
If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.
Secondly Jesus says to his disciples - Watch
This is the Greek word Gregoreuo (Gray-Gor-You-O)
Stay awake, to watch
Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;
Here we find Jesus 1st Prayer
And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.
If
If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
II. A Prayer of Acceptation, vs. 40-42
II. A Prayer of Acceptation, vs. 40-42
Jesus again instructs his disciples to watch
Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.
Pray -
Why
Spirit is willing, but the Flesh is weak.
He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done.
III. A Prayer of Realization, vs. 43-46
III. A Prayer of Realization, vs. 43-46
Jesus now instructs his disciples Sleep on, Take your rest
There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God.
For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his.
This is not bad news, this is good news. This is a realization of fulfilment.
Conclusion
Conclusion
What is the common denominator in all these prayers?
It is the will of God.
And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:
And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.
And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
Paul put it this way in 2 Corinthians 12:9
And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.