THE GARDEN OF GETHSEMANE

This is a whole service that I preached several years ago, enjoy.

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SERMON "GETHSEMANE" SAINT PETERS 5-17-98 5PM SERVICE

LET US PRAY

FATHER WE ASK YOU THIS EVENING TO BLESS ALL THOSE WHO WOULD HAVE BEEN HERE TONITE BUT COULDN'T. FATHER WE ASK YOUR HEALING POWER UPON ALL WE HAVE RAISED UP TO YOU TONITE, AND FOR ALL WHO ARE HERE WITH US. FATHER, FILL OUR BELOVED BJ WITH YOUR SPIRIT AS SHE SERVES YOU AT EPWORTH. LET HER CUP RUNNETH OVER, AND BRING HER BACK SAFELY TO US.

FATHER, FILL US WITH YOUR HOLY SPIRIT, THAT WE MIGHT BE ABLE TO WORSHIP YOU IN SPIRIT AND TRUTH. OPEN OUR HEARTS, AND MINDS. GIVE US THE POWER, THE POWER TO HEAL, TO FORGIVE, TO COUNSEL, TO GUIDE, TO SERVE, TO PREACH, TO TEACH, TO PROPHESY, TO BE FISHERMEN OF MEN. LET NO WORD FLOW FROM MY MOUTH THAT IS NOT YOURS. YOU AND YOU ALONE KNOW THE NEEDS OF EVERYONE HERE TONITE, YOU KNOW HOW WE WERE RAISED, THE PROBLEMS WE HAD IN CHILDHOOD THAT MAY HAVE CAUSED US TO BE THE WAY WE ARE NOW. ONLY YOU KNOW THE PAST EVENTS IN OUR LIVES THAT HAVE SHAPED OUR FEELINGS, YOU ARE THE ONLY ONE WHO REALLY KNOWS OUR MOST SECRET DESIRES, AND ABOUT OUR DEEPEST PAIN. FATHER YOU KNOW OUR HOME SITUATIONS NOW, YOU KNOW ABOUT OUR MARRIAGES, OUR CHILDREN, ABOUT OUR FRIENDS AND RELATIVES, YOU KNOW OUR EVERY PRAYER AND THOUGHT, SO WE BESEECH YOU TO TELL US WHAT YOU AND ONLY YOU KNOW WE NEED TO HEAR TONITE. SPEAK TO US NOW, USE MY BODY AS YOURS, SPEAK WITH MY VOICE, POINT WITH MY FINGER, LOOK WITH MY EYES, CRY WITH MY HEART, AND SHOUT WITH MY SPIRIT, AND LET JESUS BE PRAISED, AMEN.

MT 26:36 Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, "Sit here while I go over there and pray." [37] He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. [38] Then he said to them, "My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me."

MT 26:39 Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, "My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will."

MT 26:40 Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. "Could you men not keep watch with me for one hour?" he asked Peter. [41] "Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak."

MT 26:42 He went away a second time and prayed, "My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done."

MT 26:43 When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. [44] So he left them and went away once more and prayed the third time, saying the same thing.

MT 26:45 Then he returned to the disciples and said to them, "Are you still sleeping and resting? Look, the hour is near, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. [46] Rise, let us go! Here comes my betrayer!"

MT 26:47 While he was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived. With him was a large crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests and the elders of the people. [48] Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: "The one I kiss is the man; arrest him." [49] Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, "Greetings, Rabbi!" and kissed him.

MT 26:50 Jesus replied, "Friend, do what you came for."

Then the men stepped forward, seized Jesus and arrested him. [51] With that, one of Jesus' companions reached for his sword, drew it out and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear.

MT 26:52 "Put your sword back in its place," Jesus said to him, "for all who draw the sword will die by the sword. [53] Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels? [54] But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen in this way?"

THE GARDEN OF GETHSEMANE POINTS OUT MANY ASPECTS OF AN IDEAL CHRISTIAN LIFE. IN THIS ACCOUNT WE SEE:

2. PRAYER

3. COMMITMENT

4. DEDICATION

5. SACRIFICE

6. OBEDIENCE

7. LOVE

8. VICTORY.

1) PRAYER

1TH 5:16 Be joyful always; [17] pray continually; [18] give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

JESUS SET AN EXAMPLE FOR US ALL TO FOLLOW. HE DID NOT MAKE UNILATERAL DECISIONS, IN OTHER WORDS, HE ASKED GOD FIRST. WE OFTEN DO WHAT WE WANT AND THEN TALK TO GOD ABOUT IT, ESPECIALLY IF WHAT WE DO DOESN'T SEEM TO WORK. WE MIGHT EVEN ASK HIM, WHY DID YOU LET THAT HAPPEN TO ME ? HIS ANSWER MIGHT BE, DID YOU ASK ME BEFORE YOU DID THAT?

APOSTLE PAUL SAID TO PRAY CONTINUOUSLY, WE ARE TO ASK GOD ABOUT EVERYTHING, ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT MATTERS. DOES A COUPLE ASK GOD WHETHER THEY SHOULD GET MARRIED? DO WE ASK GOD BEFORE WE BUY AN AUTOMOBILE? DO WE ASK GOD BEFORE WE ACCEPT AN INVITATION TO A PARTY? DO WE ASK GOD BEFORE WE SAY SOMETHING UGLY TO ANOTHER PERSON? DO WE ASK GOD BEFORE WE WALK BY ANOTHER PERSON WITHOUT SPEAKING? PRAYER IS NOT JUST SOMETHING WE DO BEFORE BEDTIME, BUT A CHRISTIAN SHOULD BE PRAYING ALL THE TIME.

2) 3) JESUS SET AN EXAMPLE IN THE GARDEN OF GETHSEMANE OF PRAYER AND COMMITMENT.

JESUS SHOWED HIS COMMITMENT BY PRAYING THREE SEPARATE AND YET DISTINCT TIMES. JESUS DIDN'T PRAY ONCE AND LEAVE, HE PRAYED 3 TIMES. THREE SHOWS EMPHASIS, NOT ONCE, NOT TWICE, BUT THREE TIMES JESUS PRAYED. REMEMBER HOW MANY TIMES PETER DENIED CHRIST? THREE TIMES, AGAIN SHOWING EMPHASIS. JESUS WAS TRULY COMMITTED TO DOING THE WILL OF GOD. ARE WE REALLY COMMITTED TO DOING THE WILL OF GOD, OF LIVING THE LIFE GOD HAS APPOINTED FOR US, THE LIFE AS A SPIRIT FILLED CHRISTIAN WARRIOR, FIGHTING FOR RIGHT, FOR GOOD, FOR JUSTICE, FOR PEACE, FOR WINNING LOST SOULS FROM THE DEVIL, FOR HELPING OTHERS GROW STRONG IN THE FAITH, SO THAT THEY TOO CAN BECOME SPIRIT WARRIORS.

APOSTLE PAUL SAYS TO TIMOTHY

1TI 6:6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. [7] For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. [8] But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. [9] People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. [10] For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.

1TI 6:11 But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. [12] Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses. [13] In the sight of God, who gives life to everything, and of Christ Jesus, who while testifying before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, I charge you [14] to keep this command without spot or blame until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, [15] which God will bring about in his own time--God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords, [16] who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see. To him be honor and might forever. Amen.

1TI 6:17 Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. [18] Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. [19] In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life, that is truly life.

1TI 6:20 Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to your care. Turn away from godless chatter and the opposing ideas of what is falsely called knowledge, [21] which some have professed and in so doing have wandered from the faith.

EPH:4[30] And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.

JESUS SHOWED US BY EXAMPLE TO REMAIN DEDICATED AND COMMITTED

TO THE FAITH AND TO OUR LIFE IN THE SPIRIT. WE SHOULD GUARD OURSELVES FROM WANDERING FROM THE FAITH. SOMETIMES WE HAVE THE IDEA THAT ONCE WE ARE SAVED THAT WE CAN NOT BE LOST AGAIN. ACCORDING TO SCRIPTURE WE CAN NOT BE TAKEN AWAY FROM GOD BY THE DEVIL BUT AS PAUL TELLS TIMOTHY---

2 TIM:4[7] I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. [8] Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day--and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.

IT IS TRUE, THE DEVIL CAN'T TAKE US AWAY FROM GOD, BUT WE CAN. GOD LOVED ADAM AND EVE ENOUGH TO GIVE THEM FREE CHOICE AND HE DOES NOT LOVE US ANY LESS. THE HOLY SPIRIT IS A GENTLEMAN AND HE DOES NOT FORCE HIMSELF ON ANYONE, AND GOD WON'T FORCE US TO CONTINUE TO SERVE AND LOVE HIM. IT IS UP TO US WHOM WE SERVE, DO WE WANT TO CONTINUE TO SERVE GOD, OR DO WE WANT TO FALL BESIDE THE WAYSIDE. LET US STAY COMMITED AND DEDICATED TO OUR LORD.

4) JESUS SET AN EXAMPLE OF PRAYER, COMMITMENT, DEDICATION, AND ALSO SACRIFICE

COMMITMENT TO THE CHRISTIAN LIFE DEMANDS SACRIFICE, THERE IS NO WAY AROUND IT, WE WILL SUFFER FOR OUR BELIEFS, OUR DEDICATION, AND OUR WAY OF LIFE. THE WORLD HAS NO USE FOR WE CHRISTIANS, THEY ONLY WANT TO KNOW HOW MUCH MONEY THEY CAN MAKE, HOW MUCH PHYSICAL PLEASURE THEY CAN HAVE, AND THEY SURE DON'T WANT ANYONE DISTURBING THEIR HONEY TREE. SURE CHRISTIANS WANT THESE THINGS TOO, BUT THESE THINGS DO NOT BECOME MORE IMPORTANT THAN OUR LIFE AND SERVICE FOR CHRIST.

WE CHRISTIANS LET THE HOLY SPIRIT SHOW US WHAT IS RIGHT AND WRONG FOR OUR LIVES, NOT OUR PEERS, OR NOT SOME HERO ON TELEVISION. GOD IS THE PILOT OF OUR PLANE, WE SIT BACK AND LEAVE THE DRIVING TO THE HOLY SPIRIT. WE AS CHRISTIANS ALSO SHOULD STAND UP FOR WHAT IS RIGHT AND AGAINST WHAT IS WRONG IN THE WORLD, GOD ONLY HAS A VOICE IF WE ARE WILLING TO BE THAT VOICE. IT IS NOT POPULAR TO TELL OTHERS THAT WHAT THEY DO IS WRONG, IT CAN EVEN GET YOU KILLED.

THAT'S NOTHING NEW, ALMOST ALL THE EARLY APOSTLES AND MANY EARLY DISCIPLES WERE KILLED FOR TAKING A STAND. SO WE WON'T BE THE FIRST TO SUFFER PERSECUTION AT THE HAND OF THE GODLESS, NOR WILL WE BE THE LAST. IN PAUL'S DAY THE SILVERSMITHS WANTED HIM DEAD FOR SPEAKING UP, IN OUR TIME IT IS THE PRO-ABORTION PEOPLE AND THE TOBACCO COMPANIES, WHO WANT US TO SHUT UP AND DISAPPEAR.

5) 6) JESUS SHOWED US IN THE GARDEN ABOUT PRAYER, COMMITMENT, DEDICATION, SACRIFICE, AND ALSO LOVE AND OBIEDIENCE.

JN 13:34 "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. [35] By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."

JN 14:15 "If you love me, you will obey what I command. [16] And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever-- [17] the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. [18] I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. [19] Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. [20] On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. [21] Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him."

JN 14:23 Jesus replied, "If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. [24] He who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me.

JN 14:25 "All this I have spoken while still with you. [26] But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. [27] Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

JN 14:28 "You heard me say, `I am going away and I am coming back to you.' If you loved me, you would be glad that I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I. [29] I have told you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe. [30] I will not speak with you much longer, for the prince of this world is coming. He has no hold on me, [31] but the world must learn that I love the Father and that I do exactly what my Father has commanded me.

7) CHRIST SHOWED US IN THE GARDEN ABOUT PRAYER, COMMITMENT, DEDICATION, SACRIFICE, OBIEDIENCE, LOVE, AND ALSO VICTORY.

JESUS ACHIEVED VICTORY WHEN HE OVERCAME HIS OWN FEELINGS OF FEAR. WE THINK BECAUSE JESUS WAS THE SON OF GOD THAT HE DID NOT HAVE FEELINGS, BUT THIS IS NOT TRUE. JESUS HAD THE SAME FEELINGS YOU AND I HAVE, BECAUSE HE WAS IN A MORTAL MAN'S BODY WITH MORTAL FEARS, HOPES, AND DREAMS, JUST LIKE OURS. HE COULD UNDERSTAND US, BECAUSE HE WAS LIKE US FOR AWHILE.

HE ACHIEVED THE VICTORY, WILL WE ACHIEVE THE VICTORY? DO WE LOVE OUR LORD ENOUGH TO FOLLOW HIM INTO BATTLE?, SPIRITUAL BATTLE. THE DEVIL DOESN'T PLAY, HE HAS AND IS DESTROYING MANY MORE LIVES THAN ARE BEING SAVED. THE DEVIL HAS THE BIGGEST ARMY AND THE MOST FOLLOWERS. COME TO THE ALTER TONIGHT AND BRING YOUR DOUBT, YOUR FEAR, YOUR SIN, YOUR HATE, YOUR DRUG ADDICTIONS, WHATEVER IS BOTHERING YOU TONITE, BRING IT TO GOD. HE CAN CURE ANYTHING, FIX ANYTHING, CHANGE ANYTHING IN YOUR LIFE RIGHT NOW, TONITE. COME DON'T LET THE DEVIL HAVE A VICTORY OVER YOU, TURN THE TABLES ON HIM TONIGHT. I WILL PRAY WITH YOU, ALICE WILL PRAY WITH YOU OR ANY OF THE OTHER SAINTS WILL PRAY WITH YOU, BUT DON'T LET THE DEVIL WIN, COME THIS IS OUR GARDEN OF GETHSEMANE TONITE.

AFTER ALTER CALL

LET US PRAY

FATHER GO WITH US TO OUR HOMES, TO BE A GOOD INFLUENCE AND AN EXAMPLE FOR OUR FAMILIES.

FATHER GO WITH US TO OUR WORK PLACE, TO BE A GOOD INFLUENCE AND AN EXAMPLE FOR OUR CO-WORKERS.

AND FATHER GO WITH US INTO OUR SOCIAL LIVES THAT YOUR LIGHT MIGHT SHINE THROUGH US FOR THE WHOLE WORLD TO SEE.

AMEN

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Bro Billy