Pastor Dale Walker's Bible Study Page

4 HOURS THAT CHANGED THE WORLD

FACING OUR “GETHSEMANE'S”

HOW JESUS WALKED IN VICTORY IN HIS DARKEST HOUR AND MADE A WAY FOR US TO DO THE SAME

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace, In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (Jn 16:33)

“coming out, He went to the Mount of Olives, as He was accustomed, and His disciples also followed Him. When He came to the place, He said to them, “Pray that you may not enter into temptation.”

And He was withdrawn from them about a stone's throw, and He knelt down and prayed, saying, “Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done. “Then and angel appeared to Him from heaven, strengthening Him. And being in agony, He prayed more earnestly. Then His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.

When He rose up from prayer, and had come to His disciples, He found them sleeping from sorrow. Then He said to them, “Why do you sleep? Rise and pray, lest you enter into temptation.” (Luke 22:39-46)

1. Introduction

Jesus tells us two things that seem to contradict. He tells us that life shattering _________ is coming and that we can have complete _____________ and victory.

We will see that when life's darkest hours come we have a choice. We can surrender to the circumstances and be overwhelmed with negative emotions, possibly even deserting God. Or, we can surrender to __________ in the circumstances, find peace, and overcome the world. Today we want to look at what Jesus went through, how it relates to us, and what we should do when we face the Gethsemane's of our lives.

II

 Jesus went through his life's darkest hours the way He wants to _________ us through those same hours. (This is not about being tough it's about being tucked in His arms)

“Where the forerunner has entered for us, even Jesus, having become High Priest forever.”  (Heb. 6:20)

“Therefore He is able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him.”  (Heb 7:20)

A.)   He faced the reality of life in a broken world.

B.)   He was honest and ___________ with his emotions as sorrow came crushing in.

“We do not have a high priest who cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace to obtain help in the time of need”. (Heb. 4:15-16)

C.)   He experienced the ultimate spiritual and _____________ attack.

“He began to be grieved and agitated.” (Mt. 26:37

D.)   He surrendered _________________ to the Father's will by trusting completely in God's character and faithfulness.

“Shall I not drink the cup which my Father has given Me?” (Jn. 18:11)

“Jesus answered, 'you could have no power at all against Me unless it had been given you from above.” (Jn 19:11)

E.)   Jesus radically and fearlessly ____________ in and through His suffering.

“He learned (perfected) obedience through the things which He suffered.” (Heb. 5:8)

III

How does this affect our lives?

A.)  We are all going to face our own Gethsemane's. (oil press) Gethsemane is the place where we fight the battle on the ___________ that determines how our life will count for God and impact the world on the outside. All of life's greatest victories start with life's greatest battles.

Gethsemane is where:

1.) We feel under an attack

2.) Our commitment is tested

3.)  God allows things we feel we can't bear

4.) We feel alone

5.)  We are doubting in the the dark what we say in the light

6.)  Our good intentions aren't enough

7.)  We don't feel willing or ________ to do what God is asking.

B.)  Because He carried our sorrow we can experience Jesus    and His grace taking our ___________ in bearing the weight of sorrow. You never have to be a victim of your circumstances and emotions because you have the choice to surrender to God!

“Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrow.” (Isa. 53:4)

“Because He Himself suffered when He was tempted. He is able to help (antisepsis-Hold on to/exchange) those being tempted. (Heb. 2:18) (He never let's go!)

“He will make a way of escape that you may endure it.” (I Cor. 10:13)

C.)  If you surrender to God instead of the circumstances, your point of greatest testing will be the point of greatest __________ for God and His work in and through your life.

“I tell you the truth, unless a seed of wheat falls into the ground and dies it remains only a single seed. But if it dies it produces many seeds.” (Jn. 12:24)

Your greatest message and ministry for God will come out of your greatest pain!

IV.

 How we should face our Gethsemane'S

A.)   Start preparing each day for life's greatest battles in the garden of _________ and intimate fellowship with Jesus.

“He went to the mount of Olives, as was His custom.”

(Lk. 22:39)

“Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” (Mk. 14:36)

“These things I have spoken to you that in Me you might have peace....” (Jn. 16:33)

Never face a battle that you haven't already won in prayer!

B.)   Learn how to pour our your heart and express your ___________ freely to God alone in prayer. In surrender of our emotions we make room for God's truth and God's strength. (use the psalms/see below)

C.)   Make an ___________ surrender of your will to accept God's will. (covenant prayer)

“I am no longer my own, but yours. Put me to what yo will, rank me with whom you will; put me to doing, put me to waiting, let me be raised up or asked to stand aside, e xalted or brought low. Let me have much, let me have little. I freely and heartily yield all things to your pleasure and disposal. Now glorious Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, you are mine and I am yours. So be it.”

Answers:

I. Trouble, peace, God.

II. Pull, vulnerable, emotional, completely, triumphed.  

III.  Inside, able, place, triumph.

IV. Prayer, emotions, unconditional

Psalms to consider: Psalms 118 (what Jesus prayed on the way to the garden), Psalms 22 (what Jesus prayed on the cross). Envy-Ps. 73, Set back/misfortune Ps. 142, Mistreated/rejected Ps.29/143, Fear/danger Ps. 31/27, Discouraged Ps. 40/42, Impatient Ps. 37