Truly This Was God Series

Gethsemane to Golgotha Pt3-Truly this was God

Introduction

Continue- Easter series- Gethsemane to Golgotha.

Review

Pt1- Mat 26- Jesus in garden- night of His arrest.

Looked at three action responses-

Remain Here, Keep Watching, Keep Praying

-stand courageously where God has called you,

-be spiritually alert and vigilant,

-pray- prayer keeps us looking to/trusting in God.

Interesting contrast-

In a garden the first man fell through yielding to the wicked one, in a garden the Second Man conquered through yielding to the Holy One (Handfuls of Purpose).

First man yielded to his own will-put out of- garden.

2nd man yielded to God’s will- restored man to God.

Jesus- stood between-

the holiness of God and

the helplessness of man, as he cried out-

Not my will, but Your will be done!

Our strength to resist evil is in proportion to our resolve to do God’s will over our own will.

Pt2- PT-detour-Goshen-sanctification-God owns us.

Three non-negotiables-

Psa 100:5 (NASB) For the Lord is good; His lovingkindness is everlasting And His faithfulness to all generations.

God is good, God is love, God is just.

Two Stories

Look at Mat 27- first 2 stories- point to crucifixion.

The rich man and Lazarus

Lk 16:19-31

Rich man- concerned with his own life, not willing to deny himself anything to help those around him.

He was fully into his own well-being and pleasure.

Rich man- finds himself in a place of constant torment, Lazarus- in a place of peace.

The Gospel is about a death that leads to life.

It is a reality that comes from losing our own lives to God and then finding them again.

Rich man- dead- but he had never died to himself.

He did not understand the reality of the Gospel.

This story- challenges us to ask probing questions concerning the condition of our own hearts.

Someone coming from- dead- points to crucifixion.

The Precious Ointment

Mat 26:6-13

Disciples- praised the reasonable/logical decision to sell the perfume- give to the poor.

Jesus- praised- woman- pouring it out on His behalf.

Obviously two very different value systems colliding.

Disciples- not overly concerned about the poor, but- bothered by- waste- it shook their sensibilities.

Not only does Jesus not rebuke the woman- He commends her- alluding to His crucifixion/death.

Jesus is concerned w/condition of our hearts.

What He saw in- woman- gratitude/worship for God- which is the true starting point to helping others.

Jesus did not say- do not help the poor (rich man’s problem)-He is concerned-God is 1st in our lives.

Jesus- incredible statement- wherever the Gospel is preached, this woman’s story will be told.

Mat 27:17

Barabbas/Jesus represent two different kingdoms, two different rulers in opposition to each other-

Barabbas represents- Kingdom of darkness

Jesus represents the Kingdom of God (light).

Every person must decide between God/the world.

Everyday- we make choices- lead us closer to or further from God- cannot serve 2 masters-Mat 6:24

Mat 27:33-36, 45

After Jesus- crucified- eery darkness falls on- land.

It appears as if darkness has overcome the light.

The very nature of darkness hates light- do not mix.

John 3:19–21 (men loved darkness over light)

As believers, we cannot walk in both light/darkness.

Interesting contrast- Jesus’ birth was marked by a supernatural light- guided wise men to- manger-

His death- marked by- supernatural darkness.

Mat 27:46

Jesus’ words- clarify what the darkness was about-

Isa 59:2 (NASB) But your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, And your sins have hidden His face from you so that He does not hear.

Separation from God signifies a broken relationship.

God had withdrawn His presence from His Son because Jesus had taken on our sin.

to us- sin- natural as wearing clothes (trivial).

to God- very heavy- it brought Him to grief.

Jesus Christ cries out to God but never forsakes God even when the Father had forsaken Him-

picture of true faith (we get offended w/God).

PTony’s non-negotiables- God is good/love/just.

Mat 27:50-53

First, the veil in the temple is torn in two.

Veil-separated-Most Holy Place from rest of temple.

Torn from top/bottom- supernatural work of God.

Contrast- when Jesus- baptized- heavens opened.

Veil symbolizes- way opened into God’s presence.

The graves opening/many dead saints- raised up-

evidence that Jesus had conquered death.

When look at- story- Jesus crucifixion/resurrection- there is a by-stander we often ignore- creation-

sun, moon, stars, land, sea, and all creatures.

All creation suffers because of the sin of mankind.

Is it no wonder that at this time the earth groans.

In news- earthquakes, tsunamis- earth groaning.

Rom 8:19-23

Man’s impact on nature- more serious than- realize.

Bible teaches-ecological issues have spiritual roots-

the earth under- curse because of- sin of man.

Man’s rebellion- beginning of- environmental crisis.

The environmental issues we stress today are important- but the real issue is man’s rebellion.