Sermon Central
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"Eviction Notice" Series
Contributed by Tony Searles on Nov 28, 2017 (message contributor)
Summary: This is the third in a six part Easter Series. The premise comes from Phil. 2:5-7 where it states that Jesus "emptied Himself, taking on the form of a bond-servant." We too need to be emptied so we can be filled with the fullness of Christ alone.
But when I think of those who couldn’t SURRENDER, I see Peter, James and John who couldn’t keep watch with Jesus. Their will was to sleep and get rest because that is what their “flesh” really wanted! In Mark 14:37-38 it says, And He came and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, “Simon, are you asleep? Could you not keep watch for one hour? Keep watching and praying that you may not come into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
Two things I want to pick up from these two verses here… First, Jesus asks them, “Could you not keep watch for one hour?” In fact, Jesus asks them this question THREE TIMES! And each time this question reminds us of the struggle of the flesh and the spirit! The “battle of the wills!” It reminds us of that battle Paul talked about in Romans, “Why do I always do what I don’t want to?” And we are faced with the question, ”WHO am I going to SURRENDER to? God’s will or mine?” Second, think about how Jesus referred to Peter, He called Him “SIMON!” Simon was His old name after Jesus renamed him Peter. Simon means “shifting sand…” It was as if Jesus was reminding Peter that when He does his own will thing, he will get the results of his old life and ways.
Friends, I am here to remind you that when we refuse to SURRENDER our will to the Lord, we are not standing on solid ground either! Therefore, we have to serve our will an EVICTION NOTICE and be EMPTIED of self so that God’s will can prevail in us!
But! Look at Jesus’ words… Mark 14:36, And He was saying, “Abba! Father! All things are possible for You; remove this cup from Me; yet not what I will, but what you will.” Jesus had His moment of SURRENDER and you need to seize the same moment in your life!
Are you ready to be EMPTIED of yourself? Won’t you surrender your will to God’s today?
ILLUSTRATION:
Andrew Murray made this statement that relates to surrender, “God is ready to assume full responsibility for the life wholly yielded to Him.”
As much as you might not like to lose anything friends, I want you to know that when you do serve your will an EVICTION NOTICE and surrender to God’s will, THEN you find…
POINT THREE: HIS STRENGTH!
God’s STRENGTH is found to help us through our STRESS when we SURRENDER to Him! God’s STRENGTH is given to those who yield their lives to God! God’s STRENGTH is available to those who find God in the Garden!
In fact, God told Paul in his own “garden moment” of STRESS. II Corinthians 12:9, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness." Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Very truly, God’s STRENGTH is available to those who are weak and weary. To those who are weak to God and His will in their lives.
Likewise, Jesus agonized in prayer and we read of it in Mark 14:35. It says that Jesus fell on the ground and began to pray in His distress. He cried out, “Abba! Father! Remove this cup from me!” Uncertain that He would be able to “drink” this cup before Him.
