Introduction:
Pit bulls are some of the most vicious dogs that an owner can purchase. They are known by society for holding on relentlessly to their victim until dead. Once they grab hold, they are determined not to let go. They are focused with a made up mind not to release their prey.
There is a man that displayed the “Pit Bull Mentality. Jesus the Christ had the Pit Bull Mentality.
There were two acts took place with Jesus the Christ which led Him to the decision He made in the Garden of Gethsemane, and that brings me to my first point of two points.
Development:
Point Number One:Be Careful Not To Yield To Temptation
Going back to the Garden Of Gethsemane, Jesus told his disciples to stop at a particular place in the Garden of Gethsemane. Jesus was just a stone’s throw away from His disciples. He asked them to pray while He hooked up with His Father, but they feel asleep. Sometimes when we asked our friends to do something that is simple, it may not always come to past.
Jesus had to go to His Island of Patmos. Jesus had to lay prostrate before His Father in Heaven. Jesus had to make a visit to His Island of Patmos. Going to your Island of Patmos is not a place that you look forward to going. That is a grievous time.
It is a time that you are seeking God’s face because your child is in trouble. That is a time you are seeking God’s face because someone is sick or dying. It is a time you are seeking God’s face because your house is going up for foreclosure. This is a time when you are seeking the face of God for yourself. This is not a happy or pleasant time.
The bible says that Jesus asked His Father in heaven to remove the cup from Him. The quote is “Let this cup pass from me.” He wasn’t concerned about death.
Jesus was not fearing nor shrinking from death. Death for a cause is not such a great price to pay. Many men have so died, fearlessly and willingly. Some even perhaps have died more cruelly that Christ Himself. Looking at the scripture, the human nature and will of Jesus the Christ is clearly seen in this experience. He was as much flesh as any man is. Jesus was begging His Father. He begged God to choose another way other than the cup if possible.
The experience of being separated from His Father (God) on the cross was too much for Him to bear.
The divine nature and will of Jesus the Christ is clearly seen. Jesus says in Luke 22:42, “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me.” This was the first act, the first impulse and struggle of His will. This came from the flesh. He wanted to escape the cup of separation from His Father in heaven.
He was being attack by the spirit of the flesh. He wanted His Father to make some other provisions for Him to carry out His mission.
Satan was right there in the garden with Jesus. He was banking on Jesus not accepting the cup of separation. Using my spiritual imagination, Satan was using everything he could to discourage Jesus the Christ from going to that old rugged cross. Satan knew what was at stake.
We have to be care and not allow ourselves to fall into temptation. That’s why the songwriter wrote the song, “Yield Not To Temptation For Yielding Is Sin.
But I’m so glad that the bible says in 1 Corinthians 10:13 says that No temptation has seized you except for what is common to man. God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.
When I read that scripture, I can’t help but get happy. It lets me know there is a way out from temptation.
Every now and then I have to look at Psalm 121:1-2 and it says, I lift up my eyes to the hills, where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.
CONCLUSION:
Just before I take my seat. I want to explain why Jesus the Christ has a Pit Bull Mentality. I know that this title sounds wild and crazy, but God is doing a new thing. My second point explains it all.
Point Number Two: Don’t Forget Your Purpose
In this Christian walk, you can’t forget your purpose. I’m so glad that Jesus the Christ did not loose focus of His purpose.
The first act Jesus was begging God to remove the cup of separation, this was from his His flesh; but immediately the second act jumped into play-the second impulse and struggle of His will came from His Godly nature, not to do as He willed, but as His Father willed.
The bible says in Luke 22:42, "Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet (Nevertheless) not my will, but yours be done. " "Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet (Nevertheless) not my will, but yours be done.
I’m so glad that Jesus has a Pit bull Mentality. I’m so glad that Jesus kept His eyes fixed on the unseen.
2 Corinthians 4:18 says, “So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
2 Corinthians 4:18 is one of the reasons why Jesus has a Pit Bull Mentality. His Pit Bull mentality is why He refused to come down from that old rugged cross. His Pit Bull determination said no to the pain, no to the betrayal, no to the ridicule, no to the unruly crowd, no to Satan, and even no to death.
But on the third day, on the third day, that man with the Pit Bull Mentality got up early Sunday morning with all power in His hands.
