TEMPTED, TROUBLED, TESTED
Part 2
Mark 14:32-42
Sunday, February 17, 2008
Pastor Brian Matherlee
We see Jesus at his second lowest point emotionally in the passage today. Mark records that Jesus was deeply distressed and troubled. Jesus had already told his disciples…
John 14:1, “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me.”
John 16:33, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
There’s a lot of hurt in our world.
• At a nursing home in Florida, a resident group was discussing ailments: "My arms are so weak I can hardly lift this cup of coffee," said one. "Yes, I know, my cataracts are so bad I can’t even see my coffee," replied another. "I can’t turn my head because of the arthritis in my neck," said a third, at which several others nodded weakly. "My blood pressure pills make me very dizzy," another went on. "I guess that’s the price we pay for getting old," winced an old man. There was general agreement and a short moment of silence ensued. "Well, it’s not that bad," said one woman cheerfully. "Thank goodness we can all still drive!" (sermoncentral.com)
• In America every 24 hours:
3,000 children see their parents divorced.
1,629 children are put in adult jail.
3,228 children run away from home.
1,512 children drop out of school.
7,742 teens become sexually active.
Why was Jesus troubled?
• The cross!
• The betrayal of a friend
• The desertion of the rest
How did Jesus make it through?
1. He prayed for the will of God
a. Steps necessary to pray through
i. Make time
ii. Remove distractions
iii. Tune in to God
1. Through Scripture, hymns, choruses, meditation
iv. Check your spiritual inventory
1. Am I lacking in certain areas
2. Am I overstocked with sin & need to repent
v. Believe
1. Isaiah 65:24, “Before they call I will answer; while they are still speaking I will hear.”
2. Matthew 7:7, “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.”
b. When Jesus prayed through it restored a perspective about troubles.
i. 2 Corinthians 4:8-9
ii. We have a hard time gaining perspective in the midst of the storm.
iii. When Jesus was asleep and the disciples were screaming during a powerful storm, which of them had the correct perspective? All they could see was the storm. The storm had shrouded their memory of so many miracles.
iv. I’m glad God doesn’t panic!
2. He submitted to the will of God
a. Jesus asked for other options…there’s nothing wrong in asking. But he accepted God’s plan.
b. When do we usually want to know God’s will? When we’ve run out of answers. Thank God for the times the answers run out and we must look to him!
c. Tony Dungy is the coach of the Indianapolis Colts who won the Super Bowl last season. He is a devout Christian and has written a book, not about football, but about faith. In the first chapter of the book, “Quiet Strength”, he writes about his experience of cleaning out his office after being fired as the coach of Tampa Bay. He had tried to be a different kind of football coach, one who led with integrity instead of vulgar language and harshness. He had won more than any other coach in the team’s history but he was now part of that history. He wondered why God was doing what He was doing. He writes, “Where was the burning bush? Where was that still small voice? Or, even better, the loud, booming one? The only voice I could hear clearly was my own, crying out in the wilderness. When will I hear Your voice, Lord?” (pg. 5)
d. We all come to a place of wondering what God’s will is. We all would like to know what God is up to!
e. How do we know when something is God’s will?
i. The inner testimony of the Holy Spirit—it’s hard to explain this to someone who has never experienced God. God wants us to know His will and anyone who earnestly seeks His will God will reveal this to them.
ii. It is in agreement with God’s Word
iii. I am free from selfish motives-my own desires can cloud my spiritual thinking. We can convince ourselves God wants us to have or do many things. Be careful that you’re not blaming God for your wants.
f. When Jesus submitted to the will of God it didn’t bring sunshine and roses. It was going to impact his life, his friends, and his family. People were going to hurt in the short run because of his obedience.
3. He obeyed the will of God
a. Our praying and submitting to the fact that something is God’s will doesn’t mean we will obey it.
b. Action is the only proof of belief.
c. How many observe Christ’s birthday! How few, his precepts! O! ’tis easier to keep holidays than commandments. — Benjamin Franklin
Conclusion
Think about what you’re going through right now. What are the reasons behind it?
1. Are your circumstances borne out of sinfulness? You need to repent.
2. Are your circumstances borne out of mistakenness? You need to study and plan.
3. Are your circumstances borne out of obedience? You need to trust.
