THE PRIORITY
OF
GETHSEMANE
THE PRIORITY OF GETHSEMANE
From His baptism by John the Baptist
in the River of Jordan, Christ understood His mission to earth.
Yet, just prior to His crucifixion, He
prayed this “cup of suffering” would not
be necessary.
THE PRIORITY OF GETHSEMANE
His ultimate response…
“Nevertheless, not my will but your will”
CHRIST WON THE BATTLE
OF THE CROSS AT
GETHSEMANE!
THE PRIORITY OF GETHSEMANE
An OT example is JACOB (Genesis 32)
He
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
was:
Alone
Struggled for God’s approval
Name changed from “Deceiver” to “Prince”
Paid a price (lame in hip) for the blessing
THE PRIORITY OF GETHSEMANE
Each believer must experience a
PERSONAL GETHSEMANE
(1) It is not a frivolous/light moment
(2) It is not a “group activity”
(3) Comes with an intense spiritual
struggle
(4) There is a “price” to be paid
THE PRIORITY OF GETHSEMANE
I. A PLACE OF CHOICE
A. Subsequent to Salvation
B. Mature in spiritual understanding
1. What Christ taught
“deny yourself, take up your
cross, follow me…”
2. Price of such commitment
“count the cost—forsake ALL”
THE PRIORITY OF GETHSEMANE
I. A PLACE OF CHOICE
C. Christ understood the consequences
of His commitment—did not want to
die on the cross.
D. Such choices come…
1. When faith is tested
2. God’s plan impacts personal
desires/goals/ambitions
THE PRIORITY OF GETHSEMANE
I. A PLACE OF CHOICE
E. Ultimately, God will not make us obey
It is our choice that determines the
level of our commitment
THE PRIORITY OF GETHSEMANE
II. A PLACE OF COMPLIANCE
A. Key
1.
2.
3.
4.
word is “Nevertheless”
How I feel
My personal preference
The humanly “logical” reasons
The perceived difficulty
THE PRIORITY OF GETHSEMANE
II. A PLACE OF COMPLIANCE
B. Implication that choice is difficult
1. Known consequences
2. The “price” required
3. Misunderstanding of motivation
4. Ongoing sacrifices
THE PRIORITY OF GETHSEMANE
II. A PLACE OF COMPLIANCE
C. Obedience often a test of WILL
1. Abraham—offer Isaac
2. Joshua—strategy for Jericho
3. Gideon—300 men for battle
4. Naaman—wash in Jordan river
5. Daniel—prayed when it meant
the den of lions.
THE PRIORITY OF GETHSEMANE
II. A PLACE OF COMPLIANCE
D. THERE IS NO COMPLIANCE
WITHOUT FULL OBEDIENCE
Words of faith are meaningless
unless accompanied by actions
THE PRIORITY OF GETHSEMANE
III. A PLACE OF CHANGE
A. The “issue is settled”
“Let us be going…”
B. Change of PERSPECTIVE
1. View of God’s purpose
2. View of sacrifice
3. View of self-importance
4. View of time—eternity
THE PRIORITY OF GETHSEMANE
III. A PLACE OF CHANGE
B. Change of PRIORITIES
“Old things have passed away…”
1. Patterns of behavior
2. Kingdom oriented
3. Desire to serve
THE PRIORITY OF GETHSEMANE
III. A PLACE OF CHANGE
C. Change of PETITION
1. Asking for self-less,
for others-more
2. Asking for God’s glory,
rather than God’s power
THE PRIORITY OF GETHSEMANE
III. A PLACE OF CHANGE
D. Change of PROCLAMATION
1. Declaring HIS redemption
2. Declaring HIS love/care
3. Declaring HIS sovereign
goodness
THE PRIORITY OF GETHSEMANE
III. A PLACE OF CHANGE
E. The GETHSEMANE experience
will melt and mellow the heart
toward God and others
“My life has already been poured
out as an offering to God…”
THE PRIORITY OF GETHSEMANE
CONCLUSION:
A BELIEVER WILL NOT AVOID
GETHSEMANE FOR FEAR
OF THE COST.
GOD IS A LOVING FATHER WHOSE
DESIRE IT IS TO REDEEM AND
RESTORE MAN TO RELATIONSHIP
WITH HIMSELF.
THE PRIORITY OF GETHSEMANE
CONCLUSION:
BEFORE THE RESURRECTED
LIFE, THERE MUST BE DEATH
TO SELF…AND THAT BEGINS
IN GETHSEMANE!!