The Purpose of Gethsemane | Sobering Moments

We are glad you're joining us for a new beginning with Greg Laurie, a podcast supported by harvest partners get more encouraging audio content. When you subscribe to pastor Greg daily depots. Learn more and sign up@harvest.org Jesus was in Germany the night before. Today pastor Greg Laurie has insurance for personal family moment. Is there something we need to say only personal something we need to say that God when things are not making so sociable for God sake I will not.

That's the thing we need to pray in the 70s and sometimes reduced sobering crisis agonizing decision inescapable admission.

Wonder how were going to get through today on a new beginning pastor Greg Laurie points out Jesus-based crucifixion was hours away his disciples, mostly was left alone with his thoughts. He was actually left alone to commune with the father, Jesus to help us grow our Bible answer to two passages of Scripture John chapter 18 and Luke 22 John 18 and Luke chapter 22 were in our series that were calling life studies in the Gospel of John, and the title of my message is the purpose in Gethsemane. It's all here in the garden of Gethsemane. We see Jesus literally suffering suffering so badly that he is effectively sweating blood this next to the cross was the lowest moment, most likely in the life of Jesus.

It certainly was the loneliest moment of his life. And so there's something we need to say we come to our personal Gethsemane something we need to say to God, we have those moments where things aren't making sense to us and them, and to tell you what that thing isn't just a few moments but let's look now at what happened to Jesus as he went to the cross for each of us. John 18 I would read verses 1 to 11, I'd like you to read with me if you would please. By the way I'm reading from the new living translation. After seeing these things, Jesus crossed the Kidron Valley with his disciples and entered a grove of all of tree Judas, the betrayer knew this place because Jesus had often gone there with the disciples the leading priests and Pharisees had given Judas a contingent of Roman soldiers and tumble guards to accompany him now with blazing torches, lanterns and weapons. They arrived at the olive grove. Jesus fully realized all that was going to happen again.

You might underline that Betty stepped forward to meet them and he asked what are you looking for. They asked Jesus of Nazareth. I am said Jesus and Judas arbitrator was standing there, and Jesus said I am available through back and fell to the ground and once more, he asked them who are you looking for and again they replied, Jesus of Nazareth and he says were saved.

I told you that I am since I am the one you want.

But these others go. He did this to fulfill his own statement. I did not lose a single one of those that you would given me.

Then Simon Peter drew his sword and slashed off the writer of Malcolm as the high priest slave.

But Jesus said to Peter, put your sword back into its sheath. Shall I not drink from the cup of suffering. The father has given me. While powerful narratives and it.

I don't think we understand how hard this was for Jesus over Matthew 26 he said my soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death.

Mark's gospel tells us of Jesus in Gethsemane.

He fell to the ground and prayed. If it is possible, let this cup pass from me. Evidently Jesus was in such agony. He cast himself to the ground. He would stand up and fall again to the ground in prayer and one of the most dramatic descriptions of the suffering of Jesus in Gethsemane, Luke writes, bringing this to Luke 22. Hopefully you turn there were 41 he was withdrawn from them about a stone's throw, and he knelt down and prayed same father. If it is your will take this cup away from me. Nevertheless, not my will but yours be done.

Then an angel appeared from heaven, strengthening him and being in agony he prayed more earnestly and then his sweat became like great drops of blood falling to the ground by the way, that is only mentioned by Luke and did you know Luke was a position so he brings a unique perspective in his gospel. So Dr. Luke points out in uniquely only Dr. Luke that Jesus wet as it were great drops of blood there is a medical condition known as he matured DeRosa in which, under great emotional pressure. The tiny blood vessels rupture into the sweat glands producing a mixture of blood and sweat.

I think Dr. look up talk to doctors about this by the weights and tell me about this. He matured DeRosa's and and it's a real thing, not you'll see it very often. But, under intense pressure so I think it's very possible that Jesus was experiencing this.

He matured process where he was literally sweating blood.

It was so bad because he knew what was coming. You need a hard this is going to be in by the way this point Satan is already entered the heart of Judas Iscariot who is approaching and what was really this temptation that would Jesus would base at this point would be to say at this wanted to do it. I don't want to be out of fellowship with my father. I don't drink this cup, but of course he said nevertheless not my will but yours be done.

This collectible.

We read already there and John 18 remember that the crowd comes in. Jesus asked the question, who are you looking for and they see Jesus of Nazareth and he says I am and they fell to the ground. So what's going on okay. Remember the phrase I am never heard of before. What did God say to Moses. Moses said what is your name God says I am that I I am. It's a claim of deity God missing. I there is no other. So when Jesus says I am. It is also a claim to deity. Notice they all fell backwards. By the way this group of soldiers. This is a lot of people at the Temple police as well as a cohort of Roman soldiers.

This could have been as many as 600 people with swords and spears and lanterns in our outcome and then you know let's get Jesus and Jesus is who you looking for they see Jesus of Nazareth. He says I am and they all fell backwards up all brawl of lanterns going to be here the swords that shows his power. This is shows he didn't have to go with him. He didn't want to get is that I am, and you were by gone and the problem I am just to show his power. These guys are in way over their heads. He could've called out and thousands of being jewels would've come to rescue him back in John 10 he says my father loves me and I lay my life down, then I may take it again, and no one takes it from me. I lay it down of myself. I power to lay down the power to take it again. No one was taking Jesus away. He was going of his own volition of his own will and ultimately it was then nails and held him to the cross. It was love. He could've gotten out of this so easily but of course the surrenders to the will of the father and they take him away and Judas to identify him betrays him with it just might find this interesting that Judas had to identify Jesus.

Why did he have to identify Jesus. We know what Jesus looks like he is a white row right always with you and all the paintings in a white robe. Sometimes a blue sash blue sash but sometimes he carries a stop around. I guess it's because he's a good Shepherd.

Sometimes he is a lamb wrapped around his neck is nice flowing blondish hair neatly trimmed beard easy to find. Or maybe you know he glowed in the dark right is God in human form, but here's the interesting thing Scripture says the King James had no form of comeliness that we should deny a desire him, which is a way of saying he was an ordinary looking guy. I think if you want to crowd of people you would say there's Jesus you know he would've stood out like that. Jim Caviezel played Jesus in the film the passion of the Christ on the rise at a Billy Graham Crusade in. I sat next to Jim and thought, you know these guys very handsome scope that I didn't like him at all. Actually society want to be around you. You're just so handsome bothersome but never seriously since you know you think.

Yeah, he looks like Jim Caviezel right there.

He looks like this actor will actually I don't even look like that he would be the most ordinary guy there so much so that Judas has to identify him with a kiss and a handshake.

Why not appointment Gary is Kevin Judas betrays him with a kiss. And here's an interesting twist in the original language. It could be stated he smothered him with kisses German and have a nap like that you know the one that comes to visit me kiss you over and over again in his gross, because her perfume is on you afterwards think you smell like your aunt for a day.

Whatever the kissing kissing kissing kissing. That's how Judas betrayed Jesus. I was in a peck on the cheek or an air kiss know is like oh I love you so much. Kiss kiss kiss kiss embrace kiss embrace that if I was Jesus. Anna broken his neck. You know what Jesus said to them, friend, why have you come. What I do. Said fiend why have you, or better yet, I know what you've come. No friend because you know it to the very end. Jesus loved Judas and you know what Judas was a friend of Jesus who happened to betray him, and at the last moment Jesus was giving to Judas one last chance to repent. Almost anybody I know it's happening I'm saying right now. You can repent and do this but you this, of course, was determined because we already pointed out Satan had entered his heart. You've heard of being demon possessed.

Judas was Satan possessed.

Satan came into him and course.

He opened the door to that and there's no way he was going to change his plans at this point so the irony is at the moment of his betrayal, he still wanted to appear developed.

It was the worst kind of hypocrisy.

I met Mr. Greg Laurie will have the second half of this message just a moment, you know, there's nothing like hearing the word of God and worshiping the Lord together.

I will encourage you to join us for something we call Harvest at Home every Saturday and Sunday harvest.org you can join Christians literally from around the world as we worship and we study the word of God together.

So join us for Harvest at Home and harvest was pastor Greg picks up his message called the purpose of Gethsemane Judas or just betrayed Jesus to the dismay of Simon Peter.

Let's continue now Simon Peter is so mad he's watching Judas Iscariot. I can't believe you did this and so this is what happens where he read it verse 10 Simon Peter reckons on the 18th do a sort/stop the writer about this. The high priestly. Jesus said to Peter, put your sword back in its sheath.

Shall I not drink of the cup of suffering. The father has given me. On one hand, we may want to commend Peter for this act of bravery, but Jesus didn't say to Peter put the sword away for Peter. He just couldn't get it right.

He was boasting when he should've been listening. He was sleeping when he should've been praying now is finding when he should have been surrendering seem to be an emotional man, and in effect, Peter was potentially playing right into the hand of the enemy.

I mean thanks to Peter's impulsive violence. The authorities could not claim or some kind of rubble uprising led by some guerrilla leader known as the rock we've heard them call the rock and he pulled out his sword and in this is Aaron.

He had two guys not single that Sons of thunder look like they're from an outlaw motorcycle gang want to Peter was doing. He always trying to fix things, and Jesus says, according to Matthew's gospel. Those who use a sword will be killed by the sword. Don't you realize that I can ask my father for thousands of angels to protect us and he would send them instantly. Peter buddy Liz and I appreciate it, but if I needed help. I'll call for the Angels hello take care that's in short order. So put that sword away.

Peter mean a lot of mistakes, he was fighting the wrong enemy with the wrong weapon.

You know the Bible reminds us that were in the spiritual battle and the weapons of our warfare are not physical but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds. One of the most effective weapons if you will. We can also call them tools that we have in our arsenal as followers of Jesus protest and boycott. I don't know sometimes I think when we boycott things we help them more than hurt them so I'm not so sure about boycotts in general. I'm not a big boycott guy protesting.

I guess there's a place for at times, this register and vote.

That's very important. I think we should all register and I think we should all vote.

We should be educated on the issues, but the two secret weapons. God is given to us as the church are rarely used and you know what they are there prayer and proclamation of the gospel. We need to do a whole lot more of that praying when crisis comes. Praying what we have any praying and proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ sold Peter cut this guy's ear off and in Jesus Dobson. Here's something that's often missed Jesus healed Malka says air locus was servant of the high priest having dessert cut off implies to me he probably was leading the charge. Follow me guidance, boy what's right and of the sort of Simon Peter.

Peter was trying to probably try to cut his head up and he got his ear. He was a fisherman.

Another swordsman right but the last miracle that Jesus perform when he was on this earth was the healing of bow kisses here. Can you imagine that here's a guy that just cut his ear off and he heals him probably picked year back up put it on their heels and one of Marcus even thanked him for it. I doubt it. But does that just shows the heart of our Lord and he would do something like this for a guy like this. And as he hangs on the cross.

What is easy. Father forgive them for they know not what they do so in closing, as we look at this. Remember, the Bible says in Philippians let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, and he prayed, not my will but yours be done. That's the thing we need to pray in the Gethsemane's of life.

If you're in a time in your life when you don't understand why this is happened to you and I could describe many scenarios.

Why did this happen, you can just say Lord I don't get it.

But I say, not my will but yours be done deal.

Moody, one of the great preachers from days gone by me. This statement and I quote, spread out your petition before God and then saved, I will not mind be done.

Moody says a sweetest lesson I learned in God school is to let the Lord, choose for me. Let the Lord choose will make a better choice and you will make because he has all the background information.

Maybe there was a relationship that guide the girl you thought you'd found the one you were so excited and it just unraveled in your kinematic God, why did you not let the workout probably because God loves you and he knows the big picture. What in this job open up.

I knew that was my career path Lord shut the door. Well if he shut the door. There you can open the door somewhere else. So if you're in front of a shut door or a broken relationship were a disappointment or some of the thing you're facing a life God still in control. Coming back to what I said earlier he loves you and he has a plan and of course the father had a plan.

This is going to be the worst sacrifice in human history. But the plan was. We were all going to have our salvation purchased for us at the cross of Calvary. I read a poem, and by the way, don't read many poems but I read this one and I liked it in a quote from it all goes to journey sooner late must pass with in the garden skate must kneel alone in the darkness there and battle with some fierce despair God pity those who cannot say not mine, but thine will only pray, let this cup pass and cannot see the purpose and Gethsemane," there is a purpose in your Gethsemane God is a plan and whatever it is you're going. These are not good through Gethsemane well you will eventually he will eventually so just store these thoughts up for when that moment happens. Jesus said if you will lose your life for my sake will find it. Which means I just tell right Lord. Here's my life.

Here's my future. Here's my plans but if you have another idea in mind, I want your plan over my own. Here's what Jesus has done for each of us have you wondered why Jesus went to the cross. I mean think about it he's denied by Simon Peter. He's betrayed by Judas Iscariot. He is jeered at by the multitudes that he came to save by a large he was a loner, Calvary. His mother Mary was there John was there but for the most part, the disciples were far away or in hiding and yet he went through with that he picked across up and carried it to the streets of Jerusalem falling beneath its way. His back ripped open by a Roman whip in excruciating pain, but he kept going. Why did he keep going. The answer is found in the book of Hebrews chapter 12 it says Jesus Christ for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and now is set down at the right hand of God the joy that was set before him. What is that some wanted to get you he did it for you. I love the way that the apostle Paul personalize that when he said he loved me and he gave himself for me. Why did Jesus find the cross listen for you all. Yes, the whole world the world for God so loved the world he gave his only begotten son to got the word world and insert your name there. This is personal, Christ died for you. Jesus shed his blood for you because he knew there was no other way that you could be made right with God. So he did this out of love for each of you something to pray in a moment I'm going to extend an invitation for you to believe in Jesus. If you haven't done that yet an opportunity for you to be forgiven of your sin and also an opportunity to repent of your sin. If there's something you've been doing, or you've done that, you know you need to turn from and ask God to forgive you for so it's all about heads. Father, thank you for loving us so much and sending Jesus the Lord Jesus, thank you for coming.

And now we pray that your Holy Spirit will convict and convince every person here every person listening of their need for you and help them to come to you and believe in Jesus name I pray for Greg Laurie important word of prayer. And if you'd like to make a change today in your relationship with the Lord.

Pastor Greg would like to help you with that and he'll do so before today's addition of a new beginning.

Concludes yesterday we have a special guest year in the studio. Maybe you can introduce him sure, but his new book is about the afterlife go. Let me ask you first of all why do you think we're so fascinated about heaven and the afterlife. Well, we should be because it's if you're Christian your future destination.

It is not the default destination for every person. Of course we decide in this life or we will spend the afterlife, but I think it's a really good thing to know is much as we possibly can about heaven and I can think of a better person to help us understand more than the man sitting next to me right now and unfortunately it's radio so you can see what is wearing a very nice blue sweater and his name is Lee Strobel Nelly Strobel as written.

A lot of books are probably the best-known would be the case for Christ, which was also made into a feature film. His books have sold like 14 million right right and it is just a prolific author or speaker apologist extraordinaire and these are just the things he's asked me to say so I think I know that at the scene of the lease, a good friend in these he's a voice of wisdom and so leave written in the book the case for heaven subtitled a journalist investigates evidence for life after death why a book about heaven. Well, I think you're right in what you said that people ought to be interested in the afterlife.

I will go spend a lot more time there than we will hear the end and I think in light of the pandemic. You know people are our conscious and aware of life-and-death issues more than perhaps at any other time in my lifetime. I was having lunch with my wife, a restaurant and this waitress was about 18 years old and that we are talking as she started to cry. So what's wrong she said I'm sorry, almost in coming to work today. Might we just lost a family member to covert and I thought, here's a young person maybe 18 years old. I never thought about life and death, but I never thought about the afterlife, but now she's full of questions.

Now she's this he yelled at her death is come knocking on her family door. So I think people are more and more interested these days in the question of what Hank what actually occurs when we close our eyes for the last time in this world. This is something we need to understand more the afterlife. What happens what happens to the Christian what happens to the non-Christian.

Here's some of the chapter titles near death experiences. Heaven, a guide on the edge of eternity.

So if you want to clear up your confusion about heaven the afterlife you want to get a copy of this brand-new book from Lee Strobel. It's called the case for heaven will send it to you for your gift of any size to us here at a new beginning and will use those resources to reach more people with the gospel in the teaching of the word of God and is our way of saying thanks will send you your own copy of the case, for heaven by apologist, prolific author, my friend Lee Strobel and will only be able to mention this resource. A short time longer, so get in touch as soon as possible.

You can call us at 1-800-821-3300 call anytime 24 seven that's 1-800-821-3300 or go online to harvest.org or Pastor Greg you spoke today about having a relationship with the Lord. Yeah, someone can enter into that kind of relationship with God right now can't yet they really can. That's the amazing thing. I think people are surprised that it doesn't take years to become a Christian. It doesn't take months. It doesn't take weeks. It doesn't take days, it doesn't even take ours you can believe on the spot and I would like to lead you in a prayer where you can ask for his forgiveness of prayer, where you can receive Jesus Christ into your life as your Savior and Lord. So if you want Christ to come in your life if you want him to forgive you of your sin if you want a second chance in life. If you want to go to heaven when you die, stop what you're doing and pray after me these words Lord Jesus, I know I am a sinner and I'm sorry for my sin and I turn from it now and I choose to follow you from this moment forward as Savior and Lord is God in friend thank you for loving me and calling me ever giving me in Jesus name I pray, amen and amen.

Listen if you have just prayed those words with Pastor Greg and meant them sincerely the Lord is heard you and forgiven you of your sin.

The Bible says Jesus is faithful and just to forgive us of our sin and cleanse us from all unrighteousness and would like to send you some materials to help you begin to live this new life we call that our new believers growth packet just ask for it and will send it to you free of any charge if you prayed for the first time today with Pastor Greg.

You can call 1-800-821-3300. That's 1-800-821-3300 or go online to harvest.org and click on know God will next time as Pastor Greg continues his series in John's Gospel will examine an important case study of one of the disciples who experienced a tremendous spiritual failure will learn from his mistakes.

Join us here on a new beginning.

Pastor and Bible feature regularly and everybody thinks or listening to an beginning this is a podcast made possible by harvest partners. So for more content can help you know God and equip you to make him known to others or to learn more about how you can become a harvest partner. Just go to harvest.org