Abandoned for Me, Part 2

GD career extending the kingdom of God happens not by the power of the sword happened by the power of talent or the power of money. It happens by a greater power.

The power to cross you go back to any great movement of God, and you will see a group of people with an army a lot of money or necessarily a lot of talent to see a group of people very humbly of sacrificially embrace the way of the cross. Yesterday, here, as always, I'm your host Molly bit of edge and we are so glad you're back with us today as we walked through Jesus's final moments leading up to Easter next weekend and thought about the fact that the cross was a scary place even for Jesus, but he went when he could have fled for. He took it all. All of the suffering for us because it was the only one way for us to have salvation God's wrath against our sin is like a toxic poison and Jesus drank it for us willingly when important message to here today if you'd like to follow along with the transcript of each message you can find that JD Greer.com Pastor Katie is teaching from Matthew 26 in the message he titled advantage for me to get some of the wrath of God was coming against our strategies a step in the way and said I'll take every drop of its or not a bit of it remains for them. The cup was offered and Jesus took it. The drank it to the drag she turned it over on the table. He said it is finished.

If I had been there and I had tried to stop Jesus about a segment of what you doing don't do that Jesus would've said no there is no other way you drink this or I drink this if you drink it.

The tear apart from me forever. I'm going to go on to the cross and I'm going to drink the cup of God's route because your salvation is something only I can accomplish your job at Edwards, the Puritan theologian went on to ask the question is, or why what you think God showed Jesus this in Gethsemane. Why give them a glimpse before it actually began. It's almost cruel. It's almost a little dangerous rule risky because what if Jesus had lost his nerve at the site where Jesus had back down what he had not gone through with the cross. Why not wait until Jesus was secured by males for the cross to then give him the glimpse of this terrible reality Jonathan Edwards answer, which I think is correct and I paraphrase, but it is answer was.

This was so we look at this so we can see Jesus go to the cross voluntarily, knowing full well what he was about to experience so that his love for us to be put on display even more, God wanted you and me to see Jesus see the wrath of God to see what he was about to experience and voluntarily choose to go into it so that we would know that it was not this situation that he just got caught up in exactly what he was going to face for us. Penny chose to do it with eagerness and joy because of his love for us. He wanted us to behold what manner of love the Father has given to us that we would be called the children of God, because God was demonstrating his love toward us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us for the accounts of the other gospel writer says that an angel came to Jesus during these moments administered to him at this point that I've often wonder how would you like to be the angel… Assignment what you say to Jesus to minister to him in a moment like that he give them a John Piper book on suffering that he can read some more subsidies to listen.

So what are the angel say we don't know what we do know is that the writer of Hebrews says that when Jesus got up from Gethsemane to go to the cross.

He did so with joy. He did so with joy because of something that had been set before.

What did Jesus see now what have been set before him what he Jesus see that was going to make the horror of the cross and abandonment by.what did he see that was going to make him say it's worth it wears another. When asked the question what did Jesus have on the side of the cross that he didn't have on that side. What he Jesus have after going through the cross that he didn't have before the approval of the father.

Your dad that the rulership of the universe.

That was his from eternity past, there is only one thing that Jesus obtained on this out of the cross that he didn't have on that side you and me behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us that we should be called the children of God, man of sorrows. What a name put a name for the son of God who came ruin sinners to reclaim what else can we say but hallelujah what a Savior. That's what were supposed to say I stand amazed in the presence of Jesus the Nazarene, and I wonder how he could love me if Seneca did not glean it was for me in the garden. He prayed, not my will but die, he shed no tears for his own Samba sweat drops of blood for my he took my sin and my sorrow. He made them is very own keyboard my burden to Calvary and he suffered and died alone so that I would not have to. There was no other way to save us. This was the only way cancer. Jesus went into it, gladly.

Honestly, can you think of any greater insult. You could ever get to Jesus but to say the really popular thing that everybody loves to say and that is there actually multiple ways of salvation. I know you think you're being compassionate and open-minded when you say that there are multiple ways to God and you slap a coexist bumper sticker on your car. But, honestly, is there any greater insult. You could ever give to Jesus the Jesus looks up to God the father and says if there's any other way.

Let this cup pass from me and God the father so that you there is a much other ways.

As always, your sincere and guided what you think is best for you make it to heaven.

But, had you go to this bitter torture.

Anyway, just for the fun of it.

Stop trying to act like you're more loving the Jesus stop arguing and just stand amazed. In this moment, this is not a time for you to philosophize and come up with a better way of salvation is for you to stand in humble, all of how great the father's love was and what he was willing to go through so that you can be safe. This passage shows you the credible love that Jesus had make you tremble for the terrible judgment that awaits you if you reject it. Like I told you this passage is in there for two reasons.

One is to confront you with what Jesus did.

The second reason is to show you how to respond because over to see Max's forgiveness see Peter respond in the wrong way. Verse 47 while he was still speaking, Judas, one of the 12 suddenly arrived, a large mob of swords and clubs with them. The chief priest of the elders of the people, his betrayer and given him assigned the one that I kiss. He's the one arrest him to immediately went up to Jesus and said, greetings Rabbi McQuiston friend Jesus asked him why I you come by the way, the use of that term friend is not sarcastic and sincere word friend in the Gospel of Matthew is always used to indicate, like a patient warning that you're giving to somebody to the end Jesus is loyal to Judas. He is in this last moment in the garden not making fun of him not being sarcastic. You save Judas you will have to go through this. You see, I want you to see. I want you to understand that if you die and go to hell, is not to be because God turned his back on you back. I would say the last voice you will hear as you step off the earth into hell is God the father say you will have to go through with this friend, son, daughter, you don't have to do this I will force you to receive it. But you don't have to do it.

It's not because of given up on you and I haven't turned my back on you. I did not Judas. Even after his unspeakably wicked thing I didn't turn my back on him.

I will turn back on you either verse 50. Then they came up they took hold of Jesus and the rest of the at that moment, one of those were Jesus reached out his hand and drew out a sword. He struck the high priest servant any cut off his ear from John's Gospel.

We know that it's Peter who who actually did this for 52 then Jesus told him, Peter about your sword in its place because all who take up the sword will perish by the sword or do you think that I cannot now call on my father and he will provide me here and now with more than 12 legions of angels. By the way Legion consisted of 5000 soldiers. So Jesus is 12 legions of angels you talk about 60,000 angels just for frame of reference in the book of Revelation when God wants to destroy all the armies on earth when God wants to bring the final judgment and destroy the entire earth with fire. He sends out for four angels get the whole job done. Jesus has access to 60,000.

In other words appear I'm not in this situation because I'm short on power got plenty Angel power here to get this job done. I did get caught in a bad situation. Peter know this is all exactly according to plan on choosing to be here so we continues. Peter Howe then if this doesn't happen of the Scripture to be fulfilled. The tabletop in this way. In other words, Peter.

This is all according to plan. One of the ways you could know that as God told all this from before time when he wrote the Old Testament told us exactly how this would happen. That's why said in Zechariah chapter 9, for example, the Messiah will be betrayed by 30 pieces of silver cannot happen to Isaiah 53 that I'll be wounded for your transgressions. A bruise for your iniquities that's going to happen.

Psalm 22 the soldiers go to the bottom of my close to gamble for them other than a pierced my hands and my feet in the pierced my side but not a bone will be broken and that's going to happen. Not 1 inch. Of this, not one moment of this is out of control.

God the father had predetermined from beginning of time to accomplish your salvation and it's all happening like he had planned 300 other prophecies in the Old Testament that tells how this is going to go down the Peter none of the other disciples see this yet.

So verse 56 that all the disciples deserted him and ran away. Last week we talked about how all of us are Judas this week. This week I want you to see that we are also Peter were also Peter because what we see in this moment that Peter has a wrong understanding of two things wrong understanding of two things which we also instinctively have is why would Peter want, here's a wrong understanding of his own condition when Peter pulls out the sorties thinking. Lord I would you. I'm one of the good guys. You may Jesus let's execute judgment together all these bad guys. Jesus, Peter, are no good guys playboy me know I can save you is if I am slain by the sword of judgment. Not if you and I will do together.

You see, back in the garden of Eden after Adam and Eve and send them a separator for the presence of God.

You member what God put in the garden, an angel with a flaming sword, God blocked their way into his presence by a sword. Here we are back in the garden and Jesus, who has the right to use that sword steps forward to be slain by it instead slain by the sword in our place. Peter doesn't understand the gospel substitution because Peter still believes in the gospel sell salvation.

Peter believes that he can be good enough to earn salvation. He believes he's on the good side, and here's how you know that you think this way when you think you're a good person but does need saving when you think that you're a good enough to save yourself that will always lead to you bearing the sword against others, meaning that you will look in judgment on them. You'll think of yourself as a good guide. Some of the group was the bad people, according to Jesus, there are no good people and bad people there only rebels against God.

Thank God that God saves bad people, because there are no other kinds of people.

Most of us prefer to see the world into categories of the group were part of nothing.

Good group if you're conservative. Bennett's liberals are bad of your liberal is the conservatives that are bad and so what you do is you look at the other group.

When you look at them with the sword. I don't mean I made a little soul you want to kill bit, but you look down on them in judgment there. The bad people were the good people.

According to Scripture, there is no viewing them.

There is just a big gigantic we all people under judgment, because all of us of sin and fall short of the glory of God. Therefore, not a one of us hold deserves to bring the sword against another no one who truly could have used the sword against us was the one who chose to stand under it for us in our place. That is why we say Jesus just didn't die for you. Jesus died instead of a message titled abandoned on Senate life with Judy Greer. Forget this is a special week on the program because we are getting 50% of every dollar we receive help provide food and shelter, medical care, clothing, and relocation assistance for mostly displaced women and children in Levine Ukraine. Give us a call at 866-335-5220 or you can get online@jamiegreer.com. We are so thankful for this chance to provide real aid through one of our trusted partners so won't you join with us today. Now let's rejoin Pastor Jamie today. Second thing that Peter does understand the state's own condition.

Understand kingdom power but are thinking about our Peter picked up the sword because he thinks like most people will think the way that you bring about change in the world. Meaningful change is through coercive power. Jesus is note through my death on the release of power that is greater then the sword greater than 12 legions of angels whenever I get interviewed by secular journalists. They always want to know immediately who I vote for and who I push you to vote for one of them on what you want to know why they want to know that because they think that the power that makes a difference in our world is the kind that sits in the Oval Office rods on Air Force One controlled the federal budget has his fingers on the nuclear arsenal but can't you see from this story how wrong that is.

I may ask yourself even if you're not religious as yourself.

It was the most influential person in the history of the world who exchange more societies and more lives than any other person who will Jesus. Of course the elections that he went how big was his endowment that he had to work with.

How many lands to conquer how many battalions that he order around, literally. He had nothing he had no place to lay his head. He had no money to work with. He had no armies that he commanded. He literally died as an outcast, giving his life in sacrificial service. Mohammed, the founder of Islam rode in on a horse and conquered cities.

Jesus was born in a manger and washed his disciples feet.

And that's because the salvation this world needed would not call men riding on the wings of Air Force One, it would come in the womb of a poor immigrant woman. You see, the cross means that the world's values about power are wrong. The way to really change people. What were talking about a spouse who is not treating you the right way. Whether were talking about neighbors you don't get along with you. Whether were talking about enemies you want to kill you.

The way that you change them is not. I can't remember by serving them. We change people by speaking the word of God to them in the power of the Holy Spirit and serving them with the grace and love that we been served with an offer to them the forgiveness that we have been given in Christ. I want you to note here that we should be. Computers were talking about kingdom power.

This passage is not teaching some total approach to pacifism or saying that nobody in government should ever bear the sword in fact will Jesus and the apostle Paul taught that God establishes governments and gives them the power the sword in order to keep peace and establish justice. Were talking about here is kingdom power when it comes to believers extending the kingdom of God that happens not by the power of the sword cannot happen by that by the power of talent or the power of money. It happens by a greater power. The power of the cross. You go back to any great movement of God, and you will see a group of people with an army.

You will even savor the people a lot of money or necessarily a lot of talent to see a group of people who very humbly and sacrificially embrace the way of the cross, God's way of releasing his power into the world is not to superior force for superior riches. It is through the power of sacrifice living like Jesus live which is why we often save you here, the summer church. God doesn't need your money.

God sets it up in heaven wringing his hands. Well just give me some of the money that I could do so many things in the world. God doesn't need your money. You got access to 12 legions of angels he's got plenty of money. What he does use in the world is cross based sacrificial giving which is why he will to the woman who gives to Mike to have pennies and says she gets more than all the rich people world wide. Because hers represented across sacrifice.

God doesn't need the riches of the rich people he needs rich and poor alike to offer their first in their best to him and sacrifice. Don't flatter yourself that you got enough money to actually make a difference. You don't have enough money to make a difference. Now when you're talking to Jesus you got 12 legions of angels. It doesn't make a difference, which is why we say that yet you're really wealthy and you can stroke a check and meet all the financial needs of the church, but it doesn't represent sacrifice for you but it doesn't move the needle one iota. What Jesus wants from us is not her money what he wants is her first in our best and so when we offer financial to him. I'm not trying to meet the financial media has him trying to say, God, this represents me embracing the cross. Like you, embrace it for me a few weeks ago I brought up the story of Jim Elliott Nate saying in a group we call the alkyl five might be the most significant missionary story the last century basically goes like this. In 1956, after a few years of trying to reach one of the most unreached and violent tribes in Ecuador.

The Alta Indians Jim Elliott and for the men landed the little plane on a beach nearby. Without the state in order to establish contact.

The first meeting between these five men in this tribe went pretty well, but at their second meeting on January 8, 1956, a group of alkyl warriors stabbed the five men with spears until they were dead and left their bodies floating in the river.

I told you the story is a beautiful ending because a few years later the men's wives and their children continue the effort of of reaching this tribe and eventually they not only establish contact. They built schools and hospitals and taught them the Bible. In fact, I told you on those beautiful stories of Grace Steve saying he was the son of one of the men who was murdered led the man who murdered his dad to Christ and baptized him and then adopted this man into their family as the surrogate grandfather for his children to replace the one that this man killed. But here's the part of the story that most people don't know the moment that Jim Elliott Nate saying Roger to Darren and the other two guys were murdered. All five men were armed. They had loaded guns with them, but when they recovered their bodies.

Later they saw that not a single shot had been fired in fact one of the recovered journals. Jim Elliott reported that the five men had decided a few days before that they would never fire a shot at these tribesmen for any reason whatsoever.

Is Steve saying would explain later. He said my dad knew that if he died he go to heaven. He also knew that if the man attacking him, died they would not go to heaven so we thought it appropriate to do for others what Jesus had done for him and that is when it came time to do battle. He would give his life not take it so he refused to shoot, you see the church, the true church is built not to the power of the sword is built to the power of the cross, rubbing another story which branch Rickey famously tells Jackie Robinson that if he wants to really change the world is going to not have the strength to fight back but he's going to have to have the strength to not fight back, at least not to fight hate with hate so, because then you will show the world that there is someone capital as someone behind this cause greater than you, and ultimately that spirit is what turned the tide. Because the power of the kingdom, the power to change begin with.

Were talking about a spouse shouldn't treat you correctly, or were talking about enemy that wants to kill you the power of true change kingdom power comes not to coercion.

It comes through grace we love because he first loved us. Be kind tenderhearted to one another.

Another forgiving one another, just as God in Christ forgave you to see.

In short, I pull out the sword, Peter shows that he didn't get the cross in that way.

Ironically, he's got a lot in common with Judas and Peter and Judas will give first letter on opposite sides, don't they. Judas betrayed Jesus. Peter defends it.

They actually suffer from the same core problem either understand that suffering is central to the Christian mission.

Judas wants to send Jesus to the cross to get rid of them.

Peter wants to keep Jesus from the cross to protect them either.

Understand that the cross is why Jesus came because Jesus had to take the cup of God's wrath. The only way to deliver us from the sword was a step under it for as it was the only way in the same way they were going to extend salvation of the world is not by conquering and amassing power is by giving it away is by living like Jesus live and see the power of the cross flow to us just as it flowed to him. True salvation is not something we cannot see it is something we must receive the pleasing sight of very popular but extremely silly thing that all religions are teaching the same thing. They're not what Jesus did here was absolutely unique. Do not insult him by saying otherwise what Jesus taught was you can't save yourself some to do it for you and I want you to lay down your life for others the way that I lay my life out for you. Jesus went to the garden alone so that he could purchase salvation for use. We could drink your cup and barrier sort. The question that you have to ask yourself is, have you ever received that you received it and had you responded to the right way to it by beginning to love and serve others like to serve you until this passage is not in there for me to become cute and creative with this is there to confront you with what Jesus didn't ask you responded in the right way.

This is my Pastor JD Greer turbulent times we live in. With the invasion of Russian forces into Ukraine Ukrainian Baptist theological seminary has actually halted classes and is now focusing on providing humanitarian aid to those fleeing west toward Poland in the city of Levine you BTS volunteers are caring for their physical, spiritual and emotional needs by providing food, shelter and medical care, clothing, and relocation assistance as well as prayer and counseling. We've chosen to partner with them this week enjoying the relief effort in a tangible way 50% of every dollar donated this week will be used to meet needs that are emerging from the war in Ukraine and as I think you will send you our newest resource a book titled listener had devotions from the parables of Jesus by Pastor JD ask for your copy when you donate today by calling 866-335-5228 663-3552 training or if it's easier you can get online. JD Greer.com before we close. Let me remind you that heart I met for our day is the best way to stay on today with Pastor JD's latest plan will also make sure you never miss it's quick and easy to find JD clear.com hi Molly, that event inviting you to join us again tomorrow is our journey to the cross here on my