Embracing Growth Through Trials in Gethsemane
Summary
In today's sermon, we focused on the significance of the Garden of Gethsemane and the powerful lessons it imparts for our spiritual journey. We began by acknowledging the importance of the church as a beacon of light in a dark world, emphasizing the need to respond in obedience to God's work in our lives. We then transitioned into preparing our hearts for the Lord's Supper, an ordinance Jesus Christ himself instituted for us to remember His sacrifice.
As we delved into the Gospel of Matthew chapter 26, we reflected on the spiritual highs in our lives, those moments where we've encountered God in a profound way. We paralleled these experiences with Jesus' time in the Garden of Gethsemane, where He faced immense pressure and sorrow, yet submitted to the Father's will. This garden, a place of olive pressing, symbolizes the pressing of life that brings out the 'good oil' from within us, the essence of our faith and character.
We explored the concept of dying to ourselves, as Jesus did, to grow spiritually. We must be willing to let go of our desires and agendas, humbling ourselves before God. We also discussed the importance of being honest about our struggles and the trials we face, just as Jesus was honest with His disciples about His sorrow.
Furthermore, we emphasized the necessity of prayer, especially during our toughest trials. Jesus prayed fervently, modeling the need to prioritize prayer in our lives. We were encouraged to go a little farther in our prayers, seeking God's will over our own.
As we prepared for the Lord's Supper, we were reminded of the significance of Jesus' body and blood, shed for our sins. We were called to examine ourselves, repent, and align our hearts with God's will before partaking in this sacred act.
Finally, we were challenged to consider how we respond when we are 'pressed' by life's trials. Do we exhibit defiance or compliance, chaos or peace, disobedience or obedience? It is through surrendering to God's will that we find true peace and growth.
Key Takeaways:
- The Garden of Gethsemane teaches us that spiritual growth often occurs through trials and tribulations. As Jesus was pressed to the point of sweating blood, we too are pressed by life's challenges, which can bring out the best in us if we allow God to work through them. [41:20]
- Dying to ourselves is a daily practice that aligns us with Christ's example. It is in the act of submission and humility, where we lay our desires down and seek God's will, that we find true resurrection power to overcome the gardens of persecution and pressure in our lives. [52:37]
- Honesty in prayer, as demonstrated by Jesus, is crucial. He openly expressed His desire to avoid suffering, yet He was willing to endure it for our sake. We too must be honest with God about our struggles, trusting that His grace is sufficient for us. [57:37]
- Prayer must be a priority, not just a last resort. Jesus' repeated prayers in the garden show us the importance of persistent, fervent prayer, especially when facing life's pressing moments. Our prayers should reflect a heart willing to accept God's will over our own. [01:08:55]
- Embracing God's will requires a conscious decision to set aside our plans in favor of His greater purpose. As we face the gardens of life, we must remember that Jesus' submission to the Father's will led to our salvation. In the same way, our surrender can lead to spiritual breakthroughs and growth. [01:01:22]
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
Matthew 26:36-46 (NIV)
> 36 Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” 37 He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. 38 Then he said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.”
>
> 39 Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.”
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> 40 Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Couldn’t you men keep watch with me for one hour?” he asked Peter. 41 “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
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> 42 He went away a second time and prayed, “My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done.”
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> 43 When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. 44 So he left them and went away once more and prayed the third time, saying the same thing.
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> 45 Then he returned to the disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Look, the hour has come, and the Son of Man is delivered into the hands of sinners. 46 Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer!”
### Observation Questions
1. What emotions did Jesus express to His disciples in the Garden of Gethsemane? ([46:01])
2. How many times did Jesus pray the same prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane? ([47:06])
3. What did Jesus find His disciples doing when He returned from praying? ([46:26])
4. What specific instruction did Jesus give to His disciples while He prayed? ([46:31])
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think Jesus took Peter, James, and John further into the garden with Him? What does this signify about their relationship? ([45:21])
2. How does Jesus’ repeated prayer in the garden reflect His human struggle and submission to God’s will? ([47:06])
3. What can we learn from Jesus’ instruction to His disciples to "watch and pray" in the context of facing temptation and trials? ([46:31])
4. How does the Garden of Gethsemane experience illustrate the concept of being "pressed" by life's challenges and the resulting spiritual growth? ([41:20])
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt immense pressure or sorrow. How did you respond, and how might you respond differently in light of Jesus’ example in Gethsemane? ([46:01])
2. Jesus prayed fervently and repeatedly during His trial. How can you incorporate more persistent and honest prayer into your daily life, especially during tough times? ([47:06])
3. Jesus was honest about His struggles with His closest disciples. How can you be more open about your own struggles with trusted friends or family members? ([46:01])
4. In what areas of your life do you need to "go a little farther" in prayer and submission to God’s will? ([46:11])
5. Consider the concept of dying to yourself daily. What specific desires or agendas do you need to let go of to align more closely with God’s will? ([52:02])
6. How can you make prayer a priority in your life, not just a last resort? What practical steps can you take to ensure you are seeking God’s will regularly? ([01:08:55])
7. When faced with life’s pressing moments, do you tend to exhibit defiance or compliance, chaos or peace, disobedience or obedience? How can you cultivate a heart of surrender to God’s will? ([01:04:03])
Devotional
Day 1: Growth Through Trials
Trials in life are not merely obstacles; they are opportunities for spiritual growth and the development of our faith. Just as the Garden of Gethsemane was a place of immense pressure for Jesus, it is often in our most challenging moments that our true character is revealed. When we are 'pressed' by the circumstances of life, we have the chance to let the 'good oil' of our faith emerge. This process is not easy—it can be as intense as the pressing of olives—but it is necessary for producing the richness of spiritual maturity. The Garden of Gethsemane teaches us that through our trials, if we allow God to work in us, we can bring out the best in ourselves, much like the pure oil that comes from pressed olives. [41:20]
James 1:2-4 ESV
"Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."
Reflection: Reflect on a recent trial you faced. How did it challenge your faith, and in what ways can you see it as an opportunity for growth rather than just an obstacle?
Day 2: The Practice of Self-Denial
Embracing the practice of dying to ourselves daily is a transformative journey that aligns us with Christ's example of humility and submission. This act of laying down our desires to seek God's will is where we find the resurrection power to overcome the gardens of persecution and pressure in our lives. It is a conscious choice to prioritize God's purpose over our own plans, and in doing so, we experience the true essence of spiritual life. As we learn to let go of our agendas and embrace God's will, we are shaped into the image of Christ, who perfectly modeled this self-denial for us. [52:37]
Luke 9:23-24 ESV
"And he said to all, 'If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.'"
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you struggle to deny yourself? How can you begin to practice self-denial in this area as a way to grow closer to Christ?
Day 3: Honesty in Prayer
Honesty in prayer is a vital aspect of our relationship with God. It is in the moments of deepest anguish and struggle that we must come before God with transparency, just as Jesus did in the Garden of Gethsemane. He did not shy away from expressing His desire to avoid suffering, yet He remained willing to endure it for the sake of humanity. In our own prayers, we should not mask our feelings or desires; instead, we should trust that God's grace is sufficient to carry us through any hardship. By being honest with God, we open ourselves up to His comforting presence and the peace that surpasses all understanding. [57:37]
2 Corinthians 12:9-10 ESV
"But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong."
Reflection: Can you identify a struggle or hardship you've been hesitant to bring to God in prayer? How can you approach Him with honesty today, trusting in His grace?
Day 4: Prioritizing Persistent Prayer
Prayer should be the cornerstone of our spiritual lives, not just a last resort in times of crisis. Jesus' repeated and fervent prayers in the Garden of Gethsemane exemplify the importance of persistent prayer. It is through such dedication to prayer that we can seek and accept God's will over our own, especially when faced with life's most pressing challenges. By prioritizing prayer, we maintain a lifeline to God, ensuring that our hearts are aligned with His and that we are fortified to face whatever comes our way. [01:08:55]
Colossians 4:2 ESV
"Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving."
Reflection: How can you make prayer a more integral part of your daily routine, and what specific situation in your life needs persistent prayer right now?
Day 5: Embracing God's Will
The ultimate act of spiritual maturity is embracing God's will, even when it diverges from our own plans. This requires a conscious decision to trust in God's greater purpose for our lives. As we face the gardens of life, we must remember that Jesus' submission to the Father's will led to the salvation of many. In the same way, our surrender can lead to spiritual breakthroughs and growth. It is through this surrender that we experience the peace and joy that come from being in harmony with God's will. [01:01:22]
Hebrews 12:1-2 ESV
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God."
Reflection: What is one aspect of your life where you need to embrace God's will more fully? What practical steps can you take to surrender this area to God?
Quotes
1) "because the things that are going to come out of us as we go not around the gardens of life but through them are the things that are going to make us victorious and have that true victory in Jesus you see we are going to learn how to embrace through the gardens of Gethsemane of our life and all of us here have endured gardens of Gethsemane in our lives" [43:51]
2) "when you pray pray as Jesus told you to pray go into that closet get on your knees and do business with God in a private and submissive way look at verse 38 a says these words then he said to them my soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death he was honest with his father and he was honest with these guys" [56:22]
3) "we will grow in the gardens when we learn to die to ourselves you see we know that when a seed grows in the ground that seed must die in the ground in order for it to experience life it is buried in the ground that's the picture that we see here look at verse 39 says these words going a little further he fell with his face to the ground and prayed" [52:37]
4) "you see this precious olive oil inside of these olives and when it is squeezed in your fruits so let me ask you a couple of questions is it compliance or defiance is it peace the result of that or is it chaos is it obedience or disobedience or is it God's will see I think sometimes we need to go in the garden and stay in the garden until we go through that garden not back out of that garden" [01:05:09]
5) "prayer must be a priority in the life of you individually prayer must be a priority in the life of your family because we will make a priority in this church here's a question what does your garden look like what garden are you going through right now you're going through a garden with your family you're going through a garden in your marriage maybe business deals maybe financially emotionally I don't know what's going on in your life but I'll tell you this if it's hurting and it's straining on you and you're experiencing pressure in your life can I tell you something you are going through a garden experience" [01:08:55]
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