Salt of the Earth....

Matthew 5:13 KJV - Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.


Have you ever wondered what Jesus meant when He said "Ye are the salt of the earth"? It is something that I could not really understand for some time. I had heard that since salt is a preservative, that is what it meant. That really did not make complete sense to me, but then I heard a Bible teacher explain it in a way that made a lot of sense to me. ( I am sorry I cannot remember the name of the Bible teacher.) Anyway,  I would like to share it with you here on my blog.

SALT - ( brambleberry.com )

We all know that salt makes us thirsty. So that is what Jesus is referring to here in Matthew 5:13. As we live our Christian life, we will come in contact with people who are saved and others who are not saved. If we have the Holy Spirit dwelling inside of us, are giving off that salty taste ....we will be people who encourage others to a closer walk with the Lord also. We are salt and are helping others to become thirsty for the Lord and to be in a better and closer relationship with Him.  On the other hand, if we are carnal Christians, dabbling in sin and not serious about our walk with the Lord, we are salt that has lost it's salty flavor and we are not helping those who we come in contact with to thirst for the Lord and His Word.  Jesus says such salt that has lost it's salty taste is no use to Him.

Think about it.....


Matthew 5:13 ERV -  “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its taste, it cannot be made salty again. Salt is useless if it loses its salty taste. It will be thrown out where people will just walk on it.

The Great Commission - Matthew 28

November 17.2013
Our church has been going through the book of Matthew. This is our final Sunday in this study. 

The text for today's sermon was Matthew 28:16-20 and reads as follows 

 Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them.

17 And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted.

18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.

19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

Pastor Ben was our speaker today and I thought he preached a good sermon. Here are the notes I took from the sermon.

We have spent 4 and 1/2 years in the book of Matthew. This is longer than the disciples even spent with Jesus.

The Great Commission is found with in our text today.

Verse 18 - And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.

All authority in heaven and in earth is given to Jesus, including in the spiritual realm.

Jesus is King, Jesus has all authority.

In our study of the book of Matthew we have learned that Jesus has authority over:

*over religion

*over the Sabbath

*over the temple

*in interpreting Scripture in His teachings

*over the spiritual realm

*in authority over demons

*in authority over the angels

*over nature - He walked on water, and calmed the storm

 the wind and waves obey Him

* over sickness - He healed the sick

* Authority over death itself - He was buried but now has been raised from the dead, raised to new life

We worship the Lord God Almighty!!

Go and Make Disciples of All Nations

Verse 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations

This is the fabric of our church.

It is not about running programs.

Up until this time only Jesus has been making disciples. Now He gives this job to the church.

Jesus has the authority and sends us out. God works in partnership with people. A good example of this is Moses.

God is moving to make things right.

God involves us in putting the world to right. We are not called to only watch from the sidelines and cheer but we are to partner with Him.

How to Make Disciples

GO - intentional going

TO ALL NATIONS - not everyone is called to go across the ocean but we are all called to mission and to support missions.

TO REACH THE ENDS OF THE EARTH - We do not exist just for ourselves. We exist to do greater, to extend the Kingdom, to make disciples in all the world.

GO is for all of us.

BE intentional everywhere you go - at home, at school, at work, with friends - You have been sent.

Baptism - baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

Baptism is a public declaration that you are on God's side, a declaration " I will follow Jesus"!

Making disciples of Jesus involves inviting people to come to Jesus  through words and by your lifestyle.

In order to be able to make disciples you must first be a disciple yourself.

Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: 

Live out the teachings of Jesus in your daily life. Become fixated on the teachings and the life of Jesus.

The main message of the Sermon on the Mount is - Don't use people as objects that you can use to get pleasure from for yourself. 

Live in love.

Jesus invites us to experience life and to teach it to others.

Talk about it with your friends, with the people around you and in your family.

Verse 17 - And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted.

Who was it that doubted? What are they doubting? We can only speculate. Perhaps they doubted whether Jesus had actually risen. Many of them had not seen Jesus alive yet. The word doubt may also mean to hesitate. The disciple remember how they desserted Jesus, left Him to face the trial and death alone. They know they completely blew it and can't imagine why Jesus would now send them out with to all the nations.

Verse 20 - lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

Jesus is with us. He will never leave us. It is His promise to us. Jesus has all authority.

The Resurrection of Christ - Matthew Series

Our church has been studying the book of Matthew and now we come to Matthew 28:1-15. I will post the text verses followed by the notes I took during the church service. Pastor Ben was our speaker.

Matthew 28:1-15 ( from biblegateway.com )

 Now after the Sabbath, as the first day of the week began to dawn, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb. 2 And behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat on it. 3 His countenance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow. 4 And the guards shook for fear of him, and became like dead men.5 But the angel answered and said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. 6 He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. 7 And go quickly and tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead, and indeed He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him. Behold, I have told you.”8 So they went out quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to bring His disciples word. 9 And as they went to tell His disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, “Rejoice!” So they came and held Him by the feet and worshiped Him. 10 Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell My brethren to go to Galilee, and there they will see Me.”11 Now while they were going, behold, some of the guard came into the city and reported to the chief priests all the things that had happened. 12 When they had assembled with the elders and consulted together, they gave a large sum of money to the soldiers, 13 saying, “Tell them, ‘His disciples came at night and stole Him away while we slept.’ 14 And if this comes to the governor’s ears, we will appease him and make you secure.” 15 So they took the money and did as they were instructed; and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day.

Now to the notes I took:

The Resurrection of Jesus - What does this mean for us today? What relevance does it have for our lives?

If there was no resurrection, the message of the cross would be meaningless. We would still be stuck in our sins.

BUT Jesus is alive, He has been raised from the dead.

We can experience His presence in our lives today!

Jesus says that He is with us always to the end of the age.

 Matthew 28:20  and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.

The Christian life being in relationship with Jesus - inviting Jesus to be present in our lives, we experience Him, He loves us and we love Him.

He is always there for me.

Who in our Bible passage got to experience this relationship with Jesus?

Mary and the other Mary did.

The guards do not - they saw the empty tomb but they did not experience the presence of Jesus. The guards are not open to see what God is doing.

It is by the grace of God that we can experience this with Jesus - 

Ephesians 2:8-9  For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,  not of works, lest anyone should boast.

The Lord Jesus is alive. He is present with us!

He is our LORD - we honor Him when we use the title - LORD Jesus.

Revelation 19:16  - And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written:

KING OF KINGS AND
LORD OF LORDS.

The resurrection confirms this - there is no other Saviour or Lord, our LORD Jesus is the only One.

Romans 10:9 -  that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.

Surrender to the LORD Jesus.

Jesus is LORD, there is no other!

The Cross - the defining moment for Christianity

November 3, 2013 - Sunday Sermon Review

Our church is studying through the entire book of Matthew. We are in Matthew 27:32-66. Below the text I will post the sermon notes that I took as the Pastor spoke.

 The text reads as follows:

The King on a Cross (taken from biblegateway.com )

32 Now as they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name. Him they compelled to bear His cross. 33 And when they had come to a place called Golgotha, that is to say, Place of a Skull,34 they gave Him sour wine mingled with gall to drink. But when He had tasted it, He would not drink.

35 Then they crucified Him, and divided His garments, casting lots, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet:

“They divided My garments among them,
And for My clothing they cast lots.”

36 Sitting down, they kept watch over Him there. 37 And they put up over His head the accusation written against Him:

THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS.

38 Then two robbers were crucified with Him, one on the right and another on the left.

39 And those who passed by blasphemed Him, wagging their heads 40 and saying, “You who destroy the temple and build it in three days, save Yourself! If You are the Son of God, come down from the cross.”

41 Likewise the chief priests also, mocking with the scribes and elders,[d] said, 42 “He saved others; Himself He cannot save. If He is the King of Israel, let Him now come down from the cross, and we will believe Him.[f] 43 He trusted in God; let Him deliver Him now if He will have Him; for He said, ‘I am the Son of God.’”

44 Even the robbers who were crucified with Him reviled Him with the same thing.

Jesus Dies on the Cross

45 Now from the sixth hour until the ninth hour there was darkness over all the land. 46 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” that is, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”

47 Some of those who stood there, when they heard that, said, “This Man is calling for Elijah!”48 Immediately one of them ran and took a sponge, filled it with sour wine and put it on a reed, and offered it to Him to drink.

49 The rest said, “Let Him alone; let us see if Elijah will come to save Him.”

50 And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and yielded up His spirit.

51 Then, behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth quaked, and the rocks were split, 52 and the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised; 53 and coming out of the graves after His resurrection, they went into the holy city and appeared to many.

54 So when the centurion and those with him, who were guarding Jesus, saw the earthquake and the things that had happened, they feared greatly, saying, “Truly this was the Son of God!”

55 And many women who followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering to Him, were there looking on from afar, 56 among whom were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedee’s sons.

Jesus Buried in Joseph’s Tomb

57 Now when evening had come, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who himself had also become a disciple of Jesus. 58 This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded the body to be given to him. 59 When Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, 60 and laid it in his new tomb which he had hewn out of the rock; and he rolled a large stone against the door of the tomb, and departed. 61 And Mary Magdalene was there, and the other Mary, sitting opposite the tomb.

Pilate Sets a Guard

62 On the next day, which followed the Day of Preparation, the chief priests and Pharisees gathered together to Pilate, 63 saying, “Sir, we remember, while He was still alive, how that deceiver said,‘After three days I will rise.’ 64 Therefore command that the tomb be made secure until the third day, lest His disciples come by night and steal Him away, and say to the people, ‘He has risen from the dead.’ So the last deception will be worse than the first.”

65 Pilate said to them, “You have a guard; go your way, make it as secure as you know how.” 66 So they went and made the tomb secure, sealing the stone and setting the guard.

Here are the notes I took as the Pastor presented his sermon:

The cross is the defining moment for Christianity.

1 Corinthians 2:2 says For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.

It is more than a tragic death.

It is the most transforming moment of human history.

More so than the creation of the world, more so than the fall where Adam and Eve rejected God, though both of these events change everything.

The cross changes everything.

Jesus the Son of God ( being fully human and fully God ) died on the cross to save us.

1 Corinthians 1:23  but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness,

Jesus died a cursed and shameful death.

This is foolishness to the Greeks, the Romans - The Romans with their mighty army worshiped Zeus the god of the storms. No one would consider or try to kill and crucify the Roman god - for fear of being struck by a lightening bolt.

Why would Jesus do this for us - why would He die for us?

We come with a sense of wonder and awe to the cross of Jesus.

It is God's expression of love for us.

Romans 5:8  But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

1 John 3:16  By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.

Ever wonder "Does God love me?" Look to the cross, there is your answer.

God cares about us.

The cross brings us forgiveness of sin, He carries our sin, He bore them on the cross.

1 Peter 3:18 For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit,

Jesus takes all the garbage of our life. God looks on us in forgiveness.

Jesus paid an awful price for our sin.

Our sins do not need to define us.

They are there, but God forgives and uses them to shape us.

Jesus saves, He rescues and delivers us.

He does even more - He draws us into the presence of God.

The curtain of the temple was torn from the top to the bottom.

We are all welcome to come into the Presence of God.

Adam and Eve were driven from the garden. The consequence of sin is to be removed from the presence of God.

Jesus took that upon Himself - "My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”

We are the temple of the Holy Spirit.

We have a choice to make - we can accept or reject what Jesus has done for us. We have the freedom to make that choice ( heaven or hell )

Sunday Sermon Review - Matthew 27:1-31 ( Judas kills himself )

Our church is going through the entire book of Matthew. Our Pastors are preaching through the whole book. We are in Matthew 27. I am taking notes each Sunday. So here are my notes on this sermon. Pastor Kellin was preaching.

Here are my notes: I posted the text at the bottom of the page for your easy reference.

The passage today includes the story where Judas Iscariot commits suicide. How does one preach on this passage?

Last week we looked at the betrayal. Even though Judas betrayed Jesus, Jesus still calls him "friend".
Peter has denied Jesus.
Jesus is alone. The disciples have scattered. His close friends are not with him.
Jesus has been interrogated. The decision to kill him has been made.
Judas sees what is happening, he is filled with remorse. What else did he think the outcome would be??

Maybe Judas had not expected Jesus to still call him "friend". The money he got ( the 30 pieces of silver ) was no longer worth it. Jesus has been condemned and Judas is filled with sorrow.
Judas wants to make wrong things right. Judas goes back to the temple. He wants to confess that he has sinned. He comes to the temple to find forgiveness but instead he receives condemnation from the priests saying "what is that to us?" 
Judas is turned away. Judas is filled with shame and guilt and is offered nothing.
We are saddened by the story of Judas, it has such a tragic ending. Jesus came to bring deliverance but Judas does not experience it.

1) Judas - God's kingdom is offering forgiveness. We can relate to Judas. Sometimes we cannot find it in our hearts to forgive ourselves.
2)  Caiaphas - is a gatekeeper of forgiveness but does not extend it. We can relate to Caiaphas. Sometimes we don't extend forgiveness to others as we should.

Jesus is brought before Pilate.
They wanted the death penalty for Him.
Pilate knew Jesus is innocent. - verse 18
Pilate hopes for a way to release Jesus. He offers Barabbas or Jesus to be freed. They choose Barabbas. With the condemnation of Jesus comes the freedom of Barabbas.

Sinners are set free through the condemnation and death of Jesus.
This is the essence - Jesus came to set sinners free! Not because we deserve it - we don't.
Where are we today? Are we having trouble forgiving ourselves and others. We feel like we are cornered. 
We are the gatekeepers to extend forgiveness to others who have offended us. Are we keeping them at arm's distance or are will willing to extend forgiveness?
The kingdom of God is extended when we accept forgiveness and offer it to others!

Matthew 27:1-31When the morning was come, all the chief priests and elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death:2 And when they had bound him, they led him away, and delivered him to Pontius Pilate the governor.3 Then Judas, which had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders,4 Saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they said, What is that to us? see thou to that.5 And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself.6 And the chief priests took the silver pieces, and said, It is not lawful for to put them into the treasury, because it is the price of blood.7 And they took counsel, and bought with them the potter's field, to bury strangers in.8 Wherefore that field was called, The field of blood, unto this day.9 Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying, And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of him that was valued, whom they of the children of Israel did value;10 And gave them for the potter's field, as the Lord appointed me.11 And Jesus stood before the governor: and the governor asked him, saying, Art thou the King of the Jews? And Jesus said unto him, Thou sayest.12 And when he was accused of the chief priests and elders, he answered nothing.13 Then said Pilate unto him, Hearest thou not how many things they witness against thee?14 And he answered him to never a word; insomuch that the governor marvelled greatly.15 Now at that feast the governor was wont to release unto the people a prisoner, whom they would.16 And they had then a notable prisoner, called Barabbas.17 Therefore when they were gathered together, Pilate said unto them, Whom will ye that I release unto you? Barabbas, or Jesus which is called Christ?18 For he knew that for envy they had delivered him.19 When he was set down on the judgment seat, his wife sent unto him, saying, Have thou nothing to do with that just man: for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of him.20 But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitude that they should ask Barabbas, and destroy Jesus.21 The governor answered and said unto them, Whether of the twain will ye that I release unto you? They said, Barabbas.22 Pilate saith unto them, What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ? They all say unto him, Let him be crucified.23 And the governor said, Why, what evil hath he done? But they cried out the more, saying, Let him be crucified.24 When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye to it.25 Then answered all the people, and said, His blood be on us, and on our children.26 Then released he Barabbas unto them: and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified.27 Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the common hall, and gathered unto him the whole band of soldiers.28 And they stripped him, and put on him a scarlet robe.29 And when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put it upon his head, and a reed in his right hand: and they bowed the knee before him, and mocked him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews!30 And they spit upon him, and took the reed, and smote him on the head.31 And after that they had mocked him, they took the robe off from him, and put his own raiment on him, and led him away to crucify him.

Sunday Sermon Review Matthew 26

Our church has been going through the book of Matthew. We are in the latter part of chapter 26.
I have posted the text at the bottom of the page.
I have been taking notes as our Pastor has been preaching through the book of Matthew. Here are my sermon notes from this portion. Pastor Ben was speaking.

Jesus has been overwhelmed with sorrow. He agonizes over what He knows is going to happen. The disciples have been asleep and Jesus wakes them. 


Jesus is Betrayed
Jesus is still speaking when Judas one of his closest companions comes with a multitude of people to arrest Jesus. Judas is one of Jesus' handpicked disciples and has preached and seen Jesus do all His miracles. Judas sells Him out for a bit of money. Judas betrays Jesus and does so with a kiss.

Jesus is Abandoned
The disciples had pledged to stick with Jesus through everything. They had promised to even die with him. Peter volunteers to fight for Jesus but Jesus rebukes him. The disciples all abandon Jesus.

Jesus is Unjustly Condemned
The Jewish leaders look for a way and a reason to kill Jesus.
There is a conflict of power between the High Priest Caiaphas and Jesus. Messiah means the Anointed One and Caiaphas is an anointed High Priest. 

Jesus is Denied by Peter
Peter really did love Jesus. He had followed Jesus wholeheartedly. Jesus demands our complete allegiance including in the area of money and possessions.
Are we any different than Peter? What are we willing to do to protect our social status and our reputation. This is what Peter is trying to do.

Jesus walks into this because of His love for us. Romans 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

Jesus is not a helpless victim, He embraces this for us.
Jesus is in complete control.
Jesus still calls Judas "friend".


Jesus' hand of invitation is still stretched out to us!

Matthew 26: 46 - 7546 Rise, let us be going: behold, he is at hand that doth betray me.47 And while he yet spake, lo, Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and elders of the people.48 Now he that betrayed him gave them a sign, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he: hold him fast.49 And forthwith he came to Jesus, and said, Hail, master; and kissed him.50 And Jesus said unto him, Friend, wherefore art thou come? Then came they, and laid hands on Jesus and took him.51 And, behold, one of them which were with Jesus stretched out his hand, and drew his sword, and struck a servant of the high priest's, and smote off his ear.52 Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.53 Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels?54 But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be?55 In that same hour said Jesus to the multitudes, Are ye come out as against a thief with swords and staves for to take me? I sat daily with you teaching in the temple, and ye laid no hold on me.56 But all this was done, that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. Then all the disciples forsook him, and fled.57 And they that had laid hold on Jesus led him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were assembled.58 But Peter followed him afar off unto the high priest's palace, and went in, and sat with the servants, to see the end.59 Now the chief priests, and elders, and all the council, sought false witness against Jesus, to put him to death;60 But found none: yea, though many false witnesses came, yet found they none. At the last came two false witnesses,61 And said, This fellow said, I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to build it in three days.62 And the high priest arose, and said unto him, Answerest thou nothing? what is it which these witness against thee?63 But Jesus held his peace, And the high priest answered and said unto him, I adjure thee by the living God, that thou tell us whether thou be the Christ, the Son of God.64 Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.65 Then the high priest rent his clothes, saying, He hath spoken blasphemy; what further need have we of witnesses? behold, now ye have heard his blasphemy.66 What think ye? They answered and said, He is guilty of death.67 Then did they spit in his face, and buffeted him; and others smote him with the palms of their hands,68 Saying, Prophesy unto us, thou Christ, Who is he that smote thee?69 Now Peter sat without in the palace: and a damsel came unto him, saying, Thou also wast with Jesus of Galilee.70 But he denied before them all, saying, I know not what thou sayest.71 And when he was gone out into the porch, another maid saw him, and said unto them that were there, This fellow was also with Jesus of Nazareth.72 And again he denied with an oath, I do not know the man.73 And after a while came unto him they that stood by, and said to Peter, Surely thou also art one of them; for thy speech bewrayeth thee.74 Then began he to curse and to swear, saying, I know not the man. And immediately the cock crew.75 And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly.

Watch and Pray - Sunday Sermon Review

Sunday Sermon Review from my home church I attend regularly. We are continuing on in our Matthew series. This Sunday's sermon was from Matthew 26: 31 - 46 with the focus verse 41 being verse where it says:   Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.


Matthew 36: 31-46 

31 Then saith Jesus unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad.

32 But after I am risen again, I will go before you into Galilee.

33 Peter answered and said unto him, Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended.

34 Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice.

35 Peter said unto him, Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee. Likewise also said all the disciples.

36 Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder.

37 And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy.

38 Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me.

39 And he went a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.

40 And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour?

41 Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.

42 He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done.

43 And he came and found them asleep again: for their eyes were heavy.

44 And he left them, and went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words.

45 Then cometh he to his disciples, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.

46 Rise, let us be going: behold, he is at hand that doth betray me.

Here are my sermon notes:

We have come to the climax of the book of Matthew. The darkest part of a story is the climax.

Things don't always work out as we had hoped or expected. There is loss of hope and we experience pain.

Jesus went to the garden of Gethsemane to pray. He is troubled and He is sorrowful. He calls on the disciples to pray with him. They fall asleep though He urges them to "watch and pray!" These are words for all of us - Watch and Pray!

How do we watch and pray?

We must remember that when we pray we are calling out to our Heavenly Father - our Abba that is our "Daddy".

We are to pour out our heart to our Heavenly Father.

Why would you hold back? Our Heavenly Father has a furious love for his children.

Jesus prays " nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt".  Jesus is driven to glorify God. He has learned obedience as a Son as we learn in Hebrews 5:8  Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;

How can it be the Father's will that Jesus would suffer?

Jesus is fully human and fully God. Jesus chose to suffer and die for us out of love for us. The human side of Jesus does not want to go through this but He prays "  not as I will, but as thou wilt". He submits to the will of our Heavenly Father.

Prayer is about coming to accept the will of the Father.

Bring everything to Him. We need to have the same attitude as Jesus had.

Some people resist submitting to the Father.

Our flesh needs to die -  our flesh needs to be exposed. We need to walk in the Spirit.

Jesus is overwhelmed to the point of death. He pleads for a different way but He submits to the will of the Father.

Ask your Heavenly Father for protection from temptation.

To watch means you make a plan to help you to avoid falling to the temptations. Do what it takes to remain faithful to our Lord Jesus, to remain faithful to the will of our Father in Heaven.

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I once heart Woodrow Kroll pray this pray and I thought I would make it my own: 

Heavenly Father - Your will be done, nothing more, nothing less, nothing else.

Amen