Dead In The Garden
Resurrection Sunday 2018 • Sermon • Submitted
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Dead In The Garden
,
The Garden of Gethsemane. What a beautiful and poetic place in our minds, literature, songs, and all these last 2000 years.
The name Gethsemane comes from the root Aramaic word for “oil press”. It is filled with Olive Trees. Having been to Israel, and spent time in multiple Spanish locals, Lisa and I learned to love Olive Trees. They are such interesting trees. They go down into the ground and come back up from the roots over and over, year after year, which creates very gnarly interesting looking trunks. They produce beautiful wood, and of course the olive, and the oil.
The Garden of Gethsemane contains trees that still could be 2000 years old or more. They could be the very trees, or offshoots from the roots of the trees that Jesus would have prayed around and under.
It would seem that this place, this holy place, this quiet place, was a common place for Christ.
We know it as the place where he prayed, and the place where he was arrested
(Caravaggio painting)
The Garden of Gethsemane was not just the place that Jesus was betrayed, or the place where he was finally caught.
The Garden of Gethsemane gives us the picture and example of HOW to deal with the battles of Life.
Notice something that jumps out at me from this painting …
Judas, center, has just kissed Jesus on the cheek, the signal to arrest our Savior. John is on the left, running from the scene, but being held back by a guard.
Caravaggio, the artist, has placed himself on the far right, holding a lantern. There, center left is Jesus.
What I want you to see about Jesus is his posture.
He is passive.
He is not fighting, he is not fleeing.
Then notice, the light is falling on his hands.
His hands are clasped, fingers intertwined, I see a resoluteness in his hands.
He is committed to the task.
He is dead to himself
He is dead to death
He is already dead!
How do we fight the battles of obedience to complete the tasks of God?
How do we seek God's face and come out victorious?
How do Face even the Valley of the Shadow of Death, and find the strength and courage to go into it resolutely?
The Garden of Gethsemane was, in my opinion, the final battle that Christ faced on this earth.
The fake trial, the beatings, the mocking, the taunting, the cross, were NOT a battle for Christ.
Of course, they were Physically demanding and painful, but there was NO doubt that he would continue and finish what he set out to do.
Look at his hands …
The key to that Resolve was the Victory that was won in The Garden.
Christ had shared the Passover meal with his disciples. Then he made the late evening walk with his disciples giving them his final teachings on The Vine and the Branches, and the coming of the Holy Spirit.
He prayed in their presence for Unity of his people.
Then he goes to The Garden.
READ
and
Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he told the disciples, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” Taking along Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to be sorrowful and troubled. He said to them, “I am deeply grieved to the point of death. Remain here and stay awake with me.” Going a little farther, he fell facedown and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.”
Then he came to the disciples and found them sleeping. He asked Peter, “So, couldn’t you stay awake with me one hour? Stay awake and pray, so that you won’t enter into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
Again, a second time, he went away and prayed, “My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done.” And he came again and found them sleeping, because they could not keep their eyes open.
After leaving them, he went away again and prayed a third time, saying the same thing once more. Then he came to the disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? See, the time is near. The Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Get up; let’s go. See, my betrayer is near.”
He went out and made his way as usual to the Mount of Olives, and the disciples followed him. When he reached the place, he told them, “Pray that you may not fall into temptation.” Then he withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, knelt down, and began to pray, “Father, if you are willing, take this cup away from me—nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.”
What is the Battle that you face Today?
The Garden is the Place to fight the battle.
Our time with the Lord gives us the power for the battles of life.
The battles are NOT won on the playing field, on the contrary, they are won as we wrestle with ourselves, and with God, and gain the victory and resolution to go on in obedience to his will.
When we've surrendered to his will, we will not give in to defeat, discouragement, or the devil.
Jesus and his disciples were BOTH in the Garden
They were BOTH to be praying … but the disciples SLEPT …
What was the difference?
1) Understanding God’s Plan – Jesus didn’t go into the garden wondering what to do. He knew because he had been in the garden before. He knew the plan. So, in the garden, now, he was praying for strength and certainty, NOT deliverance. Oh, the flesh wanted deliverance, “Father If …” but the other difference, Jesus had
2) A Strong Spirit and a Strong Flesh – We want to cop out and say, “oh, I’m just not strong enough … but the strength of the flesh comes from strengthening and committing the Spirit to the God-revealed plans. The disciples were weak because they had NOT spent the time in the Garden BEFORE. They were driven by selfish desires and felt needs. They were driven by what THEY wanted, an earthly kingdom, notoriety, etc. They didn’t know the plans and purposes of God.
What is the Garden?
The Garden is a Place of Passion
The Garden is a Place of Passion
"fell face down"
"sweat drops of blood"
The Garden is a Common Place
The Garden is a Common Place
- "Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives … 40 on reaching the place …"
This was NOT a just because he knew that he was going to die tomorrow.
This was common action, common place, common practice for Christ.
It was common when he faced critical decisions, it was common when he had a battle to face, it was common for him to relate to the Father through passionate prayer and surrender.
With God, in prayer, is not the last resort, it is the first and common place for us.
The Posture of the Garden is one of Surrender
The Posture of the Garden is one of Surrender
- for Jesus we know that he knelt, we also know that he ended up on his face.
Those are postures of humility and surrender to a Sovereign.
They are postures of great anguish, and deep desire for gracious favor of our Sovereign.
- For the disciples, he told them to pray, but in the lateness of the night and their exhaustion, they fell asleep and so he told them to "get up and pray".
- if the posture you are in is causing you to struggle in prayer, find another position, it's not as much about the posture, but it is about surrender.
- if kneeling or being on your face causes you to surrender to sleep, then stand, walk, pray out loud, but take a position where you can surrender to God.
says Jesus - "offered up prayers … with loud cries and tears … and he was heard because of his reverent submission". He wasn’t heard because of position, but because of passion.
The Garden is a Place - where we Recognize God’s Power and Position
The Garden is a Place - where we Recognize God’s Power and Position
- where we Recognize His Power - "… all things are possible"
- Where we Recognize His Position - "Abba, Father" –
Not My Will But Yours, You Are Boss,
You Are Leading, I Am Following
Abba - (Aramaic) was the personal intimate way to relate to Father, i.e. "daddy"
Father - (Greek - pater) The formal address to the parent, ancestor, source of being, prototype, priest
We could amplify this phrase more Fully here,
"My Dearest Daddy, Father from whom I have my physical life, my spiritual being, whom I recognize as the source of everything I know, and the final authority on all matters, …"
When you Come to the Garden, bring Your Desires, but Be Prepared to Surrender to HIS
Ok, this is nice inspirational stuff, pastor, but …
So, What Do WE do in the Garden?
IN THE GARDEN …
1. The Armor of God is Put On
1. The Armor of God is Put On
(CSB)
10 Finally, be strengthened by the Lord and by his vast strength. 11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this darkness, against evil, spiritual forces in the heavens. 13 For this reason take up the full armor of God, so that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having prepared everything, to take your stand. 14 Stand, therefore, with truth like a belt around your waist, righteousness like armor on your chest, 15 and your feet sandaled with readiness for the gospel of peace. 16 In every situation take up the shield of faith with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit—which is the word of God. 18 Pray at all times in the Spirit with every prayer and request, and stay alert with all perseverance and intercession for all the saints.
You have the Armor of God at your disposal, but you MUST put it ON
When the battle starts you will be vulnerable if you don't already have your armor on.
It's tough getting dressed into armor while you are being attacked.
What’s the Armor?
- Breastplate of Righteousness
- Belt of Truth
- Shoes Preparation of the Gospel
- Shield of Faith
- Helmet of Salvation
- Sword of the Spirit
How do you put it on?
Prayer
says, Pray in the Spirit on all occasions, With all kinds of prayer, and all kinds of requests i.e. "about everything"
“Pray On” Each Piece of the Armor, and its Characteristics of Protection and Offense.
Lord, I take up the Breastplate of Righteousness, may the righteousness of Christ protect my heart, and vital organs. I put on the belt of Truth. May the truth of God be the buckling point that keeps my armor in place and guards my deep set places and passions in check and protected. I stand on a grounding in the word of God and a commitment to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I hold up faith as my shield. I will hide behind the victorious Cross of Christ that has won every victory for me and allow him to lead me in a triumphal procession of Victory. I take up the Word of God as my only weapon of offense. I will not use it recklessly or selfishly. I will not make it say what I want, but will allow it to speak for itself and defend me. Over all, I put on the helmet of Salvation, the mind of Christ. May his attitude of selfless service, humility, and commitment, be my attitude and mind. Lord, today I am prepared for the battles that will come and I walk with you, for you, and live toward your glory, Amen
Also, IN THE GARDEN …
2. Discouragement Is Banished and Strength is Imparted
2. Discouragement Is Banished and Strength is Imparted
A. Discouragement is Banished
A. Discouragement is Banished
Why do we get discouraged?
We feel like we are not appreciated
We feel like we are not accomplishing or living up to our potential
We feel no one notices or cares
We feel like God doesn't see us or realize what we are going through
In the Garden, we come into the presence of God and feel his embrace, his praise, his pleasure
The greatest thing that God wants from us is for us to commune with him. So, you can be sure that when we come into his presence in the Garden, he is pleased, we have his attention, we experience his approval.
In his presence, we better understand his purpose, we can get a better perspective on what we might call failure or success.
Discouragement is banished in the garden
And …
B. Strength is Imparted in the Garden
B. Strength is Imparted in the Garden
, - An angel strengthened him, and he prayed even more earnestly
"Oh I don't know if I will have the strength to pray as I should"
Strength is imparted AS you pray, not just before you pray.
IN THE GARDEN …
3. Obedience is Determined
3. Obedience is Determined
Obedience hasn't been physically carried out, but the die is already cast
- Those of you who are dating, you do NOT DECIDE to be PURE while you are ON the Date.
- That Battle is won in your heart and mind, before you ever get on the date
- you might win a few minor skirmishes by fighting that way, but the difficult all-out battles are won as you determine, in the garden, before God, to be obedient.
- if you have a habit that you are trying to "kick" because you feel a conviction from the Lord to stop. That decision has to be made before him daily on your knees, NOT when the urge or craving hits. If you have already died to it, and decided what you will do, then when the thought or urge hits, you will get the Victory, because you are already dead.
IN THE GARDEN …
4. God is the Focus
4. God is the Focus
A. Focus
A. Focus
Now, the “model prayer” just taught his disciples, is NOT what he prayed in the garden, but the WAY to pray in the Garden is revealed in that model prayer. It is the focus Christ gave us in prayer … How was it we are to pray? To whom are we to pray? For whose glory?
“Our Father” – Who? - He is God
“Our Father” – Who? - He is God
He is Father, we are NOT. Oh, we need a fresh reminder do we not?
“In Heaven” – Where? - He is in heaven
“In Heaven” – Where? - He is in heaven
he is not limited to our limitations, he made it all. He is with us, but he is above us, he is over us.
“Hallowed be Your Name” – Why? – for his glorification.
“Hallowed be Your Name” – Why? – for his glorification.
It is not our glory we seek. As we pray for his name, anything that is for our glory will fade away.
“Your Kingdom Come, Your Will Be Done” – What? – His Purposes
“Your Kingdom Come, Your Will Be Done” – What? – His Purposes
We seek to accomplish his purposes.
Adam and Eve failed in the First Garden because they took their focus off God and put it on themselves. They should have been getting ready for their daily walk through the Garden with God, they instead surrendered to the prompting of Satan.
Yet in this Garden, Jesus took the focus OFF of Himself … "not my will" and put the focus on God "… but your will be done Father"
In the Garden our Appetite is set on God …
B. Hunger
B. Hunger
What you hunger for is evident in the garden
Is your Passion/Hunger for God or for other things; your plans, or the will of God
; (CSB)
1 God, you are my God; I eagerly seek you. I thirst for you; my body faints for you in a land that is dry, desolate, and without water.
3 My lips will glorify you because your faithful love is better than life. 4 So I will bless you as long as I live; at your name, I will lift up my hands. 5 You satisfy me as with rich food; my mouth will praise you with joyful lips.
C.S. Lewis says this about Hunger:
"[If] we consider the unblushing promises of reward and the staggering nature of the rewards promised in the Gospels, it would seem that our Lord finds our desires not too strong, but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased.?" (CS LEWIS)
ILLUSTRATION "what if you … were invited to a friends house for dinner. You knew that your friend was a gourmet cook of nouvelle cuisine. You thought, her food is great but it's usually not enough for you.
You are so hungry after missing lunch that day. You are on your way to their new house and there was something missing in the directions and you have a hard time finding her house. As you drive around, hungry and lost, you start driving by a string of fast food restaurants. You keep driving by a hot-dog place. You stop at the light and the aroma from the drive-thru is crying out and calling your name. You don't want a hot dog, you need a hot dog.
There won't be enough food anyway. I'll just have a snack you decide while I find her house. You stopped to order a snack. But what to order? You settle on a regular hot dog, a Chicago dog, and a chili dog. The hot dogs really aren't very big. And what's a hot dog without French fries? So you ordered a large fries to cover the demands of the three hot dogs. Fries are salty and hot dogs are spicy, so you added a large soft drink to wash it down. You feel better now.
When you finally found her house, she had prepared a the most amazing and wonderful meal you've ever seen. However, you can't enjoy it, you are miserable as you try to be polite and force a little food down. You don't enjoy because you are FULL. You was so full, you even leave food on the plate.
This is a parable of prayerlessness.
Why don't we pray? We don't pray for the same reason you couldn't enjoy that gourmet meal;
we're stuffed in our spirits, full, over-loaded, packed, soul-crammed-not with the Bread of Life, but with spiritual junk food.
One writer said lack of prayer is a lack of hunger for God.
How do we regain our hunger for God?
- praise
- worship
- recount his deeds
- read the prayers of others
- memorize scripture
- pray the scriptures
- Fast
fasting requires you to fill your hunger with God. As you do this, you will begin to hunger for Him more than the things this world has to offer
We focus on God and regain our hunger for him in the Garden
IN THE GARDEN …
5. Self is Sacrificed
5. Self is Sacrificed
If you die in the garden, you will Live in Victory on the Battlefield.
If you don't die in the garden, then Defeat crouches at the door"
Unless a seed go into the ground and die, it cannot produce the fruit it was intended to produce.
Jesus Christ "Died" in the Garden. He left behind HIS will and Embraced the Will of the Father.
When he left the Garden he was a "dead man walking". Remember those hands. He was set.
He was born to die, he lived to die, and that night in the garden he prayed and died.
That's why he didn't defend himself, that's why he didn't fight back, that's why he went willingly to the cross.
That's how he was the seed which sprouted into the beautiful planting of God that is you and me, the church of Jesus Christ which will be preserved and presented blameless before the Father in Eternity.
Beautiful Things grow in a garden, but before Spring must come Winter,
Before planting must come plowing,
Before reaping must come planting,
Before fruitful life, must come the death of the seed, planted in the barren garden.
Jesus calls you to Tarry with him in the Garden.
Jesus calls you to follow him into the lonely place that is the Garden,
To Die to Self, allow the Spirit of God to plow deep the Hardness of Your Heart and Break up the Dry, Fallow Ground.
Let him plow deep and pull up the fertile soil below that he might plant his desires, his will in your life.
-Dead in the Garden means Life in the Garden.
-Death in the Garden means fruitfulness in your Life.
-You will Get Up and Leave the Garden determined to do God's will
-Will You Tarry in the Garden?
-Will you Surrender to him?
Let me just say, that there are some of you here today who LONG for the Garden, but you've never surrendered your life to Christ and you feel that when you pray there is a disconnect, that is simply because you need to give your heart to him.
– if I had been aware of malice in my heart, the Lord would not have listened
You cannot have intimacy if you are separated from him by sin.
Accept Christ, receive him into your heart and you will know the Joy, Intimacy, and Victory of the Garden.
Dear child of God … go to the Garden
Church of Jesus Christ … seeking God’s direction, intervention, protection … Go to the Garden.