You and Me, and Gethsemane-Part One
We are still going to do a series on Forgiveness, but after listening to a
powerful message by Chuck Swindoll on Gethsemane, I
must share some of the truths that were spoken by Pastor Swindoll.
We will take three nuggets to discuss this subject. Please note that we have
added our own perspective on this message.
If you would like to listen to this message, go to: http://www2.oneplace.com/Ministries/Insight_for_Living/Archives.asp
The main premise of the sermon is that each of us must go through a Gethsemane experience just as Jesus did before we can truly "die on the cross". The battle is not fought at Calvary, it is fought at Gethsemane (which is translated as oil press-it was a place where olives were pressed for their oil). There was no struggle in Jesus spirit at Calvary. The struggle, battle within was at Gethsemane.
Many of us run from the Gethsemane experience that God has for us. When you look at the underlined words below, you will know why we run from it.
Listed below is two Bible accounts of the Gethsemane experience. We have underlined the phrases that will be emphasized in the nuggets.
Luke 22:39-44
Then going out he went, as was his custom,
to the Mount of Olives, and the disciples followed him. [40] When he arrived at
the place he said to them, "Pray that you may not
undergo the test." [41] After withdrawing about a stone's throw
from them and kneeling, he prayed, [42] saying, "Father,
if you are willing, take this cup away from me; still, not my will but yours be
done." [43] (And to strengthen him an angel from heaven
appeared to him. [44] He was in such agony and he prayed so fervently
that his sweat became like drops of blood falling on the ground.)
Mark 14:32-36
Then they came to a place named Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, "Sit here while I pray." [33] He took with
him Peter, James, and John, and began to be troubled and distressed.
[34] Then he said to them, "My soul is
sorrowful even to death. Remain here and keep watch."
[35] He advanced a little and fell to the ground and prayed that
if it were possible the hour might pass by him; [36] he said, "Abba, Father, all things are possible to you. Take
this cup away from me, but not what I will but what you will."
Matthew 26:37
He took along Peter and the two sons of Zebedee,
and began to feel sorrow and distress.
In the next nugget we will discuss what Jesus went through at Gethsemane. In the final nugget we will share 4 lessons we can learn from Gethsemane.
I want to encourage those of you who are going through a tremendous trial right now to not run from it, but experience it to the fullest knowing that there will be Calvary (the old man dying), but more importantly there will be a resurrection. There is hope in Jesus Christ.
Good Easter/Resurrection links:
Easter E-Cards-over 50 e-cards
http://cards.crossdaily.com/
Easter Holiday Section-learn more about Easter and the Resurrection
http://easter.crossdaily.com
Easter Inspirations-poems and stories
http://inspirations.crossdaily.com
http://www.javaforjesus.com/walk.html
Great Flash Presentation of Crucifixion
http://www.javaforjesus.com/easter.html
This has several great flash presentations
http://www.gentle.org/Diamonds/carpent.htm
http://warriorsofchrist.com/fiction/story/3.shtml
http://www.joyfulheart.com/easter/
http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Prairie/2482/easter/easter.html
http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Meadows/5430/Easter.htm
http://www.konnections.com/Kcundick/crucifix.html
http://inspirationalstories.com/2_eas.html
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Unless otherwise noted, Scripture quotations used are from the New American Standard Version (NASB).