Yielding
Notes
Transcript
Yielding: Jesus Luke 22:39-46
What comes to your mind when you think about yield or yielding? It could be to yield to the right of way of traffic. Maybe you yield to your father or mother or an authoritative figure. Whatever your thoughts on yielding, you would be correct. It is when you give up your right for someone else’s right. To yield is to be prepared to yield.
When learning how to drive, you were taught to yield when making a right-hand turn on red. You were also taught what the red triangle with the words “YIELD” meant. Over time, you learned how to yield to authority by obeying, observing, and understanding who and what had authority. If unprepared, you would face some consequences for not properly yielding. We will observe two aspects of “Yielding” and how they will positively or negatively affect your life.
The first is “Prepared,” how is one prepared to yield?
PREPARED
PREPARED
How can one be prepared? Jesus was ready for this moment. He knew what He was here to do and prepared for it to come to fruition. Throughout Jesus’ ministry, He always prayed with His Father. He understood the assignment and was prepared when it was time. There was no second-guessing from Him. He did not waver but pressed on in prayer until it became blood, not just sweat beading from His brow. Luke 22:44
And being in agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.
In James 5:17, we read how Elijah prayed fervently; Jesus also prayed fervently. Do you see a pattern of those who have a prayer life being prepared?
Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth.
Jabez was prepared to receive the blessings from his prayer to Yahweh. 1 Chronicles 4:9-10
Jabez was more honorable than his brothers; and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, “Because I bore him in pain.” Jabez called upon the God of Israel, saying, “Oh that you would bless me and enlarge my border, and that your hand might be with me, and that you would keep me from harm so that it might not bring me pain!” And God granted what he asked.
To pray (προσεύχομαι) means to speak to God to ask God for something and to be prepared for God to answer you. Being prepared allows Him to have His will in your life after you ask God for your request.
Being prepared is relying on God’s strength, not your own. Jesus asked God’s will to be done, and what happened? An angel from heaven appeared and strengthened Him. The angel brought heavenly presence, strength, and nourishment to Christ.
Not by my might but by the Father’s might should be our slogan in life.
Being prepared is asking for your will but yielding to the Father’s will. Now, I will tell you a secret: His will in your life is spelled out in the Bible.
UNPREPARED
UNPREPARED
We see how Jesus was prepared, but we also need to look at what unprepared is.
Jesus knew what was going to happen to each of them. The moment He was arrested, they scattered, and Peter denied Him. Matthew 26:31-35
Then Jesus said to them, “You will all fall away because of me this night. For it is written, ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’ But after I am raised up, I will go before you to Galilee.” Peter answered him, “Though they all fall away because of you, I will never fall away.” Jesus said to him, “Truly, I tell you, this very night, before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” Peter said to him, “Even if I must die with you, I will not deny you!” And all the disciples said the same.
Our body is willing, but our mind is weak. Matthew 26:41
Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
Being unprepared is falling asleep during your time to intercede for each other. Jesus knew what would happen before it happened. If we are not willing to be prayerful people, we will keep succumbing to the temptations and trials of life. Praying when we feel less likely to pray is when we start winning the battles in our own lives.
These men sought their strength and not that of the Father. Mark 14:29
Peter said to him, “Even though they all fall away, I will not.”
If we are unprepared, we rely on our abilities and usually make the situation worse than it is. In our weakness, we find true strength, strength that comes from the Father. Philippians 4:13
I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
They were unprepared, and they scattered. Now, rightfully so, they were about to go up against the Sanhedrin court if they did not. But how would it change if they were in constant prayer?
Yielding
Yielding
Yielding is always being in a constant state of prayer. Ephesians 6:18
praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,
Seek God’s Strength instead of your own. Isaiah 41:10
fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Yield to His will in your life. Mark 14:36
And he said, “Abba, Father, all things are possible for you. Remove this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.”
