Prayer & Obedience
My Cup Runneth Over • Sermon • Submitted • Presented • 42:44
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· 36 viewsThis series is based on the 2025 Lenten season curriculum by Foundry Publishing, My Cup Runneth Over.This week of Lent, we are going to look at three lessons in prayer from JESUS & HIS disciples.
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Greeting
Announce text: Luke 22:39-46
Key Text: Luke 22:39-46
Review
First Sunday of Lent (Bill): The Call to Discipleship
We learned that what we long for matters. JESUS asked what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and yet lose his own soul?
The Call to Discipleship is a call to focus on what matters most - our relationship with JESUS.
It cannot be a casual relationship - it must be a fully-committed, all-in desire to know and be known by HIM.
Second Sunday of Lent (last week): Preparation and Sacrifice
First, we learned that GOD equips those HE calls.
HE goes before us & walks with us.
HE provides direction & what we need to be successful in the assignment.
Second, we learned that we have a part - our preparation is important.
We must examine ourselves
Allowing HOLY SPIRIT to reveal & remove sin from our life
Repentance & forgiveness makes communion with GOD & others possible
Third, we learned that we must follow JESUS’ example of how to serve in the KINGdom
We must prepare to lay down our lives as a living sacrifice of service to GOD & others.
Announce text again: Luke 22:39-46
Scripture Reading
Scripture Reading
39 And He came out and proceeded as was His custom to the Mount of Olives; and the disciples also followed Him.
40 When He arrived at the place, He said to them, “Pray that you may not enter into temptation.”
41 And He withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, and He knelt down and began to pray,
42 saying, “Father, if You are willing, remove this cup from Me; yet not My will, but Yours be done.”
43 Now an angel from heaven appeared to Him, strengthening Him.
44 And being in agony He was praying very fervently; and His sweat became like drops of blood, falling down upon the ground.
45 When He rose from prayer, He came to the disciples and found them sleeping from sorrow,
46 and said to them, “Why are you sleeping? Get up and pray that you may not enter into temptation.”
Message
Message
The next message in our series, My Cup Runneth Over, is titled, Prayer and Obedience.
Introduction
Introduction
Have you ever found yourself in the midst of immense, undeniable grief? Maybe you lost someone or found out a loved one was gravely ill. Perhaps you were dealing with a major loss of your own health. Or maybe, like JESUS, you knew that suffering lay ahead.
In today’s passage, JESUS was praying in Gethsemane. HE knew HE was about to be handed over to the authorities to be beaten and killed, so HE brought his disciples to pray. Although JESUS told them what was going to happen, they didn’t really understand. Maybe they were in denial. After all, they’d seen JESUS perform miracles. Surely HE could handle anything that came their way. Maybe HE was mistaken about what lay ahead.
JESUS told HIS disciples to pray that they wouldn’t fall into temptation. HE’d already told Peter by this point that Peter would deny HIM. HE also prophesied that the other disciples would all scatter. There would be plenty of temptation when JESUS was handed over, so HE wanted his disciples to be prepared. After instructing HIS disciples, JESUS withdrew further to be alone with just HIS FATHER.
This morning, we’re going to look at three lessons we learn about prayer from JESUS and HIS disciples from our text.
Body
Body
Three Lessons on Prayer:
Seek Solitude in Prayer
Looking at the first verse, we read ...
39 And He came out and proceeded as was His custom to the Mount of Olives; and the disciples also followed Him.
There are linking verses (references) on this phrase to other Gospels that recorded this event.
One of those verses is John 18:1 where we get a little more detail about where this is located.
1 When Jesus had spoken these words, He went forth with His disciples over the ravine of the Kidron, where there was a garden, in which He entered with His disciples.
Some of you like to visualize things, so here’s a map of the area.
The interesting thing about the Kidron Valley is there are many images that can be linked to it.
In the Hebrew Bible, the Kidron Valley is mentioned several times in contexts tied to purification, judgement, or the removal of idolatrous practices.
23 While all the country was weeping with a loud voice, all the people passed over. The king also passed over the brook Kidron, and all the people passed over toward the way of the wilderness.
King David is fleeing from Absalom in a moment of deep sorrow and humiliation.
3 He walked in all the sins of his father which he had committed before him; and his heart was not wholly devoted to the Lord his God, like the heart of his father David.
16 He also removed Maacah, the mother of King Asa, from the position of queen mother, because she had made a horrid image as an Asherah, and Asa cut down her horrid image, crushed it and burned it at the brook Kidron.
Much like Hezekiah and his reign, King Asa took over the reign from an evil father, King Abijah. King Asa destroyed an idolatrous image & burned it in the Kidron Valley suggesting it is a place for purging uncleanness.
4 Then the king commanded Hilkiah the high priest and the priests of the second order and the doorkeepers, to bring out of the temple of the Lord all the vessels that were made for Baal, for Asherah, and for all the host of heaven; and he burned them outside Jerusalem in the fields of the Kidron, and carried their ashes to Bethel.
5 He did away with the idolatrous priests whom the kings of Judah had appointed to burn incense in the high places in the cities of Judah and in the surrounding area of Jerusalem, also those who burned incense to Baal, to the sun and to the moon and to the constellations and to all the host of heaven.
6 He brought out the Asherah from the house of the Lord outside Jerusalem to the brook Kidron, and burned it at the brook Kidron, and ground it to dust, and threw its dust on the graves of the common people.
King Josiah carries out reforms by destroying pagan altars and throwing their ash into the Kidron Valley, again reinforcing the association with cleansing and divine judgement.
The valley was used as burial grounds, including the Tomb of Absalom, linking it to death.
Later, this area was increasingly being tied to eschatological ideas - beliefs about end times and judgement ...
because it is located near the Mt of Olives where Jewish tradition associates MESSIAH’s return & resurrection from the dead.
So, it is here, that the Sacrificial LAMB of GOD chooses to lead HIS Disciples away for prayer - through a valley representing great sorrow & humiliation, death, judgement, and purification. Fascinating ...
I wonder if JESUS was thinking about this as HE traversed back-n-forth across the ravine?
Maybe not, but I know HOLY SPIRIT highlighted it and led me to dig into this a little further.
Symbols and imagery are huge elements in the Jewish faith
If nothing else, this serves as a reminder to underscore all that HE was facing.
39 And He came out and proceeded as was His custom to the Mount of Olives; and the disciples also followed Him.
The next thing we see is that JESUS made prayer a habit and a priority in HIS Life.
HE was (and still is) consistent in HIS Prayer Life.
1 My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous;
25 Therefore He is able also to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.
On all occasions.
Not just when HE had a need.
HE set an example for HIS disciples.
They followed HIM.
JESUS instructs HIS Disciples focus in prayer by echoing elements of The LORD’s Prayer.
40 When He arrived at the place, He said to them, “Pray that you may not enter into temptation.”
HE repeats this in v.46, as well.
46 and said to them, “Why are you sleeping? Get up and pray that you may not enter into temptation.”
In v.41, we see that JESUS then isolates HIMSELF from the disciples to pray alone.
41 And He withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, and He knelt down and began to pray,
Not only does JESUS set an example for HIS Disciples
HE sets an example for us.
We need to make prayer a priority in our life.
We need to seek solitude.
Frees us from distraction.
Allows us to more clearly hear the “still, small voice”.
So, the first lesson we learn is to seek solitude in prayer. The second lesson is to ...
Submit in Sincere Supplication
Returning to v.41 ...
41 And He withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, and He knelt down and began to pray,
I want to draw your attention to the second highlighted section in that verse - the word, knelt.
Clearly, in Luke, he states that JESUS knelt
However, in the other gospels, Matthew and Mark state that HE fell.
Matthew - fell on HIS Face
Mark - fell to the ground
JESUS prayed in HIS hour of need.
We then see JESUS’ human side revealed in v.42.
42 saying, “Father, if You are willing, remove this cup from Me; yet not My will, but Yours be done.”
He prayed, “remove (take) this cup from me.” This part of JESUS’ story is sometimes called “the agony in the garden” because of HIS deep turmoil.
HE didn’t want to suffer and die.
HE asked to have "this cup” removed.
“ … this cup”
Imagery for the cup of wrath or affliction.
A reference to suffering and death.
Symbolic of the new covenant JESUS just proclaimed in Communion only moments before.
JESUS was in anguish. Scripture tells us that HIS sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground as HE prayed.
Prayer is an expression of our inability to meet the demands of life by ourselves.
When we face painful experiences, praying through our grief gives us space to vent the feelings we’re having. During these times, we might not know what to pray, but we trust that HOLY SPIRIT intercedes on our behalf.
26 In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words;
When we face difficult decisions, prayer can be a helpful conversation with our trusted HEAVENLY FATHER. While we may have times when we struggle to hear GOD’s voice, we know we can approach GOD’s throne to seek comfort and counsel for what is ahead.
JESUS’ time of prayer at Gethsemane is a reminder that none of us is so capable that we do not need to take time to pray. If JESUS prayed when HE was struggling, we should too.
42 saying, “Father, if You are willing, remove this cup from Me; yet not My will, but Yours be done.”
Although JESUS was honest about HIS anguish, HE was also fully obedient to GOD. Even as HE prayed to ask that the cup might pass from HIM, HE also immediately voiced HIS obedience: “yet not my will, but yours be done.”
JESUS surrendered to GOD’s plan, even in the face of suffering. We are called to do the same.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer was a German Lutheran pastor who voiced opposition to the Nazi regime in Germany under the leadership of Adolf Hitler. Bonhoeffer’s obedience to GOD in opposing genocide led to his imprisonment and eventual death.
Share an example of someone (whether in your local church or community) who surrendered to God’s plan even in the face of suffering.
43 Now an angel from heaven appeared to Him, strengthening Him.
After JESUS prayed and voiced HIS obedience, an angel from heaven strengthened JESUS for the task ahead.
Following GOD means opening ourselves up to suffering. But we’re also recipients of GOD’s blessings and the fulfillment of GOD’s purpose for our lives.
When we suffer, we have the HOLY SPIRIT to help us. We do not need to do it alone. GOD’s Presence is there to strengthen and guide us, even when our human friends fall short.
44 And being in agony He was praying very fervently; and His sweat became like drops of blood, falling down upon the ground.
Again, we see JESUS’ humanness. HE was experiencing agony over what HE knows is coming - what HE must endure.
The Greek word for agony means ...
distress, anguish
struggle, fight
struggle for victory
Too often we only view JESUS as GOD.
It dulls our spiritual senses to what HIS experience was like on earth.
In fact, some might not like hearing me present JESUS this way.
It can makes us uncomfortable to think of HIS humanness.
Think about how you would feel, if you knew this was your fate ...
Would you not ask the FATHER to remove yourself from this situation, also?
Wouldn’t you want HIM to come in and rescue you from what you knew you were about to endure?
Why would JESUS experience anything differently?
HE was 100% human, after all.
We tend to focus on the 100% GOD part.
We’re more comfortable with that.
But HE was both fully GOD and fully man.
If HE is responding to this in HIS humanness ...
That means we can respond the same way.
[But] we don’t want to ...
I mean, who wants suffering and death?
14 Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.
15 For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin.
16 Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
JESUS knows what we’re facing.
May we press into HIM in our times of weakness and allow HIM to strengthen us.
That leads us to the third and final lesson this morning. We need to ...
Stay Spiritually Steadfast
44 And being in agony He was praying very fervently; and His sweat became like drops of blood, falling down upon the ground.
Because JESUS lived a life of prayer - it was HIS habit - HE could respond in submissive obedience - even when in great distress.
The Greek word for fervently means ...
strained
extended, stretched out
This fits with description of JESUS praying in Matthew & Mark.
JESUS laid out, face down, eagerly praying (in earnest).
Hebrews 5:7 - example of what JESUS praying often looked like.
7 In the days of His flesh, He offered up both prayers and supplications with loud crying and tears to the One able to save Him from death, and He was heard because of His piety.
While JESUS was in anguished prayer, the disciples were fast asleep.
45 When He rose from prayer, He came to the disciples and found them sleeping from sorrow,
Today’s passage tells us they were exhausted from sorrow.
Have you ever been in such despair, you are physically exhausted?
Overcome by grief, you give into the exhaustion and fall asleep.
The Greek word for sorrow means “pain of mind.”
Luke is the only one of the Gospels to record this.
While we can certainly sympathize, we also know they did the exact opposite of what JESUS asked them.
This part of the story reminds us about the struggle between human frailty and divine purpose.
How often do we fall asleep—whether literally or metaphorically—when GOD has called us to get something done?
In HIS time of need, JESUS’ disciples failed to do what HE needed them to do. In that regard, we experience a kinship with our SAVIOR when those we’ve trusted haven’t provided the help we needed in our hour of need.
The reality is we need each other to help carry one another’s burdens, but our trust and hope should not be in man.
It must be in GOD alone.
Only HE can meet all our needs and provide the hope and peace we so desperately seek in times of need.
So, pj … What’s the point?
Conclusion
Conclusion
As CHRIST followers, we’re called to follow the example of JESUS. In the garden, JESUS’ example reminds us to pray and obey. We’re called to pray through our struggles. Be raw and honest. The great thing about serving a big GOD is that GOD isn’t threatened by our feelings. In fact, the Psalms are a perfect example of how believers have offered raw and sometimes even angry prayers. You don’t have to shy away from letting loose the breadth of your emotions in prayer! Then, when you’ve prayed, move to a place of obedience as you take your next steps in faith. Like JESUS, pray “not my will, but yours be done.”
Just like the angel comforted JESUS, the HOLY SPIRIT offers comfort to us today. There is a reason we call GOD’s SPIRIT our Divine COMFORTER. The HOLY SPIRIT provides the comfort and strength we need to face whatever is before us. As you leave this place today, I invite you to deeper, richer prayer and a life marked by obedience to the ONE WHO led the way.
Closing prayer & benediction
24 The Lord bless you, and keep you;
25 The Lord make His face shine on you,
And be gracious to you;
26 The Lord lift up His countenance on you,
And give you peace.’
Scripture records the following words in v.27:
27 “So they shall invoke My name on the sons of Israel, and I then will bless them.”
So, receive and go with the blessings of YAHWEH!
44 And being in agony He was praying very fervently; and His sweat became like drops of blood, falling down upon the ground.
