Sermon Tone Analysis

Introduction

Good morning and welcome back!

This morning if you would, turn back in your Bibles to again.

Today we are going to be covering quite a bit of ground, from verses 31-46, which could actually be a couple of sermons in themselves.

In our passage this morning there are going to be a couple of things going on.

If you recall from last week, we talked about the two plots to kill Jesus.

And the last of those plots was Judas’ betraying Jesus for 30 silver coins.

And the very last thing we discussed last week was the Last Supper and Jesus confronting Judas, exposing him as the betrayer.

The only problem however, was that the disciples did not really understand the depth of Judas’ betrayal.

They thought by betrayal, Jesus meant “quit and give up.”

And even though Jesus had told them over and over he was going to be killed, they still didn’t get it.

And this morning we are going to pick up right after that event, first with a Jesus confronting Peter for his own shortcomings and then as Jesus goes to Gethsemane to pray, he has to confront not only Peter again, but also James and John.

So, there is a lot going on here, but the overall theme can be summed up in two verses, verses 45-46.

So, if you have found in your Bibles, I’d invite you to stand with me if you are able.

Starting in verse 45, Matthew writes . . . .

Scripture Reading

Matthew 26:5-

Peter’s Denial (vs 31-35)

Again, the overall theme is about the disciples falling asleep when they should have been watching, but before we get there we need to back up and look at something Jesus tells Peter.

And again, this is right after he exposed Judas as the betrayer.

It starts out though with a warning that Jesus has for all of the disciples . . .

Matthew 26:31-

So, Jesus tells them point blank that they will abandon him, fall away, run away, forsake him.

He not only tells them this but also he quotes I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.

Meaning that when Jesus is arrested and tortured, out of fear, the disciples will scatter like sheep running from wolves.

Which is exactly why we need to be very aware of the strength of our faith.

We often say a lot of things, a lot of “I would never do that” type of talk, when we are judging other people’s behavior.

The reality is though, we don’t know how we would react until we were put in that situation.

However, even though Jesus gives them this bad news, he also gives them a glimmer of hope as well . . .

He tells them that even though he will be killed and they will scatter, He will rise again and he will go to Galilee to meet them, because he not only will conquer, but also knows that they will overcome their fear and return to him.

However, Peter falls into the “I will never” trap . . .

Matthew 26:

And to be fair, Peter didn’t have a clue what he was talking about .

He may have thought he would never abandon Jesus, but Peter also had never been in a situation like he was getting ready to get into.

He had never been in a situation where he was in real physical danger.

Things were about to get real.

And Jesus trying to keep Peter grounded a bit, gives a bit of prophesy.

Which we know comes back to bite Peter later.

But right now Peter is so puffed up and prideful, he puffs his chest out and declares . . . .

Matthew 26:

Remember pride goes before destruction and a haughty spirit before a great fall.

Peter was getting ready to experience that proverb first hand.

Keeping Watch (vs 36-41)

Jesus though, knowing what is getting ready to take place, knows he is going to have to have some strength and endurance to make it through the ordeal.

He knows that it is going to take much more than his human strength to make it.

So, he goes and prays.

Here is how it plays out . . .

Matthew 26:36-

So Jesus is sorrowful and troubled.

His soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death.

I can only imagine what that would be like.

And what I imagine is that it is as close to a breakdown as a human can come without actually having a breakdown.

Jesus knows what is getting ready to take place and he is going to need everything he has to make it.

And his solution to gain this needed strength is to pray.

Which ought to be a good lesson for each and every one of us as well.

When we are sorrowful and troubled, what do we do?

Do we try to solve the problem on our own?

Do we consult with our family and friends?

Or do we go to the Lord with it?

Do we pray?

Often we do, but as a last resort.

When we have tried everything else, then we turn to the Lord in prayer.

We should turn to the Lord first and then follow His direction.

But we also need to recognize that God doesn’t want us to go through things alone.

Even Jesus took disciples with him to be with him.

He tells them to sit here while I go over there to pray, and stay here and keep watch with me.

Keeping watch, waiting on God to move.

How often do we stay and keep watch with our brothers and sisters?

Many times we do not, but rather we do like the disciples do . . .

Matthew 26:39-

So, Jesus goes and he is pouring his heart out to the Father.

Praying for deliverance, if possible, but also praying for the strength to endure.

And probably physically exhausted from praying, he returns to his disciples, who were supposed to be keeping watch with him.

Who were supposed to be supporting him and lifting him up.

And what does he find?

He finds them asleep.

Remember the 5 foolish virgins we talked about a few weeks ago?

Now Jesus has 3 foolish disciples.

After all of this they still did not realize the gravity of the situation.

They still did not get it.

And sadly there are many good Christian people who still don’t get it.

Still walking around seeing their Brothers and Sisters struggling for their very soul and not doing anything to help.

Still seeing their friends, their family, their community falling further and further away from God, dying and going to hell.

And they are asleep.

We need to WAKE UP and see what his happening around us.

Our sleepiness and our complacency is only making the problem worse.

And there will come a day when God will call us out on it, just like Jesus called Peter out

He asks Peter directly, could you men not keep watch with me for one hour.

And the reason he said this directly to Peter is because Peter was the one who was so puffed up claiming he had it all together.

And Jesus is telling him that “you say you will never abandon me; you can’t even be faithful for a whole hour.”

Let that sink in.

But, Jesus gives them another chance.

He tells them this . . .

Matthew 26:

And what Jesus is recognizing in them is the unsanctified state.

He knows that they, like Paul, wanted to do go, but their was evil in them.

He knows that that great battle between flesh and spirit was waring on and the flesh was winning, because their spirit had not yet yielded to the Holy Spirit.

And we are the same way.

We will be weak and we will be ineffective until we yield to the Holy Spirit.

Until the Holy Spirit is in control, we will be like Peter, talking a big game but not having the skills to back it up.