War on the Floor - The Window Called "While"

Vision 2019: Looking 4-1 War on the Floor Mark 14:32 Introduction: While the USA is divided over a political system the Church becomes complacent with the absence of the manifest presence of the Almighty God. Politicians fight & bicker, abortion clinics kill babies & Hollywood spews its venom of anti-Biblical morals while the Church sleeps. In the time of the crucifixion of Jesus, religious leaders were enamored with their struggle for power & prestige. Jesus interfered & interrupted their quest for significance, they were intimidated by His popularity & miraculous works. So much so they missed Who He was & is! Jesus would hang: I. In Place of the Guilty A. 2 Corinthians 5:21For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. a. When He prayed, “My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death”Jesus knew He would stand in the place of guilty sinners & receive all the spiritual punishment sinners deserve. b. Jesus said, “O My Father, if it is possible.” I remind you the Word of Jesus Himself: Matthew 19:26with God all things are possible. In a sense of the word, it was possible for the cup of wrath to be taken from Him, but there are things that are morally wrong for God. He cannot lie. It was not morally possible for Him to atone for sin & redeem lost mankid apart from the perfecti, wrath-satisfying sacrifice of the cross of Christ. In Gethsemane, Jesus prepared Himself for the wrath man’s sin brought. c. The “cup” Jesus was praying about is a powerful picture of the wrath & judgment of God. Psalm 75:8For in the hand of the Lord there is a cup, and the wine is red… but the dregs thereof, all the wicked of the earth shall wring them out, and drink them. Jeremiah 25:15This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, said to me: “Take from my hand this cup filled to the brim with my anger, and make all the nations to whom I send you drink from it. B. Luke 22:43And there appeared to Him an angel from heaven, strengthening Him in spirit. Jesus told His Disciples the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak. Jesus was in such a tumultuous spiritual battle unlike ever encountered by Himself or humanity, the angel ministered to His spirit to remain empowered. Jesus said to His Disciples, "'Pray for strength ·against temptation [or not to fail the test].'" Jesus is touched by the feelings of your infirmities (He knows your extreme struggle), in this bitter battle for the salvation of man He was faced with the battle between flesh & spirit… Mark 14:32 (BIBLE) II. The Window Called “While” This was more than prayer, it was Uncommon Passion, Sincerity & Groanings. The window of time Jesus was in was the fulfillment of counsels in heaven before the foundation of the world that He would be the Redeemer, Savior, the salvation for mankind. Peering through this window of time named "While," you would witness the hope of humanity being held by the thread of redemption. As the Disciples Peter, James & John slept, though instructed to watch, there was warfare in the heavens as never before. What Jesus accomplished during this "While" reaches through the centuries & millennia, it should pierce the soul & conscience of everyone who hears the torment of His soul as Jesus pressed through the tumultuous storm. Jesus came to earth for this moment, for this sacrificial expression of love revealing His grace & mercy for wicked, evil mankind who, without Jesus, has no hope. Romans 3:23All have sinned & fallen short of the glory of God. Romans 6:23The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life. As you & I gaze through the window, this unique moment in time we see the Disciples hurting & stressed from the things Jesus had said regarding betrayal & death. Weighed down they found it impossible to keep their eyes open, though the Master had said "Watch and pray." In a distance you witness Jesus bowed on the ground with His precious face pressed against the ground praying, "Abba, Father, all things are possible for You. Take this cup away from Me; nevertheless, not what I will, but what You will." “While” Jesus prayed & “While” He prays for you even now, the substance & essence of His prayer is for you to 1. “Watch & Pray” 2. “Don’t Fail the Test.” A. Watch & Pray a. Watch & pray because your adversary, the devil is roaming abour seeking to devour you. John 16:33In this world you will have tribulation, but be of good cheer… b. Watch & pray that your faith is not weakened or even destroyed. Without faith it is impossible to please God. Hebrews 11:6 c. Watch & pray that you do not fall into temptation to backslide to what you were before Christ found you. Hebrews 11:15If they had longed for the country they came from, they could have gone back. 16But they were looking for a better place, a heavenly homeland. That is why God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them. NLT d. Watch & pray because Jesus is coming again. The Church will be raptured from the world & then tribulation & great tribulation will be unleashed on those left behind. B. Don’t Fail the Test Every inch of the way, each step towards the cross of Calvary was for your redemption. His hope was & is for you not to fail the test. III. Conclusion A. Those who plant in tears will harvest with shouts of joy. Psalms 126:5 NLT How?... B. Jesus, seated at His place of honor is interceding for His children even now. Hebrews 1:3who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, Hebrews 7:25Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them. NKJV C. The reason we can do this is because of the resurrection of Christ. - He asks us to: * Repent * Live by Faith * Be Baptized * Be Filled with His Spirit Conclusion: PRESENT THE GOSPEL FOR SALVATION – EVERY WEEK – AND THE NEED TO COME FORWARD IN PUBLIC ACCEPTANCE OF CHRIST