45 – 24 Hours That Changed The World

Instructions that will help us

Jesus being in the garden
God’s will must be done
Jesus had a tough week
Gethsemane means pressed; He was pressed in the garden

He was arrested at night and in Jewish law you weren’t supposed to be tried at night; but they kept taking Him from court to court during the night to get what they want.

He was found guilty.
He had torn up the temple on Monday
They began yo conspire against Him on Tuesday
Judas conspired against Him on Wednesday…..for money. 30 pieces of silver was used to establish a pauper’s grave.
Thursday He had a celebration with the disciples. He taught them the meaning of the Elements. Told Judas, “That that you do, go do it quickly.”  Judas left before the actual communion took place. Started day with disciples and ended on the cross.

The Gift of Grace
How can He teach us from the cross?
Luke 23:32-43

True repentance is never late and late repentance is never true

How could He upset the balance from the cross? Nothing can separate us from the love of God. Not even Him being on the cross.

You can learn about Jesus without formally studying theology.
Can’t nobody do me like Jesus
He’s a doctor
He’s a lawyer
He can be a fried to the friendless
We can know Him in these ways without studying theology
You can learn theology from a thief because if you’re around Jesus and you pay attention, you’ll learn.

Crucifixion was a horrible death. Usually takes 3-6 days but only took Jesus 6 hours. Designed to let others know not to mess with Romans.

Jesus was placed there in place of Barabas. Chose to save him so they could crucify an innocent man.

The two thieves were bad. One was picking at Jesus though he’s there too. If you’re so bad, get yourself down and me too. The other one sees the same but doesn’t react the same.

What do we learn from the thief?
1. Challenged His Friend
This man challenged his friend. First sign that we see this criminal is different. He had literally found The Lord. Tells his friend to leave Jesus alone. Says you and me are where we’re supposed to be. Why did he notice? Jesus never said a word. He prayed for His persecutors.

2. Considered His Sins
He sees he deserved his consequence. He could see Jesus hadn’t lived like him. He studied Gods son and because an instant believer.

3. He Confessed to His Savior.
The cross becomes an altar. He didn’t ask for help…he didn’t ask to be picked, preferred, or rescued. He just said Lord, remember me.  vs. 42 Remember that I believed in you before I died when you get to your kingdom.

He has the privilege of dying next to Jesus instead of his friend. Lord put me in a place with someone who can remind me of God’s goodness. He was able to claim his salvation.

We are just as much a sinner as that thief. You can hear what this thief did….This day you will be with Me because of your faith. vs. 43

Because He lives…my account has been settled.

Jesus gave a thief the grace he needed. Grace can make it better.

Death thought he would win that day. Had never lost on Golgotha’s hill. Death thought this was an ordinary man. He had never met the Son of God. His old tricks didn’t work. Gave the devil Death but Jesus rose Sunday morning with the final play.

Do you have faith that you can be saved in the same manner?

Tamala R. Maddox, Ph. D.
Principal
R. F. Bumpus Middle School

 

45 – 24 Hours That Changed the World
Resurrection Sermon Series
The Garden
Luke 22:39-45

Jesus had quite a week…..
Sunday – People were cheering for him…the same who would persecute Him later…everyone seemed to love Him
Monday – Jesus goes into the temple and there were merchants and money exchangers where people should have been coming for prayer; took a bull-whip and drove them out of the temple because they were disrespecting His Father’s house
Tuesday – All the Rabbis are whispering about what they can do about Him; they are no longer in charge; they sought to kill Him after this

Jesus came here going to a cross

Wednesday – Found out one of His disciples (Judas) is going to betray Him….for MONEY
Thursday – He wanted to have a meal with his disciples; He knew they loved Him but not enough for what was about to come down the road – The Passover celebration; He prepared a symbol of love for them – Communion; He also told them that one would betray Him

That’s why He was in The Garden; He took two or three disciples with Him; asked them to pray for Him while He prayed; Jesus was wrestling with death and life

Asked Father to take this cup from Him if it was God’s will.  When He went back to the disciples, they were asleep.

What Do We Learn in The Garden?

1. Acknowledge that ultimately, God is in control of your situation.
He knows what’s going on.  Jesus had a right relationship with God.  If you’re struggling and you don’t have a right relationship, who do you go to.
“Father, if you will…..”

2. Accept the fact that God may not answer your prayer.
He acknowledges that just because He’s listening, that doesn’t mean He will give an answer.  He knows you better than you know yourself.  Unanswered prayers make some people bitter…..that’s what the devil wants.

Jesus went into The Garden praying for an outcome that He didn’t get.  In His weakest moment, He prayed anyway.  Even when the outcome was certain not to be what He wanted.

3. Tell God exactly what you would like Him to do.

4. Humbly yourself to accept His answer.
Sometimes the purpose of a prayer is not that things change but that YOU change to accept the circumstances as they are.  At the beginning, He said Father if you’re willing……at the end of the prayer, He said Not my will but your will be done.

5. Leave the result of your prayer up to God.

6. Keep on praying.
Even after He had worked it out, He continued to pray.  He prayed so hard that His sweat became drops of blood.

Aren’t you glad that we don’t get a “Message Delivered” from your prayers like we do for text messages?

Tamala R. Maddox, Ph.D.
Principal
R.F. Bumpus Middle School

 

45 -Unlikely Hero
Hebrews 11:32
Judges 11

While people may not think much of you, God loves you. God doesn’t have the restrictions on you that people do. He’ll give you a job to serve His purpose.

People start out in different places. Woodrow Wilson couldn’t read until he was 10.  Babe Ruth also held the record for strike outs.

A person is known for five things in his lifetime.
Character – that’s who he is

Conduct – that’s what he does

Conversation – that’s what he says

Creed – that’s what he believes; believe in something greater than yourself

Contribution – that’s what he gives to make the world better

He was not considered for leadership. Jephthah was an outside child. His mother was an “escort”. They were whole brothers by law but half-brothers by emotion. He left because he felt inferior. He left with a crew. He always tried harder because he fought with a chip on his shoulder. He didn’t get any acceptance from his brothers.

His brothers were not able to convince the people. They couldn’t lead. They decided to go get Jephthah because they couldn’t hold back the invading armies.

God’s gonna use what you’re going through right now.

Jephthah didn’t grow up in a perfect family but with a perfect God.

Brothers came to him and asked him to come lead the clan.

He agreed on a few conditions. He said the first person out of his house after the victory, he would sacrifice. HIS DAUGHTER WAS THE FIRST TO COME OUT. He oversold his position.

Jephthah
A. He learned to forgive. He can’t bring healing or wholeness to you otherwise.

B. He learned to have faith (prayer). God promotes. Not man.

C. He learned to focus. Concentrate on the things that are right. Hebrews 11:12-28

God took Jephthah from zero to hero.

Tamala R. Maddox, Ph. D.
Principal
R. F. Bumpus Middle School