Matthew 26:36-46 “Moments
that define us”
INTRODUCTION: Today is a difficult day. We have a lot invested here you and I. You started this church and seen it through
many struggles, through building programs.
I have given 25 years of my life to Presbyterian Church (USA) ministry,
2 as an intern and 23 as a pastor, 15 years of that ministry here in this
church. My family worked side by side
with you both on the building and in the offering plate. This is a hard day for all of us. And this passage of scripture Jesus faces
just such a day and I found it helpful.
1.
IN THE GARDEN
A.
Jesus is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of
death.
a.
The coming weight of the sins of the world
b.
The pain of the beatings he knows are coming
c.
The pain of the cross
d.
The rejection He will feel
e.
Humiliation that is heaped upon Him
f.
The separation for the Father in heaven
B.
If it be possible take this cup from me
a.
Three times he prays this
b.
To the point of sweating blood
C.
Not as I will but as you will
a.
He did it because it was the will of God
b.
He did it because it was the only way
c.
He did it for you
2.
Others in the Bible who faced moments of choice
A.
Mordecai who refused to bow down to Haman
B.
Ester who risked her life when she chose to go
before the King
C.
Ruth who choose to stay with Naomi and became
the grandmother of the King
D.
Daniel who chose to pray when commanded not to
E.
Paul on the road to Damascus
F.
Joshua “choose this day who you will serve but
as for me and my house we will serve the Lord.
G.
Peter and John who stood before the Jewish rulers
“is it right to obey you rather than God?”
3.
Through history
A.
1517 Luther’s Ninety-five Theses, commanded to
recant he said “Here I stand I can do no other”
B.
1536 John Calvin writes “The Institutes of the
Christian Religion” develops the elder
lead government for the church and town.
He lays out the basics of reformed theology.
C.
1560 John Knox brings Calvinism to Scotland,
caught up in a war for faith and freedom.
a.
“Presbyterian” means Elder lead in Scottish
