A Sermon by Dr. Bob Griffin, Teaching Elder at Sovereign Grace Church
EASTER SUNDAY, 2013. “Easter is more than bonnets, brunch, baskets and bunnies. It is about a garden, a cross and an empty tomb.”
I. TROUBLES
A. DESTINATION
Lk 22:39 And He went out, as was His pattern, to the Mount of Olives, and the disciples followed Him Mt 26:36b . . to a Garden called Gethsemane, and He said to them, “Sit here, while I go ahead and pray.”
1. GARDEN
2. GUARDIANS
B. DISTRESS
Mt 26:37-38a And taking with Him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, He began to be sorrowful and distressed. Then He told them, “My soul is swallowed up in grief to the point of death
1. GLOOM
Physical horror awaiting
Spiritual horror awaiting
II Cor 5:21 He who knew no sin would be sin for us
2. GRIEF
C. DILIGENCE
Mt 26:38b Stay near and be vigilant with Me.
1. GIVE
2. GRIT
II. TRIALS
A. DESIRE
1. GRAPPLING
Mt 26:39 And going forward He fell on His face praying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from Me. Except not as I will, but as You will.”
(also Matthew 19:26, Hebrews 6:18, 11:6)
Psalm 75:8 For in the hand of the Lord there is a cup, and the wine is red; it is fully mixed, and He pours it out; surely its dregs shall all the wicked of the earth drain and drink down
Isaiah 51:17 Awake, awake! Stand up, O Jerusalem, you who have drunk at the hand of the Lord the cup of His fury; you have drunk the dregs of the cup of trembling, and drained it out
Jeremiah 25:15 For thus says the Lord God of Israel to me: “Take this wine cup of fury from My hand, and cause all the nations, to whom I send you, to drink it.”
The cup didn’t represent death, but judgment.
2. GUIDANCE
Mt 26:40-41 He returned to the disciples and found them sleeping. And He said to Peter, “So, couldn’t you watch with Me one hour? Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
Luke 22:45
I Peter 5:8 “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour
B. DRINK
1. GRASP
Mt 26:42 Again, for the second time, He went ahead and prayed, “My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, Your will be done.”
First Adam = ‘Not your will but mine’ changed Paradise to desert and brought man from Eden to Gethsemane
Second Adam = ‘Not my will but yours’ brings anguish to the man who prays it but transforms the desert into the kingdom and brings man from Gethsemane to the gates of glory (Carson)
2. GRAVITY
Mt 26:43 He returned and found them sleeping again, as they had difficulty keeping their eyes open.
C. DROPS
1. GRACE
Mt 26:44 So, leaving them, He went forward and prayed for the third time, repeating the same words. Lk 22:43-44 And there appeared to Him an angel from heaven, strengthening Him. And being in an agony He prayed more intensely; and His sweat was like clots of blood dripping to the ground.
2. GORED
Mt 26:45a Then He returned to the disciples and said to them, “Are you still asleep and taking your rest?
III. TRIUMPH
A. DETERMINATION
Mt 26:45b See, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.
1. GALLANTRY
2. GUILTY
B. DIRECTIVE
Mt 26:46 Rise, let us go. See, My betrayer is drawing near.”
1. GIRDED
2. GAUNTLET