WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:03.459 Well, we all know that prayer is essential 00:00:03.459 --> 00:00:10.160 and we all equally know that prayer is tough. 00:00:10.800 --> 00:00:15.240 Now, I'm not talking this morning about prayers 00:00:15.240 --> 00:00:19.039 that are the prayers of God bless this person 00:00:19.039 --> 00:00:24.400 or the prayers of quick, I need, you know, sort of a car park 00:00:24.400 --> 00:00:27.960 or the prayers of please let it be fine 00:00:27.960 --> 00:00:30.160 because I have a very important picnic tomorrow. 00:00:31.120 --> 00:00:34.079 I'm not talking about those sorts of prayers 00:00:34.079 --> 00:00:36.399 because I know that we've all prayed those prayers. 00:00:36.880 --> 00:00:42.939 I'm talking about the prayers that we persist in praying, 00:00:43.500 --> 00:00:46.299 the prayers that are heartfelt prayers 00:00:46.299 --> 00:00:51.420 that keep us looking towards God and looking for an answer. 00:00:52.719 --> 00:00:55.560 Now, surely it should be easy for each of us 00:00:55.560 --> 00:01:00.080 to share our hearts with the God of love 00:01:00.080 --> 00:01:02.800 who wants to hear from his children. 00:01:04.000 --> 00:01:09.359 After all, isn't he interested in all things about us? 00:01:09.520 --> 00:01:12.140 He even knows the number of hairs on our heads. 00:01:12.140 --> 00:01:17.879 Surely, if we are able to chatter to our friends, 00:01:18.159 --> 00:01:20.519 some of us, without taking breath, 00:01:21.519 --> 00:01:25.920 surely we would find it easy to talk to God. 00:01:27.359 --> 00:01:32.819 Surely, if God is the one who we are most devoted to, 00:01:33.819 --> 00:01:36.900 wouldn't that mean we would turn to him first 00:01:36.900 --> 00:01:40.240 in times of need, in confusion, 00:01:40.840 --> 00:01:43.520 in sadness, in disappointment, in joy? 00:01:45.160 --> 00:01:50.060 Surely, if we believe that our great God 00:01:50.060 --> 00:01:52.840 is the God of the impossible, 00:01:54.180 --> 00:01:56.660 the God who can make the barren fall pregnant, 00:01:57.420 --> 00:01:59.640 the God who can split the Red Sea 00:01:59.640 --> 00:02:01.620 for the Israelites to walk across, 00:02:01.620 --> 00:02:06.820 the God who made it possible for a virgin to give birth, 00:02:08.140 --> 00:02:10.379 the God who saw our brokenness 00:02:10.379 --> 00:02:15.539 and made a way for us to be in relationship with him, 00:02:16.539 --> 00:02:18.939 the God who gave his son to death 00:02:18.939 --> 00:02:21.340 so that we might live. 00:02:22.819 --> 00:02:25.460 Surely, our heart's desire 00:02:25.460 --> 00:02:28.920 would be to take that gift of prayer 00:02:28.920 --> 00:02:32.080 seriously, daily, 00:02:33.020 --> 00:02:34.520 with earnestness 00:02:34.520 --> 00:02:36.219 and with confidence. 00:02:38.400 --> 00:02:40.840 And yet we don't. 00:02:42.439 --> 00:02:44.879 Is it because we are distracted 00:02:44.879 --> 00:02:50.040 to know what are the correct words to say in prayer? 00:02:50.480 --> 00:02:51.700 So we say nothing. 00:02:52.719 --> 00:02:53.379 Well, maybe. 00:02:53.379 --> 00:02:59.240 Many would argue over time 00:02:59.240 --> 00:03:03.259 that set prayers are the only acceptable prayers to pray. 00:03:04.419 --> 00:03:06.460 And Steve mentioned last week 00:03:06.460 --> 00:03:09.579 that there are many repetitive prayers 00:03:09.579 --> 00:03:13.120 that some feel are necessary to pray. 00:03:14.599 --> 00:03:16.979 Or is it because we don't know 00:03:16.979 --> 00:03:19.960 how we should be or act 00:03:19.960 --> 00:03:21.280 when we are praying? 00:03:21.400 --> 00:03:22.240 So we say nothing. 00:03:22.240 --> 00:03:24.280 There have been many 00:03:24.280 --> 00:03:25.840 who have argued over the years 00:03:25.840 --> 00:03:27.219 that we should stand 00:03:27.219 --> 00:03:29.800 with our eyes upward to heaven 00:03:29.800 --> 00:03:32.219 and pray to this great God. 00:03:32.680 --> 00:03:34.080 Others feel that we should 00:03:34.080 --> 00:03:36.620 bend our heads in reverence. 00:03:37.920 --> 00:03:39.080 Some might feel 00:03:39.080 --> 00:03:41.280 that they need to lie prostrate on the floor 00:03:41.280 --> 00:03:42.980 to show a sense of humility 00:03:42.980 --> 00:03:45.260 and respect. 00:03:45.259 --> 00:03:49.239 Well, it's simply foolishness 00:03:49.239 --> 00:03:51.919 if we get caught up 00:03:51.919 --> 00:03:53.780 with the issue of posture 00:03:53.780 --> 00:03:55.500 or set words 00:03:55.500 --> 00:03:57.840 to think that prayer then would be effective. 00:03:58.679 --> 00:03:59.659 The point is, 00:03:59.780 --> 00:04:02.120 correct and acceptable prayer 00:04:02.120 --> 00:04:05.799 isn't about posture or set words. 00:04:05.800 --> 00:04:07.800 that would wrongly make it 00:04:07.800 --> 00:04:12.980 that for God to be pleased to hear our prayers 00:04:12.980 --> 00:04:14.700 and to answer our prayers 00:04:14.700 --> 00:04:17.759 has something to do with who we are 00:04:17.759 --> 00:04:19.379 and what we have done 00:04:19.379 --> 00:04:21.980 or what we have said 00:04:21.980 --> 00:04:26.040 instead of it being about this great God 00:04:26.040 --> 00:04:27.139 that we are praying to. 00:04:27.139 --> 00:04:31.199 So why don't we pray? 00:04:31.959 --> 00:04:32.740 Well, basically, 00:04:33.240 --> 00:04:35.079 there's a number of reasons. 00:04:35.199 --> 00:04:37.399 I'm sure you will think of some more. 00:04:37.399 --> 00:04:40.399 But I think that we can, 00:04:40.500 --> 00:04:42.719 but we believe that we can fix things. 00:04:43.819 --> 00:04:45.979 We can fix most things by ourselves. 00:04:46.839 --> 00:04:48.599 And so if something is broken, 00:04:48.739 --> 00:04:50.359 we try to fix it. 00:04:50.899 --> 00:04:52.859 And there's a sense of satisfaction 00:04:52.859 --> 00:04:54.979 when we can fix things. 00:04:55.239 --> 00:04:57.139 And there may even well be 00:04:57.139 --> 00:05:00.099 a greater sense of satisfaction 00:05:00.099 --> 00:05:01.939 if we perceive that others 00:05:01.939 --> 00:05:04.579 can't fix the things that we can fix. 00:05:04.579 --> 00:05:08.399 We generally are self-centred, 00:05:08.979 --> 00:05:11.620 self-reliant, proud individuals. 00:05:12.879 --> 00:05:14.599 Of course, some of us might show 00:05:14.599 --> 00:05:15.959 a little more finesse 00:05:15.959 --> 00:05:17.759 when sharing our pride, 00:05:17.860 --> 00:05:20.279 so that isn't seen as the sin 00:05:20.279 --> 00:05:21.560 that it truly is. 00:05:22.379 --> 00:05:23.219 And while others, 00:05:23.339 --> 00:05:25.839 while others' pride oozes out of them, 00:05:25.879 --> 00:05:27.319 and it's very easily seen. 00:05:27.899 --> 00:05:31.979 But proud, we all are to some extent. 00:05:31.980 --> 00:05:34.980 And it causes us to trust 00:05:34.980 --> 00:05:36.840 our own capabilities 00:05:36.840 --> 00:05:39.520 rather than trusting God first. 00:05:40.520 --> 00:05:42.819 We also need to ask ourselves, 00:05:43.319 --> 00:05:47.020 what do I spend the bulk of my time 00:05:47.020 --> 00:05:49.819 thinking about when no one is looking? 00:05:50.620 --> 00:05:53.439 When nothing is forcing us 00:05:53.439 --> 00:05:55.660 to think about anything in particular? 00:05:55.660 --> 00:05:58.180 At these moments, 00:05:58.740 --> 00:05:59.860 do your thoughts, 00:06:00.000 --> 00:06:01.439 or do my thoughts, 00:06:02.040 --> 00:06:03.140 turn toward God? 00:06:04.740 --> 00:06:06.460 Archbishop William Temple, 00:06:07.140 --> 00:06:08.780 back in 1942, 00:06:09.140 --> 00:06:10.300 in a message said, 00:06:10.860 --> 00:06:13.580 your religion is what you do 00:06:13.580 --> 00:06:14.900 with your solitude. 00:06:15.580 --> 00:06:18.900 That is a really challenging quote. 00:06:19.740 --> 00:06:21.300 Steve last week mentioned 00:06:21.300 --> 00:06:23.280 that prayer is shaped 00:06:23.280 --> 00:06:25.699 by the being to whom we pray. 00:06:26.600 --> 00:06:29.040 What we pray is dependent 00:06:29.040 --> 00:06:31.680 on what we believe we are praying, 00:06:31.939 --> 00:06:33.960 on what we believe the being 00:06:33.960 --> 00:06:37.160 we pray to is capable of fulfilling. 00:06:38.800 --> 00:06:41.360 And if we do not have a correct picture 00:06:41.360 --> 00:06:43.560 of who God is 00:06:43.560 --> 00:06:47.439 and what Jesus has achieved on our behalf, 00:06:47.439 --> 00:06:50.860 then our prayers will either be 00:06:50.860 --> 00:06:52.620 totally absent 00:06:52.620 --> 00:06:56.319 or they will be shallow at best. 00:06:57.939 --> 00:07:00.560 I loved our commitment series 00:07:00.560 --> 00:07:02.360 that we did at the end of last year. 00:07:03.959 --> 00:07:06.860 For me to look at our core values 00:07:06.860 --> 00:07:10.939 gave me a new and fresh revelation 00:07:10.939 --> 00:07:13.000 of how our core values 00:07:13.000 --> 00:07:15.680 fit like hand and glove together, 00:07:15.680 --> 00:07:19.959 especially being a Christ-centered, 00:07:20.180 --> 00:07:21.759 Bible-saturated church 00:07:21.759 --> 00:07:23.639 that is devoted to prayer 00:07:23.639 --> 00:07:27.360 and who love treasuring Jesus together. 00:07:28.860 --> 00:07:33.360 How can one truly be devoted to prayer 00:07:33.360 --> 00:07:35.460 if they do not know the one 00:07:35.460 --> 00:07:36.519 that they pray to? 00:07:37.399 --> 00:07:40.699 How do you know the one to pray to? 00:07:41.500 --> 00:07:44.139 By being in the word of God 00:07:44.139 --> 00:07:44.960 is the answer. 00:07:45.680 --> 00:07:47.459 Becoming a Christ-centered, 00:07:47.720 --> 00:07:50.579 Bible-saturated follower of Jesus Christ 00:07:50.579 --> 00:07:52.600 and meeting together 00:07:52.600 --> 00:07:55.319 for instruction and fellowship 00:07:55.319 --> 00:07:57.199 in treasuring Jesus together. 00:07:58.280 --> 00:08:00.680 You cannot have one without the other 00:08:00.680 --> 00:08:02.899 if you want to be an effective, 00:08:03.220 --> 00:08:05.300 have an effective relationship with God. 00:08:06.460 --> 00:08:07.620 Prayer is essential 00:08:07.620 --> 00:08:10.340 and knowing Jesus the Saviour 00:08:10.340 --> 00:08:11.740 is as essential. 00:08:11.740 --> 00:08:14.420 So why don't we pray? 00:08:15.060 --> 00:08:17.079 We need to ask ourselves, 00:08:17.379 --> 00:08:20.740 do we truly know Jesus 00:08:20.740 --> 00:08:23.960 and the His gospel deeply? 00:08:25.519 --> 00:08:29.579 Well, I'd encourage you to open up the passage 00:08:29.579 --> 00:08:32.100 that we've just had read to us in Mark 14 00:08:32.100 --> 00:08:34.820 and we'll see if that might teach us something. 00:08:34.820 --> 00:08:39.940 The passage where we're up to, 00:08:40.480 --> 00:08:42.540 if we're in the Garden of Gethsemane, 00:08:42.740 --> 00:08:44.340 it's an olive grove. 00:08:44.540 --> 00:08:47.220 It's still an olive grove to this day. 00:08:48.040 --> 00:08:51.200 And even some of the original trees, 00:08:51.460 --> 00:08:53.260 even though they were chopped down 00:08:53.260 --> 00:08:55.680 for the Roman siege in 70 AD, 00:08:55.679 --> 00:08:58.759 after carbon testing of the roots, 00:08:59.059 --> 00:09:01.179 some of them still date back 00:09:01.179 --> 00:09:03.419 2,300 years back. 00:09:04.219 --> 00:09:07.259 Now, I have been in this Garden of Gethsemane. 00:09:07.699 --> 00:09:09.000 It is not huge. 00:09:09.639 --> 00:09:10.659 It is tranquil 00:09:10.659 --> 00:09:13.359 and it is conducive to prayer. 00:09:15.059 --> 00:09:18.259 Now, it's a short time before Jesus is arrested 00:09:18.259 --> 00:09:22.139 and He'll be taken to His death the following day. 00:09:22.559 --> 00:09:25.580 Jesus has celebrated the Passover with His disciples 00:09:25.580 --> 00:09:28.319 and He has once again told them 00:09:28.319 --> 00:09:31.240 of His impending death and His resurrection. 00:09:32.179 --> 00:09:34.419 And He goes with His disciples 00:09:34.419 --> 00:09:37.980 and He leaves all bar three of His disciples 00:09:37.980 --> 00:09:41.379 at most probably is the entrance to the Garden. 00:09:42.159 --> 00:09:44.279 And then He moves on a little forward 00:09:44.279 --> 00:09:45.519 with three disciples, 00:09:46.580 --> 00:09:47.860 Peter, James and John, 00:09:47.860 --> 00:09:49.800 His closest disciples, 00:09:49.980 --> 00:09:50.720 closest friends, 00:09:51.120 --> 00:09:52.220 a little further on. 00:09:54.419 --> 00:09:56.240 Look at verse 34 with me. 00:09:56.340 --> 00:09:58.600 My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow 00:09:58.600 --> 00:09:59.800 to the point of death, 00:09:59.860 --> 00:10:00.620 He said to them. 00:10:01.100 --> 00:10:03.259 Stay here and keep watch. 00:10:03.860 --> 00:10:05.399 He's saying this to the three. 00:10:06.639 --> 00:10:07.159 Remarkably, 00:10:08.060 --> 00:10:10.759 Jesus shows that it is okay 00:10:10.759 --> 00:10:13.720 to share your deepest burdens 00:10:13.720 --> 00:10:16.019 with those that you trust. 00:10:16.019 --> 00:10:18.960 And apart from the Father, 00:10:19.659 --> 00:10:23.480 who we see He is going to pray earnestly to, 00:10:24.139 --> 00:10:25.419 Peter, James and John 00:10:25.419 --> 00:10:28.079 were His closest disciples and friends. 00:10:28.840 --> 00:10:30.919 Jesus shares His heart with the three. 00:10:31.720 --> 00:10:35.000 Jesus knows what is lying ahead of Him. 00:10:35.240 --> 00:10:37.199 He could have been stoic, 00:10:38.199 --> 00:10:42.340 shown that even in His complete humanness, 00:10:42.340 --> 00:10:44.280 He was in control. 00:10:44.280 --> 00:10:44.379 He was in control. 00:10:44.720 --> 00:10:47.580 Not let those close to Him 00:10:47.580 --> 00:10:50.980 know that He was burdened and struggling. 00:10:50.980 --> 00:10:55.960 Isn't that what most of us would like to do 00:10:55.960 --> 00:10:58.080 when we're faced with something tough? 00:10:59.080 --> 00:10:59.659 No. 00:11:00.659 --> 00:11:02.580 Jesus is truly human 00:11:02.580 --> 00:11:05.440 and He is showing truly human, 00:11:05.720 --> 00:11:06.480 honest struggles 00:11:06.480 --> 00:11:08.639 and with good reason, 00:11:09.139 --> 00:11:10.500 for He knows better 00:11:10.500 --> 00:11:12.180 and more fully 00:11:12.180 --> 00:11:13.940 than the disciples 00:11:13.940 --> 00:11:17.240 of what the next day is going to bring. 00:11:17.240 --> 00:11:21.860 And what does this sorrow do for Jesus? 00:11:23.080 --> 00:11:25.899 It drives Him to prayer. 00:11:27.320 --> 00:11:29.720 Then He moves a little way away from them 00:11:29.720 --> 00:11:32.240 and He shows His dependence 00:11:32.240 --> 00:11:33.519 on His heavenly Father. 00:11:34.519 --> 00:11:35.700 Verse 35, 00:11:35.700 --> 00:11:37.100 Going a little farther, 00:11:37.259 --> 00:11:38.660 He fell to the ground 00:11:38.660 --> 00:11:40.840 and prayed that if possible, 00:11:41.280 --> 00:11:42.680 the Lord might pass... 00:11:42.680 --> 00:11:44.480 The Lord might pass... 00:11:44.480 --> 00:11:44.940 Sorry. 00:11:46.120 --> 00:11:47.300 He fell to the ground 00:11:47.300 --> 00:11:48.780 and prayed that if possible, 00:11:48.879 --> 00:11:51.180 the hour might pass from Him. 00:11:51.820 --> 00:11:53.560 Abba, Father, He said, 00:11:53.800 --> 00:11:55.520 everything is possible for you. 00:11:55.940 --> 00:11:57.879 Take this cup from me, 00:11:58.440 --> 00:12:00.000 yet not my will, 00:12:00.560 --> 00:12:01.700 but your will. 00:12:01.700 --> 00:12:04.980 Jesus understands 00:12:04.980 --> 00:12:06.600 that this cup 00:12:06.600 --> 00:12:09.320 is no ordinary cup, 00:12:09.780 --> 00:12:12.920 but it is the wrathful judgment, 00:12:13.379 --> 00:12:15.340 the awful consequences 00:12:15.340 --> 00:12:17.500 of God's judgment 00:12:17.500 --> 00:12:19.540 on sinful humanity. 00:12:20.700 --> 00:12:22.520 There's a number of references 00:12:22.520 --> 00:12:26.080 to the cup of wrath in the Bible. 00:12:26.980 --> 00:12:28.280 Isaiah 51 says, 00:12:28.280 --> 00:12:29.320 Awake, awake, 00:12:29.480 --> 00:12:30.900 rise up, O Jerusalem, 00:12:30.899 --> 00:12:32.679 you who have drunk 00:12:32.679 --> 00:12:33.899 from the hand of the Lord 00:12:33.899 --> 00:12:35.439 the cup of His wrath, 00:12:35.939 --> 00:12:37.679 you who have drained its dregs, 00:12:37.759 --> 00:12:39.559 the goblet that makes men stagger. 00:12:40.480 --> 00:12:41.819 Revelation 14, 00:12:42.699 --> 00:12:44.439 a third angel followed them 00:12:44.439 --> 00:12:45.579 and said in a loud voice, 00:12:45.659 --> 00:12:47.480 If anyone worships the beast 00:12:47.480 --> 00:12:48.840 and his image 00:12:48.840 --> 00:12:50.419 and receives his mark 00:12:50.419 --> 00:12:51.139 on the forehead 00:12:51.139 --> 00:12:52.699 or on the hand, 00:12:52.980 --> 00:12:54.419 he too will drink 00:12:54.419 --> 00:12:56.559 the wine of God's fury, 00:12:56.559 --> 00:12:58.179 which has been poured 00:12:58.179 --> 00:12:59.159 full strength 00:12:59.159 --> 00:13:00.720 into the cup of His wrath. 00:13:01.620 --> 00:13:02.659 He will be tormented 00:13:02.659 --> 00:13:03.740 with burning sulfur 00:13:03.740 --> 00:13:04.500 in the presence 00:13:04.500 --> 00:13:05.639 of the holy angels 00:13:05.639 --> 00:13:06.399 and the Lamb. 00:13:07.199 --> 00:13:08.759 Revelation 16, 19, 00:13:09.059 --> 00:13:10.980 God remembered Babylon the great 00:13:10.980 --> 00:13:13.019 and gave her the cup 00:13:13.019 --> 00:13:15.159 filled with the wine 00:13:15.159 --> 00:13:17.439 of the fury of His wrath. 00:13:18.799 --> 00:13:21.639 This cup is God's wrath 00:13:21.639 --> 00:13:23.439 that would be poured out 00:13:23.439 --> 00:13:25.759 on you and me 00:13:25.759 --> 00:13:28.860 if we were not followers 00:13:28.860 --> 00:13:30.259 of Jesus Christ. 00:13:31.860 --> 00:13:34.500 It is Jesus' perfect death, 00:13:34.759 --> 00:13:35.779 a perfect life, 00:13:36.559 --> 00:13:37.419 perfect death 00:13:37.419 --> 00:13:40.399 in taking the wrath we deserve 00:13:40.399 --> 00:13:42.500 and His perfect resurrection 00:13:42.500 --> 00:13:45.240 that we can have confidence 00:13:45.240 --> 00:13:47.399 in this gospel that saves us. 00:13:48.139 --> 00:13:49.299 Without this, 00:13:49.759 --> 00:13:51.639 we are all lost 00:13:51.639 --> 00:13:52.960 for all eternity. 00:13:52.960 --> 00:13:55.660 We see the intimacy 00:13:55.660 --> 00:13:56.540 with the Father 00:13:56.540 --> 00:13:58.220 as well as His confidence 00:13:58.220 --> 00:13:59.720 in His nearness 00:13:59.720 --> 00:14:00.860 and loving care. 00:14:01.519 --> 00:14:02.780 We see it by 00:14:02.780 --> 00:14:04.280 the simple address 00:14:04.280 --> 00:14:05.860 of calling God the Father 00:14:05.860 --> 00:14:06.860 Abba, 00:14:07.420 --> 00:14:08.360 which is similar 00:14:08.360 --> 00:14:09.400 to us saying 00:14:09.400 --> 00:14:10.320 Daddy. 00:14:11.160 --> 00:14:12.280 It shows Jesus 00:14:12.280 --> 00:14:13.400 trusts God 00:14:13.400 --> 00:14:14.560 completely 00:14:14.560 --> 00:14:16.259 as His Father 00:14:16.259 --> 00:14:18.600 and is completely 00:14:18.600 --> 00:14:19.539 obedient. 00:14:20.500 --> 00:14:21.200 His prayer 00:14:21.200 --> 00:14:22.480 isn't trying to run 00:14:22.480 --> 00:14:23.299 counter 00:14:23.299 --> 00:14:24.840 to God's purposes, 00:14:25.659 --> 00:14:27.059 but explores 00:14:27.059 --> 00:14:29.840 is there another way here? 00:14:30.679 --> 00:14:31.899 Can He escape 00:14:31.899 --> 00:14:33.240 the horrifying cup? 00:14:34.559 --> 00:14:36.620 It isn't insubordination, 00:14:37.179 --> 00:14:38.860 but complete trust 00:14:38.860 --> 00:14:41.600 that God listens 00:14:41.600 --> 00:14:43.180 and grants 00:14:43.180 --> 00:14:45.259 prayer requests 00:14:45.259 --> 00:14:47.240 that are aligned 00:14:47.240 --> 00:14:48.440 with God's 00:14:48.440 --> 00:14:50.159 overall providence. 00:14:51.159 --> 00:14:52.980 The answer we know 00:14:52.980 --> 00:14:53.980 is no. 00:14:54.580 --> 00:14:56.180 There is no other way. 00:14:57.399 --> 00:14:58.800 Jesus will in fact 00:14:58.800 --> 00:15:01.399 die the horrendous death, 00:15:02.440 --> 00:15:03.639 taking the wrath of God 00:15:03.639 --> 00:15:04.980 that you and I 00:15:04.980 --> 00:15:05.980 deserve 00:15:05.980 --> 00:15:07.740 so that we 00:15:07.740 --> 00:15:09.060 can live, 00:15:10.240 --> 00:15:11.659 so that we don't 00:15:11.659 --> 00:15:13.060 have to take 00:15:13.060 --> 00:15:13.879 the wrath of God, 00:15:14.379 --> 00:15:16.100 so that we can have 00:15:16.100 --> 00:15:17.620 our prayers answered, 00:15:18.500 --> 00:15:19.620 so that we 00:15:19.620 --> 00:15:20.680 can be assured 00:15:20.680 --> 00:15:21.740 of God's love, 00:15:21.980 --> 00:15:22.759 His mercy, 00:15:23.100 --> 00:15:24.060 His sovereignty 00:15:24.060 --> 00:15:25.620 in all things. 00:15:26.879 --> 00:15:29.019 If you do not believe 00:15:29.019 --> 00:15:30.259 in the wrath of God 00:15:30.259 --> 00:15:32.180 that has been 00:15:32.180 --> 00:15:33.100 poured out 00:15:33.100 --> 00:15:34.039 on Jesus 00:15:34.039 --> 00:15:35.820 on our behalf, 00:15:35.980 --> 00:15:37.440 then you will 00:15:37.440 --> 00:15:38.580 not appreciate 00:15:38.580 --> 00:15:40.600 how valuable 00:15:40.600 --> 00:15:41.940 you are 00:15:41.940 --> 00:15:42.920 to God. 00:15:44.379 --> 00:15:46.139 You have no idea 00:15:46.139 --> 00:15:46.960 of your value 00:15:46.960 --> 00:15:48.279 if you don't know 00:15:48.279 --> 00:15:49.519 the wrath of God 00:15:49.519 --> 00:15:51.240 and believe in it. 00:15:52.379 --> 00:15:53.600 You see, 00:15:54.139 --> 00:15:56.000 we can be confident 00:15:56.000 --> 00:15:58.060 that God will hear 00:15:58.060 --> 00:16:00.019 and answer our prayers 00:16:00.019 --> 00:16:02.259 because in the garden, 00:16:02.820 --> 00:16:03.940 God chose 00:16:03.940 --> 00:16:05.320 to not 00:16:05.320 --> 00:16:06.120 answer 00:16:06.120 --> 00:16:07.460 Jesus' prayer 00:16:07.460 --> 00:16:09.060 of taking 00:16:09.060 --> 00:16:09.500 the cup 00:16:09.500 --> 00:16:09.980 from Him. 00:16:11.660 --> 00:16:12.760 It was essential 00:16:12.760 --> 00:16:13.840 that the wrath of God 00:16:13.840 --> 00:16:14.500 is taken 00:16:14.500 --> 00:16:15.400 by someone 00:16:15.400 --> 00:16:16.600 so that we 00:16:16.600 --> 00:16:17.440 would be free 00:16:17.440 --> 00:16:18.940 to have a relationship 00:16:18.940 --> 00:16:19.980 with God the Father. 00:16:20.800 --> 00:16:21.520 That someone 00:16:21.520 --> 00:16:22.280 was Jesus 00:16:22.280 --> 00:16:23.880 and it was for you 00:16:23.880 --> 00:16:25.180 and it was for me. 00:16:26.620 --> 00:16:28.360 Turn to verse 37 00:16:28.360 --> 00:16:29.260 with me 00:16:29.260 --> 00:16:30.300 and a little 00:16:30.300 --> 00:16:30.940 further on. 00:16:30.940 --> 00:16:32.340 We know 00:16:32.340 --> 00:16:32.900 that Jesus 00:16:32.900 --> 00:16:33.380 has said 00:16:33.380 --> 00:16:34.280 to His disciples, 00:16:34.520 --> 00:16:35.480 stay here a while 00:16:35.480 --> 00:16:36.460 and keep watch. 00:16:37.560 --> 00:16:38.620 Then He returned 00:16:38.620 --> 00:16:39.540 to His disciples 00:16:39.540 --> 00:16:40.880 and found them sleeping. 00:16:41.240 --> 00:16:41.640 Simon, 00:16:41.980 --> 00:16:42.860 He said to Peter, 00:16:43.240 --> 00:16:44.200 are you asleep? 00:16:44.580 --> 00:16:45.260 Could you not 00:16:45.260 --> 00:16:45.960 keep watch 00:16:45.960 --> 00:16:46.840 for one hour? 00:16:47.620 --> 00:16:48.440 Watch and pray 00:16:48.440 --> 00:16:49.240 so that you will 00:16:49.240 --> 00:16:50.700 not fall into temptation. 00:16:51.380 --> 00:16:52.040 The spirit 00:16:52.040 --> 00:16:52.600 is willing 00:16:52.600 --> 00:16:53.960 but the body 00:16:53.960 --> 00:16:54.520 is weak. 00:16:55.780 --> 00:16:56.580 Once more, 00:16:56.900 --> 00:16:57.680 He went away 00:16:57.680 --> 00:16:58.400 and He prayed 00:16:58.399 --> 00:16:59.220 the same thing. 00:16:59.919 --> 00:17:00.959 When He came back, 00:17:01.360 --> 00:17:02.399 He again found them 00:17:02.399 --> 00:17:02.819 sleeping 00:17:02.819 --> 00:17:04.059 because their eyes 00:17:04.059 --> 00:17:04.599 were heavy. 00:17:05.319 --> 00:17:06.259 They did not know 00:17:06.259 --> 00:17:07.200 what to say to Him. 00:17:07.339 --> 00:17:08.740 Returning the third time, 00:17:08.799 --> 00:17:09.460 He said to them, 00:17:09.920 --> 00:17:11.700 are you still sleeping 00:17:11.700 --> 00:17:12.400 and resting? 00:17:12.599 --> 00:17:13.119 Enough! 00:17:13.680 --> 00:17:14.940 The hour has come. 00:17:15.079 --> 00:17:15.400 Look, 00:17:15.819 --> 00:17:16.680 the Son of Man 00:17:16.680 --> 00:17:17.319 is betrayed 00:17:17.319 --> 00:17:18.099 into the hands 00:17:18.099 --> 00:17:18.660 of sinners. 00:17:19.240 --> 00:17:19.720 Rise, 00:17:19.859 --> 00:17:20.500 let us go. 00:17:20.680 --> 00:17:22.000 Here comes my betrayer. 00:17:23.099 --> 00:17:24.500 Three times, 00:17:25.200 --> 00:17:26.379 Jesus discovers 00:17:26.380 --> 00:17:27.820 them sleeping 00:17:27.820 --> 00:17:29.660 after bidding them 00:17:29.660 --> 00:17:30.660 to keep watch. 00:17:32.700 --> 00:17:33.340 Interestingly, 00:17:34.000 --> 00:17:35.320 you will recall 00:17:35.320 --> 00:17:37.160 that there was a time 00:17:37.160 --> 00:17:38.800 when they were 00:17:38.800 --> 00:17:40.060 in crisis, 00:17:40.380 --> 00:17:41.060 the disciples, 00:17:41.620 --> 00:17:42.720 and Jesus was 00:17:42.720 --> 00:17:43.700 the one sleeping 00:17:43.700 --> 00:17:44.960 in the back of the boat 00:17:44.960 --> 00:17:46.260 when there was a storm. 00:17:47.280 --> 00:17:48.200 But here, 00:17:48.500 --> 00:17:50.080 they are the ones sleeping 00:17:50.080 --> 00:17:51.600 when Jesus 00:17:51.600 --> 00:17:52.540 is the one 00:17:52.540 --> 00:17:53.640 in real crisis. 00:17:53.640 --> 00:17:55.560 And their drowsiness 00:17:55.560 --> 00:17:56.920 reflects 00:17:56.920 --> 00:17:58.160 their failure 00:17:58.160 --> 00:17:59.660 to realise 00:17:59.660 --> 00:18:01.220 how crucial 00:18:01.220 --> 00:18:02.520 this moment 00:18:02.520 --> 00:18:03.840 really is. 00:18:05.300 --> 00:18:06.840 But is Jesus 00:18:06.840 --> 00:18:07.660 stern, 00:18:08.400 --> 00:18:09.060 judgemental, 00:18:09.580 --> 00:18:10.300 accusatory? 00:18:10.920 --> 00:18:12.460 I'm not so sure. 00:18:13.160 --> 00:18:14.200 Some of the commentators 00:18:14.200 --> 00:18:14.820 say yes. 00:18:15.500 --> 00:18:16.340 But there is 00:18:16.340 --> 00:18:17.060 a sense of 00:18:17.060 --> 00:18:17.980 understanding 00:18:17.980 --> 00:18:18.759 from Jesus. 00:18:19.340 --> 00:18:20.040 His comment 00:18:20.040 --> 00:18:20.980 that the spirit 00:18:20.980 --> 00:18:21.520 is willing 00:18:21.520 --> 00:18:22.280 but the body 00:18:22.279 --> 00:18:23.039 is weak 00:18:23.039 --> 00:18:24.420 sounds more 00:18:24.420 --> 00:18:25.259 like a comment 00:18:25.259 --> 00:18:25.960 that he 00:18:25.960 --> 00:18:27.119 understands. 00:18:28.299 --> 00:18:29.759 But he's firm 00:18:29.759 --> 00:18:31.379 and he alone 00:18:31.379 --> 00:18:32.000 knows what 00:18:32.000 --> 00:18:33.000 lies ahead. 00:18:34.139 --> 00:18:35.519 Jesus has prepared 00:18:35.519 --> 00:18:37.000 himself in prayer 00:18:37.000 --> 00:18:38.139 for what is 00:18:38.139 --> 00:18:38.779 ahead of him. 00:18:39.660 --> 00:18:40.680 He has cried out 00:18:40.680 --> 00:18:41.039 to God 00:18:41.039 --> 00:18:42.240 to change the plan 00:18:42.240 --> 00:18:42.859 if possible 00:18:42.859 --> 00:18:44.139 but once he knows 00:18:44.139 --> 00:18:45.200 that he will be 00:18:45.200 --> 00:18:46.039 delivered into 00:18:46.039 --> 00:18:46.740 the hands 00:18:46.740 --> 00:18:47.359 of the enemy, 00:18:47.920 --> 00:18:48.819 he freely 00:18:48.819 --> 00:18:50.240 has accepted 00:18:50.240 --> 00:18:50.859 God's will 00:18:50.859 --> 00:18:51.620 for himself 00:18:51.620 --> 00:18:52.819 and through 00:18:52.819 --> 00:18:53.460 prayer 00:18:53.460 --> 00:18:54.700 has steeled 00:18:54.700 --> 00:18:55.240 himself 00:18:55.240 --> 00:18:56.599 for what lies 00:18:56.599 --> 00:18:57.079 ahead 00:18:57.079 --> 00:18:58.440 and he goes 00:18:58.440 --> 00:18:59.120 in obedience. 00:19:00.519 --> 00:19:01.720 By contrast, 00:19:03.000 --> 00:19:04.000 the disciples 00:19:04.000 --> 00:19:05.960 have squandered 00:19:05.960 --> 00:19:07.079 the opportunity 00:19:07.079 --> 00:19:08.799 for prayer 00:19:08.799 --> 00:19:09.839 by sleeping. 00:19:11.000 --> 00:19:11.759 Consequently, 00:19:12.180 --> 00:19:13.400 they fold 00:19:13.400 --> 00:19:14.539 under the pressure. 00:19:14.539 --> 00:19:17.200 we see this 00:19:17.200 --> 00:19:18.079 in six 00:19:18.079 --> 00:19:19.139 very sad 00:19:19.139 --> 00:19:19.539 verses 00:19:19.539 --> 00:19:20.740 in verse 50. 00:19:21.680 --> 00:19:22.399 Just after 00:19:22.399 --> 00:19:23.180 Jesus is 00:19:23.180 --> 00:19:23.639 arrested 00:19:23.639 --> 00:19:24.619 and we read, 00:19:25.299 --> 00:19:26.759 then everyone 00:19:26.759 --> 00:19:28.019 deserted him 00:19:28.019 --> 00:19:29.279 and fled. 00:19:31.119 --> 00:19:32.319 So how 00:19:32.319 --> 00:19:33.399 often 00:19:33.399 --> 00:19:34.279 do we 00:19:34.279 --> 00:19:35.119 squander 00:19:35.119 --> 00:19:36.960 the opportunity 00:19:36.960 --> 00:19:38.440 to pray? 00:19:38.440 --> 00:19:41.420 Do we 00:19:41.420 --> 00:19:42.059 come to 00:19:42.059 --> 00:19:42.539 God 00:19:42.539 --> 00:19:44.380 and acknowledge 00:19:44.380 --> 00:19:45.140 God 00:19:45.140 --> 00:19:46.640 for his 00:19:46.640 --> 00:19:47.380 majesty 00:19:47.380 --> 00:19:48.640 and his 00:19:48.640 --> 00:19:49.220 awe 00:19:49.220 --> 00:19:50.660 and we 00:19:50.660 --> 00:19:51.620 hallow him 00:19:51.620 --> 00:19:52.440 as Steve 00:19:52.440 --> 00:19:53.160 preached last 00:19:53.160 --> 00:19:53.539 week? 00:19:54.680 --> 00:19:55.759 Do we 00:19:55.759 --> 00:19:56.980 ask God 00:19:56.980 --> 00:19:58.519 to examine 00:19:58.519 --> 00:19:59.600 our hearts 00:19:59.600 --> 00:20:00.799 as the 00:20:00.799 --> 00:20:01.240 psalmist 00:20:01.240 --> 00:20:01.820 prays in 00:20:01.820 --> 00:20:03.740 Psalm 139? 00:20:03.860 --> 00:20:04.240 He says, 00:20:04.779 --> 00:20:05.059 search me, 00:20:05.140 --> 00:20:05.600 O God, 00:20:06.039 --> 00:20:06.740 know my 00:20:06.740 --> 00:20:07.340 heart, 00:20:07.860 --> 00:20:08.360 test 00:20:08.359 --> 00:20:08.719 me, 00:20:09.240 --> 00:20:10.019 know my 00:20:10.019 --> 00:20:10.500 anxious 00:20:10.500 --> 00:20:11.240 thoughts, 00:20:11.859 --> 00:20:12.479 see if 00:20:12.479 --> 00:20:12.879 there is 00:20:12.879 --> 00:20:13.519 any 00:20:13.519 --> 00:20:14.159 offensive 00:20:14.159 --> 00:20:14.979 way in 00:20:14.979 --> 00:20:15.599 me and 00:20:15.599 --> 00:20:16.519 lead me 00:20:16.519 --> 00:20:17.179 in the 00:20:17.179 --> 00:20:17.459 way 00:20:17.459 --> 00:20:18.279 everlasting. 00:20:19.139 --> 00:20:19.500 How 00:20:19.500 --> 00:20:20.199 often do 00:20:20.199 --> 00:20:20.659 you pray 00:20:20.659 --> 00:20:21.059 that 00:20:21.059 --> 00:20:21.479 prayer? 00:20:24.479 --> 00:20:25.159 How 00:20:25.159 --> 00:20:25.879 often do 00:20:25.879 --> 00:20:26.519 you pray 00:20:26.519 --> 00:20:27.319 and repent 00:20:27.319 --> 00:20:27.759 of your 00:20:27.759 --> 00:20:28.179 sins? 00:20:28.699 --> 00:20:28.879 How 00:20:28.879 --> 00:20:29.479 often do 00:20:29.479 --> 00:20:30.059 I do 00:20:30.059 --> 00:20:30.399 that? 00:20:32.159 --> 00:20:32.839 How 00:20:32.839 --> 00:20:33.559 often do 00:20:33.559 --> 00:20:34.039 we hand 00:20:34.039 --> 00:20:34.679 all of our 00:20:34.679 --> 00:20:35.559 concerns over 00:20:35.559 --> 00:20:35.919 to the 00:20:35.919 --> 00:20:36.179 Lord, 00:20:36.539 --> 00:20:37.000 the things 00:20:37.000 --> 00:20:37.279 that are 00:20:37.279 --> 00:20:37.859 making us 00:20:37.859 --> 00:20:38.419 anxious? 00:20:40.719 --> 00:20:41.199 Tim 00:20:41.199 --> 00:20:41.579 Keller 00:20:41.579 --> 00:20:43.240 has a 00:20:43.240 --> 00:20:43.559 sermon 00:20:43.559 --> 00:20:44.439 online 00:20:44.439 --> 00:20:45.019 and he 00:20:45.019 --> 00:20:45.939 refers to 00:20:45.939 --> 00:20:46.619 on prayer 00:20:46.619 --> 00:20:47.240 and he 00:20:47.240 --> 00:20:47.859 refers to 00:20:47.859 --> 00:20:48.279 Eugene 00:20:48.279 --> 00:20:48.839 Peterson 00:20:48.839 --> 00:20:50.519 and his 00:20:50.519 --> 00:20:51.019 thoughts 00:20:51.019 --> 00:20:51.779 on prayer. 00:20:53.299 --> 00:20:53.919 Eugene 00:20:53.919 --> 00:20:54.439 Peterson 00:20:54.439 --> 00:20:55.319 says that 00:20:55.319 --> 00:20:56.839 prayer needs 00:20:56.839 --> 00:20:57.439 to have a 00:20:57.439 --> 00:20:57.799 rhythm, 00:20:58.759 --> 00:20:59.679 a spiritual 00:20:59.679 --> 00:21:00.259 discipline, 00:21:00.799 --> 00:21:02.079 if you want 00:21:02.079 --> 00:21:02.459 a different 00:21:02.459 --> 00:21:02.819 word. 00:21:02.819 --> 00:21:03.819 prayer. 00:21:03.819 --> 00:21:04.319 Peterson 00:21:04.319 --> 00:21:05.139 says that 00:21:05.139 --> 00:21:05.519 Psalm 00:21:05.519 --> 00:21:07.379 4 is 00:21:07.379 --> 00:21:08.200 an evening 00:21:08.200 --> 00:21:09.200 prayer and 00:21:09.200 --> 00:21:10.359 Psalm 5 00:21:10.359 --> 00:21:10.939 is a 00:21:10.939 --> 00:21:11.319 morning 00:21:11.319 --> 00:21:11.779 prayer. 00:21:12.460 --> 00:21:12.759 It's 00:21:12.759 --> 00:21:13.119 worth 00:21:13.119 --> 00:21:13.960 either 00:21:13.960 --> 00:21:14.779 listening to 00:21:14.779 --> 00:21:15.599 Tim Keller's 00:21:15.599 --> 00:21:15.899 sermon 00:21:15.899 --> 00:21:17.480 online or 00:21:17.480 --> 00:21:18.460 maybe buying 00:21:18.460 --> 00:21:18.980 his new 00:21:18.980 --> 00:21:19.419 book on 00:21:19.419 --> 00:21:20.079 prayer if 00:21:20.079 --> 00:21:20.460 you want 00:21:20.460 --> 00:21:20.859 to actually 00:21:20.859 --> 00:21:21.319 understand 00:21:21.319 --> 00:21:21.899 this more. 00:21:22.379 --> 00:21:23.059 But simply 00:21:23.059 --> 00:21:23.639 put in 00:21:23.639 --> 00:21:24.059 brief, 00:21:24.659 --> 00:21:24.980 from 00:21:24.980 --> 00:21:25.960 Psalm 4 00:21:25.960 --> 00:21:26.960 the 00:21:26.960 --> 00:21:28.680 psalmist 00:21:28.680 --> 00:21:29.120 speaks, 00:21:29.259 --> 00:21:29.460 God 00:21:29.460 --> 00:21:29.860 speaks, 00:21:29.980 --> 00:21:30.140 the 00:21:30.140 --> 00:21:30.519 psalmist 00:21:30.519 --> 00:21:30.860 speaks. 00:21:31.000 --> 00:21:31.360 So the 00:21:31.360 --> 00:21:31.740 psalmist 00:21:31.740 --> 00:21:32.279 says, 00:21:33.120 --> 00:21:33.840 answer me 00:21:33.840 --> 00:21:34.240 when I 00:21:34.240 --> 00:21:34.779 call to 00:21:34.779 --> 00:21:35.019 you, 00:21:35.140 --> 00:21:35.680 O my 00:21:35.680 --> 00:21:36.140 righteous 00:21:36.140 --> 00:21:36.559 God, 00:21:36.720 --> 00:21:37.240 give me 00:21:37.240 --> 00:21:37.720 relief 00:21:37.720 --> 00:21:38.220 from my 00:21:38.220 --> 00:21:38.759 distress, 00:21:39.259 --> 00:21:39.980 be merciful 00:21:39.980 --> 00:21:40.700 to me 00:21:40.700 --> 00:21:41.840 and hear 00:21:41.840 --> 00:21:43.440 my prayer. 00:21:44.200 --> 00:21:44.840 Then God 00:21:44.840 --> 00:21:45.400 speaks, 00:21:45.980 --> 00:21:46.840 in your 00:21:46.840 --> 00:21:47.360 anger 00:21:47.360 --> 00:21:48.440 do not 00:21:48.440 --> 00:21:48.880 sin, 00:21:49.440 --> 00:21:49.840 when you 00:21:49.840 --> 00:21:50.240 are on 00:21:50.240 --> 00:21:50.880 your beds 00:21:50.880 --> 00:21:52.160 search your 00:21:52.160 --> 00:21:52.700 hearts 00:21:52.700 --> 00:21:53.440 and be 00:21:53.440 --> 00:21:53.980 silent. 00:21:53.980 --> 00:21:55.519 Then the 00:21:55.519 --> 00:21:55.980 psalmist 00:21:55.980 --> 00:21:56.799 speaks again, 00:21:57.579 --> 00:21:57.920 let the 00:21:57.920 --> 00:21:58.519 light of 00:21:58.519 --> 00:21:59.039 your face 00:21:59.039 --> 00:21:59.680 shine upon 00:21:59.680 --> 00:21:59.980 us, 00:22:00.059 --> 00:22:00.539 O Lord, 00:22:00.759 --> 00:22:01.660 you have 00:22:01.660 --> 00:22:02.220 filled my 00:22:02.220 --> 00:22:02.799 heart with 00:22:02.799 --> 00:22:03.980 greater joy 00:22:03.980 --> 00:22:04.819 than when 00:22:04.819 --> 00:22:05.440 the grain 00:22:05.440 --> 00:22:05.799 and the 00:22:05.799 --> 00:22:06.519 new wine 00:22:06.519 --> 00:22:07.160 abound. 00:22:07.400 --> 00:22:07.920 I will 00:22:07.920 --> 00:22:08.740 lie down 00:22:08.740 --> 00:22:09.680 and sleep 00:22:09.680 --> 00:22:10.640 in peace 00:22:10.640 --> 00:22:11.579 for you 00:22:11.579 --> 00:22:12.140 alone, 00:22:12.539 --> 00:22:13.180 O Lord, 00:22:13.360 --> 00:22:13.900 make me 00:22:13.900 --> 00:22:14.680 dwell in 00:22:14.680 --> 00:22:15.319 safety. 00:22:16.279 --> 00:22:16.940 Meaning, 00:22:17.819 --> 00:22:18.980 hand every 00:22:18.980 --> 00:22:20.299 anxious thought 00:22:20.299 --> 00:22:21.339 over to 00:22:21.339 --> 00:22:22.200 God at 00:22:22.200 --> 00:22:23.519 night and 00:22:23.519 --> 00:22:24.460 sleep well. 00:22:25.680 --> 00:22:26.500 It's about 00:22:26.500 --> 00:22:27.359 praying to 00:22:27.359 --> 00:22:27.799 put your 00:22:27.799 --> 00:22:29.160 soul at 00:22:29.160 --> 00:22:31.119 rest by 00:22:31.119 --> 00:22:32.039 giving over 00:22:32.039 --> 00:22:32.639 to God. 00:22:33.619 --> 00:22:33.980 Peterson 00:22:33.980 --> 00:22:34.819 says that 00:22:34.819 --> 00:22:35.180 if you're 00:22:35.180 --> 00:22:36.119 still anxious, 00:22:36.920 --> 00:22:37.879 you haven't 00:22:37.879 --> 00:22:38.720 trusted God 00:22:38.720 --> 00:22:40.200 fully with 00:22:40.200 --> 00:22:41.099 all your 00:22:41.099 --> 00:22:42.720 concerns or 00:22:42.720 --> 00:22:43.319 you haven't 00:22:43.319 --> 00:22:44.119 truly handed 00:22:44.119 --> 00:22:44.639 them all 00:22:44.639 --> 00:22:45.099 over to 00:22:45.099 --> 00:22:45.680 God and 00:22:45.680 --> 00:22:46.139 you need 00:22:46.139 --> 00:22:47.099 to continue 00:22:47.099 --> 00:22:47.660 praying. 00:22:47.660 --> 00:22:48.660 God 00:22:48.660 --> 00:22:49.900 but the 00:22:49.900 --> 00:22:50.960 idea is 00:22:50.960 --> 00:22:51.900 that you 00:22:51.900 --> 00:22:52.560 hand at 00:22:52.560 --> 00:22:53.680 night those 00:22:53.680 --> 00:22:54.420 things that 00:22:54.420 --> 00:22:54.920 are making 00:22:54.920 --> 00:22:55.620 you anxious 00:22:55.620 --> 00:22:56.400 over to 00:22:56.400 --> 00:22:56.920 the Lord 00:22:56.920 --> 00:22:58.000 so that 00:22:58.000 --> 00:22:58.400 you can 00:22:58.400 --> 00:22:59.080 rest. 00:23:00.240 --> 00:23:00.880 Different 00:23:00.880 --> 00:23:01.480 with Psalm 00:23:01.480 --> 00:23:02.120 5, 00:23:02.400 --> 00:23:02.840 in the 00:23:02.840 --> 00:23:03.279 morning, 00:23:04.340 --> 00:23:05.160 you are 00:23:05.160 --> 00:23:05.920 awake and 00:23:05.920 --> 00:23:06.519 you're ready 00:23:06.519 --> 00:23:07.259 to tackle 00:23:07.259 --> 00:23:07.860 all that 00:23:07.860 --> 00:23:08.220 the Lord 00:23:08.220 --> 00:23:08.900 gives you 00:23:08.900 --> 00:23:09.180 in the 00:23:09.180 --> 00:23:09.740 new day 00:23:09.740 --> 00:23:10.460 and you 00:23:10.460 --> 00:23:10.800 do it 00:23:10.800 --> 00:23:11.300 in prayer. 00:23:11.820 --> 00:23:12.040 Give 00:23:12.040 --> 00:23:12.640 ear to 00:23:12.640 --> 00:23:13.220 my words, 00:23:13.320 --> 00:23:13.700 O Lord, 00:23:13.860 --> 00:23:14.640 consider my 00:23:14.640 --> 00:23:15.060 sighing, 00:23:15.220 --> 00:23:15.759 listen to 00:23:15.759 --> 00:23:16.279 my cry 00:23:16.279 --> 00:23:16.839 for help, 00:23:17.220 --> 00:23:17.799 my King 00:23:17.799 --> 00:23:18.180 and my 00:23:18.180 --> 00:23:18.599 God, 00:23:18.799 --> 00:23:19.819 for to 00:23:19.819 --> 00:23:20.339 you I 00:23:20.339 --> 00:23:20.720 pray. 00:23:21.119 --> 00:23:21.579 In the 00:23:21.579 --> 00:23:21.960 morning, 00:23:22.079 --> 00:23:22.480 O Lord, 00:23:22.559 --> 00:23:23.039 you hear 00:23:23.039 --> 00:23:23.660 my voice. 00:23:23.839 --> 00:23:24.160 In the 00:23:24.160 --> 00:23:24.460 morning, 00:23:24.579 --> 00:23:25.240 I lay 00:23:25.240 --> 00:23:26.180 my requests 00:23:26.180 --> 00:23:26.920 before you 00:23:26.920 --> 00:23:27.579 and I 00:23:27.579 --> 00:23:28.599 wait in 00:23:28.599 --> 00:23:29.559 expectation. 00:23:31.379 --> 00:23:31.960 This is 00:23:31.960 --> 00:23:32.539 the time 00:23:32.539 --> 00:23:33.160 to cry 00:23:33.160 --> 00:23:33.660 out to 00:23:33.660 --> 00:23:34.079 God, 00:23:34.559 --> 00:23:35.099 acknowledging 00:23:35.099 --> 00:23:35.799 who he 00:23:35.799 --> 00:23:36.299 is and 00:23:36.299 --> 00:23:36.740 trusting 00:23:36.740 --> 00:23:37.299 him with 00:23:37.299 --> 00:23:38.079 all those 00:23:38.079 --> 00:23:40.140 prayers for 00:23:40.140 --> 00:23:40.940 his world 00:23:40.940 --> 00:23:41.440 and his 00:23:41.440 --> 00:23:42.059 creation. 00:23:42.879 --> 00:23:43.440 Note there's 00:23:43.440 --> 00:23:43.879 a sense 00:23:43.879 --> 00:23:45.160 of expectation 00:23:45.160 --> 00:23:46.500 that God 00:23:46.500 --> 00:23:47.080 is going 00:23:47.080 --> 00:23:47.779 to act. 00:23:48.700 --> 00:23:49.220 So you 00:23:49.220 --> 00:23:49.620 look for 00:23:49.620 --> 00:23:50.259 the answers 00:23:50.259 --> 00:23:51.300 and you 00:23:51.300 --> 00:23:51.980 give God 00:23:51.980 --> 00:23:52.920 thanks when 00:23:52.920 --> 00:23:53.279 you see 00:23:53.279 --> 00:23:53.519 them. 00:23:54.519 --> 00:23:55.060 If you 00:23:55.060 --> 00:23:55.680 don't see 00:23:55.680 --> 00:23:55.940 them, 00:23:56.300 --> 00:23:57.380 you continue 00:23:57.380 --> 00:23:58.279 to cry 00:23:58.279 --> 00:23:58.920 out to 00:23:58.920 --> 00:23:59.980 God and 00:23:59.980 --> 00:24:00.580 you keep 00:24:00.580 --> 00:24:02.160 looking because 00:24:02.160 --> 00:24:02.980 it is a 00:24:02.980 --> 00:24:04.140 very active 00:24:04.140 --> 00:24:05.560 thing that 00:24:05.560 --> 00:24:05.940 we are 00:24:05.940 --> 00:24:06.400 doing. 00:24:08.100 --> 00:24:08.920 This has 00:24:08.920 --> 00:24:09.120 been 00:24:09.120 --> 00:24:09.880 tremendously 00:24:09.880 --> 00:24:10.600 helpful to 00:24:10.600 --> 00:24:10.900 me, 00:24:11.519 --> 00:24:12.860 to understand 00:24:12.860 --> 00:24:13.920 that prayer 00:24:13.920 --> 00:24:14.860 is a gift 00:24:14.859 --> 00:24:16.559 gift, but 00:24:16.559 --> 00:24:17.059 that so 00:24:17.059 --> 00:24:17.779 is rest. 00:24:18.719 --> 00:24:19.659 And God 00:24:19.659 --> 00:24:20.379 has given 00:24:20.379 --> 00:24:21.339 us both. 00:24:22.299 --> 00:24:22.879 To hand 00:24:22.879 --> 00:24:23.439 over my 00:24:23.439 --> 00:24:24.159 concerns and 00:24:24.159 --> 00:24:24.799 my worries 00:24:24.799 --> 00:24:25.599 at night 00:24:25.599 --> 00:24:26.399 time when 00:24:26.399 --> 00:24:26.919 I am 00:24:26.919 --> 00:24:28.339 tired, I'm 00:24:28.339 --> 00:24:29.059 not at my 00:24:29.059 --> 00:24:30.679 best, but 00:24:30.679 --> 00:24:31.500 I am needing 00:24:31.500 --> 00:24:33.219 rest, that 00:24:33.219 --> 00:24:33.819 is a great 00:24:33.819 --> 00:24:34.319 discipline. 00:24:35.019 --> 00:24:35.659 To then 00:24:35.659 --> 00:24:37.419 actively pray 00:24:37.419 --> 00:24:38.179 in the morning 00:24:38.179 --> 00:24:38.939 when I am 00:24:38.939 --> 00:24:40.279 fresh and I'm 00:24:40.279 --> 00:24:41.679 focused, it 00:24:41.679 --> 00:24:42.659 works for me. 00:24:42.660 --> 00:24:43.580 And I 00:24:43.580 --> 00:24:44.340 encourage you 00:24:44.340 --> 00:24:45.100 to try it 00:24:45.100 --> 00:24:45.900 yourself because 00:24:45.900 --> 00:24:46.660 it very well 00:24:46.660 --> 00:24:47.380 may work for 00:24:47.380 --> 00:24:47.660 you. 00:24:48.920 --> 00:24:49.580 Now we 00:24:49.580 --> 00:24:50.320 started by 00:24:50.320 --> 00:24:51.640 acknowledging that 00:24:51.640 --> 00:24:52.480 prayer is 00:24:52.480 --> 00:24:53.519 essential, but 00:24:53.519 --> 00:24:53.960 it's also 00:24:53.960 --> 00:24:54.380 tough. 00:24:55.660 --> 00:24:56.680 We've seen in 00:24:56.680 --> 00:24:57.420 the garden that 00:24:57.420 --> 00:24:59.440 Jesus prayed for 00:24:59.440 --> 00:25:00.460 the cup to be 00:25:00.460 --> 00:25:01.240 taken from 00:25:01.240 --> 00:25:03.300 him, but 00:25:03.300 --> 00:25:04.279 that it 00:25:04.279 --> 00:25:05.820 wasn't and 00:25:05.820 --> 00:25:06.500 he still 00:25:06.500 --> 00:25:07.540 surrendered to 00:25:07.540 --> 00:25:08.080 God's will. 00:25:08.079 --> 00:25:09.419 and we 00:25:09.419 --> 00:25:10.000 know that 00:25:10.000 --> 00:25:10.899 because of 00:25:10.899 --> 00:25:12.079 that prayer 00:25:12.079 --> 00:25:12.859 of Jesus 00:25:12.859 --> 00:25:13.619 was not 00:25:13.619 --> 00:25:15.079 answered in 00:25:15.079 --> 00:25:15.859 the way that 00:25:15.859 --> 00:25:16.859 he may have 00:25:16.859 --> 00:25:18.460 wanted, because 00:25:18.460 --> 00:25:19.519 of his death 00:25:19.519 --> 00:25:20.039 and his 00:25:20.039 --> 00:25:21.659 resurrection, we 00:25:21.659 --> 00:25:23.099 now can be 00:25:23.099 --> 00:25:24.119 confident that 00:25:24.119 --> 00:25:25.399 God answers 00:25:25.399 --> 00:25:26.559 our prayers. 00:25:27.079 --> 00:25:27.799 For Jesus 00:25:27.799 --> 00:25:28.659 made it 00:25:28.659 --> 00:25:29.539 possible for 00:25:29.539 --> 00:25:30.879 us to be in 00:25:30.879 --> 00:25:31.659 a relationship 00:25:31.659 --> 00:25:32.220 with the 00:25:32.220 --> 00:25:32.579 Father. 00:25:33.539 --> 00:25:35.000 How privileged 00:25:35.000 --> 00:25:36.679 we are and 00:25:36.680 --> 00:25:38.180 how often we 00:25:38.180 --> 00:25:39.120 all forget 00:25:39.120 --> 00:25:39.640 this. 00:25:41.480 --> 00:25:42.220 Let me 00:25:42.220 --> 00:25:42.779 leave you 00:25:42.779 --> 00:25:43.560 with three 00:25:43.560 --> 00:25:45.640 points that 00:25:45.640 --> 00:25:46.500 come from a 00:25:46.500 --> 00:25:47.220 sermon that 00:25:47.220 --> 00:25:48.259 Jonathan Edwards 00:25:48.259 --> 00:25:49.019 when he was 00:25:49.019 --> 00:25:50.840 18 years of 00:25:50.840 --> 00:25:52.640 age gave that 00:25:52.640 --> 00:25:53.700 might help us 00:25:53.700 --> 00:25:54.259 with our 00:25:54.259 --> 00:25:54.700 prayers. 00:25:54.840 --> 00:25:55.340 It certainly 00:25:55.340 --> 00:25:56.320 helps with 00:25:56.320 --> 00:25:57.060 living the 00:25:57.060 --> 00:25:57.860 Christian life 00:25:57.860 --> 00:25:59.160 as well, but 00:25:59.160 --> 00:26:00.160 if we focus 00:26:00.160 --> 00:26:01.039 it on the 00:26:01.039 --> 00:26:02.100 prayers for 00:26:02.100 --> 00:26:02.700 this morning. 00:26:03.400 --> 00:26:04.380 First thing, 00:26:05.580 --> 00:26:06.360 our bad 00:26:06.359 --> 00:26:07.559 things will 00:26:07.559 --> 00:26:08.459 always turn 00:26:08.459 --> 00:26:08.859 out for 00:26:08.859 --> 00:26:09.199 good. 00:26:09.719 --> 00:26:10.379 Romans 8 00:26:10.379 --> 00:26:10.879 28. 00:26:13.219 --> 00:26:13.839 Our good 00:26:13.839 --> 00:26:15.139 things can 00:26:15.139 --> 00:26:16.240 never be 00:26:16.240 --> 00:26:16.879 taken away 00:26:16.879 --> 00:26:17.500 from us. 00:26:18.019 --> 00:26:18.779 Psalm 4. 00:26:19.879 --> 00:26:20.459 Things like 00:26:20.459 --> 00:26:21.539 the light of 00:26:21.539 --> 00:26:22.519 his countenance, 00:26:23.019 --> 00:26:23.819 the insurance 00:26:23.819 --> 00:26:24.819 of grace, 00:26:25.379 --> 00:26:25.899 forgiveness, 00:26:26.519 --> 00:26:27.919 heaven, love, 00:26:28.339 --> 00:26:29.899 adoption, none 00:26:29.899 --> 00:26:31.059 of them can be 00:26:31.059 --> 00:26:31.899 taken away from 00:26:31.899 --> 00:26:32.879 us despite 00:26:32.879 --> 00:26:33.959 whatever is 00:26:33.959 --> 00:26:35.099 going on in 00:26:35.099 --> 00:26:35.839 our day-to-day 00:26:35.839 --> 00:26:36.159 living. 00:26:37.159 --> 00:26:37.699 And the 00:26:37.699 --> 00:26:38.459 third thing, 00:26:39.279 --> 00:26:40.720 the best is 00:26:40.720 --> 00:26:41.500 yet to come. 00:26:42.220 --> 00:26:43.059 1 Corinthians 00:26:43.059 --> 00:26:43.899 2.9, 00:26:44.299 --> 00:26:45.079 no eye has 00:26:45.079 --> 00:26:46.079 seen, no 00:26:46.079 --> 00:26:46.720 ear has 00:26:46.720 --> 00:26:47.759 heard, no 00:26:47.759 --> 00:26:48.779 mind has 00:26:48.779 --> 00:26:49.720 conceived what 00:26:49.720 --> 00:26:50.419 God has 00:26:50.419 --> 00:26:51.500 prepared for 00:26:51.500 --> 00:26:52.419 those who 00:26:52.419 --> 00:26:53.079 love him. 00:26:54.859 --> 00:26:55.959 Our bad 00:26:55.959 --> 00:26:57.480 things will 00:26:57.480 --> 00:26:58.139 turn out for 00:26:58.139 --> 00:27:00.019 good, our 00:27:00.019 --> 00:27:01.439 good things will 00:27:01.439 --> 00:27:02.419 never be taken 00:27:02.420 --> 00:27:04.160 away and the 00:27:04.160 --> 00:27:06.140 best is yet 00:27:06.140 --> 00:27:07.019 to come. 00:27:07.580 --> 00:27:08.480 Let's pray. 00:27:09.480 --> 00:27:10.860 O great and 00:27:10.860 --> 00:27:11.860 glorious God, 00:27:11.980 --> 00:27:13.039 we are in 00:27:13.039 --> 00:27:14.220 awe of you 00:27:14.220 --> 00:27:14.840 and your 00:27:14.840 --> 00:27:16.000 unfailing love 00:27:16.000 --> 00:27:16.700 for sinners 00:27:16.700 --> 00:27:17.440 such as 00:27:17.440 --> 00:27:17.900 ourselves. 00:27:18.860 --> 00:27:19.980 We thank you 00:27:19.980 --> 00:27:20.640 from the bottom 00:27:20.640 --> 00:27:21.360 of our hearts 00:27:21.360 --> 00:27:22.400 that you hear 00:27:22.400 --> 00:27:23.440 us and 00:27:23.440 --> 00:27:24.180 delight in 00:27:24.180 --> 00:27:24.519 us. 00:27:25.259 --> 00:27:26.160 Thank you 00:27:26.160 --> 00:27:27.460 that Jesus' 00:27:27.740 --> 00:27:28.540 cry for the 00:27:28.540 --> 00:27:29.500 cup of your 00:27:29.500 --> 00:27:30.220 wrath to be 00:27:30.220 --> 00:27:31.779 taken was 00:27:31.779 --> 00:27:33.180 answered with 00:27:33.180 --> 00:27:33.580 no. 00:27:34.640 --> 00:27:36.080 Transform us 00:27:36.080 --> 00:27:36.880 into your 00:27:36.880 --> 00:27:38.259 servants who 00:27:38.259 --> 00:27:39.940 long to be in 00:27:39.940 --> 00:27:40.740 your presence 00:27:40.740 --> 00:27:42.100 for all 00:27:42.100 --> 00:27:42.779 eternity. 00:27:43.440 --> 00:27:44.160 In Jesus' 00:27:44.420 --> 00:27:45.100 name we pray. 00:27:45.100 --> 00:27:46.220 Amen.