“Thy Will Be Done”

Matthew 26:36-46

Introduction

1.      Perhaps nothing in the life of Jesus is more difficult to imitate than the manner in which he accepted his death – 1Peter 2:21

2.      Consider how Jesus taught his disciples to pray – Matt 6:10 “Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done”

3.      Most people would prefer a path of ease and pleasure to a path that conforms to God’s will

4.      It is almost impossible to imagine the scene of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane and to understand his prayer on that occasion  

Discussion

1.      An insight into Jesus’ way of thinking

a.       Beginning at the age of 12 – Luke 2:49  

b.      At his baptism – Matt 3:15  

c.       John 9:4  

d.      John 12:27-33  

2.      The events that led to the Garden of Gethsemane

a.       The confrontation in the temple  

b.      The questions from Pharisees and Sadducees  

c.       The defection of Judas to betray him  

d.      The pending flight of the other disciples  

e.       “Not my will, but your will be done”  

3.      Things that affect one’s attitude toward doing God’s will

a.       A belief in God’s wisdom

                                                            i.      Understanding that God is not our equal, nor is He our servant

                                                          ii.      Understanding that God is the ultimate judge of right and wrong

                                                        iii.      Understanding that difficulty in performance is not an excuse for disobedience

                                                        iv.      Understanding that pleasure does not make right, nor does pain make something wrong – Prov 3:5-7  

b.      A belief that God loves me

                                                            i.      An understanding that my blessings are from God – James 1:17

                                                          ii.      An understanding that Jesus has died for my sins  

c.       A true love for God in my heart

                                                            i.      True love does not condition its response on what it has received

                                                          ii.      True love does not question God’s wisdom nor His ways – Is 55:8-9  

Conclusion

1.       Singing “All To Jesus I Surrender” will never serve as a substitute for obedience to the will of God, but it surely will pass as a place to begin

2.      Paul’s challenge to the Christians at Rome stands out in his writings (Rom 12:1-2) “Be transformed”

3.      Yes, Jesus saves, but God demands submission – Matt 7:21