God on Trial

Scripture: Mark 14:32-42

C.I.: The Garden's Four Trials

We are going to begin a new series of lessons… “God on Trial.”

•  The Trials, (Mark 14:43-50)

•  Trial #1: When God's Will is Difficult

•  The humanity of Jesus - always astonishes me far more than His deity.

•  His willingness to touch the dead skin of a leper (when a touch was not required in order to heal).

•  His anger at the hardened hearts of the religious leaders (yet in love He spared their lives).

•  His willingness to wash the filthy feet of His disciples, even Judas (a job of the lowest slave).

•  Now here in the Garden – at the end of a life given totally to serving others – I finally see myself.

1) “I don't want to do this!!!” – “All things are possible for You; remove this cup from Me!”

2) Is it just me? – Or have all of us been at the place where we don't want to do God's will?!!!

3) If Jesus didn't feel this way – He would not be my example – I couldn't understand Him.

•  Yet because of His hesitation – I am willing to keep reading – to strive to learn more.

c. Jesus prayer of victory, “…remove this cup from Me; yet not what I will, but what You will!

1) Victory is found in the “will of God”! – God has already determined that the victory is
obtainable. – Its within our reach. – Only 1 question; “Am I willing to submit to His will?”

•  All of us are spiritual Special Olympians – but if we stay on the track – we will win!!!

•  Those who accept God's will – no matter the consequences – gain the victory ( I Jn. 5:3-4 ).

•  Today's lesson is about 3 groups who prayed the prayer of defeat, “Not Thy will but mine …

•  Trial #2: The Kisses of an Enemy, (vs. 43-46)

•  Sometimes those who are closest to us to do not have our best interests (God's will) at heart!

•  ( vs. 43-45 ), “And immediately while He was still speaking, Judas, one of the 12 , came up, accompanied by a multitude with swords and clubs, from the chief priests and the scribes and the elders. – Now he who was betraying Him had given them a signal, saying, ‘Whomever I shall kiss, He is the one; seize Him, and lead Him away under guard.' – And after coming, he immediately went to Jesus, saying, ‘Rabbi!' and kissed Him.” – And they laid hands on Him and seized Him.

b. Probably all of us have been “blind-sided” by someone close to us. – We never see it coming!

1) Jesus knew this would happen – it had been foretold. – ( Psa. 41:9 ), “Even my close friend, in
whom I trusted, who ate my bread, has lifted up his heel against me.”

2) ( Psa. 55:12-13 ), “It is not an enemy who reproaches me, then I could bear it; nor is it one
who hates me … But it is you, my companion and my friend.”

•  Therefore, sometimes it will be people close to us – who will betray us!

•  So what is our responsibility – when we have been betrayed by a friend?

1) ( Rom. 12:19-20 ), “Never take your own revenge, but leave room… for it is written,
‘Vengeance …' But if your enemy is hungry, feed him, if he is thirsty, give him a drink.”

2) Jesus was not taken by surprise by Judas' betrayal - because He trusted in God – ( Jn. 2:24 ),
“But Jesus, on His part, was not entrusting Himself to them, for He knew all men.”

•  Judas lost his trial – by living the prayer of the defeated, “ Not Thy will but mine be done!”

•  Trial #3: The Zeal of a Friend, (v. 47)

•  The enthusiasm of those closest to us – can sometimes lead us in the wrong direction!

•  ( v. 47 ), “But a certain one of those who stood by drew his sword, and struck the slave of the high priest, and cut off his ear.”

•  Being caught up in the excitement of the moment! – Peer pressure! – We have all felt these.

•  Yet God desires for us to control of our emotions – and not allow them to control us!!!

•  ( Lk. 22:51 ), “Jesus said, ‘Stop! No more of this.' He healed [Malchus] right ear.”

b. Difference between thermometers & thermostats. – (One reacts & the other changes things!)

•  ( Jms. 1:19-20 ), “Let everyone be quick to hear, slow to speak & slow to anger. – For the…”

•  ( Heb. 10:24 ), “Let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds.”

•  ( Eph. 4:26-27, 32 ), “Be angry, yet do not … And be kind to one another, tender-hearted….”

•  Peter lost this trial – by living the prayer of the defeated, “ Not Thy will but mine be done!”

•  Trial #4: When Numbers are Stacked Against You, (vs. 48-50)

•  We will always be defeated if we are waiting to be in the majority against this world.

•  ( vs. 48-50 ), “Jesus answered & said to them, ‘Have you come out with swords and clubs to arrest Me, as against a robber? – Every day I was with you in the temple teaching, and you…

•  God's people will always be numerically in the minority.

2) So notice what Jesus did. – For Him to be victorious Jesus had to tell them the truth!

3) We must learn to tell ourselves and others the truth – we/others are going to be saved!!!

a) ( Jn. 8:31-32 ), “If you will abided in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and
you shall know the truth, and the truth will make you free.”

b) ( Gal. 4:16 ), “Have I become your enemy by telling you the truth.”

c) ( Eph. 4:15 ), “Speaking the truth in love we are to grow up in all aspects into Him….”

b. “…but this has happened that the scriptures might be fulfilled.'” – And His disciples all left Him
and fled.”

•  Jesus knew the scriptures. – He knew He had to die - for people to be saved!!!

2) But He also knew a scripture which they forgotten – ( Psa. 16:8-10 ), “I have set the Lord
continually before me; because He is at my right hand I will not be shaken. – Therefore my
heart is glad and my soul rejoices; for You will not abandon my soul to Hades, nor will You
allow Your holy one to undergo decay.”

3) While your friends may betray or leave you – and your adversaries overwhelm you (yet they
will be defeated - because their prayer is, “ Not Thy will, but mine be done”)!!!

Acts 2:36-38, 41