Matthew 26:36-41 36 Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” 37 He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled.38 Then he said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.” 39 Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.” 40 Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Couldn’t you men keep watch with me for one hour?” he asked Peter. 41 “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
**The inward battle involves a battle with the flesh! ** What is The Flesh anyway: Greek SARX; sin nature devoid of the Spirit of God, in simple terms it is the ID that seeks pain avoidance, relief, and obtain pleasure biological and instinctual urges expression regardless of social or divine boundaries.• Inherited from Adam Roman 5:17 • Oriented to self-fulfillment 1 John2:16 • Rebellious towards God and His law Rom 8:6-8 • Results in carnal living Gal 5:19-21
• “Victory over the flesh come though the power of The Holy Spirit” Gal 5:16,17 “Walk by the Spirit, won’t fulfill the flesh.
-
Know Your Vulnerability. • “The Spirit is willing the flesh is Weak.” Mat 26:41 remember “Pride goes before a fall” Prov 16:18, Paul said “if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall. 1 Cor. 10:12
-
Pay Attention. • Watch is a military word invoking images of watchman guarding a. city from its walls. Old Test Prophets were called watchmen (Spiritual Watchmen).
-
Keep in Touch. • Keep in touch with your source of strength. “Pray so that you will not fall into temptation” Mt 26:41
-
Get Up When You Fall. Luke 22:31-34 “And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers” Peter learned how to get back up after his denial of Christ (see john 21) • Jesus asked “Do you love me, feed my sheep” • GOD IS THE GOD OF NEW BEGINNINGS • He Give A New Song Psm 40:3 • He Gives A New Heart Ezk 36:26 • He Makes you and I a New Creation 2 Cor 5:17 • He Makes all Things New. Rev 21:5 • His Mercies are New Every Morning! Lam 3
“Don’t gloat over me, my enemy! Though I have Fallen, I will Rise” Micah 7:8
