What Is The Will of God? // Pastor Ken Claytor
In a profound exploration of faith and obedience, this sermon delves into the heart of Jesus' experience in the Garden of Gethsemane, as narrated in Matthew 26. This passage, where Jesus confronts his impending crucifixion, becomes a canvas for understanding the depths of spiritual submission and the power of God's will. 1. Gethsemane: A Turning Point in Jesus' Ministry (0:07-3:26) Jesus’ Emotional Struggle: Jesus, accompanied by Peter, John, and James, enters Gethsemane, feeling overwhelmed and troubled, praying for the cup of suffering to pass, yet ultimately submitting to God's will. The Disciples' Human Weakness: Jesus finds his disciples sleeping, illustrating human frailty contrasted with spiritual readiness. Jesus’ Will vs. God's Will: The core message here is Jesus' submission to God's will, despite his personal anguish, demonstrating the essence of obedience and faith. 2. The Significance of Gethsemane (3:27-5:02) Physical and Spiritual Crushing: Gethsemane, meaning 'oil press', symbolizes the pressure Jesus faced, which was crucial for liberating humanity from sin and spiritual burdens like depression and anxiety. The Relatability of Jesus’ Suffering: The sermon invites listeners to empathize with Jesus' struggle, comparing it to personal challenges, but magnified infinitely in Jesus' case. 3. Choosing God's Will Over Ours (5:03-9:02) Learning Submission: The sermon stresses the importance of continually choosing God's will over personal desires, a learning process for every believer. Examples of Strong Will: Personal anecdotes about the preacher's daughter illustrate the power of a strong will when aligned with God's purpose. 4. Understanding and Choosing God’s Will (9:03-14:03) The Nature of Human Will: Humans have the free will to choose between God's path and personal desires. The Will of God: God’s will is synonymous with his word and plans for our lives. Submission to God's will is not robotic obedience but a willing and joyful choice. 5. The Will of God vs. The Will of Man (14:04-17:52) The Tug-of-War Illustration: A live illustration shows the conflict between human desires and God's will, urging believers to surrender their will to God. The Importance of Alignment with God: Aligning with God's will brings blessings, while resistance leads to spiritual struggle. 6. Personal Testimony and Scriptural Backing (17:53-26:01) Transformation through Submission: The preacher shares his own journey from a 'Christian atheist' to full submission to God’s will, highlighting the transformative power of faith. Biblical Foundations: Scriptures from Ephesians, Matthew, and John are used to emphasize the importance of understanding and doing God’s will, presenting Jesus as the ultimate example of submission. 7. The Call to Salvation and Commitment (26:02-39:56) Invitation to Accept Jesus: The sermon concludes with a call to accept Jesus Christ, emphasizing the importance of believing in Him for eternal life. Prayer of Salvation and Rededication: An opportunity for both new commitments to Christ and rededication of life to God is presented, followed by a prayer of salvation. Conclusion: The Essence of Easter and Commitment to God’s Will This Easter message transcends the historical event of Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection, offering a deep dive into the essence of spiritual submission to God's will. It calls for personal reflection, a commitment to live in alignment with divine purpose, and an invitation to experience the transformative power of faith. If you'd like to know more about our ministry please visit us at http://www.myalivechurch.org If you're a first-time guest or want to get plugged in please contact us at: https://www.myalivechurch.org/connect And if you have a testimony of the amazing things that God is doing in your life through our ministry, please email it to testimony@myalivechurch.org To support the ministry of Alive Church and invest in the lives of others click here: https://www.myalivechurch.org/give Stay Connected: Pastor Ken's Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/kenclaytor Pastor Tab's Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/tabathaclaytor Alive Church Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/myalivechurch
A series all about the miracle-working power of God and how we can stand on the healing promises laid out in scripture from Isaiah 53 knowing that "by his stripes" we are healed.