There is SO much going on during September.. I just wanted to make sure you guys are talking about it all…
Recovery Sunday
September 14
All three services
Appalachian Restoration Rally
September 20
webpage here
Super Tailgate Party
10AM September 21
River Park
My lifegroup is helping out by providing dinner at Celebrate Recovery on Friday, September 19 so the kitchen crew can focus on the Saturday rally. What is your group planning to do?
Tonight, we’re looking at the moment when Jesus was betrayed and arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane. His closest friends failed Him, yet He pressed on in love. As we reflect on Mark 14 and the words of Trust In God, we’ll see that even when we fail Him, Christ never fails us.”
Mark 14:43–52 (NLT)
And immediately, even as Jesus said this, Judas, one of the twelve disciples, arrived with a crowd of men armed with swords and clubs. They had been sent by the leading priests, the teachers of religious law, and the elders. 44 The traitor, Judas, had given them a prearranged signal: “You will know which one to arrest when I greet him with a kiss. Then you can take him away under guard.” 45 As soon as they arrived, Judas walked up to Jesus. “Rabbi!” he exclaimed, and gave him the kiss.
46 Then the others grabbed Jesus and arrested him. 47 But one of the men with Jesus pulled out his sword and struck the high priest’s slave, slashing off his ear.
48 Jesus asked them, “Am I some dangerous revolutionary, that you come with swords and clubs to arrest me? 49 Why didn’t you arrest me in the Temple? I was there among you teaching every day. But these things are happening to fulfill what the Scriptures say about me.”50 Then all his disciples deserted him and ran away. 51 One young man following behind was clothed only in a long linen shirt. When the mob tried to grab him, 52 he slipped out of his shirt and ran away naked.
You know, Jesus was not surprised by Judas’ betrayal. In fact, I think he might have gone to Gethsemane so Judas could find him easily. Matthew tells us that Jesus went there “frequently.”
What does this reveal about Jesus’ willingness to stay faithful to God’s plan, even when those closest to him failed?
John 13:1 (NLT)
Before the Passover celebration, Jesus knew that his hour had come to leave this world and return to his Father. He had loved his disciples during his ministry on earth, and now he loved them to the very end.
2 Timothy 2:13 (NLT)
If we are unfaithful, he remains faithful,
for he cannot deny who he is.
What does this mean? Is the scripture giving us license to be unfaithful here? What is this saying?
When Moses commissions Joshua to be the next leader and to cross into the Promised Land, God leads him to make this extraordinary promise:
Deuteronomy 31:6 (NLT)
So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the Lord your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you.”
Moses is telling Joshua and all the people of Israel to obey… Be faithful to the mission God is sending you to accomplish, and God will be faithful.
The writer of Hebrews quotes that same commissioning, applying it to us:
Hebrews 13:1–6 (NLT)
Keep on loving each other as brothers and sisters. 2 Don’t forget to show hospitality to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it! 3 Remember those in prison, as if you were there yourself. Remember also those being mistreated, as if you felt their pain in your own bodies.
4 Give honor to marriage, and remain faithful to one another in marriage. God will surely judge people who are immoral and those who commit adultery.
5 Don’t love money; be satisfied with what you have. For God has said,“I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.”
6 So we can say with confidence,
“The Lord is my helper, so I will have no fear. What can mere people do to me?”
How is our calling like Joshua’s calling? Are we sent on mission as he was?
Is God’s faithfulness to us for our sake? Is he obliging himself to be faithful to us no matter what we do?
Mark 14:46–47 (NLT)
Then the others grabbed Jesus and arrested him. 47 But one of the men with Jesus pulled out his sword and struck the high priest’s slave, slashing off his ear.
Matthew, Mark, and Luke don’t name the “one of the men,” but John just throws Peter right under the bus, identifying him as the ear-slasher. How is Peter’s action an example of what happens when we try to fix things our own way instead of trusting God?
Proverbs 3:5–6 (NLT)
Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding.
6 Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.
What helps you personally move from fear and failure to trust and rest in God’s faithfulness?
Where have you experienced God’s faithfulness, even when you’ve stumbled or failed Him?
Psalm 37:23–24 (NLT)
The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives.
24 Though they stumble, they will never fall, for the Lord holds them by the hand.