Jesus Keep A Watch

Look at the last part of verse 38, and the first part of verse 39 with me again. "TERRY YE HERE, AND WATCH WITH ME. And He went a little farther, and FELL ON HIS FACE, AND PRAYED." Jesus asked his disciples to WATCH WITH HIM, and then He went a little farther in the garden, FELL ON HIS FACE, AND PRAYED! Now notice, He did not ask His disciples to WATCH FOR HIM, He ask them to WATCH WITH HIM! Saints of God, this is an area of prayer that many have missed. And that is PRAYER THAT KEEPS A WATCH OUT FOR THE CUNNING DEVISES OF THE DEVIL!

In 1 Pet 4:7 we are exhorted this, (But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.) So we see that prayer is not just asking God for things, although it does include making our supplications, and request known unto God. But friend, DEVIL DISTURBING PRAYER IS MORE THEN JUST THAT! Let me tell you that much of the praying that is being done in many so called churches, and by many so called saints doesn't even cause the least disturbance to satan and his army. Somebody Shout Amen With Me.

Lord give me a new car. Lord give me a new house. Lord give me a new boat. Lord give me a new pool. Lord give me a new motor home. DON'T QUIT READING YET, THE HOLY GHOST HAS GOT MORE HE WANTS TO SPEAK TO US! In my spirit I can hear someone say: "Preacher, your just upset because you don't have some of those things, and others do." Let me just say; YOU HAVE MISSED MY WHOLE POINT. I'm not preaching about what you have, or don't have, I'm preaching about time wasted in PRAYING AMISS just to fulfill your FOOLISH LUSTS, AND PLEASURES!

You see, having ten new cars doesn't make you more righteous or spiritual then someone that just has one old used car. Nor does having one old used car make a man more righteous or spiritual then someone that has a new one. Although I must admit, that I find hard to see the need in one man having ten new cars at the same time; and how anyone calling themselves a child of God could even justify having more then one new car at a time.

Jesus asked his disciples to WATCH WITH HIM, not FOR HIM. He was not asking them to climb up on a rock in that garden, and watch out for the mob that Judas was going to be bring to take Him. The very fact that He asked them to WATCH WITH HIM, and then Him going a little farther falling on his face and praying lets us know that He wanted them to WATCH WITH HIM IN PRAYER.

Not My Will, But Thine

Lets look at verse 39 again, (And he went a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.) Now just a quick glance at what Jesus prayed, would cause many to think, that Jesus was trying to get out of what he came to do. But what we need to understand, is that, Jesus the Son of God became just as much a man as you and I. Lets read Heb 2:16-18 (For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham. ver.17 Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. ver.18 For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.) Also in Heb. 4:15 it declares, (For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.)

You see, it was the human part of Him that didn't want to suffer the great agony of the cross, which was so near at hand. And you know as well as I know, that before He left the glory of heaven to be born of a virgin by the name of Mary, He knew the price that had to be paid to REDEEM you and I from the power of sin, and death. HE CAME INTO THIS WORLD FOR THAT PURPOSE, and He "The Son of God" was not having second thoughts about it. No, it was the HUMAN PART of Him that was struggling with it.

Now someone might say, Preacher, I don't believe that.

If this is not true, why then did He pray, "NOT MY WILL." Jesus made it clear what His will as the Son of God was in John 6:38 (For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.) So it is clear that He did not come down from heaven to do His will as a man. And Heb 10:7 confirms this to be true, (Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God.)

But now we find Him in the garden praying, IF IT BE POSSIBLE, LET THIS CUP PASS FROM ME. Now remember, He asked His disciples to WATCH WITH HIM. Jesus knew that the only way to keep the human part of him in control, was to keep a WATCH ON IT. The human part of him didn't want any part of that cup of suffering. But through WATCHFUL PRAYER he quickly saw the weakness of the flesh, and brought it into subjection to the WILL OF GOD, and was able to pray: NEVERTHELESS NOT AS I WILL, BUT AS THOU WILT!

He Found Them Sleeping

Now after Jesus had prayed thus, he came to His disciples and FOUND THEM SLEEPING. And when he saw that they were asleep, he goes right over to where Peter was, wakes him up and says to him: WHAT, COULD YOU NOT WATCH WITH ME ONE HOUR? Now Peter is not the only one sleeping, but he's the one Jesus singles out. There's a reason for this, and I'll deal with it in a moment.

Tell me, have you ever felt that the only one the preacher was preaching to was you? That he just singled you out of all the others!? Come on and Shout Amen.

Some people fill, that your not anointed if you preach on things you know are going on in peoples lives. Well, when Jesus found them sleeping, HE PREACHED TO THEM ABOUT THEIR SLEEPING! When he found them SLEEPING, He didn't preach to them a message about having FAITH TO MOVE MOUNTAINS, no, He dealt with their SLEEPING PROBLEM!

He singles Peter out, and says unto him: WATCH AND PRAY, THAT YE ENTER NOT INTO TEMPTATION: THE SPIRIT INDEED IS WILLING, BUT THE FLESH IS WEAK! Now what He is saying to Peter, holds true for all of them. And every one of them need to TAKE TO HEART that which Jesus is saying to Peter. But we'll find out in a little bit, why Peter is being singled out.

Jesus' exhortation to Peter was: WATCH AND PRAY! And then he lets him know why he needs to WATCH AND PRAY; THAT YOU ENTER NOT INTO TEMPTATION: FOR THE SPIRIT INDEED IS WILLING, BUT THE FLESH IS WEAK! What Jesus is saying to him is this: Peter, if you don't WATCH WITH ME IN PRAYER, your flesh which is weak, is going to drag you INTO TEMPTATION. Temptation is going to come your way, and your not going to have the ability to say no to it, and your going to enter into that Temptation, and commit sin against God, all because when you should have been WATCHING UNTO PRAYER, and keeping a spiritual eye on your flesh so you can keep it under control by the Spirit, instead you were SLEEPING.

Saints of God, if we don't keep an eye on our flesh through PRAYER AND FASTING, to make sure that it stays DIED OUT TO, then satan is going to use divers temptations to entice our flesh, and because we failed to KEEP A WATCH our flesh is out of control, and has BROUGHT US UNDER IT'S CONTROL! And be sure, that if you don't bring it under control by LIVING IN THE SPIRIT: IT WILL BRING YOU UNDER IT'S CONTROL! Gal 5:16 says (This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.)

They Didn't Take It Seriously

Now after Jesus had exhorted Peter, and the others to WATCH AND PRAY, he went back to pray again. After he had prayed the second time, he came unto the disciples again; only to find them sleeping. You see, they were just as many are today: they don't see why preachers who preach so sternly against LIVING AFTER THE FLESH, are taking it so seriously. They say: After all, it's not as serious as that preacher is trying to make us believe; HE'S JUST OVER REACTING!

The message of LIVING HOLY LIVES, Separated from the WORLD, and FREE FROM SIN, is not being taking seriously by many PLEASURE SEEKING, SELF LOVING, FLESH SATISFYING, WORLD ENJOYING, CHURCH GOERS!

They hear a preacher preaching against sin, and exhorting God's people to COME OUT FROM THE WORLD, and BE SEPARATE, and to WALK DIFFERENT THEN THE WORLD, and TALK DIFFERENT THEN THE WORLD, and LOOK DIFFERENT THEN THE WORLD, and DRESS DIFFERENT THEN THE WORLD, and to FORSAKE their WORLDLY MUSIC "Including COUNTRY, and so-called christian ROCK & ROLL, and RAP" and the first thing they say is; Well, MY PREACHER SAY'S THERE'S NOTHING WRONG WITH IT!

And their right, many so-called preachers don't see any harm in WORLDLINESS. And some are even telling them that they can still sing, and play their SECULAR MUSIC, along with GOSPEL. But I say: LET GOD AND HIS WORD BE TRUE, AND EVERY MAN WHICH DENIES GOD'S WORD BE A LIAR! THE WORD OF GOD IS RIGHT! And it matters not what many well known RELIGIOUS LEADERS of our hour are saying to try and justify WORLDLINESS in the church: GOD'S WORD IS RIGHT ABOUT IT!

Lets look at Heb. 2:1-3a (Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip. ver.2 For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense of reward; ver.3 How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation;)

Peter and the others didn't take seriously the exhortation of warning given to them by Jesus. Right at that time they couldn't see how important it was for them to be WATCHING IN PRAYER with Jesus: SLEEPING SEEMED AT THE TIME TO BE OF GREATER IMPORTANCE TO THEM! But in a little bit, their going to find out just how important it is to take SERIOUSLY the exhortations of the Lord.

Shortly after this Judas is leading a mob from the high priest, to where Jesus and his disciples are. When he see Jesus he goes over and gives him a kiss; for this was a sign for those who had come with him to take Jesus. They took hold of Jesus to take him away, and when they did, Peter grabs a sword, and cuts off one the high priest servents ears.

Now I want you to see this. Peter really thought that he was doing that which was right. He no doubt thought that Jesus was going to give his approval upon what he had just did to defend him. He probably thought he would hear the Lord say to him: GOOD JOB PETER, GET ANOTHER EAR! But instead he hears Jesus reproving him for what he's done, as he bends over and picks the man's ear up off the ground, and puts it back on the side of his head, and heals him.

Remember, it was Peter that Jesus singled out in the garden. Now we're beginning to see why. And as their taking Him away the bible says, that ALL His disciples FORSOOK HIM, and FLED. I want you to see this. The ones who were close's to Him are now forsaking Him, and it's all because when they should have been WATCHING IN PRAYER WITH JESUS, there in the garden, and taking His words of exhortation SERIOUS: but they don't, THEY GIVE IN TO THE WEAKNESS OF THE FLESH, AND SLEEP ON. And this is the same reason that many even today, who at one time walked close to the Lord, are FORSAKING HIM. WATCH AND PRAY, THAT YOU ENTER NOT INTO TEMPTATION: FOR THE SPIRIT INDEED IS WILLING, BUT THE FLESH IS WEAK!

The next thing we find Peter doing, is setting by a fire warming himself. And when one of the women there saw him, she asked him: Aren't you one of Jesus' followers? Peter says, NO! O saints of God, he should have been WATCHING in the garden. Then another asked him the same thing. Peter's answer again was; NO, I DON'T KNOW HIM! After a little while those that stood by said unto Peter, Surely thou art one of them; for thy speech betrayeth thee; and I'm sure that I saw you with Jesus in the garden. And we are told that Peter began to CURSE and to SWEAR, saying, I KNOW NOT THE MAN!

Yes, he was in the garden with Jesus. But he wasn't keeping a Watch in the garden. So we see that just being in the garden with Jesus, wasn't enough to keep Peter from falling to temptation, through the WEAKNESS OF HIS FLESH. Hear me, IT'S WHAT YOUR DOING IN THE GARDEN WITH HIM, THAT'S GOING TO MEAN THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN VICTORY, OR DEFEAT!

Now Jesus had already told Peter that he would deny Him three times. Do you remember Peter's reply? Lord these other's may deny you, BUT NOT ME! I'll never deny you! Paul writing to the Corinthian church in 1 Cor 10:12 warns, (Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.) And if you don't WATCH YOUR FLESH, to make sure that it STAYS DIED OUT TO; YOUR GOING TO FALL!

Drunk On The World

Now the word Watch, means to be ALERT. To be on the LOOK OUT, for what's going on around you. One of the major down falls of this country, and also others, is DRUNKENNESS. BEING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF STRONG DRINK. And you know as well as I know, that this has caused more families to be torn apart then any one thing; and it is the cause of many children GOING HUNGRY, and DOING WITHOUT many of life's necessities!

Friend, the Word of God speaks STRONGLY AGAINST the use of STRONG DRINK, and BEING UNDER IT'S INFLUENCE!

In the close of this message, I want to deal with DRUNKENNESS. You may say, Preacher that won't be dealing with me: I GAVE UP JACK DANIELS, OLD MILWAUKEE, and BUDWEISSER; so I'll not need to read any farther. DON'T QUIT READING YET, because the DRUNKENNESS I want to talk about, may just deal with you after all.

Lets look at 1 Th 5:6-8 ( Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. ver.7 For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night. ver.8 But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.) Lets read 1 Pet 1:13 also, ( Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;) And I want to read 1 Pet 4:7 once again (But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.) Notice the exhortations of these verses? DON'T SLEEP, but WATCH AND BE SOBER! BE SOBER, AND WATCH UNTO PRAYER!

Drunkenness renders a person of the capability to be ALERT. And if a person is not ALERT to things that are around them: THAT PERSON IS DANGEROUS! Once in a while I cut fire wood to burn. And I want to tell you, I don't want be with somebody cutting wood, that's not ALERT. If they just swing that chain saw around, and don't pay any attention to what's around them, your liable to come out of the wood's missing an arm or leg. Or worse yet DEAD!

One of the most needless causes of death I know of, is when somebody who is UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF STRONG DRINK, or DRUGS, gets behind the wheel of a car or truck, and goes down the road rendered of all ALERTNESS, unable to see things straight and clearly, and in a matter of moments they are the cause of WHOLE FAMILIES BEING WIPED OUT.

The same is true with spiritual things. WHEN A PERSON IS DRUNK ON THE THINGS OF THIS OLD WORLD, THEY CAN'T SEE THINGS STRAIGHT AND CLEARLY! This is a great danger to this LAST DAY GENERATION. There are many being destroyed in this hour, because of the DRUNKENNESS, and CARELESSNESS of so many WORLDLY CHURCH PEOPLE! What was it that the Holy Ghost exhorted us in 1 Peter 4:7? (BUT THE END OF ALL THINGS IS AT HAND: BE YE THEREFORE SOBER, AND WATCH UNTO PRAYER!) Look at how SERIOUSLY Peter is taking it now.

It use to be, that if a person got pulled over by the police because they were drunk; the officer would have them get out of the car, AND WALK THE STRAIGHT LINE! And how many know, that if their drunk they can't walk a straight line?! They'll stagger and fall all over the place. Jesus said in Mat 7:13 & 14 (Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: ver.14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.)

Those who are DRUNK ON THE WORLD, can't WALK IT STRAIT! You see you have to be able to WALK THE STRAIT WALK if you want to enter in to ETERNAL LIFE. STAGGERING is not permitted in the NARROW WAY: THERE'S NO ROOM FOR IT! The only place I find for STAGGERING, and FALLING ALL OVER THE PLACE, is on the BROAD ROAD that leads to DESTRUCTION!

Saints of God, it's HIGH TIME TO PUT AWAY FROM US THE INTOXICATING INFLUENCE OF THE WORLD! The word of God gives us this warning: 1 John 2:15-17 (Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. ver.16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. ver.17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.)