How Close Were They?
INTRO: What a hard time for the disciples. Not to make excuses, but they did face a difficult time. Their world turned upside down in a matter of hours. They faltered to be sure. They did not appear to be up to task. Yet, they did hold together long enough for their resurrected leader, Jesus Christ to show them the victory and way.
Let me set the stage…
Christ and His disciples were getting ready to celebrate the Passover.
It was an extremely important Jewish religious observance.
Christ's last hours and minutes of teaching are found here
He wants this to be right and understood
On the surface they were…
Eager to please - vs. 17
Obedient - vs. 19
Available to serve - vs. 20
At a glance, they appeared to be close, but reality shows they were far away!
We can see they were…
Unsure of their loyalty - 22
Unstable without His presence - 31
Unwilling to admit personal weakness - 33-35
Unable to even approach the "throne of grace" - 36
Unprepared to seek God seriously - 37-38
How Close Were They?
- page 2Untroubled about His upcoming battle - 40-43
Unaware of the danger - 44-46
Just to recap or summarize, during Christ's greatest test, they were…
Unremarkable
Going through the motions -during supper
Doing as much as the others - during prayer
They were there after all
Are we often unremarkable when He needs us most?
Even though they appeared ready, we find they were…
Unreliable -56b
Forsook Him
Fled
Just how reliable are we?
Unavailable - 58, 69-75
Afar off
Denying Him
Just how available are we really?
How Close Were They?
- page 3Let me ask you…
Just how close are you today?
Are you just going through the motions?
Have you shown up, but are unprepared to seriously seek God?
Are you untroubled about His upcoming battles?
Are you unaware of the dangers that you and your loved ones face?
Are you available for Him to be part of your life?
Are you available for YOU to be part or His life?
I want you to realize, regardless what others do, what others say…
You can have a joyous life for the Lord today.
If you will call upon Him, He will rescue you.
Have you called upon Him?
Gary Marcum - New beginnings Church - 042003am_easter