Palm Sunday – John 18
v1 – garden – this is the Garden of Gethsemane which means oil press
a. pressure is a big part of life
b. pressure can be a good thing to bring us to Christ or a bad thing used to crush us
c. there are all kinds of pressure
-they cause anxiety, high tension, fear and panic disorders…
HOW TO HANDLE THE PRESSURES OF LIFE……..
-We will all face some kind of pressures in this life. Jesus faced great pressure in John 18:1-2, but Jesus shows us how we can handle all kinds of pressure…
(1) THE ENEMY IS INVOLVED WITH PRESSURE – John 18:2-3
-not everything is the enemy, but he is involved when it comes to pressure
Judas represents the devil – vs2-3
Troops & officers represent demons – v2
v3 – the enemy knows the place – the enemy knows we are under pressure by what we say
***SPEAK THE TRUTH, BUT ADD A COMMA AND THE WORD OF GOD…….
Two Points about the Enemy:
1. The enemy never gives up in his pursuit of us – 1 Peter 5:8-10
2 Ways to stop the enemy’s pursuit
a. back off, back away, slow down and quit
b. stay filled up and use your authority in Christ
-when the enemy came against Jesus, they fell backward………….John 18:4-8
2. There is no level of spiritual maturity that keeps any Christian immune from the devil, his demons and his attacks
-growing in the Lord or being saved for many years doe snot stop enemy attacks…
(2) NEVER ISOLATE YOURSELF – John 18:1-2
-never isolate yourself from the Lord or people when pressure arrives
-we are sheep and travel in flocks
-Jesus needed people around Him and so do we – 3 times the Bible refers to Jesus and His disciples – vs1-2
-Your soul will begin to rule you when you isolate yourself – this is your emotions, feelings and mind
-being around people helps to keep you standing on the Word of God and no ton your feelings…
(3) DO NOT QUIT – John 18:4
-do not stop…do not quit…do no turn away
-Have BBA – bounce back ability –
-the only way to be defeated spiritually is to stop…
-Peter stopped and backslid – John 18:15-18
-never stop praying, reading the Word of God, serving and being in church…
(4) PRAY – John 18:4 (Mark 14:32-42)
John 18:2 – Jesus met with His disciples often to pray
Why pray when pressure increases or anxiety is high?
1. PRAYER CASTS ALL OF YOUR PRESSURE ON THE LORD
-1 Peter 5:7 – cast – means to throw down violently
2. PRAYER GIVES US UNDERSTANDING TO WHAT IS GOING ON IN OUR SITUATION