How to Develop a Relationship with the Father Like
Jesus Had
Mark 14:32-42
I.
Introduction (Mt 18:1-4)
A. There is greatness in being a child. But the greatness is not in just being a child, but in having a closeness with Him
B. There is a title, a name that God has that is fairly unknown by most people. Even by Christians - Abba.
C. We know that because of Jesus, we can call God "Our Father." Jesus introduces us to this other name, and shows us a portal into the heart of God, and into the kind of intimate relationship we can have - must have - with Him.
D. Jesus choose the Garden of Gethsemane, just hours before His crucifixion, to show us the depths of this relationship that not only HE had with the Father, but that WE can have as well!
II.
Message - Our
Abba, Father (Mark
14:32-42)
A. The Relationship (Mk 14:32-36)
1. Jesus had a special relationship with His Father - not just a casual "association" but an intimate and close walk - not a modern, superficial facade
2. Jesus was a very busy man - He wore His disciples out. But Jesus always made time to pray - very convicting - always was in constant communication with the Father - as a MAN, not just because He was God. Everything He was experiencing and feeling, He felt as a Man
3. His relationship was so important to Him as a Man to get through each day. He also knew how important it is for us to have that same relationship! That's why He wanted those of us who follow Him to "WATCH" and learn from it (Mk 14:34)
a. He couldn't let His trial stop Him from caring for others as well
b. Knew the need for us to have a good example
4. Jesus uses a title, a name that is rare - Abba
a. Means, "Daddy, Papa" - much more than "Father!"
b. Used by children towards their Dad showing complete trust and love
c. Such a simple word - Abba - Dada - don't have to be very eloquent
d. Can't be said by people who are not in the same family though
e. Can't be said by those not close to each other - real close!
1) Imagine a 33 year old coming into the room with his father, and in front of people saying, Daddy!
2) We would call it immaturity. Jesus calls it, The Best Relationship
a) Not this formal "God" and Father
b) But from the heart, "Abba, Daddy, My Everything!"
f. It is the closeness of God's people, if they only knew it (Ps 18:35; 78:23; 139:8-10)
B. The Reproach (Jn 19:5-7) - Having this kind of relationship will undoubtedly get you in trouble
1. The world, and especially the religious will mock this kind of closeness - not believe it to be possible
2. Your own family and friends will not understand it at first - many a Christian struggles with intimacy, and calls those who love prayer, and reliance upon God as fanaticism
Fanaticism: Anyone who loves God more than you!
3. Jesus says, "If you follow Me, then expect it" (Lk 6:22,23; 10:20). The devils will go against you, and so will this world.
4. People won't understand anything could be better than what they already have - that was the problem with the Jews of Jesus' day, and it is still the problem today!
C. The Reliance (Mk 14:34-40) - this Abba kind of relationship will develop a great strength ability, even when it looks like you are about to fail!
1. Jesus was beginning the battle - the struggle with your and my sins
a. Began to wrestle - He who had never known sin, became sin for us
b. This is where blood began to trickle, and then flow down His brow
c. His near future held only a cross and a tomb
2. What was Jesus going to rely on during this trial - this struggle?
a. Not on His companions and dearest of friends - they wear out
b. Not even on His own strength
c. But, totally, and utterly on the Lord's strength, and will!
1) He asked the disciples to PRAY along with Him - prayer was their great resource! If only we utilized prayer more!
2) Submitted to God's way - as a man, He learned what it meant to struggle with temptation - not easy, ever!
3) God is our refuge! The One we can run to and find safety and strength
4) Notice that He kept going to prayer - no place else to turn
D. The Release (Mk 14:41-42) - This Abba type of relationship is where victory resides - enables the Christian to face into the harshest of storms (Isa 41:10)
1. Released from fear - not that He was afraid, but that He was showing us how to conquer our fears we would naturally have in such times
a. No fear of His enemies. Able to rise from prayer READY - to meet His enemies
b. No fear of God's plan, or will - Yielded to doing what God says is best
2. Released from co-dependence - not relying on anyone else at all but God
a. Major problem is we never get to this point - always have so many back-ups to turn to when things go sour
b. Jesus knew His Father's will, and was ready to go through with it
c. A great joy - to just be in the middle of God's will
E. The Reward (Mk 14:53,60-64; Lk 23:34). Because of this Abba relationship, Jesus was:
1. Able to answer this world's anger and threats - without hesitation
2. Able to transform the cross into a throne
3. Able to redeem the lowest sinner - brought full forgiveness (Lk 23:34)
4. Able to restore the wayward child
5. Simply put, because of this relationship, Jesus was able to focus on others in the midst of His own struggles and trials, and seeming defeats!
6. That is a great result - it affected this whole world -
a. That's what caused David to pen hundreds of the sweetest Psalms
b. That's what caused Paul, Peter, and multitudes to give THEIR lives in the face of trials and hardships so that OTHERS could get saved
F. The Recipe (Phil 3:10; Jam 4:8) - the most important part!
1. Draw nigh (near) unto Christ - our mediator - He gets you in real close
2. Get adopted - not in God's family by birth, but by the new birth - adoption (Rom 8:15; Gal 4:6)
3. Get serious yourself - start living a close relationship - it is there for you
a. In prayer - utilize this "open channel" that we have with heaven
b. In praise - quit doubting, and struggling in prayer, and start praising the victory you have because of Jesus!
c. In purity - don't let the devil have another minute's control of your thoughts or attitudes, or actions!
d. In person - come boldly before His throne AS His child, knowing you have ALL you need by faith - but it requires the faith as of a child!
III.
Conclusion -
A. The Relationship (Mk 14:32-36) - Daddy/Child relationship
B. The Reproach - Having this kind of relationship will undoubtedly get you in trouble like it did Christ!
C. The Reliance (Mk 14:34-40) - this Abba kind of relationship will develop a great strength and ability, even when it looks like you are about to fail!
D. The Release - This Abba type of relationship is where victory resides - enables the Christian to face into the harshest of storms (Isa 41:10)
E. The Reward - transformed sure defeat into real victory!
F. The Recipe - the most important part!
1. Draw nigh (near) unto Christ - our mediator - He gets you in real close
2. Get adopted - not in God's family by birth, but by the new birth - adoption (Rom 8:15; Gal 4:6)
3. Get serious yourself - start living a close relationship - it is there for you