From Agony to Victory

by Pastor Joey Asher

Big idea:
Jesus submitted to the will of God despite facing agony

Luke 22:39-47
Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and his disciples followed him. 40 On reaching the place, he said to them, “Pray that you will not fall into temptation.” 41 He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed, 42 “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” 43 An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. 44 And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.[a] 45 When he rose from prayer and went back to the disciples, he found them asleep, exhausted from sorrow. 46 “Why are you sleeping?” he asked them. “Get up and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.” Jesus Arrested 47 While he was still speaking a crowd came up, and the man who was called Judas, one of the Twelve, was leading them. He approached Jesus to kiss him,


Jesus showed his disciples the importance of prayer during trials and testing

Jesus found his resolve to face the cross, allowed him to be faithful and obedience to what God wants him to do

If we don't even seek God how can we understand or fulfil God's will in our lives?

3 ways to submit to God when facing agony

Point 1:
Acknowledge our fears before God

Luke 22:37
It is written: ‘And he was numbered with the transgressors’[a]; and I tell you that this must be fulfilled in me. Yes, what is written about me is reaching its fulfillment.”


Luke 22:41
He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed,


We can see how Jesus confronted his deepest fears to God alone in prayer.

Jesus expressed his human fear

Luke 22:42
“Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.”


* God can accept us in our weakest and most vulnerable state

Precisely why we should go to God, it is part of preparing ourselves for the coming trials. He'll be there with me throughout the test

The loving father can't go through the test for you but he is there with you throughout.

Part of growth process is to say "You can try again". Commend them for overcoming their fears

Point 2:
Choose God's will over your own will

Luke 22:42-44
“Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” 43 An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. 44 And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.[a]


Luke 22:42
“Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.”


We all knows God listens to our prayer but we don't know how God response to our prayers. It may be no, yes, wait or silence..

We're not praying to a genie, its a God who knows better than we know ourselves

God sent an angel to strengthen Jesus, what more us?

Luke 22:44
And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.[a]


His prayer intensified after angel visitation, he knew it wouldn't be an easy battle so he persist in the supernatural battle

Jesus chose God's will over his own

Choosing God's will Is part of your Disciple-Making journey despite facing agony

Point 3:
Resolve to live out God's will when others don't

Luke 22:45-46
When he rose from prayer and went back to the disciples, he found them asleep, exhausted from sorrow. 46 “Why are you sleeping?” he asked them. “Get up and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.”


We suffer:
- Because someone did wrong
- We did something wrong
- We did something right

Choosing God's will Does not exempt you from pain, hurt and betrayal

Prayer prepares you better to face, not to avoid it

Philippians 2:8
And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross!