HOW TO TALK WITH OUR FATHER

TEXT- MARK 14:32-36

Mark 14:32-36  They came to a place named Gethsemane; and He said to His disciples, "Sit here until I have prayed." 33And He took with Him Peter and James and John, and began to be very distressed and troubled. 34And He said to them, "My soul is deeply grieved to the point of death; remain here and keep watch." 35And He went a little beyond them, and fell to the ground and began to pray that if it were possible, the hour might pass Him by. 36And He was saying, "Abba! Father! All things are possible for You; remove this cup from Me; yet not what I will, but what You will." (NAUB)


INTRODUCTION

IN THE COMIC STRIP "PEANUTS", PEPPERMINT PATTY IS CALLED TO THE FRONT OF THE CLASSROOM BY HER TEACHER TO SOLVE A MATH PROBLEM SHE DOESN'T KNOW HOW TO ANSWER.

AS SHE STANDS STARING AT THE BLACK BOARD SHE BEGINS TO PRAY, "WHAT AM I DOING UP HERE IN FRONT OF THE CLASS? HELP ME! HELP ME! PLEASE HELP ME LORD!"

THE LONGER SHE STANDS THERE THE MORE FERVENT HER PRAYER BECOMES.

"IT'S THE SECOND PROBLEM ON PAGE TWELVE LORD...HELP ME... I'M HERE AT THE BLACK BOARD... PAGE TWELVE, PLEASE LORD, HURRY!"

FINALLY HER FRIEND MARCI INTERRUPTS HER.

"YOU CAN SIT DOWN SIR...THE TEACHER SAID SHE WASN'T FEELING WELL, AND LEFT THE ROOM."

AT THAT MOMENT PEPPERMINT PATTY SHOUTS, "SCHOOL PRAYER REALLY WORKS, MARCIE!"

DO YOU BELIEVE THAT PRAYER REALLY WORKS?

JAMES SAID IN JAMES 5:16; "THE EFFECTIVE PRAYER OF A RIGHTEOUS MAN CAN ACCOMPLISH MUCH."

OUR TEXT THIS MORNING IS FOUND IN MARK 14:32-36 AND THE TITLE OF MY MESSAGE IS, "HOW TO TALK WITH OUR FATHER."

HERE IN OUR TEXT WE FIND JESUS WITHIN THE GARDEN OF GETHSEMANE DURING A TIME WHEN HE WAS FACED WITH THE PROSPECT OF BETRAYAL, HUMILIATION, TORTURE, AND ULTIMATELY EVEN DEATH.

AS HE TALKED TO THE FATHER FROM THE ANGUISH AND DISTRESS OF HIS HEART, JESUS GIVES US FOUR KEYS TO FOLLOW WHEN WE TALK WITH OUR FATHER TODAY.

LET'S LOOK NOW AND SEE WHAT THESE FOUR KEYS ARE AND HOW WE CAN APPLY THEM TO OUR PRAYER LIVES TODAY.