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September 3, 2006 Morning Service - Rev. Chris Reneau
THE NIGHTS SEASON
Text: MATTEW 26:32-50
- But after, I have been raised, I will go before you to Galilee.
- Peter answered and said to Him, "Even if all were made to stumble because of You, I will never be made to stumble."
- Jesus said to him, "Assuredly I say to you that this night, before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times."
- Peter said to Him, "Even if I have to die with You, I will not deny You." And so said all the disciples.
- Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and said to the disciples, "Sit here while I go and pray over there."
- And He took with Him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and He began to be sorrowful and deeply distressed.
- Then He said to them, "My soul is extremely sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch with me."
- He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed saying, "O My Father, if it is possible let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless not as I will but as You will."
- Then He came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, "What? Could you not watch with Me one hour?"
- "Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing but the flesh is weak."
- Again a second time, He went away and prayed saying, 'O My Father, if this cup cannot pass away from Me unless I drink it. Your will be done."
- And He came and found them asleep again, for their eyes were heavy.
- So He left them, went away again and prayed the third time, saying the same words.
- Then He came to His disciples an said to them, 'Are you still sleeping and resting? Behold the hour is at hand and the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hand of sinners."
- "Rise, let us be going. See My betrayer is at hand.'
- And while He was still speaking, behold Judas, one of the twelve, with a great multitude with swords and clubs, came from the chief priests and elders of the people.
- Now His betrayer had given them a sign, saying, "Whomever I kiss, He is the One; seize Him.'
- Immediately he went up to Jesus and said, "Greetings, Rabbi!" and kissed Him.
- But Jesus said to him, "Friend why have you come?" Then they came and laid hands on Jesus and took Him.
Introduction: Every Christian who lives long enough will experience a time of God’s special dealings. Also, God will use the instruments of crisis, tragedy, trials, temptations and failure to speak to us.
A. What the Night Season is not!
- The Night Season is not sent to break us but to make us
- It’s in the night season that we learn to give the sacrifice of praise.
- The Night Season does not last forever.
- At the end of a Night Season we have a shout of victory.
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