The Key to Defeating Temptation!
Sunday, August 24, 2025
Reverend Larry Deering
Mark 14:27-42
"You will all fall away," Jesus told them, "for it is written: "'I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.'
But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee."
Peter declared, "Even if all fall away, I will not."
"Truly I tell you," Jesus answered, "today—yes, tonight—before the rooster crows twice Some early manuscripts do not have [twice.] you yourself will disown me three times."
But Peter insisted emphatically, "Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you." And all the others said the same.
They went to a place called Gethsemane, and Jesus said to his disciples, "Sit here while I pray."
He took Peter, James and John along with him, and he began to be deeply distressed and troubled.
"My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death," he said to them. "Stay here and keep watch."
Going a little farther, he fell to the ground and prayed that if possible the hour might pass from him.
"Abba, Aramaic for [father] Father," he said, "everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will."
Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. "Simon," he said to Peter, "are you asleep? Couldn't you keep watch for one hour?
Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak."
Once more he went away and prayed the same thing.
When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. They did not know what to say to him.
Returning the third time, he said to them, "Are you still sleeping and resting? Enough! The hour has come. Look, the Son of Man is delivered into the hands of sinners.
Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer!"
Luke 22:41-44
He withdrew about a stone's throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed,
"Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done."
An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him.
And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground. Many early manuscripts do not have verses 43 and 44.
Hebrews 5:7-9
During the days of Jesus' life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission.
Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered
and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him
Matthew 7:24
"Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.
Matthew 27:46
About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, "Eli, Eli, Some manuscripts [Eloi, Eloi] lema sabachthani?" (which means "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?").
Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Or [will direct your paths]
1 Corinthians 10:13
No temptation The Greek for [temptation] and [tempted] can also mean [testing] and [tested]. has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted The Greek for [temptation] and [tempted] can also mean [testing] and [tested]. beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, The Greek for [temptation] and [tempted] can also mean [testing] and [tested]. he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.
Ephesians 6:11
Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes.
Ephesians 6:18-19
And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord's people.
Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel,
