Messages

TIME ALONE WITH JESUS

Scripture: Mark 1:35-39.

Jesus preferred prayer than a day of rest after a long and hard day of ministry.

1. WE SHOULD VALUE OUR TIME ALONE WITH JESUS. V35

Jesus’ prayer was not restricted to a place of worship or worship service. For Him prayer was a lifestyle. He had a fixed time of prayer and also on-going conversation with Dad.

Mark 6:46 mountainside prayer.

Mark14:32-42 Gethsemane

Psalm 101:2 message

Life in private counts.

Prayer was a HABIT for Jesus

1. Why Jesus prayed in solitude?

• Not to be seen by people Matthew 6:5

Secret prayers is the secret of prayer, the soul of prayer, the seal of           prayer, and the strength of prayer- C H Spurgeon.

We truly pray when we learn to express ourselves to God alone in prayer.

• Matthew 6:6- the closet prayer. The less our prayer is observed on earth the more it is observed in Heaven.
• To pray aloud-Hebrews 5:7 (loud cries and tears). Loud cries and tears are not essential but it is really relaxing.
• Psalm 5:3 (message). To express himself in private or to tell all his secrets with dad. Ex: - psalm 137. It is difficult to express oneself freely in the presence of others.
• Jesus would go nowhere or do anything without prayer, for Him abiding in His Dad gave Him the greatest joy. For Jesus sin confession was not part of His prayer, but only deep communion with Dad. Not my will but Yours be done. (open heart surgery due to blocks in heart. It open free flow of life)
• In spite of being original and pure, Jesus communed with Dad and it maintained His virgin status. So how much more impure human beings need communion with Jesus to be holy. Let us learn to keep the honey after the honey moon.

1. for whom did Jesus prayed?

- For Himself. Hebrews 5:7. He was heard because of His reverent submission

-  for others. Ex:- Luke 22:31.

-  For cities and more workers.

2. WE SHOULD HAVE CLEAR PRIORITIES IN LIFE VS 37

Everyone is looking for you

Proverbs 27:21 the crucible for silver and the furnace for gold, but man is tested by the praise he receives. Jesus was not moved by popularity of people.

 John 7:4- advice of Jesus’ brothers.

John 11:6,8- closeness or hostility of people never determined the steps and stops of Jesus. His marching orders came from His Dad alone.

 Luke 5:15,16- Quite often Jesus prayed

Many people’s life with God was over as they lived to please people. Jesus was available to the needy in line with Dad’ priority. Do we have priority in our lives?

John Maxwell

First priority- person: God

Second priority- Partner: spouse

Third priority - Parent: children

Fourth priority – Pastor: ministry/God’ work.

Remember true prayer keeps us humble.

Luke 22:40 pray that you will not fall into temptation.

2Timothy 2:20,21. A vessel useful to the master. Humble people will be used mightily by God.

3. WE SHOULD KNOW WHAT MORE TO BE DONE DAILY IN LIFE. VS 38 

Matthew 7:7 NLT- Keep, keep on A.S.K.

2peter 3:18 grow in the grace and knowledge of Christ

I know Him better every day, close by His side I will abide.

Don’t be stand still nor stagnant but move on in life. Jesus’ focus was not what has been done, but what is to be done. After hearing from peter Jesus never told His disciples, let us rest and be thankful, but He said “let us go somewhere else”

Let us better ourselves daily

4. WE SHOULD KNOW WHY GOD HAS DESIGNED US AND SENT US TO THIS WORLD. VS38,39

 

Luke 4:42,43- that is why I was sent

The insect cicada with 17 years life cycle.

Jesus’ prayer in john 17:4

Hebrews 5:7-10, Jesus is designated by God to be our high priest.

Hebrews 7:25, Jesus continues to be our intercessor

John 19:30, Jesus’ last word uttered at the cross recorded by His beloved disciple. Tetelestai.