Text: Matthew 26:36-41

36 Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder. 37 And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy.   38 Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death:  tarry ye here, and watch with me. 39 And he went a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me:  nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt. 40 And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour?  41 Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation:  the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. 

Sunday, 30^th June 2024       

THE HOLY SPIRIT STRENGTHENS OUR SPIRITS 2

Text: Matthew 26:36-41

Memory verse: Matthew 26: 41 Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. 

A believer must realize the weakness of his own spirit before he will pray for the Holy Spirit to fill his spirit with power; being filled with power in the spirit is the need of the believer. Many times, the body of a believer is in excellent condition, but he feels a little lazy. At such times, working for the Lord seems unbearable, and his heart is most unwilling. This shows that his spirit is weak and unable to control the emotion.

Sometimes the believer may feel very excited, but his body is a little lazy. At such times, labouring for the Lord also seems impossible. In the garden of Gethsemane, the disciples indeed had this kind of experience. What was the reason for this? It was because "the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak". To be willing in the spirit is not enough; the spirit must also be strong. When the spirit is strong, it can overcome the weakness of the flesh. Sometimes when a believer is preaching and working on someone, it seems as though he is unable to do anything and has no way to manage him. This is because of the lack of power in the believer’s spirit. If the situation were the opposite, when the believer could not save him, it would not be due to a lack of power but because that person did not want to be saved. This is also the case regarding the environment. Because of the confusion in the environment, the believer may also feel that he is affected. If the spirit is strong, then he can manage the most confused situations in a calm and composed manner.

Prayer is the greatest test of the spirit’s strength. Those whose spirits are strong can pray much and will not quit before the prayer is answered. Those whose spirits are weak will find it difficult to petition God for several years or several decades without being tired and discouraged. This is the case in all matters. Only those with a strong spirit have the energy to go forward continuously without regard to the environment or feelings. Otherwise, they soon feel that they cannot bear it any longer.

Regarding fighting with Satan, there is even more need for power in the spirit. Only those who really have power in the spirit will know how to exercise the power of the spirit to resist and attack the enemy. Without power, all the fighting is just a dramatic struggle. If it is not from the mind’s imagination, then it is from the excitement of feelings, and sometimes it may even be the natural strength of the flesh.

CGDS HYMN 28: SS&S 190:

 COME, HOLY SPIRIT, COME

1. Come, Holy Spirit, come;

Let Thy bright beams arise,

Dispel the darkness from our minds,

And open all our eyes.

2. Revive our drooping faith,

Our doubts and fears remove,

And kindle in our breasts the flame

Of never-dying love.

3. Convince us of our sin,

Then lead to Jesus' blood,

And to our wondering view reveal

The secret love of God.

4. ‘Tis Thine to cleanse the heart,

To sanctify the soul,

To pour fresh life in every part,

And new-create the whole.

5. Dwell therefore in our hearts,

Our minds from bondage free ;

Then we shall know, and praise, and love

The Father, Son, and Thee !  

 Prayers 

1.  Holy Spirit, be the prayer machine on the inside of me in Jesus’ name.

2.  LORD God Almighty, help me to generate unusual power from the inside by the Spirit   in Jesus’ name. Amen.    

3.  Pray for others in this regard.