Creekside Community Church: “Imitating Jesus” “Praying like Jesus VII: Not My Will...” November 18, 2012
John Bruce – Pastor

“Not My Will...”

“And 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." Mark 14:36

Why God Sometimes Says “No.”
A. To Perfect Us (Hebrews 2:10, 2 Corinthians 12:9-11)

B. To Prosper Us (Philippians 2:5-11, Acts 16:6-10)

C. To Protect Us (1 Kings 19:4-8, Genesis 17:18-21)

For further thought and discussion:

Getting Started

1. What was helpful to you in this week’s sermon? What didn’t you understand?

2. Has God ever said no to a prayer you’ve prayed? Why do you think He said no?

Going Deeper

Please read Mark 14:36. Why do you think Jesus prayed this way? How does God say no to His Son? How does He say yes?
How is God’s refusal to remove the cup from Jesus an example of God’s purpose of perfecting us? (Hebrews 2:10) What would have happened to Jesus if God had said yes to Jesus’ prayer? To us? How does Paul’s experience in 2 Cor. 12:9-11 illustrate how God’s purpose of perfecting us may lead to some prayers going unanswered? Have you ever asked God to deliver you from something – and He didn’t? What happened? Why do you think God answered this way?
How is God’s refusal to remove the cup from Jesus an example of God’s purpose of prospering us? (Philip. 2:5-11) What couldn’t Jesus have had if God had said yes to His prayer? How does Paul’s experience in Acts 16:6-10 illustrate how God’s purpose of prospering us may lead to some prayers going unanswered? Can you think of an illustration of God saying no to a request you made to prosper you?
How is God’s refusal to remove the cup from Jesus an example of God’s purpose of protecting us? Of protecting others from us? How does 1 Kings 19:4-8 illustrate how God sometimes says no to protect us from ourselves? How does Genesis 17:18-21 illustrate how God sometimes says no to protect others from us? Can you think of an illustration of God saying no to a request you made which protected you? Which protected others from you?
Does Jesus’ experience in the garden change the way you look at unanswered prayers? How?

Application:

What is one thing you learned from this week’s passages that you will apply to your life?