John 18:1-11
When Life Seems Out of Control

Introduction
1. Life at time can seem out of control and too big to handle.
2. Do your life seem to be out of control and too big to handle?
3. Such was the case in John 18:1-11 as we look at Jesus. There are 4 lessons we can learn from Jesus:

Is your life out of control? Lesson #1
I. HIS WAY 18:1, 2
A. A Secret Place 1a
This place was known to Him and His disciples. He went forth with His disciples over the
Brook Kidron.
1. This Brook was often dry, but not so in the fall and spring.
2. This was at the time of the Passover. Many lambs were slain. 30 years after Jesus’ census was taken and 256,000 lamb were slain. From the altar there was a channel that flowed to the Brook Kidron. Through that channel the blood of the Passover lambs would flow. That night the Brook would still be red with blood of the lambs which had been sacrificed.
3. Christ crossed that Brook (the Lamb slain before the foundation of the world). He was marching to His sacrificial altar. When we come to our secret place we pass over Brook Kidron. The Blood has been applied. The payment for our sin has been made.
4. It is a secret place for me and my Lord!
B. A Silent Place 1b
Where was a garden into which He and His disciples entered.
1. Matthew, Mark and Luke say this was Gethsemane.
2. It was undoubtedly a private garden and means, “oil press”.
3. Not My will but Thine be done. When life seems out of control, we need a Silent Place to get alone and wrestle until we say, “No my will, but Thine be done.”
C. A Special Place 2
Judas knew the place for Jesus came there often with His disciples.
1. Used Often This was a favorite hide away. When the ministry was too great it was there He place His hand in the had of the Father and became refreshed.
2. Understood By A Few Judas had been there, but seeing he never saw. Hearing he never heard. He was blind to this great transaction. We need a special place of refreshing and we need to use it often.

Is your life out of control? Lesson #2
II. HIS WORTH 18:3-6
A. The Odds 3
When the odds are against us…you will never know the worth of an anchor until you are in the midst of a storm.
1. The Band of Soldiers Something is astonishing. Cohert: Thayer says it is a tenth part of a legion or 600 men. A Second use: Cohert is made up of 1000 men (240 calvary, 760 infantry). The least and most rare usage is 200 men.
2. The Officers The were prepared for anything. They were united to put an end to Jesus. All of this for a Galilean carpenter? Some have suggested that such a commotion at Passover time would have aroused the city and as many as 1000 people may have tagged along.
B. The Order 4
1. God is never taken by surprise ‘knowing all things.’
2. Good (what we consider good) isn’t always God’s will for God’s people that should come upon Him. Betrayed…Beaten…Battered…Bruised…Bloody…all was God’s will for His life!
3. He did not resist God’s will for Him at that time. He didn’t run. He went forth…Whom seek ye?
C. The Authority 5, 6
1. The Attitude: I AM He is the Jehovah of (Ex. 3:13, 14) I AM is to be His name forever. He is God!
2. The Action: Suddenly they rolled, staggered and fell! 600 soldiers lay flat on the ground. He might have killed them. How foolish they were to think they could take Him! He yielded to God’s will even if it meant the cross. Quit fighting against what you cannot control. God isn’t surprised!

Is your life out of control? Lesson #3
III. HIS WALK 18:7-9
A. Always Thinking of Others 7, 8
1. He is always doing what is best for us, even though we may have to suffer.
2. Yes, Jesus Cares…I know He cares.
B. According To His Word 9
1. Too have been captured would have been too much.
2. We can depend on His Word: There hath no temptation taken you, but such as is common with man; but God is faithful, who will not permit you to be tempted above that ye are able, but will with the temptation, also make the way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
3. He still says, “I have lost none.” What He permits is always too much. What He gives is always just enough!

Is your life out of control? Lesson #4
IV. HIS WILL 18:10, 11
A. A Servant’s Attitude 10
1. It was unlawful to carry a weapon on feast day. Peter no doubt had become alarmed at Jesus’ talk of dying.
2. Peter missed Malchus’ head and hit his ear (the right one). Jesus touched his ear and healed him. (Luke) At lasting impression was made. As the servant was healed by the one he came to arrest. There would have been lasting memories of that moment.
3. Out of control we act like Peter. We act in our strength. We act in the flesh. The attitude of one who serves: “How can I help.”
B. A Submissive Attitude 11a
Put up your sword. The cup which the Father hath given me.
1. This may not be God’s will for Judas, but it is for Jesus. This is God’s will for me!
2. (I Peter 1:6) …Though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold trials…The cup would soon be empty. Christ saw not the bitterness of the cross, but the Father’s will!
C. A Sacrificial Attitude
The cup which the Father hath given Me shall I not drink it?
1. This is the Father’s plan. Do I rebel? Do I resist? Do I reject?
2. Any other way would have been unthinkable.
3. For this is the will of God…Rejoice evermore…Pray without ceasing…In everything give thanks for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. (I Thes. 5:16-18)

Is your life out of control?
Find a Secret Place and meet with Him.
Against all odds…God is never surprised. Realize God’s tremendous power to handle the situation.
Stop operating in your own strength.
This may not be your idea or plan, but this is His will for you and your life at this time!
In God’s time and God’s way all things will work for God’s glory and your good!
TRUST ME!