ALONE WITH GOD

The Gospel of Mark #5

Pastor Dennis Clanton

Woodland Church

Wednesday, November 2, 2022

“All of humanity’s problems stem from man’s inability to sit quietly in a room alone.” -Blaise Pascal (1623–1662)

(Mark 1:35–39, NLT) “Before daybreak the next morning, Jesus got up and went out to an isolated place to pray. Later Simon and the others went out to find him. When they found him, they said, “Everyone is looking for you.” But Jesus replied, “We must go on to other towns as well, and I will preach to them, too. That is why I came.” So he traveled throughout the region of Galilee, preaching in the synagogues and casting out demons.”

1. JESUS’ PRAYER FOCUS.

(Mark 1:35, NLT) “Before daybreak the next morning, Jesus got up and went out to an isolated place to pray.”

“He prayeth best who loveth best.” -Samuel Coleridge

a.  Jesus prayed for strength.  (Mark 14:35-46)

b. Perhaps he prayed about temptation to choose another way.  (Mark 1:38)

c. Jesus reset and refocused in prayer.

2. DON’T GET SIDETRACKED BY SUCCESS.

(Mark 1:36, NLT) “Later Simon and the others went out to find him.”

a. The disciples are surprised that Jesus would not follow up on his success.

b. Many want the miracles without the message.

“A praying master, like Jesus can have no prayerless servants.” –J. C. Ryle

c. Seek the Lord in prayer before your schedule begins.

d. Reflect on Jesus’ priority of prayer.

i. Jesus prayed alone. 

ii. Jesus prayed with others.

3. LOOK FOR GOD’S AGENDA.

(Mark 1:38, NLT) “But Jesus replied, “We must go on to other towns as well, and I will preach to them, too. That is why I came.”

Ken Blanchard defines a mismanaged E.G.O. as “Edging God Out.”

Jesus wasn’t hiding in prayer; He was in prayer to be open and accessible to God and connect us to the love and power of God.

a. Engage God Only – cure for a mismanaged ego.

b. Exalting God Only – my ego points to consistently to Christ.

(Acts 2:33, NLT) “Now he is exalted to the place of highest honor in heaven, at God’s right hand. And the Father, as he had promised, gave him the Holy Spirit to pour out upon us, just as you see and hear today.”

GROWTHWORK

1. I need to retreat to reenter.

2. I need to give myself to internalizing the Bible.

3. I sit quietly not to be alone but to be present to God.