Fifth Sunday in Lent - The Power of God

God's power is greater than our humanity, and he can transform us to experience peace

The Treaty of Versailles: After World War I, the Treaty of Versailles was signed to bring peace between the nations. However, it failed to maintain peace and stability in Europe, which eventually led to the rise of Hitler and the start of World War II. The Cold War: Despite the end of World War II, the world remained in a state of tension as the United States and the Soviet Union entered a period of rivalry known as the Cold War. Despite numerous attempts to negotiate peace between the two nations, tensions remained high, and conflicts such as the Korean and Vietnam Wars occurred. The Arab-Israeli Conflict: The Arab-Israeli conflict has been ongoing since the establishment of Israel in 1948. Despite numerous peace talks and agreements, the conflict continues to this day, with no lasting peace being achieved. The Rwandan Genocide: In 1994, Rwanda experienced a brutal genocide that claimed the lives of an estimated 800,000 people. Despite efforts by the international community to intervene and bring peace to the region, the conflict continued for several months before finally coming to an end. The War on Terror: Following the 9/11 attacks, the United States launched a War on Terror to combat terrorism worldwide. Despite the efforts of many nations to achieve peace, the conflict has continued to this day, with the rise of new terrorist groups and ongoing conflicts in countries such as Afghanistan and Syria. No matter how many times humanity has attempted to experience peace, all attempts seem to have failed.

Today, I want to speak to you about the power of God and how it can transform us to experience true peace. As human beings, we are limited in our abilities and often struggle to find peace in the midst of our daily lives. However, we serve a God whose power is greater than our humanity, and who is capable of transforming our lives in ways that we could never imagine.

In the book of Isaiah, we read about God’s promise to transform us: “Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert” (Isaiah 43:19). This verse reminds us that no matter how lost or hopeless we may feel, God is always at work, and he is capable of making a way for us even in the most barren and difficult of circumstances.

But what does it mean for God to transform us? It means that he can take us from a place of fear, anxiety, and brokenness, and bring us to a place of peace, joy, and wholeness. It means that he can heal the wounds that we have carried for years, and that he can give us the strength to face our struggles with confidence and faith. It means that he can take our brokenness and turn it into something beautiful, something that can inspire others and bring glory to his name.

We see this transformation at work in the lives of many of the people in the Bible. Take, for example, the story of Paul. Before he became a follower of Christ, Paul was a persecutor of Christians, actively working to stamp out the early church. But after encountering Jesus on the road to Damascus, he was transformed into one of the greatest evangelists of all time, traveling throughout the ancient world to spread the gospel and plant churches. Paul’s life was completely transformed by the power of God, and he experienced a peace that he could never have found on his own.

So, how do we experience this transformation in our own lives? First, we must recognize our need for God’s power. We cannot transform ourselves on our own; we need God’s help. Second, we must surrender our lives to him, allowing him to work in us and through us. And finally, we must trust in his power to transform us, even when we can’t see how it’s happening. I want to draw your attention to Psalm 130. This beautiful psalm reminds us of God's promises for peace and how we can trust in His steadfast love and mercy.

The psalmist begins by crying out to the Lord from the depths of his despair. He acknowledges that his sins have separated him from God and that he needs God's forgiveness and mercy. But then he confidently declares, "If you, O Lord, should mark iniquities, Lord, who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness, so that we can, with reverence, serve you." (Psalm 130:3-4) This is a powerful reminder that no matter how much we may have sinned or fallen short of God's glory, we can always turn to Him for forgiveness and grace. God's mercy endures forever, and His love will never end. When we repent of our sins and turn to Him, He will always receive us with open arms and offer us the peace that only He can give.

The psalmist goes on to say, "I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits, and in his word, I put my hope. I wait for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the morning, more than watchmen wait for the morning." (Psalm 130:5-6)

This waiting that the psalmist speaks of is not passive or idle. Rather, it is an active waiting, a waiting that is full of hope and expectation. We wait for the Lord with eager anticipation, trusting in His promises and His faithfulness. We know that He is with us always, and that He will never leave us nor forsake us.

Finally, the psalmist concludes with these beautiful words of hope and assurance: "Israel, put your hope in the Lord, for with the Lord is unfailing love and with him is full redemption. He himself will redeem Israel from all their sins." (Psalm 130:7-8) These words are not just for Israel, but for all of us who put our hope in the Lord. We can trust in God's promises for peace, knowing that He is faithful and true. He will redeem us from all our sins, and He will lead us into a future full of hope and joy.

The book of Ezekiel, chapter 37, is a powerful example of how God can bring us back to life and give us hope, even when we feel like we are lost and alone.

In this chapter, Ezekiel is given a vision of a valley of dry bones. These bones represent the people of Israel who had lost their hope and were living in despair. They were dead inside, and their spirits had been crushed. But God showed Ezekiel that even in this state, He could bring them back to life.

Through the power of His word, God commanded the bones to come together, and He covered them with flesh and skin. He breathed His breath of life into them, and they came back to life. This miraculous restoration showed that even when we are at our lowest point, God can still bring us back to life and give us hope.

This story is not just a historical event that happened long ago. It is a powerful reminder of what God can do in our lives today. No matter how hopeless our situation may seem, God can bring us back to life. He can restore our broken hearts and give us a new sense of hope and purpose.

We may feel like we are living in a valley of dry bones, where there is no life or hope. We may have lost loved ones, our jobs, or our health. But even in the darkest moments, God is with us, and He can bring us back to life.

God's promise of restoration is not just for the Israelites of old or for a select few. It is for all of us. It is a promise of hope that we can hold onto no matter what we face. We just need to trust in God's power and believe in His promises.

As we reflect on the transformative power of Jesus Christ, let us look closer at John 11. This chapter tells the story of Lazarus, who was a dear friend of Jesus, and how he was raised from the dead by the power of Christ. Through this incredible event, we can learn that Jesus calls us to believe in him, to have faith in him, and to be resurrected with him.

The story of Lazarus begins with his sisters, Martha and Mary, sending a message to Jesus informing him that their brother is sick. Upon hearing this news, Jesus responds by saying, "This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God's glory so that God's Son may be glorified through it." (John 11:4)

Jesus knows that Lazarus is already dead when he arrives at his tomb, yet he performs a miracle and raises Lazarus from the dead. Through this incredible event, Jesus reveals his divine power and his ability to bring new life to the dead. This story demonstrates that Jesus calls us to believe in him, to have faith in him, and to be resurrected with him. Jesus tells Martha, "I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die." (John 11:25-26)

This is a powerful statement that speaks to the transformative power of Jesus Christ. By believing in Jesus, we can experience new life and be resurrected with him. This means that we are not bound by the limitations of this world, but rather we have the hope of eternal life through our faith in Jesus. Jesus also calls us to have faith in him. When Martha expresses her belief that Lazarus will rise again on the last day, Jesus responds by saying, "I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die." (John 11:25)

Jesus is reminding us that our faith in him is what gives us the power to overcome death and experience new life. Through our faith in him, we can be transformed and made new.

Finally, Jesus calls us to be resurrected with him. In John 11, we see Lazarus brought back to life through the power of Christ. This is a powerful reminder that through Jesus, we too can experience new life and be resurrected with him.

Paul reminds us of hope and peace in the eighth chapter of the book of Romans. In this passage, we are reminded that we can find peace in the Spirit through faith.

As Christians, we understand that our faith in Jesus Christ is what gives us true peace and fulfillment. However, it can be easy to get caught up in the stress and chaos of daily life, causing us to lose sight of our identity in Him. This is why it is essential to be guided by the Spirit of God and find our identity in Him.

Through the Holy Spirit, we can find direction and guidance in our lives. The Spirit reveals God's will to us, and it is up to us to listen and follow. When we allow the Spirit to lead us, we can experience a sense of peace and assurance, even in the midst of turmoil.

Furthermore, our identity in Christ is what truly gives us purpose and meaning in life. The world may try to define us by our possessions, our accomplishments, or our status, but none of these things truly matter in the grand scheme of things. When we realize that our true identity is found in our relationship with Jesus Christ, we can live with confidence and purpose. Romans 8:14-16 states, "For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, 'Abba! Father!' The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God."

As children of God, we have a unique relationship with Him that cannot be shaken by the trials of this world. We can trust in His promises and find peace in His love. I want to encourage you to trust in the power of God to transform you. No matter what struggles or difficulties you may be facing, remember that God’s power is greater than your humanity. He can take your brokenness and turn it into something beautiful, something that can inspire others and bring glory to his name. May we all surrender our lives to him and experience the peace that only he can give. Heavenly Father, We come before you with humble hearts, seeking peace that only comes from trusting in your promises and believing in your son, Jesus Christ. We know that in this world, there are many troubles and challenges that we face, but we find hope in you. We ask that you would fill us with the peace that surpasses all understanding, as we put our trust in you. May we be reminded of your unfailing love and faithfulness, even in the midst of trials and difficulties. Lord, we also pray that you would send your Holy Spirit to guide us and bring us comfort in times of need. Help us to rely on your wisdom and discernment, rather than our own understanding, as we navigate through life's challenges. And finally, we thank you for the gift of transformation and peace that we find in Jesus Christ. May we continually come to him with open hearts and minds, ready to receive the healing and renewal that only he can provide. We pray all these things in the powerful name of Jesus Christ, Amen.