In Our Unexplainable Moments 10.29.23

 In Our Unexplainable Moments En nuestros momentos inexplicables (John 11:32-35) When Mary arrived and saw Jesus, she fell at his feet and said, Lord, if only you had been here, my brother would not have died. When Jesus saw her weeping and saw the other people wailing with her, a deep anger welled up within him, and he was deeply troubled. Where have you put him? he asked them. They told him, Lord, come and see. Then Jesus wept. Introduction: This message is for every person who has ever been disappointed in God, ever felt like God was not paying attention to what was going on with you. We preach and sing about a Jesus who rides in on a white horse, slays the enemy and restores everything that was lost. * What about when your prayers are not answered in the way you anticipate? * What if you are not healed? * What about when your child doesn't come back to faith or if the job doesn't return and the bank forecloses on the house. In those moments we ask will He still be there? I want to tell you about a couple of friends (who have given me permission to share their story) who spent a decade trying to have a baby. * Finally got pregnant and things were going well...they were making plans. * A routine doctor's appointment * "The baby is dead." * No warning * There's absolutely no way this is happening!" * Later in the week on quiet parcel of family-owned land, they took the tiny remains of their stillborn baby and buried it. A small marker of stones and a cross indicated the spot. * They did it alone. * They drive home in total silence. * There is nothing to say. * They have to move on. How do you make sense of such disappointment? How do you process moments like these? ¿Cómo le encuentras sentido a tal decepción? ¿Cómo procesas momentos como estos? Can any of us say we really know how they feel? Of course, we can. Some of you right now know all too well what my friends are going through. * The pain was intense. * The loss was personal and devastating. It is one of life's UNEXPLAINABLE ISSUES. Too many questions...few answers. In John 11, 2 very likeable followers of Jesus know the feeling. The brother they have loved and lived with for most of their lives is dead. His passing is hard to accept and there are many questions with very few answers. * Family and friends offer their prayers/support * The empty feeling does not go away. The nagging, unanswered question-- why didn't Jesus come when we called for him? ¿Por qué Jesús no vino cuando lo llamamos? We used to sing We'll Understand It Better By and By. Will we? The reality is there are plenty of people who... * loved God * served Him with distinction and faith WHO NEVER FOUND THE ANSWERS TO THEIR QUESTIONS. Did God love them? Absolutely. Did he know how they hurt? Definitely. Then why? I don't know. (Hebrews 11:32-35) How much more do I need to say? It would take too long to recount the stories of the faith of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and all the prophets. By faith these people overthrew kingdoms, ruled with justice, and received what God had promised them. They shut the mouths of lions, quenched the flames of fire, and escaped death by the edge of the sword. Their weakness was turned to strength. They became strong in battle and put whole armies to flight. Women received their loved ones back again from death. (Hebreos 11:32-35) ¿Cuánto más necesito decir? Sería demasiado largo contar las historias de fe de Gedeón, Barac, Sansón, Jefté, David, Samuel y todos los profetas. Por la fe, este pueblo derribó reinos, gobernó con justicia y recibió lo que Dios les había prometido. Cerraron bocas de leones, apagaron llamas de fuego y escaparon de la muerte a filo de espada. Su debilidad se convirtió en fuerza. Se hicieron fuertes en la batalla y pusieron en fuga a ejércitos enteros. Las mujeres recuperaron a sus seres queridos de la muerte. But read on. (Hebrews 11: 35-38) But others were tortured, refusing to turn from God in order to be set free. They placed their hope in a better life after the resurrection. Some were jeered at, and their backs were cut open with whips. Others were chained in prisons. Some died by stoning, some were sawed in half, and others were killed with the sword. Some went about wearing skins of sheep and goats, destitute and oppressed and mistreated. They were too good for this world, wandering over deserts and mountains, hiding in caves and holes in the ground. (Hebreos 11: 35-38) Pero otros fueron torturados y se negaron a apartarse de Dios para ser liberados. Pusieron su esperanza en una vida mejor después de la resurrección. A algunos los abuchearon y les abrieron la espalda con látigos. Otros fueron encadenados en prisiones. Algunos murieron apedreados, otros fueron aserrados por la mitad y otros fueron asesinados a espada. Algunos andaban vestidos con pieles de ovejas y de cabras, indigentes, oprimidos y maltratados. Eran demasiado buenos para este mundo, vagaban por desiertos y montañas, se escondían en cuevas y agujeros en el suelo. Same God...same Salvation... * Some were appointed to great feats of notoriety * Others were tortured and died painful deaths. How do you explain that? Right here in this faith community are good people who have suffered much while others have suffered almost nothing. Where is the fairness of God? The Bible never says God is fair-only that God is just! So when I don't understand what can I do? I can trust him. (Isaiah 55:8-9) My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts, says the Lord. And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts. (Isaías 55:8-9) Mis pensamientos no se parecen en nada a vuestros pensamientos, dice el Señor. Y mis caminos van mucho más allá de cualquier cosa que puedas imaginar. Porque así como los cielos son más altos que la tierra, así mis caminos son más altos que vuestros caminos y mis pensamientos más altos que vuestros pensamientos. We Don't Have All the Answers...but We Don't Have To No Tenemos Todas Las Respuestas... Pero No Es Necesario Que Las Tengamos * One of our problems is we expect to. o We're intelligent, mature, educated people. o We have a wealth of life experiences. o Yet, more times than not, we simply don't know! * It's okay to not know. * What do we mean when we say God is in control? "By affirming God's ultimate control over all things, no one is assigning responsibility to Him for the wicked deeds of others. The holocaust, Stalin's atrocities and terrorism are properly blamed on sheer evil and those who yield to it. So, too is every instance of drunk driving, sexual abuse, gossip, parental indifference, overeating, lying, sexual immorality and cowardice, though arguably to a lesser level. God is not to be blamed for any of these things. For reasons we cannot quite understand, He allows evil. He never causes it." (Larry Crabb, The Pressure's Off Page 92-93) (Needs picture of Larry Crabb) If God is in control, why do such bad things happen? Si Dios tiene el control, ¿por qué suceden cosas tan malas? o This is the question Mary and Martha are considering as they walk to the cemetery. o Where is Jesus? o Surely He knows where we are? o When will He show up? * On September 11, 2001 terrorists hijacked commercial airliners and flew them into the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. Thousands were killed and we ask, Where was God? Why did He not stop this? Can you tell them? * Drunk drivers kill innocent people every day in acts of stupidity and recklessness and often are never injured. But the victims are the children who grow up without parents or parents who bury their children. Doesn't God care? * It is now apparent that Catholic priests took indecent liberties with young men and women who were under their spiritual care and no one stopped them. Didn't God think enough of them to prevent the indecency? This is the challenge of trusting God that He knows and His knowledge is greater than ours. * What if you're in a holding pattern? o Sometimes while flying you will be placed in a holding pattern - you're not going anywhere-just circling waiting to land. * Maybe God has a holding pattern for some of us, too. We don't like it but sometimes without explanation, God puts you into a holding pattern to wait. * When you are sick in your physical body and you have prayed, but God has not healed you yet, you are in a holding pattern. * When you are having problems with your children and you have put them on the altar, but God has not delivered them yet, you are in a holding pattern. * When you have been praying for the salvation of a loved one and they have not been saved yet, you are in a holding pattern. * When you are in a broken relationship and you have given it over to God, but it has not been restored yet, you are in a holding pattern. * When the doors slam shut before you can knock on them, you are in a holding pattern. There are times in your spiritual life when there is confusion and the way out of it is not simply to say that you should not be confused. It is not a matter of right and wrong, but a matter of God taking you through a way that you temporarily do not understand. And it is only by going through the spiritual confusion that you will come to the understanding of what God wants for you. (Oswald Chambers My Utmost For His Highest) (Needs picture of Oswald Chambers) God Never Loses Track of What He Is Doing Dios Nunca Pierde La Cuenta De Lo Que Está Haciendo Sometimes, I forget things... * like names * like returning your phone call. * I forget where I left my keys. * I forget what one of the staff gave me to look at... * I forget what's in my stack. God has accepted the personal responsibility... * for EVERY bird in the sky and in the trees. * EVERY crawling animal, insect or beast on the earth; * EVERY human being on five continents; * For the names of all the stars in this galaxy and every other galaxy there is Yet, He promises in His word that He never forgets me. (Isaiah 49:14-16) But Zion said, The Lord has forsaken me. And the Lord has forgotten me. Can a woman forget her nursing child. And have no compassion on the son of her womb? Even these may forget, but I will not forget you. Behold, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands; Your walls are continually before Me. (Isaías 49:14-16) Pero Sion dijo: El Señor me ha abandonado. Y el Señor se ha olvidado de mí. ¿Puede una mujer olvidar a su hijo lactante? ¿Y no tienes compasión del hijo de su vientre? Incluso estos podrán olvidar, pero yo no te olvidaré a ti. He aquí, te tengo inscrito en las palmas de mis manos; Tus muros están continuamente delante de Mí. **Steve Darnell-So you would know I know every one of those people. * Consider how many people have lived on the face of this earth since Adam and Eve... * if you put Him on the spot, He knows every name and is so intimately involved in their lives He can tell you the color of their eyes and their favorite song! * He knows and He never forgets what He is doing. In the End, He Gets the Glory For It All (v.4) ...Lazarus's sickness will not end in death. No, it happened for the glory of God so that the Son of God will receive glory from this. Al Final, Él Obtiene La Gloria Por Todo (v.4)...La enfermedad de Lázaro no terminará en muerte. No, sucedió para la gloria de Dios, para que el Hijo de Dios reciba gloria de esto. You'll need to listen and think deeply to follow this--- * Word comes to Jesus that Lazarus is sick and Martha and Mary want Jesus to come and heal him. In spite of this, Jesus lingers and waits two additional days until Lazarus dies. * The sisters don't understand it and neither do we. * We would expect Jesus would have dropped everything and headed to Bethany. * He waits and the suspense nearly kills the sisters. The sisters say to Jesus what we want to say when we don't understand the timing of what He does... "Lord, if only you had been here, my brother would not have died." *the fact that both women say the same thing at different times leads me to assume this is from a conversation they've already had with each other! Las hermanas le decimos a Jesús lo que queremos decir cuando no entendemos el momento de lo que Él hace... "Señor, si hubieras estado aquí, mi hermano no habría muerto". We've familiar with the dialogue... * If you had only done something when I first asked you * If you had only given me what I requested * If you had only helped me to do what I wanted to do Jesus is on a mission. * There is purpose to everything He's doing-even if we don't understand it. * The issue at hand is the glory of God. Plenty of people, including preachers and teachers who would say "sickness is not from God nor does it bring glory to God." They miss the point. * It is not the sickness that brings glory but how we reflect the glory of God in our lives when adversity comes. * It's not about the cancer but how we live with the cancer * It's not about how hard the job is it's how we work in a difficult place Listen to Peter's advice to the suffering saints in Asia Minor... (1 Peter 2:19-20) For this finds favor, if for the sake of conscience toward God a person bears up under the sorrows when suffering unjustly. For what credit is there if, when you sin and are harshly treated, you endure it with patience? But if when you do what is right and suffer for it you patiently endure it, this finds favor with God.... (I Peter 3:13-17) Now, who will want to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you suffer for doing what is right, God will reward you for it. So don't worry or be afraid of their threats. Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it. But do this in a gentle and respectful way. Keep your conscience clear. Then if people speak against you, they will be ashamed when they see what a good life you live because you belong to Christ. Remember, it is better to suffer for doing good, if that is what God wants, than to suffer for doing wrong! (1 Pedro 2:19-20) Porque esto halla favor, si por causa de la conciencia hacia Dios uno soporta los dolores cuando sufre injustamente. ¿Qué mérito hay si cuando pecáis y sois tratados con dureza, lo soportáis con paciencia? Pero si hacéis lo correcto y sufrís por ello, lo soportáis con paciencia, esto hallará favor delante de Dios... (I Pedro 3:13-17) Ahora bien, ¿quién querrá hacerte daño si tú anhelas hacer el bien? Pero incluso si sufres por hacer lo correcto, Dios te recompensará por ello. Así que no te preocupes ni tengas miedo de sus amenazas. En cambio, debes adorar a Cristo como Señor de tu vida. Y si alguien te pregunta acerca de tu esperanza como creyente, estate siempre dispuesto a explicarlo. Pero haga esto de una manera gentil y respetuosa. Mantén tu conciencia tranquila. Entonces, si la gente habla contra vosotros, se avergonzará al ver la buena vida que lleváis, porque sois de Cristo. Recuerda, ¡es mejor sufrir por hacer el bien, si eso es lo que Dios quiere, que sufrir por hacer el mal! * Our lives are merely extensions of Him. o When we faithfully follow Him, even though we don't understand what is going on...He is glorified in our faithfulness! (1 Corinthians 10:31) Whether, then you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. Yes, it means EVERYTHING! (1 Corintios 10:31) Ya sea que comas o bebas o hagas cualquier otra cosa, hazlo todo para la gloria de Dios. ¡Sí, significa TODO! Though it sounds bizarre to consider, think about this... * When your life is ruined by betrayal from an unfaithful spouse your life is available to reflect the glory to God. * When your personal decision to do the ethical right thing, when others mocked you your life reflects God's glory. * When what you tried and failed and you have been terribly embarrassed by all the issues and yet you continue to trust God your life is available to bring glory to God. * When others turn their back and you feel alone in your walk for the Lord your life can bring glory to God. * When you bury your still-born baby in an abandoned field and walk away in silent confidence that God is control of your life through your tears you can reflect God's glory. **My brother Robert's death... There was no glory in my brother's death. * God was not glorified when tragedy struck Job's house and children. * The glory comes as we live out a bold faith in spite of the tragedy. * If we fold up and quit, then the witness of the cross is compromised and the unbelieving are left to wonder about a God who would do such a thing. * But if in spite of our sorrows, we demonstrate the peace of God which surpasses human understanding, the message of the cross is glorified and Jesus is exalted. (1 Peter 2:21-22) For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps. Who committed not sin, nor was any deceit found in His mouth; and while being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously. (1 Pedro 2:21-22) Porque para esto habéis sido llamados, ya que también Cristo sufrió por vosotros, dejándoos ejemplo para que sigáis sus pisadas. El cual no cometió pecado, ni se halló engaño en su boca; y mientras era injuriado, Él no respondió injuriando; Mientras padecía, no profirió amenazas, sino que se encomendó a Aquel que juzga con justicia. I am NOT advocating denial of circumstances-"I'm not sick as I'm puking" I am asking you to consider the possibility of who God is and what God knows and you surrender yourself to do His will despite what it might cost you, you are allowing your life to be conformed to the image of Jesus Christ in this world and God is glorified by your life. Conclusion: Mary and Martha could not understand it all-it was too real in the moment. They needed help...so do I! **Victor Massey-let's start over and I'll help this time! My friend and pastor, Victory Massey once shared with me the story of his first attempt to do woodwork in high school. Apparently, every student was supposed to build a table and then bring it to school for assessment and grading. Victor worked hard on his table and when done, asked his father to look at it. The problem was Victor's table was horrible. It had five legs instead of four and was not sturdy at all. Victor's father, an accomplished carpenter himself, looked at the table and then suggested, Let's start over and this time, I will help you! ¡Empecemos de nuevo y esta vez te ayudaré! God I'm a sinner I'm sorry for my sins I believe Jesus died for my sins I believe Jesus will forgive my sins I choose Jesus