You’re in Good Hands
Notes
Transcript
Introduction
Introduction
Opening Illustration
Opening Illustration
I’m sure you’ve heard the phrase,
“You’re in good hands”.
“You’re In Good Hands”
“You’re In Good Hands”
You may also know that it’s the slogan for All State,
one of the largest insurance companies in the US.
They’ve had this slogan for more than 70 years.
I was reading on their website this week how they got the slogan.
In 1950, Dave Ellis was part of a group working late into the night,
planning an ad campaign for the next year.
Slogan after slogan was suggested,
but the group couldn’t agree on one.
Until Dave remembered something that happened earlier in the year.
His daughter had gotten sick and things weren’t looking good.
Their doctor called in a specialist,
and when Dave got home that night,
his wife rushed toward him, threw her arms around him and said:
“Dave, the specialist has examined JoAnn and Dr. Cummings (who was their family doctor) tells me that she is in good hands with Dr. Keyser.”
Their daughter ended up making a full recovery.
As he remembered that story, and how assured he felt when he heard the words:
“You’re in good hands.”
He suggest it as their slogan, along with an illustration of a pair of hands cradling a car.
Both suggestions were adopted immediately!
Insurance companies help you when unknown disaster strikes.
All State doesn’t know when disaster is going to come,
but they want their customers to feel like they’re,
“in good hands”.
Point to Jesus
I’m not going to start a debate about how trustworthy you think insurance companies are…
but I would guess the odds are I won’t have a hard time convincing you that:
With Jesus,
“You’re in even better hands”,
He KNOWS ALL THINGS:
Jesus knows what will happen in your life, and that even “In Your Darkest Hour”:
Jesus Is In Control
Jesus Is The Example
Jesus Is The Forerunner
For these reasons, we can trust Him,
and surrender our lives to Him,
knowing He will use our circumstances to bring God glory!
Scripture
Scripture
Announce
Announce
This morning we’re continuing our series in
The Gospel According to John.
This morning we’ll be in…
John 13:18—38.
Introduce
Introduce
We’ve been following the story of Jesus from John’s perspective.
John was one of Jesus’ closest disciples.
John’s goal in writing has been to tell the truth about Jesus,
that He is the Son of God who came to save the world from it’s sin,
so that people will believe in Him!
John has been revealing Jesus’ identity through:
miracles that Jesus has performed;
the teaching of Jesus; and
His life as an example of humble service to God the Father.
Last week we learned about Jesus’ extreme act of humility,
washing the feet of His disciples,
and we were encouraged to follow His example.
We need to learn to “Get Over Ourselves”,
follow Jesus’ example of seeking not to BE SERVED,
but to SERVE ONE ANOTHER!
This week we continue,
as we are given more of the details of Jesus’ final evening with His disciples,
before dying on the cross the next day.
In Jesus’ darkest hour,
He teaches us who He is,
and gives us an example to follow!
Prayer for Illumination
Prayer for Illumination
8 I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you.
9 Be not like a horse or a mule, without understanding, which must be curbed with bit and bridle, or it will not stay near you.
10 Many are the sorrows of the wicked, but steadfast love surrounds the one who trusts in the Lord.
Read
Read
18 I am not speaking of all of you; I know whom I have chosen. But the Scripture will be fulfilled, ‘He who ate my bread has lifted his heel against me.’ 19 I am telling you this now, before it takes place, that when it does take place you may believe that I am he. 20 Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever receives the one I send receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me.” 21 After saying these things, Jesus was troubled in his spirit, and testified, “Truly, truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me.” 22 The disciples looked at one another, uncertain of whom he spoke. 23 One of his disciples, whom Jesus loved, was reclining at table at Jesus’ side, 24 so Simon Peter motioned to him to ask Jesus of whom he was speaking. 25 So that disciple, leaning back against Jesus, said to him, “Lord, who is it?” 26 Jesus answered, “It is he to whom I will give this morsel of bread when I have dipped it.” So when he had dipped the morsel, he gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot. 27 Then after he had taken the morsel, Satan entered into him. Jesus said to him, “What you are going to do, do quickly.” 28 Now no one at the table knew why he said this to him. 29 Some thought that, because Judas had the moneybag, Jesus was telling him, “Buy what we need for the feast,” or that he should give something to the poor. 30 So, after receiving the morsel of bread, he immediately went out. And it was night. 31 When he had gone out, Jesus said, “Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in him. 32 If God is glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself, and glorify him at once. 33 Little children, yet a little while I am with you. You will seek me, and just as I said to the Jews, so now I also say to you, ‘Where I am going you cannot come.’ 34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. 35 By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” 36 Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, where are you going?” Jesus answered him, “Where I am going you cannot follow me now, but you will follow afterward.” 37 Peter said to him, “Lord, why can I not follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.” 38 Jesus answered, “Will you lay down your life for me? Truly, truly, I say to you, the rooster will not crow till you have denied me three times.
Transition
The first thing I want you to see is:
1. In Your Darkest Hour, Jesus Is In Control
1. In Your Darkest Hour, Jesus Is In Control
As Jesus continues His conversation with His disciples,
we see that He isn’t surprised by what’s about to happen,
BUT… He is completely aware of what’s about to happen.
More than that… He is actually in control!
This should give us incredible comfort!
EXPLAIN
EXPLAIN
18 I am not speaking of all of you; I know whom I have chosen. But the Scripture will be fulfilled, ‘He who ate my bread has lifted his heel against me.’
The Scripture Jesus is quoting is:
9 Even my close friend in whom I trusted, who ate my bread, has lifted his heel against me.
Most likely referring to rebellion of Absalom, David’s son.
Turned the hearts of the people, and Ahithophel, David’s advisor and close friend.
Though he ate with king David (had all the blessings),
he betrayed him.
Jesus saying this Scripture is ultimately fulfilled in
Judas’ coming betrayal.
Though Judas had and witnessed the blessings of being with Jesus for 3 years…
he would betray Him.
19 I am telling you this now, before it takes place, that when it does take place you may believe that I am he.
Jesus wants to strengthen the faith of His disciples.
He knows what’s going to happen BEFORE it happens…
Because He is God!
20 Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever receives the one I send receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me.”
Coming to end, Jesus will send disciples…
Same mission as Him, and whoever receives them, receives Jesus, and therefore receives God.
21 After saying these things, Jesus was troubled in his spirit, and testified, “Truly, truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me.”
Jesus hinted at betrayal… Now reveals shocking truth it will be one of the disciples.
Jesus feels the sting…
Foreknowledge doesn’t remove emotion.
He feels the hurt and pain of betrayal!
22 The disciples looked at one another, uncertain of whom he spoke.
Silence must have been agonizing.
They look at one another, wondering who it would be…
questioning one another/themselves…
Judas has pretended well… no one assumes it’s him.
23 One of his disciples, whom Jesus loved, was reclining at table at Jesus’ side, 24 so Simon Peter motioned to him to ask Jesus of whom he was speaking.
Most assume this is referring to John…
Peter motions him to ask Jesus who it is.
25 So that disciple, leaning back against Jesus, said to him, “Lord, who is it?” 26 Jesus answered, “It is he to whom I will give this morsel of bread when I have dipped it.” So when he had dipped the morsel, he gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot.
John gives extra detail so we know for sure!
Some think Judas sitting in place of honour on other side of Jesus.
Easily handed it to him.
27 Then after he had taken the morsel, Satan entered into him. Jesus said to him, “What you are going to do, do quickly.”
Satan was merely influencing Judas,
but now takes control so job gets done.
BUT… JESUS IS IN CONTROL!
Commands Judas to carry out GOD’S PLAN!
28 Now no one at the table knew why he said this to him. 29 Some thought that, because Judas had the moneybag, Jesus was telling him, “Buy what we need for the feast,” or that he should give something to the poor.
Disciples still didn’t understand… not even John. “No one at the table knew…”
Guessing in their hearts what was going on.
30 So, after receiving the morsel of bread, he immediately went out. And it was night.
Ironically, Judas obeys Jesus.
It was night… not just time indicator, but theological significance.
This was an act of darkness against the Light of the world.
Summary
But in Jesus darkest hour, He is in control!
He knows what’s going to happen...
He knows it’s part of God’s plan…
He feels the pain of the betrayal…
But He is in control!
APPLY
APPLY
And this was to strengthen His disciples faith…
19 I am telling you this now, before it takes place, that when it does take place you may believe that I am he.
Brothers and sisters, this should strengthen our faith as well!
Jesus knows what has happened to you:
Maybe you’ve experienced betrayal…
Jesus knows…
Maybe you’ve received the diagnosis…
Jesus knows…
Maybe you’re carrying anxiety and worry…
Jesus knows…
And He feels your pain. He isn’t absent from it, He feels it as if it were His own.
“as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.” (Matt 25:40)
Not only does Jesus know what HAS happened to you,
Jesus even knows what IS GOING to happen to you.
We don’t know what’s coming down the road:
Some of us will die too young…
Some of us will be abandoned/betrayed by someone we love…
Some of us will go through depression…
We don’t know what’s coming, but we can trust the One who does!
No matter when or how it comes…
No matter how surprised you are…
Jesus is never surprised by anything!
He knew it was coming, and more than that…
“In Your Darkest Hour, Jesus is in Control”
When your life is in Jesus’ hands,
“You’re In Good Hands”!
Transition
Paul understood this!
ILLUSTRATE
ILLUSTRATE
Paul, writing to the Corinthians in 2 Corinthians 4:8-12 says…
8 We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; 10 always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies.
Paul and those with him, gave their lives to making the glory of Christ known.
They experienced incredible hardship,
but were always sustained by God.
They kept Jesus’ death and resurrection in the forefront of their mind:
So they would be willing to lay down their lives as Jesus did,
knowing they would be raised as Jesus was!
Summary
Paul knew that…
His life was in good Hands!
APPLY CONT.
APPLY CONT.
This is the same confidence we can have!
Verse 3 of the song “Before the Throne of God Above” says…
VERSE 3
Behold Him there, the risen Lamb
My perfect, spotless Righteousness
The great unchangeable I AM
The King of glory and of grace
VERSE 3
One with Himself, I cannot die
My soul is purchased by His blood
My life is hid with Christ on high
With Christ my Savior and my God
Summary
If your faith is in Jesus,
HE is your righteousness…
HE purchased you by His blood…
Your life is hid with HIM, in heaven...
No matter what comes in this life,
Jesus will bring you to Himself!
Trust in Jesus, because,
“In Your Darkest Hour, He is in Control”.
Transition
The next thing I want you to see is:
2. In Your Darkest Hour, Jesus Is The Example
2. In Your Darkest Hour, Jesus Is The Example
Jesus, knowing what was going to happen,
feeling the deep pain of Judas’ betrayal,
faithfully continues in God’s will for His life.
Jesus becomes the great example for us.
Since we can trust that Jesus is in control,
we can faithfully seek to follow His example,
of willing walking the path God has for us.
EXPLAIN
EXPLAIN
We pick up in…
31 When he had gone out, Jesus said, “Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in him. 32 If God is glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself, and glorify him at once.
Judas has gone out,
now the plan that will lead to Jesus’ death has been initiated.
Jesus knows He is going to die,
and speaks of it as His glory,
by which He will bring glory to the Father.
Five times Jesus refers to the glory of the Son and the Father.
How is it that Jesus’ death on the cross is going to bring Him glory?
Alexander MacLaren, in his sermon on this passage titled,
“The Glory of the Cross” said…
“In the Cross, we see the very heart of Christ laid bare, and there we behold, in its most perfect operation, the love which was the glory of His life. The Cross is the concentration and the climax of all. It is the gathered-up energy of all His service; it is the highest exhibition of all His power.
There His pity, His gentleness, His patience, His self-forgetting and self-sacrificing love, blaze forth with a brightness before which all the rest pales as lesser lights before the sun. Therefore, when He looked onward to it, He said, ‘Now is the Son of Man glorified.’”
In the cross, we most clearly see the heart of God!
What the world sees as humiliation, disgrace, a curse…
is the thing that most glorifies God,
because through the cross, we see the love of God!
Jesus continues…
33 Little children, yet a little while I am with you. You will seek me, and just as I said to the Jews, so now I also say to you, ‘Where I am going you cannot come.’
Jesus lovingly refers to His disciples as little children.
John will pick up on this and use it when he writes his letters.
Jesus reveals He will be leaving the disciples soon,
and they won’t be able to follow Him.
This would have been a shock to the disciples,
who gave up everything to follow Jesus.
For now, they will not be able to go where Jesus is going,
but He gives them a command in the meantime…
34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.
This was not a new command,
rather an old one.
Leviticus 19:18 says… “you shall love your neighbour as yourself”
Yet, this command has a fresh/new perspective…
“love one another: JUST AS I HAVE LOVED YOU!”
Your love for yourself is no longer the standard…
Jesus’ love is now the standard!
Jesus’ standard of love is to lay down His life.
The love of Christ is a self-sacrificial love,
that puts the good of others ahead of itself.
That’s how we are to love one another!
This kind of love is so vastly different from the world,
that Jesus goes on to say…
35 By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
Jesus’s disciples love for one another is to be so different from the world,
that it makes them easily distinguishable.
They are to be known for their sacrificial love for one another!
This love is in honour of Jesus and His example of love.
Summary
In Jesus’ darkest hour,
He could have been fixated on Himself…
Instead, He is THE example of self-sacrificial love!
APPLY
APPLY
He did this as an example to us,
and now our lives are to be an example of His love for us.
“In Your Darkest Hour, Jesus Is The Example”
We already talked about the difficult circumstances that come into our lives.
I don’t know what darkness is in your life right now…
or what darkness will come…
But “You’re in Good Hands”,
because Jesus knows!
And is in control!
This knowledge is meant to lead us to trusting Jesus,
and willingly following His example of self-less love for others!
But this is really challenging to live out isn’t it?
Our tendency when we’re experiencing pain is to switch to self-preservation mode!
ILLUSTRATE — How the body handles cold
ILLUSTRATE — How the body handles cold
This is actually our bodies instinct in extreme situations.
For example, have you noticed how your fingers and toes
are the first to get cold when your exposed to cold temperatures for a long time?
That’s because…
When you get cold, the blood vessels in your skin and extremities narrow to reduce blood flow to the surface,
keeping warmth in your core (heart, lungs, brain).
The goal is simple: protect the core — the vital organs that keep you alive.
Hands and feet get cold first because they’re “sacrificed” for the sake of the vital organs.
The body instinctively pulls resources inward to survive.
It prioritizes what’s most central to sustain life.
APPLY CONT.
APPLY CONT.
Spiritually
Spiritually we tend to do the same thing!
When we’re struggling, we instinctively restrict the outward flow of energy and resources,
in order to focus on protecting ourselves.
But we cannot get so inwardly focussed
that we neglect and ignore those around us.
Jesus’ Example
Jesus could have made it all about Himself,
and become so self-focussed that He stopped serving others.
But instead,
SERVING OTHERS WAS HIS FOCUS!
And Jesus intended His model of sacrifice to be an example to us.
You
“In Your Darkest Hour, Jesus Is The Example”
Caveat
Now, again, I don’t what your darkest hour is.
I don’t know what you’re going through.
I’m not trying to make you feel guilty.
You may be going through something that requires you to take a step back…
to take a break and get spiritually or physically healthy before you can serve others.
Don’t feel bad about that!
The Christian life isn’t about adding to the burdens we carry.
Challenge Our Selfishness
What I am trying to do is challenge us all a little bit.
The truth is that we all tend toward selfishness,
and it’s easy to make excuses for why we don’t love and serve one another.
We Are a Body
The problem is that we are all part of the body of Christ.
And Paul uses the imagery of a body in 1 Corinthians 12…
That we are all part of the same body,
but have different gifts which represents the different parts of the same body.
If we decide not to serve others,
then the other parts of the body suffer.
If we decide to restrict the outward flow of energy,
like the body restricting blood to the outer extremities,
then that part of the body will be damaged or lost!
The body instinctively sacrifices certain parts of the body,
in an attempt to preserve life through the vital organs.
This is our bodies natural response to stay alive,
but if we act in the same way toward Christ’s church/our brothers and sisters/the body,
then we are selfishly willing to sacrifice others,
for the sake of preserving ourselves.
and this is the exact opposite of the example Jesus gave us.
Probing Questions
What excuses are you making for NOT loving others?
In what ways are you more focussed on YOURSELF than others?
Does it bother you if OTHERS are struggling?
Or are you okay with it so long as YOU’RE doing well?
Jesus called us to follow His example of self-sacrificial love,
and He said that the world would know we are His disciples BY THAT LOVE!
Can others tell you’re a disciple of Jesus by your love for others?
Even when we are going through difficulty, busyness, or dark seasons,
we can have the heart of Jesus and prioritize loving and serving one another!
Maybe you’re in such a dark season that you physically, spiritually can’t help others…
That’s okay!
YOU are the part of the body that is hurting and in need…
YOU are someone else’s opportunity to show love…
Let others know you are struggling and ask for help,
so the body of Christ can love and serve you!
Let’s follow Jesus’ example so well that others KNOW WE ARE HIS DISCIPLES!
Transition
The next thing I want you to see is:
3. In Your Darkest Hour, Jesus Is The Forerunner
3. In Your Darkest Hour, Jesus Is The Forerunner
Jesus is willing to follow God’s will for His life,
even in the midst of the fact that one of His own disciples will betray Him.
If that weren’t bad enough,
we’re going to see that another one of His disciples, Peter,
is going to deny Jesus 3 times.
This passage is like a suffering sandwich:
The betrayal of Judas predicted one on side,
The denial Peter predicted on the other side,
and Jesus commitment to God’s will, and
willingness to endure it for His glory.
Jesus runs ahead on the path God has laid for Him,
because He is our “Forerunner”.
a forerunner
esp. one who is sent before to take observations or act as a spy, a scout, a light armed soldier
one who comes in advance to a place where the rest are to follow
EXPLAIN
EXPLAIN
We pick up in…
36 Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, where are you going?”
Peter had listened to Jesus talk about:
being glorified and glorifying God…
commanding them to love as He loved…
that they would be known as His disciples by their love…
But the thing that stood out to Him,
was that Jesus said He was leaving soon?
and that they could NOT go with him?
He and the other disciples had given their lives to follow Jesus,
and He wanted to know where Jesus could be going that they couldn’t follow.
Jesus answered him, “Where I am going you cannot follow me now, but you will follow afterward.”
Jesus doesn’t answer the question,
but reiterates that they can’t follow Him, but adds,
they will follow Him afterward.
Jesus knows this is His hour,
the end of His earthly life,
where He will glorify God through His death.
The disciples can’t follow Him and walk with Him on this road,
He has to walk it alone,
because He is the only One who can walk it.
Jesus is the only One who can die as the sacrifice for all mankind,
because He alone is sinless and holy!
Jesus is the only One who can bear the wrath of God,
making payment sin,
satisfying the justice of God!
Jesus is the only One who can rise from the dead,
and ascend back to heaven, where He came from,
as proof of God’s acceptance of His sacrifice!
The disciples cannot follow Him as He finishes what He started,
He must walk this road alone.
But, through all this, He is going ahead of them as the forerunner,
to open up the way to the Father in heaven,
and they will be able to follow Him!
Peter then says…
37 Peter said to him, “Lord, why can I not follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.”
Peter doesn’t understand what Jesus has to do,
but he wants Jesus to know he is committed to his dying breath!
But Peter is like a lot of us…
He can’t let things go…
He wants to be in control!
He didn’t want to let Jesus wash His feet, and
He doesn’t want to let Jesus go ahead without him.
Peter doesn’t want to let Jesus serve and cleanse him,
he wants to be the one who “lays down his life for Jesus!”
But it isn’t going to be Peter who lays down his life to save Jesus…
It’s Jesus who is going to lay down His life to save Peter!
Peter doesn’t realize how weak he is…
Peter doesn’t realize how needy he is.
Jesus then says…
38 Jesus answered, “Will you lay down your life for me? Truly, truly, I say to you, the rooster will not crow till you have denied me three times.
Peter doesn’t realize his own weakness,
but Jesus does!
He sees past Peter’s tough exterior,
the front that he puts on,
that he’s tough, and in control.
Jesus knows Peter’s heart,
and that in a moment of weakness and fear,
he will deny His own Lord and Teacher.
Summary
In Jesus’ darkest hour,
He knows that Judas is going to betray Him…
He knows that Peter is going to deny Him…
He knows that ALL of His disciples will abandon Him…
Yet, He is willing to faithfully walk the road alone,
as He goes ahead as the “Forerunner”.
APPLY
APPLY
A lot of times, we’re a lot like Peter aren’t we?
“Ya, I heard your command about love…
and loving one another as You loved us…
but I’ll let everyone else sit around, holding hands, singing “Kumbaya”…
“Where’s the building to build?”
“Where’s the money to donate?”
“Where’s the cleaning to do?”
“Where’s the food and goodies to make?”
Not a knock on those who brought goodies!
Don’t stop bringing goodies! We love them!
“Where’s the place I can give my blood, sweat, and tears?”
We want to be in control!
“I’m gonna do great things for you Jesus,
I’ll lay my life down for you!”
Jesus sees past your tough, proud exterior…
He knows that you are weak and needy.
He knows in a moment of frustration you’ll get angry and sin…
He knows in a moment of temptation you’ll open that website…
He knows in a moment of weakness you’ll gossip and criticize others…
Jesus knows all these things…
He knows every sin you will ever commit,
and yet what does He do with that knowledge?
He willingly walks the road of suffering,
to sacrifice His life for you!
You’re not going to be the one who saves the day,
you’re not going to be the saviour…
Jesus is the One who laid down His life for you!!
Aren’t you so glad that it doesn’t depend on you?!?
Jesus has gone ahead of you as your forerunner!
He has paid for your sin through His sacrifice...
You couldn’t pay it on your own!
He rose from the dead defeating death,
giving you hope that you will rise from the dead…
You can’t raise yourself from the dead!
He went ahead of you into heaven,
to prepare a place for you there…
You can’t get there on your own!
Jesus has gone before you…
He has done it…
It is finished!
There’s nothing left for you to do!
ILLUSTRATE
ILLUSTRATE
It’s like when your driving down the road,
and you’re coming up to a light…
Nobody likes to stop at lights, am I right?!?
But somebody got there before you,
and they have been patiently waiting there,
and then the light turns green before you get there.
You don’t even have to stop,
you just get to drive right through!
That’s such a good feeling!
APPLY CONT.
APPLY CONT.
That feeling PALES in comparison to the feeling we should have,
knowing the Jesus has gone before us!
“In Your Darkest Hour, Jesus is The Forerunner!”
“You’re In Good Hands!”
He has done the hard work…
He has paid the price…
He has made THE way...
The light is green,
and you just get to drive right through!
So what is our response to such incredible love?
The Example of Paul
Paul, who wrote most of the letters we have in the NT,
was so captivated by the love of Jesus,
that he gave his life to making Jesus known.
He was so driven in this desire that he was accused of being out of his mind.
Writing to the church he started in the city of Corinth, he said…
13 …if we are beside ourselves, it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you. 14 For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; 15 and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.
Paul was so willing to endure all kinds of hardship,
so much so that it made him look insane to others.
He was willing to do this because he was,
SO CAPTIVATED BY THE LOVE OF JESUS!
He said Christ’s love:
CONTROLS US…
The idea is that Jesus’ love is in the driver seat!
You’re not controlled by your:
feelings,
emotions, or
circumstances…
You’re controlled by Jesus, and
His example of sacrificial love for you!
And Jesus’ love so captivates you,
that you no longer live for yourself,
but for Jesus who died for you!
I’ve heard it said before in a sermon…
“When you’re not sure what to say or do, just love how God through Christ loved you.”
You don’t do this out of a sense of duty, obligation, or legalism,
as if you can “be good enough” to earn God’s favour…
You do this because you are so captivated by Jesus’ love for you!
You don’t care how crazy you look to others,
you only care about living for your Saviour, Jesus,
who surrendered His life for you!
Summary
Even “In Your Darkest Hour, Jesus is YOUR Forerunner”.
He has gone before You and given you a living hope!
Therefore you can willingly surrender your life to Him!
Closing
Closing
Closing Illustration
Closing Illustration
I was listening to an interview this week
with Francis Chan & Ken Murphy.
Ken was sharing a story of young woman who was diagnosed with cancer,
who lived with Ken and his wife for about 4 months and became like a daughter to them.
This woman was married, and had a 3 year old and a 1 year old.
She battled cancer for over a year,
until she finally went into hospice.
Ken and his wife visited her in hospice, right before she died,
and she said,
“This whole trial, there’s been this shadow, and these little beams of God’s love and light break in, and that shadow’s gone! All I see is the glory of Christ! Go tell the church, this is easy. This is easy. You can do this.”
She fought so hard to mother her girls,
but when God said “No”,
she just received His will and worshiped!
And Jesus, the Good Shepherd, came and met her!
Ken shared how the husband was leading worship with hands lifted high praising God!
The world doesn’t understand this!
They could worship God because they knew that even in their they were in good hands.
What you and I need to understand this morning is that…
You’re never more secure than when you place your life in Jesus’ nail scarred hands!
Point to Christ
Point to Christ
I don’t know what difficulty the Lord has allowed into your life.
But He has chosen to allow it, and you need to know that:
Jesus is in control of it…
Jesus has given you His example of sacrificial love to follow…
Jesus has gone ahead to prepare a place for you so that you can follow Him…
When you look to the hope you have in Him,
it’s easy to walk the road He’s given you!
It’s easy because looking to the reward of being with our glorious Saviour for all eternity!
Then… you truly are…
“You’re In Good Hands”!
The nail scarred hands of Jesus,
who went before you,
taking your place,
so that you could follow Him into His glorious presence in heaven!
I want to close with the lyrics of a song called,
“Take Heart” by EMU Music
Verse 1
Broken one, take heart
For your king has entered in
Made your heart his home
When he washed away your sin
Verse 1
In the darkest day, know your shame is all gone
When he looks at you, God will see his Son
At the throne of grace, he says “sinner, come”
Verse 2
Hurting one, take heart
For your king will walk beside
With each rising sun
Every grace he will provide
Verse 2
In the hardest day, he will never forsake
For he knows your grief, and he feels your pain
When the world gives way, Jesus will remain
Verse 3
Waiting one, take heart
For your king will soon return
Ending every strife
He will reign upon the earth
Verse 3
In the longest day, know the vict’ry is won
Do not fear the world, he has overcome
You are safe in him covered by his love
Point to Christ (How does the Gospel speak to this?)
Point to Christ (How does the Gospel speak to this?)
Land the Plane (Last call to action)
Land the Plane (Last call to action)
