When You Can’t See
Notes
Transcript
Introduction
Introduction
Don’t you think life would be so much easier if we could see everything that was coming?
We wish that we could! We want to be able to see.
Opening Illustration
Opening Illustration
Last month Jonah and I were flying to Alberta (NPO).
I love flying; but I want to see…
the takeoff
Look down while flying (didn’t have a window seat; probably annoyed the guy beside me)
The landing…
A little nerve wracking; want to see.
Forced to trust the pilot.
Main Point of Sermon
Main Point of Sermon
True of our spiritual lives as well.
We want to see…
know what God is doing
Know what is coming
But what do you do…
When You Can’t See
When You Can’t See
We’ve been going through the Gospel According to John,
We only have 2 sermons left.
Last week, we marveled at Jesus’ willingness to go to the cross,
to die, and be buried in a tomb.
This week we pick up in chapter 20,
as we marvel at His resurrection!
Jesus’ disciples were not expecting ANY of this!
They are in the dark; can’t see/understand.
But as the light begins to shine, and they begin to see,
and they believe!
Billboard
Billboard
This morning, as we look at their example,
we are going to be learn what to do…
When You Can’t See...
Believe the Empty Tomb
Worship the Risen Christ
Obey the Sending Saviour
Prayer for Illumination
Prayer for Illumination
Lord…
2 Corinthians 5:7 “for we walk by faith, not by sight.”
Scripture
Scripture
Open your Bibles with me to…
John 20
Transition
The first thing we are going to learn to do when…
“When You Can’t See…”
1. Believe the Empty Tomb
1. Believe the Empty Tomb
John 20:1-10
Mary, Peter, and John don’t understand the empty tomb.
But as John’s eyes begin to open, he sees, and believes the empty tomb!
EXPLAIN
EXPLAIN
1 Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. 2 So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him.”
Mary comes to the tomb early (first day of the week).
John says it was dark, signifying literal and spiritually significant detail.
The stone in front of the tomb was gone.
Tombs were dug into rock, stone sealed the tomb.
But this stone is rolled away…
Mary was not expecting this, assumes somebody took Jesus’ body.
She runs to tell Peter and John.
3 So Peter went out with the other disciple, and they were going toward the tomb. 4 Both of them were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. 5 And stooping to look in, he saw the linen cloths lying there, but he did not go in. 6 Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen cloths lying there, 7 and the face cloth, which had been on Jesus’ head, not lying with the linen cloths but folded up in a place by itself.
Peter and John weren’t expecting this either, they run to the tomb.
John got their first. Haha
John very intentional with details.
Under Jewish law, a woman’s testimony was not valid in court,
but now that two men have been there,
it satisfied the requirement of the law.
John arrives, looks in, sees cloths, doesn’t go in.
Peter arrives, goes in, sees cloths, face cloth folded.
Not a robbery committed in a rush.
8 Then the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed; 9 for as yet they did not understand the Scripture, that he must rise from the dead. 10 Then the disciples went back to their homes.
After waiting outside the tomb, thought swirling, John goes in.
He sees… and believes!
The disciples did not fully understand these things yet,
how the Scriptures predicted these events.
Jesus explain this later.
SUMMARY
Mary, John, and Peter have no idea what’s going on.
They don’t understand why the tomb is empty and Jesus‘s body is not there.
But the light is beginning to shine in the darkness for John.
He still doesn’t understand everything...
He still can’t see clearly...
But as John’s eyes are opened…
he believes the empty tomb!
APPLY
APPLY
We often times don’t understand what God is doing.
We aren’t privy to the details and plans of his purposes,
and often times confused and don’t know what to do.
We think that if God told us we would understand.
But we wouldn’t!
ILLUSTRATE - Jesus told His disciples but they didn’t understand
ILLUSTRATE - Jesus told His disciples but they didn’t understand
A number of times throughout Jesus ministry he was open, honest, and plain with the disciples
about the fact that the son of man was going to be
delivered into the hands of his enemies,
killed, but
on the third day he would rise.
Even though Jesus spoke very plainly with his disciples,
they did not understand until they saw (their eyes were opened by the Holy Spirit).
The darkness needed to turn to light.
APPLY CONT.
APPLY CONT.
In the same way we do not understand what God is doing.
Even if he spoke very plainly to us about certain things,
they wouldn’t make sense to us,
nor would we understand.
We must simply continue walking faithfully in God’s plan and will for our life,
trusting Jesus and walking in obedience to him, and
allow him to reveal his plan in his time.
He is the one that must shine the light in our darkness.
APPLY PRACTICALLY
APPLY PRACTICALLY
Maybe you’ve been walking faithfully with Jesus for a year or a few years or 10 years or 20 years or more,
and now the Lord has brought something into your life that you don’t understand.
You can’t see the purpose of it,
you can’t see what it’s producing,
it doesn’t make sense to you.
Continue faithfully seeking Jesus in the midst of that difficulty.
Continue faithfully following him that you cannot see and you do not understand.
At the right time he will cause you to see and understand what he was doing.
If you were to look back over the course of your life,
you would see all the times in your life where you didn’t understand,
but now you see what God was doing.
Trust that God has been faithful
and will continue to be faithful to see you through now.
SUMMARY
Even though you can’t see,
believe in the empty tomb.
Jesus has risen from the dead,
and has all authority and power…
He is with you, and will not leave you or forsake you.
Transition
The next thing we are going to learn to do when…
“When You Can’t See…”
2. Worship the Risen Christ
2. Worship the Risen Christ
John 20:11-18
John and Peter have gone back to their homes,
but Mary stays at the tomb.
She went to honour Jesus by caring for His dead body,
and she isn’t going to give up easily!
As her eyes are opened, she worships the risen Christ!
EXPLAIN
EXPLAIN
11 But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb, and as she wept she stooped to look into the tomb. 12 And she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had lain, one at the head and one at the feet. 13 They said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.”
Mary doesn’t understand that Jesus had risen.
Thinks He’s dead; wants to know where His body is to prepare for burial.
(act of worship/love)
She looks in the tomb; doesn’t see wrappings, but angels!
Doesn’t seem afraid; doesn’t recognize them? Only realized after?
Angels are sent to comfort and help Mary.
They know Jesus has risen; not concerned.
Mary sad because she can’t find Jesus; wants to honour Him.
14 Having said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing, but she did not know that it was Jesus. 15 Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.”
Mary turns around; face to face with Jesus.
Doesn’t recognize Him. Tears? Identity hidden?
Jesus asks why she’s crying.
She’s looking for Him; but not expecting to see Him alive.
Jesus’ disciples were not expecting the resurrection!
Mary, thinking this is the gardener, asks where Jesus’ body is to take it away.
She wants to honour Jesus; doesn’t care how hard it will be.
16 Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned and said to him in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means Teacher). 17 Jesus said to her, “Do not cling to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’ ” 18 Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord”—and that he had said these things to her.
Mary recognizes Jesus’ voice; “my sheep know my voice.”
She falls and worships the risen Christ!
Jesus has a real, tangible body; not hallucinating.
Mary clings to Jesus; He tells her not to. Why?
There is some debate about this passage.
Mary defile Jesus? Jesus allows it though.
Atonement not finished? “It is finished” on the cross.
Their relationship different now? My Father/Your Father; My God/Your God (Not OUR Father/God)
Jesus had a task for Mary… tell disciples!
He would see them all again over the next 40 days before ascending.
Mary goes and tells the disciples:
she saw (touched) Jesus resurrected body;
what He commanded her.
SUMMARY
What joy Mary must have had as she went to tell the disciples!
Fulfilment of Jesus’ words...
Truly, truly, I say to you, you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice. You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy.
Mary went to the tomb weeping.
She couldn’t see (understand); even though there was an empty tomb, angels, Jesus.
But light was breaking in the darkness as Jesus was revealed to her.
She still didn’t understand fully what happened...
She still didn’t understand what it meant...
She didn’t know what was to come...
but she worshipped the risen Christ!
APPLY
APPLY
You and I are like Mary; human.
We don’t see; don’t understand.
We don’t understand the things
going on in our gov’t and the nations…
going on in our lives (sickness/death/depression/anxiety…
what God’s accomplishing…
But like Mary, you must have a desire to worship Jesus.
Even before she knows Jesus is alive she shows love/desire to worship,
even in the midst of sorrow/pain/loss.
And when her eyes are opened; and she sees the risen Christ; her worship continues,
now filled with joy/excitement/hope.
Brothers, sisters, friends,
maybe you’re in a season of darkness/sorrow/sadness…
you can’t see/understand…
FCF: coping through tv/games/food… or give up.
these are all fleshly responses!
PROP: Ask the Holy Spirit to give you strength,
to walk by faith and worship Jesus!
Worship is obedience,
not out of duty; but love/relationship.
You may not be able to see/understand…
but you can direct your heart to Him who can!
ILLUSTRATE - Joni Eareckson Tada
ILLUSTRATE - Joni Eareckson Tada
In July 1967, Joni 17 years old; athletic/healthy.
Swimming in Chesapeake Bay; dove into water she thought was deep.
It was shallow, crushed her cervical spine; paralyzed shoulders down.
The first two years were horrific; surgery/pain/depression/despair.
She begged God to let her die.
She was a Christian before the accident,
thought God made a big mistake.
“I don’t want you if you’re not going to heal me.”
Over time, God changed her heart.
She began to see the worth of knowing and worshipping Jesus...
“I would rather be in this wheelchair knowing him than on my feet without him.”
She learned to read the Bible; turning pages with her teeth.
Worshipping her Saviour who allowed her pain.
“Sometimes God allows what He hates to accomplish what He loves.”
Joni learned to paint; internationally known.
Founded global ministry to disabled people in over 45 countries,
providing wheelchairs, Bibles, caregiving training, and gospel outreach.
“The weaker we feel, the harder we lean on God. And the harder we lean the stronger we grow.”
APPLY CONT.
APPLY CONT.
God may not remove your problems,
But He will grow you through them,
and accomplish His purpose through you!
In the midst of your sorrow and pain,
surrender yourself in worship to Jesus
and He will remove your sorrow and give you joy,
as you hope and trust in Him!
And through your faith in Jesus,
you have hope that one day you will see Him face to face as Mary did,
and your faith will become sight,
as you experience inexpressible joy in His glorious presence!
Transition
The next thing we are going to learn to do when…
“When You Can’t See…”
3. Obey the Sending Saviour
3. Obey the Sending Saviour
John 20:19-29
The disciples are gathered together,
have heard from John and Peter…
Can’t see/don’t understand.
But Jesus is going to appear to them and give them a mission.
Even though they don’t fully understand,
they are willing to obey their sending Saviour.
EXPLAIN
EXPLAIN
19 On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” 20 When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord.
Same day; evening.
Disciples hiding; door locked (empty tomb; come after them?)
Jesus miraculously appears to them.
Shocking! This added to their fear/wonder.
Jesus greeting of peace.
They see His hands/side;
comforted/peace/glad.
21 Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” 22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.”
Jesus commissions/sends His disciples.
They need the help of the Holy Spirit.
Best understood as a foretaste to coming of Spirit (Acts 2).
We see the Trinity involved in commissioning disciples:
Father sends Son;
Son sends disciples;
Spirit empowers their work.
What about the authority to forgive sins???
Andreas J. Kostenberger
“The idea is not that individual Christians or churches have authority on their own to forgive or not forgive people, but rather that as the church proclaims the gospel message of forgiveness of sins in the power of the Holy Spirit, it proclaims that those who believe in Jesus have their sins forgiven, and that those who do not believe in him do not have their sins forgiven—”
Jesus commissions His disciples to carry on the work He started.
Will give them the authority/power of the Holy Spirit.
Then John tells us…
24 Now Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.”
Thomas has legitimate reason to doubt…
DEAD PEOPLE DON’T COME BACK TO LIFE!
This makes their testimony authentic/believable.
Shows us the disciples were not expecting Jesus to rise from the dead.
Not part of their plan.
26 Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.” 28 Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” 29 Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
Jesus appears again,
Thomas is there.
Allows Thomas to see…
AND HE BELIEVES AND WORSHIPS!
Jesus promises a blessing to those who haven’t seen, yet believe.
This is part of the disciples’ commissioning!
To go tell others that Jesus rose,
so they can believe!
And this is exactly why John wrote...
30 Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; 31 but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
SUMMARY
The disciples still couldn’t see/understand clearly.
They didn’t fully understand what happened,
or what was about to happen.
But one thing they could see clearly… JESUS!
As hard as it was to believe,
they couldn’t deny what they had seen.
And Jesus proved it in many ways…
3 He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God.
They believed, and obeyed their Sending Saviour.
Now it was their job, through the Spirit, to carry the mission forward.
AND THEY DID!
The disciples, empowered by the Spirit,
gave their lives to sharing the Good News of Jesus.
They were willing to die for their faith!
John exiled to Patmos,
9 I, John, your brother and partner in the tribulation and the kingdom and the patient endurance that are in Jesus, was on the island called Patmos on account of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus.
APPLY
APPLY
In the same way, we’re called to
Obey the Sending Saviour!
As Jesus’ disciple you are called to LIVE SENT!
All that Jesus did:
Creating the heavens and earth;
Becoming flesh;
Teaching/Healing/Miracles;
Death/Resurrection…
Was so that the world would know and believe in it’s Creator and His love for them,
and draw near to have a relationship with Him.
The problem is…
Much of the world doesn’t know/believe in Him!
You have family members who don’t know Him…
You have friends who don’t know Him…
You have coworkers who don’t know Him…
God has SENT YOU to tell them about Him!
You need the Holy Spirit!
Ask for courage/boldness.
Begin praying for lost people you know.
If you don’t have relationship with them, pursue them.
Be intentional to pay attention and ask questions in conversation.
God was willing to send Jesus, and He was willing to come to earth,
for you and I so we could share in a relationship with Him!
Jesus is now sending you, so that others can have relationship with Him too!
Don’t keep it to yourself,
share the Good News of Jesus!
SUMMARY
Closing
Closing
Closing Illustration - Jeff Christopherson’s Parents’ Conversion
Closing Illustration - Jeff Christopherson’s Parents’ Conversion
Jonah and I had the privilege of talking with Jeff Christopherson this week,
The National Ministry Leader of the CNBC.
We were talking to him about one of his books that he had given us.
In that book he shares how his parents came to faith in Jesus.
Allan and Helen Christopherson were married on June 4, 1960.
Within a few years they had two small children.
Allan had grade 8 education; jobs limited.
Worked at Molson Brewery; free beer.
Future wasn’t looking bright.
One night decided to go to movie; got sitter for kids.
Were interested in a religious movie, “The Restless Ones”. (Billy Graham)
As the movie played, they were captivated; God was working in their hearts.
While actors on screen were listening to the preaching of Billy Graham,
the Holy Spirit was convicting Allan & Helen as they watched.
At the end of the movie, man came up;
thanked people;
asked if anyone wanted to accept Jesus.
No one did.
But when Allan and Helen went back to the car;
they surrendered their lives to Jesus.
Their lives changed forever!
Allan quit job at brewery; became welder
joined church; Allan discipled by passionate man, named Jack Conner
Their life became an adventure devoted to God.
35 years later, Allan was part of a team planning a crusade in Saskatoon.
At one of the first meetings; chairman invited the leaders to share how they had been impacted by Billy Graham.
Allan felt Holy Spirit nudge him to share.
He shared his story; all the details;
how both of his children were spending their lives to start new churches in Canada, Chile, and South America.
He said,
“I do not know how many hundreds of lives are now in the Kingdom because my wife and I went to the movies that day.”
When Allan sat down; elderly man walked straight over; tears streaming down his face.
“I’m Tom Dice.
God asked me to play that movie.
Rallied friends/family… expected great things.
Night after night; play movie; ask people to respond…
Night after night went home dissappointed.
Until this day; thought it was failure; thought I misheard God.
Now I see that it wasn’t!”
In the book Jeff says,
“When we recall stories such as these, our spirit immediately identifies the Hero. Neither Tom Dice, nor Jack Conner nor my parents were the central figure orchestrating the events that culminated in this strategic win.
Each was simply investing their mustard seed as the Master Planner nudged their hearts. Each had a simple part to play. The eternal garden was being planned and cultivated by an all-seeing Designer who merely asked one question: “Will you trust Me?”
We answer that question every day by what we do with a very small seed.”
Transition to Us
Land the Plane (Last call to action)
Land the Plane (Last call to action)
If you are a disciple of Jesus,
you have been saved as the result of someone sharing that small seed with you.
Now, Jesus is sending you as the Father sent Him,
to the lost people He has placed in your life.
It isn’t about your effort…
but God’s power to use the tiniest of seeds!
What if we all shared the gospel with one person/week this year?
Gospel conversations/week? 100!
Gospel conversations/month? 400!
Gospel conversations/year? 5,200!
What could God do with all those very small seeds?
But it isn’t more seeds that will make it effective…
We’re not trusting in our ability/work…
We’re trusting in our great God,
who can grow and multiply our tiny offering
into something greater than we can imagine!
But you may not ever live to see it…
And that’s okay, because…
When You Can’t See…
You’re choosing to walk by faith and:
Believe the Empty Tomb
Worship the Risen Christ
Obey the Sending Saviour
You’re not doing it for the results,
or to work to earn God’s favour…
You’re doing it because when you were a sinner,
Christ died and rose for you!
And now you want others to know and believe in Him as well!
Pray!
Lord thank You for sending Jesus…
Now Jesus is sending us…
Grant to your servants to speak Your Word with all boldness, while You stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of Your holy servant Jesus!
In Jesus’ name we pray… Amen!
