Untitled Sermon (8)

Welcome, if you have your Bible with you I invite you to open to . So it’s right there in the Gospels, right at the front of the New Testament, right, Matthew, Mark, Luke, John. And as you turn there, I want to bring to the front of your brain a questions that I’m certain that you’ve asked from time to time, and that being… 

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Why do I feel alone?

Why do I feel alone?

Why do I feel alone?

Why do I feel alone?

Why do I feel alone?

We’ve began each week over the past four weeks with a question like this as we study, “What is pain? Why do I hurt? Why does God let things happen a certain way,” And we’re rounding out our series, asking the question, “Why do I feel so alone?”

We’ve began each week over the past four weeks with a question like this as we study, “What is pain? Why do I hurt? Why does God let things happen a certain way,” And we’re rounding out our series, asking the question, “Why do I feel so alone?”

We’ve began each week over the past four weeks with a question like this as we study, “What is pain? Why do I hurt? Why does God let things happen a certain way,” And we’re rounding out our series, asking the question, “Why do I feel so alone?”

We’ve began each week over the past four weeks with a question like this as we study, “What is pain? Why do I hurt? Why does God let things happen a certain way,” And we’re rounding out our series, asking the question, “Why do I feel so alone?”

We’ve began each week over the past four weeks with a question like this as we study, “What is pain? Why do I hurt? Why does God let things happen a certain way,” And we’re rounding out our series, asking the question, “Why do I feel so alone?”

We’re jumping in straight away this week, “why do I feel so alone?” We’ve been talking about the nature of pain and hurt and how some of these things evolve into more than just sadness or feeling blue, but truly when the weight of this world sinks our soul into a pit of despair. 

We’re jumping in straight away this week, “why do I feel so alone?” We’ve been talking about the nature of pain and hurt and how some of these things evolve into more than just sadness or feeling blue, but truly when the weight of this world sinks our soul into a pit of despair. 

We’re jumping in straight away this week, “why do I feel so alone?” We’ve been talking about the nature of pain and hurt and how some of these things evolve into more than just sadness or feeling blue, but truly when the weight of this world sinks our soul into a pit of despair. 

We’re jumping in straight away this week, “why do I feel so alone?” We’ve been talking about the nature of pain and hurt and how some of these things evolve into more than just sadness or feeling blue, but truly when the weight of this world sinks our soul into a pit of despair. 

We’re jumping in straight away this week, “why do I feel so alone?” We’ve been talking about the nature of pain and hurt and how some of these things evolve into more than just sadness or feeling blue, but truly when the weight of this world sinks our soul into a pit of despair. 

Many of you have faced the worst that this world has to offer. Death, life-threatening illnesses, pain, whatever the case may be, but even you haven’t endured some catastrophic event, all of us, and I mean all of us find ourselves overwhelmed, burdened, and hurting from time to time, if not frequently. 

Many of you have faced the worst that this world has to offer. Death, life-threatening illnesses, pain, whatever the case may be, but even you haven’t endured some catastrophic event, all of us, and I mean all of us find ourselves overwhelmed, burdened, and hurting from time to time, if not frequently. 

Many of you have faced the worst that this world has to offer. Death, life-threatening illnesses, pain, whatever the case may be, but even you haven’t endured some catastrophic event, all of us, and I mean all of us find ourselves overwhelmed, burdened, and hurting from time to time, if not frequently. 

Many of you have faced the worst that this world has to offer. Death, life-threatening illnesses, pain, whatever the case may be, but even you haven’t endured some catastrophic event, all of us, and I mean all of us find ourselves overwhelmed, burdened, and hurting from time to time, if not frequently. 

Many of you have faced the worst that this world has to offer. Death, life-threatening illnesses, pain, whatever the case may be, but even you haven’t endured some catastrophic event, all of us, and I mean all of us find ourselves overwhelmed, burdened, and hurting from time to time, if not frequently. 

And in that moment, I’m willing to bet that you feel like the loneliest person in the world. “No one knows how I feel. No one has felt like this. God, why?”

And in that moment, I’m willing to bet that you feel like the loneliest person in the world. “No one knows how I feel. No one has felt like this. God, why?”

And in that moment, I’m willing to bet that you feel like the loneliest person in the world. “No one knows how I feel. No one has felt like this. God, why?”

And in that moment, I’m willing to bet that you feel like the loneliest person in the world. “No one knows how I feel. No one has felt like this. God, why?”

And in that moment, I’m willing to bet that you feel like the loneliest person in the world. “No one knows how I feel. No one has felt like this. God, why?”

This is the harsh reality that we live in. When we look around and there doesn’t seem to be any hope to be found. 

This is the harsh reality that we live in. When we look around and there doesn’t seem to be any hope to be found. 

This is the harsh reality that we live in. When we look around and there doesn’t seem to be any hope to be found. 

This is the harsh reality that we live in. When we look around and there doesn’t seem to be any hope to be found. 

This is the harsh reality that we live in. When we look around and there doesn’t seem to be any hope to be found. 

We read Scriptures like , "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” and that says that “the wages of sin is death,” and we feel that. We feel the effects of sin in our everyday life. Be it just looking around and seeing a broken and oftentimes heartless world around us or we look at the mess that is our lives and we feel like we are on an island. Alone. Broken. Hurting. 

We read Scriptures like , "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” and that says that “the wages of sin is death,” and we feel that. We feel the effects of sin in our everyday life. Be it just looking around and seeing a broken and oftentimes heartless world around us or we look at the mess that is our lives and we feel like we are on an island. Alone. Broken. Hurting. 

We read Scriptures like , "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” and that says that “the wages of sin is death,” and we feel that. We feel the effects of sin in our everyday life. Be it just looking around and seeing a broken and oftentimes heartless world around us or we look at the mess that is our lives and we feel like we are on an island. Alone. Broken. Hurting. 

We read Scriptures like , "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” and that says that “the wages of sin is death,” and we feel that. We feel the effects of sin in our everyday life. Be it just looking around and seeing a broken and oftentimes heartless world around us or we look at the mess that is our lives and we feel like we are on an island. Alone. Broken. Hurting. 

We read Scriptures like , "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” and that says that “the wages of sin is death,” and we feel that. We feel the effects of sin in our everyday life. Be it just looking around and seeing a broken and oftentimes heartless world around us or we look at the mess that is our lives and we feel like we are on an island. Alone. Broken. Hurting. 

Sin brings shame, and shame makes us hide. 

Sin brings shame, and shame makes us hide. 

Sin brings shame, and shame makes us hide. 

Sin brings shame, and shame makes us hide. 

Sin brings shame, and shame makes us hide. 

I remember as a child knowing that when I did something wrong and knowing that I had a less than pleasant conversation with my father coming at me, I’d run and hide in the corner of my closet and sit there, hoping that the outside world would go away. And that is engrained into our DNA, guys.

I remember as a child knowing that when I did something wrong and knowing that I had a less than pleasant conversation with my father coming at me, I’d run and hide in the corner of my closet and sit there, hoping that the outside world would go away. And that is engrained into our DNA, guys.

I remember as a child knowing that when I did something wrong and knowing that I had a less than pleasant conversation with my father coming at me, I’d run and hide in the corner of my closet and sit there, hoping that the outside world would go away. And that is engrained into our DNA, guys.

I remember as a child knowing that when I did something wrong and knowing that I had a less than pleasant conversation with my father coming at me, I’d run and hide in the corner of my closet and sit there, hoping that the outside world would go away. And that is engrained into our DNA, guys.

I remember as a child knowing that when I did something wrong and knowing that I had a less than pleasant conversation with my father coming at me, I’d run and hide in the corner of my closet and sit there, hoping that the outside world would go away. And that is engrained into our DNA, guys.

We read about it in when sin first entered the world and Adam and Eve did what? They hid. Because sin brings shame and shame makes us hide. 

We read about it in when sin first entered the world and Adam and Eve did what? They hid. Because sin brings shame and shame makes us hide. 

We read about it in when sin first entered the world and Adam and Eve did what? They hid. Because sin brings shame and shame makes us hide. 

We read about it in when sin first entered the world and Adam and Eve did what? They hid. Because sin brings shame and shame makes us hide. 

We read about it in when sin first entered the world and Adam and Eve did what? They hid. Because sin brings shame and shame makes us hide. 

It’s a cold and bitter reality that we live in and so often, even in crowded rooms we feel the loneliest we’ve ever been. 

It’s a cold and bitter reality that we live in and so often, even in crowded rooms we feel the loneliest we’ve ever been. 

It’s a cold and bitter reality that we live in and so often, even in crowded rooms we feel the loneliest we’ve ever been. 

It’s a cold and bitter reality that we live in and so often, even in crowded rooms we feel the loneliest we’ve ever been. 

It’s a cold and bitter reality that we live in and so often, even in crowded rooms we feel the loneliest we’ve ever been. 

Sometimes the fallenness of this world is almost too much to bear.

Sometimes the fallenness of this world is almost too much to bear.

Sometimes the fallenness of this world is almost too much to bear.

Sometimes the fallenness of this world is almost too much to bear.

Sometimes the fallenness of this world is almost too much to bear.

That’s where we pick up in our Scripture tonight in John chapter 11 but before we get going let me lay some background here. Jesus had just healed a man born blind. He follows that up with radical teachings, essentially telling Jewish peoples, hey remember all those teachings in your Scriptures that you’ve committed your whole life to? Yeah, thats about me.

That’s where we pick up in our Scripture tonight in John chapter 11 but before we get going let me lay some background here. Jesus had just healed a man born blind. He follows that up with radical teachings, essentially telling Jewish peoples, hey remember all those teachings in your Scriptures that you’ve committed your whole life to? Yeah, thats about me.

That’s where we pick up in our Scripture tonight in John chapter 11 but before we get going let me lay some background here. Jesus had just healed a man born blind. He follows that up with radical teachings, essentially telling Jewish peoples, hey remember all those teachings in your Scriptures that you’ve committed your whole life to? Yeah, thats about me.

That’s where we pick up in our Scripture tonight in John chapter 11 but before we get going let me lay some background here. Jesus had just healed a man born blind. He follows that up with radical teachings, essentially telling Jewish peoples, hey remember all those teachings in your Scriptures that you’ve committed your whole life to? Yeah, thats about me.

That’s where we pick up in our Scripture tonight in John chapter 11 but before we get going let me lay some background here. Jesus had just healed a man born blind. He follows that up with radical teachings, essentially telling Jewish peoples, hey remember all those teachings in your Scriptures that you’ve committed your whole life to? Yeah, thats about me.

And their response was to try and capture him, arrest him, and put him down. It’s then that Jesus receives heartbreaking news… 

And their response was to try and capture him, arrest him, and put him down. It’s then that Jesus receives heartbreaking news… 

And their response was to try and capture him, arrest him, and put him down. It’s then that Jesus receives heartbreaking news… 

And their response was to try and capture him, arrest him, and put him down. It’s then that Jesus receives heartbreaking news… 

And their response was to try and capture him, arrest him, and put him down. It’s then that Jesus receives heartbreaking news… 

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LAZARUS DIES AT BETHANY

LAZARUS DIES AT BETHANY

LAZARUS DIES AT BETHANY

LAZARUS DIES AT BETHANY

LAZARUS DIES AT BETHANY

11 Now a man was sick, Lazarus from Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. 2 Mary was the one who anointed the Lord with perfume and wiped his feet with her hair, and it was her brother Lazarus who was sick. 3 So the sisters sent a message to him: “Lord, the one you love is sick.”

11 Now a man was sick, Lazarus from Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. 2 Mary was the one who anointed the Lord with perfume and wiped his feet with her hair, and it was her brother Lazarus who was sick. 3 So the sisters sent a message to him: “Lord, the one you love is sick.”

11 Now a man was sick, Lazarus from Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. 2 Mary was the one who anointed the Lord with perfume and wiped his feet with her hair, and it was her brother Lazarus who was sick. 3 So the sisters sent a message to him: “Lord, the one you love is sick.”

11 Now a man was sick, Lazarus from Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. 2 Mary was the one who anointed the Lord with perfume and wiped his feet with her hair, and it was her brother Lazarus who was sick. 3 So the sisters sent a message to him: “Lord, the one you love is sick.”

11 Now a man was sick, Lazarus from Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. 2 Mary was the one who anointed the Lord with perfume and wiped his feet with her hair, and it was her brother Lazarus who was sick. 3 So the sisters sent a message to him: “Lord, the one you love is sick.”

4 When Jesus heard it, he said, “This sickness will not end in death but is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.” 5 Now Jesus loved Martha, her sister, and Lazarus. 6 So when he heard that he was sick, he stayed two more days in the place where he was.

4 When Jesus heard it, he said, “This sickness will not end in death but is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.” 5 Now Jesus loved Martha, her sister, and Lazarus. 6 So when he heard that he was sick, he stayed two more days in the place where he was.

4 When Jesus heard it, he said, “This sickness will not end in death but is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.” 5 Now Jesus loved Martha, her sister, and Lazarus. 6 So when he heard that he was sick, he stayed two more days in the place where he was.

4 When Jesus heard it, he said, “This sickness will not end in death but is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.” 5 Now Jesus loved Martha, her sister, and Lazarus. 6 So when he heard that he was sick, he stayed two more days in the place where he was.

4 When Jesus heard it, he said, “This sickness will not end in death but is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.” 5 Now Jesus loved Martha, her sister, and Lazarus. 6 So when he heard that he was sick, he stayed two more days in the place where he was.

Okay, so a bit of something that does not compute here. It says here that Jesus was told, “the one that you love I sick,” and what was his reaction. “Okay, I’m going to stay here for a bit.” 

Okay, so a bit of something that does not compute here. It says here that Jesus was told, “the one that you love I sick,” and what was his reaction. “Okay, I’m going to stay here for a bit.” 

Okay, so a bit of something that does not compute here. It says here that Jesus was told, “the one that you love I sick,” and what was his reaction. “Okay, I’m going to stay here for a bit.” 

Okay, so a bit of something that does not compute here. It says here that Jesus was told, “the one that you love I sick,” and what was his reaction. “Okay, I’m going to stay here for a bit.” 

Okay, so a bit of something that does not compute here. It says here that Jesus was told, “the one that you love I sick,” and what was his reaction. “Okay, I’m going to stay here for a bit.” 

Now you and I when we have loved ones who are sick, or in danger or whatever the case may be, a good friend comes running to be at your side. But Jesus stays put… 

Now you and I when we have loved ones who are sick, or in danger or whatever the case may be, a good friend comes running to be at your side. But Jesus stays put… 

Now you and I when we have loved ones who are sick, or in danger or whatever the case may be, a good friend comes running to be at your side. But Jesus stays put… 

Now you and I when we have loved ones who are sick, or in danger or whatever the case may be, a good friend comes running to be at your side. But Jesus stays put… 

Now you and I when we have loved ones who are sick, or in danger or whatever the case may be, a good friend comes running to be at your side. But Jesus stays put… 

Reading on...

Reading on...

Reading on...

Reading on...

Reading on...

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6 So when he heard that he was sick, he stayed two more days in the place where he was. 7 Then after that, he said to the disciples, “Let’s go to Judea again.”

6 So when he heard that he was sick, he stayed two more days in the place where he was. 7 Then after that, he said to the disciples, “Let’s go to Judea again.”

6 So when he heard that he was sick, he stayed two more days in the place where he was. 7 Then after that, he said to the disciples, “Let’s go to Judea again.”

6 So when he heard that he was sick, he stayed two more days in the place where he was. 7 Then after that, he said to the disciples, “Let’s go to Judea again.”

6 So when he heard that he was sick, he stayed two more days in the place where he was. 7 Then after that, he said to the disciples, “Let’s go to Judea again.”

8 “Rabbi,” the disciples told him, “just now the Jews tried to stone you, and you’re going there again?”

8 “Rabbi,” the disciples told him, “just now the Jews tried to stone you, and you’re going there again?”

8 “Rabbi,” the disciples told him, “just now the Jews tried to stone you, and you’re going there again?”

8 “Rabbi,” the disciples told him, “just now the Jews tried to stone you, and you’re going there again?”

8 “Rabbi,” the disciples told him, “just now the Jews tried to stone you, and you’re going there again?”

You see some of the conflict bubbling up, Jesus decides to go and be with his friends, but his disciples remind him. “Hey, the place where you're heading, that’s where people were just trying to kill you.”

You see some of the conflict bubbling up, Jesus decides to go and be with his friends, but his disciples remind him. “Hey, the place where you're heading, that’s where people were just trying to kill you.”

You see some of the conflict bubbling up, Jesus decides to go and be with his friends, but his disciples remind him. “Hey, the place where you're heading, that’s where people were just trying to kill you.”

You see some of the conflict bubbling up, Jesus decides to go and be with his friends, but his disciples remind him. “Hey, the place where you're heading, that’s where people were just trying to kill you.”

You see some of the conflict bubbling up, Jesus decides to go and be with his friends, but his disciples remind him. “Hey, the place where you're heading, that’s where people were just trying to kill you.”

Jesus responds…

Jesus responds…

Jesus responds…

11 ... “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I’m on my way to wake him up.”

Jesus responds…

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12 Then the disciples said to him, “Lord, if he has fallen asleep, he will get well.”

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11 ... “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I’m on my way to wake him up.”

11 ... “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I’m on my way to wake him up.”

11 ... “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I’m on my way to wake him up.”

11 ... “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I’m on my way to wake him up.”

13 Jesus, however, was speaking about his death, but they thought he was speaking about natural sleep. 14 So Jesus then told them plainly, “Lazarus has died. 15 I’m glad for you that I wasn’t there so that you may believe. But let’s go to him.”

12 Then the disciples said to him, “Lord, if he has fallen asleep, he will get well.”

12 Then the disciples said to him, “Lord, if he has fallen asleep, he will get well.”

12 Then the disciples said to him, “Lord, if he has fallen asleep, he will get well.”

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12 Then the disciples said to him, “Lord, if he has fallen asleep, he will get well.”

13 Jesus, however, was speaking about his death, but they thought he was speaking about natural sleep. 14 So Jesus then told them plainly, “Lazarus has died. 15 I’m glad for you that I wasn’t there so that you may believe. But let’s go to him.”

17 When Jesus arrived, he found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb four days. 18 Bethany was near Jerusalem (less than two miles away). 19 Many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them about their brother. 20 As soon as Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went to meet him, but Mary remained seated in the house.

13 Jesus, however, was speaking about his death, but they thought he was speaking about natural sleep. 14 So Jesus then told them plainly, “Lazarus has died. 15 I’m glad for you that I wasn’t there so that you may believe. But let’s go to him.”

13 Jesus, however, was speaking about his death, but they thought he was speaking about natural sleep. 14 So Jesus then told them plainly, “Lazarus has died. 15 I’m glad for you that I wasn’t there so that you may believe. But let’s go to him.”

13 Jesus, however, was speaking about his death, but they thought he was speaking about natural sleep. 14 So Jesus then told them plainly, “Lazarus has died. 15 I’m glad for you that I wasn’t there so that you may believe. But let’s go to him.”

Jesus is peeling back more and more of what he truly trying to accomplish and he eventually just lays if flat out for his followers, “We’re going back. Lazarus was sick, now he’s dead. And now we’re going to him.” And now we open up a scene with Jesus’ dear friends, Mary, Martha, and their brother Lazarus who had just died and there in verse 17 it says…

Jesus is peeling back more and more of what he truly trying to accomplish and he eventually just lays if flat out for his followers, “We’re going back. Lazarus was sick, now he’s dead. And now we’re going to him.” And now we open up a scene with Jesus’ dear friends, Mary, Martha, and their brother Lazarus who had just died and there in verse 17 it says…

21 Then Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother wouldn’t have died. 22 Yet even now I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give you.”

Jesus is peeling back more and more of what he truly trying to accomplish and he eventually just lays if flat out for his followers, “We’re going back. Lazarus was sick, now he’s dead. And now we’re going to him.” And now we open up a scene with Jesus’ dear friends, Mary, Martha, and their brother Lazarus who had just died and there in verse 17 it says…

Jesus is peeling back more and more of what he truly trying to accomplish and he eventually just lays if flat out for his followers, “We’re going back. Lazarus was sick, now he’s dead. And now we’re going to him.” And now we open up a scene with Jesus’ dear friends, Mary, Martha, and their brother Lazarus who had just died and there in verse 17 it says…

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23 “Your brother will rise again,” Jesus told her.

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17 When Jesus arrived, he found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb four days. 18 Bethany was near Jerusalem (less than two miles away). 19 Many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them about their brother. 20 As soon as Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went to meet him, but Mary remained seated in the house.

17 When Jesus arrived, he found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb four days. 18 Bethany was near Jerusalem (less than two miles away). 19 Many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them about their brother. 20 As soon as Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went to meet him, but Mary remained seated in the house.

17 When Jesus arrived, he found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb four days. 18 Bethany was near Jerusalem (less than two miles away). 19 Many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them about their brother. 20 As soon as Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went to meet him, but Mary remained seated in the house.

24 Martha said to him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.”

17 When Jesus arrived, he found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb four days. 18 Bethany was near Jerusalem (less than two miles away). 19 Many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them about their brother. 20 As soon as Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went to meet him, but Mary remained seated in the house.

25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me, even if he dies, will live. 26 Everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?”

21 Then Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother wouldn’t have died. 22 Yet even now I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give you.”

21 Then Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother wouldn’t have died. 22 Yet even now I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give you.”

21 Then Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother wouldn’t have died. 22 Yet even now I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give you.”

21 Then Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother wouldn’t have died. 22 Yet even now I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give you.”

23 “Your brother will rise again,” Jesus told her.

23 “Your brother will rise again,” Jesus told her.

23 “Your brother will rise again,” Jesus told her.

23 “Your brother will rise again,” Jesus told her.

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32 As soon as Mary came to where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet and told him, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died!”

24 Martha said to him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.”

24 Martha said to him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.”

24 Martha said to him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.”

24 Martha said to him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.”

25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me, even if he dies, will live. 26 Everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?”

25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me, even if he dies, will live. 26 Everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?”

25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me, even if he dies, will live. 26 Everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?”

33 When Jesus saw her crying, and the Jews who had come with her crying, he was deeply moved in his spirit and troubled. 34 “Where have you put him?” he asked.

25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me, even if he dies, will live. 26 Everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?”

“Lord,” they told him, “come and see.”

We read on and see see Jesus’ interaction with the other sister, Mary, and read…

We read on and see see Jesus’ interaction with the other sister, Mary, and read…

We read on and see see Jesus’ interaction with the other sister, Mary, and read…

We read on and see see Jesus’ interaction with the other sister, Mary, and read…

35 Jesus wept.

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32 As soon as Mary came to where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet and told him, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died!”

32 As soon as Mary came to where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet and told him, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died!”

32 As soon as Mary came to where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet and told him, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died!”

32 As soon as Mary came to where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet and told him, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died!”

You know how the story ends, right? At the mere words of Jesus, “Lazarus, come out of there!” A dead man comes to life. This is truly miraculous but I want you to zoom in on everything happening around this work. Our savior is not just some pie in the sky idea, he was a man who walked this earth 2 thousand years ago. He ate. He slept. He got angry. He had friends! Among those friends were these 3, Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. In Christianity we say that Jesus, the Son of God, was fully God and also fully what _____. Man, that’s right. And we see both of those attributes on wonderful display here.

33 When Jesus saw her crying, and the Jews who had come with her crying, he was deeply moved in his spirit and troubled. 34 “Where have you put him?” he asked.

33 When Jesus saw her crying, and the Jews who had come with her crying, he was deeply moved in his spirit and troubled. 34 “Where have you put him?” he asked.

One without hope

33 When Jesus saw her crying, and the Jews who had come with her crying, he was deeply moved in his spirit and troubled. 34 “Where have you put him?” he asked.

33 When Jesus saw her crying, and the Jews who had come with her crying, he was deeply moved in his spirit and troubled. 34 “Where have you put him?” he asked.

“Lord,” they told him, “come and see.”

“Lord,” they told him, “come and see.”

“Lord,” they told him, “come and see.”

“Lord,” they told him, “come and see.”

Great high priest

35 Jesus wept.

35 Jesus wept.

35 Jesus wept.

35 Jesus wept.

You know how the story ends, right? At the mere words of Jesus, “Lazarus, come out of there,” a dead man comes to life… 

You know how the story ends, right? At the mere words of Jesus, “Lazarus, come out of there,” a dead man comes to life… 

You know how the story ends, right? At the mere words of Jesus, “Lazarus, come out of there,” a dead man comes to life… 

You know how the story ends, right? At the mere words of Jesus, “Lazarus, come out of there,” a dead man comes to life… 

This is truly miraculous but I want you to zoom in on everything happening around this work. Our savior is not just some pie in the sky idea, he was a man who walked this earth 2 thousand years ago. He ate. He slept. He got angry. He had friends! Among those friends were these 3, Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. 

This is truly miraculous but I want you to zoom in on everything happening around this work. Our savior is not just some pie in the sky idea, he was a man who walked this earth 2 thousand years ago. He ate. He slept. He got angry. He had friends! Among those friends were these 3, Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. 

This is truly miraculous but I want you to zoom in on everything happening around this work. Our savior is not just some pie in the sky idea, he was a man who walked this earth 2 thousand years ago. He ate. He slept. He got angry. He had friends! Among those friends were these 3, Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. 

This is truly miraculous but I want you to zoom in on everything happening around this work. Our savior is not just some pie in the sky idea, he was a man who walked this earth 2 thousand years ago. He ate. He slept. He got angry. He had friends! Among those friends were these 3, Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. 

In Christianity we say that Jesus, the Son of God, was fully God and also fully what _____. Man, that’s right. And we see both of those attributes on display here.

In Christianity we say that Jesus, the Son of God, was fully God and also fully what _____. Man, that’s right. And we see both of those attributes on display here.

In Christianity we say that Jesus, the Son of God, was fully God and also fully what _____. Man, that’s right. And we see both of those attributes on display here.

In Christianity we say that Jesus, the Son of God, was fully God and also fully what _____. Man, that’s right. And we see both of those attributes on display here.

Just by speaking a sentence, Jesus undoes death. Fully God, but before all of that the Savior of the world looks at those around him, those he loves, and knowing exactly what he was about to do, he takes the time to weep with them, to be broken with them, fully man. 

Just by speaking a sentence, Jesus undoes death. Fully God, but before all of that the Savior of the world looks at those around him, those he loves, and knowing exactly what he was about to do, he takes the time to weep with them, to be broken with them, fully man. 

Just by speaking a sentence, Jesus undoes death. Fully God, but before all of that the Savior of the world looks at those around him, those he loves, and knowing exactly what he was about to do, he takes the time to weep with them, to be broken with them, fully man. 

Just by speaking a sentence, Jesus undoes death. Fully God, but before all of that the Savior of the world looks at those around him, those he loves, and knowing exactly what he was about to do, he takes the time to weep with them, to be broken with them, fully man. 

I know that it is sometimes a little joke about Scripture memory… shortest verse in the Bible… Jesus wept… but please, here and now consider the impact of those two words in your life. 

I know that it is sometimes a little joke about Scripture memory… shortest verse in the Bible… Jesus wept… but please, here and now consider the impact of those two words in your life. 

I know that it is sometimes a little joke about Scripture memory… shortest verse in the Bible… Jesus wept… but please, here and now consider the impact of those two words in your life. 

What are you facing in your life? What impossible situations or burdens are you carrying with you? Did you feel alone? Do you feel far away and in pain? 

What are you facing in your life? What impossible situations or burdens are you carrying with you? Did you feel alone? Do you feel far away and in pain? 

What are you facing in your life? What impossible situations or burdens are you carrying with you? Did you feel alone? Do you feel far away and in pain? 

This Jesus that we speak about does not tell you, clean yourself up and then you can be in my presence, but he’s the savior of the universe who steps right into your mess and he WEEPS… WITH… YOU… 

This Jesus that we speak about does not tell you, clean yourself up and then you can be in my presence, but he’s the savior of the universe who steps right into your mess and he WEEPS… WITH… YOU… 

This Jesus that we speak about does not tell you, clean yourself up and then you can be in my presence, but he’s the savior of the universe who steps right into your mess and he WEEPS… WITH… YOU… 

Knowing exactly how he is going to work in and through your life he doesn’t tell you… TOUGHEN UP… SUCK IT UP… WHY ARE YOU CRYING??? But he comes to you, right at your side, hugs you tight and says, “I know. It’s Okay. I’m right here.”

Knowing exactly how he is going to work in and through your life he doesn’t tell you… TOUGHEN UP… SUCK IT UP… WHY ARE YOU CRYING??? But he comes to you, right at your side, hugs you tight and says, “I know. It’s Okay. I’m right here.”

Knowing exactly how he is going to work in and through your life he doesn’t tell you… TOUGHEN UP… SUCK IT UP… WHY ARE YOU CRYING??? But he comes to you, right at your side, hugs you tight and says, “I know. It’s Okay. I’m right here.”

I think that a lot of assume that Jesus cannot take our anger or frustration. We think that when we go to God in prayer that we have to dress it up and be all prim and proper. But notice how these two sisters run into Jesus with everything they have. All their sorrow… all their pain… 

I think that a lot of assume that Jesus cannot take our anger or frustration. We think that when we go to God in prayer that we have to dress it up and be all prim and proper. But notice how these two sisters run into Jesus with everything they have. All their sorrow… all their pain… 

I think that a lot of assume that Jesus cannot take our anger or frustration. We think that when we go to God in prayer that we have to dress it up and be all prim and proper. But notice how these two sisters run into Jesus with everything they have. All their sorrow… all their pain… 

“JESUS IF YOU HAD JUST BEEN HERE, NONE OF THIS WOULD HAVE HAPPENED. WHERE WERE YOU?!?!”

“JESUS IF YOU HAD JUST BEEN HERE, NONE OF THIS WOULD HAVE HAPPENED. WHERE WERE YOU?!?!”

“JESUS IF YOU HAD JUST BEEN HERE, NONE OF THIS WOULD HAVE HAPPENED. WHERE WERE YOU?!?!”

You see that there on the page right? 

You see that there on the page right? 

You see that there on the page right? 

And my question to you is how many of you have prayed or thought that very same thing?

And my question to you is how many of you have prayed or thought that very same thing?

And my question to you is how many of you have prayed or thought that very same thing?

Did Jesus rebuke them? Did he call them to order saying, “you don’t know who you’re dealing with?”

Did Jesus rebuke them? Did he call them to order saying, “you don’t know who you’re dealing with?”

Did Jesus rebuke them? Did he call them to order saying, “you don’t know who you’re dealing with?”

He wept.

He wept.

He wept.

Jesus can take it guys

Jesus can take it guys. You don’t have to sugarcoat it anymore. You don’t have to put on a show anymore. Jesus sees through it, right into your heart, and he weeps right there with you. 

Jesus can take it guys. You don’t have to sugarcoat it anymore. You don’t have to put on a show anymore. Jesus sees through it, right into your heart, and he weeps right there with you. 

In man approaches Jesus, begging him to heal his son.

In man approaches Jesus, begging him to heal his son.

Jesus tells him, “anything is possible to the one who believes,”

Jesus tells him, “anything is possible to the one who believes,”

The father’s response? “I do believe; but help my unbelief.”

The father’s response? “I do believe; but help my unbelief.”

And my hope for you tonight is that you would know that you too can pray that same prayer. 

And my hope for you tonight is that you would know that you too can pray that same prayer. 

“GOD I BELIEVE, BUT I HAVE DOUBTS. GOD I BELIEVE BUT I FEEL LIKE I CAN’T TAKE IT ANYMORE. GOD I BELIEVE, BUT HELP MY UNBELIEF.”

“GOD I BELIEVE, BUT I HAVE DOUBTS. GOD I BELIEVE BUT I FEEL LIKE I CAN’T TAKE IT ANYMORE. GOD I BELIEVE, BUT HELP MY UNBELIEF.”

These are words, be it from this father or from Mary or Martha, that come from people who encountered, truly encountered Jesus. And in their darkest moments they turned to Jesus with everything that they had. And Jesus’ heart broke for them. 

These are words, be it from this father or from Mary or Martha, that come from people who encountered, truly encountered Jesus. And in their darkest moments they turned to Jesus with everything that they had. And Jesus’ heart broke for them. 

Do you know that Jesus’ heart breaks for you? Do you know that he is with you even in your darkest moments? Just as these were words that came from people who encountered Jesus I wanted to call out to all of you tonight and ask you, when was the last time you encountered Jesus?

Do you know that Jesus’ heart breaks for you? Do you know that he is with you even in your darkest moments? Just as these were words that came from people who encountered Jesus I wanted to call out to all of you tonight and ask you, when was the last time you encountered Jesus?

I hope that when you wake up and your anxious about your day, you know Jesus is with me and he loves me.

I hope that when you wake up and your anxious about your day, you know Jesus is with me and he loves me.

I hope that when you face heartbreak and you don’t think that anyone is ever going to love you again, you know Jesus is with me and he loves me.

I hope that when you face heartbreak and you don’t think that anyone is ever going to love you again, you know Jesus is with me and he loves me.

I hope that when you think that your at the end of your rope and all that you know is pain, even still, you know, “Jesus is with me and he loves me.

I hope that when you think that your at the end of your rope and all that you know is pain, even still, you know, “Jesus is with me and he loves me.

When’s the last time you’ve encountered Jesus?

When’s the last time you’ve encountered Jesus?

We all need to be reminded of this simple and beautiful truth, daily. 

You all know this song… Come thou fount… right, there’s a line that sums up why we need to constantly be reminded of this with every breath of every day because our hearts are “prone to wander, Lord, I feel it. Prone to leave the one I love. Here’s my heart Lord, take it… seal it.” 

Some of you may be sitting here feeling the weight of a hard reality. That not only do you need to be reminded of these things tonight, but you’re not really that sure that you knew this Jesus to begin with. You’ve grown up here. You’ve gone to church your whole life, but you have not had a real and upfront encounter with Jesus at any point in your life. You sit there knowing heartbreak, anxiety, depressions, and you have no idea that Jesus is right there at your side telling you, give it to me… I can take it. Give it to me, be free. 

Go ahead and bow your heads and close your eyes right now. 

(CSB)

15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has been tempted in every way as we are, yet without sin. 16 Therefore, let us approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in time of need.

You realize what that means, right? This passage in Hebrews is talking about Jesus and it is saying that we don’t have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, our trials, our burdens, but has been tempted and tried in every way, but he is without sin. So what does that mean? It means that you have every freedom, because of what Jesus has done for you to receive grace upon grace in your times of need. 

So there with your heads bowed and your eyes closed, I simply ask, have you encountered Jesus? 

If your sitting there and you’ve come to the end of yourself and you want to decide once and for all that you cannot do this life on your own anymore and you want Jesus to take these burdens, you want to truly and genuinely follow Jesus, I’m just going to ask if you would raise your hand.

Thank you for your honesty. 

Father, 

You say that because of what Jesus did for us, we can approach you with boldness and confidence, knowing that we are forgiven. Accepted. Loved. So God I pray for these students tonight that you would give them boldness and courage to step forward in their confession that they do not have it all together, but they want to cast it all onto your son Jesus, knowing that the is good and faithful to forgive, redeem and restore. 

It’s in King Jesus’ name we pray… 

[Amen]