In the Midst of Craziness.

ME:

Pledge

Passage:

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.”

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.”

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.

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.

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.

Prayer

TITLE: In the Midst of Craziness

I think all of us would agree there have been many disturbing event in the world.

Some might even classify them as “CRAZY EVENTS” that have taken place in the world.

During these events in history people felt like they were living in the midst of craziness.

Have you ever had times in your life where it seemed like crazy things were happening?

I know many of you might be saying, “DUH, YEA ..... right now Pastor!”

During this time, dealing with the Corona Virus, I have heard people say, “It’s Crazy! It’s like experiencing a movie in real life.”

And during this time we have heard people ask the same questions that has been asked back in those events in history ....

We have all experienced times in our life where we wondered where is God/what is God doing/ does God not care/ does God not see what I see?

Just to be truthful and honest ...... I know I have .....

- Before I was a Christian, I remember thinking to myself ..... as I was going through my divorce (years ago)

I’m a good person, why am I going through all this craziness in my life?

- Even after I was saved I remember questioning where God was .....

Traveling in a car and my wife wondering if God was going to strike me dead!

- I have found that even in resent times I have wondered why I was not hearing from God in certain matters.

- I wasn’t experiencing God’s movement in my life the way I use to!

- I was not experiencing the PEACE of God and was question life in general!

I have to believe I am not alone in feeling this way?

Transition Statement: Have you experienced crazy times in your lives like this?

WE:

What was that moment like for you?

Was you thinking, “I am a good person, Why isn’t good things happening for me?”

How did you respond during the Crazy times?

Did you yell at God?

How did you come out on the other side of it all?

Did you come out of it ..... or ....... are you still experiencing it?

You might be thinking, Craziness only happens in my life?

No one else has ever lived in the midst of Craziness!

Transition Statement: What if I told you that ever since Sin entering into the world God’s people have always experienced Craziness in their lives. (Feel Better?)

It kinda makes you feel better when you know someone else has gone through the craziness you are experiencing or have experienced.

(Repeat ...... What if I told you that ever since Sin entering into the world God’s people have always experienced Craziness in their lives.)

GOD:

Did you realize that this holiday we celebrate, (Christian Super Bowl) Easter, was filled with a lot of Craziness for the disciples?

Let’s look at this experience of craziness during the crucifixion.

I think if anyone knew about Craziness in a persons life, it was the Disciples.

Let’s take a look at the story we just read in the Book of John .....

We pick up in the story where it’s been 3 days since Jesus was Crucified.

Peter and John has both raced to the tomb to see what was reported.

I like how John had to write that he beat Peter to the Tomb.

They left while Mary Magdalene stayed.

Magdalene

Mary is standing outside the Tomb where Jesus’ body was buried.

The tomb is open .... She peaks her head in and sees 2 Angelic figures sitting at the head and the foot of where Jesus’ body should have been laying.

They ask Mary “Woman, why are you weeping?”

She is weeping because she can’t find her Lord Jesus Christ.

Woman, why are you weeping?

She feels like she is all alone! Her Lord is no longer with her!

I love this next part ......

She turns to walk away and there standing in front of her is (WHAT SHE BELIEVED TO BE THE GARDENER) and HE asked her the same question “Woman, why are you weeping?”

But We know this figure to be Jesus and he asked her a second question, “Whom are you seeking?”

Whom are you seeking?

She states to HIM, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.” (15)

Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.

Jesus replies ..... “MARY!”

You see Mary was having a conversation with Jesus (2 Questions asked by Jesus up to this point) and she didn’t recognize his voice.

But when she heard her name flow from HIS lips ......

An occurrence that had happen hundreds if not thousands of time over the last 3 1/2 years. (Her name spoken from the mouth of Jesus)!

She knew who it was!

Jesus tells her not to touch Him but go and tell the others.

Later on in the evening of that day while they all were secluded in a room that was locked because of fear for their own lives ...... Jesus appears! (He doesn’t knock .... he doesn’t climb through a window).

I love what he say’s “Peace be with you.”

A very customary way or greeting one another.

He shows them HIS hands and HIS side.

After doing this HE does something that is so powerful ......

He breaths on them and says, “Receive the Holy Spirit!”

This is a command!

A command to receive! They still have the option to deny but CHRIST extends this offer.

Transition Statement: Can you relate to the Disciples?

YOU:

Has there been a time in your life when you felt lost?

What you once thought was the way life was suppose to be has now changed.

All that you had hope for was taken away? (in the case of the disciples it was INSTANTLY taken away).

What you was asking was .... Where is He? Where is this God that is suppose to be all knowing and loving?

This was what Mary experienced .... ( She said to them, “They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.”)

She said to them, “They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.”

Has there been a time in your life when you felt like couldn’t hear the voice of God?

You have felt like its been a long time since you heard from the Lord!

You might feel like you have forgotten what it sounds like.

This is what Mary might have felt like!

But what do we read in ( Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned and said to him “Rabboni!”)

Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned and said to him in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means Teacher).

Has there been a time in your life when you needed to see God move?

You might be thinking God’s is no longer present because I have not seen him move.

I don’t see God!

This is exactly how the disciples felt during this crazy times .....

if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.”

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.

20 When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord.

Has there been times in your lives when you didn’t sense PEACE?

Your life is not at peace and you feel so on edge!

You’re thinking there is no way back to peace.

This is the new norm!

This is exactly how the Disciples felt until Jesus spoke into them PEACE!

Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.”

Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.”

Transition Statement: Have your been living in the midst of Craziness?

WE:

I know this much ..... We cannot escape the Craziness but we can live at Peace in the midst of the Craziness.

Maybe this Easter you might be thinking all the Crazy thoughts.

In the midst of craziness you might be experiencing the question, “Where is God?”

He is right there! Quit looking into the Empty tomb!

He is not there!

He is alive and His Spirit is waiting for you to receive Him.

In the midst of craziness You might be experiencing a time where you think you are not hearing that voice of God.

He has not stop speaking to you!

You might have stopped listening!

He is still calling out your name! LISTEN!

In the midst of craziness You might be experiencing a time where you’re not seeing the Lord moving.

Let me tell you, He longs to move in your life!

Open your eyes and see the hands and feet of Christ that is amongst you

In the midst of craziness You might be desiring to experience the peace of God!

You cannot experience it until you receive the Holy Spirit!

Let me conclude with these thoughts ....

God has not left us! God has not left you!

God is still speaking to those who are willing to listen!

God is still moving in the life of the church! He longs to move in your life!

God Still speaks PEACE into his people!

What I want to do today is pray this for you today.

In the midst of all the craziness Lord,

.... We know you have not left us nor forsaken us! Your Word tell us that!

.... We know you desire to speak into us So my prayer is for us to hear that still small voice!

.... We know you are still moving even when the enemy tries to tell us differently.

.... We know you are still the God of Peace!

All of these things I pray for your people today!

.... Reveal yourself to us today.

.... Speak over us, through us, and into us today.

.... Move in a mighty way so we might see you today.

.... Bring us peace in the midst of the Craziness as only you can today.

AMEN!

What we would like for you to do know is have the elements ready (Bread and the Juice) and I will bring my family up here with me and we will partake of the elements together.