From the Tomb to the Zoom

Introduction

Have you ever sat back and examined word by word the songs we sang in Sunday school or Vacation Bible school?

“He’s got the whole word in His Hands”

“I’m all wrapped up, I’m all tied up, I’m all tangled up in Jesus”

“I may never march in the infantry, ride in the calvary, shoot the artillery”

Looking at those songs as adults I imagine they can bring you joy. Just recently Tyler Perry took the internet by storm by starting a “Whole World” challenge in which celebrities and many others sang He’s got the whole word in His hands.

When we really think about those words, it illustrates how great God is! We serve a great God. He did not stop being great because of trials and tribulations. These are the times He showcases his greatness. Some of us are upset and discouraged because we can’t work, but God says you need time with your family. Some of us are having to work from home but right now might be the time and space you need to work on your goals and passions.

In the midst of turmoil God has a way of showing up. Today is celebrated as the resurrection day of Jesus. I can imagine for followers of Jesus this Sunday over 2000 years ago was a dark and dreary day. Their fearless leader was brutally murdered and hung on a cross and wasn’t even given a proper burial. I know this is helping someone right now, because there are people that have lost their lives, had plans to have a wedding, graduate from school and the ceremony they worked so hard for has been altered. I need you to understand that there is a resurrection coming. It may look dark now but that tomb of sorrow is now a mountain of triumph.

Here we are in the book of Jeremiah. God is not pleased with his people, his prophets nonetheless the plan is still imminent. “Jeremiah 23:5 (NKJV) 5 “Behold, the days are coming,” says the Lord, “That I will raise to David a Branch of righteousness; A King shall reign and prosper, And execute judgment and righteousness in the earth.”

We do not have to worry, because BEHOLD, the days are coming!

Transcendent of Time

Despite his disgust with the prophets at the time. He still finds time to transcend time to look forward and see that his creation is in need.

Jeremiah 23:5

The days are coming.

A branch from the tree of David.

Jesus is the ultimate of judgement and righteousness

God through Jeremiah reminds us of his ability to essentially be two places at once.

The idea of God being a far of is our spatial perception, not God’s. I believe there are times that our disposition and devotion changes when we perceive God to be a far off.

Even when we feel like God is close or far away He’s still God. We change he does not.

We believe God to be far away when life seems bleak, or routines are messed up. We have to be careful that our discouragement and discontentment does not turn into disobedience.

God was not out of line: The Prophets were out of line. Often times like us, it’s not God that is far away it’s that we have wondered far away from him.

Consider the prodigal son, God wasn’t far away, he was just far from home. The father is ready to receive us when we make the first step to go back home.

Even when we get away with foolishness, God is still close by. There was a time in history that it feel like God was far away.

Jesus lays dead in the tomb. I imagine someone was looking for God in this moment.

John 11:21 21"LORD," Martha said to Jesus, "if you had been here, my brother would not have died.

These moments, you might have had or are having a moment in which you believe God is not close by. Let me help you understand that there is a blessing in the Resurrection. Sometimes the greater miracle is what God helps you get from rather than what He allows you avoid.

The nature of God is to be transcendent:

Jeremiah 2:12

He transcends time, He transcends space, He transcends through trials. Regardless of the amount of time, the size of the space, the devastation of the trial, God has the power to be imminently present.

Scriptures of God's reach

* Psalm 139

God desires that we know him with our inner most parts.

Sacrifice - Jeremiah 12:2 mind is actually the Hebrew word for kidney. This analogy makes sense considering the kidneys were a part of the animal that they laid upon the altar during sacrifice.

Kidney’s regulate blood pressure, I know a God that said Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 7Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

The kidneys filter toxins out of your body, I know a God that can get rid of all the mess in your life if you just trust him.

The kidneys work as a purifier to clean your blood, I’m reminded of Jesus, But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.

The kidneys help your body balance water, I remember Jesus helped Peter see through faith that Jesus can balance even the winds and waves of your life, and say peace be still.

The kidneys are Vitamin D activators, I know a Jesus that can activate some things in your life right now if you trust and draw near to him.

Titus 1:16

This text is addressing the mental state of the prophet. Regardless of the situation God is concerned with our heart!

24 Can anyone hide himself in secret places,

So I shall not see him?” says the LORD;

“Do I not fill heaven and earth?” says the LORD.

We can’t run from God, we cannot hide from God. He formed us, he knows us!