Don't Suffer Alone

Opening prayer, dedication

Symbol of Lent - Crown of Thorns [Liturgist]

Music ministry

498 Peace Like A River

295 Revive Us Again (1,2,4)

Lord, I Need You

In the Hands of Christ My King (Chorus only)

Word of God - Hebrews 5:7-10

Message: “Don’t Suffer Alone”

On this fifth Sunday of Lent

We continue our preparation for the empty tomb and all the empty tomb represents

Specifically, we think of the “Crown of Thorns” and the suffering Jesus endured for us

There is so much for us to learn

We continue to study and learn how to apply God’s Word

So that we face each challenge of life in a manner that is pleasing to God

Most pointedly, this entire season of resurrection is focusing on how God calls us to be TOGETHER in all things

Thus, the title of the message today is “Don’t Suffer Alone”

The shortest verse in the bible is John 11:35 “Jesus wept”

That’s what Jesus did when his friend Lazarus died

Jesus wept, not because Lazarus died

Not even because Jesus was not with Lazarus when he died

No, Jesus wept because of the pain that Martha and Mary experienced at the death of Lazarus

They believed that Jesus could have saved Lazarus if Jesus got there sooner

They felt like Jesus had left Lazarus alone, abandoned

In truth, Jesus had not abandoned Lazarus

Jesus knew that he had “fallen asleep”

Jesus had told his disciples of Lazarus’ death before they went to see Lazarus

And Jesus told them that they must go so Jesus could “Awaken him”

Jesus told them why in John 11:14-15

John 11:14–15 ESV

14 Then Jesus told them plainly, “Lazarus has died, 15 and for your sake I am glad that I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.”

In this short story, which comes from John 1, we see the truth that we will suffer and have pain

and whether we see Jesus there with us at that moment or not

Jesus knows our pain

Jesus feels our pain

and Jesus want to lift that pain

Praise God for His grace and mercy

This story is just one example Jesus taught us that could only be demonstrated by Jesus coming to walk alongside us

This is the time in history being described in Hebrews 5:7

Hebrews 5:7 ESV

7 In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence.

“the days of His flesh” are the days that Jesus walked the earth in human form

What did Jesus do more than anything else while walking with us?

Jesus prayed

Jesus prayed to the point of pleading-which is supplication

When you see me get tearful and cry, all I’m doing is what Jesus did

Jesus wept - He wept LOUDLY

Talk about counter-cultural

The King of Kings cried loudly

Since Jesus came to save us and set an example for us, it tells us a couple of things

First, Jesus let His emotions show

Jesus’ Example

Jesus Showed Emotion

Jesus was not afraid to let people know how He felt

Yet, Jesus didn’t fake it or put on a show for others

Jesus was and it authentic and real

Second, Jesus knew to take His prayers to God the Father

Jesus’ Example

Jesus showed emotion

Jesus Prayed to God

Psalm 22:1–2 ESV

1 My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, from the words of my groaning? 2 O my God, I cry by day, but you do not answer, and by night, but I find no rest.

I’d bet most of us have been there, for some it has been recently

We may feel like God has forsaken us or forgotten us or not listened

In truth, by knowing to go to God in prayer, we are not alone

We talk to God because we know He is with us

We go to God in prayer because we know that God is capable of saving us

Third point, Especially in times of trial, we need supporters near us

Jesus’ Example

Jesus showed Emotion

Jesus Prayed to God

Jesus Was Not Alone

As His crucifixion drew near, Jesus gave us this example in Matthew 26:36-39

Matthew 26:36–39 ESV

36 Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, “Sit here, while I go over there and pray.” 37 And taking with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to be sorrowful and troubled. 38 Then he said to them, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and watch with me.” 39 And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.”

Jesus demonstrated several things in this

Even though Jesus needed to go talk with God in prayer

Jesus did NOT send his friends “away”

No, Jesus told them to stay nearby

Jesus took the few He was closest to, Peter and the sons of Zebedee away from the others and confided in them

Jesus told them why He was so burdened

Then Jesus asked them to “watch” - some versions say “stay awake” while Jesus talked with God

Notice that these three in whom Jesus confided did NOT tell Jesus what to do

They did nothing but be present, so Jesus could be alone with God

Of course, if we continue to read the passage, those three didn’t manage to stay awake, but that’s another sermon

The point is that Jesus asked some people to stay with Him as He suffered

Even knowing that God could remove the impending suffering

Jesus did not need the physical strength of those friends

Jesus wanted them there for support AND to show them how WE should relate to God in the midst of trial

Then, Jesus taught us that God hears us even if God doesn’t do what WE want

How many times have you heard someone say, “THEY never listen”

When what they should say is “They didn’t do what I wanted”?

I heard that all the time when I was in politics

I heard it in business

and I have heard it as a pastor

The truth is, that sometimes we just disagree wit each other

And sometimes there is more at work than someone realizes

When a child plead their case to stay up past bedtime, don’t parents sometimes have to say ‘no’ for reasons the child does not understand?

Of course, and the same thing happens to adults

I have prayed that God remove a medical problem or illness

Yet the illness did not go away

I know God heard me, and I know that the answer was either ‘no’ or ‘not yet’

So, my job is to be obedient to what God says to do NOW

Even Jesus had to demonstrate that He learned obedience by going to the cross for our sins

That’s what Hebrews 5:8 tells us

Hebrews 5:8 ESV

8 Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered.

Can you imagine knowing that your entire life purpose is to suffer so others can see obedience in suffering?

That was only part of the purpose of Jesus’ life

But it is a part of OUR lives too

Hebrews 5:9 goes on

Hebrews 5:9 ESV

9 And being made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him,

We sometimes don’t give enough thought to the “process” of Jesus becoming perfect

That is part of the story we tell on Maundy Thursday Service

What Jesus went through

Which sets us up to more fully appreciate the Salvation we have because we are Believers

Just don’t forget the second part of verse 9,

Eternal salvation for “all who obey him”

My prayer is that each of us are both believers and OBEDIENT

So how can we live in a way that is obedient to this lesson of Jesus is teaching us in Hebrews 5:7-10?

Don’t suffer alone!

Acknowledge

Trouble is Real

Everything from

Bad medical news

Financial heartache

Loss of loved ones

We will have troubles

Acknowledge that God will hear our prayer

Acknowledge

Trouble is Real

God Will Hear Your Prayer

Go to God knowing He is all powerful

Let God see your pain and suffering

Let others see you are hurting

Also let others see that you trust God to be with you in the darkest valley as well as on the highest mountain

Don’t Suffer Alone-Acknowledge

Trouble is Real

God Will Hear Your Prayer

Value of Connection

Don’t face alone what God has designed for you to face with the support of others

If entrusted to be with someone suffering

Be present and awake

Pray for them

Let them lean on you, but only as you work as the hands and feet of Jesus

Don’t direct them, be present and let them lead

Jesus is being described as a high priest in the order of Melchizedek

You may recall from the recent message, “At the Throne of Grace Together”

One of the most spectacular things Jesus did was to choose to leave the highest heaven to come to walk with us

By coming alongside us and becoming human for a time

Jesus was fulfilling a requirement for high priesthood

I had us look at Hebrews 2:17-18

Jesus came alongside us and became “LIKE” us

That we may know that Jesus understands our struggles

That we may know we are not alone

Because, we have a great example to

Believe in Jesus as the all capable Son of God

Be Faithful and pray fervently

And do all this surrounded by fellow Believers

We are called to live life TOGETHER

Together in good times and bad

And by all means, Don’t suffer alone

Amen

Closing Hymn/Invitation: How Marvelous (start verse 2)

“The Lord’s Prayer”

Apostles’ Creed

Communion

Pastoral prayer/Benediction