Embracing Faith Amid Doubt: The Power of Resurrection
Summary
In my sermon today, I reflected on the profound and sometimes challenging aspects of the Easter story, particularly the resurrection of Jesus Christ. I acknowledged that for many, the idea of Jesus rising from the dead can be difficult to accept, likening it to a fairy tale or science fiction. However, I encouraged those who may be skeptical or struggling with belief to recognize that they are not alone in their doubts.
I shared the story of Lazarus from John chapter 11, highlighting how Jesus' response to Lazarus' illness was not what one might expect. Despite the urgency of the situation, Jesus chose to stay where He was for two more days after hearing of Lazarus' sickness. This delay, which seemed strange at the time, was part of a greater plan for God's glory to be revealed.
I spoke about the permanence of certain experiences in life, such as death, and how they can be the most painful. I drew parallels between the permanence of death and the permanence of tattoos, noting that while tattoos are seen as permanent, they are not permanent in the grand scheme of eternity. I emphasized that Jesus is the only true permanent reality, and through Him, even the permanence of death is defeated.
I addressed the pain of disappointment and how it can lead to doubt in our faith. I encouraged the congregation to have authentic faith, which can hold disappointment in one hand and belief in Jesus in the other. I reminded everyone that Jesus is greater than our greatest challenges and that He still performs miracles today.
As I concluded, I invited those who were ready to put their faith in Jesus to pray with me, to receive Him as their Lord and Savior, and to experience the new life He offers. I encouraged them to be bold in their declaration of faith and to reach out for support and prayer from our church community.
Key Takeaways:
- The resurrection of Jesus challenges our understanding of reality, as it confronts the permanence of death with the promise of eternal life. This story invites us to consider the possibility of a reality beyond what we can see and understand, where Jesus holds power over life and death. [01:14:38]
- Authentic faith is not the absence of doubt or disappointment; rather, it is the ability to hold onto belief in Jesus even when faced with life's most difficult and permanent realities. This kind of faith is honest, resilient, and deeply valued by God. [01:08:23]
- Jesus' deliberate delay in responding to Lazarus' illness teaches us that God's timing and perspective are often different from our own. We are reminded that what may seem like inaction or indifference from God could be part of a larger plan for His glory to be revealed. [01:01:40]
- The story of Lazarus serves as a powerful reminder that Jesus is the resurrection and the life. His claim to be greater than death is not just a teaching but a reality demonstrated through His own resurrection, offering us hope in the face of our mortality. [01:10:21]
- The decision to follow Jesus is a transformative moment that marks the beginning of a new journey of faith. It is not the end but the start of a lifelong process of growing closer to God, and our church community is here to support those who take this step. [01:24:46]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- John 11:1-44
#### Observation Questions
1. What was Jesus' initial response when He heard about Lazarus' illness, and how did it differ from what might be expected? ([55:01])
2. How did Martha and Mary react differently to Jesus' arrival after Lazarus' death? ([01:04:08])
3. What did Jesus declare about Himself in John 11:25-26, and how did Martha respond to this declaration? ([01:09:01])
4. What was the significance of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead in the context of the sermon? ([01:12:12])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think Jesus delayed His visit to Lazarus despite knowing the urgency of the situation? ([57:00])
2. How does the story of Lazarus challenge our understanding of God's timing and perspective? ([01:01:40])
3. What does it mean to have authentic faith that holds both disappointment and belief in Jesus? ([01:08:23])
4. How does Jesus' statement "I am the resurrection and the life" redefine the concept of permanence, especially in relation to death? ([01:10:21])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt disappointed by God's timing. How can the story of Lazarus help you see that situation differently? ([01:01:40])
2. In what ways can you cultivate an authentic faith that acknowledges both your doubts and your belief in Jesus? ([01:08:23])
3. How can you support someone in your life who is struggling with the permanence of a painful experience, such as loss or disappointment? ([01:04:08])
4. Jesus' resurrection challenges the permanence of death. How does this truth impact your view of mortality and eternal life? ([01:10:21])
5. Think of a situation where you felt God's inaction or delay. How can you trust that it might be part of a larger plan for His glory? ([57:00])
6. How can you be bold in declaring your faith in Jesus, especially in moments of doubt or skepticism? ([01:14:38])
7. Identify one area in your life where you need a miracle. How can you invite Jesus into that situation and trust in His power to transform it? ([01:16:03])
Devotional
Day 1: Resurrection: Beyond Death's Boundary
The resurrection of Jesus Christ presents a profound challenge to our understanding of reality. It confronts the finality of death with the promise of eternal life, inviting us to consider a reality that transcends our visible world. This event is not just a historical claim but a cornerstone of Christian faith, suggesting that there is more to life than what meets the eye. The resurrection signifies that Jesus holds power over life and death, offering a hope that death is not the end but a transition to a new beginning. This hope is not just for the afterlife but also infuses our present existence with meaning and purpose, as it points to a future where all things are made new.
"For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive." - 1 Corinthians 15:22 ESV
Reflection: How does the promise of resurrection influence your perspective on current struggles or the fear of death? [07:40]
Day 2: Embracing Doubt Within Faith
Authentic faith is not characterized by the absence of doubt or disappointment. Instead, it is the ability to maintain belief in Jesus amidst life's most challenging and seemingly permanent realities. This kind of faith is honest, resilient, and deeply valued by God. It acknowledges the pain and confusion that can come with disappointment but does not let go of the hope found in Christ. Holding onto faith in the face of doubt is not a sign of weakness but a testament to the strength and depth of one's trust in God's promises and character.
"But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.'" - 2 Corinthians 12:9 ESV
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you experience doubt, and how can you invite God into those spaces to strengthen your faith? [08:23]
Day 3: Trusting God's Timing and Perspective
The story of Jesus' deliberate delay in responding to Lazarus' illness teaches us that God's timing and perspective often differ from our own. What may appear as inaction or indifference is, in fact, part of a larger plan for His glory to be revealed. This lesson encourages us to trust in God's sovereignty and wisdom, even when His ways are not immediately clear to us. It challenges us to wait patiently for God's timing, knowing that He is working all things together for good, even when we cannot see the full picture.
"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord." - Isaiah 55:8 ESV
Reflection: Can you recall a time when God's timing seemed off, but later you saw the wisdom in His plan? How can this memory help you trust in His timing now? [01:01:40]
Day 4: Jesus, Our Resurrection and Life
The story of Lazarus serves as a powerful reminder that Jesus is the resurrection and the life. His claim to be greater than death is not just a teaching but a reality demonstrated through His own resurrection. This truth offers us hope in the face of our mortality, assuring us that in Jesus, death is not the final word. By believing in Him, we are promised a life that transcends the grave, a life that is eternal and rooted in the unshakable love and power of God.
"I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end." - Revelation 22:13 ESV
Reflection: How does the reality of Jesus as the resurrection and the life change the way you approach your own mortality and the death of loved ones? [01:10:21]
Day 5: Beginning a Transformative Journey
Deciding to follow Jesus is a transformative moment that marks the beginning of a new journey of faith. This decision is not the end but the start of a lifelong process of growing closer to God. The church community is here to support those who take this step, offering guidance, prayer, and fellowship. This journey involves daily decisions to trust, obey, and seek God, allowing Him to shape and mold us into the image of Christ.
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come." - 2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV
Reflection: What is one step you can take today to deepen your relationship with Jesus and live out the new life He offers? [01:24:46]
Quotes
"It's so final That it's so painful It's like your dream relationship Just died... But I also think That maybe that's why the story of Jesus' resurrection Is also so powerful Because I feel like it disrupts Everything we know about reality It really does It just messes with you It just disrupts everything we know to be true." [54:07]
"And we know that if we believe in you, if we live in you, that there is always hope for every situation... God, I know you do miracles. I know you still do miracles today... I believe that God wants to break. He wants to bring a miracle of faith into your life today." [01:19:45]
"It's been a long time since you've been willing to even come... It's okay to be in a place, be real. But I also wanna encourage you with this thought that it is possible to have faith in the middle of your disappointment... That's what authentic faith looks like. It's being able to hold disappointment in one hand and a belief in him in the other." [01:07:54]
"You know what fake faith is? It's the kind of faith where I say, I believe in God as long as everything goes well in my life... The real kind of faith is the kind of faith that faces the permanent things that are permanent. Painful in your life... But still to hold in that tension and say, but I know you are real, God." [01:08:23]
"And here was Jesus. He was giving us a preview of what he was gonna do on the third day... He doesn't just do resurrection. He is resurrection. He is life... the thing we fear the most, death, he said, is not permanent... Death is not permanent because I have defeated death." [01:12:35]
"And I understand. I think this might disrupt what you believe to be true... But what I came to tell you is that in this universe, there is only one permanent reality, and his name is Jesus... He is the beginning. He is the end... And death is not the final word." [01:14:38]
"If you need a miracle, you came to the right place... I don't know how you showed up today... But I'm here to tell you That what we are here for today What today represents Should bring hope into your life No matter what you're walking through No matter what you're facing in your life." [39:18]
"If only you had showed up God if only you had Stepped into this situation You could have saved This person From dying... But I also think that We have a tendency To blame God For every awful thing That happens That he didn't cause... And I think about Easter Sometimes I'm reminded That maybe God sees something That I can't see." [01:05:21]
"And I thought to myself, why in the world Would they struggle to believe And then I thought, I'll tell you why Because people that die Don't usually come back from the dead... Like, there's something about death That is so painful... But what I've seen in my life The reality that I've experienced Is that everybody that dies Stays dead." [45:50]
"Now, I want to just say, this is a crazy statement that Jesus just made here... Jesus is saying, no, no, no. I'm not just some other religious teacher, but I am the son of God who has power over death... what if somebody makes a statement like that and then backs it up? This will screw with your reality." [01:10:53]
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