Finding Hope and Community in Grief with Jesus
Summary
In today's gathering, we explored the profound truth that Jesus is with us in our grief and struggles, offering hope and life even in the darkest times. Reflecting on the story of Lazarus in John 11, we see Jesus deeply moved by the pain of Mary and Martha, demonstrating that He is not a distant God but one who weeps with us. This narrative reminds us that while we have the hope of eternity, Jesus allows us to grieve and feel the weight of our current struggles. He invites us into His suffering, and through this shared experience, we find life in Him.
We also discussed the importance of surrounding ourselves with the right people during times of struggle. Just as Jesus chose to have only His closest disciples with Him when performing miracles, we too must be discerning about who we allow into our lives. It's crucial to have a community that speaks life and truth over us, helping to unwrap the grave clothes of pain and lies that bind us. This community is a reflection of the church, imperfect yet beautiful, where we can find support and encouragement.
Furthermore, we delved into the concept of the "eighth day," symbolizing new creation and renewal. Just as God rested on the seventh day, the eighth day represents the beginning of something new, a time to fight against the forces that oppose resurrection life. We are called to stand firm in our faith, to get angry at the right enemy, and to fight for the life and freedom that Jesus has won for us.
In conclusion, we are reminded that Jesus is with us in every season, offering hope and life. We are encouraged to seek His presence, to fight for our faith, and to surround ourselves with a community that speaks life. As we navigate the challenges of life, may we find strength and hope in the promise of His presence and the reality of His resurrection.
Key Takeaways:
1. Jesus Weeps With Us: In John 11, Jesus weeps with Mary and Martha, showing that He is deeply moved by our pain. He doesn't rush us out of our grief but allows us to feel it, demonstrating that He is a God who is with us in our suffering. This is a profound reminder that we are not alone in our struggles, and that Jesus shares in our pain. [01:08:56]
2. Surround Yourself With the Right People: During times of struggle, it's crucial to be discerning about who we allow into our lives. Just as Jesus chose His closest disciples to witness His miracles, we must surround ourselves with those who speak life and truth over us, helping us to unwrap the grave clothes of pain and lies. [01:11:34]
3. The Eighth Day - A New Beginning: The concept of the "eighth day" symbolizes new creation and renewal. It represents a time to fight against the forces that oppose resurrection life. We are called to stand firm in our faith, to get angry at the right enemy, and to fight for the life and freedom that Jesus has won for us. [01:28:19]
4. Get Angry at the Right Enemy: It's okay to be angry at the enemy's work in our lives. We must direct our anger towards the right enemy, not at God or others, and fight against the lies and destruction that the enemy brings. This righteous anger can fuel our fight for faith and freedom. [01:35:27]
5. Seek God's Presence: In every season, we are encouraged to seek God's presence, to fight for our faith, and to surround ourselves with a community that speaks life. As we navigate the challenges of life, may we find strength and hope in the promise of His presence and the reality of His resurrection. [01:19:36]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:02:30] - Introduction and Prayer
- [00:05:00] - The Story of Lazarus
- [00:10:45] - Jesus Weeps With Us
- [00:15:20] - The Importance of Community
- [00:20:00] - The Eighth Day Concept
- [00:25:30] - Fighting the Right Enemy
- [00:30:00] - Surrounding Yourself With the Right People
- [00:35:00] - The Power of Righteous Anger
- [00:40:00] - Seeking God's Presence
- [00:45:00] - Conclusion and Invitation to Prayer
- [00:50:00] - Final Encouragement and Dismissal
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. John 11:30-44
2. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14
3. Revelation 21:1-7
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Observation Questions:
1. In John 11, how does Jesus respond to the grief of Mary and Martha, and what does this reveal about His character? [01:08:56]
2. What specific actions does Jesus take in John 11 to demonstrate His power over death?
3. According to 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14, how are believers encouraged to view grief and hope?
4. In Revelation 21:1-7, what promises are given about the new heaven and new earth, and how do they relate to the concept of renewal?
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does Jesus' willingness to weep with Mary and Martha in John 11 challenge our understanding of God's presence in our suffering? [01:08:56]
2. What does the concept of the "eighth day" symbolize in the sermon, and how does it relate to the idea of new beginnings and renewal? [01:28:19]
3. How can the story of Lazarus in John 11 serve as a metaphor for the spiritual renewal and transformation mentioned in Revelation 21? [01:21:45]
4. In what ways does the sermon suggest that righteous anger can be a catalyst for fighting against the enemy's work in our lives? [01:35:27]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you experienced grief or struggle. How did you sense Jesus' presence with you during that time, and how can you seek His presence more intentionally now? [01:08:56]
2. Consider the people you surround yourself with during difficult times. Are there individuals who speak life and truth into your situation, and how can you cultivate a supportive community? [01:11:34]
3. The sermon encourages us to get angry at the right enemy. Identify an area in your life where you feel the enemy is at work. How can you channel righteous anger to fight against it? [01:35:27]
4. The concept of the "eighth day" represents new beginnings. What is one area of your life where you feel called to embrace renewal, and what steps can you take to pursue it? [01:28:19]
5. How can you actively participate in unwrapping the "grave clothes" of pain and lies in your life or in the lives of others? What practical steps can you take to offer support and encouragement? [01:17:09]
6. Reflect on the promise of a new heaven and new earth in Revelation 21. How does this vision of renewal and restoration impact your perspective on current struggles and future hope? [01:21:45]
7. In what ways can you seek God's presence more intentionally in your daily life, and how can this pursuit strengthen your faith during challenging seasons? [01:19:36]
Devotional
Day 1: Jesus Shares in Our Suffering
In the story of Lazarus, Jesus demonstrates His deep empathy and compassion by weeping with Mary and Martha. This act shows that He is not a distant deity but one who is intimately involved in our lives, sharing in our pain and grief. Jesus does not rush us through our sorrow but allows us to experience it fully, offering His presence as a source of comfort and hope. This profound truth reminds us that we are never alone in our struggles; Jesus is with us, feeling our pain and offering us life even in the darkest times. [01:08:56]
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God." (2 Corinthians 1:3-4, ESV)
Reflection: Think of a time when you felt alone in your suffering. How can you invite Jesus into that memory and allow His presence to bring you comfort and hope today?
Day 2: The Power of Community
Surrounding ourselves with the right people during times of struggle is crucial for our spiritual and emotional well-being. Just as Jesus chose His closest disciples to witness His miracles, we too must be discerning about who we allow into our lives. A supportive community can help us unwrap the grave clothes of pain and lies that bind us, speaking life and truth over us. This community, though imperfect, reflects the beauty of the church, where we can find encouragement and support in our journey of faith. [01:11:34]
"And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." (Hebrews 10:24-25, ESV)
Reflection: Who are the people in your life that speak life and truth over you? How can you intentionally invest in these relationships to build a stronger community of support?
Day 3: Embracing the Eighth Day
The concept of the "eighth day" symbolizes new creation and renewal, representing a time to fight against the forces that oppose resurrection life. Just as God rested on the seventh day, the eighth day marks the beginning of something new. We are called to stand firm in our faith, to get angry at the right enemy, and to fight for the life and freedom that Jesus has won for us. This call to action encourages us to embrace the new beginnings that God offers and to live in the power of His resurrection. [01:28:19]
"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 new beginning is God inviting you to embrace today? How can you actively fight against the forces that oppose this new life in Christ?
Day 4: Righteous Anger and Spiritual Warfare
It's important to direct our anger towards the right enemy, not at God or others, but at the destructive forces that seek to harm us. This righteous anger can fuel our fight for faith and freedom, empowering us to stand firm against the lies and destruction that the enemy brings. By channeling our anger in a constructive way, we can engage in spiritual warfare with a clear focus, fighting for the life and freedom that Jesus has secured for us. [01:35:27]
"Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil." (Ephesians 4:26-27, ESV)
Reflection: What situations or forces in your life are you currently angry about? How can you redirect this anger towards fighting the true enemy and seeking God's truth and freedom?
Day 5: Seeking God's Presence
In every season of life, we are encouraged to seek God's presence, to fight for our faith, and to surround ourselves with a community that speaks life. As we navigate the challenges of life, we find strength and hope in the promise of His presence and the reality of His resurrection. By intentionally seeking God, we can experience His peace and guidance, allowing His presence to transform our lives and lead us into a deeper relationship with Him. [01:19:36]
"You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart." (Jeremiah 29:13, ESV)
Reflection: How can you intentionally seek God's presence in your daily routine? What specific steps can you take to cultivate a deeper relationship with Him today?
Quotes
"Yeah, Zach and Vanessa asked us to share with everyone, because they actually went through this two years ago already, and so this baby was a promise fulfilled, and so it's been really painful, as you can imagine. But I think one of the hardest things is, I'm sure all of you have experienced in times of loss in your life, one of the hardest things is having to tell over and over again. And so they just asked us to share with everyone. And so we're just asking you to pray for them, for their families, and for just for Jesus to be near." [00:31:03] (34 seconds)
"But as you do that, just especially when you're in conversation with them, something that I've experienced when I lost my mom is the best kind of support is just allowing them to know that you're there for them, and you're praying for them, and whatever they need, you can do. But so often, I think we try to then share advice, or ask questions, and that can be really hard. So I just want to encourage you just to pray for them, and to be there for them, and when you see them next, hug them, love them, but also just allow them time to process themselves. We really appreciate that." [00:31:48] (39 seconds)
"So I was reminded of first Thessalonians 4 that says that we do not grieve like people with no hope and that's the amazing thing about Jesus and his blood is that even when we face the inevitable pains and struggles of life that we actually get to find our life in his life and that we get to actually live within the hope that is Jesus not only not only the hope for eternity and the hope for everything that he's set up for us for all of eternity but also the hope for right now that he walks with us that he's with us and I was led to really spend time in John 11 where one of Jesus close friends passes away and forgive me because I have a new bible and it's not cooperating with staying open for me." [01:00:23] (61 seconds)
"The reality is that when we become troubled greatly troubled by what's going on in the world when we become angered when we see the death in the world or when we face death in our own lives that anger that we feel is actually just a love for life it's actually just a love for what it was supposed to be and for what god is putting together again but i want to just point out a few things from this story and maybe you've heard this before and maybe you haven't but either way i pray that it just reaches you today but when you are going through times of struggle and for you today maybe you are maybe you're not maybe you're in the best time of your life but the reality is jesus says that times of trouble will come, and it's way better that we go in prepared." [01:08:56] (51 seconds)
"One of the most important things we can learn from the story is to keep the wrong people out of your mind and of your life. You know, Jesus is here, and he knows what he's about to do. And it says a second time that he is greatly troubled when the people started to question him, and he knew what they were doing. You know, because some of them were like, wow, look, he weeps, and they see his heart, and they go, wow, he loves them. He loved Lazarus so much. And yet others, instead of looking at his grief and seeing his heart, instead stood in judgment. And they spoke out against him, saying, well, if he could heal the blind man, then why couldn't he keep him alive?" [01:09:00] (47 seconds)
"And so I want to encourage you, especially all the time, but especially if you're in a time where you're trying to make a big decision, or you're going through a hard time, you're struggling, you're facing loss, be really careful who you let into that space. Be really careful who you allow to speak to you. It is so important that we speak life over each other. It is so important. You see, sometimes Jesus, like in this situation, he obviously recognized that this is what they were saying, speaking against him, and he chooses just to ignore it and go and do what he was going to do, right? He just ignores them and he moves on. And sometimes he does that. And sometimes that's what we need to do. We just need to ignore the naysaying voices." [01:10:34] (54 seconds)
"Sometimes you just need to ignore them and block them out. Other times you actually need to remove them. You need to completely remove those voices from your life. There's a story about a father who, he was one of the rulers in the synagogue. His name was Jarius. And he had a daughter. And his daughter was on death's bed. And so he comes to Jesus. And he says, Jesus, please come. Please come and heal my daughter. And so as Jesus is on the way, some other cool miracles happen. And then a servant comes out, one of Jarius' servants, and he says, don't bother the teacher anymore. Your daughter's already passed away. She's already gone. And Jesus overhears them. And he says to them, no, don't listen to that. Your daughter is only asleep." [01:11:34] (56 seconds)
"But because he could tell that there were going to be people who were not going to actually believe, he chose to leave behind everyone who was walking with him, including most of his disciples. And he only took with him the closest ones. If you want to open to Mark 5, verse 36 through 40. But overhearing what they said, Jesus said to the ruler of the synagogue, do not fear, only believe. And he allowed no one to follow him except Peter and James and John, the brother of James. He only allowed his closest friends, maybe because he knew that they had the faith for this. They came to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and Jesus saw a commotion, people weeping and wailing loudly. And when he entered, he said to them, why are you making a commotion and weeping? This is one of the moments that he didn't allow them in their grief for very long. The child is not dead, but sleeping. And they laughed at him. And then the next sentence is profound. Jesus. The son of God, the creator of the world, put them all outside." [01:12:56] (79 seconds)
"And he took the child's father and mother and those who were with him and went in there where the child was. Taking her by the hand, he said to her, Talitha kum, which means, little girl, I say to you, arise. In that moment, Jesus knew that the lack of faith in the room would somehow get in the way, and so he actually removed it. Now, I want to say to you, when you are in a time of struggle, don't isolate. It's okay to take time, and like we said, Zach and Vanessa, we sent them with blessing because sometimes we need to take time and solitude with the Lord to process. And speaking with Vanessa's dad, Tony, today, he said being there in that hospital, the most profound thing was to see Zach and Vanessa's faith. That they know the goodness of God, even when they are not seeing goodness right in front of them." [01:14:45] (64 seconds)
"And so it's okay to take time and to process and to be with the Lord and take time out from all the distractions of the world. But what I want to encourage all of you is that when you're going through a hard time, do not isolate yourself. It's okay to separate yourself from the people who have negative voices, from the people who are not speaking life over you, but then make sure you find the ones who are. Make sure you find the community, like in this community, who are going to speak life over you. There are people in this room who will fight for you. They will fight for you in prayer. They will fight for you. They will sit with you. They will be with you. Find your people. Find your tribe. But make sure that they are speaking the truth of the word and not just the facts of life." [01:15:19] (54 seconds)
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