Finding Hope and Joy Through Our Tears

 

Summary

In today's gathering, we explored the profound nature of tears and the role they play in our lives. We began by acknowledging the various prayer needs within our community, emphasizing the importance of lifting each other up in prayer and recognizing that God listens and cares deeply for each of us. We then transitioned into a discussion about the significance of crying, noting that while it is a natural and healthy response to pain and loss, it was not part of God's original design for humanity. In the Garden of Eden, everything was perfect until sin entered the world, bringing with it pain, suffering, and tears.

We examined the temporary nature of our current world, where tears are a part of life, but also looked forward to the promise of a new heaven and new earth where there will be no more tears or sorrow. This hope is what sustains us through our current trials. We delved into biblical examples, such as Nehemiah, who wept for Jerusalem, and Jesus, who wept over the city and at the tomb of Lazarus. These stories illustrate that tears often come from a place of deep empathy and connection with others' suffering.

We also discussed the importance of moving through grief and sadness towards hope and joy. While tears are a natural response to loss, they are meant to be temporary. We are encouraged to process our grief, find a healthy resolution, and embrace the abundant life that Jesus offers. This involves acknowledging our sadness, understanding its source, and actively seeking ways to move forward into a renewed sense of hope and joy.

Ultimately, we are reminded that our memories are a gift from God, allowing us to cherish the past while looking forward to the future with hope. As we navigate the complexities of life, we are called to embrace the joy and hope that only Jesus can provide, knowing that our tears are temporary and that something better is coming.

Key Takeaways:

- The Role of Tears: Tears are a natural and healthy response to pain and loss, but they were not part of God's original design for humanity. In the Garden of Eden, everything was perfect until sin entered the world, bringing with it pain, suffering, and tears. Our tears remind us of the brokenness of the world and the hope we have in Christ for a future without sorrow. [17:54]

- Temporary Nature of Tears: Our current world is temporary, and so are our tears. We look forward to a new heaven and new earth where there will be no more tears or sorrow. This hope sustains us through our current trials and encourages us to live with the assurance that something better is coming. [21:01]

- Biblical Examples of Tears: Nehemiah wept for Jerusalem, and Jesus wept over the city and at the tomb of Lazarus. These stories illustrate that tears often come from a place of deep empathy and connection with others' suffering. They remind us that even in our tears, we are not alone, and God is with us. [43:43]

- Moving Through Grief: While tears are a natural response to loss, they are meant to be temporary. We are encouraged to process our grief, find a healthy resolution, and embrace the abundant life that Jesus offers. This involves acknowledging our sadness, understanding its source, and actively seeking ways to move forward into a renewed sense of hope and joy. [53:26]

- Embracing Hope and Joy: Our memories are a gift from God, allowing us to cherish the past while looking forward to the future with hope. As we navigate the complexities of life, we are called to embrace the joy and hope that only Jesus can provide, knowing that our tears are temporary and that something better is coming. [57:18]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [08:30] - Community Prayer Needs
- [11:53] - The Nature of Tears
- [17:54] - Tears in the Garden of Eden
- [21:01] - Temporary World, Eternal Hope
- [37:15] - Nehemiah's Tears for Jerusalem
- [40:37] - Jesus Weeps Over Jerusalem
- [43:43] - Jesus at Lazarus' Tomb
- [47:39] - Memories and Loss
- [50:37] - Sadness as a Temporary Emotion
- [53:26] - Moving Through Grief
- [57:18] - Embracing Hope and Joy
- [01:02:26] - Taking Action After Tears
- [01:06:52] - Identifying and Moving Through Sadness
- [01:16:04] - Closing Blessing

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Nehemiah 1:3-4
2. Luke 19:41-44
3. John 11:32-35

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Observation Questions:

1. In Nehemiah 1:3-4, what news did Nehemiah receive that caused him to weep, and how did he respond to this news? [37:15]

2. According to Luke 19:41-44, what was Jesus' reaction as He approached Jerusalem, and what did He say about the city's future? [40:37]

3. In John 11:32-35, what prompted Jesus to weep, and how does this passage illustrate His empathy? [43:43]

4. How does the sermon describe the role of tears in our lives, and what biblical examples were given to illustrate this? [17:54]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. What does Nehemiah's reaction to the news about Jerusalem tell us about the importance of empathy and prayer in times of distress? [37:15]

2. How does Jesus' weeping over Jerusalem and at Lazarus' tomb demonstrate His deep connection with human suffering and His divine compassion? [40:37]

3. The sermon mentions that tears are a temporary response to pain and loss. How does this perspective align with the hope of a future without sorrow as described in the Bible? [21:01]

4. How can the biblical examples of Nehemiah and Jesus guide us in processing our own grief and moving towards hope and joy? [53:26]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a recent time when you experienced tears. How did you process that moment, and what steps did you take to move towards hope and joy? [53:26]

2. Nehemiah responded to distress with prayer and fasting. How can you incorporate these practices into your life when faced with difficult news or situations? [37:15]

3. Jesus wept over Jerusalem because of its unrecognized opportunity for peace. Are there areas in your life where you might be missing opportunities for peace and reconciliation? How can you address them? [40:37]

4. The sermon emphasizes that our tears are temporary and that something better is coming. How can this perspective change the way you handle current challenges or losses? [21:01]

5. Think of a time when you comforted someone who was grieving. What did you learn from that experience, and how can you be a source of hope and joy for others in the future? [23:15]

6. The sermon suggests that memories are a gift from God. How can you cherish past memories while still looking forward to the future with hope? [57:18]

7. Identify a specific area in your life where you need to embrace the joy and hope that Jesus offers. What practical steps can you take this week to move towards that renewed sense of hope? [57:18]

Devotional

Day 1: Tears as a Reflection of a Broken World
Tears are a natural and healthy response to pain and loss, but they were not part of God's original design for humanity. In the Garden of Eden, everything was perfect until sin entered the world, bringing with it pain, suffering, and tears. Our tears remind us of the brokenness of the world and the hope we have in Christ for a future without sorrow. [17:54]

"He will swallow up death forever; and the Lord God will wipe away tears from all faces, and the reproach of his people he will take away from all the earth, for the Lord has spoken." (Isaiah 25:8, ESV)

Reflection: Think of a recent moment when you cried. How did that experience remind you of the brokenness of the world, and how can you find hope in Christ amidst that pain?


Day 2: The Temporary Nature of Our Tears
Our current world is temporary, and so are our tears. We look forward to a new heaven and new earth where there will be no more tears or sorrow. This hope sustains us through our current trials and encourages us to live with the assurance that something better is coming. [21:01]

"For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come." (Hebrews 13:14, ESV)

Reflection: What is one trial you are currently facing that feels overwhelming? How can the promise of a future without tears help you endure this season with hope?


Day 3: Empathy Through Biblical Tears
Nehemiah wept for Jerusalem, and Jesus wept over the city and at the tomb of Lazarus. These stories illustrate that tears often come from a place of deep empathy and connection with others' suffering. They remind us that even in our tears, we are not alone, and God is with us. [43:43]

"Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep." (Romans 12:15, ESV)

Reflection: Who in your life is experiencing suffering right now? How can you show empathy and support them in their time of need?


Day 4: Moving Through Grief to Joy
While tears are a natural response to loss, they are meant to be temporary. We are encouraged to process our grief, find a healthy resolution, and embrace the abundant life that Jesus offers. This involves acknowledging our sadness, understanding its source, and actively seeking ways to move forward into a renewed sense of hope and joy. [53:26]

"Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning." (Psalm 30:5b, ESV)

Reflection: What steps can you take today to move through your grief and embrace the joy that Jesus offers?


Day 5: Embracing Hope and Joy in Christ
Our memories are a gift from God, allowing us to cherish the past while looking forward to the future with hope. As we navigate the complexities of life, we are called to embrace the joy and hope that only Jesus can provide, knowing that our tears are temporary and that something better is coming. [57:18]

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope." (Romans 15:13, ESV)

Reflection: How can you actively cultivate a sense of hope and joy in your daily life, even amidst challenges and uncertainties?

Quotes


We have a God who listens, a God who answers, which is all good. That gives us an opportunity to say why our life matters to the God of the universe. So as you pray, pray with that joy in your heart. Pray with that acknowledgement in your heart and pray with that hope in your heart that God's listening to you. [00:09:32]

Crying is a good thing. It may not feel like it at the time because when you're crying, it's usually because something bad has happened. Something happens with our bodies. When we cry, all the junk that's in our body gets taken out. That's how God made us to stay healthy. So crying is a good thing. [00:16:46]

Back in the Garden of Eden, remember, everything was good. Everything was perfect. Until fruit time. And once Adam and Eve ate the fruit, bad things started to happen. And it's only after that that part of the world. It's only then that loss and hurt and pain becomes a part. [00:17:54]

The Bible describes hell as a place where there is constantly pain, suffering, weeping, which is crying, and gnashing of teeth. Gnashing of teeth is grinding your teeth. Not only that you want to cry, that you have to cry, but that you do cry all the time. And the reason is there's no hope in hell. [00:19:52]

There's nothing to change the tears from sadness to joy because you're completely separated from God. But there's also going to be a place where there's never going to be any tears. New earth. That's a place where there's no more sadness, no more sorrow, no more sickness, no more tears, because heaven is a place of constant hope. [00:20:33]

Nehemiah receives word from a messenger that things are not going well at home. And so what we read in Nehemiah one is this. This is verse three. Those who have survived the exile, those that are back in the province are in great trouble. They're in great disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down. The gates have been burned. With fire. [00:36:59]

When I heard these things, I sat down and I wept. And for some days I mourned, fasted, and prayed before the God of heaven. Nehemiah is in a setting where he's well taken care of. He's safe. He's secure. His life is going well. And he gets news of family and friends that are hurting. [00:37:29]

As he approached Jerusalem and he saw the city, he wept over it. And he said, If you, even you, had only known on this day what it is that would bring you peace, but now it's hidden from your eyes. The days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment against you. They'll encircle you and hem you in on every side. [00:40:37]

When Jesus saw her weeping, when he saw the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. He said, where have you laid him? He asked. Come and see, Jesus was fully man. Complete on both sides of that equation. And so Jesus felt every emotion that we feel. [00:43:43]

And so when he encountered a grieving sister, when he encountered grieving friends, when he was brought face to face with the tomb of his friend, Jesus replied like any of us would respond, he cried. Think about the number of times you've received word that somebody died and you cry at the initial news. [00:44:23]

And as long as we're holding on so tightly to the loss, as long as we're holding on so tightly to the sadness, we can never hold on to the joy that's in Christ. And so there has to come a point in time where we're willing, again, most typically a loved one, but the same is true for the loss of job and circumstance and those things. [00:54:18]

Our memories are God's gift to us. I say this at any funeral service that I do. Our memories are God's gift to us. We share all the stories we want to, and we need to, about the congregation that we used to be 10, 20, 30, 50 years ago. Nothing wrong with that, because that shaped us, that formed us, that put us together in such a way that. [00:59:52]

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Transcript
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