Resurrection, Hope, and Trusting God's Perfect Timing

Summary

In today's gathering, we explored the profound themes of resurrection, hope, and the power of Jesus over death, as illustrated in the story of Lazarus. We began by reflecting on the joy and gratitude of Thanksgiving, transitioning into the anticipation of Christmas, a season of hope and renewal. The narrative of Lazarus, found in John 11, served as a powerful reminder of Jesus' authority over life and death. This story is not just about a miraculous event but a profound illustration of Jesus' promise of eternal life to those who believe in Him.

We delved into the emotional depth of Jesus' response to Lazarus' death, highlighting His empathy and the significance of His tears. Jesus' weeping, despite knowing the outcome, underscores His deep connection with human suffering and His compassion for those in mourning. This emotional engagement is a call for us to be present with others in their grief, offering our presence rather than empty platitudes.

The sermon also touched on the concept of spiritual resurrection in our lives. Just as Jesus called Lazarus from the tomb, He calls us to rise from the dead areas in our lives—be it lost dreams, broken relationships, or spiritual stagnation. We were reminded that delays in our lives might be divine setups for greater displays of God's glory. These waiting periods are opportunities for growth and preparation, not signs of God's absence.

Furthermore, we discussed the importance of partnership with God in realizing His promises. While God is sovereign, He invites us to participate actively in His plans, requiring faith and obedience. This partnership often involves pruning, where God removes elements from our lives that hinder our growth, preparing us for greater fruitfulness.

Finally, we were encouraged to trust in God's perfect timing. Though we may not understand His ways, His plans are always for our good and His glory. As we navigate life's challenges, we are called to hold onto hope, knowing that resurrection and renewal are always possible through Christ.

Key Takeaways:

1. Jesus' Empathy and Presence: Jesus wept at Lazarus' tomb, showing His deep empathy and emotional connection with human suffering. This teaches us the importance of being present with others in their grief, offering our presence rather than trying to fix their pain with words. [47:03]

2. Resurrection of Hope: Just as Jesus resurrected Lazarus, He can resurrect dead areas in our lives. Whether it's lost dreams or broken relationships, Jesus calls us to rise and live anew. This resurrection requires faith and a willingness to let go of the past. [51:02]

3. Divine Delays: Delays in our lives are often divine setups for greater displays of God's glory. These waiting periods are not signs of God's absence but opportunities for growth and preparation. Trusting in God's timing is crucial for experiencing His promises. [01:00:50]

4. Partnership with God: God's promises often require our active participation. While He is sovereign, He invites us to partner with Him through faith and obedience. This partnership involves preparation and readiness to step into His plans. [01:32:41]

5. Trusting God's Timing: God's timing is perfect, even when it seems delayed. His plans are always for our good and His glory. As we navigate life's challenges, we are called to hold onto hope, knowing that resurrection and renewal are always possible through Christ. [01:37:53]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [39:08] - Thanksgiving Reflections
- [40:03] - Themes of the Year
- [41:22] - Honoring Community Members
- [44:12] - Introduction to Lazarus' Story
- [45:59] - Jesus' Journey to Bethany
- [47:03] - Jesus Wept: Understanding His Tears
- [49:36] - Visiting Lazarus' Tomb
- [51:02] - The Reality of Death and Resurrection
- [52:24] - Death as an Enemy
- [54:11] - Misconceptions About Death
- [54:54] - The Promise of Glorified Bodies
- [01:00:50] - Divine Delays and Trust
- [01:05:21] - Jewish Beliefs and Jesus' Timing
- [01:37:53] - Trusting in God's Perfect Timing

Study Guide

Devotional

Day 1: The Compassionate Presence of Jesus
In the story of Lazarus, Jesus' tears at the tomb reveal His profound empathy and connection with human suffering. Despite knowing He would raise Lazarus, Jesus wept, demonstrating His deep compassion for those in mourning. This act of weeping is a powerful reminder that Jesus is not distant from our pain but is present with us in our grief. His tears invite us to be present with others in their suffering, offering our presence and empathy rather than trying to fix their pain with words. This compassionate presence is a call to embody the love of Christ in our interactions with those who are hurting. [47:03]

John 11:33-35 (ESV): "When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in his spirit and greatly troubled. And he said, 'Where have you laid him?' They said to him, 'Lord, come and see.' Jesus wept."

Reflection: Think of someone in your life who is grieving or suffering. How can you offer them your presence and empathy today, without trying to fix their situation with words?


Day 2: The Call to Rise from Dead Areas
The resurrection of Lazarus is not just a miraculous event but a call to rise from the dead areas in our lives. Jesus calls us to let go of past failures, lost dreams, and broken relationships, inviting us to live anew. This resurrection requires faith and a willingness to embrace the new life Jesus offers. It is a reminder that no matter how hopeless a situation may seem, Jesus has the power to bring life and renewal. As we reflect on this, we are encouraged to identify areas in our lives that need resurrection and to trust in Jesus' power to bring about transformation. [51:02]

Ezekiel 37:5-6 (ESV): "Thus says the Lord God to these bones: Behold, I will cause breath to enter you, and you shall live. And I will lay sinews upon you, and will cause flesh to come upon you, and cover you with skin, and put breath in you, and you shall live, and you shall know that I am the Lord."

Reflection: Identify one area in your life that feels dead or stagnant. How can you invite Jesus to bring resurrection and new life to this area today?


Day 3: Embracing Divine Delays
Delays in our lives are often divine setups for greater displays of God's glory. These waiting periods are not signs of God's absence but opportunities for growth and preparation. Trusting in God's timing is crucial for experiencing His promises. As we navigate these delays, we are reminded that God's plans are always for our good and His glory. Embracing these divine delays requires patience and faith, knowing that God is at work even when we cannot see it. This perspective encourages us to view waiting as a time of preparation and growth rather than frustration. [01:00:50]

Habakkuk 2:3 (ESV): "For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay."

Reflection: Think of a situation in your life where you are experiencing a delay. How can you shift your perspective to see this waiting period as an opportunity for growth and preparation?


Day 4: Partnering with God in His Promises
God's promises often require our active participation. While He is sovereign, He invites us to partner with Him through faith and obedience. This partnership involves preparation and readiness to step into His plans. It may also involve pruning, where God removes elements from our lives that hinder our growth, preparing us for greater fruitfulness. As we partner with God, we are called to be attentive to His leading and to respond with faith and obedience. This active participation is a vital aspect of experiencing the fullness of God's promises in our lives. [01:32:41]

John 15:2 (ESV): "Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you sense God is inviting you to partner with Him? How can you actively participate in His plans through faith and obedience today?


Day 5: Trusting in God's Perfect Timing
God's timing is perfect, even when it seems delayed. His plans are always for our good and His glory. As we navigate life's challenges, we are called to hold onto hope, knowing that resurrection and renewal are always possible through Christ. Trusting in God's timing requires faith and patience, as well as a willingness to surrender our own timelines and expectations. This trust is rooted in the assurance that God is faithful and that His plans for us are good. As we trust in His timing, we are encouraged to remain hopeful and expectant, knowing that God is at work in our lives. [01:37:53]

Ecclesiastes 3:11 (ESV): "He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man's heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end."

Reflection: Reflect on a situation where you are struggling to trust God's timing. How can you surrender your own timeline and expectations to God, trusting that His timing is perfect?

Quotes

"Jesus said to her, did I not tell you that if you believe you would see the glory of God? So they took away the stone and Jesus lifted up his eyes and said, father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you, I know that you always hear me, but I said this on account of the people standing around that they may believe that you sent me. When he said these things, he cried out with a loud voice, Lazarus, everybody say it together. Lazarus, come out. The man who had died came out his hands and feet, now with linen strips in his face, wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to him, unbind him and let him go." [00:48:09] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)


"Jesus was deeply moved when he came to the tomb. It was a cave and a stone lay against it. Jesus said, take away the stone. Martha, the sister of the dead man said, Lord, by this time, there will be an odor for he has been dead for days. Now, in the New Living Translation, it actually says Jesus got angry. He got angry. It wasn't just deeply moved. He got angry. Remember, death is an enemy and he is God." [01:16:05] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)


"Jesus isn't saying in some distant future, he's going to rise. No, he is going to rise now. I'm here and I'm changing everything. Anyone who believes in me, though he die physically, yet shall he live spiritually. If you put your trust in Jesus Christ, you may die physically. Well, we're all going to die physically unless he comes back. We may not. I'd be fine with that." [01:10:15] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)


"Jesus shows he has the power over death. Says the man who died came out, his hands bound with linen strips and his face wrapped with cloth. Jesus said, unbind him and let him go. Get those grave clothes off of him. Man, that'll preach right there. Some of you guys have been resurrected and you're still walking around in your grave clothes." [01:20:55] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)


"Jesus had an incredible emotional life. Romans says, rejoice with those who rejoice and weep. With those who weep. Let me just say this. I've met people who haven't cried in 10 years, and you need to dig down and find out why that is. Well, I'm just not a crier. Well, no, and I'm not saying you have to go, but we call it, in our classes, we call it frozen emotions." [01:12:24] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)


"Jesus, I thank you that you do have power over death. You have power over death and the grave. And Lord, we don't have to be fearful. We can stand in the victory that Christ did. You did, Jesus, on the cross." [01:39:29] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)


"Jesus said, our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I go to waken him. And the disciples said, Lord, if he has fallen asleep, he will recover. Now Jesus had spoken of his death, but they thought that he meant taking rest and sleep. And then Jesus told them plainly, Hey guys, Lazarus is dead for your sake. I'm glad I was not there that you may believe, but let's go to him." [01:04:19] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)