The Transformative Power of Tears in Faith
Summary
### Summary
Today, we gathered to worship and reflect on the profound significance of tears in our lives. We began by acknowledging our collective brokenness and the need for God's grace, which is freely given and transformative. The service included a heartfelt baptism for Pierce Walter, symbolizing new life and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. We then turned to the Gospel of Luke, where Jesus wept over Jerusalem, illustrating His deep compassion and sorrow for humanity's rejection of peace.
The central theme of the sermon was the role of tears in our spiritual journey. Tears are a natural and God-given way to express our deepest emotions, whether they stem from joy or sorrow. They are not wasted but are seen and valued by God. We explored Psalm 39 and Psalm 126 to understand how God invites us to allow, invest, and pray our tears. Allowing our tears means acknowledging and expressing our emotions rather than suppressing them. Investing our tears involves giving them to God, trusting that He will bring something good out of our pain. Praying our tears is about turning our deepest sorrows and joys into prayers, knowing that God hears and responds.
Jesus Himself experienced and expressed tears, showing us that it is not a sign of weakness but a profound connection to our humanity and to God. Ultimately, we are reminded of the promise in Revelation 21:4, where God will wipe away every tear, and there will be no more death or mourning. Until that day, we are encouraged to live with the hope and assurance that God is with us in every tear we shed.
### Key Takeaways
1. God's Grace and Transformation: God's grace is unearned and transformative. It meets us where we are and takes us to where we need to be if we surrender to Him. This grace surrounds us, especially in times of brokenness and need, reminding us that we are never alone. [08:30]
2. The Significance of Tears: Tears are a natural and essential part of our human experience. They are a way to express deep emotions, whether joy or sorrow. God sees and values every tear, keeping them in His bottle and book, signifying that they are never wasted. [40:01]
3. Allowing and Investing Our Tears: We are encouraged to allow our tears, acknowledging and expressing our emotions rather than suppressing them. By investing our tears, we give them to God, trusting that He will bring something good out of our pain, much like a farmer sows seeds expecting a harvest. [42:28]
4. Praying Our Tears: Turning our tears into prayers is a powerful way to connect with God. It involves bringing our deepest sorrows and joys before Him, knowing that He hears and responds. This practice helps us move from silence and isolation to a place of communion with God. [52:03]
5. Jesus' Compassion and Promise: Jesus wept over Jerusalem, showing His deep compassion and sorrow for humanity. His tears remind us that He understands our pain and is with us in our suffering. The promise of Revelation 21:4 assures us that one day, God will wipe away every tear, and there will be no more death or mourning. [55:10]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[08:30] - Opening Prayer and Song
[12:27] - Confession and Forgiveness
[13:08] - Confession of Sin
[14:15] - Declaration of Forgiveness
[22:30] - Introduction of the Walter Family
[23:03] - Baptism of Pierce Walter
[30:10] - Reading of the Holy Gospel
[31:28] - Acknowledgments and Announcements
[34:31] - Introduction to the Sermon
[42:28] - Allowing Our Tears
[48:19] - Investing Our Tears
[52:03] - Praying Our Tears
[55:10] - Jesus' Compassion and Promise
[57:48] - Closing Prayer
[01:03:45] - Holy Communion
[01:13:03] - Benediction and Dismissal
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Psalm 39:2-4 (ESV)
> "I was mute and silent; I held my peace to no avail, and my distress grew worse. My heart became hot within me. As I mused, the fire burned; then I spoke with my tongue: 'O Lord, make me know my end and what is the measure of my days; let me know how fleeting I am!'"
2. Psalm 126:5-6 (ESV)
> "Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy! He who goes out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, bringing his sheaves with him."
3. Revelation 21:4 (ESV)
> "He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away."
#### Observation Questions
1. In Psalm 39:2-4, what does David describe as the result of holding his peace and remaining silent about his distress?
2. According to Psalm 126:5-6, what is the outcome for those who sow in tears?
3. What promise is given in Revelation 21:4 regarding tears and mourning?
4. In the sermon, what are the three ways we are encouraged to deal with our tears? ([42:28])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does David's experience in Psalm 39:2-4 illustrate the importance of expressing our emotions rather than suppressing them?
2. What does the metaphor of sowing and reaping in Psalm 126:5-6 suggest about the relationship between our tears and future joy?
3. How does the promise in Revelation 21:4 provide hope and assurance for believers in the midst of their suffering?
4. In the sermon, it was mentioned that Jesus wept over Jerusalem. What does this reveal about His compassion and understanding of human sorrow? ([55:10])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflecting on Psalm 39:2-4, have you ever experienced a time when suppressing your emotions led to greater distress? How did you eventually find relief?
2. Psalm 126:5-6 speaks of sowing in tears and reaping in joy. Can you think of a time when a painful experience eventually led to a positive outcome? How did you see God's hand in that process?
3. Revelation 21:4 promises that God will wipe away every tear. How does this promise impact your perspective on current struggles and future hope?
4. The sermon encourages us to allow our tears. Are there emotions or situations you have been suppressing that you need to bring before God? ([42:28])
5. Investing our tears involves trusting God with our pain. What practical steps can you take to "invest" your tears in God, trusting Him to bring good out of your suffering? ([48:19])
6. Praying our tears is a way to connect deeply with God. How can you incorporate this practice into your daily prayer life, especially during times of intense emotion? ([52:03])
7. Jesus' compassion for Jerusalem shows His deep understanding of our pain. How can you draw comfort from knowing that Jesus weeps with you in your suffering? ([55:10])
Devotional
Day 1: Embracing God's Transformative Grace
God's grace is unearned and transformative. It meets us where we are and takes us to where we need to be if we surrender to Him. This grace surrounds us, especially in times of brokenness and need, reminding us that we are never alone. When we acknowledge our brokenness and our need for God's grace, we open ourselves to His transformative power. This grace is not something we can earn; it is a gift freely given by God. It has the power to change our hearts, heal our wounds, and guide us on the path of righteousness.
In moments of despair and brokenness, God's grace is a beacon of hope. It assures us that no matter how far we have strayed or how deep our pain is, God is always ready to welcome us back with open arms. By surrendering to His grace, we allow Him to work in our lives, transforming our weaknesses into strengths and our sorrows into joy. [08:30]
Ephesians 2:8-9 (ESV): "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast."
Reflection: Think of a time when you felt broken or in need. How did you experience God's grace in that moment, and how can you surrender to His transformative power today?
Day 2: The Value of Tears
Tears are a natural and essential part of our human experience. They are a way to express deep emotions, whether joy or sorrow. God sees and values every tear, keeping them in His bottle and book, signifying that they are never wasted. Tears are a profound expression of our humanity, and they connect us to God in a unique way. When we cry, we are not alone; God is with us, understanding our pain and rejoicing in our joy.
The Bible tells us that God collects our tears in a bottle, signifying that He values and remembers each one. This imagery assures us that our tears are not in vain. They are a testament to our experiences and emotions, and God uses them to bring about healing and growth in our lives. [40:01]
Psalm 56:8 (ESV): "You have kept count of my tossings; put my tears in your bottle. Are they not in your book?"
Reflection: Reflect on a recent time when you cried. How did it feel to know that God values and remembers your tears? How can this understanding change the way you view your emotions?
Day 3: Allowing and Investing Our Tears
We are encouraged to allow our tears, acknowledging and expressing our emotions rather than suppressing them. By investing our tears, we give them to God, trusting that He will bring something good out of our pain, much like a farmer sows seeds expecting a harvest. Allowing our tears means being honest with ourselves and with God about our feelings. It means not hiding our pain or joy but bringing it before God in its raw and unfiltered form.
Investing our tears involves trusting that God can use our pain for a greater purpose. Just as a farmer sows seeds with the hope of a future harvest, we can give our tears to God, believing that He will bring something beautiful out of our suffering. This act of faith allows us to find hope and healing even in the midst of our deepest sorrows. [42:28]
Psalm 126:5-6 (ESV): "Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy! He who goes out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, bringing his sheaves with him."
Reflection: Think of a painful experience you have gone through. How can you "invest" your tears by giving them to God and trusting Him to bring something good out of your pain?
Day 4: Praying Our Tears
Turning our tears into prayers is a powerful way to connect with God. It involves bringing our deepest sorrows and joys before Him, knowing that He hears and responds. This practice helps us move from silence and isolation to a place of communion with God. When we pray our tears, we are inviting God into our most vulnerable moments. We are acknowledging that we need His presence and His comfort.
Praying our tears transforms our pain into a dialogue with God. It allows us to express our deepest emotions in a way that brings us closer to Him. This practice can be a source of great comfort and strength, as it reminds us that we are not alone in our suffering. God is with us, listening to our prayers and responding with His love and grace. [52:03]
Psalm 39:12 (ESV): "Hear my prayer, O Lord, and give ear to my cry; hold not your peace at my tears! For I am a sojourner with you, a guest, like all my fathers."
Reflection: Take a moment to pray about a specific sorrow or joy in your life. How does turning your tears into prayers change your perspective on your situation?
Day 5: Jesus' Compassion and Promise
Jesus wept over Jerusalem, showing His deep compassion and sorrow for humanity. His tears remind us that He understands our pain and is with us in our suffering. The promise of Revelation 21:4 assures us that one day, God will wipe away every tear, and there will be no more death or mourning. Jesus' tears are a powerful testament to His empathy and love for us. He understands our struggles and shares in our pain.
The promise of Revelation 21:4 gives us hope for the future. It assures us that our suffering is temporary and that a day is coming when God will wipe away every tear. This promise encourages us to persevere through our trials, knowing that God is with us and that a better future awaits. [55:10]
Revelation 21:4 (ESV): "He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away."
Reflection: Reflect on a time when you felt Jesus' compassion in your life. How does the promise of Revelation 21:4 give you hope and strength to face your current challenges?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "Wherever you may be today in your life in your walk of faith know that you are welcome here and that God does have a word and a promise and a power for your life." [08:30] (9 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "There is nothing in this life, not sin, death, or the power of the devil, that will ever be able to extinguish the light of Jesus inside of you." [26:54] (9 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Tears are God's way of helping us give expression to an inner emotion, an inner power that is, I believe, a part of who we are as created in God's image." [38:05] (13 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Jesus asks us to do that because one day, one great and glorious day, everything is going to be made new again. Revelation 21 4 will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more. Neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away. What an incredible, incredible promise." [57:48] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Until that day when we stand before Jesus, we'll weep. We'll lament. We'll celebrate. We'll laugh. We'll cry. But never forget that you do it, all of it, and experience all of it with Jesus at your side. Who has wept for you and weeps for all of us and with us." [58:22] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "Allowing our tears moves us from silence to prayer. It moves us from silence to then acknowledging that maybe there's something else in addition to what the tears are about that maybe I need to pay attention to or I have the opportunity to pay attention to." [47:48] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Investing our tears again is letting God have them. And how does that happen? Well this is the third point and final point. We invest our tears by praying our tears." [52:03] (12 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "David comes to this point of recognizing I am so flawed and I am so human that I am here just a blip of time, God. I'm powerless. I need you." [47:18] (15 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Friends, that is why we can know that when we allow our tears, we invest our tears, and we pray those tears, they do not fall on deaf ears." [57:15] (12 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "But never forget that you do it, all of it, and experience all of it with Jesus at your side. Who has wept for you and weeps for all of us and with us." [58:22] (15 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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