Purpose Seeking Grieving: Finding God's Glory in Loss

 Introduction:

Today's sermon, delivered by Pastor Matt Tyson, explored the profound story of Lazarus's raising in John 11:1-45, focusing on the theme of "Purpose Seeking Grieving." In times of loss, we often grapple with questions of purpose and struggle through the stages of grief. This sermon reminded us that even in our deepest pain, God's glory is revealed, and Jesus offers the ultimate hope.

Key Points from the Sermon:

• Plan Delayed (John 11:1-16):
• The "plan delayed" was intentional, a deliberate act to reveal God's glory. Jesus's timing is not our timing.
• Mary and Martha, like everyone, had their own ideas of how things should be.
• The disciples' fear of returning to Judea highlights the contrast between human fear and divine purpose. They did not understand that Jesus had a spiritual purpose.
• Thomas said “Let us also go, that we may die with him,” displaying a lack of faith in a positive outcome.
• Gods plan is not always clear to us, and we must seek spiritual understanding over worldly understanding.

• Pain Devastated with Pain and Grief (John 11:17-37):
• Martha's initial encounter with Jesus expressed her deep grief and the "if only" sentiment.
• Her protest at the tomb revealed the struggle between faith and human logic.
• Jesus reply to Martha “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?” (John 11:25-26) is a key point in the text.   

• Mary's weeping and Jesus's emotional response highlighted the raw and visceral nature of grief.
• Jesus was "deeply moved in spirit and troubled" (John 11:33), indicating both sorrow and righteous anger at the power of death.
• Hebrews 4:15 reminds us that Jesus empathizes with our weaknesses.
• Jesus feels pain and grief as well.

• Purpose of Christ: Glory to God (John 11:38-45):
• The raising of Lazarus was a demonstration of God's power and glory.
• Romans 11:36: "For from him and through him and for him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen."
• Jesus declared “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die.” (John 11:25-26)   
• Jesus actions display his authority over death itself.
• Through Jesus we have eternal life.
• God is the master of all things.
  • Psalm 24:1: "The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it."
  • Isaiah 40:28: "Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom."   
  • Colossians 1:16-17: "For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together."  
• We must wait on God’s route, not our own.

• The Choice of Trust:
• John 11:45: "Therefore many of the Jews who had come to visit Mary, and had seen what Jesus did, believed in him."
• Even in the face of miracles, some reject Jesus.
• Grief doesn't have the final word; Jesus does.
• In loss, we must choose to trust in Christ, not in our own understanding.
• Those who reject Jesus show his sadness.
• John 1:11-12: "He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God."  
• Isaiah 53:3: "He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain. Like one from whom people hide their faces he was despised, and we held him in low esteem."   

• Jesus’s victory over death.
• 1 Corinthians 15:54-55: "When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: 'Death has been swallowed up in victory.' 'Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?'"  
• Revelation 21:4: "He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."   

• Trusting God in grief.
• Psalm 34:18: "The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit."
• Psalm 73:26: "My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever."   

• Jesus’s rest and comfort.
• Matthew 11:28-30: "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."   
• John 14:27: "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."

• Jesus as Lord and Savior.
• John 3:16: ""For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life."  
• Acts 4:12: "Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”   

Conclusion:

The story of Lazarus reminds us that even in our deepest grief, God's purpose prevails. We must trust in His timing, seek His glory, and place our faith in Jesus, the resurrection and the life. He is the master of all things, and his is the only road that leads to eternal life.

Call to Action:

• In your times of grief, reflect on how you are placing your trust.
• Seek God’s glory in every situation.
• Remember that Jesus is the only one who can provide true rest and comfort, within your time of need.

May God's Blessings be upon you all!

Yours for now Captain Hedges.