A Tearful Encounter With Church Series

Each family here has experienced death and sorrow at sometime in our life. We have found that death claims loved ones of all ages, shapes, and sizes. Each person deals with death differently. One come demoninator in death is the shedding of tears. How can we survive when death takes loved ones?

To answer this questions, we will look at Christ’s encounter with the death of a loved one. Christ was very close friends with Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. One day, His good friend is sick. Mary and Martha send for Christ to come and help; however, Christ takes His time and arrives 3 days after Lazarus’s death. How did Christ react to the death of a loved one?

I. Gried is Normal (vs. 35)

A. The shortest verse in the Bible gives us a great glimpse into the heart of Christ.

B. Some apologize for tears; Christ made no effort to hide his tears.

1. Some see tears as a lack of faith.

2. Wise Solomon wrote of a “time to weep” (Eccl. 3:4)

To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;

Ecclesiastes 3:1-4

C. The strongest man who ever lived wept at a grave.

D. We are not made of wood, or stone, or steel.

E. Christians greive hopefully....but still grieve.

But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.

1 Thessalonians 4:13

II. Life Continues (vs. 37)

A. Life goes on when loved ones die

1. Lazarus in the tomb while friends talk and grieve

2. Those who mourn must go on with life.

3. God inteds it so.

B. There is another aspect to this truth

1. Life continues for the departed:

a. Believers in heaven (2 Cor. 5:8)

b. Unbelievers in hell (Luke 16:22-23)

C. Life here is short at its longest

The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away. Who knoweth the power of thine anger? even according to thy fear, so is thy wrath. So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.

Psalms 90:10-12

1. Jesus gives everlasting life (John 3:!5;5:24; 1 John 5:13)

2. Believers who die are in heaven (John 14:1-3)

D. While we are here, Christ is with us.

E. When we are in heaven, we will be with Christ (Rom. 8:37-39)\

III. Ressurection is Sure (vs. 43)

A. Jesus called Lazarus from the grave

1. he will call us from the grave at His coming

2. His ressurection makes ours sure. (1 Cor. 15:20- 23)

3. Their will be a renion time ahead

B. the individuality of the ressurection

1. “Every man in his order” ( 1 cor. 15:23)

2. We will be like Jesus ( 1 John 3:2)

Conclusion:

God understands the loss of loved ones. After all, he gave His only Son to die for your sins and mine. He has felt the pain of separation from a loved one. Christian, God has promised that His grace is sufficeint even for this. (2 Cor. 12:9)