Seven Spiritual Lessons from a Remarkable Rescue 10/17/10
I. Introduction
I think most of you realize, if you’ve been coming to Cornerstone for any length of time, that I’m not a “front page” preacher. I typically don’t grab the events from this week’s news and then somehow wrestle them and manipulate them into a Sunday morning message.
One: I pray and truly seek God’s direction as to what He would want to speak into my life and what He would desire I share with you so He can speak into your lives as well.
Two: Preaching from “news events” is always a dangerous idea because time has not allowed us gain true perspective.
This week, however, something has happened that I could not ignore…matter of fact it’s a
story that has captured the attention of the entire world.
This past week, 33 miners in Chile, were dramatically rescued after spending 70 days
trapped nearly ½ mile underground in a gold and copper mine. And as I watched this story unfold back on August 5th and finally come to a dramatic end this past week, I was struck by the many spiritual analogies and applications for us in this story.
Here are some of the spiritual truths God pressed upon my heart through the ordeal these
men and their families experienced.
II. Body
1. Sometimes, Through No Fault Of Our Own, Our World Collapses.
A. We’ve kind of touched on this thought through past lessons, but the reality we have to come to accept in this world is that bad things…unplanned things… unpleasant things…happen all the time.
1. Jesus said in Matthew 5:45 that rain falls “on the just and on the unjust.”
2. We should never be so naïve to think that just because we’re a child of God that hard and difficult things won’t touch our lives.
3. I’ve shared with many of you before, my deep love for the Book of James. It’s kind of God’s “No Nonsense Handbook” for the Christian life…and in just the 2nd verse of this letter written to fellow believers, we are met with this healthy dose of reality… “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials…”
a. Recognize what James didn’t say, he didn’t say “if you fall into various trials,” he said when.
• It’s not a matter of “if” the trials will come…it’s a matter of “when.”
4. Remember what Jesus said to His Church, His closest, most dedicated followers, the night He would be betrayed and arrested? John 16:33b “In the world you will have tribulation…”
5. James clarifies what kinds of trials and tribulations we can expect when he uses the word “various.” “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials…”
a. For those of you that were here when I taught through the Book of James…do you remember what this word “various” means? The Greek word is “Poikilos” – it’s the word from which we get our term “polka dot.”
b. So what do you think James was telling us about the kind of trials we can expect, when he said, Count it all joy when you fall into “polka dotted” trials? He was telling us that we can expect our lives to be spattered with trials of all shapes and sizes.
Seven Spiritual Lessons from a Remarkable Rescue – p. 2
B. So, we know that trials will come. They are inevitable. We also know that they’re going to come at us in a variety of shapes and sizes. What else does James tell us about trials? James 1:3-4 …knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience (endurance). But let patience (endurance) have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.
1. What do we learn about trials in these two verses? They have a purpose!
a. But before we can ever grasp what the purpose of the trial that we’re going through is, we have to stop viewing trials as an annoyance and start seeing them as tests – tests specifically designed by God to stretch our faith, not simply our pocketbooks, our friendships, or our health.
1) Rather than viewing our trials as enemies, we should look at these tests as servants that bring about the circumstances that we need in order to help us grow.
b. Let me share a truth with you God wants you to let penetrate your heart and your mind this morning…God is not interested in watching your faith and my faith get torpedoed by trials. What He does desire becomes clear when we understand the meaning of the word testing (v.3).
c. What does the word “testing” mean? This word comes from the Greek term dokimos, which means “approval.”
1) It’s a word found on the undersides of many ancient pieces of pottery unearthed by archeologists in the Near East. This mark meant that the piece had gone through the furnace without cracking; it had been approved.
2) God’s desire is to help His clay vessels (us) mature in the furnace of trials without cracking.
2. What is God’s initial purpose for us in every trial?
a. (v.3) To produce patience…or more appropriately…endurance.
1) This word, hupomone in the Greek, comes from a combination of two words…hupo – meaning “under”…and mone – meaning “to stay.” When we put those two words together we come up with a word that means “to stay under.”
b. God’s seal of approval, His dokimos, is applied to those who persevere, or “stay under”, the tests He sends. (Not trying to squirm and work our way out of them…or avoid them somehow).
• God directs specific tests to stretch us spiritually.
• He arranges particular troubles to challenge us, not hoping that we’ll go under but with the desire that we’ll learn something of value…that we’ll exit the trial and exhibit a great character quality: endurance.
• Enduring these tests is what brings about the growth and maturity that God wants in our lives…which is what verse 4 is all about.
(I found it interesting that one of the miners emerged from the mine with a bag full of gold-ore. It’s a reminder to all of us that we can come out of difficult times with something valuable).
Seven Spiritual Lessons from a Remarkable Rescue – p. 3
Let’s quickly grab 6 more spiritual lessons from this remarkable rescue…
2. No Matter How Far You Fall or How Deep You Sink…God is There.
A. No one probably knows this better than 19 year-old Jimmy Sanchez. Jimmy was one of the 33 miners trapped underground, and in a letter sent up from the mine this past Tuesday he wanted to make one small correction to all of the stories circulating about life in the mine. He wrote, “There are actually 34 of us…because God has never left us down here.”
B. In the 139th Psalm, David writes these words – [Read: Psalm 139:1-10].
C. God echoes these thoughts in Hebrews 13:5 where He says, “I will not in any way fail you nor give you up nor leave you without support. I will not, I will not, I will not in any degree leave you helpless nor forsake nor let [you] down. I will not relax My hold on you! Most assuredly not!”
D. I want you to know this morning…no matter where you’re at…no matter what you’ve gone through…no matter what you are going through…you have a God that is right there beside you. He’s always…and only…a prayer away.
3. It Is Much Better To Face Life’s Challenges With Others Beside You, Than To Try and Face Them On Your Own.
A. I was struck by just how good of spirits these men seemed to be in as they surfaced from spending 70 dark days trapped underground…and the thought hit me…Would they have fared as well if they had been stuck in this place all alone?
B. God made this emphatic and true statement way back in the Garden of Eden, He said, ”It is not good that man should be alone…” - Genesis 2:18
1) God has designed us for relationships. He has wired us for fellowship. We were made in His image…relationships and fellowship are the very things God desires for Himself…and for us.
C. Solomon shared these wise words in Ecclesiastes 4:
9 Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work:
10 If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! 11 Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? 12 Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.
D. Perhaps you find yourself at a place where you need to begin a relationship with the God who loves you and has given everything He could give just to have a chance at a relationship with you.
• Maybe you’re realizing you need to take a step toward stronger relationships and fellowship here at Cornerstone.
• I can tell you from experience, it’s better to face life’s challenges with others beside you than to try and face them on your own.
Speaking of fellowship and relationships… How many of you loved the images from Camp Hope, the makeshift housing erected for the friends and the families of these miners?
4. There is a Love That Sticks Through Thick and Thin.
A. There were friends and family members that stayed right there the entire 70-day
ordeal. They weren’t going anywhere. Their hearts were connected to men in that hole. There was no way that they could or would be separated.
Seven Spiritual Lessons from a Remarkable Rescue – p. 4
B. I want you to listen very closely to these words from the heart of God through the pen of Paul in Romans 8:
35 Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean He no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? 37 No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.
38 And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. 39 No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.
C. God loves you with a love that is unconditional…a love that sticks through thick and thin. If you’re here this morning and you know Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, nothing can separate you from God’s love.
• We are accepted. We are adopted.
• God tells us in Jeremiah 31:3 that He loves us with an EVERLASTING love.
5. Be Sure Your Sin Will Find You Out.
A. One of the unfortunate stories that came out during the miners’ ordeal was the story surrounding Yonni Barrios.
1. It seems that when Yonni went missing on August 5th, there were two very interested parties that showed up at the scene to make sure Yonni was ok…one was his wife…the other was his mistress.
a. While we don’t know all the particulars of this gentleman and these ladies, what we can surmise is that Yonni never intended for this part of his life to be opened to the public.
B. Through this story I’ve been reminded that there is nothing that we do…or say…or think that isn’t “opened” to God.
1. And while I don’t believe God is a cranky old man with a long flowing white beard sitting up in heaven with lightning bolts ready to rain down on us every time we sin or step out of line with His will…I do believe, and have seen in action, the spiritual principle of sowing and reaping.
2. God reveals this very straightforward message through the pen of Paul in Galatians 6:7 “Do not be deceived (deluded, fooled, misled), God is not mocked, (God will not be sneered at because we might think that He is oblivious to what we are doing); for whatever a man sows, that will he also reap.”
a. The mess that Yonni finds himself in…and the messes many of us find ourselves in, are often of our own making.
b. But here’s the wonderful truth about God…as long as we have breath…it’s never too late for us to get things right.
2) That’s another great spiritual truth God would have us grab onto. That’s the message at the heart of the story of “The Prodigal Son.”
a) We may make a mess of things…but we have a Heavenly Father who is full of grace, who leads us to repentance as He brings about restoration.
Seven Spiritual Lessons from a Remarkable Rescue – p. 5
I heard this thought shared on the Christian radio station I was listening to the other day and it really got my attention…and it leads us to our 6th spiritual lesson.
6. The Rescue.
A. During the 70 days while the miners were trapped inside the collapsed mine, I never heard any conversation about the expense of the rescue…no one expressed any concern over the “worthiness” of those that were being rescued.
1. Our Heavenly Father is the same. He didn’t spare any expense to reach us and to rescue us…matter of fact, it cost Him everything.
2. He never hesitated to sacrifice all that He had in order to save you and me, because in His eyes we are all “worth” it.
- John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”
B. For the miners ensnared in a pit ½ mile underground, they had to quickly come to the realization that if they were ever going to be rescued, it was going to have to come from an outside source.
- They were going to have to put their trust in someone else…someone who had the knowledge…strength…and ability to rescue them.
- They could have tried digging out on their own…scratching and clawing through the stone and dirt, but they would have been unsuccessful and frustrated and would have died trying.
1. Let me share with you, if you are ever going to be rescued from the pit of personal sin…if you are ever going to be delivered from death and destruction…if you are ever going to be saved from eternal separation from God, His love and His people, it is going to have to come from Someone that is strong enough and able enough to do it. And there is only One who is able and mighty to save.
a. Listen to David’s words in Psalm 40…
1 I waited patiently for the LORD; and He inclined to me, and heard my cry. 2 He also brought me up out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my steps. 3 He has put a new song in my mouth— Praise to our God; Many will see it and fear, And will trust in the LORD.
4 Blessed is that man who makes the LORD his trust...
b. Have you come to a point in your life where you’ve made the Lord your trust? Have you prayed, turning from your sin and then turning to and trusting in Jesus to rescue you?
7. The Reunion.
A. Some of the most touching images of this rescue were the images of the families and loved ones being reunited. Hugs and tears…shouts and smiles.
B. I want you to know that God promises a reunion for everyone He rescues.
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 (NLT) 13 And now, dear brothers and sisters, we don’t want you to be ignorant, we want you to know what will happen to the believers who have died so you will not grieve like people who have no hope. 14 For since we believe that Jesus died and was raised to life again, we also believe that when Jesus returns, God will bring back with Him the believers who have died.
Seven Spiritual Lessons from a Remarkable Rescue – p. 6
15 We tell you this directly from the Lord: We who are still living when the Lord returns will not meet Him ahead of those who have died. 16 For the Lord Himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. First, the Christians who have died will rise from their graves. 17 Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Then we will be with them and the Lord forever. 18 So comfort and encourage each other with these words.
III. Conclusion
That last line said…”so comfort and encourage each other with these words.” I hope the words of Jesus returning…the thought that one day we will all leave this life…I hope these are words of comfort for you this morning. I hope these are words of encouragement to you.
God promises a great reunion for all those that trust Him to rescue them.
While I hope that these words bring comfort and encouragement, maybe some of the other things we touched on this morning have brought some challenges. I’m not sure of all the things that God has been allowing or appointing for your life lately…but…
• Perhaps God is challenging you to change your perspective on your problems.
• Maybe He wants you to realize, in a whole new way, that He has never and will never leave you.
• Maybe God is calling you to a deeper relationship and stronger fellowship…with Him and with a body of believers.
• Perhaps in the middle of your triumphs God is trying hoist you high…Maybe in the midst of your trials God is trying to hold you close…and remind you, in either and all circumstances, that He loves you with an everlasting love.
• Maybe, this morning, He is wanting you to face your sin, take responsibility for the mistakes you’ve made, repent of them (turn from them), and allow Him to begin the work of restoring you.
• Maybe this morning, more than anything, and above everything, you need to be rescued.
- God makes you this promise in Psalm 81 – He said, “In your distress you will call to Me and I will rescue you.”
