John 11:35
Everyone here today will suffer some form of loss.
A job...a relationship...and even a loved one through death.
Along with every loss comes PAIN
This pain must never be denied or suppressed
In the midsts of pain, we must remember the many advantages of being a Christian.
But having no pain is not one of them.
We have to learn how to deal with pain, and if we do, it will lead to joy.
Loss brings us face to face with ourselves, our enemy, and our Lord.
OURSELVES...
Loss exposes our vulnerability
To loss, to death.
We realise we are not in control
It reminds us of our focus
That the world should never be our focus
It reminds us of the brevity of life
The uncertainty of life
The vulnerability of our life
ENEMY....
Death
Separates us from loved ones
It is inevitable
LORD...
He is a reliable guide
See John 14:6
A loss can make us bitter or better
Learn how to let pain work for you
There is a safe haven of rest in the midst of a painful world
Jesus said: I will never leave you...
David said: The Lord is my helper...
Not only will we survive our loss, but we will prosper because of it
Death will knock and come as your greatest friend or your greatest enemy.
We have to ask God to help us accept the reality of our loss and rejoice in what cannot be lost:
WE never lose HIS UNDERSTANDING
of our pain
He faced the pain of losing Adam through sin…and His Son on the cross
Mankind’s rejection of Him
See Isa 53:3
Luke 22
Matt 23
We never lose HIS LOVE
Rom 5:8
Rom 8:35
We never lose HIS PRESENCE
- Read Psalm 23
