INTRODUCTION: Lazarus had become terminally ill. Upon being informed of his condition by Christ’s disciples, Jesus delayed going to the home of Lazarus until he had been dead for four days. Upon His arrival Christ is met by Martha who cries out to Christ, "Lord, if you would have been here, my brother would not have died." Mary, hearing that Christ had arrived, runs to Him and echoes Martha’s words, "Lord, if you would have been here, my brother would not have died." Christ going to the gravesite sees the mourners and Martha weeping. With a heart full of compassion, Jesus weeps. The Jewish mourners seeing His tears, said "See how much He loved Lazarus. Could not this man, which opened the eyes of the blind, have caused that even this man should not have died?" Mary, Martha, and the mourners all in the face of this tragedy, the sudden death of a good man all were in essence asking the same question. Where were you when we needed you? In the aftermath of the events of September 11, many are asking that same question of God. God where were you? I believe that the truths presented the account of John 11 answer the question.
I. TRAGEDIES HAPPEN
A. Hebrews 9:27 "And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:"
B. Job 14:1 "Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble."
C. Ecclesiastes 2:22-23 "For what hath man of all his labor, and of the vexation of his heart, wherein he hath labored under the sun? For all his days are sorrows, and his travail grief; yea, his heart takes not rest in the night. This is also vanity."
D. Tragedies are all part of the result of man’s fall and his sin nature.
E. ALEXANDER SOLZHENITSYN, "IF ONLY THERE WERE EVIL PEOPLE SOMEWHERE INSIDIOUSLY COMMITTING EVIL DEEDS, AND IT WERE NECESSARY ONLY TO SEPARATE THEM FROM THE REST OF US AND DESTROY THEM. BUT THE LINE DIVIDING GOOD AND EVIL CUTS THROUGH THE HEART OF EVERY HUMAN BEING." (LEADERSHIP, VOL. 4, NO. 1)
F. Romans 3:23 "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;"
II. TRAGEDIES HAPPEN TO ALL MEN
A. I Corinthians 15:22 "For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive."
B. HENRY WADSWORTH LONGFELLOW "INTO EACH LIFE SOME RAIN MUST FALL."
C. Matthew 5:45 "... He makes his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust."
D. Ecclesiastes 9:2-3 "All things come alike to all. There is one event to the righteous, and to the wicked; to the good and to the clean, and to the unclean; to him that sacrifices, and to him that sacrifices not. As is the good, so is the sinner; and he that swears, as he that fears an oath. [3] This is an evil among all things that are done under the sun. That there is one event unto all: yea, also the heart of the sons of men is full of evil, and madness is in their heart while they live, and after that they go to the dead."
III. TRAGEDIES DO NOT HAPPEN OUTSIDE OF THE SCOPE OF GOD’S SOVEREIGNTY
A. John 11:4 "When Jesus heard that, he said, This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby."
B. Matthew 10:29 "Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? And one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father."
C. CORRIE TEN BOOM (1892-1983) - THERE ARE TWO GREAT FORCES AT WORK IN THE WORLD TODAY: THE UNLIMITED POWER OF GOD AND THE LIMITED POWER OF SATAN.
D. God overrules and overrides in the affairs of men to effect His perfect will There is no situation so chaotic that God cannot from that situation create something that is surpassingly good. He did it at the creation. He did it at the cross. He will do it even in our present situation.
E. HELMUT THIELICKE (1908-1986) IN SPITE OF ALL APPEARANCES TO THE CONTRARY, GOD HAS A PLAN FOR THIS BANKRUPT WORLD. HE STILL HAS SOMETHING IN STORE FOR IT. THIS DARK, SATANIC EARTH, DROWNED IN BLOOD AND TEARS, THIS EARTH OF OURS, HE STILL WANTS AS A THEATRE FOR HIS GRACE AND GLORIOUS DIRECTION. {EDYTHE DRAPER, DRAPER’S BOOK OF QUOTATIONS FOR THE CHRISTIAN WORLD, WHEATON: TYNDALE HOUSE PUBLISHERS, INC., 1992)
F. SITUATIONS MAY NOT ALWAYS SEEM PLEASANT WHILE WE ARE IN THEM, BUT THE PROMISE OF GOD IS CLEAR. IF WE LOVE HIM AND LIVE OUR LIVES ACCORDING TO HIS PRECEPTS, EVEN THAT WHICH SEEMS TO BE BLEAK AND HOPELESS WILL BE TURNED BY GOD FOR HIS GLORY AND OUR BENEFIT. HOLD ON...GOD IS FAITHFUL!
G. Romans 8:28 "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose."
TRANSITION: God often uses tragedy for our benefit. Note the words of Christ in John 11:15, "And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, to the intent ye may believe; nevertheless let us go unto him."
IV. TRAGEDIES GET OUR ATTENTION
A. GOD WHISPERS TO US IN OUR PLEASURES, SPEAKS IN OUR CONSCIENCE, BUT SHOUTS IN OUR PAINS: IT IS HIS MEGAPHONE TO ROUSE A DEAF WORLD. C. S. LEWIS (1898-1963)
B. Proverbs 8:34 "Blessed is the man that hears me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors."
C. IN DIRECTIONS, JAMES HAMILTON WRITES, "BEFORE REFRIGERATORS, PEOPLE USED ICEHOUSES TO PRESERVE THEIR FOOD. ICEHOUSES HAD THICK WALLS, NO WINDOWS, AND A TIGHTLY FITTED DOOR. IN WINTER, WHEN STREAMS AND LAKES WERE FROZEN, LARGE BLOCKS OF ICE WERE CUT, HAULED TO THE ICEHOUSES, AND COVERED WITH SAWDUST. OFTEN THE ICE WOULD LAST WELL INTO THE SUMMER. ONE MAN LOST A VALUABLE WATCH WHILE WORKING IN AN ICEHOUSE. HE SEARCHED DILIGENTLY FOR IT, CAREFULLY RAKING THROUGH THE SAWDUST, BUT DIDN’T FIND IT. HIS FELLOW WORKERS ALSO LOOKED, BUT THEIR EFFORTS, TOO, PROVED FUTILE. A SMALL BOY WHO HEARD ABOUT THE FRUITLESS SEARCH SLIPPED INTO THE ICEHOUSE DURING THE NOON HOUR AND SOON EMERGED WITH THE WATCH. AMAZED, THE MEN ASKED HIM HOW HE FOUND IT. "I CLOSED THE DOOR," THE BOY REPLIED, "LAY DOWN IN THE SAWDUST, AND KEPT VERY STILL. SOON I HEARD THE WATCH TICKING." OFTEN THE QUESTION IS NOT WHETHER GOD IS SPEAKING, BUT WHETHER WE ARE BEING STILL ENOUGH, AND QUIET ENOUGH, TO HEAR."
D. At times, God has to stop us in our tracks in order that we hear Him.
E. Psalms 46:10 "Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth."
V. TRAGEDIES REVEAL OUR IMPERFECTIONS
A. Proverbs 1:20-32 "Wisdom cries without; she utters her voice in the streets: [21] She cries in the chief place of concourse, in the openings of the gates: in the city she utters her words, saying, [22] How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity? And the scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge? [23] Turn you at my reproof: behold, I will pour out my spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you. [24] Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded; [25] But ye have set at naught all my counsel, and would none of my reproof: [26] I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh; [27] When your fear cometh as desolation, and your destruction cometh as a whirlwind; when distress and anguish cometh upon you. [28] Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me: [29] For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the Lord. [30] They would none of my counsel: they despised all my reproof. [31] Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices. [32] For the turning away of the simple shall slay them, and the prosperity of fools shall destroy them."
B. SIR WILLIAM DAVENANT (1606-1668) - CALAMITY IS THE PERFECT GLASS WHEREIN WE TRULY SEE AND KNOW OURSELVES.
C. We wonder why God would permit the tragedy of September 11 to happen; but is it any wonder in light of the millions of innocent unborn infants slaughtered in the abortion mills throughout our country?
D. We wonder why God would permit the tragedy of September 11 to happen; but is it any wonder in light of our casting God out of our schools?
E. We wonder why God would permit the tragedy of September 11 to happen; but is it any wonder in light of the movement in America for the removal of any vestige of the Judeo-Christian heritage of our government?
F. We wonder why God would let the tragedy of September 11 to happen; but is it any wonder in light of the continued breakdown of family values and the condoning of that which is unnatural and perverted?
G. We wonder why God would let the tragedy of September 11 to happen; but is it any wonder in light of humanistic overwhelming self-confidence and arrogance?
H. The right of public and collective prayer has been attacked in our schools and institutions? In the aftermath of September 11, all across America, prayers collectively, publicly are being lifted up by Americans in all walks of life asking God’s comfort, blessing and protection for our Land. But as America prays, are we confessing our national sins asking God’s forgiveness and acknowledging our dependency upon him?
I. 2 Chronicles 7:14 "If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land."
VI. TRAGEDIES REVEAL OUR DEPENDENCY
A. I Corinthians 10:12 "Wherefore let him that thinks he stands take heed lest he fall."
B. GEORGE MACDONALD (1824-1905) - HOW OFTEN WE LOOK UPON GOD AS OUR LAST AND FEEBLEST RESOURCE! WE GO TO HIM BECAUSE WE HAVE NOWHERE ELSE TO GO. AND THEN WE LEARN THAT THE STORMS OF LIFE HAVE DRIVEN US, NOT UPON THE ROCKS, BUT INTO THE DESIRED HAVEN.
C. Psalms 118:8 "It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man."
D. GEORGE MUELLER - FAITH DOES NOT OPERATE IN THE REALM OF THE POSSIBLE. FAITH BEGINS WHERE MAN’S POWER ENDS.
E. GOD IS WITH US IN THE NIGHT JUST AS SURELY AS HE IS WITH US IN THE LIGHT.
F. BILLY GRAHAM - WE CAME OUT OF NOTHING, AND IF WE ARE ANYTHING, IT IS BECAUSE GOD IS EVERYTHING. IF HE WERE TO WITHHOLD HIS POWER FOR ONE BRIEF INSTANT FROM US, IF HE WERE TO HOLD IN CHECK THE BREATH OF LIFE FOR ONE MOMENT, OUR PHYSICAL EXISTENCE WOULD SHRIVEL INTO NOTHINGNESS AND OUR SOULS WOULD BE WHISKED AWAY INTO AN ENDLESS ETERNITY. (TSOH_, P. 28.)
VII. TRAGEDIES TEMPER (MATURE) CHRISTIANS
A. C. EVERETT KOOP FORMER U.S. SURGEON GENERAL. "WE GROW AND MATURE SPIRITUALLY THROUGH ADVERSITY--NOT WHEN EVERYTHING IS GOING SMOOTHLY. IN A TIME OF ADVERSITY OR TROUBLE, THE CHRISTIAN HAS THE OPPORTUNITY TO KNOW GOD IN A SPECIAL AND PERSONAL WAY." (LEADERSHIP, VOL. 15, NO. 4.)
B. II Corinthians 4:17 "For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, works for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;"
C. MANY YEARS AGO, THERE WAS FOUND IN AN AFRICAN MINE THE MOST MAGNIFICENT DIAMOND IN THE WORLD’S HISTORY. IT WAS PRESENTED TO THE KING OF ENGLAND TO BLAZE IN HIS CROWN OR STATE. THE KING SENT IT TO AMSTERDAM TO BE CUT. IT WAS PUT INTO THE HANDS OF AN EXPERT LAPIDARY. AND WHAT DO YOU SUPPOSE HE DID WITH IT? HE TOOK THE GEM OF PRICELESS VALUE, AND CUT A NOTCH IN IT. THEN HE STRUCK A HARD BLOW WITH HIS INSTRUMENT AND--LO! --THE SUPERB JEWEL LAY IN HIS HAND CLEFT IN TWO. DID HE DO THIS OUT OF RECKLESSNESS, WASTEFULNESS, AND CRIMINAL CARELESSNESS? INDEED NOT! FOR DAYS AND WEEKS THAT BLOW HAD BEEN STUDIED AND PLANNED. DRAWINGS AND MODELS HAD BEEN MADE OF THE GEM. ITS QUALITY, ITS DEFECTS, ITS LINES OF CLEAVAGE HAD ALL BEEN STUDIED WITH MINUTEST CARE. THE MAN TO WHOM IT WAS COMMITTED WAS ONE OF THE MOST SKILLFUL LAPIDARIES IN THE WORLD. WAS THAT BLOW A MISTAKE? NO! IT WAS THE CLIMAX OF THE LAPIDARY’S SKILL. WHEN HE STRUCK THAT BLOW, HE DID THE ONE THING WHICH WOULD BRING THAT GEM TO ITS MOST PERFECT SHAPELINESS, RADIANCE, AND JEWELED SPLENDOR. THAT BLOW WHICH SEEMED TO RUIN THE SUPERB PRECIOUS STONE WAS, IN FACT, ITS PERFECT REDEMPTION. FROM THOSE TWO HALVES WERE WROUGHT TWO MAGNIFICENT GEMS WHICH THE SKILLED EYE OF THE LAPIDARY SAW HIDDEN IN THE ROUGH, UNCUT STONE AS IT CAME FROM THE MINE. SOMETIMES, GOD LETS A STINGING BLOW FALL UPON YOUR LIFE. THE BLOOD SPURTS; THE NERVES WINCE. THE SOUL CRIES OUT IN AGONY. THE BLOW SEEMS TO YOU AN APPALLING MISTAKE. BUT IT IS NOT, FOR YOU ARE THE MOST PRICELESS JEWEL IN THE WORLD TO GOD. AND HE IS THE MOST SKILLED LAPIDARY IN THE UNIVERSE. LET US BEWARE OF QUESTIONING THE METHODS AND APPROACHES OF ALMIGHTY GOD. WE LIE IN HIS HANDS, AND HE KNOWS JUST HOW TO DEAL WITH US.
D. God could have kept Daniel out of the lions’ den. . . he could have kept Paul and Silas out of jail.. . . he could have kept the three Hebrew children out of the fiery furnace. . . but God has never promised to keep us out of hard places . . . what he has promised is to go with us through every hard place, and to bring us through victoriously.
E. Job 23:10 "But he knows the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold."
SUMMARY: TRAGEDIES HAPPEN
TRAGEDIES HAPPEN TO ALL MEN
TRAGEDIES DO NOT HAPPEN OUTSIDE OF THE SCOPE OF GOD’S SOVEREIGNTY
TRAGEDIES GET OUR ATTENTION
TRAGEDIES REVEAL OUR IMPERFECTIONS
TRAGEDIES REVEAL OUR DEPENDENCY
TRAGEDIES TEMPER (MATURE) CHRISTIANS
CONCLUSION: WHEN TRAGEDY STRIKES, AS IT HAS, AND AS IT WILL, YOU DO NOT HAVE TO GO THROUGH IT ALONE. GOD IS THERE AND WANTS TO BE VITALLY CONNECTED TO YOU. FOR THE BELIEVER GOD’S WORD DECLARES in Psalms 62:7-8 "In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God. Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us." TO THE UNBELIEVER HE CALLS TO COME INTO YOUR LIFE WITH ASSURANCE THAT AS HEBREWS 13:5 STATES THAT HE " I WILL NEVER LEAVE THEE, NOR FORSAKE YOU." A MAN ONCE SAID, "I CAN FACE ANYTHING BUT THE FUTURE--AND CERTAIN PARTS OF THE PAST AND PRESENT!" NONE OF US CAN FACE THE PAST UNLESS WE KNOW WE ARE FORGIVEN BY THE GRACE OF GOD. NONE OF US CAN FACE THE PRESENT UNLESS WE KNOW WE ARE STRENGTHENED BY THE PRESENCE OF GOD. NONE OF US CAN FACE THE FUTURE UNLESS WE ARE CERTAIN OF THE LOVE OF GOD.
