When Life Is Hard Jesus Is There Series

“WHEN LIFE IS HARD JESUS IS THERE”

John 11

Greenmount and O’Leary Churches of Christ

July 25, 2021

VIDEO LINK: https://youtu.be/fGe6WlCL8dY

INTRODUCTION:

This morning, we come to a passage of Scripture which deals with death, a matter which is truly one of those hard things we must deal with in life.

As we all know that is a matter that brings great pain to those of us who are still alive.

aa.) This is a passage that naturally came up for today as we have been going through the Gospel of John.

ab.) With both of our congregations right now dealing with death, and mourning, and pain, I have wondered if this is the right time to speak on this passage, but over the years I have found that the Spirit of God will move me to a passage even months before hand, and perhaps that is the way with today’s text.

ac.) While I have chosen to go ahead with that text, and theme I have also decided to expand this message beyond merely death, and our grief and look at the hard times we must deal with in life.

bca.) This message will be more of a topical sermon rather than in my usual approach of expository preaching.

I) LIFE HAS SOME REALLY HARD TIMES.

Some people have been raised in families that are not the ideal family, and rather than the home being a place of refuge, it has been a place of dread.

Some have had to deal with an absent, neglectful, or uncaring parents.

aa.) If a child grows up in that type of home, it is a hard thing to get over.

aaa.) The home, after all provides the background for every part of life.

aab.) But even there God can do great things.

ab.) Isaiah 49:15

ac.) Psalm 27:10

Some have had to deal with physical abuse.

ba.) We do not like to think on this, or to consider it, but there are children, and spouses who regularly deal with the physical abuse or over-control from one who is supposedly a loved one.

baa.) While this can be true of either partner, it is most common that the man is more likely to be physically abusive than the woman.

.01) The Apostle Paul challenged men to have a sacrificial love for their families, and to not be harsh with children to bring them to discouragement.

.02) Certainly when this does not happen it is always contrary to the Word and will of God.

In our churches people have had to deal with a spouse who has been unfaithful in one way or another.

ca.) Some have had to deal with a spouse who went after other partners.

caa.) Victims of that tends to be very traumatized because next to our relationship with God, there is no relationship more special or intimate than the relationship between a man and his wife.

cb.) Some have had partners who may not have committed adultery but have just forsaken his or her marriage vows and walked away from those sacred and life-long vows.

cba.) As one who has experienced that first-hand, I can tell you there are few things in life that are harder or if I can use the term more hellish to deal with than that.

Some have had to deal with sexual abuse.

da.) Statistics suggest that one of six females, and one out of ten males have experienced sexual abuse in their lives.

db.) There was a time I was naïve enough to think this only happened in larger towns, and cities, and that it certainly would never happen in our small communities, much less in our churches.

dba.) But over the years I have had a few women share with me of being sexually abused, and sometimes from people and even leaders in the church.

dca.) In saying this I can honestly say I am not aware of such incidents in these two churches but having seen it in other churches where I have ministered, I realize it is a very real possibility.

.01) It is possible some in this church may even have experienced this.

dcb.) Certainly, when it does happen it is a truly hard time of life.

Daily there are people in our community who must deal with issues of poverty.

A.) Sometimes we do not realize people in this community have a daily struggle for survival.

aa.) Our donations to the caring Cupboard give us a bit more of an awareness of this reality.

ab.) A few years ago when I worked as a cook in the Fredericton Community Kitchen, my eyes were opened to the greatness of that need.

aba.) We had several people coming into that soup kitchen who worked full-time jobs but earned only minimum wage.