September 1, 2024 Preaching | Ptr. Peter Tan-Chi
Disappointments are an inevitable part and parcel of life, it is real, affecting all areas such as our career, finances, relationships, health, and family. When our current reality does not match our expectations, it is important to remember that we have a choice. What happens to us is outside of our control, but how we respond is within our control. We must learn to take responsibility. There are two choices; we can either have a negative approach towards life or a ‘faith approach’ towards life.
- James 1:2-4, “Consider it all joy, my brothers and sisters, when you
encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of
your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result,
so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”
God is especially concerned with moulding and developing our character to reflect Christlikeness, which is of eternal value. And so, in all circumstances, we are encouraged to trust God.
- Proverbs 3:5-6, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart
And do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He will make your paths straight.” - 2 Corinthians 5:7, “for we walk by faith, not by sight.”
However, it is difficult to trust someone we barely know. How then do we trust God? Trusting God means we have the responsibility to know Him, His love for us and His character. The story of Lazarus’s death and resurrection in John 11:1-45 teaches us how to trust in God.
1. Trust God’s love (John 11:1-5)
- John 11:4-5, “ But when Jesus heard this, He said, “This sickness is not meant for death, but is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified by it.” (Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister, and Lazarus.)”
When something bad happens to us, as in the case of Lazarus, as bad as it is, let us remember to trust God’s character and His love for us. That in any difficult situation we find ourselves in, God is with us as we undergo and experience uncertainties and challenges. It is for the glory of God. We are reminded not to trust our circumstances but to trust God that He loves us. The root of all sin is the suspicion that God is not good. May we never judge God based on our circumstances, instead we must learn to trust God and judge circumstances based on who God is.
To trust God is to believe that God loves us.
- Romans 8: 28-32, “28 And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose… 31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us? 32 He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?”
2. Trust God’s timing
- (John 11:6-7)John 11:6, “ So when He heard that he was sick, He then stayed two days longer in the place where He was.”
Waiting is part of the process of becoming what God wants us to be.
- Psalm 27:13-14, “I certainly believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord
In the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; Be strong and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for the Lord.”
Wait for the Lord. Trust God, He is seldom early but never too late.
3. Trust God’s wisdom (John 11:11,14-15,17,20-23)
- John 11:14-15, “So Jesus then said to them plainly, “Lazarus died, and I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, so that you may believe; but let’s go to him.”
In Christianity, death is not the end, death is not a period but a comma. God loves you, he knows what’s best for you but are you willing to trust Him?
Isaiah 55:8-9,“’For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,’ declares the Lord. ‘For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways And My thoughts than your thoughts.’”
You can choose to live your way which may lead to regrets. Trust God because God’s way is your best option.
4. Trust God’s promises (John 11:24-26,33-35,38-39,43-45)
- John 11:25-26, “ Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life; the one who believes in Me will live, even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?””
Jesus claimed and promised he is the resurrection and the life, no other religion had the same claim.
In verse 35, Jesus wept. A very profound verse that tells us God empathises with us. God sees and knows your pain and problems. He cares.
- John 11:39,”Jesus said, “Remove the stone.” Martha, the sister of the deceased, said to Him, “Lord, by this time there will be a stench, for he has been dead four days.” Jesus said to her, “Did I not say to you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?”
To believe is to see the glory of God. To walk by faith and not by sight means to walk based on the promises of God, not based on your understanding or feelings. Believe in the promises of God.
Jesus said remove the stone. To trust God you must obey – remove the stone. Jesus called Lazarus to come out and when the Jews saw this miracle, they believed in Him.
Like in this story, God can use your trials into blessings, if you trust Him, if you surrender.
What is preventing you from experiencing God’s blessing in your life? In the story, Jesus told Mary and Martha to move the stone. What is that stone in your life that God is asking you to move? It may be the stone of unbelief or a sinful relationship, no matter what it is, God is telling you to move that stone and you will see the glory of God.