Oasis Lazarus Grief x

Beauty from AshesJohn 11:1-46

Comforting those dealing with the pain of life’s disappointments

Introduction

• Oasis is a place of comfort and security – It is a very welcome site in times of storm– It does not seek to minimize the reality of

the storm, just the damage

Introduction

• Grief is a common response to the loss of something very important to you– Death of a loved one– Broken marriage, relationship– Firing, downsizing, laid off from job– Failure of a dream– Economic setbacks

• Grief is very painful.

Introduction

• We do not have to grieve like the unsaved do– 1 Thes. 4:13– 2 Cor. 1:4-6

In the resurrected Christ, there is relief from pointless pain

The Bethany Story

• Lazarus was very sick (11:1-2)

• Jesus was not in Bethany (11:3-16)

• Lazarus died and was buried (11:17)

• Lazarus was loved and mourned by many (11:18-37)

BAD

WORSE

Short Circuits

1. God is too late.– The “best” time to respond is past– Now, it is a full blown crisis!

Short Circuits

2. God isn’t in charge of my life.– God could have stopped this, but He

didn’t– Has He just set me adrift in the universe?

Short Circuits

3. God doesn’t care about me.– God could fix this situation, but He isn’t– Why bother praying? prayer doesn’t

change anything

Short Circuits

4. Big Christian boys and girls don’t cry when it hurts.– There is a band-aid verse for this– Crying shows a lack of faith

The Bethany Story

• Lazarus was very sick (11:1-2)

• Jesus was not in Bethany (11:3-16)

• Lazarus died and was buried (11:17)

• Lazarus was loved and mourned by many (11:18-37)

• Lazarus was raised from the dead (11:38-46)

Oasis Creation

• Minister comfort to hurting people– Acknowledge the value of the loss– Affirm God’s love for them and His

presence with them– Reassure them that there is a greater

purpose – Pray with them