WEBVTT

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 of my life, and is he concerned?

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 Well, today we're gonna meet a couple ladies,

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 two ladies who were very dear friends of Jesus,

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 and yet we're going to see how they experienced

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 a situation that brought similar feelings

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 that I've just described into their lives.

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 You see, their brother Lazarus,

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 who was also a dear friend of Jesus,

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 he was very sick.

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 He was so sick he was at the point of death,

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 and Mary and Martha, they knew that Jesus

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 had already healed many and was well capable of healing,

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 so they sent a message to him,

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 and they said, come now.

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 It's urgent, it's necessary right now.

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 You've got to come or Lazarus, the one you love,

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 is going to die.

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 But Jesus did the very unthinkable.

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 Now, if you received a message that this was urgent,

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 we need you right now,

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 most of us would drop everything and take off,

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 especially if it's dealing with a loved one,

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 a family member, and they need us instantly.

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 We're going to drop everything and take off.

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 But Jesus did the very unthinkable.

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 He waited two days.

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 He waited two days before even starting the trip to Bethany

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 where Lazarus was to get there,

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 and when he arrived,

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 he finds that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days.

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 And both Mary and Martha, separately, different times,

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 but both of them approached Jesus,

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 and they say, Lord, if you had been here,

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 my brother would not have died.

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 If you had been here,

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 my brother would not have died.

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 Now, we can't read the tone or the reflection in their voices

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 or really know their attitudes,

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 but we can read this,

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 and we can put ourselves in that situation

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 and maybe imagine the feelings and the emotions

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 and the thoughts that both Mary and Martha were going through.

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 Maybe they experienced frustration with Jesus.

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 Jesus, you could have healed.

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 You've healed so many before.

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 Why did you not come sooner?

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 Maybe they were disappointed

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 that they thought Jesus loved them more.

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 Maybe they thought Jesus loved Lazarus.

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 So why?

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 Maybe they were confused.

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 Or do we dare say maybe they had a hint of anger towards Jesus

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 as to why he didn't respond to their message

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 and come instantly and prevent their brother Lazarus from dying.

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 So let's look at our scriptures together.

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 We're going to look at John 11.

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 And for starters, we're going to read verses 17 through 27.

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 On his arrival, Jesus found that Lazarus

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 had already been in the tomb for four days.

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 Bethany was less than two miles from Jerusalem,

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 and many Jews had come to Martha and Mary

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 to comfort them in the loss of their brother.

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 When Martha heard that Jesus was coming,

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 she went out to meet him,

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 but Mary stayed at home.

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 Lord, Martha said to Jesus,

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 if you had been here, my brother would not have died.

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 But I know that even now,

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 God will give you whatever you ask.

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 Jesus said to her,

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 your brother will rise again.

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 Martha answered,

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 I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day,

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 but Jesus said to her,

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 I am the resurrection and the life.

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 He who believes in me will live even though he dies.

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 And whoever lives and believes in me will never die.

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 Do you believe this?

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 Yes, Lord, she said to him.

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 I believe that you are the Christ,

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 the Son of God,

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 who has come into the world.

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 Let's call the Lord in prayer for a moment.

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 Father, we thank you for your word and your truth.

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 And I pray, Lord, that it is your word

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 that is speaking to us today.

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 Open our eyes that we might see.

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 Open our ears that we might hear.

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 And Father, I pray that you soften our hearts,

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 that we would receive what you say to each one of us,

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 what you reveal to each one of us.

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 May we receive it.

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 May we believe it.

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 May we live it.

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 We thank you for this.

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 Lord, I pray that you forgive me of all of my sin.

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 Cleanse and purify me, Lord, today.

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 And use me as your mouth to speak your word and your truth.

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 In Jesus' name, amen.

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 After Lazarus had been in the grave for four days,

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 Jesus arrives at Bethany.

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 Now Mary, the one that we know that sat at his feet

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 and listened to him teach,

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 the one who later would anoint his head

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 with expensive perfume,

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 she stayed seated in her house.

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 But Martha, Martha couldn't contain herself.

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 Martha, upon hearing that Jesus had arrived,

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 she went running out to him.

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 She greeted him before he actually got into town.

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 And she said to him what she must have been thinking for days.

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 And maybe Mary and Martha had even said this to one another.

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 Lord, if you had been here,

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 if you had been here,

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 my brother would not have died.

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 Do you feel Martha's pain here?

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 Do you feel her emotions?

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 Do you feel her grief?

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 Let me add something to that.

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 If Mary and Martha were living with their brother,

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 this meant they weren't married.

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 That meant Lazarus was their provider

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 and took care of them financially.

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 And with Lazarus gone,

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 here's two women in that day and time

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 who didn't have much of a way

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 to take care of themselves and provide for them.

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 And now Lazarus is dead.

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 Can you feel the emotion

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 that they're experiencing here?

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 Maybe just confusion, frustration.

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 Why did Jesus not come sooner?

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 Why did he allow this to happen?

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 Martha understood by her own words

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 that Jesus was the Son of God.

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 She said she believed that God the Father

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 would do anything that Jesus had asked.

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 She said she understood these things.

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 She says that she believes these things.

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 But did she really believe?

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 Did she really have faith?

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 Did she really have understanding?

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 You know, how many times do we make statements

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 within the Christian community

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 of things that we say

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 because we hear others say them,

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 but we may not really believe them

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 or we don't trust in them

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 and we struggle there.

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 Martha said she believed Jesus was the Son of God.

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 She said that she knew that he could do anything,

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 but her actions act a little bit differently here

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 as if she doesn't have complete understanding.

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 See, in that day and time,

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 there was a high messianic expectancy,

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 but there was also a confusion

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 as to what the Messiah was coming for.

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 It wasn't to die on a cross, I'll tell you that.

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 It was more to overthrow Rome.

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 And so maybe Mary and Martha,

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 even though they said they believed he was the Son of God,

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 maybe they were buying into some other understanding

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 of who the Son of God really was.

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 We don't know that.

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 But I'm just imagining here

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 because Martha clearly didn't have

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 the depth of understanding that we have today

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 from we have the Bible,

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 but she also didn't have the depth of understanding

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 of the Roman centurion in Matthew chapter 8.

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 Do you remember the Roman centurion

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 sent word to Jesus to heal his servant?

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 And Jesus said, I'll go with you to his home.

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 And they're like, no, no, no, no, no.

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 The Roman centurion said he's not worthy

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 for Jesus to come into his house.

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 He said, all you have to do is speak the word.

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 All you have to do is say it and it'll be done.

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 And this is one of the few moments in scripture

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 where it said Jesus was amazed.

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 Here's a Roman that's believing

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 and having faith in Christ like no one else.

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 He understood that all Jesus had to do

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 was speak the word from a distance

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 and his servant would be healed.

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 And indeed it was.

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 You know, if Jesus had desired to heal Lazarus,

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 he didn't have to go to Bethany.

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 He didn't have to go lay hands on him.

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 All he had to do is say the word

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 and it would have been done.

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 He didn't have to be there physically.

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 But Mary and Martha,

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 neither one had the understanding

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 and the knowledge maybe of exactly who Jesus is

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 and the authority that he commanded

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 even over life and death, sickness and disease.

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 They didn't have the faith or the understanding

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 that the Roman centurion had

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 because this was very difficult for them to imagine.

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 But do we ever fall into that category ourselves?

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 You know, maybe God seems distant.

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 God has remained silent to your prayers,

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 to your pleas, to your cries,

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 and God's silent.

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 Do we ever think that because we don't feel God's presence,

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 we don't have that warm, fuzzy feeling that God is with us

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 or God has remained silent and hasn't answered our prayer.

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 Do we ever think that he doesn't really care?

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 He doesn't really love me.

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 Or maybe we think he's not even aware

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 of the situations or the concerns in our lives.

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 Do we ever feel that?

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 Ever experience that?

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 David did.

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 You know, David went through many hardships in life

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 from King Saul pursuing him to killing

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 to his own son trying to kill him.

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 And one thing after another,

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 David went through a whole lot.

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 And at one point, David felt abandoned by God.

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 David felt like God had turned his back on him

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 and was nowhere to be seen.

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 And yet, at the end of that psalm,

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 David said, but I know you are there.

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 I don't feel you.

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 I don't sense you.

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 I don't know what's going on in these situations.

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 But David said, but Lord, I know you're there.

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 I know you're there.

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 I know you will never leave me.

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 But you are there.

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 Martha was lacking a complete understanding of the authority

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 that Jesus had been given.

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 Even though he said to her,

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 you know, your brother will rise again.

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 And of course, she got confused

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 and thought he was just talking about the afterlife.

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 And then Jesus said, I am the resurrection and the life.

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 I am the resurrection.

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 You see, Martha didn't have full understanding of who Jesus was

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 and the authority that he had.

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 But he was teaching a valuable lesson here,

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 not only to Mary and Martha,

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 to us today,

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 to those who might have heard,

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 that he was the resurrection.

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 And anyone who is in Christ,

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 even though they die,

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 they will live.

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 If Christ has the authority and the power

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 to raise Lazarus from the dead,

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 if Jesus Christ was raised from the dead

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 by God the Father,

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 then we can have hope,

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 we can have faith,

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 we can have trust

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 that even though we die,

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 God will raise us to life as well.

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 That we will spend eternity with him in heaven.

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 But Martha and Mary were struggling

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 to put all this together

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 and to really understand it.

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 Wouldn't it be great

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 if we could pull it all together too?

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 All the things that we say we know about God,

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 all the things,

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 all the scriptures,

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 all the truths and promises

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 we read in the Bible,

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 wouldn't it be good

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 if we could pull all those together

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 in our own lives

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 and not just have a head knowledge of it,

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 but to have a faith,

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 a trust,

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 a belief in God

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 and learn to trust God

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 even when he's silent.

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 Even in the pain,

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 even in the struggles,

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 even in the worries,

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 that we learn to trust

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 that God is at work in our lives.

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 He's at work in the world around us.

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 He's at work in our children's lives.

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 He's at work in our grandchildren's lives.

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 Even though we don't sense him,

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 we may not feel him.

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 Maybe he hasn't answered our prayer

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 at least the way we want him to

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 and we think he's silent and distant

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 and we question.

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 Don't get confused.

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 God is still at work.

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 God is still at work

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 perfecting his perfect will

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 and his perfect plan.

00:14:40.019 --> 00:14:41.139
 His will and his plan,

00:14:41.239 --> 00:14:42.159
 but his will and his plan

00:14:42.159 --> 00:14:43.379
 in our lives as well.

00:14:43.379 --> 00:14:44.379
 Well,

00:14:44.500 --> 00:14:46.360
 when Martha had this encounter

00:14:46.360 --> 00:14:46.899
 with Jesus,

00:14:47.039 --> 00:14:47.500
 she left

00:14:47.500 --> 00:14:48.620
 and she went to get Mary.

00:14:48.740 --> 00:14:50.700
 So let's go to verse 28.

00:14:54.659 --> 00:14:55.620
 And we're going to read

00:14:55.620 --> 00:14:57.399
 from verse 28 to 32.

00:14:58.539 --> 00:15:00.200
 And after she had said this,

00:15:00.259 --> 00:15:00.879
 she went back

00:15:00.879 --> 00:15:03.419
 and called her sister Mary aside.

00:15:03.879 --> 00:15:04.840
 The teacher's here,

00:15:04.919 --> 00:15:05.500
 she said,

00:15:05.720 --> 00:15:07.519
 and is asking for you.

00:15:08.100 --> 00:15:09.200
 When Mary heard this,

00:15:09.259 --> 00:15:10.220
 she got up quickly

00:15:10.220 --> 00:15:11.539
 and went to him.

00:15:11.539 --> 00:15:13.480
 Now Jesus had not yet

00:15:13.480 --> 00:15:14.419
 entered the village,

00:15:14.559 --> 00:15:15.779
 but was still at the place

00:15:15.779 --> 00:15:17.360
 where Martha had met him.

00:15:17.939 --> 00:15:18.879
 When the Jews,

00:15:19.299 --> 00:15:20.399
 who had been with Mary

00:15:20.399 --> 00:15:22.360
 in the house comforting her,

00:15:22.519 --> 00:15:23.480
 noticed how quickly

00:15:23.480 --> 00:15:24.839
 she got up and went out,

00:15:25.240 --> 00:15:26.259
 they followed her,

00:15:26.599 --> 00:15:28.319
 supposing she was going

00:15:28.319 --> 00:15:29.899
 to the tomb to mourn there.

00:15:30.639 --> 00:15:31.980
 When Mary reached the place

00:15:31.980 --> 00:15:33.819
 where Jesus was and saw him,

00:15:33.939 --> 00:15:35.459
 she fell at his feet

00:15:35.459 --> 00:15:35.939
 and said,

00:15:36.079 --> 00:15:36.360
 Lord,

00:15:36.839 --> 00:15:38.179
 if you had been here,

00:15:38.259 --> 00:15:39.939
 my brother would not have died.

00:15:39.940 --> 00:15:43.480
 When Jesus saw her weeping

00:15:43.480 --> 00:15:45.940
 and the Jews who had come

00:15:45.940 --> 00:15:47.760
 along with her also weeping,

00:15:47.900 --> 00:15:49.080
 he was deeply moved

00:15:49.080 --> 00:15:50.420
 in spirit and troubled.

00:15:51.180 --> 00:15:52.780
 Where have you laid him?

00:15:53.140 --> 00:15:53.820
 He asked.

00:15:54.500 --> 00:15:55.540
 I think I went beyond

00:15:55.540 --> 00:15:56.520
 what I was supposed to read,

00:15:56.640 --> 00:15:59.160
 but I won't charge any for that.

00:16:01.780 --> 00:16:03.500
 When Mary heard that Jesus

00:16:03.500 --> 00:16:05.560
 was calling for her,

00:16:05.800 --> 00:16:06.520
 she got up

00:16:06.520 --> 00:16:08.580
 and she went out to Jesus.

00:16:08.580 --> 00:16:10.360
 He was still outside the village

00:16:10.360 --> 00:16:13.120
 where Martha had spoken to him

00:16:13.120 --> 00:16:13.960
 and she got out

00:16:13.960 --> 00:16:14.980
 and she went out there

00:16:14.980 --> 00:16:16.379
 and we see

00:16:16.379 --> 00:16:19.320
 a recurring conversation

00:16:19.320 --> 00:16:20.200
 with Jesus

00:16:20.200 --> 00:16:21.820
 that Martha had just had.

00:16:21.920 --> 00:16:22.620
 This time though,

00:16:22.700 --> 00:16:24.280
 Mary bows at his feet

00:16:24.280 --> 00:16:25.520
 and says,

00:16:25.700 --> 00:16:26.060
 Lord,

00:16:26.740 --> 00:16:27.000
 you know,

00:16:27.040 --> 00:16:29.639
 this is more of a brokenness,

00:16:30.120 --> 00:16:32.360
 deep grief here

00:16:32.360 --> 00:16:34.139
 that Lord,

00:16:35.639 --> 00:16:37.360
 if you had been here,

00:16:38.539 --> 00:16:41.580
 my brother would not have died.

00:16:42.419 --> 00:16:42.659
 You know,

00:16:42.720 --> 00:16:44.220
 she had an element of faith.

00:16:44.759 --> 00:16:46.200
 She recognized that,

00:16:46.720 --> 00:16:47.519
 just like Martha,

00:16:47.680 --> 00:16:49.680
 that Jesus was Lord,

00:16:49.899 --> 00:16:51.139
 that he was the Messiah,

00:16:51.259 --> 00:16:52.139
 the Son of God.

00:16:52.139 --> 00:16:53.560
 But she too,

00:16:54.379 --> 00:16:55.100
 like Martha,

00:16:55.600 --> 00:16:57.100
 failed to fully understand

00:16:57.100 --> 00:16:57.879
 the authority

00:16:57.879 --> 00:16:59.460
 that Jesus had been given

00:16:59.460 --> 00:17:00.580
 over life and death.

00:17:00.580 --> 00:17:02.180
 her understanding

00:17:02.180 --> 00:17:03.480
 wasn't complete

00:17:03.480 --> 00:17:05.000
 in really

00:17:05.000 --> 00:17:06.660
 who Jesus was.

00:17:07.640 --> 00:17:08.140
 And so,

00:17:08.420 --> 00:17:09.960
 we see this brokenness

00:17:09.960 --> 00:17:10.779
 within her.

00:17:11.860 --> 00:17:12.660
 There'll be times

00:17:12.660 --> 00:17:13.360
 in our lives

00:17:13.360 --> 00:17:13.960
 when we

00:17:13.960 --> 00:17:15.660
 may not feel

00:17:15.660 --> 00:17:16.440
 God's presence.

00:17:17.000 --> 00:17:17.860
 We may be going through

00:17:17.860 --> 00:17:18.880
 some rough periods

00:17:18.880 --> 00:17:19.380
 of time,

00:17:20.279 --> 00:17:21.400
 some hardships,

00:17:22.960 --> 00:17:24.259
 physical illness,

00:17:24.420 --> 00:17:25.039
 maybe a loss

00:17:25.039 --> 00:17:25.640
 of a loved one

00:17:25.640 --> 00:17:26.279
 or ourself.

00:17:26.279 --> 00:17:28.539
 and we wonder,

00:17:28.799 --> 00:17:29.399
 where is God?

00:17:31.980 --> 00:17:33.139
 Where is God?

00:17:34.000 --> 00:17:35.139
 Why did he allow

00:17:35.139 --> 00:17:35.920
 this to happen?

00:17:37.200 --> 00:17:38.059
 Why has he not

00:17:38.059 --> 00:17:39.180
 answered my prayers?

00:17:41.180 --> 00:17:42.619
 But we must never

00:17:42.619 --> 00:17:44.299
 draw the wrong conclusion

00:17:44.299 --> 00:17:45.460
 in the midst of those.

00:17:45.539 --> 00:17:46.440
 And we need to make up

00:17:46.440 --> 00:17:47.759
 our minds ahead of time

00:17:47.759 --> 00:17:49.619
 or when we find ourselves

00:17:49.619 --> 00:17:50.200
 in the middle

00:17:50.200 --> 00:17:51.059
 of the struggles,

00:17:51.299 --> 00:17:52.299
 we'll slip.

00:17:52.299 --> 00:17:54.159
 But we need to decide

00:17:54.159 --> 00:17:54.940
 ahead of time

00:17:54.940 --> 00:17:56.039
 that despite

00:17:56.039 --> 00:17:57.139
 the feelings,

00:17:58.859 --> 00:18:00.460
 despite God's silence,

00:18:01.539 --> 00:18:02.779
 despite the struggles

00:18:02.779 --> 00:18:03.799
 or the pain,

00:18:04.720 --> 00:18:05.319
 never,

00:18:05.559 --> 00:18:05.899
 ever,

00:18:06.099 --> 00:18:07.079
 ever conclude

00:18:07.079 --> 00:18:07.980
 that God is not

00:18:07.980 --> 00:18:08.960
 at work around you.

00:18:09.819 --> 00:18:10.700
 Never assume

00:18:10.700 --> 00:18:12.019
 that God does not love you,

00:18:12.159 --> 00:18:13.279
 that God is not

00:18:13.279 --> 00:18:14.220
 concerned about you

00:18:14.220 --> 00:18:15.519
 because he is.

00:18:16.139 --> 00:18:16.359
 You know,

00:18:16.440 --> 00:18:17.359
 Hebrews 13,

00:18:17.460 --> 00:18:17.899
 5,

00:18:18.240 --> 00:18:18.799
 it says,

00:18:19.259 --> 00:18:20.659
 never will I leave you,

00:18:20.659 --> 00:18:22.139
 never will I forsake you.

00:18:22.140 --> 00:18:22.960
 Memorize that.

00:18:23.040 --> 00:18:23.900
 That's a short one,

00:18:24.060 --> 00:18:24.800
 easy to do.

00:18:25.160 --> 00:18:26.480
 Hebrews 13, 5,

00:18:26.640 --> 00:18:28.180
 never will I leave you,

00:18:28.900 --> 00:18:30.620
 never will I forsake you.

00:18:30.680 --> 00:18:31.680
 And when we feel

00:18:31.680 --> 00:18:32.400
 in the darkness,

00:18:33.100 --> 00:18:34.480
 we feel in the pain,

00:18:34.960 --> 00:18:36.500
 we feel God's silence

00:18:36.500 --> 00:18:37.360
 and his distance,

00:18:37.900 --> 00:18:40.000
 recite that verse

00:18:40.000 --> 00:18:41.440
 over and over

00:18:41.440 --> 00:18:42.880
 and over again

00:18:42.880 --> 00:18:44.980
 that never will I leave you,

00:18:45.720 --> 00:18:47.500
 never will I forsake you.

00:18:47.540 --> 00:18:48.240
 And understand

00:18:48.240 --> 00:18:49.060
 that whatever

00:18:49.060 --> 00:18:50.440
 we're going through,

00:18:50.440 --> 00:18:51.840
 God is working

00:18:51.840 --> 00:18:54.220
 about his perfect will

00:18:54.220 --> 00:18:55.440
 and his perfect plan.

00:18:55.539 --> 00:18:56.500
 We see individuals

00:18:56.500 --> 00:18:57.799
 throughout the Old Testament

00:18:57.799 --> 00:18:59.480
 that experience

00:18:59.480 --> 00:19:00.759
 moments of

00:19:00.759 --> 00:19:02.539
 long silence

00:19:02.539 --> 00:19:03.460
 from God

00:19:03.460 --> 00:19:04.720
 and they wondered

00:19:04.720 --> 00:19:06.519
 what is God

00:19:06.519 --> 00:19:07.279
 doing?

00:19:08.140 --> 00:19:09.640
 Where is God?

00:19:09.779 --> 00:19:11.220
 Why has he abandoned me?

00:19:11.320 --> 00:19:12.700
 Why has he forsaken me?

00:19:13.700 --> 00:19:14.720
 Jesus himself

00:19:14.720 --> 00:19:15.440
 even said that,

00:19:15.519 --> 00:19:15.779
 didn't he?

00:19:16.380 --> 00:19:17.059
 My God,

00:19:17.140 --> 00:19:17.700
 my God,

00:19:17.700 --> 00:19:19.279
 why have you forsaken me?

00:19:21.279 --> 00:19:23.160
 But God was working

00:19:23.160 --> 00:19:25.059
 in every one

00:19:25.059 --> 00:19:26.000
 of those instances,

00:19:26.759 --> 00:19:28.400
 in every situation,

00:19:28.640 --> 00:19:29.700
 every circumstance,

00:19:30.059 --> 00:19:31.340
 God was on his throne

00:19:31.340 --> 00:19:33.340
 and God was working

00:19:33.340 --> 00:19:35.080
 about his perfect will

00:19:35.080 --> 00:19:36.920
 and his perfect plan

00:19:36.920 --> 00:19:38.120
 for each one

00:19:38.120 --> 00:19:39.380
 of those individuals

00:19:39.380 --> 00:19:42.000
 as well as his overall

00:19:42.000 --> 00:19:43.759
 arching plan.

00:19:43.759 --> 00:19:45.319
 we have to learn

00:19:45.319 --> 00:19:47.019
 that we can trust God.

00:19:47.920 --> 00:19:48.980
 We trust him

00:19:48.980 --> 00:19:50.180
 in all situations,

00:19:50.379 --> 00:19:52.019
 in all circumstances,

00:19:52.220 --> 00:19:54.200
 even when we don't understand.

00:19:54.319 --> 00:19:55.240
 Or here's another one,

00:19:55.519 --> 00:19:56.579
 even when God answers

00:19:56.579 --> 00:19:57.079
 our prayer

00:19:57.079 --> 00:19:58.460
 in a way we didn't want him to.

00:19:59.579 --> 00:20:00.339
 And he puts us

00:20:00.339 --> 00:20:01.059
 through things

00:20:01.059 --> 00:20:02.420
 that we would never

00:20:02.420 --> 00:20:03.299
 want to go through.

00:20:04.140 --> 00:20:04.379
 So,

00:20:04.740 --> 00:20:05.220
 why

00:20:05.220 --> 00:20:07.160
 did Jesus wait

00:20:07.160 --> 00:20:08.539
 until Lazarus

00:20:08.539 --> 00:20:09.819
 had been in the tomb

00:20:09.819 --> 00:20:12.319
 for four days

00:20:12.319 --> 00:20:13.559
 before he would get

00:20:13.559 --> 00:20:14.679
 to Bethany?

00:20:14.759 --> 00:20:14.879
 Well,

00:20:14.899 --> 00:20:15.419
 let's look.

00:20:16.079 --> 00:20:17.519
 Passage I have not read.

00:20:18.019 --> 00:20:18.859
 Look back at

00:20:18.859 --> 00:20:20.480
 verse four

00:20:20.480 --> 00:20:22.059
 of this same chapter.

00:20:23.059 --> 00:20:24.439
 When Jesus received

00:20:24.439 --> 00:20:25.359
 the message,

00:20:26.079 --> 00:20:26.379
 you know,

00:20:26.460 --> 00:20:26.879
 from,

00:20:27.939 --> 00:20:29.200
 that Mary and Martha

00:20:29.200 --> 00:20:29.659
 had sinned,

00:20:29.700 --> 00:20:29.980
 he said,

00:20:30.480 --> 00:20:31.259
 when he heard this,

00:20:31.339 --> 00:20:32.000
 Jesus said,

00:20:32.159 --> 00:20:32.839
 this sickness

00:20:32.839 --> 00:20:34.079
 will not end

00:20:34.079 --> 00:20:34.779
 in death.

00:20:34.779 --> 00:20:35.299
 No,

00:20:35.439 --> 00:20:37.079
 it is for God's glory

00:20:37.079 --> 00:20:38.779
 so that God's son

00:20:38.779 --> 00:20:40.279
 may be glorified

00:20:40.279 --> 00:20:41.160
 through it.

00:20:41.480 --> 00:20:42.339
 Do you see that?

00:20:43.619 --> 00:20:44.660
 God is using

00:20:44.660 --> 00:20:45.559
 this situation

00:20:45.559 --> 00:20:46.460
 and this circumstance

00:20:46.460 --> 00:20:47.920
 to bring glory to God

00:20:47.920 --> 00:20:48.779
 and to bring glory

00:20:48.779 --> 00:20:49.379
 to himself.

00:20:49.680 --> 00:20:49.940
 Now,

00:20:50.059 --> 00:20:50.579
 jump down

00:20:50.579 --> 00:20:51.680
 to verse 38.

00:20:52.940 --> 00:20:53.839
 We're going to read

00:20:53.839 --> 00:20:55.379
 verse 38 through 44.

00:20:56.559 --> 00:20:57.039
 Jesus,

00:20:57.759 --> 00:20:59.440
 once more deeply moved,

00:20:59.680 --> 00:21:00.579
 came to the tomb.

00:21:01.180 --> 00:21:02.240
 It was a cave

00:21:02.240 --> 00:21:03.220
 with a stone

00:21:03.220 --> 00:21:04.559
 laid across the entrance.

00:21:05.099 --> 00:21:06.299
 Take away the stone,

00:21:06.420 --> 00:21:07.000
 he said.

00:21:07.000 --> 00:21:08.079
 But Lord,

00:21:08.220 --> 00:21:08.839
 said Martha,

00:21:09.440 --> 00:21:10.900
 the sister of the dead man,

00:21:11.279 --> 00:21:12.079
 by this time

00:21:12.079 --> 00:21:13.400
 there is a bad odor

00:21:13.400 --> 00:21:14.579
 for he has been

00:21:14.579 --> 00:21:16.700
 there four days.

00:21:17.279 --> 00:21:18.359
 Then Jesus said,

00:21:18.740 --> 00:21:19.859
 did I not tell you

00:21:19.859 --> 00:21:21.119
 that if you believed

00:21:21.119 --> 00:21:22.420
 you would see

00:21:22.420 --> 00:21:24.319
 the glory of God?

00:21:24.700 --> 00:21:25.680
 So they took away

00:21:25.680 --> 00:21:26.279
 the stone.

00:21:26.900 --> 00:21:28.059
 Then Jesus looked up

00:21:28.059 --> 00:21:28.460
 and said,

00:21:28.599 --> 00:21:28.900
 Father,

00:21:29.400 --> 00:21:30.839
 I thank you

00:21:30.839 --> 00:21:32.319
 that you have heard me.

00:21:32.779 --> 00:21:33.519
 I knew

00:21:33.519 --> 00:21:35.180
 that you always hear me,

00:21:35.180 --> 00:21:36.200
 but I said this

00:21:36.200 --> 00:21:36.960
 for the benefit

00:21:36.960 --> 00:21:37.620
 of the people

00:21:37.620 --> 00:21:38.500
 standing here

00:21:38.500 --> 00:21:40.940
 that they may believe

00:21:40.940 --> 00:21:42.320
 that you sent me.

00:21:45.840 --> 00:21:47.340
 When he had said this,

00:21:47.460 --> 00:21:48.299
 Jesus called

00:21:48.299 --> 00:21:49.660
 in a loud voice,

00:21:49.759 --> 00:21:50.360
 Lazarus,

00:21:50.519 --> 00:21:51.299
 come out.

00:21:51.940 --> 00:21:52.720
 And the dead man

00:21:52.720 --> 00:21:53.340
 came out,

00:21:53.460 --> 00:21:54.440
 his hands and his feet

00:21:54.440 --> 00:21:55.320
 wrapped with strips

00:21:55.320 --> 00:21:55.759
 of linen

00:21:55.759 --> 00:21:56.900
 and a cloth

00:21:56.900 --> 00:21:57.960
 around his face.

00:21:58.259 --> 00:21:59.440
 And Jesus said to them,

00:21:59.539 --> 00:22:00.259
 take off

00:22:00.259 --> 00:22:01.759
 the grave clothes

00:22:01.759 --> 00:22:02.640
 and let him go.

00:22:02.640 --> 00:22:04.900
 Jesus delayed

00:22:04.900 --> 00:22:05.540
 his coming

00:22:05.540 --> 00:22:07.060
 in order to bring

00:22:07.060 --> 00:22:08.980
 glory to the Father

00:22:08.980 --> 00:22:10.000
 but also to bring

00:22:10.000 --> 00:22:11.759
 glory to himself.

00:22:12.660 --> 00:22:13.520
 He delayed

00:22:13.520 --> 00:22:14.420
 his coming

00:22:14.420 --> 00:22:15.940
 so that he could

00:22:15.940 --> 00:22:16.500
 demonstrate

00:22:16.500 --> 00:22:17.860
 his authority

00:22:17.860 --> 00:22:19.420
 over life

00:22:19.420 --> 00:22:20.320
 and death.

00:22:21.320 --> 00:22:22.400
 That is not

00:22:22.400 --> 00:22:23.700
 to be skipped over

00:22:23.700 --> 00:22:25.360
 and understand

00:22:25.360 --> 00:22:26.520
 the authority.

00:22:27.200 --> 00:22:28.080
 If Jesus doesn't

00:22:28.080 --> 00:22:28.780
 have authority

00:22:28.780 --> 00:22:29.460
 over life

00:22:29.460 --> 00:22:30.000
 and death,

00:22:30.000 --> 00:22:31.799
 then we can't

00:22:31.799 --> 00:22:32.559
 put faith

00:22:32.559 --> 00:22:33.319
 and trust

00:22:33.319 --> 00:22:34.079
 that he will

00:22:34.079 --> 00:22:35.039
 raise us

00:22:35.039 --> 00:22:36.220
 to new life

00:22:36.220 --> 00:22:36.579
 either.

00:22:37.180 --> 00:22:38.079
 So we can't

00:22:38.079 --> 00:22:38.819
 skip over

00:22:38.819 --> 00:22:39.640
 that statement

00:22:39.640 --> 00:22:40.759
 of Jesus

00:22:40.759 --> 00:22:41.119
 saying,

00:22:41.380 --> 00:22:42.299
 I am the

00:22:42.299 --> 00:22:42.920
 resurrection

00:22:42.920 --> 00:22:43.839
 and the life

00:22:43.839 --> 00:22:45.019
 and that whoever

00:22:45.019 --> 00:22:46.039
 is in him

00:22:46.039 --> 00:22:47.039
 even though he dies,

00:22:47.180 --> 00:22:49.059
 he will live.

00:22:49.980 --> 00:22:50.880
 It was this

00:22:50.880 --> 00:22:51.799
 experience,

00:22:53.480 --> 00:22:54.279
 this raising,

00:22:54.680 --> 00:22:54.859
 well,

00:22:55.140 --> 00:22:55.960
 Lazarus dying,

00:22:56.079 --> 00:22:56.779
 being in the tomb

00:22:56.779 --> 00:22:57.519
 for four days

00:22:57.519 --> 00:22:58.619
 and Jesus arriving

00:22:58.619 --> 00:23:00.099
 and raising him

00:23:00.099 --> 00:23:00.719
 from the dead.

00:23:01.119 --> 00:23:02.019
 This experience

00:23:02.019 --> 00:23:03.279
 allowed others

00:23:03.279 --> 00:23:05.079
 to come to know

00:23:05.079 --> 00:23:06.399
 Christ and understand

00:23:06.399 --> 00:23:07.119
 the authority

00:23:07.119 --> 00:23:07.819
 and the power

00:23:07.819 --> 00:23:08.939
 and who else

00:23:08.939 --> 00:23:09.859
 could raise someone

00:23:09.859 --> 00:23:10.739
 from the dead

00:23:10.739 --> 00:23:11.819
 other than

00:23:11.819 --> 00:23:13.059
 Jesus Christ.

00:23:13.179 --> 00:23:14.059
 Back in that day

00:23:14.059 --> 00:23:15.079
 when individuals

00:23:15.079 --> 00:23:16.419
 had a death,

00:23:16.639 --> 00:23:17.539
 they would pay

00:23:17.539 --> 00:23:18.359
 mourners.

00:23:18.959 --> 00:23:19.719
 That might have been

00:23:19.719 --> 00:23:20.759
 some of the frustration

00:23:20.759 --> 00:23:21.719
 that Jesus had

00:23:21.719 --> 00:23:22.419
 in this passage.

00:23:22.859 --> 00:23:24.099
 They paid people

00:23:24.099 --> 00:23:24.879
 that would come

00:23:24.879 --> 00:23:25.500
 and cry

00:23:25.500 --> 00:23:26.180
 and weep

00:23:26.180 --> 00:23:26.740
 and wail

00:23:26.740 --> 00:23:28.559
 during that time

00:23:28.559 --> 00:23:29.400
 and so we don't know

00:23:29.400 --> 00:23:30.039
 there were a lot

00:23:30.039 --> 00:23:30.339
 of people.

00:23:30.440 --> 00:23:30.839
 It said people

00:23:30.839 --> 00:23:31.859
 came from Jerusalem

00:23:31.859 --> 00:23:32.279
 out,

00:23:32.359 --> 00:23:33.460
 the two mile walk

00:23:33.460 --> 00:23:33.779
 out.

00:23:34.200 --> 00:23:34.759
 There were a lot

00:23:34.759 --> 00:23:35.660
 of people around

00:23:35.660 --> 00:23:37.680
 and so this experience

00:23:37.680 --> 00:23:40.180
 allowed many others

00:23:40.180 --> 00:23:41.940
 to see the authority

00:23:41.940 --> 00:23:42.819
 and the power

00:23:42.819 --> 00:23:43.920
 of Jesus Christ

00:23:43.920 --> 00:23:46.059
 and to believe

00:23:46.059 --> 00:23:47.180
 in him.

00:23:47.960 --> 00:23:48.640
 But thirdly,

00:23:49.720 --> 00:23:50.819
 Jesus took Mary

00:23:50.819 --> 00:23:52.019
 and Martha's faith

00:23:52.019 --> 00:23:54.299
 to a whole new level.

00:23:55.559 --> 00:23:56.519
 They said,

00:23:56.799 --> 00:23:57.419
 Martha did,

00:23:58.500 --> 00:23:59.379
 that I believe

00:23:59.379 --> 00:24:00.659
 that God will give you

00:24:00.659 --> 00:24:01.819
 anything you ask.

00:24:03.579 --> 00:24:05.220
 She said she believed

00:24:05.220 --> 00:24:06.419
 that her brother

00:24:06.419 --> 00:24:07.859
 would live in the afterlife,

00:24:08.159 --> 00:24:09.319
 that Jesus would raise

00:24:09.319 --> 00:24:10.139
 him from the dead.

00:24:10.799 --> 00:24:11.639
 She believed

00:24:11.639 --> 00:24:12.879
 he was the Messiah

00:24:12.879 --> 00:24:14.519
 but I believe

00:24:14.519 --> 00:24:15.919
 that this experience

00:24:15.919 --> 00:24:17.599
 of Lazarus

00:24:17.599 --> 00:24:18.339
 being raised

00:24:18.339 --> 00:24:19.279
 from the dead

00:24:19.279 --> 00:24:21.099
 took Mary and Martha's

00:24:21.099 --> 00:24:23.180
 relationship with Christ

00:24:23.180 --> 00:24:25.460
 but faith in Christ

00:24:25.460 --> 00:24:27.660
 to a whole new level.

00:24:27.879 --> 00:24:29.039
 A whole new level

00:24:29.039 --> 00:24:30.500
 of understanding

00:24:30.500 --> 00:24:33.240
 Jesus and the authority

00:24:33.240 --> 00:24:34.279
 that he has.

00:24:35.200 --> 00:24:36.119
 So many times

00:24:36.119 --> 00:24:36.639
 in our lives

00:24:36.639 --> 00:24:37.700
 we go through experiences

00:24:37.700 --> 00:24:38.220
 don't we?

00:24:39.819 --> 00:24:41.119
 Where once we get

00:24:41.119 --> 00:24:42.259
 on the other side of them

00:24:42.259 --> 00:24:43.279
 we look back

00:24:43.279 --> 00:24:45.279
 and we realize

00:24:46.000 --> 00:24:47.440
 what God had been doing

00:24:47.440 --> 00:24:48.399
 in those situations

00:24:48.399 --> 00:24:49.240
 in those circumstances

00:24:49.240 --> 00:24:50.299
 we can never see it

00:24:50.299 --> 00:24:51.099
 in the middle of it

00:24:51.099 --> 00:24:51.480
 can we?

00:24:52.539 --> 00:24:53.660
 Usually we have to get

00:24:53.660 --> 00:24:55.819
 beyond that experience

00:24:55.819 --> 00:24:57.140
 to be able to look back

00:24:57.140 --> 00:24:58.140
 and see how God

00:24:58.140 --> 00:24:58.759
 was with us

00:24:58.759 --> 00:24:59.480
 and the things

00:24:59.480 --> 00:25:00.539
 he accomplished

00:25:00.539 --> 00:25:02.299
 in the midst of that.

00:25:04.440 --> 00:25:05.720
 And that strengthens

00:25:05.720 --> 00:25:06.279
 our faith

00:25:06.279 --> 00:25:07.019
 and it takes us

00:25:07.019 --> 00:25:08.880
 to a whole new level

00:25:08.880 --> 00:25:09.960
 and we have to remember

00:25:09.960 --> 00:25:10.839
 those moments

00:25:10.839 --> 00:25:11.620
 and those times.

00:25:11.720 --> 00:25:12.660
 We have to remember them

00:25:12.660 --> 00:25:13.900
 because we will go

00:25:13.900 --> 00:25:14.559
 through them again

00:25:14.559 --> 00:25:16.240
 and we can't question

00:25:16.240 --> 00:25:17.139
 or doubt God

00:25:17.139 --> 00:25:19.440
 in the instances

00:25:19.440 --> 00:25:20.079
 we'll have

00:25:20.079 --> 00:25:20.679
 in the future.

00:25:20.679 --> 00:25:22.779
 Have you ever questioned

00:25:22.779 --> 00:25:24.019
 why you had to go

00:25:24.019 --> 00:25:24.980
 through a situation?

00:25:26.039 --> 00:25:26.960
 Have you ever questioned

00:25:26.960 --> 00:25:28.480
 why God was allowing

00:25:28.480 --> 00:25:29.480
 something to happen

00:25:29.480 --> 00:25:30.379
 in your life

00:25:30.379 --> 00:25:31.720
 and you just cry out

00:25:31.720 --> 00:25:32.539
 why God?

00:25:34.919 --> 00:25:36.059
 And he's silent.

00:25:36.059 --> 00:25:41.059
 Have you ever gotten

00:25:41.059 --> 00:25:41.720
 frustrated?

00:25:43.559 --> 00:25:44.159
 Disillusioned?

00:25:44.419 --> 00:25:45.059
 Confused?

00:25:45.619 --> 00:25:46.839
 Maybe even angry

00:25:46.839 --> 00:25:47.399
 at God?

00:25:48.519 --> 00:25:49.319
 Have you ever wondered

00:25:49.319 --> 00:25:50.899
 if God really cares

00:25:50.899 --> 00:25:51.659
 about you?

00:25:52.779 --> 00:25:53.319
 Well I hope

00:25:53.319 --> 00:25:54.039
 this passage

00:25:54.039 --> 00:25:54.859
 this morning

00:25:54.859 --> 00:25:56.099
 in seeing

00:25:56.099 --> 00:25:57.779
 this is a blatant

00:25:57.779 --> 00:25:59.059
 delay

00:25:59.579 --> 00:26:00.899
 by God

00:26:00.899 --> 00:26:02.179
 Jesus Christ

00:26:02.180 --> 00:26:03.240
 to come

00:26:03.240 --> 00:26:04.140
 and respond

00:26:04.140 --> 00:26:05.039
 to Mary

00:26:05.039 --> 00:26:05.840
 and Martha

00:26:05.840 --> 00:26:06.660
 but it was

00:26:06.660 --> 00:26:07.440
 for a point.

00:26:08.440 --> 00:26:09.580
 It was for a purpose.

00:26:10.539 --> 00:26:11.560
 It was to take them

00:26:11.560 --> 00:26:13.240
 to a whole new level

00:26:13.240 --> 00:26:14.500
 in their faith

00:26:14.500 --> 00:26:15.779
 and their understanding

00:26:15.779 --> 00:26:17.940
 of who Christ was

00:26:17.940 --> 00:26:18.759
 and the authority

00:26:18.759 --> 00:26:20.120
 and the power

00:26:20.120 --> 00:26:22.180
 that he had been given.

00:26:23.080 --> 00:26:23.900
 So as we go

00:26:23.900 --> 00:26:24.779
 through those moments

00:26:24.779 --> 00:26:25.759
 and those times

00:26:25.759 --> 00:26:27.720
 just rest

00:26:27.720 --> 00:26:29.120
 in Christ.

00:26:30.060 --> 00:26:31.340
 Just rest

00:26:31.339 --> 00:26:32.740
 in him

00:26:32.740 --> 00:26:33.240
 knowing

00:26:33.240 --> 00:26:34.819
 that it's painful

00:26:34.819 --> 00:26:35.659
 it's difficult

00:26:35.659 --> 00:26:36.500
 it's hard

00:26:36.500 --> 00:26:37.319
 but I'm just

00:26:37.319 --> 00:26:38.220
 going to learn

00:26:38.220 --> 00:26:39.240
 to trust

00:26:39.240 --> 00:26:40.199
 that God

00:26:40.199 --> 00:26:40.859
 is working

00:26:40.859 --> 00:26:41.919
 in a way

00:26:41.919 --> 00:26:42.799
 that I don't

00:26:42.799 --> 00:26:43.419
 understand

00:26:43.419 --> 00:26:46.240
 and I may not

00:26:46.240 --> 00:26:46.899
 agree with

00:26:46.899 --> 00:26:48.279
 until I can look

00:26:48.279 --> 00:26:49.159
 back maybe

00:26:49.159 --> 00:26:50.119
 years later.

00:26:50.259 --> 00:26:50.899
 Maybe today

00:26:50.899 --> 00:26:51.959
 you're sitting here

00:26:51.959 --> 00:26:53.039
 and you're in

00:26:53.039 --> 00:26:53.919
 one of those moments

00:26:53.919 --> 00:26:54.519
 right now.

00:26:55.699 --> 00:26:56.480
 Maybe today

00:26:56.480 --> 00:26:58.099
 you're frustrated.

00:26:59.019 --> 00:27:00.019
 Today you're

00:27:00.019 --> 00:27:00.659
 disappointed.

00:27:01.339 --> 00:27:02.519
 Today you're

00:27:02.519 --> 00:27:03.119
 confused

00:27:03.119 --> 00:27:03.599
 or maybe

00:27:03.599 --> 00:27:04.119
 you're even

00:27:04.119 --> 00:27:05.279
 angry at God.

00:27:06.779 --> 00:27:07.579
 I'd love

00:27:07.579 --> 00:27:08.079
 to pray

00:27:08.079 --> 00:27:08.459
 with you

00:27:08.459 --> 00:27:09.099
 this morning.

00:27:10.000 --> 00:27:10.579
 I won't have

00:27:10.579 --> 00:27:11.199
 all the answers

00:27:11.199 --> 00:27:11.659
 for you

00:27:11.659 --> 00:27:12.379
 but I'd love

00:27:12.379 --> 00:27:12.879
 to pray

00:27:12.879 --> 00:27:13.439
 with you

00:27:13.439 --> 00:27:14.579
 and help

00:27:14.579 --> 00:27:15.539
 you to restore

00:27:15.539 --> 00:27:16.459
 your understanding

00:27:16.459 --> 00:27:17.039
 of God

00:27:17.039 --> 00:27:17.759
 is working

00:27:17.759 --> 00:27:18.720
 in that situation

00:27:18.720 --> 00:27:19.759
 in those circumstances.

00:27:20.519 --> 00:27:20.819
 God

00:27:20.819 --> 00:27:21.939
 is fulfilling

00:27:21.939 --> 00:27:22.519
 and bringing

00:27:22.519 --> 00:27:23.519
 about his

00:27:23.519 --> 00:27:24.859
 perfect will

00:27:24.859 --> 00:27:26.099
 and his plan.

00:27:26.199 --> 00:27:26.659
 Let's pray.

00:27:26.660 --> 00:27:28.480
 Father we

00:27:28.480 --> 00:27:29.060
 just thank you

00:27:29.060 --> 00:27:29.900
 for this message

00:27:29.900 --> 00:27:31.200
 and your word.

00:27:32.200 --> 00:27:32.720
 We thank you

00:27:32.720 --> 00:27:33.960
 that it's evident

00:27:33.960 --> 00:27:34.740
 and clear

00:27:34.740 --> 00:27:35.860
 in the scripture

00:27:35.860 --> 00:27:36.940
 that you loved

00:27:36.940 --> 00:27:37.880
 Mary and Martha

00:27:37.880 --> 00:27:38.620
 and you loved

00:27:38.620 --> 00:27:39.400
 Lazarus

00:27:39.400 --> 00:27:41.519
 and yet you

00:27:41.519 --> 00:27:42.160
 delayed

00:27:42.160 --> 00:27:44.040
 not to hurt

00:27:44.040 --> 00:27:44.460
 them

00:27:44.460 --> 00:27:46.200
 but to bring

00:27:46.200 --> 00:27:47.140
 glory to your

00:27:47.140 --> 00:27:47.880
 name and to

00:27:47.880 --> 00:27:48.700
 take them to a

00:27:48.700 --> 00:27:49.519
 whole new level

00:27:49.519 --> 00:27:50.460
 of understanding

00:27:50.460 --> 00:27:51.900
 that you are

00:27:51.900 --> 00:27:52.540
 the resurrection

00:27:52.540 --> 00:27:53.460
 and the life.

00:27:53.460 --> 00:27:54.660
 And I pray

00:27:54.660 --> 00:27:55.200
 Lord today

00:27:55.200 --> 00:27:55.860
 if there's anyone

00:27:55.860 --> 00:27:56.940
 sitting here today

00:27:56.940 --> 00:27:58.840
 who is struggling

00:27:58.840 --> 00:27:59.840
 with feelings

00:27:59.840 --> 00:28:01.960
 of abandonment

00:28:01.960 --> 00:28:03.140
 anger

00:28:03.140 --> 00:28:05.319
 disappointment

00:28:05.319 --> 00:28:06.400
 I pray Lord

00:28:06.400 --> 00:28:06.920
 that you would

00:28:06.920 --> 00:28:07.819
 touch their hearts

00:28:07.819 --> 00:28:08.240
 today

00:28:08.240 --> 00:28:09.420
 and help them

00:28:09.420 --> 00:28:09.900
 to know

00:28:09.900 --> 00:28:10.600
 that you love

00:28:10.600 --> 00:28:10.740
 them

00:28:10.740 --> 00:28:11.740
 you care for

00:28:11.740 --> 00:28:11.860
 them

00:28:11.860 --> 00:28:12.360
 and you are

00:28:12.360 --> 00:28:12.880
 working

00:28:12.880 --> 00:28:14.160
 in their

00:28:14.160 --> 00:28:14.779
 situation

00:28:14.779 --> 00:28:15.120
 and their

00:28:15.120 --> 00:28:15.779
 circumstances

00:28:15.779 --> 00:28:16.620
 despite the

00:28:16.620 --> 00:28:17.680
 fact of what

00:28:17.680 --> 00:28:18.279
 we feel.

00:28:19.039 --> 00:28:19.860
 We thank you

00:28:19.860 --> 00:28:20.420
 and praise you

00:28:20.420 --> 00:28:20.720
 for that

00:28:20.720 --> 00:28:21.640
 in Jesus name.

00:28:22.100 --> 00:28:22.440
 Amen.

00:28:22.660 --> 00:28:23.319
 If I can pray

00:28:23.319 --> 00:28:23.679
 with you