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Page 1: Oasis Lazarus Grief x

Beauty from AshesJohn 11:1-46

Comforting those dealing with the pain of life’s disappointments

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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

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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.

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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

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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)

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BAD

WORSE

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Short Circuits

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

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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?

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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

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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

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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)

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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