March 15, 2020

LIVING THE DASH
March 15, 2020
Charles Billingsley

Have you ever wished you could go back and live your life over again, except with the wisdom you now have? What would you do differently (that you can say!)?

Open: Tombstones almost always have the birth date and death date of the person in the grave. Between the two is a “dash,” indicating days, months or years that the person lived. The length of life may vary greatly, but the end result is always the same: they departed from this earth and were immediately in the presence of the Lord. No two people have lived their “dash” the same, but their relationship with the Lord God will decide where eternity is going to be spent.

Focal Passage: John 11:1-44.

Living the Dash—through the waiting

  • Read John 11:1-7. Why did Jesus wait for two days before leaving for Judea? Do you think Mary and Martha were calmly waiting? Why not?
  • Read verse 11. What are some things we can do as we spend the time waiting for God to answer prayers? Which ways honor God as we wait?
  • Read Psalm 27:14. Why is it so important to face our circumstances with faith, rather than doubts, fears or unbelief? If you are waiting on the Lord, what does He promise you?

Living the Dash—through the weeping

  • Read verse 21. What did Mary and Martha both say when Jesus finally arrived in Bethany? Do you think they expected Him to come immediately upon hearing that Lazarus was sick? Is that different from our expectations when we have a serious prayer request?
  • Read Psalm 34:17-18 and Hebrews 4:15. How can you actively process the thought that God understands your pain?
  • Read Isaiah 43:2. How can you tell from this passage that God is very aware of what you’re going through? How do you know He’s working even when you cannot see Him?

Living the Dash—through the watching

  • Read John 11:38-39. Only Jesus knew what He was going to do for Lazarus. Who were some of those in the crowd? (For instance, mourners). How do you think each group was reacting to what Christ was doing?
  • Read verse 40. How can you make this verse applicable to your circumstances when you are going through tough times?

Living the Dash—through the wonder

  • Read verses 41a-44a, Could any of those present have been prepared for this result? Explain how you imagine Lazarus able to come out, empowered by the Spirit, yet bound by grave clothes. How is that like our new nature and old nature?
  • What are some of the things that can keep us bound? Did you remove all your “grave clothes” after salvation?

Close: Everyone’s life as God’s child is different! As we read through the New Testament, most of us might assume that those who knew and loved Jesus as a friend, and believed Him to be the Messiah, might have had a special relationship that we—2,000 years later—would never imagine. That was not the case, as we saw in today’s sermon. Mary and Martha had a tough couple of weeks, when their faith was tested severely.

Mary, Martha, and their brother Lazarus, loved their friend, Jesus of Nazareth, deeply. When Lazarus fell sick, the sisters immediately sent messengers to Jesus to let Him know His dear friend was sick. Then they waited for Jesus to come. What about you? In your time of waiting for an answer to prayer, what do you do? Unlike Mary and Martha, you can keep your eyes on the Big Picture. A life of unbelief has no place in a Christian’s tough circumstances. Faith gives hope as we wait. We can also keep our faith in His blessed promises. He has never left us, and He isn’t going to do so now! And we know that none of His promises has ever failed! And while we’re waiting, we have to remember that God is working all things out for our good. Lastly, we have to keep our heart tuned to His beautiful Presence. He is not only our dear friend, but loving Savior. And remember, God works in the space of the entire dash, not just a sliver of time.

As we move through our own dash, let us wait on the Lord. We will eventually discover His impeccable plan. It is by living for Him that we discover the wonder of worship and His intimate Presence. The lifestyle of worship is a perpetual celebration over the freedom and forgiveness God has given you. It is a beautiful “sacrifice” to Him from a loving child!

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