Under The Circumstances, Part 1: When Life Happens // Andy Stanley
Oct 22, 2023
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Guest Andy Stanley discusses the assurance that God is present in our struggles. They explore the story of Jesus intentionally delaying his arrival to heal his friend Lazarus, highlighting the importance of belief in difficult circumstances. They also emphasize the trustworthiness of Jesus' message and the compassion of God in times of pain and frustration.
Circumstances do not indicate God's absence; God is always present, even in the midst of grief and tragedy.
Trusting in God's love and presence brings peace, grace, and the ability to navigate challenging circumstances.
Deep dives
Jesus engineers circumstances to address doubt and loss of faith
Jesus begins a series entitled 'Under the Circumstances,' focusing on doubt, anger, and loss of faith caused by tragedy or sudden change. He acknowledges the pain and confusion that arises when God seemingly doesn't intervene or fulfill promises. Jesus shares a story where he deliberately allows a friend to die and addresses the question of why God allows suffering and pain. The purpose of this narrative is to assure people that God the Father is aware, cares, and is with them in their darkest moments.
Jesus weeps with Mary and Martha to demonstrate God's compassion
Jesus arrives late after his friend Lazarus has died. Mary and Martha express their grief and frustration to Jesus, blaming him for not preventing their brother's death. Jesus is deeply moved and troubled, showing that he weeps with them in their pain. This affirms that God's love and concern transcends circumstances and demonstrates the compassion and care of the Father. This moment reinforces the belief that God is present even in the midst of grief and tragedy.
Jesus proves God's love and concern with Lazarus' resurrection
Jesus commands the stone to be removed from Lazarus' tomb and prays to thank the Father for always hearing him. He does this to demonstrate the Father's power and to affirm that God sent him to show what the Father is like. Despite the initial doubt and skepticism of the crowd, Jesus calls Lazarus forth from the tomb, and Lazarus miraculously rises. This event leads many Judeans to believe that Jesus was sent by God and that his promises and teachings can be trusted, providing hope and assurance in the face of adversity.
The invitation to cast all cares on God and find peace and grace
The story of Lazarus' resurrection invites listeners to cast all worries, grief, anger, and frustration onto God. People are encouraged to surrender their pain and hardships, knowing that God cares for them. By observing the compassion and actions of Jesus, who is in perfect unity with the Father, individuals discover that circumstances do not indicate God's absence or lack of concern. Trusting in God's love and presence brings peace, grace, and the ability to navigate challenging circumstances.