Jay Grant’s message on Luke 7:11-16
Sermon notes:
LUKE 7:11-17
A WIDOW’S SON
Soon after (healing the centurion’s servant), Jesus went to a town called Nain, accompanied by His disciples and a very large crowd. As Jesus drew near to the city gate, a man who had died was being carried out – the only son of his mother, who was also a widow, and a considerable number of people from the town were with her.
When the Lord saw her, He felt great compassion and said, “Do not weep.” Then Jesus stepped forward, touched the coffin, and the pallbearers came to a halt. And Jesus said, “Young man, I say to you arise!” And the man who was dead sat up and began to speak. And Jesus gave him back to his mother.
Then awe and reverent fear gripped everyone, and they began glorifying God exclaiming, “A great prophet has arisen among us and God has visited His people!” And this report about what Jesus did spread throughout all of Judea and the surrounding country. NAS/ESV/AMP/jg
What Can You and I Learn from The Widow Son’s Story?
1. You must NOT BE SURPRISED when a fiery ordeal hits. Nobody escapes from terribly difficult times in this life. You are not going to escape and I am not going to escape. We are going to have super days but also very, very tough ones. Days such as the widow of Nain experienced, facing painful life and death issues.
2. Be careful to not BLAME God when suffering arrives. Do not take an offense against God that somehow God has failed you. Resist feelings of resentment, anger, self-pity, and negative thoughts like, “Well, God just doesn’t care for me. He doesn’t love me.”
3. Work hard at “RESPONDING WELL” when facing trials. How we respond to problems will often set the course of our life. “Count it all joy when you encounter various trials,” said James (1:2-4). You may not feel joy when suffering but you can count it so. Do you?
4. Know that God is ALWAYS THERE in the midst of our most devastating days. “God is a refuge and strength, a VERY PRESENT HELP in times of trouble.” No matter how terrible, God promises all things work together for the good (Romans 8:28). Do you believe this?
5. TRUST God no matter what. Believe. WALK BY FAITH, not by feelings. Fight the good fight, stay the course, keep the faith. Stand. Watch. Stay sober. BE ALERT. Prepare yourself for whatever life may bring. Overcoming takes place before the trail hits. BE READY!.