Sunday Sermon Notes--The story of Lazarus (John 11:31-44) offers us four resolutions to keep during 2015. No. 2: Take away the stones. In the Bible, stones were placed before tombs after a burial. Many of us have buried our dreams behind stones of our own making. Stones have a way of obstructing and restricting access. They can stop us from entering or exiting a space. They stand in the way and are usually there because we put them there--either by ourselves or with the help of others. Stones essentially are excuses or reasons we cite for why we cannot or do not progress. When Jesus came to the place where Lazarus had been buried, Lazarus sister Mary told him he was too late to intervene, that the crisis had progressed to a point where there was no hope. Jesus reminded her if she would only believe, he could still do what was needed in that moment. He said to those gathered take away the stone. This suggests that it is necessary to get rid of the excuses or the things that you have convinced yourself are insurmountable and look to Christ. He is bigger than the dilemma at hand, no matter how hopeless it might seem. What stones are blocking you today from becoming what God has ordained for your life? Hear Christ tell you today to get rid of them, to move them out of the way. You must stop crying over spilled milk; stop lamenting and rehearsing your mistakes and failures; stop making excuses for why things are as they are—take away the stones. Now I can hear someone say: But I can’t....---Stone; But I don’t have...—Stone; If only I had...—Stone; No one is helping me...—Stone; If God wanted me to have this, why is this....—Stone. Too often we focus on what we are not; rather than focus on what we are. We let our deficits rob us of our potential—to blur our assets. So you can’t sing, but you can dance; you can’t teach, but you can reach. You can’t lead, but you can follow. Be it resolved: I will take away the stones that lock me down before I can even get out of the starting block, and I will give God access to work in and through and for me.
Posted on: Mon, 05 Jan 2015 14:57:47 +0000
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