How many of you sometimes feel anxious or nervous?
Maybe the word “scared” could be used?
I suppose that’s a silly question,
-I don’t think anyone would be excused from feelings of anxiety
-at some time or another
-it will vary greatly from one person to the next
-as for what gets your nerve
-but, we all get that way
How about the future? Are you anxious about what may lie ahead?
That depends!
A lot of the time, we’re excited about the future
-some of the graduates are excited about this afternoon
-getting done with the graduation & having fun at the parties
-tomorrow, some will look forward to the weekend
-or, you have a vacation coming up & you can’t wait
-but there are times, where we’re not looking forward to what’s coming
-or, we’re fearful of what’s coming up
-from a big test in school, to a big test in the hospital
-to a bill that’s due, or a meeting with the boss with bad news
-to a date on death row, or shipping out on a difficult, fatal mission
-in war
-& graduating from high school, or college
-& wondering what’s ahead
We all wonder what’s ahead & sometimes, uncertainty is unsettling
-& we easily feel anxious
-sometimes, we feel like the soldier putting on his gear getting ready
-for what seems like a difficult, fatal mission
I want to draw our attention to a wonderful perspective
-the Lord Jesus Christ gives us about stepping into what’s ahead
-actually, Jesus was, Himself, on sort of a “fatal mission” - wasn’t He?
-I don’t think any of us are facing that serious of an immediate future
-& by no means, do I want to leave our graduates
-with the feeling that they are on a fatal mission
-it’s just that, a fatal mission, would seem to be the ultimate in fearful futures
-& if we can learn something from Jesus, on how to face that kind of future
-we’ll do well, on facing our day to day fears
-& we’ll gain some valuable perspectives on facing the future
-whether it’s a lifetime beyond high-school
-a new career, marriage, job, maybe no job
-or just a new week ahead
Let’s look at the perspective of Jesus
-in the face of what could be thought of
-as a scary “dark tunnel” ahead
John 11 has the story of Lazarus’ death & revival from the dead
John 11:1-8
Now a man named Lazarus was sick. He was from Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. 2 This Mary, whose brother Lazarus now lay sick, was the same one who poured perfume on the Lord and wiped his feet with her hair. 3 So the sisters sent word to Jesus, "Lord, the one you love is sick."
4 When he heard this, Jesus said, "This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God's glory so that God's Son may be glorified through it." 5 Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. 6 Yet when he heard that Lazarus was sick, he stayed where he was two more days.
7 Then he said to his disciples, "Let us go back to Judea."
8 "But Rabbi," they said, "a short while ago the Jews tried to stone you, and yet you are going back there?"
Jesus wanted to be with His dear friends
-& He had in mind, to raise Lazarus from the dead
-to show further & irrefutable proof, that He was the Living God
-in person & in human bodily form
-Jesus abundantly proved that,
-with things like raising people from the dead
However, it had gotten to where this was going to be very dangerous
-this town was right near to Jerusalem
-& that’s where they were looking for Jesus
-& planning to capture & kill Him
-it seemed, like He had just recently, narrowly escaped death there
-so, the disciples didn’t like this idea
-they thought, it would mean certain death
-& when He said He was going anyway - this is what they thought,
v.16
Then Thomas (called Didymus) said to the rest of the disciples,
"Let us also go, that we may die with him."
This seemed like a fatal mission
-&, in many ways, it was - Jesus knew He was going there to die
-it was a scary future to be sure
Think again about your own scary future that you’re facing
-you’re not likely to be facing something that will result in your death
-you’re just graduating from H.S., or facing some change in your life
-a new chapter of life - but still a lot of unknowns
& questions & concerns possibly around the next corner
-but then, on the same hand, maybe you’ve been told you got cancer
-or, someday, that might be a future you’re given
-it could happen to any of us & will happen to a lot of us
-the future holds some dark shadows, valleys, & tunnels for all of us
How do we proceed?
What gives us strength & courage to move on?
-specially, when we come to these “tunnels” in life?
-& to face the challenges ahead without being paralyzed with fear?
Look at Jesus - who from a human view, faced very dark & scary days ahead
vv.9-10
Jesus answered, "Are there not twelve hours of daylight? A man who walks by day will not stumble, for he sees by this world's light. 10 It is when he walks by night that he stumbles, for he has no light."
There is very powerful & helpful wisdom in this
-think about the point that Jesus is making
-during the daylight hours, you can see where you are going
-you can see things that might get in your way
-you’re not going to trip over things, because you can see them
-& so naturally, you are going to step over them or walk around them
-& not just trip over those things that might be in your way
-so, during daylight hours, you’re good & safe - you’ve got light
-& you won’t trip on things while you got light
-but, it’s a different story at night - (& it’s implied you don’t have a flashlight)
-when it’s really dark, you can’t help but trip over things
-that are in the way
-it’s dangerous to be walking all around in the dark
The point is, when it’s light, you have nothing to worry about on your journey
-you can stay out of trouble
-if you have a distance to make on a journey
-it is so reassuring to know it will be in the light
-but very unsettling to think you need to make that distance in the dark
Now, think of life, as on a long journey
-there will be some dark tunnels to go through for-sure
& Jesus was facing things that surpasses anything we’ll ever face
Hebrews 12:1-3
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. 2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
So, let’s learn from the calm assurance & peace Jesus had about His future
-as we seek to “run the race marked out for us”
-God’s perfect plan for our lives
The question was posed - “Aren’t you afraid to go there! They’ll kill you!”
vv.9-10
Jesus answered, "Are there not twelve hours of daylight? A man who walks by day will not stumble, for he sees by this world's light. 10 It is when he walks by night that he stumbles, for he has no light."
The key to facing any future - is this - Walk in the Light!
John later wrote: “Walk in the light, as He is in the light!”
1 John 1:5-7
This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. 6 If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.
Jesus said,
John 8:12
"I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."
The whole point of this - is walk in the light!
-as you face the future - walk in the light
-as you graduate from High School - walk in the light
-as you begin a new week at work, or home - walk in the light
-as you face bad news at the doctor’s office - walk in the light
-as you get laid off without work - walk in the light
-as you move away from home - for whatever reasons - facing so many changes
-walk in the light
This is a prerogative or choice we all have - to walk in the light
-to walk or live in God’s will
-God has a special plan for your life - a route to travel - a race course to run
-we call it, God’s will for your life
-its obviously the very best that this life will possess for you
-& God wants to lead you on that path
-seek it & follow it
Matthew 7:7-8
"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.
That definitely applies to God’s will for your life - it’s the lighted path
Now, that path of God, His will for your life - it’s the best
-but that doesn’t mean it’s smooth from a human or world’s perspective
-it wasn’t going to be worldly safe for Jesus
-in fact, this trip would result in His death
-yet from an eternal perspective - this is what Jesus came to do
So, when you put your life in God’s hands to do what He wants with your life
-you’ll always be confident that He’s going to work things out for the good
Romans 8:28-31
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. 29 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified. 31 What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us?
That would be a good battle cry to shout to your troops
-as you get ready to storm the battle field - wouldn’t it?!
And in a few verses, the rhetorical question is asked -
“What can separate us from the love of God?” - NOTHING!
-all the worst things you can imagine happening to you
(And, we tend to imagine some bad things)
(And, bad things do happen)
-all the worst things you can imagine happing to you - whatever happens
-it can not separate you from God’s will
-if you seek to be in God’s will & follow it
i.e. - if you stay in the light, as He is in the light
Proverbs 4:10-19
Listen, my son, accept what I say, and the years of your life will be many. 11 I guide you in the way of wisdom and lead you along straight paths. 12 When you walk, your steps will not be hampered; when you run, you will not stumble. 13 Hold on to instruction, do not let it go; guard it well, for it is your life. 14 Do not set foot on the path of the wicked or walk in the way of evil men. 15 Avoid it, do not travel on it; turn from it and go on your way. 16 For they cannot sleep till they do evil; they are robbed of slumber till they make someone fall. 17 They eat the bread of wickedness and drink the wine of violence.
18 The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, shining ever brighter till the full light of day. 19 But the way of the wicked is like deep darkness; they do not know what makes them stumble.
It makes so much difference to follow God in this life & world
Whatever path is before you
-from graduating seniors - to those going into retirement
Walk in the light, as He is in the light!
Follow God whole-heartedly - commit your ways to His ways!
-& whatever lies ahead, you can be like Jesus
“I’m walking in the light - I don’t have to worry about stumbling!”
-& so, even when things go bad - as they will - you will have hardships
-you aren’t really stumbling - because you are in God’s will
-& God’s will is the best - He is in control
-so, even if you die - we don’t want to - but we will
-God has a place prepared for us!
What are you facing?
Face it with confidence & assurance & peace - let your path be lit by God
Philippians 4:6-7
6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
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