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Rev. Dr. Ronald E. Braxton, Senior Pastor, Metropolitan AME Church
Sunday, June 6, 2010
www.metropolitanamec.org

Scripture Lesson: Luke 7:11-17 11-15 Not long after that, Jesus went to the village Nain. His disciples were with him, along with quite a large crowd. As they approached the village gate, they met a funeral procession—a woman’s only son was being carried out for burial. And the mother was a widow. When Jesus saw her, his heart broke. He said to her, “Don’t cry.” Then he went over and touched the coffin. The pallbearers stopped. He said, “Young man, I tell you: Get up.” The dead son sat up and began talking. Jesus presented him to his mother. 16-17They all realized they were in a place of holy mystery, that God was at work among them. They were quietly worshipful—and then noisily grateful, calling out among themselves, “God is back, looking to the needs of his people!” The news of Jesus spread all through the country. The Message Bible translation

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Most of us have lived through some desolate places in life. Illness, chronic pain, death of a loved one, financial disaster, loss of a home, loss of employment, break-up of a long term relationship, violence, child abuse – all are circumstances that shatter a private world. Over the last two weeks, all I have been able to think about is the status of the oil leaks in the gulf and the people who are most affected by it, praying that they fare better than the victims of Hurricane Katrina. I pray that they are not left in a desolate place.

In the scripture, Jesus ministers to a woman in a desolate place. In the village of Nain, he shows compassion for a woman whose son has died. She has no husband; and she is on the way to bury her only son. In those times, widows were in a tenuous status; their fate was left to the remaining male members of their family. If there were no male members of the family to take care of them, they were moved to the margins of society. The scripture provides three lessons for us when we are in desolate places in life.

1. Take comfort that there is no desolation that blinds you from the sight of God. You may not be able to see God, but He has his eyes on you. Jesus knows all about our troubles, he will guide us til the day is done. There’s no friend like the lowly Jesus; no, not one, no not one. You can look to the life of Jesus and see in him the goodness of God. In the text, God shows compassion for the outcast. He demonstrates his ability to reach into our suffering and hurt. The same power that resides in God resides in us. The woman is suffering a pain worse than death. Jesus instructs her: Stop your weeping! He commands the dead corpse to rise and he gives the boy back to his mother.

2. In your desolate place, you have more power and strength than you know. You have the same power that Jesus has. Use your power and command those mountains: Get outta my way! Stand firm; stand bold; stand defiant in your desolation. There is no secret what God can do; what He’s done for others He will do for you.

3. When God blesses you in your desolate place, let your voice of praise and thanksgiving be distinctive. When God enters your desolate place, he restores you, picks you up, and breathes new life into your dead situation. Don’t let anyone or anything drown out your praise and thanksgiving when Jesus opens doors for you. Don’t be afraid to say: Thank you God! Thank you for the food on my table! Thank you for moving the mountains out of my life! Thank you, Lord, in my desolate place!

Don’t wait til the Lord brings you out of your desolate place. Praise Him now. Don’t wait until you get a new job. Don’t wait until you get a new house after you’ve lost your old house. Don’t wait until he delivers your child off those drugs. In your rough places, raise your hand and shout: Hallelujah!

Related posts:

1. Sermon Notes: God Will Show Up in the Rubble Places
2. Sermon Notes: Some Lessons for Everyone
3. Sermon Notes: When God Goes to Work in a Life
4. Sermon Notes: Living a Marked Life
5. Sermon Notes: When God Is Present

Tags: Rev. Dr. Ronald E. Braxton, Sermon Notes