Worship Preparation Guide for Sunday, March 16

This week we begin to examine John 9.  The whole chapter centers around Jesus healing a man who had been blind since birth.   We will see the themes of suffering and healing; blindness and sight; acceptance and rejection of Jesus; worship and blasphemy. 

A.W. Pink wrote: “In John 8 we behold Christ as ‘the light’ exposing the darkness, but in John 9 He communicates sight.  In John 8 the Light is despised and rejected, in John 9 He is received and worshipped. In John 8 the Jews are seen stooping down—to pick up stones; in John 9 Christ is seen stooping down—to make anointing clay.  In John 8 Christ hides Himself from the Jews; in John 9 He reveals Himself to the blind beggar. In John 8 we have a company in whom the Word has no place; in John 9 is one who responds promptly to the Word.  In John 8 Christ, inside the Temple, is called a demoniac; in John 9, outside the Temple, He is owned as Lord.  The central truth of John 8 is the Light testing human responsibility; in John 9 the central truth is God acting in sovereign grace after human responsibility has failed.” (A.W Pink, Gospel of John)

The drama of John nine begins with the timeless issue of human suffering, and a question asked as often today as it was then: Why?  When confronted with the reality of pain and suffering the question usually asked is, “why”?  The disciples thought they had it figured out.  Jesus, the Light of the World, will shed important light on the issue, but in doing so changes the focus from a man-centered category of causality (why) to a God-centered category of purpose.  Our categories of thought should not primarily be those of cause, but of purpose.  Instead of asking, “why is this happening?”, our question should be, “in light of His character and His promises, can I trust God’s purposes in this suffering, even if I can’t know all those purposes?”   We see that our God does not react and try to explain.  He purposes and works for His glory and our good. 

  

Some of you are going through unimaginable trouble and suffering. This passage has a life-changing word for you. It was written to underline that God has a purpose in your suffering.  God is both sovereign over your suffering and is walking with you, sharing that suffering through Christ our Lord.

In his suffering Job exemplified complete surrender to the sovereignty of God.  “Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head and fell on the ground and worshipped.  And he said, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return.  The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away, blessed be the name of the Lord.” (Job 1:20-21) 

I will confess that taken by itself, Job’s response seems unimaginable to me.  You may feel the same way.  “Fortunately for us [Job] is not the Bible’s last word on suffering.” (Tim Keller, Walking With God Through Suffering, p. 119)  “The sovereign God himself has come down into this world and has experienced its darkness.  He has personally drunk the cup of its suffering down to the dregs.  And he did it not to justify himself but to justify us, that is, to bear the suffering, death, and curse for sin that we have earned.  He takes the punishment upon himself so that someday he can return and end all evil without having to condemn and punish us.” (p.120)

This is the Savior we will gather to worship this Sunday.  He is sovereign over every aspect of our lives.  Not one tear, not one moment of suffering and pain is wasted in God’s design.  He is sovereign and he is strong, strong enough to become weak and take our pain upon himself out of love for us. 

This Sunday we will learn and sing a new song that is solid in its scriptural foundations and rich in the truth is speaks to our hearts.  You can hear it (and practice) Sovereign Over Us at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EufaligPigU

There is strength within the sorrow; 

There is beauty in our tears
;

You meet us in our mourning, 

With a love that casts out fear;


You are working in our waiting, Sanctifying us,

When beyond our understanding, 

You’re teaching us to trust.

                                                                                     

Chorus:  Your plans are still to prosper, 

You have not forgotten us;
 

You’re with us in the fire and the flood;

You’re 
faithful forever, Perfect in love, 

You are sovereign over us.

You are wisdom unimagined, 

Who could understand your ways;

Reigning high above the heavens,

 Reaching down in endless grace.

Youʼre the Lifter of the lowly, 

compassionate and kind;


You surround and You uphold me, 

Your promises are my delight.

Chorus:  Your plans are still to prosper, 

You have not forgotten us;
 

You’re with us in the fire and the flood;

You’re 
faithful forever, Perfect in love, 

You are sovereign over us

Bridge:   Even what the enemy means for evil, 


You turn it for our good, 

You turn it for our good and for your glory;


Even in the valley You are faithful; 

You’re working for our good, 

You’re working for our good and for your glory.