Jesus The Early Years

Sunday Morning – 23rd September 2007

Studies in Luke’s GospelLUKE 7:11-17

Psalm 67(1):1-7 (p. 300)

1  Lord, bless and pity us,shine on us with thy face:

2That th’ earth thy way, and nations all

may know thy saving grace.

Psalm 67(1):1-7 2/4

3 Let people praise thee, Lord;let people all thee praise.

4 O let the nätions be glad,in songs their voices

raise: 

Psalm 67(1):1-7 3/4

Thou ’lt justly people judge, on earth rule nations all.

5 Let people praise thee, Lord; let them praise thee, both great and

small. 

Psalm 67(1):1-7 4/4

6The earth her fruit shall yield,

our God shall blessing send.

7God shall us bless; men shall him fear

unto earth’s utmost end.

Prayer & Children’s Talk

“I WILL TRY TO FIX YOU…”But…

WHO CAN REALLY FIX YOU?

Psalm 1 a:1-6* (p. 1)

1 Blessed is the one who turns away

from where the wicked walk,Who does not stand in sinners’

pathsor sit with those who mock.

Psalm 1 a:1-6* (2/5)

2 Instead he finds God’s holy law

his joy and great delight;He makes the precepts of

the LORDhis study day and night.

Psalm 1 a:1-6* (3/5)

3 He prospers ever like a treethat’s planted by a stream,And in due season yields its

fruit;its leaves are always green.

Psalm 1 a:1-6* (4/5)

4 Not so the wicked! They are like

the chaff that’s blown away.

5 They will not stand when judgment comes

or with the righteous stay.

Psalm 1 a:1-6* (5/5)

6 It is the LORD who sees and knows

the way the righteous go,But those who live an evil

lifethe LORD will overthrow.

Scripture Reading – Luke 7:11-17 (p. 1035)

11 Soon afterward, Jesus went to a town called Nain, and his disciples and a large crowd went along with him.

12 As he approached the town gate, a dead person was being carried out--the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. And a large crowd from the town was with her.

Scripture Reading – Luke 7:11-17 (p. 1035)

13 When the Lord saw her, his heart went out to her and he said, "Don't cry."

14 Then he went up and touched the coffin, and those carrying it stood still. He said, "Young man, I say to you, get up!"

Scripture Reading – Luke 7:11-17 (p. 1035)

15 The dead man sat up and began to talk, and Jesus gave him back to his mother.

16 They were all filled with awe and praised God.

Scripture Reading – Luke 7:11-17 (p. 1035)

"A great prophet has appeared among us," they said. "God has come to help his people."

17 This news about Jesus spread throughout Judea and the surrounding country.

Psalm 16:7-11* (p. 17) 1/5

 7 I’ll praise the LORD my God,

whose counsel guides my choice;

And even in the night, my heart

recalls instruction’s voice. 

Psalm 16:7-11* (p. 17) 2/5

8Before me constantlyI set the LORD alone.Because he is at my right

handI’ll not be overthrown.

Psalm 16:7-11* (p. 17) 3/5

9 Therefore my heart is glad; my tongue with joy will

sing. My body too will rest secure in hope unwavering.

 

Psalm 16:7-11* (p. 17) 4/5

10 For you will not allowmy soul in death to stay,Nor will you leave your

Holy Oneto see the tomb’s decay.

Psalm 16:7-11* (p. 17) 5/5

11 You have made known to me the path of life divine. Bliss shall I know at your

right hand; joy from your face will shine.

Prayers of Intercession

Followed by a Unison Prayer before the sermon

Unison Prayer

Heavenly Father, We pray that what we know not,

you would teach us,

Unison Prayer

What we have not, you would give to us,

and what we are not, you would make us. 

For Jesus’ sake.  Amen.

Sermon - Luke 7:11-17Jesus and the Last Taboo

John Chapman once told: I wouldn’t be seen dead in your church!

The Bible is realistic, not sentimental, about death.

Why is our generation so coy about death? Is it that we are UNPREPARED? Uncertain? Luke relates 3 incidents where Jesus is master – even of death!

Death: The Last Taboo

1 – In the Raw Pain of Death - Don’t Cry! (Luke 8:40-56)

Now when Jesus returned, a crowd welcomed him, for they were all expecting him. Then a man named Jairus, a ruler of the synagogue, came and fell at Jesus' feet, pleading with him to come to his house because his only daughter, a girl of about twelve, was dying…. (the story is interrupted, then at v 49…)

1 – In the Raw Pain of Death - Don’t Cry! (Luke 8:40-56)

While Jesus was still speaking, someone came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue ruler. "Your daughter is dead," he said. "Don't bother the teacher any more." Hearing this, Jesus said to Jairus, "Don't be afraid; just believe, and she will be healed.“ When he arrived at the house of Jairus, he did not let anyone go in with him except Peter, John and James, and the child's father and mother.

1 – In the Raw Pain of Death - Don’t Cry! (Luke 8:40-56)

Meanwhile, all the people were wailing and mourning for her. "Stop wailing," Jesus said. "She is not dead but asleep." They laughed at him, knowing that she was dead. But he took her by the hand and said, "My child, get up!" Her spirit returned, and at once she stood up. Then Jesus told them to give her something to eat. Her parents were astonished, but he ordered them not to tell anyone what had happened.

1 – In the Raw Pain of Death - Don’t Cry! (Luke 8:40-56)

An astounding story: what could be worse than ministry to parents losing a child.

How could Jesus risk saying what he did?

Because He is the Lord of Life and Death.

2 – In the Raw Loneliness of Death - Don’t Cry! (Luke 7:11)

A grieving mother: no husband, no child, and now: no funeral!

7:13 - When the Lord saw her, his heart went out to her and he said, "Don't cry."

Pity for her loneliness. Death destroys all our hard-won and precious relationships.

2 – In the Raw Loneliness of Death - Don’t Cry! (Luke 7:11)

Would you design a world where death wrecks relationships?

God didn’t: it is the result of our pushing away the Author of Life.

Jesus is able to handle death!!!

3 – In the Raw Helplessness of Death - DO CRY! (Luke 23:39)

One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: "Aren't you the Christ? Save yourself and us!" But the other criminal rebuked him. "Don't you fear God," he said, "since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong." Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." Jesus answered him, "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise."

3 – In the Raw Helplessness of Death - DO CRY! (Luke 23:39)

Facing Death – they knew they were about to die – what should you do?

One still sees Jesus as a servant… But by a miracle of God, the other

sees what looked so unlikely: Jesus is a King. A king, who saves from death.

Paradise: God’s garden. It’s all right – they are here with me…

3 – In the Raw Helplessness of Death - DO CRY! (Luke 23:39)

Where are you today? Is death still a taboo subject?

Are you ready to cry to Jesus? To move towards him, right now?

PRAYER: Lord Jesus, thank you for dying in my place. Please forgive me, and reign over me as King. Please give me eternal life because you died for me.

Psalm 73b:24-28* (p. 96) (1/4)

Followed by Sung Doxology: Jude 24-25

To your glory you will bring mewith your counsel as my

guide.I have none but you in heaven;

all on earth I lay aside.Flesh and heart may fail, but ever

God my portion will abide.

Psalm 73b verses 24-26 (1/4)

Psalm 73b:24-28* (p. 96) (2/4)

Followed by Sung Doxology: Jude 24-25

Those far off from you will perish;you give them their due

reward.As for me, it is a blessing

to be near the Sovereign LORD.I have made my God my refuge;

all your deeds I will record.

Psalm 73b verses 27-28 (2/4)

Psalm 73b:24-28* (p. 96) (3/4) Followed by

Sung Doxology: Jude 24-25

Now to him whose power is ableto protect our stumbling feet,and prepare our souls for glorythere with joy our King to meetso that we may stand before himfaultless at his judgement seat—

Sung Benediction – Scripture Song from Jude 24-25 (3/4)

Psalm 73b:24-28* (p. 96) (4/4) Followed

by Sung Doxology: Jude 24-25

To the only God our Saviour,through our Lord Christ Jesus'

name,be dominion, power, glory,majesty and matchless fame,from before the world's foundation,now and evermore the same!

Sung Benediction – Scripture Song from Jude 24-25 (4/4)Words from Jude arranged by Dr NICK NEEDHAM © AUTHOR. Words of Psalm 73 arranged © Free Church of Scotland.

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Evening Service is at6 pm in Dingwall

or 4 pm in

Strathpeffer God Calls Us to delight in

Christ and to Share

His Hope.