CELEBRATION

ILLUSTRATION: If you’re American, share the story of September 11th. Then, observe how different people had different experiences based on how close they were to the tragedy.

• “Everybody pause for a moment of silence.”

• Suddenly, an eerie stillness swept over the school. The cafeteria was quiet. The hallways were hushed. You couldn’t hear the squeaks of shoes on the basketball courts, students chattering about their weekend, or a couple having their third fight of the day before lunch. The whole school swept into silence. It was September 14th, 2001. President Bush had declared it a national day of prayer and silence. So, every school, store, and workplace went completely quiet for five minutes at noon.

• Why were we doing this? We were mourning the tragedy that had upheaved the United States just three days before.

• Little did we know that this event would be forever burned into our collective memory. Terrorist attacks on American soil specifically targeted innocent civilians in the middle of our most populated city. Using a stolen airplane as a bomb, they flew a speeding jet into the Twin Towers in downtown Manhattan. As fire poured from the building with the baby blue sky as a canvas, the nation stopped to watch in terror.

• Suddenly, another plane struck the second tower. The explosion caused both towers to collapse 1,400 feet to the pavement while filled with innocent fathers, mothers, children, and spouses. We watched in horror as thousands of people tragically died before our eyes at the hands of pure evil.

• September 11th was a chilling and unforgettable day. While it’s just a date, when you mention it to someone, they react.

• For those who were alive and watched it on television, you can see the emotions and memories shimmer in their eyes.

• For those who live in New York, you can see palpable pain consume their complexion.

• If someone lost a loved one, you will likely get tears or even anger.

• However, if you were not alive in 2001, you have only read about these events in textbooks.

• Your reaction is likely far more intellectual than emotional.

• You are simply reading reports, not experiencing a visceral reaction to a real memory.

• This goes to show a fact of life. The closer you are to a moment, the more meaningful it becomes.

• The shockwaves of that day still reverberate through our lives, leaving behind scars of sorrow and even courage.

• As we continue our investigative journey through the dense pages of Luke’s Gospel, we’re about to explore one of Luke’s favorite topics.

• We’re about to explore a realm of resurrections, miracles, and the unexplainable moves of God.

• Amazingly, most of these take place on the tail end of tragedy.

• Luke, a meticulous documenter due to his medical background, collected stories to build an airtight case for Christ.

• In chapter seven of his Gospel, he took an intriguing departure from his narrative flow to highlight a series of supernatural healing and resurrection stories.

• Why, you ask?

• Because it’s pretty hard to argue with someone who was once sick or even dead.

• This astounding account will teach us three powerful lessons about God’s power playing out in our lives.

Application 1: It’s Hard to Disprove a Move of God

• During His ministry, Jesus was known for being a lot of things.

• He was renowned for His wisdom, kindness, compassion, and miracle working power. Of all the things people might say about Him, rude would not be one of them.

• However, at the beginning of this story, Jesus did something that some may consider rude. At least, it seems rude at first glance.

• Jesus interrupted a funeral for a child.

• Yet again, let’s look at all the details Luke gives here. Why does he share all of this? He knows it’s hard to disprove a move of God, especially one like this.

• The boy was dead and on his way to his funeral. Jesus stopped that.

• People could go out and find this young man.

• They could interview him. They could visit Nain themselves to ask around town. Inevitably, everyone would know about the day Jesus canceled a funeral.

• Everything seemed lost for this woman. She was a widow, and now she had just lost her son.

• Visualize the scene.

• A sorrowful funeral procession was winding its way through the city gate of Nain.

• A grieving widow, her heart heavy with the weight of her loss, walked alongside her son’s lifeless body.

• This was an era before caskets, so the body was likely being carried on a makeshift stretcher covered in flowers and fragrant spices.

• Jesus called out to the woman, sobbing in agony, to say, “Don’t cry.” The audacity!

• Can’t He see her son is dead? Jesus had a plan, though.

• Calmly, He touched the corpse and spoke words of life, and the young man began to breathe.

• He tossed the flowers off his body like a bouquet at a wedding and embraced his mother.

• Please understand that these are not just some dusty stories from ancient scrolls. God has moved supernaturally in your life, too.

• Can you recall moments when you thought all hope was lost, but then God stepped in?

• Moments when healing happened, relationships were restored, and dreams were resurrected? Jesus is moving in your life.

• These moves often happen when life seems most difficult, too.

• When things seem hard, just hold onto hope.

• Maybe Jesus is about to interrupt and give you a reason to celebrate.

Application 2: Your Investigation Should End With Celebration

• Luke writes that, as the young man sat up and began to speak, “They were all filled with awe and praised God” (Luke 7:16).

• Picture the scene: the crowd, the gasps, the joyful tears, and the overwhelming sense of wonder.

• I imagine there was even some dancing and jumping.

• A dead child was breathing. He would be able to go to school, start a career, share meals with his mother, and start his own family.

• Thanks to Jesus, the funeral didn’t even make it to the graveside.

• God did a similar work for you, too.

• He canceled your own funeral.

• Like this boy, you were on your way to death, and Jesus interrupted it.

• That is a reason to celebrate.

• That is a reason to praise.

• That is a reason to be filled with awe like the onlooking crowd.

• When God does a miracle in your life, do you respond with the same sense of wonder and praise?

• Luke explains that the news spread through Nain and revival spread as a result. God had stepped down into Judea.

• Remember that we said being close to a moment makes it much more meaningful?

• Imagine this experience for the mother or even the formerly dead boy.

• Their proximity set them up for praise.

• All the miracles in your life are as close as humanly possible.

• Thus, they’re more meaningful. When something is meaningful to you, what do you do? You prioritize, protect, and pronounce it.

• You share what you care about.

• Be sure to celebrate all that God is doing within and around you. It will help others as they are investigating Jesus for themselves.

Landing:

• As we conclude this leg of our journey through Luke’s Gospel, let’s be encouraged to see God’s work around us, truly investigate it, and then tell others about it.

• The closer we are to these miraculous moments, the more meaningful they become.

• Every miracle demands our marvel. When God moves, let’s respond with praise and proclamation.

TALK IT OUT

Go through these questions with your circle. Be honest. Be open. Talk through the tough stuff.

Ice Breaker: Go around your circle and share this week’s highs and lows. What was the best part of your week and what was the lowest part of your week?

What’s one thing that stood out to you from today’s message?

Put yourself in the shoes of the people witnessing the resurrection of the widow’s son. How do you think you would have reacted? What emotions would you have felt?

Please share a personal experience when you saw God’s power or intervention in your life. How did it impact your faith?

Do you think you have ever missed a move of God? How can you prevent yourself from overlooking God’s work in the future?

Reflect on your response to God’s work in your life. Do you celebrate and share these moments of wonder with others, or do you keep them to yourself?

How might celebrating God’s work inspire others in their faith journey?

Application: How can you notice and celebrate God’s work in your life this week?

READ THESE PASSAGES IN ORDER EVERY DAY

Luke 15

Luke 16

Luke 17

Luke 18

Luke 19:1-27

Luke 19:28-48

Luke 20:1-20

Do the following with each passage:

ASK– God to connect with you here. In prayer, start by slowing down and inviting God to be present. Begin with focus and openness to see what God has for you today.

READ– the selected section of Scripture slowly. Take note of the words and phrases that intrigue you, reading them a second time if necessary.

REFLECT– on what grabs you. How does this passage personally relate to your own life and experiences?

RESPOND– to the Scripture. Speak directly to God about what’s on your mind and heart. Look for ways to live out what you’ve uncovered.