
Luke 7:11-17
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. 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 bier they were carrying him on, and the bearers stood still. He said, “Young man, I say to you, get up!” 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. “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.
“Death is an inexorable, irresistible messenger who cannot be
diverted from executing his orders. Not by the force of the mighty,
the bribes of the rich nor the entreaties of the poor.” —Thomas Boston
1 Corinthians 15:25-26
25 For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. 26 The last enemy to be destroyed is death.
Luke 22:31
Simon, Simon, behold Satan desires to have you, that he may sift you as wheat.
Double meaning: Beautiful and Afflicted
I. THREE FUNERAL STOPPING POINTS.
- All of us along the course of our lives will have to deal with the events of Nain. That is, we must deal with the beauty and the affliction.
- Nain represents life, but it is also marked by significant deaths.
For instance: Life in our successes, but death to some of our dreams.
How are we going to deal with the events of Nain?
Are we going to be carried out of Nain or are we going to walk out of
Nain?
Friend, just because there’s been a death in Nain (your life) doesn’t
mean that there has to be a funeral burial.
1. We must get rid of the Spirit of Mourning.
- We mourn the loss of what was.
- We mourn the loss of what could have been.
PSALM 108:1; HABAKKUK 3:17-18
To get rid of the spirit of mourning, we must get a vision in front of us that is greater than the pain behind us.
PHILLIPIANS 3:14
2. We must recognize the Motive of Jesus.
2 CORINTHIANS 4:7
“A cemetery is the richest place in the world.” —Miles Monroe
Psalm 110:1 In the presence of the Lord there is fullness of joy.
3. We must recognize the Power of Jesus.
Whatever He touches will either GAIN POWER or LOSE POWER.
I shall live and not die!