Sorrow in Life
God's voice can bring comfort and deliverance to those who are overwhelmed by sorrow.
Watchman Nee speaks on the theme of sorrow in life, illustrating how overwhelming grief can isolate us, as seen in Mary's experience at the empty tomb. Despite her deep sorrow and despair, it was the personal call of Jesus, saying her name, that transformed her mourning into joy. This highlights the power of Christ's voice in our lives, reminding us that in our darkest moments, His presence can bring comfort and hope. Ultimately, the sermon emphasizes the importance of recognizing and responding to the Lord's call, leading us to worship and find peace amidst our struggles.
Text
"Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turneth herself, and saith unto him in Hebrew, Rabboni; which is to say, Teacher." John 20:16
Life can be quite overwhelming when we see no future and are only conscious of bitter sorrow. There are some sorrows that no one else can share. Mary found it so, and stood weeping at the door of the empty tomb. If we feel that we have something to cry about, how much more had she, for she could not find her Lord. In coming to the grave she only expected to find a corpse, but now even that was gone.
What was it that dried her tears and banished all her sorrows? What happened? It was just a voice saying "Mary," but it was his voice and it was her name. After that, nothing seemed to matter. So with us. When we come to an impasse from which there seems no deliverance, we only have to hear the Lord's voice speaking our name, and all is well. There is nothing more to do than to kneel down and worship him.
Sermon Outline
- I. Sorrow in Life
- A. Sorrow can be overwhelming and isolating
- B. Mary's sorrow was compounded by the loss of her Lord
- II. The Power of God's Voice
- A. God's voice can dry tears and banish sorrow
- B. Hearing God's voice can bring deliverance and peace
Key Quotes
“It was just a voice saying 'Mary,' but it was his voice and it was her name.” — Watchman Nee
“When we come to an impasse from which there seems no deliverance, we only have to hear the Lord's voice speaking our name, and all is well.” — Watchman Nee
Application Points
- When you feel overwhelmed by sorrow, take time to worship God and trust in His power to bring peace and deliverance.
- Listen for God's voice speaking your name and look for the comfort and deliverance that He brings.
- Kneel down and worship God, trusting in His ability to dry your tears and banish your sorrow.