A friend of mine has a boat. Not just any boat. This is one of those boats that you can sleep on, with a bed and kitchen underneath. When you buy a boat like this, they deliver it on a giant flatbed trailer. When they deliver it, they plop it down in water, and it is your job to drive this boat down to wherever you plan on docking it.

My friend loves to tell the story of that first day when they delivered his brand new boat. Now, he had taken the classes. He knew the bow from the stern. But his friend, and experienced boat person, went with him on this maiden voyage down Lake Michigan to the Milwaukee area. Of course, an hour into the journey, a huge storm blows up. The waves are lapping up over the sides. The You can't see, so you have to use your GPS stuff. ( You can tell I know nothing about boats.) They are soaking wet. And he says, he learned more in that storm than in any classroom. I guess, Rough Seas Make Great Sailors.

Have any of you been going through a rough sea? If I asked you, how many of you know someone who is going through rough seas, I'll bet every hand would go up. That's because:

We all have some funerals to attend.

We all know a divorced friend who needs encouraging.

We all have visited a sick friend who could use some support.

I looked at our Scripture readings on the back of the bulletin, they are about how our God triumphs over disappointment. I love Ezekiel 37, the story of the Valley of Dry Bones. The bones represent both Israel and Judah, now in exile. The once great nation had been divided, broken, dispersed. The people thought there was no hope. But they didn't know Jesus! They didn't trust their God. Because with Jesus there is always hope because of His victory.

But possibly my favorite Bible story is this one from John 11. Today, we focus on His ministry to Martha. See how Jesus comforts people who are hurting. See His love! See His power over death and disappointment! See His victory!

Notice, Jesus didn't come right away. Jesus had been called to be with Lazarus. Jesus didn't come right away. Lazarus died. Jesus didn't come right away. 3 days pass, Jesus didn't come right away. Finally, 4 days after Lazarus died, Jesus made the 2 mile trip from Jerusalem to Bethany.

The Jews believed that the spirit hovered over the body for 3 days, and finally on the 4^th day the spirit would depart. Jesus delayed 4 days to make sure that no one would question this miracle.

And when Jesus arrived, He is met with a rebuke from Martha: "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died." Lord, if only you had been here… Does that sound familiar? "If only we had come sooner…" "If only I hadn't done this …" "If only I had done that…"

These words are very common with those who hurt. If only...

Notice what Jesus is doing. He gently turns her away from "what might have been" (away from the "if onlys") and helps her to focus on "what will be." "Your brother will rise again." "Oh, I know he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day." And then Jesus points her to Himself, draws her to the Himself.

"I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me shall live, even though He dies, and whoever lives and believes in me shall never die."

Jesus is the answer. NOTHING is more helpful to a person who is suffering than to be pointed to Jesus Christ. The death of Jesus paid for our sins, the resurrection of Jesus assures us there is life beyond the grave. NOTHING is more helpful to a person who is suffering than to be pointed to Jesus Christ.

Jesus is our assurance that there is life beyond the grave.

Jesus is the ANCHOR for the soul that has been tossed by a storm.

Jesus is the COMPANION for the broken-hearted.

Jesus LOVES with an everlasting love.

Jesus is the ONE WHO BRINGS GOOD from the ruins of life.

This is because only Jesus Christ breathes new life into the dying and disappointed.

This passage tells us that Jesus is the Master over death and disappointment in all of its forms. Jesus did NOT say, I bring resurrection and life. He said, "I AM THE RESURRECTION and the LIFE."

The Lord often used the word "sleep" to describe death. He told the disciples that Lazarus was "asleep." When He went with Jairus, He said she is only sleeping. This is because Jesus knew they would eventually wake up. Why did Jesus raise up Lazarus? It was just one example of what He will do for all His people. He raised Lazarus so that we would know that He could do it. Only the Son of God can call the dead back to life.

Jesus said, "He who believes in me shall live." That is our hope. Belief and trust in Jesus allows us to live life to the full. Jesus said, " I have come that you may have life, and have it abundantly." And without Jesus, what hope do we have?

Charles Swindoll writes, "If the world is our classroom, and God is our teacher, then why are we so surprised when God gives us a pop quiz?" Why are we so surprised when God tests our faith? Why are we so surprised when God allows someone we care about to struggle?

I want to spend the rest of our time this morning giving you Bible-based Hope over the death and disappointments of this sinful world. Only Christ can breathe hope into the dry bones of disappointment. Only Christ can give hope in the midst of a seemingly hopeless situation. You might be able to share some of the following 4 points with people who know who are hurting.

1. For those who are upset by past events, for those who have worries and concerns about the future, Yield your memories and your dreams to the Lord. Say to Him, "Lord, you are the God of yesterday, today, and forever. Forgive my mistakes of the past in Jesus Christ, and take all my dreams about tomorrow. In all things, Thy will be done, so that I may live for Your glory today." While we learn from our past, we shouldn't always allow our future to be determined by our hurts and pains. Rather, lay the disappointments at the foot of Jesus' cross, and commit your new pathway to the Lord.

2. Whatever your present situation, accept it as from the Lord. To accept something does not mean passive resignation to the problems of life. We are not called by God to give up and stop fighting for what you believe in. But it does mean that every one of us must come to the point where we realize that you are where you are right now because this is where God wants you to be. When God wants you to be somewhere else, He will move you there. This doesn't mean that it is wrong to change your situation if you need to OR if you can, but it gives you the foundation that God's hands are at work in your life right now. Psalm 23 "Yeah, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for Thou art with me. Thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me."

3. Let's resolve to obey God right where we are. Disappointment can cause us to become bitter. We may find a thousand excuses to blame, to give up, to quit. If things are not as you would like them to be, maybe it is time to roll up the sleeves and get to work. Can you imagine if Jesus' sadness over our sin would have caused Him to avoid the cross, and dismiss the plan of salvation? Sure, we fail. And Christ's forgiveness is for all of us. But He does ask us to serve Him with whatever talents we have been given.

4. Praise God for His goodness in spite of the circumstances. Even when God answers our prayers with a resounding "no" and even when the Lord closes as door that we fought to keep open, even when the waves of the stormy seas are lapping upon us, we still have reason to given Him thanks.

He is victorious over death and disappointment. Martha had lost so much, but Jesus Christ brought hope to this troubled family.

The Christian church is finishing her Lenten journey, as we await the Passion, the cross, and the celebration of Easter Sunday. No matter what anyone else promise, it is only in the crucified and risen Savior that we find our Hope, Our Victory.