In this episode of the New Hope Church podcast, we delve into the profound and often challenging topic of mourning. I, Randy Spacht, one of the pastors at New Hope, share how our sermon series on mourning has become particularly timely in light of recent events within our church community, including the passing of our friend John Kellams and the loss experienced by several members of our congregation.

We begin by exploring the biblical foundation of grief, highlighting that the Old Testament, particularly the book of Psalms, contains a significant number of psalms of lament—62 out of 150, to be exact. I read Psalm 13, which exemplifies the structure of a lament: a complaint, a plea, a confession of trust, and a concluding praise. This psalm reflects the deep anguish and sorrow that can accompany mourning, a sentiment that resonates with many of us.

Throughout the episode, I discuss various reasons for mourning, drawing parallels between David's experiences and our own. David mourned when faced with enemies, injustice, a sense of abandonment by God, his own sinfulness, and the loss of loved ones. I emphasize that while we may not face the same enemies as David, we can relate to feelings of being attacked, experiencing injustice, or feeling distant from God.

I also touch on the personal nature of mourning, discussing how it can stem from various life circumstances, including the loss of relationships, the challenges of parenting, and the grief that comes with fostering children. Each of these experiences can lead to a sense of loss and mourning, even when they involve positive changes.

As we navigate through these themes, I pose critical questions for reflection: Where are you mourning today? Has your mourning caused you to doubt God? How can you learn to trust amidst your grief? I encourage listeners to reach out for support, whether through pastoral staff or small community groups, emphasizing that mourning is a natural and valid response to life's challenges.

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In this episode of the New Hope Church podcast, we continue our series titled "Good Grief," led by Pastor Zach Killey. The focus of today's discussion is on the themes of mourning, loss, lament, and the various challenges that life presents us. Zach dives deep into the well-known biblical story of Lazarus, found in John 11:1-44, to explore how we can navigate our grief and understand God's role in our suffering.

Zach begins by reading the passage, setting the stage for the story of Lazarus, who falls ill and ultimately dies. He highlights the emotional weight of the narrative, particularly the reactions of Lazarus's sisters, Martha and Mary, who express their grief and frustration to Jesus, questioning why he did not arrive in time to save their brother. This moment serves as a powerful entry point for discussing our own feelings of anger and disappointment when faced with loss.

Throughout the episode, Zach emphasizes three key takeaways from the story:

God's Foreknowledge: Zach explains that God knows everything before it happens and is never caught off guard by our suffering. This realization can evoke complex emotions, including anger and relief. While it may be frustrating to acknowledge that God knew about our pain beforehand, it can also bring comfort to know that He sees the bigger picture and is working for our good, even when we cannot understand it.

God Weeps with Us: In a poignant moment, Zach reflects on the significance of Jesus weeping at Lazarus's tomb. He points out that this act of empathy reveals a God who is not distant or indifferent to our suffering. Instead, He shares in our grief and understands our pain. Zach encourages listeners to embrace their emotions, including sadness and sorrow, and to bring those feelings to God, who desires a genuine relationship with us.

The Greater Miracle: Finally, Zach addresses the miracle of Lazarus's resurrection, noting that while it is a profound event, it ultimately points to a greater truth: the promise of eternal life through Jesus. He acknowledges the reality that not all prayers for miracles are answered in the way we hope, but reassures listeners that the greatest miracle—Jesus's sacrifice and resurrection—offers us hope and redemption.

As the episode concludes, Zach encourages listeners to recognize that life is filled with hardships, but we have a God who understands our struggles and walks alongside us in our grief. He invites everyone to trust in God's plan, to love those around them, and to find solace in the promise of eternal life.

00:00:00 - Introduction to the Podcast
00:00:14 - Series Overview: Good Grief
00:00:43 - Reading the Story of Lazarus
00:01:36 - God's Foreknowledge of Grief
00:07:02 - Emotions: Anger and Relief
00:10:40 - God Weeps with Us
00:12:27 - Understanding Jesus' Tears
00:15:34 - The Challenge of Miracles
00:19:10 - The Greater Miracle: Salvation
00:22:03 - Conclusion: Hope in Grief
00:24:30 - Closing Prayer
00:26:00 - Outro and Call to Action

Randy Spacht, one of the pastors at New Hope Church, delivers a powerful sermon on mourning in this podcast episode. The sermon is part of a series focusing on lament, loss, and mourning, inspired by the book of Job in the Old Testament. Randy delves into the five stages of grief proposed by psychiatrist Elizabeth Kubler-Ross: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance.

He explores how Job, experiences extreme loss and suffering, going through each of these stages. Pastor Randy highlights how Job's dialogue with God reflects the normalcy of expressing emotions during mourning. Job's journey from questioning God to ultimately accepting the chaos in the world is a central theme in the sermon.

Pastor Randy emphasizes the importance of continuous communication with God during times of grief, encouraging us to express our emotions and seek solace in prayer. He underscores the idea that God understands and walks alongside individuals in their pain, offering comfort and guidance through the mourning process.

Throughout the episode, Randy provides practical advice on navigating grief, including acknowledging one's emotions, identifying the stage of grief, seeking support from others, and maintaining a dialogue with God.