When you think about the best things ever chaos and death probably don’t make the list. (If they do please contact us; we probably need to counsel you.) Chaos and death are frightening and destructive, but in this broken world they are also unavoidable. In this message Pastor Marshal explains that not only has God overcome chaos and death, He is able to turn them into the best thing ever.
Best Thing Ever 6 – Chaos and Death from Redemption Church on Vimeo.
Best Thing Ever 6 – Chaos and Death
Sermon notes by Marshal Blessing
Redemption Church Plano Tx
Welcome
Over the past several weeks we have been talking about the Best Thing Ever
We’ve talked about the resurrection of Jesus, forgiveness, sex, Holy Spirit, God’s Existence. If you missed any of those messages, they are posted on our website.
Today we’re going to talk about Chaos and Death Best Thing Ever?
This is going to be an uplifting sermon, but I can understand if you’re not on board right away.
These sound like bad things. They sound inherently bad and destructive. We avoid talking about them.
What comes to mind when you hear the word “chaos”?
Emerald from a video game, Jurassic Park, snow on tv, kids play room or drawer in your house
Chaos is worse than something that is disorganized.
The dictionary defines chaos as “Complete disorder and confusion” – COMPLETE
The Bible talks about chaos:
GENESIS 1:1 NIV In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
GENESIS 1:2 NIV Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.
The word that we translate as “formless” can also mean confusion, unreality, a place of chaos.
In a way, creating chaos undoes the work of God in creation.
But we live in a broken world that tends toward chaos.
Chaos – default state of everything without God
Sir Isaac Newton developed some physical laws that describe the way the universe operates.
Newton’s second law of thermodynamics says that entropy is always increasing.
Entropy is a measure of disorder – think chaos.
According to the Newton’s second law of thermodynamics anything you do in the universe increases the amount of entropy. For example: organizing your closet increases entropy.
Heat death – this is a picture of the final state of the universe without God.
Often when we push God out of our life, try to do things on our own without God, it results in chaos.
Chaos is a part of our broken world. Tornados. Terrorism. Cancer.
Chaos leads to death. It is hard to live in a state of chaos. Heat death is the death of the universe.
Life was a big part of the work of God in creation, chaos undoes the work of God.
One of the ways we have described sin is “missing the mark.”
Chaos definitely misses the mark – God creates order, chaos is the opposite.
The Bible tells us that the wages of sin is death. Death – end result of sin
So it makes sense that chaos and death are linked in this way.
Death is a scary subject.
It is okay if the subject of death makes you nervous. It used to make me very upset.
Without God, death is terrifying. What happens to us? What about our friends and relatives? What about those we leave behind? Uncertainty is frightening.
Death is permanent and it is unavoidable. In fact,
Chaos and Death are Unavoidable
They say only two things in life are certain: death and taxes. I would add chaos.
Everyone’s life is impacted by death.
Just look at the list of people who have died this year. Death is a part of life.
Pets die. Plants die. We all know people who have died. And should the Lord tarry we will all die.
On top of that, chaos is a part of life too. This is a broken world, and chaos is unavoidable.
Things fall apart. Entropy increases. The Bible tells us that in the end everything that can be shake apart will be shaken apart.
So what can we do? Your life might be impacted by chaos or death right now. What can we do about it?
We can’t do much. And yet, Jesus tells us to have peace.
JOHN 16:33 NIV I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.
There isn’t much we can do, but there is a lot that God can do.
God has already defeated chaos and death. He spoke and out of chaos came order. He was dead and He rose to life again.
God brings us through anything we face in this world. In the midst of chaos, in the face of death God is with us. He will never leave us nor forsake us.
But even more… God can Redeem Chaos and Death
But I thought they were the opposite of how God works? With God all things are possible.
ROMANS 8:28 NIV And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
Some things? Most things? ALL THINGS! Even chaos and death? YES!!!
God can bring something good out of these things. No situation is hopeless. God works for the good in all things.
***CAUTION*** This does not mean God wanted your puppy to die because it serves some greater purpose. When your friends are dealing with chaos and death in their life do not tell them that God wants it this way and this is all part of His plan. GOD DID NOT MAKE THIS HAPPEN!
God does not like suffering and death, but he can bring something good out of them.
God doesn’t make bad things happen, but God can use the weapons of the enemy to accomplish good things.
God can Redeem Chaos and Death
What does “redemption” mean? We’re Redemption Church, we ought to know what it means.
Redemption – making something better or more acceptable
When you redeem something you turn it into something good. You trade something bad for something good.
When you redeem a coupon, you exchange a piece of paper for an item or a discount.
So how can chaos and death possibly be redeemed?
God can Redeem Chaos and Death
Let’s start with chaos. God can use chaos for good.
God enables us to see beauty in randomness – Aurora Borealis, Strange attractors, Jazz
God can use chaos: Jesus driving the money changers out of the temple Pentecost Persecution spreading the early church
In the midst of chaos God is glorified by bringing us through it – Jesus calms the storm
We glorify God when we help to calm storms in other people’s lives.
God redeems death
In his letter to the church in Philippi, Paul writes:
PHILIPPIANS 1:21 NIV For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
He knows that when he dies he will be with Christ which is far better than anything in this world.
1 CORINTHIANS 15:55 NIV “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?”
We have to die. But through baptism God allows us to participate in the death of Jesus as well as his resurrection. We can die to the things of this world and begin living a new life as a part of God’s Kingdom.
ROMANS 6:4 NIV We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.
IF God can Redeem Chaos and Death should we embrace chaos and death? NO!!!
Since chaos and death are unavoidable it can be tempting to try to learn to revel in them. Don’t do that.
Chaos is destructive. We do not need to be destructive. The world is destructive enough.
We are called to comfort others and help bring them through the chaos.
Don’t make bad choices and cause chaos in your life. That is not what God wants. But if you are in the midst of a chaotic time, turn to God to help bring you out of the chaos and restore peace.
In the same way, we don’t want to die, except by accepting Jesus’ death for us through baptism.
Paul acknowledged that to die was a gain, but he said through living he could act as Christ to others.
And when we are made new in Christ we bring his kingdom to earth and into the lives of others.
Jesus endured both chaos and death. His body was mangled and disordered, and He died on the cross. But in so doing, God redeemed chaos and death because by His stripes we are healed and through his death we are saved.
God’s ability to Redeem Best Thing Ever
God has redeemed chaos and death, and in doing so God has also redeemed us.
Now, if you are facing chaos or death in your life, please be encouraged. God can redeem this situation.
God is with you, and God can bring something good out of this situation.