THE EIGHTH DAY OF CREATION

PART TWO

MIKE CUNNINGHAM

MARCH 14, 2010

Although I intended last week’s message to be encouraging for everyone, I hoped it would be used by God as a means of bestowing a special blessing upon our friends Guy and Carroll. I concluded by saying: Whenever we ask Him to deliver us from our seemingly never ending divinely ordained physical and or emotional pain, we must remember our immutable Creator (Psalm 33:11; 102:27; Malachi 13:6; Hebrews 1:2, 13:8; James 1:7) never changes. He can’t grant our request a moment before He has accomplished everything He planned to develop within us through an often very painful process. Until then, it’s always helpful for us to turn our eyes upon His only begotten Son and remember: “In bringing many sons to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the author of their salvation perfect through suffering,” Hebrews 2:10 (NIV).

Although we are new creatures in Christ, we are still not fully developed. As much as we may want Him to, infinite wisdom (Job 12:13; Psalm 104:24; Proverbs 3:19; Daniel 2:20; Romans 11:33; 1 Corinthians 25) and perfect love (Jeremiah 31:3; John 3:16; Romans 5:8; Ephesians 2:4-5; 1 John 3:1) cannot alter or abort what He has planned concerning each of His children back in eternity past. He cannot complete the work He is doing in us prematurely. We are deeply involved in the life altering possess of being conformed by our Creator into the image and likeness of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. And that takes time! In addition, thanks to His Word, we’re aware of that magnificent encouraging and comforting awesome fact. Please try to remember and also remind each often that Christians are living in what most of you folks have heard me refer to many times in the past as being “The Eighth Day Of Creation.”

I ended by saying: “Lord willing, next week I’ll be able to share how we can apply these eternal truths in our own lives and be blessed whenever we do. Until then, please continue praying for me as I do for each of you.” You can only imagine how I must have felt when I received word that the following comments by a Christian couple who have learned how to apply these truths had been posted in my guest-book. We can all learn how to do the same through what they have shared. The entry read: “Mike, Your sermon has proved to be a double blessing to Carroll and I. Not only were we blessed while reading it together, but now reading the comments in your guest-book add a secondary and unexpected blessing. We are so grateful that God indeed does work all things together for good, for those who love Him, to those who are called according to his plan and purpose.”

As I mentioned earlier, not only did God use that message as a means of blessing this Christian couple, but He also used comments which had been posted in my guest-book as another means of blessing them, and now you and me and many of those who may read today’s message later. It’s obvious Guy and Carroll have already learned to apply the truths contained in it in their own lives. Guy continues: “Carroll and I have learned much about our Lord through affliction and we would not have it any other way. God always does what is right and what is best for us, period. He loves us more than anyone in the universe, and His love is perfect and pure. Affliction and suffering must be seen through this prism or else we may become bitter and resentful. How much better it is to be content where God has placed us, and do our utmost in His strength to reflect Christ-like love whatever our circumstances. One only needs to look at the Cross of Christ to see the Breadth and Width of God's Love for us in Christ. Rejoicing in the hope of the Glory of God, Guy and Carroll.

Did you notice that it was because of their belief in the absolute sovereignty of God, and in knowing that each of them are exactly where He planned them to be in this stage of the process in which He is slowly but surely transforming them into becoming beautiful Christ-like people? Of course, they didn’t get there over night, but when they finally did, each of them changed their focus from the awful suffering they have been enduring to their Creator and His perfect plan for them.

That was a major turning point in their lives. However, they could have gone the other way such as many Christians do. Allow me to explain by quoting from an excellent book entitled PAIN, The Plight of Fallen Man, God’s Prescription for Persevering, authored by Dr, James Halla, MD. The doctor is a practicing rheumatologist and certified Biblical counselor. I believe there were times when Carroll’s thoughts and conclusions were probably similar to some of those of a person about whom Halla speculates. Here’s a sampling of such ‘stinking-thinking’. The doctor writes: “Based on the fact that “my old body and my previous function are gone and may never come back,” a person may conclude that things are hopeless. He then feels sad, grieved, upset, and frustrated, thus producing more bad feelings including pain. Making any effort to deal with the condition seems useless. Depression is produced when people who live in unpleasant situations focus on the unpleasantness and hopelessness of their situations and cease to assume their responsibilities.”

“So depression is really the result of how one has handled many difficult aspects of life. It is a description of the person who allows his hopeless feelings to determine how he is going to function. Depression is giving up. The person has looked over his situation and made a judgment. That judgment was based on his hopes, wants, expectations, fears and goals. He then came to the conclusion: “My situation is hopeless.”

“Now that person acts as though life is hopeless, all that is left is “somehow to go on with life as it is,” “get by,” “tolerate it,” “do the best I can,” “keep looking for relief,” or “try to squeeze a little happiness out of a miserable life.” He may even quit functioning and take to the couch for a “pity party.” He has given in to his feelings. Depression, then, is not only giving up but giving in to how one feels.” (A) Relying on the strength of Christ within her, Carroll was finally able to overcome the temptation to torment herself and other folks close to her with such twisted thinking and behavior.

Now allow me to share excerpts from a couple of letters written over a period of years by a friend of mine to Joni Eareckson Tada who is a world renowned quadriplegic. Joni is a bestselling author, conference speaker and also the director of the International Disability Center. His letter begins: “Athletics has always consumed a large part of my life, especially baseball, and I excelled through Little League, Babe Ruth, high school, college, and semi-pro where I was scouted by a few pro teams because of my pitching ability. Somewhere along the line my desires changed as I sought pleasure in women and alcohol and chose to hang with the wrong crowd. Never at ease with myself, I continually sought outside influences to cover the inner turmoil.”

“On Nov.10, 1973 I was involved in an auto accident which totally changed my life. I ran head on into a cattle truck and remember little after that. The rescue squad had to cut me out of the car and when they brought me to the Medical Center Hospital in Burlington Vt. my heart stopped but they were successful in reviving me. There were many broken bones, a concussion, severe loss of blood. I received some 290 stitches in my face, lost my spleen and was extremely critical for about 14 days. After specialists initially worked hours in emergency surgery, they called my wife in Vt. and family in N.Y. and said I wouldn't make it through the night. However, [although I didn’t know it at the time] the Lord had a different plan [for me]. The following day after stabilizing somewhat, they made the decision to amputate my left leg above the knee as there was no hope of reconstruction or saving the limb. I was alone in the room when I finally awoke and saw the sheet hanging down on the left side and realized they had removed my leg. They suggested I share with a therapist concerning the trauma but I refused and instead internalized the pain and shame. At that time I wasn't interested in His plan and my life became the pursuit of external validation.”

“As I was struggling with self-hate my marriage paid the price. My son Todd was only six months old at the time of the accident and being very close to him I was devastated after the divorce, when he was three. There were so many traumatic losses, [including a divorce from my second wife and separation from our daughter] yet I continued to isolate and internalize the immense pain. I frequented nightclubs always searching for that external validation, while spending weekends with my son, in the midst of extreme emotional distress.” “…the car accident happened in a blackout caused by alcohol and I continued to drink for another 11 years.” I stopped drinking in 1984 though we continued having marital problems.”

“Externally I was accomplishing much, but inside I was falling apart, always searching for the right woman, job, home etc. to fill the void. After a 2nd DWI, therapy and finally AA I got sober and, [I now know that it was only] “by God’s grace haven't had a drink in over twenty years. I was still searching for externals and was involved in many relationships but each time I would sabotage any hope for success because of the inner turmoil. I spoke often at large AA groups and gave a powerful testimony about my spiritual condition and 'higher power’, but inside there was still a huge void.” “….in 1992 due to a worker’s comp. accident they had to amputate [some more of] my leg. There were errors made during the surgery.….” “Because of the severe back pain due to the errant leg surgery I was unable to participate in many of the modalities and spent extended time in a hotel room. It was at this time that I knew there was no coming back through my own efforts physically that they diagnosed me as clinically depressed although I vehemently disagreed. They finally released me six months later after fabricating a new prosthesis stating I was ready to return to the workforce. I felt totally abandoned as they [the workers comp insurance co.] knew I couldn’t participate in OT and PT because of the back pain and being unable to sit or stand in any position for more than five to ten minutes and knowing I couldn’t work. From there it was a continuing nightmare of them sending me to their psychologists, spine and back institutes, W.O.R.K. programs and legal representatives, in continual confrontation with my doctors, psychologist and lawyer. It seemed everyone was controlling my life and I had no say as to what was happening. It was certainly a season of darkness as they experimented with various antidepressants. As a result I went on disability in 1997 and have struggled financially ever since.”

Eventually, “….The Holy Spirit was successful in softening my heart and as a result I accepted the Lord and have been intensely in the Word since, as He continues to mold me into the man He wants me to be. It’s like He said to me after the 2nd amputation when I knew there was no coming back "ok, now who are you going to depend on?” I had finally gotten to the end of myself and it was then that 2 Corinthians 12:9 became real to me. Today His grace IS sufficient and I know how very weak I truly am. It’s only there that I can fully experience His amazing grace. In His sovereignty He has allowed all that has happened for His glory and my ultimate good and I no longer look at the accidents as a negative but as the best thing that has ever happened to me. He knew what it would take to break through this prideful, strong-willed man and I'll be forever grateful that He has humbled and adopted me into His family. And one day soon when we are in His presence there will be no more prostheses, no more pain and no more tears........what a glorious promise!! Bob Terranova.”

From all the scripture the three of these folks have quoted or alluded to, it’s obvious that each of them have immersed themselves in the Word and as a result grown greatly spiritually. As long as we continue to focus all of our attention on whatever it may be which is tormenting us, we will be miserable, and a poor witness of the power of the Risen Savior working within us. You and I must accept and embrace His will for us instead of giving in to our feelings and causing ourselves to become depressed and a disgrace to the Church Christ suffered and died for. However, if we accept the fact that He is indeed sovereign, not only will we be able to rejoice in the midst of all our suffering’s, but also be used by Him to comfort and encourage some of His hurting children He causes to cross our path. For instance, consider the following which was posted in my guest-book this past week.

“Mike: thanks so much for another wonderful message and one that certainly resonated with my heart. Guy and Carroll are wonderful examples of God's amazing grace and mercy in full view....what a blessing they are.”

“The Lord has used you mightily in my own life in sharing God's sovereignty and allowing it to draw me into an ever deepening intimacy with Him. As you know, after thirty seven years of being an amputee and seventeen following a second amputation, with errors made that are causing problems that exist to this day, accepting and understanding His sovereignty is what has truly changed the direction of my life. Knowing that He has either caused or allowed every circumstance in my life for His glory and my ultimate good has released me from the bitterness and anger that had controlled me for so long.”

“What that has done is make real 2 Corinthians 1:3,4 'Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God' along with 2 Corinthians 12:9,10- 'But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.' Bob Terranova.” As soon as Bob finished reading my sermon from last Sunday he forwarded it to one of God’s children he knew was hurting very much. She in turn posted the following in my guest-book.

“Just what I needed! Your sermon from Sunday was forwarded to me by a very dear friend, Bob. (I know him as insidejob1). I've had a difficult time of it with cancer treatment lately and Bob has been a blessing of encouragement. His focus on spreading the Gospel and reminding me of the Lord's work, as it continues to unfold in my life has been invaluable. I would appreciate being placed on your list of those who receive forthcoming sermons. Thank you, and may God Bless you and your mission. In Christ.....Susan Mendez.” I responded to Susan and thanked her. Among other things I said was: “I'm grateful my friend Bob has passed along Sunday’s message to you. Bob is like a “spiritual bloodhound” that is always sniffing out His [God’s] wounded children and then doing his best to help them to the utmost of his ability.”

While I was crafting this morning’s message I was reminded of several passages of scripture from the eleventh chapter of the Gospel of John which I would like to share. The apostle recorded a series of events leading up to the death, entombment and eventual resurrection of a certain man named Lazarus and the awful sorrow that was endured by his grief stricken sisters, women whom Jesus loved. Before their brother died they sent a messenger to Jesus letting Him know what was happening. You and I can imagine the thoughts that were racing through the minds of the women, can’t we? Of course, when the messenger delivered the news he had no way of knowing Lazarus was already dead. Then in the presence of His beloved disciples, Jesus said: “This illness does not lead to death. It is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it,” John 11:4 (ESV). Elsewhere in that chapter we’re told that “Jesus wept,’ vs. 35. We can only speculate as to why Jesus wept. Perhaps it was because He knew they would soon be weeping when they learned about His own agonizing death.

Then starting with verse 38 we read: “Jesus, deeply moved again, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone lay against it. ³⁹ Jesus said, “Take away the stone.” Martha, the sister of the dead man, said to him, “Lord, by this time there will be an odor, for he has been dead four days.” ⁴⁰ Jesus said to her, “Did I not tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God?” ⁴¹ So they took away the stone. And Jesus lifted up his eyes and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. ⁴² I knew that you always hear me, but I said this on account of the people standing around, that they may believe that you sent me.” ⁴³ When he had said these things, he cried out with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out.” ⁴⁴ The man who had died came out, his hands and feet bound with linen strips, and his face wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Unbind him, and let him go.”

I often think about the verse ‘Jesus wept.’ I can’t help wondering if, among other reasons, Jesus wept over the fact that He knew that at a specific moment in human history each of His followers such as you and me would arrive on the scene exactly as He had planned on the other side of eternity. And each of them were destined to endure a lot of suffering and heartache throughout their lifetime as they were slowly but surely being transformed by Him into His image, a painful process which I have been describing as being “the Eighth Day of Creation.” And all of this is for His own glory and their ultimate good just as it was for the sisters of Lazarus!

And as I have just shared, the Apostle Paul reminded those early Christians living in Corinth of the same fact when he wrote, “And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit,” (2 Corinthians 3:17 ESV).

Christians aren’t the only people who experience pain and suffering. All human beings do. It’s part of life and the consequence of the weight of a world staggering under God’s righteousness judgment, i. e. Natural disasters, man’s inhumanity towards his fellow man, disease, sickness and death, pestilence, drought, starvation etc. For those who have rejected Christ’s love for poor lost sinners as exemplified on His Cross, all their suffering will not work out for their ultimate good. On the contrary, it’s preparing and making them capable of needlessly experiencing self-inflicted eternal torment.

Lord willing, I’ll be back in this pulpit on Easter Sunday when we gather together to worship the One who told a grieving woman a long time ago, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, even though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die,” (John 11:25). On that Sunday I can’t help wondering what Bob may have to say about that ‘higher power’ he believed in and spoke about all those years in A. A. meetings, or what Guy and Carroll may have to say about it, too.

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