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T H E. DARKEST. D A Y. At the sixth hour darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour. And at the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, " Eloi , Eloi , lama sabachthani ?“ —which means, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?“ Mark 15:33-34. The Darkest Day.

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T H E

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  1. THE DARKEST D A Y

  2. At the sixth hour darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour. And at the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, "Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?“ —which means, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?“ Mark 15:33-34

  3. The Darkest Day What was striking about the physical darkness described in this passage? What other types of “darkness” were at play at this time? What forms of darkness would you have been feeling or experiencing as a disciple?

  4. Today’s Darkness • What kinds of darkness are we facing in the world today? • Hint: As was the case on the day of Christ’s crucifixion, these may be “apparent” victories for Satan. • What kinds of darkness can the modern believer find him/herself struggling with?

  5. Darkness’ Offspring • Why are we afraid of the dark? • We are not in control of our circumstances. • We cannot take account of our situation. • We cannot win the fight in our crippled state.

  6. FEAR

  7. When evening came, his disciples went down to the lake, where they got into a boat and set off across the lake for Capernaum. By now it was dark, and Jesus had not yet joined them. A strong wind was blowing and the waters grew rough. John 6:16-18

  8. During the fourth watch of the night Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. "It's a ghost," they said, and cried out in fear. Matthew 14:25-26

  9. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, "Lord, save me!“ Matthew 14:29(b)-30

  10. A Fearful Night It was dark, the disciples were not in control of their situation, and an unexpected circumstances filled them with terror. Even interacting with Jesus, Peter’s fear causes him to sink. Fear makes you sink. Fear begets fear!

  11. More Fear The paralytic, without control of his circumstances, is encouraged by Jesus to “have courage.” (Matthew 9:2) The unproductive servant buried his single talent out of the fear of loss and the fear of the consequences for failure. (Matthew 25:25)

  12. More Fear The disciples met behind locked doors out of their “fear of the Jews”. (John 20:19) Joseph of Arimathea secretly followed Jesus out of his “fear of the Jews.” (John 19:38) Fear drives you behind closed doors, and sends you underground.

  13. …OR GLORY?

  14. Completely “Inappropriate” Story about Fireworks

  15. Fireworks There is purchasing, planning, and preparation involved. The circumstances need to be right. There is no such thing as a matinee fireworks show. Seriously, who can look away?

  16. After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed: "Father, the time has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you. . . . I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do. John 17:1, 4

  17. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. John 17:22-23

  18. "Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world.” John 17:24

  19. He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. Colossians 1:15

  20. Greatest Firework Ever • “The time has come.” • Christ’s glorification comes precisely at the first minutes of the world’s darkest hour. • “I have brought you glory…by completing the work.” • Christ’s glorification is specifically triggered by the completion of the darkest deed every committed by man.

  21. Greatest Firework Ever • “I have given them the glory.” • This preordained hour of darkness also enabled us to share in Christ’s glory. • “Before the creation of the world.” • “Image of the invisible God.” • This darkest day opened the floodgates to the transmission of God’s glory previously unseen.

  22. Greatest Firework Ever Against the backdrop of the darkest day ever, and the darkest deed every committed by man, the most spectacular beacon of light pierced through in blinding radiance, such that 2,000 years later we can scarcely look upon it, but can never look away. Even the most absolute darkness is utterly consumed by the completion of Jesus’ work, our Light of the World. (John 8:12)

  23. Let There Be Light Do you view dark circumstances as a lack of control and pending defeat, or as an ordained opportunity for God to show His glory? Do you allow fear to let you sink, shirk, or lock yourself away? What change is the Holy Spirit asking of your heart today?

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