TITLE: Accidents Happen

TEXT:  Luke 13:1-5

PROPOSITION:  Accidents suddenly change our lives.

QUESTION:  How?

KEY WORD:  Lessons

Introduction:

1. 2 years ago, (May 5, 2008) I had an accident while riding my bicycle.
2. I am healed as much as will ever heal.
3. There are some lessons to learn.

Luke 13:1-5

1. Jesus mentions two events – that were current news in Jerusalem.

1.     Pilate sacrificed some from Galilee as human sacrifices.

2.     Construction accident in which scaffold fell and 18 were killed.

2. Today – same kind of news

1.     Roadside bomb in Iraq – kills several

2.     Airplane crash kills 225 people

3.     One entire family is killed on by a drunk driver

4.     An explosion in a coal mine and almost 30 miners die

My accident

1. Riding my bike for exercise. Dog running beside me. Suddenly he turned in front of my wheel. No reaction time.
2. I went over the handlebars and hit the left side of my face on the pavement.
3. Your prayers, visits, help, transportation, kind words, phone calls, and all other ways you supported Janet and I during this time are appreciated.
4. It has been 2 years since the accident.

1.     I am able to chew again – the jaw has healed

2.     Surface injuries healed and are a distant memory

3.     Damage to optic nerve in left eye – will not recover

4.     Some hearing loss for 3 months right ear.

5.     Will always have a twisted upper jaw.

6.     Still have an almost closed nostril – broken cartilage

7.     For 2 months there was a very tender spot on my left knee.

5. I fell on my head – that may explain a lot about me.

Lessons to learn

1. Accidents are sudden

1.     They are not “on purposes”

2.     They happen when we least anticipate or expect them

2. We CAN forget – block out painful things

1.     I remember hitting the dog with my bike wheel

2.     The next thing I remember – in hospital heading for CT scan

3. We must be patient

1.     Some healing takes a few days

2.     Some healing takes months or longer

4. We must be flexible

1.     Accidents change our plans

2.     Accidents change our priorities

3.     We must learn to be flexible to change

5. People care, are kind and supportive
6. We can do what we HAVE to do

1.     Child or spouse in hospital

2.     Death of family member

3.     1 Corinthians 10:13 – not try us beyond what we are able to bear

7. We must get on with life – not put everything on hold

1.     We know that it will take time to heal

2.     We know that there are some restrictions while we are healing

3.     But our life can not be put on hold

1.     Driving the car – I got a convex mirror and learned to use it

2.     Preaching – get back to work

8. Some personal traits helped us through the ordeals of life

1.     Realist – accept what can not change

2.     Optimist – look ahead with hope, not back with regret

3.     Not a quitter – it never occurred to me to quit, give up

4.     Faith gives Strength – as I was taken to surgery, no fear, just anticipation of healing

9. Little things aggravate more than the major injuries

1.     Most groan at loss of eyesight and broken jaw

2.     They were the easiest to deal with

3.     It isn't the detour that troubles us. It is the pebble in our shoe.

4.     Cartilage in nose – one nostril almost closed

5.     No feeling in lower lip – embarrassment in eating, drinking

Lesson Jesus teaches

1. Were those who died punished because they were wicked more than others in Jerusalem? NO! This was an accident or an act of an evil man.
2. These events are not punishment from God.
3. Job did not “charge God with wrong.” Job 1:22
4. The message we should get – REPENT OR PERISH!