TEXT: John 11:17-44
INTRO: Tonight I want to go again to the Gospel of John, chapter 11 and deal with why the believer’s grief should be one of great hope and security. We are going to consider that what Jesus says is true, is indeed true.
I.CONTEXT: THE PURPOSE OF JESUS CONCERNING THE DEATH OF LAZARUS.
A. 4“This sickness will not end in death (notice He says “will not end in death) but is for the glory of God so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.”
B. Vss. 8-16 Jesus tells His disciples they will benefit because He had not gone down before the death of Lazarus because they needed the spiritual blessing He was about to offer.
Jesus is clear that the whole purpose of what is about to unfold is to show the relationship between Himself and the Father, that He is indeed the Messiah.
He uses signs to prove this.
II. THE PROMISE OF JESUS.
A. READ 17-27. Vss. 21-22: Martha expresses grief and faith.
Vs. 23, “Your brother will rise again.”
Vs. 24, Martha assents to the Scriptural promise.
Vs. 25-26, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in Me, even if he dies, will live. Everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die –ever.” The resurrection and thereafter, is not something to wait for – it is immediate upon trusting Christ!
In the simplest of terms, Jesus is Lord over death and He can grant life when He pleases. “Do you believe this?” Time and life are at the command of Jesus.
B.Vss. 28-30, 2 major insights into the heart of Jesus: 1.)He groans or was angry in spirit at the weeping and grief. 2.) Jesus wept. Jesus loves these people and their pain is His pain.
III. THE PROOF OF THE PROMISE.
A. Lazarus is really dead: 4 days and decay would have set in. What was about to happen was no cheap trick, no false accomplishment. Physically, Lazarus is dead.
Death is the terminal or final condition of a being capable of life. It is to cease to exist.
- As for relationships, death affects the living and the dead the same: there is no longer a personal relationship. “The wages of sin is death.”( Rm. 6:23).
Our sprits die when we have no personal relationship with God. When that relationship is restored by Christ, we live again. Christ has done this.
Jesus is the means whereby the relationship between God and people can be repaired, so personal relationship go on growing forever.
and He can stop the victory death wants over the living.
Matt. 9,: “Take courage, son, your sins are forgiven.” “Which is easier to say, “Your sins are forgiven’ or ‘to say get up and walk?” But so you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”, He turned to the paralytic and said, “Get up, pick up your bed, and go home.” And the man did.
“I am the resurrection and the life” or to cry out, “Lazarus, come forth!”
CONCLUSION