TEXT: John 11:6-16
INTRO: Walk with Jesus in full trust and you will see His power and you will grow into a mature believer.
I. GOD’S TIMING IS PERFECT. (6-10)
A. Jesus illustrates how He understands and uses time to teach others and prove His glory.
Jn. 11: 9- 10 (paraphrase for emphasis), “Look, fellas, there is ae to do something and a time to refrain from doing it. When I waited 2 days, even though Lazarus was sick, you probably thought, ‘well, He’s staying put and that’s good. But now I say, ‘Let’s go!” There are 12 hours in a day. Everything cannot be done at once, so there’s no need in trying. Sometimes waiting is necessary for best results. But, things still have to get done. So , eventually the time comes. If we wait too long, we find ourselves in the dark and its harder to get things done. Earlier I said, now I say go. I know the right time from the wrong time, trust Me!”
B. The Lord knows what and when something must be done to accomplish His full purpose.
Old Testament:
1.) 1 Samuel 13, Saul shows the danger of disrespecting God’s plan, even down to the exact timetable. He disobeys God, disrespects Samuel, and loses His kingdom.
2.) Eccles. 3:1, “To everything there is a season and a time for everything.”
C. Patience, waiting on the Lord, and trusting God even when the heat gets so hot it seems things will explode, are difficult, but necessary traits for following Him.
II. TO GOD, EVEN OUR WORST CIRCUMSTANCES ARE EASY. (11-14)
A. Why did Jesus compare death with sleep? It shows His confidence and power to handle difficulty as though it were simple. This will encourage His followers.
B. Even before the disciples knew the problem, He tells them it will be alright.
God sees things differently than we do.
It is not God’s weakness that makes Him wait to help us at times, but His strength.
III. TO GOD, LIFE IS A SCHOOL AND EVERY PROBLEM AN OPPORTUNITY FOR GROWING FAITH. (15)
A. The disciples faith would grow stronger by seeing than just by hearing. Their faith would only grow sure if they saw Him do what He claimed He could do.
B.It was better for the disciples to wait and see the Lord do the harder thing.
C. James 1:2-4, “Count it all joy, brothers, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance, and endurance brings mature faith.”
CONCLUSION
The right advice for everyone who wants to be a disciple of Jesus Christ: vs. 16, “Then Thomas (called ;twin’) said to his fellow disciples, ‘Let’s go so that we may die with Him.’”