Carl Evans Funeral: John 11:17-27

Intro:

Thank you all for coming today. Thank you for coming to celebrate the life of Carl. I had a chance to sit with the family and learn about Carl this week. He was a hard worker that would help you with anything as long as you asked. He was a master craftsman and a pretty good musician too! As I was leaving the house, the family pointed out the furniture he had made and the instruments that were his in the front sitting room. This time of year was very special to him.

I was struck by the story that the family shared about a specific trip to BA that involved a small car, a small dog, and some pretty big smells! It was good to hear the laughter and emotions on the faces of the family as we remembered together.

He didn’t like change, but the change he is experiencing today, I think he is enjoying. At the end, Carl just wanted to go home to be with Jesus.

In the midst of great sorrow, the Bible gives us hope. In 1 Thess. 4:13-14 “But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep.”

Outline:

The Journey: “When Jesus Came” (vs. 17-20)

The Conversation: “Lord, If you Had Been Here” (vs. 21-24)

The Question: “Do You Believe This?” (vs. 25-27)

Summary:

Prayer:

The Journey: “When Jesus Came” (vs. 17-20)

The Distance (vs. -)- READ THE SECTION!!

Now when Jesus came

He found that Lazaraus had already been in the tomb

Four days- because of the climate people were usually burried the day they died because the body would start to decay very quickly.

Bethany was near Jerusaelm

about 2 miles off

The Distress (vs. -)

Many of the Jews

had come to Martha and Mary

Martha- the one t hat was busy getting things ready and upset that Mary was just sitting with Jesus

Mary- Sat at Jesus feet and cherised the opportunity to hear Him speak.

To console them- to comfort them, to give emotional strength to

Concerning their brother

Application/Implications:

Application to Carl-

There was a day that Jesus came into Carl’s life, a short while after He came into Lana’s life. Which sparked a joy and enthusiasm for the good news of Jesus (singing in the nursing home).

Like Lazarus, Carl passed away some time before you all arrived, yet, he is the one that brings us together today.

Application to us

It is okay to hurt today

We all came here today, with the same purpose, to mourn the passing of a friend or family member and console those they left behind. For most of you, it was more than 2 miles. The question is did you come with a relationship with Jesus?

What is the distress in your soul today? How close would you say you are to Jesus today?

All of us are on a journey today, is Jesus a part of your journey?

Transitional phrase: When Jesus came, there was a distance to cover, but there was also a distress to comfort.

The Conversation: “Lord, if You Had Been Here” (vs. 21-24)

Emotion (vs. -)- READ THE SECTION

Martha said to Jesus

Lord,

if you had been here

my brother would not have died- a very honest look at what she believed. This is not so much an accusation as it is a declaration of what she believed Jesus was able to do.

Belief (vs. -)

But even now

I know

that whatever you ask from God

God will give you- she has remarkable faith in the midst of emotion distress

Theology (vs. - )

Jesus said to her

your brother will rise again

Martha said to him

I know that he will rise again- she doesn’t fight with His answer, the question is when? She gives an accurate answer based off of what the Scriptures say

in the resurrection

on the last day-

Application/Implications:

Application to Carl

From what I understand, Carl was not really an emotional guy, he was a bit old school that way but he knew what Jesus had done for him. He was more like Martha, the one that wanted to get things done, a hard worker: out in the yard, making furniture, or cooking on the grill.

Application to us

Just like Martha, the emotional distress that we are experiencing today has a tendency to bring out what we truly believe. What do you believe about Jesus today?

Martha’s question has life after death and not just the circumstances that surround the event.

Transitional phrase: Martha knows that there is life after death, this is a part of their conversation. What we believe about this will take us one of two directions. Eternity with Jesus in heaven or eternity without Jesus in Hell. Two completely different destinations, based off of the journey we walk on this earth either with Jesus or without.

The Question: “Do You Believe This?” (vs. 25-27)

p1 (vs. -) READ THE SECTION

Jesus said to her

I am the resurrection

and the life- notice, he did not say, “I will be”

whoever believes in me- presently

though he die

yet shall he live

and everyone who lives and believes in me- presently

shall never die- will never face separation from God on the journey

Do you believe this?

p2 (vs. -)

She said to him

Yes, Lord;

I believe

that you are the Christ- the messiah, the rescuer promised since the beginning

the Son of God- You are not just a moral man, good teacher, historical figure

Who is coming into the world- ultimately to die on the cross to pay the debt of sin that all of us owe to God the Father.

Application/Implications:

Application to Carl

Believed that Jesus is the resurrection and the life 45 years ago and is living it today with God.

Application to us

Do you believe that Jesus is the resurrection and the life? Have you acknowledge that He is the one that was sent to rescue you from the power and debt of sin?

Do you believe that Jesus is more than just a good, moral, teacher, that lived many years ago?

Do you presently believe that the life you live should be lived with Jesus at your side?

If you would like to know more about how Jesus can walk with you on the journey of life I would love to have a conversation with you afterwards. May today be the day that you truly start living. Because only those that live believing in Jesus will be resurrected with Jesus when they die.

Prayer: Psalm 31:1-2 “In you, O Lord, do I take refuge; let me never be put to shame; in your righteousness deliver me! Incline your ear to me; rescue me speedily! Be a rock of refuge for me, a strong fortress to save me!”

Psalm 31:7-8 “I will rejoice and be glad in your steadfast love, because you have seen my affliction; you have known the distress of my soul, and you have not delivered me into the hand of the enemy; you have set my feet in a broad place.”