The Clarion Call of the Voice of God, Part II

The Clarion Call of the Voice of God, Part II:

Visible Evidence

February 2, 1997

Scripture:   John 11:1-44  (John 11:1-11)

Prayer:

Introduction:

          Two weeks ago we saw how Jesus healed the man born blind as visible evidence of who he is as the Son of God.  The man born blind had a blind date with God for the work of God to be displayed in his life.  Some believed the miracle came from God, and some didn’t.  But no doubt about the blind man.  He believed with an undying faith.  He had experienced Christ Jesus and worshipped him.

          Last week we heard the message that Jesus gave in response to those who refused to believe.  If they wouldn’t believe their eyes, perhaps they would they believe their ears.  Jesus explained to them in the parable of the Good Shepherd that those who hear his voice and follow him belong to him.  He would lead his sheep out of the gate to the good pasture of salvation.  But again, there were those who refused to believe their ears as well as their eyes.  They blasphemed the H. S. and said that Jesus was demon possessed.

          Now Jesus, in John 11, combines these two primary senses into one event with overtones of both the previous two messages of healing and hearing.  He raises Lazarus from the dead by calling him out of the tomb.  The Jews in John 10:24 wanted Jesus to tell them plainly whether he was the Christ.  That strikes us as humorous because it appears so obvious to us.  Jesus gave them his own testimony in John 8:12-58.  His message to them now is “belief determines belonging.”  The Jews now condemn themselves when they try to stone him because, in their own words, he, “claims to be God.”  They prove that they heard what he has been saying, and they prove that they also refuse to believe it.  As Jesus says in John 10:36, he has been saying all along that he was God’s Son (John 5:17-18).  He reminds them that he has surrounded them with evidence, not only of words, but of works (miracles). 

          But just in case they might still believe (and if they won’t believe, it will increase their condemnation) Jesus plans the miracle of miracles, the perfect picture of what will soon be his own resurrection from the dead.  But as he says in John 8:28, then they will know he is the one he claims to be.  Let us look at the events that lead up to this miracle of sight and sound and the lessons we can apply to our own lives from this eternal truth.

I.       The Death of Lazarus  (vv. 1-16)

          A.      Appeal based on a relationship of faith and love.  (vv. 1-3)

          B.      Immediate answer based upon divine initiative.  (vv. 4-6)

          C.      Pronouncing the principle of priority.  (vv. 7-10)

          D.      Affirmative action identified.  (vv. 11-16)

II.      Jesus Meeting with Martha  (vv. 17-27)

          A.      Countdown on the awaited arrival.  (vv. 17-20)

          B.      Faith and fury revealed.  (vv. 21-22)

          C.      Mutual proclamation of personal power.  (vv. 23-27)

III.    Jesus Meeting with Mary  (vv. 28-32)

          A.      Sit-down on the awaited arrival.  (vv. 28-30)

          B.      Rapid response retinue.  (v. 31)

          C.      Faith and fury revisited.  (v. 32)

IV.    The Raising of Lazarus  (vv. 33-44)

          A.      Connecting with our humanity.  (vv. 33-35)

          B.      Trying to connect with His divinity.  (vv. 36-37)

          C.      Preparing the way for the Lord.  (vv. 38-40)

          D.      Preparing the way for the people.  (vv. 41-42)

          E.      Providing the way for Lazarus.  (vv. 43-44)

Timeless Truth:  When God speaks, listen up.  It might just be the way out of a grave situation.

The Clarion Call of the Voice of God, Part II:  Visible Evidence

John 11:1-44                                                       February 2, 1997

I.  The Death of Lazarus  (vv. 1-16)

            A.        Appeal based on a relationship of f _ _ _ _ and l _ _ _ .  (vv. 1-3)

            B.        Immediate answer based upon d _ _ _ _ _  i _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ .  (vv. 4-6)

            C.        Pronouncing the principle of p _ _ _ _ _ _ _ .  (vv. 7-10)

            D.        A _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ a _ _ _ _ _ identified.  (vv. 11-16)

II.        Jesus Meeting with Martha  (vv. 17-27)

            A.        C _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ on the awaited arrival.  (vv. 17-20)

            B.        Faith and fury r _ _ _ _ _ _ _ .  (vv. 21-22)

            C.        Mutual proclamation of p _ _ _ _ _ _ _ p _ _ _ _.  (vv. 23-27)

III.       Jesus Meeting with Mary  (vv. 28-32)

            A.        S _ _ _ _ _ _ on the awaited arrival.  (vv. 28-30)

            B.        Rapid response r _ _ _ _ _ _ .  (v. 31)

            C.        Faith and fury r _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ .  (v. 32)

IV.       The Raising of Lazarus  (vv. 33-44)

            A.        Connecting with our h _ _ _ _ _ _ _ .  (vv. 33-35)

            B.        Trying to connect with His d _ _ _ _ _ _ _ .  (vv. 36-37)

            C.        Preparing the way for the L _ _ _ .  (vv. 38-40)

            D.        Preparing the way for the p _ _ _ _ _ .  (vv. 41-42)

            E.         Providing the way for L _ _ _ _ _ _ .  (vv. 43-44)

Timeless Truth:         When God speaks, listen up.  It might just be the way out of a

                                    g _ _ _ _  situation.