The Gospel Project: Jesus is the Life

Intro Option: Undecided

Main Point: Jesus revealed that He has power of life and death.

The Messiah brings life from death

John 11:20–27 (ESV)

20 So when Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went and met him, but Mary remained seated in the house. 21 Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. 22 But even now I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give you.” 23 Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” 24 Martha said to him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.” 25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, 26 and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” 27 She said to him, “Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world.”

Jesus = healing power

But didn’t show up in time

Lazarus’s family = devastated

Mary; week of deep mourinng

Burial on same day as death

Week following is week of mourning

This + frustration of Jesus’ absence

But Jesus had purpose

He knew this would happen and waited intentionally

In waiting = authority over death (not just sickness)

The Big Question: Why do sin and death seem to rule on earth?

When we read Genesis 1-3, we get a glimpse of how God intended life to be on earth. Man lived in perfect relationship with God; he existed without sin, sickness, or death. He took care of the animals and the earth, and he walked int he garden with God, even talking with Him. We know how much things changed once Eve believed the serpent’s lie and at the apple. Sin entered into creation, and with it sickness, death, and hardship. This state is temporary. God will redeem His creation and create a new heaven and a new earth (see Rev. 21:3-4). As believers, we will be a part of this new creation and experience it as God designed from the beginning. What seems to reign here is only temporary. Our God has final victory over sin, death, and sickness.

Sometimes feels like God delays

But He always has a purpose

Look at Martha’s statement in verse 21. Have you ever felt this way about God-that He didn’t come through and left you disappointed? What happened?

Hard to admit

But many feel this way

Desperate wants:

Healing from physical or mental sickness

A loved one to not pass away

To stop struggling with addiction

To have more friends

Etc.

Not answer we want = let down

How Martha felt

Jesus didn’t scold

Rather, he reminded her

Jesus had already resurrected at least two others, yet Martha didn’t seem to believe Jesus could try bring Lazarus back to life here on earth. Why do we sometimes fail to believe God will do for us what He has already done for others?

She never made the connection

OT view of resurrection

Not practicing what Jesus taught

Think back = God working around you

Still heals

Still does miracles

We witness, yet fail to believe God

Maybe based on fear that He won’t act

Maybe simply unbelief

Jesus has power = can believe in His ability to act

Transition Statement: It is because Jesus brings life from death that he also bring glory from grief.

Main Point: Jesus revealed that He has power of life and death.

The Messiah brings life from death

The Messiah brings glory from grief

John 11:38–44 (ESV)

38 Then Jesus, deeply moved again, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone lay against it. 39 Jesus said, “Take away the stone.” Martha, the sister of the dead man, said to him, “Lord, by this time there will be an odor, for he has been dead four days.” 40 Jesus said to her, “Did I not tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God?” 41 So they took away the stone. And Jesus lifted up his eyes and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. 42 I knew that you always hear me, but I said this on account of the people standing around, that they may believe that you sent me.” 43 When he had said these things, he cried out with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out.” 44 The man who had died came out, his hands and feet bound with linen strips, and his face wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Unbind him, and let him go.”

Grief = consuming

Steal joy + belief in God’s goodness and sovereignty

Doesn’t feel like it, but God can use grief

May not bring to life, but equips us to walk in bold faith

Bringing goodness out of heartache.

What is something hard you’ve experienced and thought no good could come from it? How do these verses encourage you?

Lost loved one or experiences trauma = difficult to believe good can come

The example of Martha

Continues to doubt (odor)

Reminder of ourselves: willingness to verbally proclaim with application

God can handle pain and questions

We think, circumstances bad = God isn’t good

Can’t be more incorrect

We serve a good God

Hurts when we hurt

Can and will bring goodness from pain when surrender

Use to increase faith

Why was Jesus “deeply moved” (v. 28)? How does He seem to feel about death?

Jesus expresses anger (see v. 33) and sorrow

Not angry at people; angry at situation

Not anguish over death; saddened by familial pain

Weeping with those who weep bc His love

Grief caused by death = anger

Angry at death, saddened by grief

Sorrow alongside family

Jesus hold power over death

Feels like we do about it

Transition Statement: Jesus bringing life from death and glory from grief ultimately all point to one thing: Him bringing salvation from rejection.

Main Point: Jesus revealed that He has power of life and death.

The Messiah brings life from death

The Messiah brings glory from grief

The Messiah brings salvation from rejection

John 11:45–53 (ESV)

45 Many of the Jews therefore, who had come with Mary and had seen what he did, believed in him, 46 but some of them went to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done. 47 So the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered the council and said, “What are we to do? For this man performs many signs. 48 If we let him go on like this, everyone will believe in him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation.” 49 But one of them, Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, said to them, “You know nothing at all. 50 Nor do you understand that it is better for you that one man should die for the people, not that the whole nation should perish.” 51 He did not say this of his own accord, but being high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the nation, 52 and not for the nation only, but also to gather into one the children of God who are scattered abroad. 53 So from that day on they made plans to put him to death.

Had to shed blood > salvation

Is. 53:3: Jesus would be rejected and despised

OT: Atonement only through animal sacrifice

Devotees and priest would lay hands on animal

Animal carry the weight of sin and guilt on behalf of worshippers

Worshipers would not bear punishment of God

High priest speaks greater than he knew

Sin demands blood payment

Jesus’s rejection > spilling blood > we can be accepted

Essential Doctrine: Christ as Substitute

At the heart of the atonement is Jesus Christ substituting Himself for sinners as He died on the cross. This truth is seen in the sacrificial system of the Old Testament, which provided a picture of humanity’s need for sin to be covered and guilt to be removed by an innocent sacrifice. Jesus perfectly revealed and did the will of God, taking on Himself human nature with its demands and necessities and identifying Himself completely with humankind yet without sin. He honored the divine law by His personal obedience, and in his substitutionary death on the cross, He made provision for the redemption of humanity from sin.

Describe a time when you were rejected. What does it feel like to be rejected?

Wired for connection = rejection hurts

Want to feel accepted

Jesus rejection = another level

Feels compassion when we are rejected

How did rejection play a part int the story of salvation for all people?

Bible rejection:

Noah

David

The prophets

Paul

But all played a part in story of salvation

Jesus = ultimate rejection + sacrifice

We are sometimes rejected

God can use rejection to bring glory and hope

“The supreme revelation of Jesus as life was the occasion for His death.”

Worst thing that ever happened = best thing that ever happened

Christ Connection

When Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, He showed that He has power over death. Jesu said, “I am the resurrection and the life” (John 11:25). Because Jesus died on the cross and rose from the dead, we have full assurance that Jesus has defeated death forever and will one day resurrect us from the dead.

Head: When have you struggled to have greater faith in God’s plans?

While in fallen world, can feel like sickness and death have most power

Feeling helpless

Focusing on these can weaken faith

Jesus still has power, though

Defeated on the cross > glorious hope

Heart: Why is it important to take all of your emotions-good and bad-to God?

Tend to think we can be honest about how we feel, but this is wrong

The example of Psalms, Lamentations, and Job

God can handle our honesty

Speakers: God is sovereign and worthy of worship

Struggle when times are tough

But nothing changes God

God want us to be honest so He can speak to us

Greatest disappointments > increase faith more than anything else

Hands: How can you allow your own rejection to point others to Jesus?

Living for Christ = not always fitting in

Times when rejected bc of discomfort

Difficult, but Jesus promised

Rejected > respond in love > perseverance > pointing to Jesus

Final Takeaway: Allow Jesus to use difficult circumstances in your life to grow your faith.