He Raises the Dead
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Intro:
Intro:
Job 14:14 (CSB)
When a person dies, will he come back to life?
If so, I would wait all the days of my struggle
until my relief comes.
25 But I know that my Redeemer lives,
and at the end he will stand on the dust.
26 Even after my skin has been destroyed,
yet I will see God in my flesh.
27 I will see him myself;
my eyes will look at him, and not as a stranger.
My heart longs within me.
Although his situation had not changed Job went from Hopelessness to Hope in 5 chapters.
Saints do you remeber when God performed that greatest miracle in your life. The day you got saved.
13 And when you were dead in trespasses and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, he made you alive with him and forgave us all our trespasses.
14 He erased the certificate of debt, with its obligations, that was against us and opposed to us, and has taken it away by nailing it to the cross.
Saints tell me something your marriage is going through today that is greater than the miracle he performed when you got saved.
Saints when you think about your Marriage today I need you to remeber that we serve an “I Am” God. He is the eternal existent one! He is the absolute source of all that is good. His desire today for your marriage today Is to bring life to a dead situation.
Please Remeber our Lord is an expert at giving life to the dead! He is a living Testimony of going from Hell to Heaven.
Our Story today is about a situation that went from Hopeless to Hope
john 11:1-27
Now a man was sick—Lazarus from Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. 2 Mary was the one who anointed the Lord with perfume and wiped his feet with her hair, and it was her brother Lazarus who was sick. 3 So the sisters sent a message to him: “Lord, the one you love is sick.”
4 When Jesus heard it, he said, “This sickness will not end in death but is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.” 5 Now Jesus loved Martha, her sister, and Lazarus. 6 So when he heard that he was sick, he stayed two more days in the place where he was. 7 Then after that, he said to the disciples, “Let’s go to Judea again.”
8 “Rabbi,” the disciples told him, “just now the Jews tried to stone you, and you’re going there again?”
9 “Aren’t there twelve hours in a day?” Jesus answered. “If anyone walks during the day, he doesn’t stumble, because he sees the light of this world. 10 But if anyone walks during the night, he does stumble, because the light is not in him.”
11 He said this, and then he told them, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I’m on my way to wake him up.”
12 Then the disciples said to him, “Lord, if he has fallen asleep, he will get well.”
13 Jesus, however, was speaking about his death, but they thought he was speaking about natural sleep. 14 So Jesus then told them plainly, “Lazarus has died. 15 I’m glad for you that I wasn’t there so that you may believe. But let’s go to him.”
16 Then Thomas (called “Twin”) said to his fellow disciples, “Let’s go too so that we may die with him.”
17 When Jesus arrived, he found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb four days. 18 Bethany was near Jerusalem (less than two miles away). 19 Many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them about their brother. 20 As soon as Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went to meet him, but Mary remained seated in the house.
21 Then Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother wouldn’t have died. 22 Yet even now I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give you.”
23 “Your brother will rise again,” Jesus told her.
24 Martha said to him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.”
25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me, even if he dies, will live. 26 Everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?”
27 “Yes, Lord,” she told him, “I believe you are the Messiah, the Son of God, who comes into the world.”
I. His Glory
I. His Glory
1 Now a man was sick—Lazarus from Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha.
2 Mary was the one who anointed the Lord with perfume and wiped his feet with her hair, and it was her brother Lazarus who was sick.
3 So the sisters sent a message to him: “Lord, the one you love is sick.”
4 When Jesus heard it, he said, “This sickness will not end in death but is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.”
5 Now Jesus loved Martha, her sister, and Lazarus.
6 So when he heard that he was sick, he stayed two more days in the place where he was.
7 Then after that, he said to the disciples, “Let’s go to Judea again.”
The Situation: There was man named Lazarus from Bethany who is the sister of Mary and Martha. For the contemporary reader he lets us know who Mary was. She was the one who anointed the Lord with perfume and wiped his feet with her hair. It was her brother Lazarus who was sick. John is writing this letter in around 90AD about 60 years after this event to people who may or may not been alive during the events. He is the last surviving disciple. He is writing John, 1-3 John and Revelation.
Mary and Martha send a messenger to find Jesus and inform him that his “Boy, Road Dawg, and Partner” was sick.
Jesus spent time with this family notice what the sister say in (3)
3x a year Jesus and the disciples had to take pilgrimage to Jerusalem Mary and Martha lived right outside in the suburb called Bethany. Jesus would use their house as an AIRBNB. Mary, Martha and Lazarus all live together.
(EXP)(3) “Lord, the one you love is sick” Jesus your boy is down. Clearly the sister knew the ailment Lazarus was struggling with would ultimately lead to his death if Jesus did not show up. They knew Jesus was a busy man so they appealed to his relationship with Lazarus to get him to stop what he was doing and get to Bethany.
4 When Jesus heard it, he said, “This sickness will not end in death but is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.”
(EXP)(4) The messenger must have finally gotten to Jesus and informed him of his friend’s condition. Notice Jesus response. Jesus tells at least the disciples who are with him. I know it sounds bad, but I am going to turn Lazarus situation around for my Glory.
You will notice that John uses the name “Son of God” John employs this title throughout the Book. He is trying to convey a message. Jesus is going to use this situation to nailed down a truth. And that truth is that he is the “Son of God” Dont get it twisted.
5 Now Jesus loved Martha, her sister, and Lazarus.
6 So when he heard that he was sick, he stayed two more days in the place where he was.
7 Then after that, he said to the disciples, “Let’s go to Judea again.”
(EXP)(5) “Now Jesus loved Martha, her sister and Lazarus” John tells us that this family is deeply loved by our Lord. The word “Love” is agape. That is a deep unconditional love. Like a parent has for a child. Now watch what John tells us next
(EXP)(6) “So when heard that he he was sick, he stayed two more days in the place where he was” Couple this scripture with the previous verse and try to make sense of it. In (5) John tells us “Jesus loved Martha, her sister and Lazarus unconditionally” then he tells us in (6) “So when he heard that he was sick, he stayed two more days” John understood how insensitive Jesus looked in (6) so he made sure he tells us in (5) Jesus loved them dearly. John wants us to know that Jesus delay’s in our life have “ABSOLUTELY NOTHING TO DO WITH HIS LOVE FOR US” they have more to do with (4) “This sickness will not end in death but is for the Glory of God” God will sometimes delay answer to your prayers to build up the tension in your life so that you learn to trust him and so that he can Glorify Himself through you leaving no doubt is only him that got you through.
But Pastor I am still not clear. That doesn’t feel loving. Well take a look at the next verses (7-8)
7 Then after that, he said to the disciples, “Let’s go to Judea again.”
8 “Rabbi,” the disciples told him, “just now the Jews tried to stone you, and you’re going there again?”
(7-8) Saints look at this verse. He tells the disciples “We going back to Judea again” they know what that entails. Look at (8) Jesus when we went there last time they tried to “Smoke us” why would go back again.
Important Principles: When Jesus does decided to act he will put his own safety at risk to help his children. There is nothing he won’t do when his own our in trouble. He will go behind enemies lines and put himself in dangerous situation to save his own. This truth was personified when he went to the cross and put himself at danger to rescue his own from Spiritual Death seperation from him in Hell.
God not only does things for his Glory secondarily he does things for our Good.
II. Our Good
II. Our Good
11 He said this, and then he told them, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I’m on my way to wake him up.”
12 Then the disciples said to him, “Lord, if he has fallen asleep, he will get well.”
13 Jesus, however, was speaking about his death, but they thought he was speaking about natural sleep.
14 So Jesus then told them plainly, “Lazarus has died.
15 I’m glad for you that I wasn’t there so that you may believe. But let’s go to him.”
11 He said this, and then he told them, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I’m on my way to wake him up.”
(EXP)(11) Jesus tells them “Our friend” This family was not only the friend of Jesus but they were allies of all the disciples. Sounds like they had a lot of fish fries over at Mary’s house.
(11) Jesus tells them before he actually got to Bethany and heard anything from a messenger that Lazarus has “fallen asleep” this is common euphemism in the ancient world used to describe someone who has died. Jesus tells the “disciples I am going to wake him up”
12 Then the disciples said to him, “Lord, if he has fallen asleep, he will get well.”
(EXP)(12) The disciples did not realize Jesus has just used his omniscience to determine Lazarus has died. Jesus is operating mentally and spiritually at a level they cannot see. Jesus understood that “He had to keep it 100% in (13)”
13 Jesus, however, was speaking about his death, but they thought he was speaking about natural sleep.
14 So Jesus then told them plainly, “Lazarus has died.
(EXP)(13-14) The disciples still confused are thinking “Man why are we going all the way back to a place that wants us dead just to wake up Lazarus” Jesus then tells them plainly. “HE DEAD”
15 I’m glad for you that I wasn’t there so that you may believe. But let’s go to him.”
(EXP)(15) This is an astounding statement by our Lord. Jesus tells the disciples as they had to be thinking we could have been there 2 days ago. Why did we linger in this place. If Jesus knew Lazarus was going to die “Why didn’t we leave?” Jesus tells them why.
I lingered here for 2 more days so that “you may believe” now this is an interesting statement. The disciples had already left lifestyles, jobs, and family to travel around Judea with the Lord.
What did he mean by believe? haven’t we already proven we believed in him
Jesus is not talking about “New Faith” he is talking “Deepening Faith” like a tree that is beginning to grow. The roots must grow prior to that to support the weight of the tree. When we see people grow where its visible know that this started in the spirit before it got to the visible. God will build the root system of your faith before you begin to see demonstrative difference in external evidence of your faith.
Jesus tells them disciples “The reason I waited two more days and allowed him to die” was because I want all of y’all’s faith to grow even deeper. That is necessary to match the calling I have for your life.
Everyone wants to be great but they don’t want to be deepened.
There another principle in this text:
There another principle in this text:
God reserves the right to leverage the tribulations and trials of other Christian to build the faith and edify the body. Jesus used the suffering of Mary’s family to build the faith of the disciples.
Saints we need to stop trying to keep our Trials private. Let us know about them while you are in the fire so that the body can pray and be strengthened by what God is doing in your life.
His Glory our Good, but how will he pull off this with one act
III. His Plan
III. His Plan
17 When Jesus arrived, he found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb four days.
18 Bethany was near Jerusalem (less than two miles away).
19 Many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them about their brother.
20 As soon as Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went to meet him, but Mary remained seated in the house.
21 Then Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother wouldn’t have died.
22 Yet even now I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give you.”
23 “Your brother will rise again,” Jesus told her.
24 Martha said to him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.”
25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me, even if he dies, will live.
26 Everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?”
27 “Yes, Lord,” she told him, “I believe you are the Messiah, the Son of God, who comes into the world.”
17 When Jesus arrived, he found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb four days.
(EXP)(17) John tells us Lazarus had been in the tomb for four days. This is not an ancillary fact. Jesus strategically waited till Lazarus was nice and dead. Notice John 11:38-39
38 Then Jesus, deeply moved again, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone was lying against it.
39 “Remove the stone,” Jesus said. Martha, the dead man’s sister, told him, “Lord, there is already a stench because he has been dead four days.”
(38-39) Jesus came to the tomb and said roll this stone away. Can you see Mary walking up real discreetly to Jesus and whispering in his ear. “Jesus your boy Lazarus Stank by now!” The tropical heat and the above ground burial is not a great recipe for preservation. He is funky by now.
Jesus is something else. Cleary you don’t quite understand who I am. I was the one who created your parents Adam and Eve from the dust of the ground. I know how to make life and create life. I don’t need a lesson on bodily decomposition.
Why four days?
According to Jewish tradition they did not believe the spirit fully left the body until after 3 days. They believe it hovered over the body for 3 days then left. Jesus knew this tradition. So he purposefully waited until Lazarus meet the three day minimum for death and then he showed up. Jesus didn’t want no one saying Lazarus was not really dead yet
18 Bethany was near Jerusalem (less than two miles away).
19 Many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them about their brother.
20 As soon as Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went to meet him, but Mary remained seated in the house.
21 Then Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother wouldn’t have died.
(EXP)(18) Bethany like Southfield to Detroit was only 2 miles from Jerusalem so many from the City had already started to visit the family. In Jewish tradition the body was immediately put into a tomb and then they would mourn for 7 days. This is the 4th day in. The family would sit in the living space as folks would bring food for them to eat for the next 7 days. This is the scene right here.
(20-21) Martha got word Jesus was near so she left the house and went to meet him. Martha was happy to see him, but in her greeting to him you could tell she was a little “bitter” about his lack of punctuality.
(21) “Lord, if you had been here, my brother wouldn’t have died” Jesus I know you are a busy man, but you could have made an exception in this case for My Brother your dear friend. Both Mary and Martha said the same thing. If you had been there. The Lord was thinking I am about to deepen everybody faith today.
22 Yet even now I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give you.”
23 “Your brother will rise again,” Jesus told her.
24 Martha said to him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.”
25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me, even if he dies, will live.
26 Everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?”
22 Yet even now I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give you.”
(EXP)(22) Saints I had trouble understanding this grammatical construction. In the previous she has already come to terms with her brothers demise. And in this subsequent verse she did not grasped that Jesus was going to raise him from the dead. So what is she asking in this text.
I think she is asking Jesus to make sure her brother is alright on the other end. She is standing in the gap for her Brother. She is saying “I know his physical fate has already been determined, but I just want to make sure is spiritual fate is good” Jesus talk to your Father and make sure my brother is no longer in pain or separated from God.
This interpretation seems right based on the next verse
23 “Your brother will rise again,” Jesus told her.
24 Martha said to him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.”
(EXP)(23) Jesus tells her “Your brother will rise again” Jesus using subversive language tells her your brothers fate is about to change. He will rise. Martha does not understand.
(24) Yes Jesus I know he will rise at the end when all the chosen Rise. I gotcha. Just make sure he is good now.
25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me, even if he dies, will live.
26 Everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?”
(EXP)(25) Jesus then tells Martha the 5th “I am” “I am the resurrection and the life” Jesus is partially affirming Mary statement from the previous (24) Yes Mary I am the one who will call all people from Human History from the grave to stand before me.
Saints there is a powerful truth in this statement “I am the resurrection” helps us John. In Revelation 20:11-15
11 Then I saw a great white throne and one seated on it. Earth and heaven fled from his presence, and no place was found for them.
12 I also saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life, and the dead were judged according to their works by what was written in the books.
13 Then the sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them; each one was judged according to their works.
14 Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire.
15 And anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire.
This text tell us that a day is coming when all those who have been born will be resurrected from the grave, from the sea, from Hades. God at this point will reconstitute all folks body and spirit together to stand before him bodily.
Jesus tells Martha not only am I “The Resurrection” “I am also the life” Saints this is powerful. These terms are not synonyms. He is giving Mary a more exhaustive understanding of his power. He tells her not only am I the future raiser of the dead I am also the present impart-of spiritual life to all those who ask.
“I am the Resurrection and the Life” Carries both a future and present reality. Martha not only do I physically raise people. I also Spiritually raise people from the dead.
It’s nothing to raise the physically dead for Jesus but it will require the cross to raise the spiritually dead. That is a more magnanimous event. What does John tell us about the Logos in John 1:1-4
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2 He was with God in the beginning.
3 All things were created through him, and apart from him not one thing was created that has been created.
4 In him was life, and that life was the light of men.
(4) In him was life!!!! This life is not just new physical life as all human beings will be given this. This is a greater blessing in this Life is new spiritual life. This spirit life gives us the ability to commune with God like Adam and Eve did before they fell in the garden.
Martha eyes began to open notice John 11:27
27 “Yes, Lord,” she told him, “I believe you are the Messiah, the Son of God, who comes into the world.”
(EXP)(27) “Yes Lord” Can you hear here excitement? “Yes Lord” I understand something I didn't clearly see before. I am ready to take action “I believe” based on what Jesus just taught.
What does she believe?
You are the Messiah-The Human descendant of David of the Tribe of Judah. The promised Savior to the children of Israel.
The Son of God-The Eternal all powerful Son of the Father.
Mary says I believe in the Hypostatic Union. When Deity wrapped himself in Flesh and came to live with man. Saints God’s of heaven don’t come commune with man only in Christianity does Deity dwell with mankind.
Mary and Martha heart of unbelief has gone away.
NOW ROLL THE STONE AWAY!!!!!!!!!!
NOW ROLL THE STONE AWAY!!!!!!!!!!
If you want God to do something in your marriage you must believe. When you are willing to roll the stone of unbelief from your heart You will see the dead raised.
Open the doors of the church
Open the doors of the church
Communion
Communion