Released, Restored, and Redeemed

From Death to Life: The Power of Resurrection

Bible Passage: John 11:40–44

John 11:40–44 KJV 1900

Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God? Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me. And I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me. And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth. And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go.

Summary: In this passage, Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead, demonstrating His power over death and foreshadowing His own resurrection. He emphasizes the need for faith and obedience to God's glory.

Purpose: This sermon can help Christians understand that just as Lazarus was called out of the tomb, they too can be released from the bondage of sin into a new life through faith in Christ.

Intro: The account of Lazarus resurrection is very powerful because it foreshadows Christ’s resurrection and shows God’s power over death and sin. Story of Lazarus

1. Faith Unlocks Glory

John 11:40–41 “Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God? Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me.”

God is looking for believers who have faith in Him as Lord over their lives.

Martha expressed faith when Jesus first arrived when she said she believed Lazarus would rise but she did not understand the moment.

When Jesus said to roll away the stone, she reminded Him that Lazarus was dead for four days and would now be decayed.

When a person is entangled with sin, the greatest obstacle of release is the stone of doubt that a person can never come out of their situation.

In order to remove that stone, there must be faith to remove the stone.

But notice who moved the stone...Jesus did not move the stone.

Lazarus did not move the stone.

The only ones who moved the stone were the believers.

Christ is calling people to the cross but the people who lead them there are believers.

As a child of God, you must be prepared to move the stone of doubt from people in bondage.

2. Prayer Strengthens Trust

John 11:42 “And I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me.”

Although the stone was removed from the grave, Lazarus still remained in bondage and was still dead.

Even before Christ called his name, He prayed first. When a believer moves the stone, he must pray for resurrection.

Christ thanked the Father in advance for the restoration of Lazarus. When we are praying for restoration for someone else, we should follow Jesus’ model and thank God in advance for what He was getting ready to do.

1 Thessalonians 5:16–18 “Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”

Philippians 4:6 “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.”

Hebrews 4:16 “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”

3. Christ Calls to Life

John 11:43–44 “And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth. And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go.”

When Jesus calls us out of our entanglement, He calls us by name. Songwriter Tasha Cobb-Leonard sings a song that says “He Knows My Name.” That is encouraging news to us because when everyone else has defined us by our name, God says I know what they called you and I’m bringing you out!

Remember last week, I pointed out that God can change your name. In order for Him to change it, He must first know it so when He calls you, He expects a response!

When He called Lazarus’ name, it was personal...if he just said come forth, everyone would have gotten up from the grave. But by speaking your name, God says I am developing intimacy with you.

Lazarus came out of the grave but was still entangled.

His feet were in bondage, his hands were in bondage, his face...what he sees, what he hears, what he says were in bondage.

Many of us still have areas in our lives that are in bondage. Some people go places they should not go or do things they should not do. Watch things, say things, listen to things that do not glorify God.

We are in bondage, but are still called out of death into life. And the worse part is sometimes we desire to come out of the bondage but are unable to free ourselves.

Jesus told the believers, loose him and let him go!

Galatians 6:1 “Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.”

Imagine the shock from the people when they saw Lazarus and Jesus said to remove the graveclothes! Sometimes your greatest faith comes when you are praying for someone else.

A person can be freed from bondage through the actions of the people of God.