expectations

When God Seems Late: Trusting in His Timing

Bible Passage: John 11:1–16

Summary: In John 11:1–16, we find the story of Lazarus, a dear friend of Jesus who becomes gravely ill. Despite receiving news of Lazarus’s sickness, Jesus intentionally delays his visit, leading to his eventual death. This passage reflects Jesus’s unique perspective on time and demonstrates how our struggles can shape our faith.

Application: This message encourages teens to trust God’s timing in their lives, especially when they experience delays or unanswered prayers. By understanding that God's timing is often different from our own, they can maintain faith in difficult circumstances and learn to wait on Him rationally and patiently.

Teaching: The sermon teaches that God's delays are not denials. They show how Jesus uses waiting periods to deepen faith, revealing His glory and providential care. Discipleship involves acknowledging that God's ways and thoughts are higher than our own, especially in times of crisis.

How this passage could point to Christ: In this passage, Jesus is portrayed not only as a friend who weeps with us in our struggles but also as the embodiment of life and resurrection. This foreshadows His own resurrection and the promise of eternal life for believers, accentuating the hope found in Christ amidst sorrow and waiting.

Big Idea: Even when it feels like God is late, He is still at work, and we can trust His perfect timing in our lives.

Recommended Study: As you prepare this sermon, consider delving into the cultural context of mourning in first-century Judea using your Logos library. Explore commentaries on John 11 that may reveal nuances about Jesus’ relationship with Mary and Martha. Additionally, studying relevant Hebrew scriptures on waiting and God’s timing can enrich your understanding and application of this text.

Why do bad things happen?

Bad things are either a consequence of our actions

Proverbs 19:3 “When a man’s folly brings his way to ruin, his heart rages against the Lord.”

Or bad things are a consequence of the fall (sin falling into the world)

Genesis 3:17–21 “And to Adam he said, “Because you have listened to the voice of your wife and have eaten of the tree of which I commanded you, ‘You shall not eat of it,’ cursed is the ground because of you; in pain you shall eat of it all the days of your life; thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you; and you shall eat the plants of the field. By the sweat of your face you shall eat bread, till you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; for you are dust, and to dust you shall return.” The man called his wife’s name Eve, because she was the mother of all living. And the Lord God made for Adam and for his wife garments of skins and clothed them.”

Nonetheless sin that happens is ultimately to glorify God

John 9:3 “Jesus answered, “It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him.”

1. Deliberate Delays - Divine Design

John 11:1-6

Jesus deliberately delayed His visit to Bethany, illustrating that God's timing often defies human understanding. This delay wasn't neglect but was intentional to reveal a greater purpose.

Jesus loved Lazarus and his sisters, yet He waited.

v.3 Phileo - a love of relatives or friends

Jesus loved them like a friend

v.5. Agapao - Divine love

Jesus love for people, fathers love for Jesus John 3:35 “The Father loves the Son and has given all things into his hand.”

Perhaps, emphasize trusting in God's love and purpose, even when He seems silent or distant. This teaches teens that God’s delays are orchestrated for His glory, challenging them to have faith in His perfect timings when prayers seem unanswered.

Why does God make us wait for things?

For His Glory. We do not make God submit to our plans or our timelines, but instead we submit to His.

Worship is not about a song we like, a verse we like, a preacher we like. Worship is simply about looking to God.

Gods love is a perfecting love. God loves to change those He loves.

Psalms using “I will wait on the Lord”

Psalm 130:3–6 “If you, O Lord, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness, that you may be feared. I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I hope; my soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen for the morning, more than watchmen for the morning.”

TRANSITION: There are so many times in scripture where the God of the bible is different from the god of your expectation.

2. Determined Journey - Faithful Following

John 11:7-16

Maybe explore Jesus’ decision to return to Judea despite the danger, yet for His ultimate purpose.

Teach how faith requires action amidst uncertainty, as shown through the disciples’ willingness to follow Jesus. The potential sacrifice underscores trust in God’s plan.

This section can encourage teens to pursue their faith boldly, knowing Jesus is the source of life and resurrection, which not only refers to Lazarus but points to His own resurrection, offering hope and assurance in His timing.