Even Now, Do You Believe?

Call to prayer :

“Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, to the only wise God our Saviour, be  glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.”

John 11:17-25

“When Jesus arrived at Bethany, he was told that Lazarus had already been in his grave for four days. 18 Bethany was only a few miles down the road from Jerusalem, 19 and many of the people had come to console Martha and Mary in their loss. 20 When Martha got word that Jesus was coming, she went to meet him. But Mary stayed in the house. 21 Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if only you had been here, my brother would not have died. 22 But even now I know that God will give you whatever you ask.” 23 Jesus told her, “Your brother will rise again.”24 “Yes,” Martha said, “he will rise when everyone else rises, at the last day.” 25 Jesus told her, “I am the resurrection and the life.* Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying.”

Introduction: The few scripture verses we just read recounts the moment Jesus visit his bereaved friends Martha and Mary after the death of their brother Lazarus. Here, Jesus engages with Martha and invites her to recognize His identity as the source of life, encouraging her in her grief to embrace a deeper understanding of faith in the face of tragedy. In the face of sadness, In the face of lost of love one.

Teaching: Believing (Faith) in Jesus is foundational, providing hope and assurance in impossible circumstances. It urges believers to confront their doubts and cling to the belief that Jesus Christ is actively at work, even when His presence isn't felt.

Big Idea: Belief in Christ is a dynamic force that transforms despair into hope, urging us to recognize His power in our lives, even when the situation appears irreversible.

Recommended Study: As you work on this sermon, consider examining the significance of Jesus’ statements about life and resurrection in the context of both Jewish beliefs about the afterlife and the broader narrative of John’s Gospel. Utilizing Logos, analyze the rhetorical devices Jesus uses in dialogue with Martha and how these enhance our understanding of faith in real-life situations.

1. Enter Into Hopelessness

John 11:17-19

In these verses, we see that death of Lazarus and the despair that Martha and Mary have faced. It can be overwhelming, people are coming in and out, and sometimes you don’t what’s going on. Martha and her family was busy. But verse twenty(20) says “When Martha got word that Jesus was coming, she went to meet him.” In your hopelessness, and sadness I encourage you to recognize when Jesus visit you. Martha went to meet Him she didn’t wait for her meet her. You must be willing to leave every else to meet Him.

2. Express Your Belief

John 11:20-22

Let us examine Martha's interaction with Jesus, when she expresses her belief that, even though it feels too late, yet Jesus has the power to change the situation. Martha by faith, recognized Jesus’ authority and invited His intervention, even amidst doubt. I want to encourage the bereaved family of Sis. Jackie, and all who are gather here tonight to reach out to Jesus Christ with similar belief and trust irreversible reality of now. Let’s go out to meet Jesus.

3. Embrace Resurrection Truth

John 11:23-25

Jesus boldly declared that He is the resurrection and the life, the source and power that guarantee that the believer in Christ” will receive life quickening breath again just like the days of Ezekiel 37.

Jesus is not all talk no action. To proof His reliability and to bring Martha, Mary and all the sympathizers to “believe” He calls a dead men by his name and he responded by coming out. If you belief that is the resurrection and the life then you much embrace this truth fully even now. You could affirm that even now, when faced with circumstances that seem irreversible, Jesus offers a living hope that transcends mere optimism.

Even Now, Do you Believe?