Faith Over Fear When Life Throws a Curveball
Journey Through the Gospel of John • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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THEME: We can conquer fear and uncertainty by trusting in Jesus’ perfect timing and plan, even in life’s most challenging moments.
THRUST: Jesus’ response to Lazarus’ death—waiting purposefully (emeinen, v. 6) while promising God’s glory (hoti doxes, v. 4) and urging faith (pisteusēte, v. 15)—shows us that trusting Him overcomes fear (ezētounlithasai, v. 8) and confusion (edoxan, v. 13), empowering us to follow Him (agōmen, vv. 7, 16) through life’s toughest moments.
PURPOSE: My goal is to challenge our feelings of fear and doubt. I want those who haven’t found faith in Christ to consider Him, and I want to inspire believers to overcome hesitation and trust Him fully, even in crises.
TEXT: John 11:1-16 (KJV)
Introduction
Introduction
Life loves to throw us curveballs, doesn’t it? Those sudden, unexpected challenges that leave us reeling with fear and uncertainty. How many of you enjoy facing something you’re totally unprepared for? When I was coaching varsity baseball, we were seeded against the top-ranked team, Roanoke Christian, in the postseason. Up to that point, our boys had faced fastball pitchers or junk pitchers with little control. But Roanoke had an ace—a pitcher with a killer slider we’d never seen. Our first batter struck out swinging, shaking his head. The next stood frozen, struck out looking, completely bewildered. Then my son Gideon, our best hitter, stepped up. Fastball, strike one. I thought, “He’s got this.” Then came a slider that danced across the plate. Gideon’s face said it all: “What just happened?” Another slider, and he was out. We lost that game miserably. I remember thinking, “Man, I didn’t have these guys ready for that slider.” Our players got frustrated, filled with fear, and eventually gave up.
In today’s text, John 11:1-16, we see a similar curveball: the unexpected illness and death of Lazarus, a close friend of Jesus (philos, v. 11). This crisis hits his sisters, Mary and Martha, and the disciples hard, stirring fear (ezētoun lithasai, v. 8) and confusion (edoxan, v. 13). Yet, Jesus shows us how to conquer fear with faith. As we continue our series, Life & Death: Coming Face to Face with Resurrection and Life, let’s focus on this truth: Faith over Fear when Life Throws a Curveball. My goal is to challenge our fear and doubt, encouraging those who haven’t trusted Christ to consider Him and inspiring believers to follow Him fully, no matter the crisis.
Let’s read John 11:1-16 together and unpack this life-changing message.
1 Now a certain man was sick, named Lazarus, of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha. 2 (It was that Mary which anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick.) 3 Therefore his sisters sent unto him, saying, Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick. 4 When Jesus heard that, he said, This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby. 5 Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus. 6 When he had heard therefore that he was sick, he abode two days still in the same place where he was. 7 Then after that saith he to his disciples, Let us go into Judaea again. 8 His disciples say unto him, Master, the Jews of late sought to stone thee; and goest thou thither again? 9 Jesus answered, Are there not twelve hours in the day? If any man walk in the day, he stumbleth not, because he seeth the light of this world. 10 But if a man walk in the night, he stumbleth, because there is no light in him. 11 These things said he: and after that he saith unto them, Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep. 12 Then said his disciples, Lord, if he sleep, he shall do well. 13 Howbeit Jesus spake of his death: but they thought that he had spoken of taking of rest in sleep. 14 Then said Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead. 15 And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, to the intent ye may believe; nevertheless let us go unto him. 16 Then said Thomas, which is called Didymus, unto his fellowdisciples, Let us also go, that we may die with him.
Here is my first thought this morning.
We Must TRUST Jesus’ Purpose Despite Delays
We Must TRUST Jesus’ Purpose Despite Delays
Here’s what gets me about this story: Jesus, as God, already knew Lazarus was sick (asthenen, v. 3) and would die (apethanen, v. 14). Yet, when Mary and Martha sent that urgent message—“Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick” (phileis asthenen, v. 3)—Jesus waited two whole days (emeinen, v. 6). Can you imagine their panic? Their brother was fading fast, and they begged Jesus (kyrios, v. 3) to come. But He stayed put. Why?
The answer’s right here: “This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby” (hoti doxes doxasthe, v. 4). Jesus wasn’t ignoring them; He had a bigger plan. His delay wasn’t neglect—it was purposeful, setting the stage for a miracle that would show God’s power (hotidoxes). We don’t always see it, but God’s timing is perfect, even when it feels like He’s late.
In fact, we must accept that the fact that all things are done to glorify God. It is principle taught throughout all of Scripture. Note a couple of verses.
9 All nations whom thou hast made shall come And worship before thee, O Lord; And shall glorify thy name.
6 That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
31 Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.
17 But he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.
I think it pretty evident that God is deserving of all glory. There are many other verses I could point you to concerning this thought but we do not have the time. However, I want you to understand that God has a purpose for all that He does or does not do. His purpose is that He might be glorified. Thus, whenever God waits, we must trust His purpose.
For those who haven’t trusted Christ, this is your moment. You might feel God’s ignored your pain—maybe abuse, loss, or hardship. But Jesus, who faced suffering Himself, hasn’t abandoned you. His delay is about showing you His Son’s glory (doxasthe, v. 4). He’s waiting for you to accept Jesus as your Savior, the One who can heal your brokenness and give you eternal life.
Believers, we get impatient, don’t we? Like Mary and Martha, we want Jesus to act now. But His delay in Lazarus’ story wasn’t to hurt them—it was to show a greater miracle. Raising a dead man (apethanen, v. 14) brought more glory to God than healing a sick one. When life throws a curveball, we trust Jesus’ purpose, knowing His timing is always right.
Remember the promise of Proverbs 3:5-6
5 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; And lean not unto thine own understanding. 6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, And he shall direct thy paths.
This promise aligns with the same principle found in Romans 8:28
28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
Think about Mary and Martha, waiting anxiously, hearts breaking as Lazarus worsened. They didn’t know Jesus’ delay was setting up a miracle. We’re just like them—facing delays, wondering why God hasn’t moved. But we trust His purpose, knowing He’s working for His glory and our good.
This trust sets us up to face our fears head-on, just as the disciples did.
We Overcome Fear and Confusion Through Faith
We Overcome Fear and Confusion Through Faith
Now, picture the disciples. Jesus says,
7 Then after that saith he to his disciples, Let us go into Judaea again.
Their response?
8 His disciples say unto him, Master, the Jews of late sought to stone thee; and goest thou thither again?
They’re scared to death! The Pharisees tried to kill Jesus before (John 10:31), and going back to Judea felt like walking into a lion’s den. Then, when Jesus says,
11 These things said he: and after that he saith unto them, Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep.
...they’re confused, thinking he’s just napping (edoxan, v. 13). They say,
12 Then said his disciples, Lord, if he sleep, he shall do well.
Jesus has to spell it out:
14 Then said Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead.
Don’t we do the same? When life throws a curveball—a job loss, a diagnosis, a broken relationship—we get scared and confused, questioning God’s plan. The disciples’ fear came from focusing on danger (ezētoun, v. 8), and their confusion came from missing Jesus’ point (edoxan, v. 13). But Jesus corrects them with clarity (eipenparrēsia, v. 14) and says,
15 And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, to the intent ye may believe; nevertheless let us go unto him.
His words cut through their fear and doubt, pointing them to faith.
If you haven’t trusted Christ, I challenge you to move past fear and skepticism. The disciples were scared, but Jesus showed them He’s bigger than their fears. He’s the One who overcomes death (apethanen, v. 14). Let go of doubts and believe in Him—the Savior who died for you and rose again.
6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
Believers, when life’s confusing or scary, we don’t have to understand everything. The disciples didn’t get why Jesus wanted to go to Judea, but His clear words (phōs, v. 9) guided them. We overcome fear by trusting Jesus’ truth, hitting life’s curveballs with faith, not frustration.
Here is one of wife’s favorite verses and one she has to remind me of periodically.
3 What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee. 4 In God I will praise his word, In God I have put my trust; I will not fear What flesh can do unto me.
Couple that with Psalm 27:1
1 The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
And we have very powerful promise from God that our trust in Him can overcome any fear of circumstances and even people.
The disciples’ fear and confusion mirror ours, but Jesus’ clarity about Lazarus’ death pushed them toward faith. That’s what we need—trust in His truth to conquer our doubts and fears. And that trust leads us to follow Him, no matter what.
We Follow Jesus Through Life’s Challenges
We Follow Jesus Through Life’s Challenges
Here’s where the story turns. Jesus doesn’t just talk about faith—He acts. He says,
15 And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, to the intent ye may believe; nevertheless let us go unto him.
...ready to face the crisis in Bethany. And Thomas, called Didymus, steps up:
16 Then said Thomas, which is called Didymus, unto his fellowdisciples, Let us also go, that we may die with him.
Was Thomas being sarcastic? I don’t think so. Despite their fear (ezētoun, v. 8), Thomas rallies his fellow disciples (symmathētais), showing growing faith. They choose to follow Jesus into danger, trusting His plan (hinapisteusēte, v. 15).
For those still undecided about Jesus, this is your call. Following Him means stepping out in faith, even when life’s uncertain. Thomas didn’t have all the answers, but he followed. You can too—trust Jesus as your Savior, the One who leads you through life’s toughest moments to eternal life.
24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
Believers, life’s curveballs test us, but we keep following Jesus (phōs, v. 9). Like Thomas, we might feel fear, but we choose faith, staying committed to Christ’s path. He’s leading us to resurrection life, just as He led the disciples to Lazarus’ tomb.
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
Think of Thomas, standing with his fellow disciples, heart pounding, yet choosing to go with Jesus. That’s our model. When life throws a curveball, we don’t give up—we follow Jesus, trusting He’s got a plan bigger than our fears.
Conclusion
Conclusion
Lazarus was sick. As we know, his sickness led to his death. For his sisters, Mary and Martha, this was unexpected and hard. As we read this story, many often wonder why would Christ delay? He delayed because there was a great purpose and plan at play. The curveball of Lazarus sickness and impending death caught many by surprise. It was not so for Christ. What man saw as painful and discouraging, Christ saw as an opporunity. It was opportunity to teach them and us how to conquer our fear and confusion when faced with life’s toughest moments. We are to trust Him.
Unbeliever, I invite you to trust Him this morning. Trust Him as the resurrection and life. That is the theme of this entire life. Christ is resurrection. He can take what is dead and restore it to life. He can take your life along with its broken relationship and its pain and He turn it into something new full of joy, contentment and usefulness. All He ask is that believe with all your heart and confess Him with your mouth.
Believer, life is tough. It has many challenges. There are times when thing come at us unexpected. We are unprepared. Yet, it is in those moments that our faith in Him can shine. In fact, it is in those moment that He is challenging us and working to grow our faith in Him. So let’s learn to trust Him. Don’t let His delay in answering your prayer be the thing that cause you lose hope. Instead, let it be a catalyst in affirming your belief that He is God and He will be glorified through your situation.
