John 11 - In Real Life

Teaching Text: John 11:17-44

Jesus is the resurrection and the life.

The 5th I AM statement in John’s gospel

The 7th sign in John’s gospel

He is not just one, but both of those; the resurrection and the life.

The glory of God is more significant than the sickness.

Relationships

A. Jesus and Disciples

B. Jesus and Laz

C. Sisters and Jesus - admiration for Jesus

mary and martha stayed true to form…martha was the hot mess, vocal, and unafraid of confrontation. a mamma bear if ever there was one. Tasks done demonstrate care

mary cared about deeply. the empathetic, slow to decide and gentle parenting. staying in the house with people. Presence with people communicate care.Mary said the same thing as Martha. Was it her belief Jesus could do these things or was she carrying a belief passed on to you from her sister? We, our belief and unbelief, definitely impact our home and those in relationship with us.

D. “others” who had opinions

People form their opinions, but it doesn’t stop Jesus purpose. In the end, Jesus knew the fruit of His actions would dismantle needed misunderstandings…or they would keep their hearts hard.

Three words for love and friendship in text

Agapeo

Philos

Phileo

You and I need healthy, God-centered relationships outside of our households.

Resurrection

Martha, seemed to believe in the resurrection of the dead.

A. OT intro

elijah and Elisha

Daniel 12:2–3 “2 Many who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake, some to eternal life, and some to disgrace and eternal contempt. 3 Those who have insight will shine like the bright expanse of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever.”

** Hosea 13:14 “14 I will ransom them from the power of Sheol. I will redeem them from death. Death, where are your barbs? Sheol, where is your sting? Compassion is hidden from my eyes.”

** Psalm 71:20 “20 You caused me to experience many troubles and misfortunes, but you will revive me again. You will bring me up again, even from the depths of the earth.”

B. Jesus’ teaching - resurrection is coming,

John 5:24;28-29 “24 “Truly I tell you, anyone who hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not come under judgment but has passed from death to life…28 Do not be amazed at this, because a time is coming when all who are in the graves will hear his voice 29 and come out—those who have done good things, to the resurrection of life, but those who have done wicked things, to the resurrection of condemnation.”

C. NT reminders

Jesus was first fruit of resurrection of life, all believers or Jesus Loyalist if you will, raise after His return

1 Corinthians 15:21; 51-53** “21 For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead also comes through a man…51 Listen, I am telling you a mystery: We will not all fall asleep, but we will all be changed, 52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we will be changed. 53 For this corruptible body must be clothed with incorruptibility, and this mortal body must be clothed with immortality.”

Think biblically; live with hope

Ignatius of Antioch:

For this end did the Lord suffer the ointment to be poured upon His head, that He might breathe immortality into His Church. Be not ye anointed with the bad odour of the doctrine of the prince of this world; let him not lead you away captive from the life which is set before you. And why are we not all prudent, since we have received the knowledge of God, which is Jesus Christ? Why do we foolishly perish, not recognising the gift which the Lord has of a truth sent to us? (“The Epistle of Ignatius to the Ephesians,” )

it’s important think biblically not culturally or emotionally alone.

we want to grow in understanding and maturity.

Hebrews 6:1–3 (CSB) - Therefore, let us leave the elementary teaching about Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works, faith in God, 2 teaching about ritual washings, laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. 3 And we will do this if God permits.

God has the power to ransom us (redeem) us from death itself. This is the anchor for our hope.

Real Life

real human experience and emotion

grief and other real life emotion not to be dismissed.

Jesus doesn’t rebuke their honesty or confession of grief.

jesus expresses his own real emotions

the words he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled (33). The meaning of the word translated deeply moved implies anger and indignation, even outrage

what was so moving to Jesus?

Was this caused by the sympathy of Jesus for the sisters? The force of the verb seems to be too strong for that. Was it because of the unreality of the Jewish expression of grief? This is at least a possibility since any show of hypocrisy may well have aroused his anger. It may well be that something of the pathos of human suffering was bearing on Jesus as he knew that his own cup of suffering was so close. The troubling of his spirit proceeded from within. Perhaps it was his knowledge of the strength of unbelief of some of them, who would oppose him even after witnessing the raising of Lazarus.

real belief

Martha’s response of belief and accuracy about Jesus was intentional. Faith that fell short of so exalted a concept of Christ was inadequate.

resurrection AND life

live in and believe in Jesus

Real Talk: real life excuses “not the stench, lord!” can keep you from real life with Jesus.

real life with JESUS…a gift and response to our deepest grief, sorrow, failure, disappointments, and offenses toward God.

God is sovereign and when he reigns in our hearts, we are formed by His reality of future resurrection and real life in Jesus.

…we become formed by His purposes not the pressures of life or our perspective on life.

Jesus lived this way.

…Disciples main concern was their physical safety. Jesus’ main concern was their spiritual formation. Their preparation mattered for their assignment to come.

…pre-determine your priorities; mindset matters

…sign up for formation course

Disciples main concern was their physical safety. Jesus’ main concern was their spiritual formation.

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Talk it Over (being honest & open with friends, a spouse, or your Group)

The message was about the Jesus, the resurrection and life. What is one idea from Sunday’s message that impacted you?

Read John 11:17-44 as a group. What is the Holy Spirit saying through these verses?

What significance do the different Greek words for love in the text (Agapeo, Philos, Phileo) hold in our understanding of relationships?

How do the Old Testament references to resurrection enhance our understanding of Jesus' teaching about Hime being resurrection and life?

Read 1 Corinthians 15. What do you notice about resurrection life and our future hope in the chapter?

How can we apply the concept of 'life in Jesus' to our daily struggles?