Have they Taken Notice
There is a Remedy • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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John 12:9-11
John 12:9-11
Talk of the Town 9
The whole town was talking about what Jesus did for Lazarus.
They were not only coming to see Jesus , they also were coming to see Lazarus.
Lazarus was the bait and Jesus was the hook.
Our lives tell a story
This is who I was
This is how I met Jesus
This is who I am
The story of our lives attract the attention of others who are in desperate need.
We don’t point to ourselves but to Jesus.
For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake.
Jesus is the need of every soul and the Bible teaches that our transformation is the means by which others come to Jesus
For not only has the word of the Lord sounded forth from you in Macedonia and Achaia, but your faith in God has gone forth everywhere, so that we need not say anything. For they themselves report concerning us the kind of reception we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God,
The life change was so dramatic in Thessalonica that the whole town was talking about them.
Welsh Revival of 1904–1905.
The Story
During that revival, thousands of coal miners came to Christ. Their conversions were so dramatic that they stopped drinking, fighting, and especially cussing. The problem was that the pit ponies (the mules used to haul coal underground) had been trained to respond only to the miners’ profanity-laced commands.
When the men’s language changed, the animals literally didn’t know what to do anymore. The mules stood still because they didn’t recognize the new, clean speech of their handlers.
It became one of the most famous revival anecdotes because it captured a simple truth:
When God changes a man, everything around him feels the impact — even the mules.
A witness that can’t be hidden
The ripple effect of a genuine changed life
Target of the Temple 10
The chief priests wanted to put Lazarus to death.
A changed life also draws a target on your back.
For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life. Who is sufficient for these things?
To those being saved, the message of Christ is the fragrance of life
To those rejecting Him, it becomes the smell of death
It’s Paul’s way of saying: the same truth can land very differently depending on the heart that receives it. The gospel doesn’t change, but people’s posture toward it does.
Satan
And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds.
Satan wants to put out your light.
Evil People
Satan has servants who seek to accomplish Satan will by attacking genuine believers.
Do make the mistake thinking that everyone is going to like the change that Jesus has made in your life.
Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets.
Don’t waste your time and energy trying to make everyone like you.
Spend your life tesitfying to the lost world that Jesus saves.
Testimony of the Truth 11
Lazarus’ life was a living testimony to what Jesus can do.
His life was pointing people to Jesus/
His life was bringing glory to God
His life was preaching hope.
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
Is your life a witness to the life giving and life changing power of Jesus?
The highest honor is being an ambassador of Christ.
I was Dead, Blind, Darkness, Sin Dominated, Lost
Jesus Saved me
I am Alive, Sight, Light, Liberated,Found
