Lazarus Raised From The Dead

But for the glory of God,

Jesus could have prevented the death of Lazarus, but the death was an opportunity to glorify the Father and that the Son of God maybe glorified.

Something to remember also is that the message to the sisters was not that Lazarus would not die, but that it would not end in death.

The ultimate result would be the glory of God!

(Slide) - the glory of God in the midst of trouble!

Psalm 50:15 NASB95

15 Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I shall rescue you, and you will honor Me.”

(Slide) So if ever faced with disease, disappointment, delay or even death find comfort in God’s Word and the Truth!

Jesus is our Life

Let’s read the storybook and see what we see and then break down into a couple of sections

(Slide) What do you notice, what sticks out to you?

(Slide) So what about four days?

(Slide) Day 1 - Messenger comes to Jesus (Lazarus dies)

(Slide) Day 2 - Messenger returns to Bethany

(Slide) Day 3 - Jesus waits another day and departs for Judea

(slide) Day 4 - Jesus arrives in Bethany

(Slide) Day 3 - Jesus waits another day before leaving for Judea

(Slide) Day 4 - Jesus arrives in Bethany

(Slide) Just a couple of things to note on in (vv.17-20)

(Slide) Many Jews had come to console - with an emphasis being made on “many” would seem that Lazarus is influential, well known in community. we know from Jn3:10 that Lazarus was a teacher of Israel, so many may have even come over from Jerusalem to Bethany to mourn

(Slide) Martha always on the go, breaking tradition here -the practice of the time was the grieving would sit in the house and the mourners would come to the house sit and be quiet or cry, even let out a moan now and then in support of the grieving. Martha hears Jesus is coming runs out to meet him.

(Slide) What was Martha’s question in (v.21)? Do you think her words were a rebuke, or remorse that Jesus was not there before?

(Slide) What do you notice in (v.22)? -Martha displays faith in her comment

(Slide) What does Jesus promise (v.23)? - Resurrection

(Slide) One more point look at (v.24) what does Martha acknowledge? -theologically she believes in resurrection on the last day on judgment day. - Martha surely would have known about other resurrections Jesus had done, but still she speaks theologically and not personally - (but hold on Jesus has more to say)

(Slide) Here comes one of the great “I AM” statements (vv.25-26)

(Slide) What is Jesus saying about resurrection?

(Slide) What is Jesus saying about life

(Slide) What is He challenging Martha (v.26)?

Martha in (v.27) accepts the challenge and acknowledges her belief, though maybe not fully understanding this yet, she steps out in faith. She also makes the bold statement “You are the Christ”

(Slide) Theological truths of Martha’s statement (v.27)

(Slide) You are the Christ (meaning He is the Messiah)

(Slide) You are the Son of God

(Slide) You are the one sent by the Father

(Slide) Are these part of what our faith, our belief need to have?

(Slide) Saying Son of God she is in good company

(Slide) Gabriel (Lk1:35)

(Slide) John the Baptist (Jn1:34)

Slide) Nathanael (Jn1:49)

(Slide) Then the Centurion at the cross ( Mt16:15-16)

(Slide) Kenneth Gagle wrote “Verbal confessions and life commitments are not always partners with each other.” It is not enough to claim Jesus your life must be followed by obedience to bear the fruit of repentance.

(Slide) Jon Courson wrote “We don’t question His ability to raise Lazarus, we question His willingness.” - Why would the Messiah, the Son of God, the One sent from the Father do this for me?

(Slide) A quick glance at (vv.28-32)

(Slide) Martha had private meeting with Jesus; Mary was a public meeting

(Slide) Mary, well, like was her previous pattern was at Jesus feet

(Slide) Martha / Mary both made the same opening statement “if you had been here”

(Slide) So, what about (vv.33-37)?

(Slide) According to (v.33) what was Jesus feeling?

(Slide) In (v.34) what did Jesus ask?

(Slide) in (v.35) what did Jesus do?

THIS SECTION NOT ON A SLIDE - - - - - - - - We don’t know the reason Jesus wept could be many reasons

Reminded that sin kills, steals and destroys

Sin kills

Sin Stinks

Heart felt compassion for all the mourners

Maybe because of the unbelief of the people - He had already promised it would not end in death but glory to God!

Jesus is our power

(Slide) Remove the stone (vv.38-39)

(Slide) Still deeply moved, now moved to action

(Slide) Jesus action to go to the tomb

(Slide) The peoples to roll away the stone - roll away the stone, do we have a stone in the way of exposing what needs to be dealt with giving the Lord full access to our life, to our problems. We need to do our part, roll away the stone, sure it may stink , but let the Lord deal with it!

(Slide) The Prayer (vv.40-42)

Telling all who are listening what he told the messenger before (v.40)

Telling all who are listening what he told the messenger before (v.

The people acted, Jesus prayed (vv.41-42) - Public prayer was not Jesus practice, private prayer was, but the intention of Jesus was to bring glory to God and the Son of Man so out loud he prays for all to hear. He wants them all to hear and see what is going to happen.

(Slide) The Resurrection (vv.43-44)

(Slide) Jesus calls out to Lazarus by name

(Slide) Orders them to loosen Lazarus; Jesus work was done, resurrection (dead to life) now man’s part was to loose him. - many may come to Christ, maybe resurrected from a dead life, but we have a responsiblity to now. God did His part

(Slide) Loose him by prayers

(Slide) Loose him by discipleship

(Slide) Loose him by fellowship

Final question, what was the results in (v.45)? - Belief! And in belief God is glorified