From Tomb to Table

Text John 11:1-12:11.

Weekend at Burnies… Comedy… nothing funny about a walking dead man !!

Attention-grabbing introduction

Imagine attending Lazarus’s funeral.

You watched them carry his body into the tomb. You saw the stone rolled into place. You sat with Mary and Martha as they wept. Four days passed. The funeral ended, the food was put away, and everyone began accepting the painful reality: Lazarus was gone.

Then Jesus arrived.

He did not come merely to make the family feel better. He did not stand outside the tomb and offer encouraging memories about Lazarus. He commanded them to move the stone, and then He spoke three words that changed everything:

“Lazarus, come out.”

And a dead man walked out of his own tomb.

But John’s story does not end at the tomb. The next chapter finds Lazarus sitting at a table with Jesus. The man who had been buried is now eating, fellowshipping, and becoming living evidence of Christ’s power.

That is the Christian life. Jesus does not merely make bad people better. He makes dead people alive. Then He calls us to leave our grave clothes behind and live in such a way that others can see what He has done.

The question Jesus asked Martha remains the question before us today:

“Do you believe this?”

Enduring a Roadblocked Life

John 11:1–6 “1 Now a certain man was ill, Lazarus of Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. 2 It was Mary who anointed the Lord with ointment and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was ill. 3 So the sisters sent to him, saying, “Lord, he whom you love is ill.” 4 But when Jesus heard it he said, “This illness does not lead to death. It is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.” 5 Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. 6 So, when he heard that Lazarus was ill, he stayed two days longer in the place where he was.”

Timing and Trust

What we want is for him to come NOW

Can we trust Him with our lives

Grief and Doubt

Mary and Martha both say “Lord if you had been here”

We sent for you 4 days ago

I know He will rise again some day… not today

Visible Problems

There is a stone and a stench

we see only the corps and miss the christ

Overcome by Prayer / Promise / Power

Jesus prays for them / him … prays for you

"Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?"

Key distinction: the miracle was not conditioned on her faith, but her ability towas see God's glory in it 

What we fix our eyes on determines what we see when God moves — problems, or His glory

Transition: Every roadblock Jesus overcame at the tomb was in order to give real, resurrected life — not just relief, but a new kind of existence. That is where the story of Lazarus becomes the story of every believer.

Experience a Resurrected Life

John 11:25–26 “25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, 26 and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?””

Jesus did not say, “I can teach you about resurrection.” He said:

“I am the resurrection and the life.”

Christianity begins with receiving life from Christ—not merely improving the life we already have.

— We were dead in sin, but God made us alive with Christ. Ephesians 2:1–5 

— “God made alive together with him.” Colossians 2:13 

— We are raised to “walk in newness of life.” Romans 6:4 

— Anyone in Christ is a new creation. 2 Corinthians 5:17 

— Whoever has the Son has life. 1 John 5:11–12 

— The believer has passed from death to life. John 5:24 

— “It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.” Galatians 2:20 

a. Not example

Jesus did not come merely to show dead people how living people behave.

A corpse cannot imitate life. We certainly follow Christ’s example after salvation, but imitation cannot produce regeneration.

1 Peter 2:21

Ephesians 2:1–5

b. Not encouragement

Dead people do not need a motivational speech. They need life.

Christian encouragement is important, but encouragement cannot replace conversion. Jesus did not stand outside the tomb saying, “Lazarus, try harder.” He called him from death to life.

Titus 3:4–7

c. Not environment

A corpse placed in a beautiful room remains a corpse. Good families, healthy churches, Christian schools, and moral communities are blessings—but none can give spiritual life.

John 1:12–13

John 3:3–8

d. Not education

Knowledge can inform the mind without transforming the heart. Lazarus did not need information about how to leave a tomb. He needed the voice of Christ to give him life.

1 Corinthians 2:14

James 1:22

Illustration

A defibrillator may help restore a heart that still has electrical activity, but it cannot resurrect a body that has been dead for four days. Humanity does not merely need spiritual assistance; we need divine resurrection.

Applications

Have I experienced new life in Christ, or have I merely adopted Christian habits?

Is my confidence in church attendance, family heritage, Bible knowledge, or Christ Himself?

Can I identify evidence of new spiritual life—new desires, new loyalties, repentance, love, and obedience?

Transition

Jesus gives life instantly, but Lazarus emerges still wrapped in the clothing of his former condition. The life was real, but some things associated with the grave still had to come off.

That brings us from experiencing a resurrected life to exercising a released life.

Exercise a Released Life

John 11:39 “39 Jesus said, “Take away the stone.” Martha, the sister of the dead man, said to him, “Lord, by this time there will be an odor, for he has been dead four days.””

John 11:43–44 “43 When he had said these things, he cried out with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out.” 44 The man who had died came out, his hands and feet bound with linen strips, and his face wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Unbind him, and let him go.””

Only Jesus could give Lazarus life, but Jesus invited others to participate in removing the obstacles and grave clothes.

That provides a helpful picture of conversion and discipleship:

Jesus alone raises the dead.

The believer must come out of the tomb.

The others help remove the grave clothes.

— Consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God. Romans 6:11–14 

— Put off the old self and put on the new. Colossians 3:1–10 

— Put off the former manner of life. Ephesians 4:20–24 

— Lay aside every weight and entangling sin. Hebrews 12:1–2 

— Christ has set us free; do not return to slavery. Galatians 5:1 

— Confess sins and pray for one another. James 5:16 

— Stir one another toward love and good works. Hebrews 10:24–25 

— If the Son sets you free, you are truly free. John 8:36 

“Beware the walking dead”

a. The Mummy— refuses to remove the grave clothes

This person has been called into life but continues clinging to attitudes and practices belonging to the tomb: bitterness, hidden sin, dishonesty, pride, or un-forgiveness.

Question: What has Jesus told you to put off that you keep wrapping around yourself?

Colossians 3:5–10 “5 Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. 6 On account of these the wrath of God is coming. 7 In these you too once walked, when you were living in them. 8 But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. 9 Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.”

b. The Ghoul— tries to steal life from others

This person feels stronger by tearing others down. Gossip, manipulation, jealousy, and constant criticism drain the joy and strength of the body.

Question: Do people feel spiritually strengthened or depleted after spending time with you?

Ephesians 4:29–32 “29 Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. 32 Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.”

Galatians 5:15 “15 But if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another.”

c. The Ghost— lacks substance

There may be an appearance of spirituality without consistent character, commitment, or obedience.

Question: Is your faith visible only on Sunday, or does it have substance throughout the week?

James 2:17–18 “17 So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. 18 But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.”

Titus 1:16 “16 They profess to know God, but they deny him by their works. They are detestable, disobedient, unfit for any good work.”

d. The Vampire— feeds off the life of others

This person continually receives but never serves, gives, encourages, or sacrifices. Healthy Christians receive from the body and contribute to it.

Question: Are you only consuming ministry, or are you helping carry and create it?

Mark 10:45 “45 For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.””

1 Peter 4:10 “10 As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace:”

e. The Zombie— does not recognize the absence of life

This is the danger of spiritual complacency: possessing religious activity without a living relationship with Christ.

Question: Are you assuming you are alive because you are around living people?

Revelation 3:1–3 “1 “And to the angel of the church in Sardis write: ‘The words of him who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. “ ‘I know your works. You have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead. 2 Wake up, and strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your works complete in the sight of my God. 3 Remember, then, what you received and heard. Keep it, and repent. If you will not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come against you.”

2 Corinthians 13:5 “5 Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test!”

Illustration

A prisoner can be pardoned and yet remain sitting in the cell because he does not believe the door is open. Christ has not only forgiven us; He has opened the door. We must stop living as though sin still owns us.

Corporate application

“Unbind him” also speaks to the church’s responsibility. We should be a community where people can confess sin, receive prayer, find accountability, heal from wounds, and learn new patterns of obedience.

We cannot give anyone spiritual life, but we can help living people remove the clothes of death !

Transition

A resurrected and released life will become visible. But visibility does not guarantee universal approval. Lazarus was living proof of Jesus’ authority—and that made him a target.

Expect a Rejected Life

John 12:10 “10 So the chief priests made plans to put Lazarus to death as well,”

The chief priests did not merely plan to kill Jesus; they also planned to kill Lazarus. Why? John 12:11 explains:

John 12:11 “11 because on account of him many of the Jews were going away and believing in Jesus.”

Lazarus had become evidence they could not easily refute, so they attempted to silence the evidence.

— The world hated Christ and will also oppose His followers. John 15:18–20 

— Those who desire to live godly lives will face persecution. 2 Timothy 3:12 

— Blessed are those persecuted for righteousness. Matthew 5:10–12 

— Do not be surprised by fiery trials. 1 Peter 4:12–16 

— Suffering for Christ is part of following Him. Philippians 1:29 

— “We cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.” Acts 4:18–20 

— Victory through Christ’s blood and faithful testimony. Revelation 12:11 

Key truth

The same life that draws some people to Jesus will provoke resistance from others.

We should never seek rejection through arrogance, harshness, or foolishness. But we should not be surprised when faithful Christian living exposes darkness or challenges comfortable unbelief.

Illustration

Light has two effects. It guides the person who wants to see, but it irritates the person determined to remain asleep. The problem is not a defect in the light; it is the response of the person encountering it.

Applications

Do not interpret every difficulty as evidence that you are outside God’s will.

Make sure people reject the truth of Christ—not an unnecessarily offensive attitude in you.

Decide now that social pressure will not drive you back into the tomb.

Let opposition deepen your dependence on Christ rather than silence your witness.

Transition

The leaders wanted Lazarus dead, but the story does not present him hiding in fear. In John 12, Lazarus is sitting at the table with Jesus. That leads to the final picture of the resurrected life.

Enjoy a Respected Life

I would clarify that “respected” does not mean universally admired. The religious leaders wanted Lazarus dead. His life was respected in the sense that it carried weight, credibility, and influence among those who saw what Jesus had done.

Primary texts

— Lazarus reclines at the table with Jesus. John 12:1–2 

— The crowd comes not only to see Jesus, but also Lazarus. John 12:9 

— Because of Lazarus, many believe in Jesus. John 12:11 

Lazarus does not appear to preach a recorded sermon. His presence is the sermon.

Yesterday he was in a tomb. Today he is at the table with Jesus.

Helpful supporting references

— Let your light shine so others glorify the Father. Matthew 5:14–16 

— Live honorably so others may glorify God. 1 Peter 2:12 

— Walk properly before outsiders. 1 Thessalonians 4:11–12 

— Shine as lights in the world. Philippians 2:14–16 

— Make the teaching about God attractive through godly conduct. Titus 2:7–10 

— Believers are living letters read by others. 2 Corinthians 3:2–3 

— Maintain a good reputation with outsiders. 1 Timothy 3:7 

Three pictures of the respected life

1. A life of fellowship

Lazarus is reclining at the table with Jesus.

The goal of resurrection is not merely escape from death; it is fellowship with Christ.

Application: Are you enjoying Christ, or merely working for Christ?

2. A life of visible evidence

People came to see Lazarus because his life demonstrated Christ’s power.

Application: What change in your life would be difficult to explain apart from Jesus?

3. A life of spiritual influence

Because of Lazarus, people were believing in Jesus.

Notice that John does not say they believed in Lazarus. A respected Christian life does not draw attention ultimately to the Christian—it points people to Christ.

Application: Does your life make Jesus more believable to the people who know you?

Illustration

A trophy does not win the victory. It displays the victory someone else has won. Lazarus was a living trophy of Christ’s triumph over death. Every transformed believer should display what Jesus has accomplished.

Closing

Lazarus goes from behind a stone.

To walking out of the tomb.

To sitting at a table with Jesus.

Soon afterward, others are believing in Jesus because of him.

That is the movement of grace:

From death to life.

From bondage to freedom.

From hiding to witness.

From the tomb to the table.

Clear call to action

For the person who has never trusted Christ:

Stop trying to decorate the tomb. You do not need mere improvement; you need resurrection. Believe in Jesus Christ, who died for your sins and rose from the grave. He is the resurrection and the life.

For the believer still wearing grave clothes:

Name what needs to come off. Bring the sin, wound, bitterness, fear, or bondage into the light. Ask a mature believer to pray with you and help you walk in freedom.

For the believer facing rejection:

Do not retreat into the tomb simply because following Jesus has become costly. Remain faithful. Your transformed life may become the evidence God uses to bring someone else to Christ.

For the entire church:

Let us become an “unbind him” church—a place where the spiritually dead hear the gospel, the newly alive find help removing their grave clothes, and transformed people point others to Jesus.

Final statement

Jesus did not call Lazarus out of the tomb so he could continue smelling like the grave. And Jesus did not give us new life so we could continue living as though we were dead. Come out, take off the grave clothes, sit at the table with Christ, and let the world see that Jesus still raises the dead.

Do you believe this?

Group Questions

Read John 11:25–26. What does Jesus mean when He says, “I am the resurrection and the life”? How is receiving new life different from merely becoming a better person?

What are some ways people might depend on Christian habits, family heritage, church attendance, or Bible knowledge instead of trusting in Christ Himself?

What evidence of new spiritual life—such as changed desires, repentance, love, or obedience—have you seen in yourself or someone you know?

Read John 11:43–44. Why do you think Jesus involved others in removing Lazarus’s grave clothes? What does this teach us about the church’s role in discipleship?

What “grave clothes” from your former way of life are you still tempted to put back on or refuse to remove?

Consider the five pictures of the “walking dead”: the mummy, ghoul, ghost, vampire, and zombie. Which warning challenges you most, and why?

Do people usually feel spiritually strengthened or depleted after spending time with you? What could you do to become more encouraging and life-giving?

How can our small group become a safe and loving “unbind him” community where people can confess sin, receive prayer, find accountability, and grow in obedience?

Read John 12:10–11. Why did Lazarus’s transformed life draw some people toward Jesus while provoking opposition from others? How should we respond when following Christ brings rejection?

Lazarus’s presence became a testimony even though Scripture records no sermon from him. What change in your life would be difficult to explain apart from Jesus, and how could God use it to point someone else to Christ?