His Glory is The Reason

Introduction

John’s gospel is not like the synoptic gospels Matthew , Mark and Luke. John does not seem to borrow from similar sources but John writes with the primary focus to reveal that Jesus is the Christ and that all those who believe in him will have eternal life. Out of the 7 signs and wonders given by John, the raising of Lazarus seems to be the most significant because Jesus demonstrates that he truly is the life and resurrection. I find this miracle significant that John places it last before his discourse in chapters 12- 20 where Jesus would enter into his final victory over death. Allow me to cruise through chapters 2-11.

This miracle challenges us with the fact that the most important thing we could ever do is to put our trust in Christ. Yes he showed us that he can alter the molecular structure of H2O and cause it to transform into the scientific elements for wine at the wedding of Cana. Doctors cannot diagnose your illness until you have paid them for a doctors’ visit and still may get the problem wrong, but Jesus can speak to your DNA cell structure and cause a restoration of health in your body without ever being present in the room. Jesus shows us that you can be sick for over three decades and have no hope of getting well walk by only to speak to your stale ligaments and command Get up take up your bed and walk and immediately your your ankle bone receive strength and your back begins to move upright until your standing ten toes planted on the ground.

Its funny how with all the resources in the world that we still spend millions of dollars to advertise that fact that the world has a hunger issue that wont go away but Jesus can take two fish and five barley loaves bless it and break it until over five thousand Men women and children are full. And although Hurricane Harvey devastated the third coast in ways that were unimaginable in 2017, Jesus shows us that in the middle of a stormy sea he can walk on the waves to come to your rescue and speak a word in the the atmosphere and the waves and wind obey him. Its amazing how we have just now come up with the lasik technology that can shoot a beam into your eye attach the detached retna back together and your vision is restored to 20/20 but Jesus shows us that he can take some saliva and clay wipe it over your eyes tell you to wash it off in some unsanitary water and the blindness is gone.

And he we are at his final miracle and his friend Lazarus is dead. This miracle begs the question of how could he let his friend die? hes worked miracle after miracle and he could not save his own friend. The text also begs the greater question in our lives God why are you allowing me to go through this hell. I've come to encourage you on tonight that His Glory is the reason. Forgive me for giving you the concluding verse only but we've got to back track to verse number four. I’ve only brought one point tonight Let God get the Glory out of your life!

When Jesus hears about his friend Lazarus he declares that his sickness is not unto death but for the glory of God.

God’s glory is often at the expense of our pain(story of the diamond and the black velvet cloth)

(story of the diamond and the black velvet cloth)

God has already provided the solution before the problem happened.

God is not in the preventive business but perseverance business.

God can do the impossible but he calls us to do the possible

The stench of a dead situation is the cost of showing God you trust him.

God knows how to speak specifically to your circumstance (Lazarus come forth)

When God saves someone we as the church ought to make it our buisness to take of the grave cloths.

Conclusion

Horatio G. Spafford was a successful lawyer and businessman in Chicago with a lovely family - a wife, Anna, and five children. However, they were not strangers to tears and tragedy. Their young son died with pneumonia in 1871, and in that same year, much of their business was lost in the great Chicago fire. Yet, God in His mercy and kindness allowed the business to flourish once more.

On Nov. 21, 1873, Haratioi’s wife and four daughters boarded a ship in order to cross the Altantic. Long story short Their ship collided with another ship that caused the ship to sink. Before the ship sink Anna Haratio’s wife prayed to God Lord please spare our lives but being in danger they all ended up in the water .

A sailor, rowing a small boat over the spot where the ship went down, spotted a woman floating on a piece of the wreckage. It was Anna, still alive. He pulled her into the boat and they were picked up by another large vessel which, nine days later, landed them in Cardiff, Wales. From there she wired her husband a message which began, “Saved alone, what shall I do?” Mr. Spafford later framed the telegram and placed it in his office.

A sailor, rowing a small boat over the spot where the ship went down, spotted a woman floating on a piece of the wreckage. It was Anna, still alive. He pulled her into the boat and they were picked up by another large vessel which, nine days later, landed them in Cardiff, Wales. From there she wired her husband a message which began, “Saved alone, what shall I do?” Mr. Spafford later framed the telegram and placed it in his office.

Mr. Spafford booked passage on the next available ship and left to join his grieving wife. With the ship about four days out, the captain called Spafford to his cabin and told him they were over the place where his children went down.

Mr. Spafford booked passage on the next available ship and left to join his grieving wife. With the ship about four days out, the captain called Spafford to his cabin and told him they were over the place where his children went down.

I cannot imagine having to ride over the same place that my children had died over. But it was on this Journey that Haratio Spafford wrote these words

But

According to Bertha Spafford Vester, a daughter born after the tragedy, Spafford wrote “It Is Well With My Soul” while on this journey.

When peace like a river attendeth my way,

When sorrows like sea billows roll,

Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say,

It is well, it is well with my soul.

it is well with my soul because His glory was revealed in my life. He revealed it on an old rugged cross. Arms stretched wide open.

It is well with my soul,

It is well, it is well with my soul