Untitled Sermon

Questions:

Why is this happening. why did this happen. Why, Why, Why

There are a few comments made by John pointing to the fact that some questions would have been there. They say for instance that: “the one that you love is sick”. If you love this one so much why is he sick? why is he suffering? If you were here this would not have happened? Indicating that they are thinking that if Jesus was present, death would not be there. The fact of the matter is that death is part of life. God’s Word tells us that it is appointed unto man to die…it is a part of the natural order of life that death comes no matter how much we question its timing.

God’s timing is perfect:

God’s plans and thoughts are not our plans and thoughts. Scripture tells me that Jesus takes his time and does not respond immediately....but when he responds, he responds at the perfect time. Scripture reminds us that God makes all things beautiful in His own time. My aunt, few weeks ago, passed away, she was 95 years old. We would say that that sounds right, she was older and frail and her body could not fight anymore but when we think of Milika, we would question her death because she was only 40 years old. This Scripture reminds us that God’s timing is perfect no matter how we want to reason and rationalise....God knows what He is doing.

Death does not have the final say...

It is good news that this passage reminds us that through Jesus Christ, we have victory over death…death does not have the final say. John says these words in : “ 25 Jesus said to her, j“I am the resurrection and the life.4 Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live,

25 Jesus said to her, j“I am the resurrection and kthe life.4 Whoever believes in me, lthough he die, myet shall he live,

26 and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?”

26 and everyone who lives and believes in me nshall never die. Do you believe this?”

Anon, 2016. The Holy Bible: English Standard Version, Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

j [ch. 5:21; 6:40, 44; ]

k ch. 14:6; [ch. 6:57; ]; See ch. 1:4

k ch. 14:6; [ch. 6:57; ]; See ch. 1:4

4 Some manuscripts omit and the life

4 Some manuscripts omit and the life

l [ch. 12:25]

l [ch. 12:25]

m See ch. 3:36

m See ch. 3:36

n ch. 6:50, 51; 8:51

n ch. 6:50, 51; 8:51

Anon, 2016. The Holy Bible: English Standard Version, Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

The Apostle Paul pens these words: “

: “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting? [.] 56 Now sin is the sting of death, and sin exercises its power v[upon the soul] through w[the abuse of] the Law. 57 But thanks be to God, Who gives us the victory [making us conquerors] through our Lord Jesus Christ.

O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting? [.]

56 Now sin is the sting of death, and sin exercises its power v[upon the soul] through w[the abuse of] the Law.

Anon, 1987. The Amplified Bible, La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.

57 But thanks be to God, Who gives us the victory [making us conquerors] through our Lord Jesus Christ.

v Joseph Thayer, A Greek-English Lexicon.

w Joseph Thayer, A Greek-English Lexicon.

w Joseph Thayer, A Greek-English Lexicon.

Anon, 1987. The Amplified Bible, La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.

Anon, 1987. The Amplified Bible, La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.

It is no wonder that Jesus says to us today in :

14:1 d“Let not your hearts be troubled. eBelieve in God;1 believe also in me. 2 In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?2 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.

2 In fmy Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that gI go to prepare a place for you?2

3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you hto myself, that iwhere I am you may be also.

Anon, 2016. The Holy Bible: English Standard Version, Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

e See ch. 12:44

Jesus says these words for a reason and purpose....those who believe in me, will have eternal life, death will not have the final say over their life.

1 Or You believe in God

I was privileged to speak to Milika and take her in as a member of our church in Albertville. We had membership classes and I prayed for her and Matiza. She told me about some of her life stories and how she was planning to get married and requested that I keep her and Vuyani in prayer. She was quieter in those settings but in my conversations with her, I felt in my Spirit the genuineness of her faith and her trust and belief in God. I remember very well on the 11th of August, the day of taking her in as a member of our church, that she was a bit later, but she made an entrance. Smiling and extremely well dressed. I remember saying this to her that she knew how to make an entrance! But her faith, her belief in God could not be disputed.

f [ch. 2:16]

g ch. 16:7; [ch. 8:21, 22; 13:33, 36]

2 Or In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you

h ver. 18, 28; [ch. 21:22, 23]

i See ch. 12:26

Anon, 2016. The Holy Bible: English Standard Version, Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.