God's Help in the Hard Times of Life

The Gospel of John

John 11:16-27

Sermon by Rick Crandall

Grayson Baptist Church - April 12, 2017

(Revised November 26, 2019)

BACKGROUND:

*Please open your Bibles to John 11 as we continue to look at the wonderful story of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead. Our main focus tonight will be on Lazarus’ sister Martha.

*Lazarus, Martha and their sister Mary were all very close to Jesus, but vs. 1 tells us that Lazarus was sick, and we know that he was very sick. In fact, Lazarus was just about to die, so Mary and Martha sent someone to tells Jesus. Verses 3-6 say:

3. Therefore the sisters sent to Him, saying, "Lord, behold, he whom You love is sick.''

4. When Jesus heard that, He said, "This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, 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 he was sick, He stayed two more days in the place where He was.

*Then in vs. 7, Jesus said to the disciples, "Let us go to Judea again.'' By this time it was a few months before the cross, and extremely dangerous for Jesus to return to Judea. That's because the city of Jerusalem and most of the leaders who wanted to kill Jesus were in Judea. And that's why in vs. 8 the disciples said to Jesus, "Rabbi, lately the Jews sought to stone You, and are You going there again?'' This is also why in vs. 16, Thomas told the other disciples, "Let us also go, that we may die with Him.''

*It was very dangerous for the Lord to return to Judea, and Jesus delayed two more days. But Jesus did not delay because He was afraid. No -- The Lord delayed for the glory of God. He delayed because He loved Lazarus and his sisters. Jesus also delayed because He knew that He was going to raise Lazarus from the dead. And He delayed because He wanted US to know that He has the power over death.

*With this background in mind, let's read vs. 16-27. And as we read, please think about God's help in the hard times of life.

MESSAGE:

*Mary and Martha were going through one of the hardest times we ever have to go through in life. How can we get the help we need in times like that? In tonight's Scripture, Martha shows us the most important things we can do.

2. FIRST: WE MUST GO TO GOD.

*We must be like Martha in vs. 17-20:

17. So when Jesus came, He found that he had already been in the tomb four days.

18. Now Bethany was near Jerusalem, about two miles away.

19. And many of the Jews had joined the women around Martha and Mary, to comfort them concerning their brother.

20. Then Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met Him, but Mary was sitting in the house.

*Now, there's nothing against Mary here in vs. 20. Verses 28-29 show us that most likely, Mary didn't yet know that Jesus was near:

28. And when (Martha) had said these things, she went her way and secretly called Mary her sister, saying, "The Teacher has come and is calling for you.''

29. As soon as she heard that, she arose quickly and came to Him.

*Both of these ladies teach us that we must go to God as soon as we can. The truth is that it's always a good time to go to the Lord, and Christians: Thank God we can! But we especially need to go to God in the hard times.

*On reason why is because of our limits. We all have limits in life. Sure, there is often a lot we can do, but there's only so much we can do. When we're young and maybe a little smart or rich, good looking or athletic, or extra talented in some way, we may feel like we don't need God. It's that "sky's the limit," I can do anything I set my mind to" frame of mind. That's true especially if we are go-getters, and Martha was.

*God gives us a snapshot of her life starting in Luke 10:38, and there God's Word says, "Now it happened as they went that He entered a certain village; and a certain woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house." (By the way: If you're wondering how Mary, Martha and Lazarus got so close to Jesus, Luke 10:38 is the key. "Martha welcomed Jesus into her house," and that is always an excellent thing for us to do.)

*But think about Martha in Luke 10:38-42:

38. Now it happened as they went that He entered a certain village; and a certain woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house.

39. And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus' feet and heard His word.

40. But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, "Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me.''

41. And Jesus answered and said to her, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things.

42. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.''

*So, what kind of person was Martha? She was a go-getter, a doer, an achiever. Martha was a practical person, a person who rolled up her sleeves, went to work, and wondered why other people didn’t too. She was a caring person, but quick to criticize when other people didn’t live up to her standards.

*You probably know some people like her, and you may be a little like that yourself. We like to fix things. We like to solve problems. But there are some problems we just can’t solve. There was nothing Martha could do when Lazarus was sick, and there was nothing she could do when he died. There was nothing Martha could do, except go to God.

*That's what she did, and that's what we should do! We must go to God as soon as we can because Jesus loves us more than we love ourselves, and because He can help us when we can't help ourselves.

2. GO TO GOD IN THE HARD TIMES, AND THEN, LISTEN TO THE LORD.

*The biggest part of tonight's Scripture is Martha’s conversation with Jesus, so please listen to it again in vs. 21-27:

21. Then Martha said to Jesus, "Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.

22. But even now I know that whatever You ask of God, God will give You.''

23. Jesus said to her, "Your brother will rise again.''

24. Martha said to Him, "I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.''

25. Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.

26. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?''

27. She said to Him, "Yes, Lord, I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.''

*One thing to notice here is that Martha complained to the Lord. That’s in vs. 21 where Martha said to Jesus, "Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died." Martha wasn’t afraid to complain to the Lord. She felt free to be open with Jesus, and that’s the way the Lord wants us to be.

*Often, I have steered troubled people to Psalm 13. There in vs. 1-4, David began with this bitter complaint to the Lord:

1. How long, O Lord? Will You forget me forever? How long will You hide Your face from me?

2. How long shall I take counsel in my soul, Having sorrow in my heart daily? How long will my enemy be exalted over me?

3. Consider and hear me, O Lord my God; Enlighten my eyes, Lest I sleep the sleep of death;

4. Lest my enemy say, "I have prevailed against him''; Lest those who trouble me rejoice when I am moved.

*David was frustrated with the Lord, but wisely, he never stopped trusting in the Lord. So David finished Psalm 13 with this declaration of faith:

5. But I have trusted in Your mercy; My heart shall rejoice in Your salvation.

6. I will sing to the Lord, Because He has dealt bountifully with me.

*But both David and Martha felt free to be open with the Lord, and so should we. Aren’t you glad we can be open with the Lord!

*Another thing to notice about this conversation is that it was a two-way street. Martha didn’t just talk to the Lord. She carefully listened to what Jesus had to say. And notice how the Lord spoke to His beloved follower.

[1] FIRST, JESUS SPOKE WITH CONFIDENCE.

*We can see the Lord's confidence in vs. 22-23. Martha said to Jesus, "But even now I know that whatever You ask of God, God will give You.'' And Jesus confidently replied, "Your brother will rise again.'' What confidence! The Lord Jesus was absolutely confident in His Father, and in His future. Jesus was also confident about the future of everyone who will trust in Him.

[2] THE LORD SPOKE WITH CONFIDENCE, AND HE SPOKE OF HIS CONTROL.

*In vs. 24-26:

24. Martha said to Him, "I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.''

25. Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.

26. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. . .

*God is in control. His Word makes this truth clear all over the Old Testament and the New. When it comes to rulers, Proverbs 21:1 tells us that: "The king's heart is in the hand of the Lord, like the rivers of water; He turns it wherever He wishes."

*God is also certainly in control of the weather. Psalm 147:4-8 gives this testimony about our God:

4. He counts the number of the stars; He calls them all by name.

5. Great is our Lord, and mighty in power; His understanding is infinite.

6. The Lord lifts up the humble; He casts the wicked down to the ground.

7. Sing to the Lord with thanksgiving; Sing praises on the harp to our God,

8. Who covers the heavens with clouds, Who prepares rain for the earth, Who makes grass to grow on the mountains.

*Then Psalm 147:15-18 says:

15. He sends out His command to the earth; His word runs very swiftly.

16. He gives snow like wool; He scatters the frost like ashes;

17. He casts out His hail like morsels; Who can stand before His cold?

18. He sends out His word and melts them; He causes His wind to blow, and the waters flow.

*God is in control. This truth is also clear when it comes to our Messiah and the Lord's death on the cross. Listen to this testimony God the Father gives about His Son in Isaiah 42:

1. "Behold! My Servant whom I uphold, My Elect One in whom My soul delights! I have put My Spirit upon Him; He will bring forth justice to the Gentiles.

2. He will not cry out, nor raise His voice, nor cause His voice to be heard in the street.

3. A bruised reed He will not break, and smoking flax He will not quench; He will bring forth justice for truth.

4. He will not fail nor be discouraged, till He has established justice in the earth; and the coastlands shall wait for His law.''

5. Thus says God the Lord, Who created the heavens and stretched them out, Who spread forth the earth and that which comes from it, Who gives breath to the people on it, and spirit to those who walk on it:

*Next, God the Father spoke to His Son, and said:

6. "I, the Lord, have called You in righteousness, and will hold Your hand; I will keep You and give You as a covenant to the people, as a light to the Gentiles,

7. To open blind eyes, to bring out prisoners from the prison, those who sit in darkness from the prison house.

8. I am the Lord, that is My name; and My glory I will not give to another, nor My praise to graven images.

*God is in control. I think of Jesus before Pilate in John 19:6-11. There the Word of God says:

6. . . When the chief priests and officers saw Him, they cried out, saying, "Crucify Him, crucify Him!'' Pilate said to them, "You take Him and crucify Him, for I find no fault in Him.''

7. The Jews answered him, "We have a law, and according to our law He ought to die, because He made Himself the Son of God.''

8. Therefore, when Pilate heard that saying, he was the more afraid,

9. and went again into the Praetorium, and said to Jesus, "Where are You from?'' But Jesus gave him no answer.

10. Then Pilate said to Him, "Are You not speaking to me? Do You not know that I have power to crucify You, and power to release You?''

11. Jesus answered, "You could have no power at all against Me unless it had been given you from above. Therefore the one who delivered Me to you has the greater sin.''

*Then back in John 10:17-18, Jesus told us that He was the Good Shepherd who would lay down His life for His sheep. And Jesus said:

17. "Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again.

18. No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This command I have received from My Father.''

*God is in control! Thank God for that! The Lord God Almighty is bigger than any problem we will ever have to face in life! And Jesus has power beyond our wildest imagination. He even has the power to give eternal life to all who trust in Him!

*We know that Jesus can give us His eternal life, because He took the punishment for our sins when He died on the cross for us, and He rose again forever! So Jesus and Jesus alone can say, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. . ."

*God is in control. We must always remember that, especially when we are going through the hard times in life.

[3] JESUS SPOKE TO MARTHA ABOUT HIS CONTROL. HE ALSO SPOKE ABOUT HIS CONCERN.

*We see the Lord's concern in vs. 26, especially in the last part of vs. 26. There Jesus said, "Whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?''

*Jesus asked Martha: "Do you believe? Do you believe in Me?" And today the Lord is asking you the same question: "Do you believe in Me?" Do you believe in Jesus Christ?" That is life's most important question.

*Jesus asked that question, because He was personally concerned about Martha, and He is personally concerned about us. Martha carefully listened to all the Lord had to say about His confidence, His control and His concern. Martha carefully listened to the Lord, and so should we!

3. HOW CAN WE GET THE HELP WE NEED IN THE HARD TIMES OF LIFE? WE MUST LISTEN TO THE LORD, AND WE MUST RELY ON THE LORD'S RESURRECTION.

*We must rely on the Lord's resurrection. That’s what Martha did in vs. 27. She was going through one of the roughest times we ever have to go through in life. But in vs. 27, Martha said this to Jesus: "Yes, Lord, I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.''

*Martha was relying on the Lord's resurrection, and Christians, so do we! Unless the Lord comes back first, our physical bodies are going to die, but Jesus gives us life that will last forever! That's why in vs. 26 Jesus could say, "Whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die."

*Believing in the Lord, trusting in Jesus gives us a life that will last for all eternity. How long is that? Dave Atnip helped put it in perspective with this information: "A small ant travels at the speed of 1/17 of a mile per hour. The average distance from the earth to the moon is about 239,000 miles. If you could stretch a string from the earth to the moon, how long would it take for that ant to carry one grain of sand to the moon and come back? The answer is: 927 years.

*But how long would it take that same ant to move the whole earth to the moon, one grain of sand at a time? Our minds can't conceive how long this would be. But by the time that ant moved the whole earth to the moon, eternity would have just begun!" (1)

*Eternal life is forever and ever. And we have it, if we have believed in Jesus Christ! Again, as Jesus said in vs. 26, "Whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die." Then the Lord He added that all important question: "Do you believe this?"

*In vs. 27 Martha gave the right answer, the answer everyone should give to Jesus: "Yes, Lord, I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God, who is to come into the world." Everybody should believe in the crucified and risen Lord Jesus Christ! Rely on the Lord's resurrection, and you will live forever with the Lord in Heaven.

*Paul Powell gave great insight about death and Heaven, and he said: "Once a loved one dies our attitude about heaven changes. When we are small children, we think of heaven as a great shining city with huge walls, and streets made of gold. But we do not think of people we know living there, -- only angels, and people in the Bible and Christians who were strangers to us. Then someone we know dies, a Christian brother, a sister, or a parent. And we begin to think of heaven as a great shining city with huge walls, streets made of gold, angels, and one person we know.

*Several Christian friends and acquaintances die. Then, one by one, our own children may die. No longer do we picture Heaven as just a great shining city with huge walls, and streets made of gold. When we think of heaven, we now think of the many people we know and love who are living there." We think of people like Mom and Dad, Mamaw and Papaw, my best friend, or the love of my life. (2)

CONCLUSION:

*What's Heaven like for Christians? Well, it's like home, because it is our home. And we will surely see our Christian loved ones again, because Jesus is the resurrection and the life!

*But Martha was going through one of the hardest times we ever have to go through in life, and someday we will too. Martha shows us how to get the help we need: Go to God, listen to the Lord, and keep relying on the Lord's resurrection. Please think about these things as we go back to God in prayer.

(1) Adapted from Kerux Illustration Collection - ID Number: 22443 - SOURCE: Daily Bread (1011999) - AUTHOR: Dave Atnip, Sr.

(2) Adapted from JOY COMES IN THE MORNING by Paul W. Powell - p. 12-13