From Death to Life: A Challenge to Courage
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-OOS
A. Welcome
a. P. Dustin
B. Opening Prayer
a. Grace S.
C. Worship
a. Song b4 prayer: “Same Power”
b. Song b4 Offering: “Love Ran Red”
c. Offering: Special
1. Stacie S.
D. Greeting Time
E. Greeting Time
a. Release kiddos
b. Announcements
c. Announcements
c. Greeting time
1. turn 2 ur neighbor
i. practice the newly famous elbow bump
ii. say 1 thing that is true of God’s character
-ex. (demonstrate both) God is all powerful!
F. Sermon
-SERMON
INTRO
INTRO
I. Family Update
II. Illust: Bio Dad & cancer
A. As a little boy, prayed to the God I hardly knew that Dad would be healed
a. As a little boy, prayed to the God I hardly knew that he’d be healed
a. God, was apparently silent…or was he?
B. Have u ever prayed the prayer o faith only for God to seemingly answer w/silence…
a. or u thought u heard his promise for the circumstance to completely go exactly how u feared?
III. Scripture Tie-In
A. There is a family who experienced exactly that
b. the story we’re going 2 look @ over next few weeks can b found in
B. Our main text THIS week is
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.
IV. A fresh approach
A. Have you ever heard of the story of Lazarus?
a. raise ur hand if u know how that story ends for Lazarus (don’t say it)
B. For a moment, suspend ur knowledge of it’s conclusion & let’s look at this w/fresh eyes…
a. would u do that w/me this AM?
V. Prayer
BODY
BODY
I. a family closely connected to Jesus is in crisis
A. They send a messenger
A. Mary & martha’s bro
3 So the sisters sent to him, saying, “Lord, he whom you love is ill.”
: 3
A. describe 1-3
a. They appeal to Jesus’ love
1. the implication: disaster has struck, come quick
i. When crisis strikes our home, often we respond correctly: Jesus, you r loving…come quick!
ii. We call upon the 1 who has the power to meet our need & the motivation 2 respond (love)
1. How does Jesus respond to the messanger?
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.”
ESV4 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.”
ESV4 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.”
a. What do u think Jesus is telling the messenger?
1. He’s going to recover right…sickness doesn’t lead to death.
2. What encouraging words!
i. God’s going 2 intervene!
-Jesus will show up & act miraculously!!
*Jn cut’s in2 the narrative w/vs o commentary; take a look...
II. Jesus Loves!
ESV5 Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus.
5 Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus.
5 Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus.
II. Jesus Loves!
II. Jesus Loves!
A. Jesus loved this family!
a. When the sisters appeal 2 Jesus’ love they use the greek word meaning brotherly love
1. Where we get the city name Philadelphia
1. brotherly love (Philadelphia)
2. Not untrue…just incomplete
b. Jn declares: “Now Jesus loved,” this family
1. the word meaning Sacrificing, self giving, selfless, complete kind of love
B. How would u expect Jesus to respond after Jn’s declaration o Jesus’ love for this fam?
a. rushed to Lazarus’ side?
1. Time 2 rush off & perform a miracle so God get’s the glory & people’s faith is increased
1. What did Jesus do?
2. What DID Jesus do?
ESV6 So, when he heard that Lazarus was ill, he stayed two days longer in the place where he was.
6 So, when he heard that Lazarus was ill, he stayed two days longer in the place where he was.
ESV6 So, when he heard that Lazarus was ill, he stayed two days longer in the place where he was.
a. When the sisters appeal 2 Jesus’ love they use the greek word Phileo: brotherly love (Philadelphia)
1. Not untrue…just incomplete
b. Jesus loved the family so much he stayed where he was a few days
1. what??!!
i. What is that about?
ii. Why wouldn’t Jesus take immediate action?
2. When we ask Jesus to intervene in our circumstances & He responds w/ “stand by” how might that make us feel?
i. we automatically might begin to doubt:
-Jesus, Where are u??!!
-I thought u said u loved me
-if ur so loving, & have the pwr 2 intervene, why wouldn’t u?
ii. Jn wants his readers (& us) not to miss the point:
-It’s not cause he can’t act / doesn’t love that Jesus doesn’t respond
-Jn wanted to make sure there is 0 confusion: Jesus loves this family!
c. & I want u to know: U R Loved.
1. I don’t know what u’ve been through
2. what prayers appear not to have been answered
3. I do know, when I was a little boy, I prayed, “God, please heal my dad” & in a few weeks time…he died.
i. But I can assure u of this…it’s not because ur not loved!
III. Jesus invites the 12 to courageous action
7 Then after this he said to the disciples, “Let us go to Judea again.”
Jn 11:
A. Jesus invites disciples to return to Judea (notice: “let us go...”)
ESV9 Jesus answered, “Are there not twelve hours in the day? If anyone walks in the day, he does not stumble, because he sees the light of this world. 10 But if anyone walks in the night, he stumbles, because the light is not in him.” 11 After saying these things, he said to them, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I go to awaken him.” 12 The disciples said to him, “Lord, if he has fallen asleep, he will recover.”
a. 12 react w/ fear: they’ll kill ya!!
b. Jesus responds curiously:
9 Jesus answered, “Are there not twelve hours in the day? If anyone walks in the day, he does not stumble, because he sees the light of this world.
10 But if anyone walks in the night, he stumbles, because the light is not in him.”
9 Jesus answered, “Are there not twelve hours in the day? If anyone walks in the day, he does not stumble, because he sees the light of this world.
10 But if anyone walks in the night, he stumbles, because the light is not in him.”
11 After saying these things, he said to them, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I go to awaken him.”
12 The disciples said to him, “Lord, if he has fallen asleep, he will recover.”
1. (cricket, cricket) I wonder if the disciples stared at him slack-jawed
i. What’s that even mean?
ii. Jesus is saying "work during the time for work”
-can’t work @night cause u can’t see! (duh)
*of course Jesus isn’t talking about secular jobs...
*Jesus is using a natural idea to bring light 2 spiritual truth
2. doing the work God called us 2 is walking in the light
i. & when we do that work the light is in us
-God’s kingdom is marked by His follower’s faithful hard work
-we must put our hands to the work of God’s kingdom while we still can!
c. Then Jesus declares what work God has called him to in THIS situation:
ESV9 Jesus answered, “Are there not twelve hours in the day? If anyone walks in the day, he does not stumble, because he sees the light of this world. 10 But if anyone walks in the night, he stumbles, because the light is not in him.” 11 After saying these things, he said to them, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I go to awaken him.” 12 The disciples said to him, “Lord, if he has fallen asleep, he will recover.”
1. We will see that though God’s call is en
11 After saying these things, he said to them, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I go to awaken him.”
11 After saying these things, he said to them, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I go to awaken him.”
12 The disciples said to him, “Lord, if he has fallen asleep, he will recover.”
1. Jesus goes to “awaken” Lazarus
Jn 11:9-
2. The work & calling of God is lived out in practical situations
i. For this to be possible we must daily live in step w/God’s spirit who lives in us
Jesus knew God’s work is calling to life what is dead!
2. Like Jesus, we have God given work to do!
Eph 2:
8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,
9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,
9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
Eph 2:
10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
Eph
i. This work isn’t ur profession, though it probably relates to ur profession
ii. The work is kingdom expansion through
-Gospel proclamation...
- & loving & serving others
iii. God’s work in light o Coronavirus
- schools closed, offices closed, malls empty, events called off, flights grounded economy down, international borders closed... people are scared to look at ea. other…forget touching
-not sprit o fear but love, pwr, sound mind (think wisely)
*great deal o concern (maybe fear)
- read a post on facebook:
* Let’s be a community & help 1 another out!!!❤️💙
If school closures have you concerned about your child not being able to eat breakfast or lunch let me know. I will do what I can to help. A box of cereal, gallon of milk, bread, pb/j- just let me know. Life can be tough and I more than understand that
*What if GMCC stepped in2 this…how might we be able to love our community when we combine our resources for God’s glory
B. So, the 12 r pressuring Jesus to do the sensible safe thing
— initially—
The 12 pressure Jesus to do the sensible safe thing
8 The disciples said to him, “Rabbi, the Jews were just now seeking to stone you, and are you going there again?”
— & again, now—
12 The disciples said to him, “Lord, if he has fallen asleep, he will recover.”
Jn 11:12
a. stay away frm the dangerous thing
b. avoid the hard stuff
1. the pressure Jesus experiences is from his FRIENDS!!
i. sometimes well meaning Jesus followers give worldly advise to play it safe
2. Jesus refuses to make a decision based on fear
i. Illust. James adoption
A. what best displays love:
5 Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus.
“Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus” (vs5)
1. When faced w/a tough decision, maybe we should ask “what does love require”?
B. what best glorifies God
ESV4 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.”
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.”
ESV4 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.”
a. Jesus goes to Lazarus because God will be glorified & that it will bring people 2 deeper faith
“ the Son of God may be glorified through it.”
1. Hear this:
i. the work we are called 2 in a given situation will often be what’s best for others, not ourselves!
-this is why it’s called serving others
*Jesus tells us to serve not be served
*die to ourselves
*pick up our cross daily
ii. we need to stop asking what’s best for me & start asking what decision best makes God look good
C. What best accomplishes the work God has called him to
ESV9 Jesus answered, “Are there not twelve hours in the day? If anyone walks in the day, he does not stumble, because he sees the light of this world.
9 Jesus answered, “Are there not twelve hours in the day? If anyone walks in the day, he does not stumble, because he sees the light of this world.
a. in making decisions, what if we asked the question, what action best builds God’s kingdom, rather than mine?
1. Illust: Raymond or S. Korea?
1. Jesus wasn’t motivated by the families urgency, but by prioritizing the mission
2. Jn concludes Ch 10 w/Jesus teaching & preaching many who just put their faith in him
i. Jesus prioritized discipling this group over reacting to crisis
b. What if we stoped prioritizing the urgent over the important
1. What if we, lead by God’s spirit, stoped responding to urgent crisis & instead let the H.S. lead us to act
i. Sometimes Jesus would drop what he’s doing…other times he would seem to delay in his response to a crisis
ii. Illust: Gandalf in “Fellowship o the Ring”
-”A wizard is never late… or early. He arrives precisely when he means to”
D. Connecting the dots
b. How do we make decisions?
1. what’s best for me?
1. “our friend Lazarus” (vs11) & "let us go” (vs15)
2. What decision makes me look good?
3. which decision best meets my goals?
4. which option is the safest for me?
c. what if we made decisions based on
Describe 12-13
1. What does love require
2. What best brings God glory
3. What best gets the work God has called me too?
—Back to the narrative—
Describe 12-13
A. remember the 12’s “sensible advice”
c. often times advice given is simply fear masquerading as sensibility…that is not faith!!
a. often times advice given is simply fear mascarading as sensibility…that is not faith!!
14 Then Jesus told them plainly, “Lazarus has died,
15 and for your sake I am glad that I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.”
1. We wanna believe that the H.S. will never lead us to suffering
i. The H.S. drove Jesus in2 the wilderness where we suffered hunger & temptation
ii. & here the H.S. was driving Jesus in2 Jerusalem which will lead to his death
iii. Jesus said pick up ur cross & follow me…not pick up ur pillow & follow me.
-w/the 12 clearly not getting it...
III. Jesus abandons the metaphor
14 Then Jesus told them plainly, “Lazarus has died,
15 and for your sake I am glad that I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.”
14 Then Jesus told them plainly, “Lazarus has died,
Jn 11:
III. Jesus again invites the 12 to courageously follow
A. Wait Just A Min!!:
Disciples fearfully give counsel
a. I thought Jesus told the messenger “the illness doesn’t lead 2 death”!!””
1. Did Jesus lie to make the family feel better? (Pause)
2. Did Jesus get the end wrong?
i. Like John, I’m going to leave that hanging till we get to the end of this story
B. The Point: Don’t respond in fear, respond courageously!
a. Jesus challenged his disciples: “Lazarus & his fam. needs my help, come WITH me”
1. The courageous decision the 12 r being called 2 is follow him
i. Jesus is saying, “It’s time to get busy! it’s time to put our hands to the work o God’s kingdom
-come with me!”
courageous challenge Jesus is calling us to isn’t sending but following…so:
2. By the way: Any courageous challenge Jesus is calling us to isn’t sending but following… joining Jesus in HIS work
i. we saw the call to follow over & over:
- "let us go” vs 7
- “our friend... has fallen asleep” vs 11
- “But let us go...” vs 15
IV. The 12 do respond…w/pessimism
16 So Thomas, called the Twin, said to his fellow disciples, “Let us also go, that we may die with him.”
A. Jesus allows us 2 grow in faith!
IV. Bringing it home
A. What courageous decision is Jesus challenging u 2 make?
a. Talk to some1 at work about Jesus & what he’s done in ur life?
1. but pastor I might get fired?
i. Jesus was willing to go to Jerusalem even though it would cost him his life
b. Pray boldly for some1’s healing?
1. But pastor what if God doesn’t move right then…I’ll look like a fool!
c. Serve some1 beyond your comfort zone?
1. But pastor it could hurt…they might take advantage of me
d. Give from your need rather than your plenty?
1. but pastor u don’t know what I get paid
2. If I do that how will I afford…
B. How will u respond to Jesus’ courageous challenge?
how will u respond to Jesus’ courageous challenge?
a. Are we going to respond in faith?
1. trusting Jesus 2 move through us powerfully?
b. in fear?
1. rejecting the challenge by inaction / wrong action?
c. Or in pessimism?
1. Following Jesus but expecting the worst (we’re all gonna die!!)
THE CALL
THE CALL
I. The 1st & greatest challenge:
Describe Thomas response
A. Challenge of choosing Jesus as lord & savior
14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.
12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God,
13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.
a. it all starts w/salvation & lordship (how)
Jn 1:12
1. Repent
2. Receive
3. Believe
b. Result…a new daddy
…the good work comes from that
8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,
9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
II. What good work are u being challenged to?