Sermon Tone Analysis

One of the most profound and life-changing statements ever made in history is found in John 11.

It’s here that Jesus said,

John 11:25, “I am the resurrection and the life.

The one who believes in me, even if he dies, will live.

Everyone who lives and believes in me will never die.”

Jesus didn’t say these words just in passing.

He didn’t say them flippantly.

He actually said these words at a funeral for his friend named Lazarus who had been in a tomb for four days.

And he directed these words to two grieving sisters who had just lost their brother.

Now, if you’re familiar with the story, you know that Jesus right after saying this raised Lazarus from the dead to show that not even death itself has any power over Him.

Now, these words from Jesus are the cornerstone of our faith and hope.

And if what Jesus said is true, then it changes everything.

If it’s not true, then there’s really no reason to listen to anything Jesus ever had to say.

But because we believe that Jesus is the resurrection and the life, because we believe that Jesus is the one who reigns over both life and death and that those whose hope and belief is in him will live forever with Jesus in complete joy and wholeness, then we can endure suffering, listen, with joy and hope.

Just a few days ago I met with Laura and Deana.

We were talking about the service and all the ins and outs of it but what mattered most to them was that the gospel of Jesus Christ would be heralded.

Now, of course knowing them both, that’s exactly what I expected to hear from them but there’s still something that strikes me in an amazing way about that desire to see Jesus’ name exalted.

And it’s that, in a moment where the family has come face to face with an incredibly difficult reality, the death of someone deeply loved, I mean this has been a hard month for you all.

It’s been a hard year for you all.

But their reaction to suffering and trial isn’t anger, it’s not fear, not even worry, there was grief and sadness for sure, but the first thing that struck me was that in this season of hardship there was such a firm foundation and a desire to say, “let’s tell people how awesome Jesus is and that Yvonne’s hope, joy, and delight, that our hope, joy, and delight is in him.”

But at the same time, you know, yes, I’m the one with the mic on right now, yes, people are hearing my voice, and by God’s grace I’ll proclaim the sufficiency and excellency of Christ above all.

But what will give weight to these feeble words of mine and what will be speaking louder and remembered longer is Yvonne’s life and testimony of God’s steadfast love and grace.

A life that showed that she believed that Jesus reigns over life and death.

A life that showed that Jesus is good, that Jesus is better, and God’s grace is sufficient.

What will give weight to these words of mine is the testimony of the family and how you all have endured suffering and have shown that Jesus is enough.

And so, I know you guys don’t want any attention brought on you, but I have to say it.

I want to say to you all that how you have walked through this suffering together, resting in the goodness, in the sufficiency, in the sovereignty of God has spoken volumes.

You have declared through your life that Jesus is enough, and that even in the face of loss, you have showed that if we still have Jesus, we’ve won and will walk in joy and peace.

And so, thank you for your faithful and steadfast endurance through pain and suffering.

Thank you for showing that Jesus is enough.

That Jesus is beautiful.

That Jesus is good.

You know, it was just a couple weeks ago now that Yvonne was given the news that her physical life on this earth was drawing to a close.

And when she heard that she most likely only had a few weeks left and not months, you know what her response was? “Oh, good.”

Now, she certainly didn’t say that because she just wanted to get away from her family.

She loved her family.

I don’t even believe she said that primarily because she wanted to see Wally again.

Now, there’s such hope and joy found in the fact that they both are whole and with Jesus now.

I think she said that because she knew life with Jesus, in his presence is better than anything this world can offer us.

Yvonne’s hope was ultimately resting in the sufficiency of Christ and being in his presence.

Jesus often sought to comfort those who were hurting with the hope of heaven.

But heaven is truly heaven because Jesus is there.

And so, in John 14, Jesus encouraged his disciples with this truth.

John 14:1-3, “Let not your hearts be troubled.

Believe in God; believe also in me.

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?

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.”

This here is probably the greatest promise ever made because it was,

Number one,

Made by the greatest person who ever lived.

Never has there ever been another person who has changed the course of human history like Jesus has.

For sure, there have been many who have come and gone who have made impacts in the world, but no one, aside from Jesus has ever determined the course of history.

Jesus speaks and the wind and sea obey him.

Jesus speaks and the sick are healed.

Jesus speaks and those dead in sin are brought to life.

And yet, Jesus’ life was one marked with humility, gentleness, and compassion for the hurting and afflicted.

There’s been no one else quite like Jesus.

But this is also the greatest promise ever made because, secondly,

It’s about the greatest place ever imagined.

Man’s greatest efforts pail in comparison to what God has for those who belong to him.

And yet, remember what I said.

What makes heaven, heaven is the presence of Jesus.

Isn’t that what Jesus said in John 14? “I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.”

Remove Jesus from heaven and you don’t have heaven.

We were created to walk and live in relationship with God.

It’s what we were designed for.

To be with Him.

You see, what God is doing and working together through Jesus the Son is a life where all things are made new again.

Life free from pain, free from suffering, free from hardships, free from death.

And this is what awaits those who belong to Christ.

This is the greatest promise ever made because, thirdly,

Its purpose is our eternal comfort.

Remember what Jesus said in John 14 to his disciples who were going to face intense suffering.

“Don’t let your hearts be troubled.”

You know, I keep coming back to what Yvonne said when faced with physical death that would be soon.

“Oh, good.”

She was comforted by the fact that she had run the race of life well, she was finishing well, and that she was soon going to be with Jesus.

And so, death wasn’t something she feared because of her hope in Christ.

Eternal life with Jesus, free from pain, free the bondage that we face in this world was something that brought her comfort.

And so, Jesus’ words to his disciples are words for us to hold fast to as well because the promise remains.

“Don’t let your heart be troubled.”

He is faithful and good.

This is the greatest promise ever made because, fourthly,

It rests on the greatest proposition.

Jesus said, “Listen, you believe in God, believe in me.”

You see, this promise is certain for all who believe.

Well, believe what?

Believe in Jesus.

The heart, the message, the essence of the gospel is simply this.

God is holy, he is the creator and sustainer of all life.

In fact, all life exists because he says so and all life exists for the glory of God.

But just as holy as God is, we are just as sinful and unholy.

We’re rebels and traitors of God looking to find life, hope, and meaning in God’s creation rather than in God himself.

And because of that we’ve brought upon ourselves his judgment and wrath for our sin and betrayal.

And our only hope of redemption and reconciliation and restoration with God is not in our good works, it’s not in our religious piety.

It’s in resting completely and fully in the person and work of Jesus.

Faith in his life, his death, and his resurrection.

And for those who turn from their sin, repent, and turn in faith to a God who loves them and died for them they find life, they find purpose, they find hope.

Jesus wasn’t saying here to believe certain facts about him, he said, believe in me, rest in me, hold fast to me, follow me and you’ll find what you were created for.