John 11:17-27: Jesus said unto her, "I AM the Resurrection and the Life."

I Am the Resurrection and the Life, John 11:17-27

Who is Jesus Christ?

• I Am the Bread of Life (6:35). He satisfies.

• I Am the Light of the World (8:12). He sanctifies.

• I Am the Door (10:9). He saves.

• I Am the Good Shepherd (10:11). He reveals who He is.

Jesus proclaimed His deity (10:30)--“I and my Father are one.”

1. The Problem v. 17.

Then when Jesus came, He found that he had lain in the grave four days already.

v. 1, A message arrived that Lazarus was sick.

v. 6, Jesus waits two days before leaving for Bethany.

v. 14, The disciples learn of the death of Lazarus.

1 Corinthians 10:31, Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.

Colossians 3:17, And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

2. The Protest and Praise.

Grieving Martha.

v. 21, “if thou hadst been here”

v. 22, But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee.

Martha was a mixture of faith and doubt and of praise and protest.

v. 23, Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again.

The Lord’s response, “Thy brother shall rise again.”

Jesus’ promise was an encouragement to Martha, but she did not understand it. He is announcing the miracle in advance.

v. 24, Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day.

Martha, as the Pharisees, believed this Old Testament revelation.

3. The Proclamation, vv. 25-26.

This is the Gospel, a message of great hope.

“I am the resurrection, and the life.”

4. The Power.

v. 25, “Though he were dead, yet shall he live.”

a. Take it literally Martha!

b. True, Lazarus will rise at the resurrection.

c. All believers will rise at the rapture.

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, Dead in faith = Resurrection Live at His coming = Life

d. He would also be raised then as the Lord promised.

e. Jesus has power to raise the dead, the greatest power.

5. The Prerequisite.

v. 26, “He that believeth in me, though he were dead”

• Prominence of faith.

• Place of faith.

• Period of Faith.

Believing in Jesus Christ must occur in this life if the resurrection and life are to be yours.

6. The Promise, v. 26, “shall never die.”

a. The Greatest of all promises.

b. Life is short at its longest.

c. Psalms 90:10--70-80 years

d. Jesus promises life that lasts--everlasting life.

e. Everlasting life is better than 70-80 or 100.

f. Everlasting life is ours through faith in Christ.

Jesus closes His conversation with Martha by asking her of her faith.

You see, it does not matter what she had heard or had seen. What matters in the end is that her faith be placed in Jesus and in Jesus alone.

"Believest thou this?" [John 11:26b].