Embracing Resurrection: Responses to Jesus' Authority and Love
Summary
In today's gathering, we explored the profound narrative of Jesus' ministry as depicted in the Gospel of John, particularly focusing on the resurrection of Lazarus and its implications. This miracle, a pivotal moment in Jesus' ministry, not only demonstrated His divine authority but also set the stage for the unfolding of His ultimate purpose: His death, burial, and resurrection. This event marked a turning point, intensifying the opposition from religious leaders who were threatened by Jesus' growing influence and the undeniable proof of His divinity.
We delved into the contrasting responses to Jesus' miracles and teachings. The Pharisees, driven by fear and envy, sought to maintain their control and influence, ultimately plotting to kill Jesus. In stark contrast, Jesus' friends, like Mary, Martha, and Lazarus, responded with love and gratitude, celebrating the life and hope He brought into their lives. Mary's act of anointing Jesus with costly oil was a profound expression of worship and gratitude, symbolizing her recognition of Jesus' worth and her willingness to give her all for Him.
This narrative challenges us to examine who or what sits on the throne of our hearts. Are we driven by fear, envy, or selfish ambition, or do we allow Jesus to reign supreme, guiding our actions and responses? The story of Mary and Martha reminds us of the importance of balancing service with devotion, ensuring that our hearts remain aligned with God's purposes.
As we navigate our own lives, we are encouraged to trust in God's sovereignty, knowing that He can orchestrate our circumstances for His glory and our good, even when faced with challenges or opposition. By surrendering to His will and celebrating the breakthroughs of others, we position ourselves to experience His grace and favor in our own lives.
Key Takeaways:
1. The Power of Resurrection: The resurrection of Lazarus serves as a powerful testament to Jesus' divine authority and His role as the resurrection and the life. This miracle not only affirmed His identity but also foreshadowed His own resurrection, offering hope and assurance of eternal life to all who believe. [46:50]
2. Contrasting Responses to Jesus: The narrative highlights the diverse reactions to Jesus' ministry, from the fear and envy of the Pharisees to the love and gratitude of His friends. These responses challenge us to reflect on our own hearts and motivations, urging us to prioritize faith and love over fear and self-interest. [51:37]
3. The Throne of Our Hearts: The story invites us to examine who or what occupies the throne of our hearts. Whether it's fear, ambition, or material pursuits, we are called to surrender these to Jesus, allowing Him to guide our lives and shape our responses to His work in and around us. [56:14]
4. God's Sovereignty in Our Lives: Despite the challenges and opposition we may face, God's sovereignty assures us that He can work all things together for our good. By trusting in His wisdom and grace, we can navigate life's difficulties with hope and confidence, knowing that He is orchestrating our circumstances for His purposes. [01:19:39]
5. Extravagant Worship and Gratitude: Mary's act of anointing Jesus with costly oil exemplifies extravagant worship and gratitude. Her willingness to give her best to Jesus challenges us to consider how we express our love and devotion to Him, encouraging us to prioritize His presence and purposes above all else. [01:37:47]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[32:56] - Jesus' Intercession for Us
[44:15] - The Climax of Jesus' Ministry
[46:50] - The Resurrection of Lazarus
[49:31] - Responses to Jesus' Miracles
[51:37] - Fear and Influence of the Pharisees
[52:41] - The Pharisees' Fear of Losing Control
[56:14] - Who Sits on the Throne of Our Hearts?
[57:41] - The Faith and Fear Responses
[58:47] - The Ministry of Life vs. Regime of Death
[01:00:21] - Pilate's Insight on Envy
[01:01:33] - The Irony of the Pharisees' Concerns
[01:04:52] - Jesus' Message of Peace
[01:08:07] - The Danger of Envy
[01:10:28] - Trusting in God's Timing
[01:19:39] - God's Sovereignty and Our Caiaphas
[01:25:23] - The Celebration at Bethany
[01:37:47] - Mary's Extravagant Worship
[01:41:16] - Closing Reflections and Prayer
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- John 11:45-12:11
Observation Questions:
1. What were the different reactions of the people who witnessed the resurrection of Lazarus? How did these reactions reflect their understanding of Jesus' identity? [49:31]
2. How did the Pharisees and chief priests respond to the news of Lazarus being raised from the dead, and what were their concerns? [51:37]
3. Describe Mary's act of anointing Jesus with costly oil. What does this act signify in the context of the narrative? [49:31]
4. How did Judas Iscariot react to Mary's act of worship, and what does this reveal about his character? [54:46]
Interpretation Questions:
1. What does the resurrection of Lazarus reveal about Jesus' authority and identity as the "resurrection and the life"? How does this miracle foreshadow Jesus' own resurrection? [46:50]
2. In what ways do the contrasting responses to Jesus' miracles and teachings challenge the audience to reflect on their own motivations and priorities? [51:37]
3. How does the story of Mary and Martha illustrate the balance between service and devotion in a believer's life? What lessons can be drawn from their example? [49:31]
4. How does the narrative of the Pharisees' fear of losing control relate to the broader theme of who or what sits on the throne of our hearts? [52:41]
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you faced opposition or challenges in your faith journey. How did you respond, and what role did trust in God's sovereignty play in your response? [01:19:39]
2. Consider the different responses to Jesus' miracles. How do you typically respond to the work of God in your life and the lives of others? Are there areas where fear or envy might be influencing your reactions? [51:37]
3. Mary's act of anointing Jesus was an expression of extravagant worship and gratitude. How do you express your love and devotion to Jesus in your daily life? Are there ways you can prioritize His presence more intentionally? [01:37:47]
4. The sermon challenges us to examine who or what occupies the throne of our hearts. Identify any areas in your life where fear, ambition, or material pursuits might be taking precedence over Jesus. How can you surrender these to Him? [56:14]
5. How can you cultivate a heart of gratitude and celebration for the breakthroughs and blessings in others' lives, even when you are facing your own challenges? [01:10:28]
6. Reflect on the concept of God's sovereignty in orchestrating circumstances for His glory and our good. How can this understanding impact the way you approach difficult situations in your life? [01:19:39]
7. In what ways can you balance service and devotion in your life, ensuring that your actions are aligned with God's purposes and not driven by fear or selfish ambition? [49:31]
Devotional
Day 1: The Authority of Resurrection
The resurrection of Lazarus is a profound testament to Jesus' divine authority and His identity as the resurrection and the life. This miracle not only affirmed His identity but also foreshadowed His own resurrection, offering hope and assurance of eternal life to all who believe. It was a pivotal moment in Jesus' ministry, demonstrating His power over death and setting the stage for the unfolding of His ultimate purpose: His death, burial, and resurrection. This event intensified the opposition from religious leaders who were threatened by Jesus' growing influence and the undeniable proof of His divinity. [46:50]
John 11:25-26 (ESV): "Jesus said to her, 'I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?'"
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need to trust in Jesus' authority and power over seemingly impossible situations? How can you invite Him to bring new life into these areas today?
Day 2: Responses to Jesus' Ministry
The narrative of Lazarus' resurrection highlights the diverse reactions to Jesus' ministry, from the fear and envy of the Pharisees to the love and gratitude of His friends. The Pharisees, driven by fear and envy, sought to maintain their control and influence, ultimately plotting to kill Jesus. In stark contrast, Jesus' friends, like Mary, Martha, and Lazarus, responded with love and gratitude, celebrating the life and hope He brought into their lives. These responses challenge us to reflect on our own hearts and motivations, urging us to prioritize faith and love over fear and self-interest. [51:37]
Matthew 12:24 (ESV): "But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, 'It is only by Beelzebul, the prince of demons, that this man casts out demons.'"
Reflection: Consider a recent situation where you felt threatened or envious. How can you choose to respond with love and gratitude instead of fear and self-interest?
Day 3: The Throne of Our Hearts
The story of Mary and Martha invites us to examine who or what occupies the throne of our hearts. Whether it's fear, ambition, or material pursuits, we are called to surrender these to Jesus, allowing Him to guide our lives and shape our responses to His work in and around us. Mary's act of anointing Jesus with costly oil was a profound expression of worship and gratitude, symbolizing her recognition of Jesus' worth and her willingness to give her all for Him. This narrative challenges us to ensure that our hearts remain aligned with God's purposes. [56:14]
Colossians 3:1-2 (ESV): "If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth."
Reflection: What is currently sitting on the throne of your heart? How can you intentionally surrender this to Jesus and allow Him to guide your actions and decisions today?
Day 4: Trusting in God's Sovereignty
Despite the challenges and opposition we may face, God's sovereignty assures us that He can work all things together for our good. By trusting in His wisdom and grace, we can navigate life's difficulties with hope and confidence, knowing that He is orchestrating our circumstances for His purposes. The story of Lazarus reminds us to trust in God's timing and His ability to bring about His plans, even when we cannot see the full picture. [01:19:39]
Isaiah 46:10 (ESV): "Declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, 'My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose.'"
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you struggle to trust in God's sovereignty? How can you practice surrendering this area to Him and trusting in His perfect timing?
Day 5: Extravagant Worship and Gratitude
Mary's act of anointing Jesus with costly oil exemplifies extravagant worship and gratitude. Her willingness to give her best to Jesus challenges us to consider how we express our love and devotion to Him, encouraging us to prioritize His presence and purposes above all else. This act of worship was not only a personal expression of love but also a public declaration of Jesus' worth and significance. It invites us to reflect on how we can offer our best to Jesus in our daily lives. [01:37:47]
2 Samuel 24:24 (ESV): "But the king said to Araunah, 'No, but I will buy it from you for a price. I will not offer burnt offerings to the Lord my God that cost me nothing.' So David bought the threshing floor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver."
Reflection: What is one way you can express extravagant worship and gratitude to Jesus today? How can you offer Him your best in your current circumstances?
Quotes
"We serve Jesus who would give his life and die but we don't serve a dead god we serve a god who took up his life again by the power of resurrection the bible says the spirit of holiness caused him to take up his life again god gave him the authority to do that and by the power of life he was resurrected and now he sits with the father and he ever lives to make intercession for me and for you that's just a fancy word intercession for he is rooting for you he's cheering for you he wants the best for you he's pleading with the father constantly for the best for your life and on your worst day jesus is talking to the father about you father help them do what's best for them i'm fighting for your future he says not your present comfort i'm fighting for your destiny" [00:32:56] (64 seconds)
"And Lazarus, a man who's been dead for four days, who's starting to smell, his body's decomposing. He comes out of the grave and everybody's standing there watching this man who they know was dead come out of the grave. And it's proof. This is absolutely proof. Absolute proof that Jesus is who he said he is because in chapter 11, what does he say? Pastor Jeff covered this. I am the what? The resurrection and the life. It's one thing to say it. It's another thing to be standing there with a dead guy. Right? With grave clothes on, having to unwrap him. And so Jesus has the living proof that he is who he says he is." [00:46:50] (49 seconds)
"Jesus is, everybody's leaving to go see Jesus and who are they not staying to listen to and follow? The leaders. So they're fearful that their influence and their position, their authority, they're gonna lose it. The follower count on their TikTok or whatever. Is it not called followers on TikTok? Is it called followers? Okay. I don't know because I'm not on TikTok. That just became very obvious to everybody in the room. But the Pharisees follower count is just plummeting and Jesus is skyrocketing and that troubles them. Okay. So what do they do? They do what makes the most sense. Let's kill him. Let's just kill him. And that'll fix our problem." [00:52:41] (45 seconds)
"And with all of these reactions to Jesus, who sits on the throne of our hearts? The way we respond when God moves, when God speaks, when he shows up, what comes out of us depends on who's on the throne. We just sang it this morning, all hail King Jesus. If Jesus is king of our hearts, then our affection is on him. That's all that matters. We just love him. We're not thinking about anything else. But there's a lot of different things that can sit on the throne of our hearts. A job can sit on the throne of my heart. I can be sitting here in church every Sunday, have grown up in church, have a great family, pay my taxes, live a very principled life, and have a great family. I can have it all pretty much put together and have a job on the throne of my heart, not Jesus." [00:56:14] (50 seconds)
"Now, here's the ironic thing. The irony is all of this came to pass. It was almost like a prophecy. It all came to pass, but not because of Jesus's influence. It wasn't because of Jesus. That's what they said out of their mouths. But what was really in their heart was envy and jealousy. They were accusing Jesus of he's the one that's going to be responsible for Rome. And that was probably what they called his own rebelling. And so they were not going to like Jesus. They were going to hate him and they were going to hate them more than they were going to hate Jesus. They were not going to like the political ramifications. But the reality was, it was their own rebellion and despising Roman authority that eventually led them to that place. Jesus actually foretold it. Do you remember this? He prophesied it." [01:01:33] (48 seconds)
"Now there's a warning here for you. And there's a warning here for me. Okay. About this. And I want to kind of mention this for just a second. I want you to search your own heart. Okay. What is envy? Envy is discontent or resentful longing for someone else's possessions, talents, their qualities, their opportunities, their breakthrough. When we see what someone else has and we're resentful because we don't have it and we're longing for it and we don't know how to get it, we become envious and jealous. Now, why is that so dangerous? Why is it dangerous? Well, it's dangerous because in the place of envy comes offense, comes offense. We get offended, but it isn't just against people for what they have. Actually, the offense is toward the heavenly father. If you're a follower of Jesus, it's this offense at God, because God, you did something for them that you're not willing to do for me. Why?" [01:08:07] (58 seconds)
"Everybody has a Caiaphas situation. Maybe it's something going on in your body or in your marriage or in your finances. And the feeling is, this is too big. I can't get myself out of this situation and I'm not going to be able to win. Maybe your Caiaphas is not anybody or anything or circumstance. Maybe it's your own poor decisions, your own sin and the consequences of sin that have landed you in a spot you can't get yourself out of. And now you're going, I don't want to do this anymore. I want to do this God's way, but I'm stuck with my feet in concrete blocks and I'll never be able to fly because of what I did. You've got a Caiaphas in your life." [01:19:39] (41 seconds)
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