From Dead Ends to New Beginnings with Jesus
Summary
In today's sermon, I explored the profound truth that with Jesus, there are no dead ends. We delved into the story of Lazarus, a narrative that beautifully illustrates how Jesus is the resurrection and the life, affirming that even in death, there is hope and renewal.
We began by reflecting on the nature of dead ends in our lives. These are not just physical or circumstantial dead ends but also spiritual, emotional, and relational ones. I shared a personal anecdote about finding myself at a literal dead end on a backpacking trip in Canada, which served as a metaphor for the unexpected dead ends we encounter in life.
The core of our discussion centered around John 11, where Jesus declares Himself as the resurrection and the life in the context of Lazarus’s death. Lazarus's sisters, Martha and Mary, experienced the despair of what seemed like the ultimate dead end—the death of their brother. Yet, Jesus did not immediately rush to heal Lazarus; instead, He waited, allowing those around Him to reach what they perceived as the end of hope. This delay was not an oversight but a deliberate act by Jesus to demonstrate His power over death and to strengthen the faith of those who witnessed His miracle.
I emphasized that our dead ends are often where God's power and glory are most vividly displayed. They are opportunities for our faith to be deepened and for God to work most powerfully in our lives. The resurrection of Lazarus is a testament to the fact that nothing is too far gone for God's transformative touch.
As we moved through the sermon, we also touched on the importance of belief. Jesus asked Martha if she believed in Him as the resurrection and the life, highlighting that our faith is not just in what Jesus can do—raising the dead, healing the sick—but in who He is. This belief is what transforms dead ends into new beginnings.
We concluded with a call to action, inviting everyone to embrace the reality of Jesus as the resurrection and the life in their own lives. This was visually and symbolically represented through the baptisms that took place today, each one a powerful declaration of passing from death to life, from old to new.
### Key Takeaways
1. Understanding Dead Ends as Divine Opportunities
Dead ends in our lives, whether they are failures, losses, or disappointments, are not the end of our story. They are, in fact, opportunities for God to work mightily. Just as Jesus used Lazarus’s death to reveal His glory and power, our dead ends can become testimonies of faith and transformation. [41:43]
2. The Importance of Delays in God’s Plan
God’s timing often includes delays, as seen in Jesus' response to Lazarus's illness. These delays are not denials but are integral to God's strategy to deepen our faith and reliance on Him. They teach us patience and trust, reminding us that God's plans are always for our good and His glory. [54:59]
3. Belief in Jesus Beyond Circumstances
Jesus challenged Martha to believe in Him not just for what He could do but for who He is—the resurrection and the life. Our faith must stand firm not only during times of blessing but also in moments of despair. Believing in Jesus’s nature and character shapes how we face every situation in life. [58:47]
4. The Power of Testimony in Overcoming Doubt
Sharing our experiences of God's faithfulness is crucial, especially when we or others are doubting. Just as the disciples and the people around Lazarus needed to see his resurrection to believe, our testimonies can be the catalyst for strengthening our own and others' faith. [49:31]
5. Active Faith in Moving Towards Resurrection
Faith is not passive; it requires action. Just as Jesus called Lazarus to come out of the tomb, we are called to move away from our dead ends by the power of faith in Jesus. This active faith is essential in experiencing the fullness of life that Jesus promises to those who believe in Him. [59:33]
### Chapters
0:00 - Welcome
29:57 - Introduction to the Series
30:59 - The Concept of No Dead Ends
31:54 - Jesus, the Resurrection and the Life
36:59 - Personal Reflections on Dead Ends
40:17 - The Story of Lazarus Begins
47:13 - Doubts and Disappointments
52:45 - Martha and Mary's Response
58:04 - Jesus' Declaration and Challenge
01:03:30 - Call to Faith and Baptism
01:26:36 - Conclusion and Invitation for Next Week
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. John 11:1-44 (The story of Lazarus)
2. John 10:10 (Jesus as the giver of abundant life)
3. Colossians 2:12-14 (The symbolism of baptism and resurrection)
#### Observation Questions
1. What was Jesus' response when He heard about Lazarus's illness, and why did He delay going to Lazarus? (John 11:4-6)
2. How did Martha and Mary react differently when Jesus arrived after Lazarus had died? (John 11:20-21)
3. What did Jesus declare about Himself to Martha, and what question did He ask her? (John 11:25-26)
4. Describe the moment when Jesus called Lazarus out of the tomb. What were the reactions of the people around? (John 11:43-44)
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think Jesus chose to delay His visit to Lazarus despite knowing the urgency of the situation? How does this reflect on God's timing in our lives? [41:43]
2. How does Jesus' declaration, "I am the resurrection and the life," change the way we view dead ends in our lives? [31:54]
3. In what ways can the story of Lazarus serve as a testament to God's power and glory in seemingly hopeless situations? [40:53]
4. How can the act of baptism, as described in the sermon, symbolize the transition from death to life in a believer's journey? [30:59]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt you were at a dead end in your life. How did you respond, and what did you learn from that experience? How can you apply the lesson of Lazarus to similar situations in the future? [33:59]
2. Jesus asked Martha if she believed in Him as the resurrection and the life. How would you answer that question in your current life circumstances? What steps can you take to deepen your faith in who Jesus is, not just what He can do? [58:04]
3. The sermon emphasized that God's delays are not denials. Can you identify a situation in your life where you are currently experiencing a delay? How can you trust in God's timing and plan during this period? [54:59]
4. Sharing testimonies of God's faithfulness can strengthen faith. Can you think of a personal testimony or a story from someone you know that has inspired you? How can you share your own experiences to encourage others? [49:31]
5. The sermon highlighted the importance of active faith. What is one specific area in your life where you need to take a step of faith? How can you act on that faith this week? [59:33]
6. Baptism was described as a powerful declaration of passing from death to life. If you have been baptized, how has that experience impacted your faith journey? If you haven't, what might be holding you back from taking that step? [30:59]
7. Think about someone in your life who might be at a dead end. How can you support and encourage them to see that with Jesus, there are no dead ends? What practical steps can you take to be a source of hope for them? [44:34]
Devotional
Day 1: Divine Opportunities in Disguise
When we face what seem like dead ends—failures, losses, or deep disappointments—it's easy to feel defeated. However, these moments are not the end of our story but pivotal points where God's power can be most vividly displayed. Just as Jesus used the death of Lazarus to reveal His glory and demonstrate His power over death, our personal dead ends can serve as platforms for witnessing God's might and transforming grace. These experiences are divine opportunities for our faith to be deepened and for us to witness firsthand the transformative touch of God. [41:43](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Wr9lk4dc9s&t=2488s)
Romans 8:28 - "And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose."
Reflection: Reflect on a recent disappointment or loss. How can you view this as an opportunity for God to work in your life?
Day 2: God's Perfect Timing
Delays in our plans can be frustrating and often lead us to question God's intentions. However, these delays are not denials but rather integral parts of God's perfect plan for our lives. As seen in Jesus' deliberate delay in going to Lazarus, which deepened the faith of Martha and Mary and showcased His power over death, God's timing is designed to teach us patience and trust. These moments remind us that His plans are always for our good and His glory, even when they unfold differently than we expect. [54:59](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Wr9lk4dc9s&t=3284s)
Habakkuk 2:3 - "For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay."
Reflection: Can you think of a time when a delay in your life turned out to be a blessing in disguise? How did this experience change your perspective on God's timing?
Day 3: Belief Beyond Circumstances
Believing in Jesus means trusting in who He is, not just in what He can do. Jesus challenged Martha to believe in Him as the resurrection and the life, not just as a healer who could have prevented Lazarus’s death. Our faith must stand firm in both blessings and trials, rooted in Jesus's nature and character. This belief transforms how we approach every situation, turning dead ends into new beginnings. [58:47](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Wr9lk4dc9s&t=3512s)
Colossians 1:17 - "And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together."
Reflection: How does your understanding of Jesus’s character influence your reaction to difficult situations?
Day 4: The Catalyst of Testimony
Sharing our experiences of God's faithfulness is crucial, especially in times of doubt. Just as the resurrection of Lazarus served to strengthen the faith of those who witnessed it, our personal testimonies can encourage and fortify the faith of others—and our own during challenging times. These stories of God's faithfulness are powerful tools in overcoming doubt and fostering a community of believers who support and uplift each other in faith. [49:31](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Wr9lk4dc9s&t=2956s)
Psalm 71:15-16 - "My mouth will tell of your righteous acts, of your deeds of salvation all the day, for their number is past my knowledge. With the mighty deeds of the Lord God I will come; I will remind them of your righteousness, yours alone."
Reflection: Who can you share a story of God’s faithfulness with today to encourage their faith?
Day 5: Active Faith Moves Us Forward
Faith in Jesus requires action. It's not passive but involves stepping out in trust and obedience. Just as Jesus called Lazarus to come out of the tomb, we too are called to move away from our dead ends and towards the life Jesus offers. This active faith is essential for experiencing the fullness of life and the new beginnings that Jesus promises to those who believe in Him. [59:33](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Wr9lk4dc9s&t=3558s)
James 2:17 - "So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead."
Reflection: What is one step you can take today to move away from a 'dead end' and towards the life Jesus has for you?
Quotes
1) "Things may look hard. You may be at a dead end. But we don't have a God that knows dead ends. He's created ways where there wasn't a way before. He's done it before. He can do it again." [56:35]
2) "Do you believe this? I know you believe some things about me, Martha. Do you believe this? Do you believe that there is no one, that there is nothing that is too far gone? There is no situation that you could find, yourself in today, that is too far gone, that cannot be reached by the power of God's love and presence." [58:47]
3) "Jesus says, do you believe at your dead end that I am the resurrection and the life? Not that I am able to resurrect, but I am the resurrection. It's not just, oh, I can do all things through God who gives me strength. Jesus says, I am the resurrection." [59:33]
4) "It's in those times, those sad things, those dark things, those difficult things, the dead ends, where we actually see God's power and his mercy in display the most. Those are the times when we come to Jesus." [01:01:28]
5) "God's delays, though, aren't denials. Your delays aren't denials. God's delays are never denials. I don't know if you've had opportunities, times where you're just like, this is the stuff that faith is made of. When your back is against the wall." [54:59]
6) "Even now, she says, in verse 22, I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give you. Even now. This is back against the wall, faith. This is even now, belief." [55:41]
7) "When Jesus heard it, he said, this illness does not lead to death. It does not end with death. It might lead through death, but it does not lead to death. And it's actually for the glory of God. So that the son of God may be glorified through it." [40:53]
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