From Death to Life: The Power of Jesus
Summary
In today's message, I emphasized the profound difference between mere religion and a deep, meaningful relationship with Jesus Christ. I drew attention to the story of Mary and Martha, illustrating how our greatest disappointments can become the backdrop for God's most remarkable miracles. I shared my conviction that the miracles of Jesus, as recorded in the Gospel of John, were not merely to showcase His dominion over the physical realm but to settle once and for all that He is the Messiah with the power to save us from sin's penalty and death.
I delved into the heart of the Gospel, clarifying that it's not about living our best life now, but about the assurance of eternal life through Jesus Christ. I recounted the story of Lazarus, highlighting that the miracle of his resurrection was not just to demonstrate Jesus' power over physical death, as Lazarus would die again, but to reveal that Jesus is the answer to our spiritual and eternal death.
I shared personal reflections and scriptural insights on the nature of waiting on God. I explained that a waiting season is never a wasted season, as God is more interested in doing something in us than for us. I spoke about the importance of character development over immediate comfort and how God uses divine delays to teach us perseverance, patience, prayer, and faithfulness.
I addressed the human tendency to question God's timing, especially in desperate situations, and encouraged openness and honesty in our prayers. I reminded the congregation that Jesus' delay in coming to Lazarus was not out of neglect but out of love, to bring about a greater revelation of His glory.
Finally, I concluded with the powerful truth that Jesus is the only one who can bring life to what is dead. The world offers many solutions to find meaning and purpose, but none can address the fundamental problem of spiritual death. Only through Jesus can we experience the miracle of new life.
Key Takeaways:
- A genuine relationship with Jesus transcends religious practice and leads to transformative experiences that often arise from our deepest struggles. Our faith is not about the fulfillment of our immediate desires but about the cultivation of a character that reflects Christ. [22:50
- The miracles of Jesus are not ends in themselves but signs pointing to His identity as the Messiah and His power to grant us eternal life. Our focus should be on the eternal salvation He offers, rather than the temporal solutions we often seek. [10:28
- Waiting on God is a divine strategy, not a divine oversight. In the waiting, we are shaped and prepared for what God has in store. Our character is forged in the fires of delay, teaching us to trust in God's perfect timing and purposes. [21:11
- Honesty in prayer is vital to a healthy spiritual life. God invites us to come to Him with our frustrations and doubts, knowing that He understands our human limitations and meets us with compassion and grace. [32:32
- The ultimate miracle is the transformation from spiritual death to eternal life through Jesus Christ. No earthly wisdom or strategy can substitute for the life-giving power of Jesus, who alone can resurrect our dead souls to new life. [46:21
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. John 11:1-44 - The story of Lazarus' death and resurrection.
2. John 20:30-31 - The purpose of the signs recorded in the Gospel of John.
3. Ephesians 2:1 - "And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins."
#### Observation Questions
1. What was the relationship between Jesus and the family of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus? How did this relationship influence their expectations of Jesus? [16:06
2. According to John 11:4, what was Jesus' purpose in delaying His visit to Lazarus? How does this align with the sermon’s message about divine delays? [21:11
3. What was the significance of Jesus waiting four days before raising Lazarus from the dead? [29:54
4. How does John 20:30-31 explain the purpose of the miracles recorded in the Gospel of John? [10:28
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the story of Lazarus illustrate the difference between a mere religious practice and a deep, meaningful relationship with Jesus? [38:03
2. In what ways does the miracle of Lazarus' resurrection point to Jesus' identity as the Messiah and His power over spiritual death? [11:02
3. What does the sermon suggest about the nature of waiting on God and how it contributes to our spiritual growth? [22:19
4. How does the concept of divine delays challenge our understanding of God's love and timing? [14:24
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt disappointed by God's timing. How did that experience shape your faith and character? [20:42
2. The sermon emphasized that a waiting season is never a wasted season. How can you apply this perspective to a current situation in your life where you are waiting on God? [21:11
3. Jesus' delay in coming to Lazarus was out of love to bring about a greater revelation of His glory. How can you remind yourself of this truth when you are tempted to question God's timing? [14:24
4. The sermon highlighted the importance of honesty in prayer. How can you practice being more open and honest with God about your frustrations and doubts? [32:32
5. Jesus is the only one who can bring life to what is dead. Identify an area in your life that feels "dead" or hopeless. How can you invite Jesus into that situation to bring new life? [46:21
6. The sermon mentioned that our greatest disappointments can become the backdrop for God's most remarkable miracles. Can you think of a past disappointment that led to a significant spiritual breakthrough? How can this encourage you in your current struggles? [38:34
7. How can you shift your focus from seeking temporal solutions to embracing the eternal salvation that Jesus offers? What practical steps can you take to deepen your relationship with Him? [39:12
Devotional
Day 1: Transformative Faith Beyond Struggle
In the midst of our deepest struggles, it is not uncommon to seek immediate relief or solutions. However, true faith is cultivated not by the fulfillment of our desires but by the development of a character that mirrors Jesus Christ. This transformative process often occurs in the backdrop of our greatest disappointments, where we are invited to deepen our relationship with Jesus rather than merely adhere to religious practices. It is in these moments that we may experience profound spiritual growth and witness the transformative power of faith that carries us beyond our current circumstances.
The story of Mary and Martha serves as a poignant reminder that our focus should be on Jesus, the source of life and peace, rather than on the distractions and worries that can consume us. As we shift our perspective from our immediate situations to the eternal presence of Christ, we find that our greatest trials can become the canvas for God's most remarkable work within us.
[22:50]
Bible passage: James 1:2-4 (ESV)
"Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."
Reflection: Reflect on a recent struggle or disappointment. How can you shift your focus from the situation itself to what God might be doing in your character through this experience?
Day 2: Eternal Perspective on Miracles
The miracles of Jesus are not simply wonders to be marveled at; they are signs that point to His identity as the Messiah and His power to grant eternal life. The Gospel invites us to look beyond the temporal and fleeting solutions of this world and to fix our eyes on the eternal salvation offered through Jesus Christ. The resurrection of Lazarus, for example, was not just about Jesus' authority over physical death but a profound demonstration of His ability to conquer spiritual and eternal death.
This eternal perspective reshapes our understanding of the purpose of miracles. They are not merely for our immediate benefit but are designed to draw us closer to Jesus, the source of life, and to deepen our faith in His promise of eternal life. As we encounter the miraculous in Scripture and in our lives, we are called to recognize these events as opportunities to strengthen our faith in the eternal rather than becoming fixated on the temporal.
[10:28]
Bible passage: 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: How can you adjust your expectations of miracles to align with an eternal perspective, focusing on spiritual growth and salvation rather than immediate physical outcomes?
Day 3: Divine Strategy in Waiting
Waiting on God is often perceived as a passive and unproductive time. However, it is a divine strategy designed to shape and prepare us for what God has in store. During these seasons of waiting, our character is forged, teaching us to trust in God's perfect timing and purposes. It is a time when perseverance, patience, prayer, and faithfulness are cultivated within us.
God is more interested in doing something in us than for us. The waiting season is not a wasted season but a period of significant spiritual development. As we learn to wait on God, we are reminded that His plans are higher than ours, and His timing is impeccable. Through divine delays, we are taught to lean not on our own understanding but to trust in the One who holds the future.
[21:11]
Bible passage: Isaiah 30:18 (ESV)
"Therefore the Lord waits to be gracious to you, and therefore he exalts himself to show mercy to you. For the Lord is a God of justice; blessed are all those who wait for him."
Reflection: What is one area in your life where you are currently waiting on God? How can you use this time to cultivate patience and trust in His timing rather than feeling frustrated by the delay?
Day 4: Honesty in Prayer
Prayer is not a ritualistic exercise but a genuine conversation with God, where honesty is not only allowed but encouraged. God invites us to come to Him with our frustrations, doubts, and questions, knowing that He understands our human limitations. In prayer, we find a safe space to express our deepest concerns and to seek His compassion and grace.
Jesus' delay in coming to Lazarus was not out of neglect but out of love, to bring about a greater revelation of His glory. Similarly, when we face desperate situations and question God's timing, we are encouraged to be open and honest in our prayers. This honesty in prayer fosters a healthy spiritual life and deepens our relationship with God, as we learn to trust in His wisdom and love.
[32:32]
Bible passage: Psalm 62:8 (ESV)
"Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us. Selah."
Reflection: Can you recall a time when you were hesitant to be completely honest with God in prayer? How can you practice being more open and vulnerable in your prayer life, trusting that God values your honesty?
Day 5: Life Through Jesus
The ultimate miracle that Jesus offers is the transformation from spiritual death to eternal life. While the world presents many solutions to find meaning and purpose, none can address the fundamental problem of spiritual death. It is only through Jesus that we can experience the miracle of new life, as He alone has the power to resurrect our dead souls.
This powerful truth compels us to seek Jesus as the only source of true life. No earthly wisdom or strategy can substitute for the life-giving power of Jesus. As we embrace this truth, we find that our search for meaning and purpose is fulfilled in the transformative relationship we have with Christ, who brings life to what was once dead.
[46:21]
Bible passage: Ephesians 2:4-5 (ESV)
"But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved."
Reflection: What aspects of your life feel lifeless or devoid of purpose? How can you invite Jesus to bring His life-giving power into these areas, trusting in His ability to transform and renew?
Quotes
"I have learned in my life that God is way more interested in doing something in us than he is just doing something for us. He's a good father and he loves us more than we can fathom and he certainly wants to see his children blessed, but there is something way bigger at stake that every good father understands." [22:50
"A waiting season is never a wasted season. With God, there is always something that he is working on, something he is working in, or something he is working through. Sometimes we do get to see it later on in this life, but then sometimes only eternity will reveal it to us." [21:11
"It's okay when you pray to vent to God. He knows your frustration, he knows you're upset, he knows you don't understand. He's a big boy with big shoulders, and it's okay to say those things to God because sometimes you got to get it out of your chest." [32:32
"The point of the Gospel is not about living a better life now. It's about knowing and believing that we have been given eternal life through Jesus Christ. That's what this is all about. It's the real significance of the story; it's what drives our celebration this Easter weekend." [39:44
"Through every Divine delay in my life, God has taught me things I could have never learned or developed any other way. He has taught me Grit, perseverance, patience, prayer, and what it means to be faithful even in Seasons when nothing looks fruitful." [28:18
"God doesn't want us to somehow settle for a casual religion where we follow some traditions and think we're all good. One of the most dangerous things in our world today is a partially surrendered life." [37:33
"Jesus said I am the resurrection and the life. He's not just a way, he's the way. All roads do not lead to Heaven. Jesus said I am the way, the truth, and the life and no man will ever see the father except through me." [46:59
"He's the only one that can make life out of dead things. He doesn't make bad men good; he makes dead things live. This miracle was to show and to prove to everybody that this wasn't about a dead man coming out of the Grave, this was about a dead Soul coming to life in Christ." [46:21
"Just because God may seem late to you, because he is God, it is never too late for you. Our story is never over as long as Jesus is in it. These miracles were not performed by Jesus nor recorded by him simply for the miracle's sake themselves." [08:51
"These miracles that hold a great message, they are signs that are pregnant with great significance. And we don't have to speculate as to what that message is, John tells us clearly... that by believing in him you will have life, eternal life by the power of His name." [10:28
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