Glorifying God Through Delays and Misfortunes
Summary
In John 11, we encounter a profound narrative that challenges our understanding of God's timing and purpose. The story of Lazarus, Mary, and Martha is not just about a miraculous resurrection but a deeper revelation of God's glory. Jesus' delay in responding to Lazarus' illness is perplexing, yet it serves a divine purpose. In our fast-paced world, we often expect immediate responses, especially from those we love. However, Jesus' actions remind us that God's timing is perfect, even when it seems delayed. His decision to wait two days before visiting Lazarus is not a sign of neglect but a demonstration of love and a lesson in faith.
The peculiarities in this chapter, such as Jesus' declaration that Lazarus' sickness will not end in death, despite Lazarus dying, highlight a divine perspective that transcends human understanding. Jesus uses these moments to teach us that life is not about our immediate comfort or understanding but about glorifying God. Our lives, even in moments of pain and confusion, are opportunities to reveal God's glory. This narrative invites us to shift our focus from self-centeredness to a God-centered life, where our primary purpose is to glorify Him in all circumstances.
The story of Lazarus also challenges our notions of empathy and misfortune. Jesus' actions show that true empathy aligns with God's will and purpose, rather than our immediate emotional responses. Misfortunes, like Lazarus' death, are not failures or signs of weak faith but opportunities for God to demonstrate His power and for us to grow in faith. Jesus' journey to Judea, despite the danger, and His gladness at Lazarus' death, are not callous but strategic, teaching moments that reveal a transformed way of thinking.
Ultimately, the story of Lazarus is a foreshadowing of Jesus' own death and resurrection, illustrating the ultimate glorification of God through suffering and triumph. As believers, we are called to live transformed lives, where every circumstance is an opportunity to glorify God, just as Jesus demonstrated through His life and actions.
Key Takeaways:
1. God's Timing and Purpose: Jesus' delay in visiting Lazarus teaches us that God's timing is perfect, even when it seems delayed. Our impatience often stems from a self-centered perspective, but God's actions are always aligned with His greater purpose and glory. [04:06]
2. Life's True Purpose: Our lives are not about our comfort or understanding but about glorifying God. Even in pain and confusion, we are called to reveal God's glory, shifting our focus from self-centeredness to a God-centered life. [07:36]
3. Redefining Empathy: True empathy aligns with God's will and purpose, rather than our immediate emotional responses. Jesus' actions show that empathy should lead to God's glorification, not just immediate comfort. [27:16]
4. Misfortune as Opportunity: Misfortunes are not failures or signs of weak faith but opportunities for God to demonstrate His power and for us to grow in faith. Jesus uses Lazarus' death as a teaching moment, revealing a transformed way of thinking. [28:10]
5. Foreshadowing of Resurrection: The story of Lazarus foreshadows Jesus' own death and resurrection, illustrating the ultimate glorification of God through suffering and triumph. As believers, we are called to live transformed lives, glorifying God in every circumstance. [34:49]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:11] - Introduction to the Series
- [00:25] - The Story of Lazarus
- [01:10] - Jesus' Delay and Its Purpose
- [02:27] - Relating to Our Daily Struggles
- [03:22] - Expectations in Communication
- [05:06] - Self-Centered Culture
- [06:31] - Glorifying God in All Circumstances
- [08:13] - Peculiar Events in John 11
- [09:39] - Identifying Mary by a Future Event
- [11:09] - Jesus' Declaration About Lazarus' Sickness
- [12:14] - Jesus' Love and Delay
- [14:07] - Returning to a Dangerous Place
- [16:01] - Jesus' Gladness at Lazarus' Death
- [17:20] - Transformed Thinking
- [19:10] - Beware of Self-Centeredness
- [22:35] - Beware of Hyperempathy
- [27:30] - Beware of Misjudging Misfortune
- [31:31] - Glorifying God in Every Circumstance
- [34:49] - Lazarus as a Foreshadowing of Resurrection
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: The Story of Lazarus
Bible Reading:
- John 11:1-16
- Isaiah 43:7
- Isaiah 52:13
---
Observation Questions:
1. What was Jesus' initial response when He heard about Lazarus' illness, and how did it differ from what might be expected? ([01:10])
2. How does Jesus describe Lazarus' condition to His disciples, and what misunderstanding arises from this description? ([01:38])
3. What peculiar actions does Jesus take in response to Lazarus' death, and how do these actions challenge conventional expectations? ([12:14])
4. How does Jesus' decision to return to Judea, despite the danger, reflect His priorities and mission? ([14:07])
---
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does Jesus' delay in visiting Lazarus illustrate the concept of God's perfect timing, and what might this teach us about our own expectations of God's responses? ([04:06])
2. In what ways does the story of Lazarus challenge our understanding of empathy and how it should align with God's will rather than our immediate emotional responses? ([27:16])
3. How does the narrative of Lazarus' death and resurrection serve as a foreshadowing of Jesus' own death and resurrection, and what implications does this have for our understanding of suffering and triumph? ([34:49])
4. What does Jesus' gladness at Lazarus' death reveal about His perspective on misfortune and its role in demonstrating God's power and glory? ([28:10])
---
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt impatient waiting for God's response. How can you remind yourself of God's perfect timing in future situations? ([04:06])
2. Consider a recent situation where you sought empathy from others. How can you align your need for empathy with God's greater purpose and glory? ([27:16])
3. Identify a current challenge or misfortune in your life. How can you view this situation as an opportunity for God to demonstrate His power and for you to grow in faith? ([28:10])
4. How can you shift your focus from self-centeredness to a God-centered life, especially in moments of pain and confusion? What practical steps can you take to glorify God in all circumstances? ([07:36])
5. Think about a time when you misjudged a misfortune as a failure or a sign of weak faith. How can you change your perspective to see such situations as opportunities for growth and glorification of God? ([28:10])
6. How does the story of Lazarus inspire you to live a transformed life, where every circumstance is an opportunity to glorify God? What specific actions can you take to embody this transformation? ([34:49])
7. Reflect on the peculiarities in your own life that might be teaching moments from God. How can you embrace these moments to deepen your faith and understanding of God's purpose? ([08:13])
Devotional
Day 1: Trusting in Divine Timing
God's timing often challenges our expectations, yet it is always perfect. In the story of Lazarus, Jesus' delay in visiting him was not a sign of neglect but a demonstration of divine purpose. This teaches us that our impatience often stems from a self-centered perspective, while God's actions are aligned with His greater purpose and glory. We are reminded to trust in His timing, even when it seems delayed, knowing that it serves a higher purpose. [04:06]
John 11:14-15 (ESV): "Then Jesus told them plainly, 'Lazarus has died, and for your sake I am glad that I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.'"
Reflection: In what area of your life are you struggling to trust God's timing? How can you actively choose to trust Him today, even when the outcome is uncertain?
Day 2: Living for God's Glory
Our lives are not about our comfort or understanding but about glorifying God. The story of Lazarus invites us to shift our focus from self-centeredness to a God-centered life. Even in moments of pain and confusion, we are called to reveal God's glory. This perspective challenges us to see every circumstance as an opportunity to glorify Him, aligning our lives with His purpose. [07:36]
2 Corinthians 4:17-18 (ESV): "For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal."
Reflection: How can you shift your focus from seeking comfort to seeking God's glory in your current situation? What practical steps can you take to live a more God-centered life today?
Day 3: Empathy Aligned with God's Will
True empathy aligns with God's will and purpose, rather than our immediate emotional responses. Jesus' actions in the story of Lazarus show that empathy should lead to God's glorification, not just immediate comfort. This challenges us to redefine our understanding of empathy, ensuring it is rooted in God's purpose and not merely in our emotional reactions. [27:16]
Philippians 1:9-11 (ESV): "And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God."
Reflection: Think of a situation where you need to show empathy. How can you ensure that your empathy aligns with God's will and leads to His glorification?
Day 4: Misfortune as a Faith Opportunity
Misfortunes are not failures or signs of weak faith but opportunities for God to demonstrate His power and for us to grow in faith. Jesus uses Lazarus' death as a teaching moment, revealing a transformed way of thinking. This perspective encourages us to view challenges as opportunities for spiritual growth and deeper reliance on God. [28:10]
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: What current misfortune or challenge can you view as an opportunity for God to demonstrate His power? How can you grow in faith through this situation?
Day 5: Resurrection and Transformation
The story of Lazarus foreshadows Jesus' own death and resurrection, illustrating the ultimate glorification of God through suffering and triumph. As believers, we are called to live transformed lives, glorifying God in every circumstance. This narrative invites us to embrace the transformative power of the resurrection, allowing it to shape our lives and purpose. [34:49]
Romans 6:4 (ESV): "We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life."
Reflection: How can the resurrection of Jesus inspire you to live a transformed life today? What specific changes can you make to ensure your life glorifies God in every circumstance?
Quotes
The peculiarities in this chapter, such as Jesus' declaration that Lazarus' sickness will not end in death, despite Lazarus dying, highlight a divine perspective that transcends human understanding. Jesus uses these moments to teach us that life is not about our immediate comfort or understanding but about glorifying God. [00:11:39]
Our lives, even in moments of pain and confusion, are opportunities to reveal God's glory. This narrative invites us to shift our focus from self-centeredness to a God-centered life, where our primary purpose is to glorify Him in all circumstances. [00:18:08]
Jesus' actions show that true empathy aligns with God's will and purpose, rather than our immediate emotional responses. Misfortunes, like Lazarus' death, are not failures or signs of weak faith but opportunities for God to demonstrate His power and for us to grow in faith. [00:27:30]
Ultimately, the story of Lazarus is a foreshadowing of Jesus' own death and resurrection, illustrating the ultimate glorification of God through suffering and triumph. As believers, we are called to live transformed lives, where every circumstance is an opportunity to glorify God, just as Jesus demonstrated through His life and actions. [00:34:49]
Jesus' delay in visiting Lazarus teaches us that God's timing is perfect, even when it seems delayed. Our impatience often stems from a self-centered perspective, but God's actions are always aligned with His greater purpose and glory. [00:04:06]
Our lives are not about our comfort or understanding but about glorifying God. Even in pain and confusion, we are called to reveal God's glory, shifting our focus from self-centeredness to a God-centered life. [00:07:36]
True empathy aligns with God's will and purpose, rather than our immediate emotional responses. Jesus' actions show that empathy should lead to God's glorification, not just immediate comfort. [00:27:16]
Misfortunes are not failures or signs of weak faith but opportunities for God to demonstrate His power and for us to grow in faith. Jesus uses Lazarus' death as a teaching moment, revealing a transformed way of thinking. [00:28:10]
The story of Lazarus foreshadows Jesus' own death and resurrection, illustrating the ultimate glorification of God through suffering and triumph. As believers, we are called to live transformed lives, glorifying God in every circumstance. [00:34:49]
Jesus' delay in responding to Lazarus' illness is perplexing, yet it serves a divine purpose. In our fast-paced world, we often expect immediate responses, especially from those we love. However, Jesus' actions remind us that God's timing is perfect, even when it seems delayed. [00:04:06]
The peculiarities in this chapter, such as Jesus' declaration that Lazarus' sickness will not end in death, despite Lazarus dying, highlight a divine perspective that transcends human understanding. Jesus uses these moments to teach us that life is not about our immediate comfort or understanding but about glorifying God. [00:11:39]
Our lives, even in moments of pain and confusion, are opportunities to reveal God's glory. This narrative invites us to shift our focus from self-centeredness to a God-centered life, where our primary purpose is to glorify Him in all circumstances. [00:18:08]
Chatbot
-
I'm an AI bot trained only on this specific sermon. Do you have any questions about it?