Jesus: The Resurrection and Life Beyond Death
Summary
In today's sermon, we delved into the profound truths of the Gospel of John, particularly the story of Lazarus, to understand the power of Jesus Christ over death and the implications of this power for our lives. We explored the narrative of Lazarus, who Jesus loved dearly, along with his sisters Mary and Martha. Despite the urgency of Lazarus's illness, Jesus chose to wait before visiting him, a decision that perplexed his disciples. This delay was not out of neglect but was purposed to reveal the glory of God and to strengthen the faith of those who witnessed the miracle that was to come.
Jesus's approach to Lazarus's death was markedly different from other instances where He raised the dead. His deep emotional response, weeping alongside Mary and Martha, demonstrated His compassion and humanity. Yet, He also displayed His divine authority by raising Lazarus from the dead, a feat that transcended the expectations of all present. This act was not merely a reversal of physical death but a declaration of Jesus's identity as the resurrection and the life, affirming that belief in Him renders death powerless.
The raising of Lazarus serves as a pivotal moment in the Gospel of John, a sign that points to Jesus's ultimate victory over death through His own resurrection. It challenges us to shift our perspective from seeing Jesus as a moral teacher to recognizing Him as our Savior, the one who conquers sin, death, and the grave. This understanding calls us to live without fear of death, to grieve with hope, and to embrace the fullness of life in Christ.
As we reflect on the implications of this story for our own lives, we are reminded that our belief in Jesus is not just an intellectual assent but a transformative trust that liberates us from the fear of death. We are encouraged to live boldly, with the assurance that death has lost its sting, and to proclaim the truth of the resurrection in all that we do.
Key Takeaways:
1) Jesus's deliberate delay in visiting Lazarus was not a sign of indifference but a strategic choice to manifest God's glory and to fortify the faith of His followers. Through this, we learn that God's timing is perfect, and His ways, though sometimes mysterious, are always for our ultimate good and His glory. [49:33]
2) The emotional depth Jesus displayed by weeping for Lazarus reveals that our Savior is deeply moved by our sorrows. He is not a distant deity but a compassionate friend who weeps with us in our grief, yet He also has the power to transform our mourning into joy. [01:09:55]
3) Martha's confession of faith in Jesus as the Christ, the Son of God, is a testament to the transformative power of witnessing Jesus's works. Our own faith is strengthened not only by what we hear but also by what we experience of God's work in our lives. [57:46]
4) The resurrection of Lazarus is a foretaste of the ultimate resurrection that awaits all who believe in Jesus. It serves as a reminder that our hope is not in this life alone but in the eternal life that Jesus promises to those who trust in Him. [01:15:02]
5) The story of Lazarus challenges us to reevaluate our understanding of Jesus. He is not merely a moral guide but the source of our spiritual rebirth. Our salvation is not a result of our efforts but is a gift of grace through faith in Jesus's death and resurrection. [01:19:04]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. John 11:1-44 (ESV)
2. Daniel 12:1-2 (ESV)
3. Romans 6:9-10 (ESV)
#### Observation Questions
1. What was Jesus's initial reaction when He heard about Lazarus's illness, and how did His disciples respond to His decision to wait? ([51:34])
2. How did Jesus demonstrate His compassion and humanity in the story of Lazarus? ([01:00:21])
3. What was Martha's confession of faith when Jesus told her that He is the resurrection and the life? ([57:46])
4. How did the crowd react when Jesus wept, and what did they question about His power? ([01:04:41])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why did Jesus choose to delay His visit to Lazarus despite knowing the urgency of the situation? How does this reflect on God's timing in our lives? ([51:34])
2. What does Jesus's statement "I am the resurrection and the life" reveal about His identity and mission? How does this statement challenge our understanding of who Jesus is? ([57:46])
3. How does the story of Lazarus illustrate the power of Jesus over death and the implications for believers? ([01:09:55])
4. In what ways does Jesus's emotional response to Lazarus's death deepen our understanding of His character and relationship with humanity? ([01:00:21])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt that God was delaying an answer to your prayers. How did you respond, and how can you trust in God's perfect timing in the future? ([51:34])
2. How can you cultivate a deeper trust in Jesus's power over death and live without fear of death? What practical steps can you take to embrace this truth in your daily life? ([01:09:55])
3. Jesus wept with Mary and Martha, showing His compassion. How can you be more present and compassionate to those who are grieving around you? ([01:00:21])
4. Martha's confession of faith was strengthened by witnessing Jesus's works. How has your faith been strengthened by your experiences of God's work in your life? Share a specific example. ([57:46])
5. The resurrection of Lazarus is a foretaste of the ultimate resurrection. How does this hope of eternal life influence your daily decisions and interactions with others? ([01:15:02])
6. The story of Lazarus challenges us to see Jesus not just as a moral guide but as the source of our spiritual rebirth. How can you shift your perspective to see Jesus as your Savior in your daily walk? ([01:19:04])
7. Identify one area in your life where you need to let go of fear and trust in Jesus's power. What specific action can you take this week to demonstrate your trust in Him? ([01:09:55])
Devotional
Day 1: Trusting God's Perfect Timing
In the unfolding of our lives, we often encounter situations that seem to demand immediate action or resolution. Yet, the story of Lazarus teaches us that divine timing supersedes our own understanding of urgency. Jesus's decision to wait before visiting Lazarus was not due to indifference but was a strategic choice to manifest God's glory. This intentional delay allowed for a greater work to be revealed, one that would fortify the faith of His followers. It's a profound reminder that God's timing is perfect, and His plans are orchestrated for our ultimate good and His glory. In moments of waiting, we are invited to trust in His wisdom and to rest in the assurance that He is at work, even when it's not apparent to us [07:40].
"Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!" - Psalm 27:14
Reflection: Recall a time when you had to wait for God's timing. How did the outcome reflect His wisdom and glory?
Day 2: Embracing Jesus's Compassion
The depth of Jesus's compassion is vividly displayed in His response to Lazarus's death. He wept with Mary and Martha, sharing in their grief and demonstrating that He is not a distant deity but a compassionate friend. This emotional response reveals a Savior who is deeply moved by our sorrows and who enters into the fullness of human experience. Yet, in the midst of sorrow, He also brings the hope of transformation, turning mourning into joy with His divine authority. As believers, we are called to remember that our Savior empathizes with our weaknesses and is present in our darkest hours, offering comfort and hope [01:09:55].
"As a father shows compassion to his children, so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him." - Psalm 103:13
Reflection: How can you draw comfort from Jesus's compassion in your current struggles, and how might you extend that same compassion to others?
Day 3: Witnessing Faith's Transformation
Martha's confession of faith in Jesus as the Christ, the Son of God, is a powerful testament to the transformative effect of witnessing Jesus's works. Her declaration is a result of both hearing His words and experiencing His miraculous power. This encounter with the divine not only strengthens our faith but also reshapes our understanding of who Jesus is and what He is capable of. As we experience God's work in our lives, our faith grows deeper and more resilient, enabling us to stand firm in the face of life's challenges and uncertainties [57:46].
"For we walk by faith, not by sight." - 2 Corinthians 5:7
Reflection: How has witnessing God's work in your life or the lives of others transformed your faith, and how can you share this transformation with someone today?
Day 4: Anchoring Hope in Resurrection
The resurrection of Lazarus is a profound foretaste of the ultimate resurrection that awaits all who believe in Jesus. It serves as a powerful reminder that our hope extends beyond this life and into eternity. This hope is not based on wishful thinking but on the solid promise of Jesus, who is the resurrection and the life. As we navigate the trials of this world, we are encouraged to anchor our hope in the eternal life that Jesus has secured for us through His death and resurrection. This hope is a source of strength and courage, enabling us to live with purpose and anticipation of the life to come [01:15:02].
"But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope." - 1 Thessalonians 4:13
Reflection: In what ways can you live out the hope of the resurrection in your daily life, and how can it change your perspective on current struggles?
Day 5: Rethinking Our Understanding of Jesus
The story of Lazarus challenges us to reevaluate our understanding of Jesus. He is not merely a moral guide but the source of our spiritual rebirth. Our salvation is not a result of our efforts but is a gift of grace through faith in Jesus's death and resurrection. This realization calls us to a deeper relationship with Him, one that is rooted in trust and surrender. As we embrace Jesus as our Savior, we find freedom from the fear of death and the power to live a life that reflects His grace and truth [01:19:04].
"And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent." - John 17:3
Reflection: How does understanding Jesus as the source of your spiritual rebirth influence the way you approach your relationship with Him and others?
Quotes
1) "Believing in Jesus means that death no longer has power and I want to dive in and... see if we can be edified by this together." [48:41](Download | )
2) "Jesus says no we are going, we don't need to be fearful of death and it tips his hand of this bigger broader theme that believing in Jesus means death no longer has power." [52:53](Download | )
3) "Jesus is being very explicit in saying that is me I am the Son of God I am the Messiah and I think that there is something deeper within this meaning this is more than just the power over physical life and death." [01:11:57](Download | )
4) "Jesus is not just some good example he is not just some moral teacher he is the one who saves us from sin and death and hell and has the power to restore Our Lives." [01:19:50](Download | )
5) "Martha is all in on Jesus they are close they have a wonderful loving relationship where Martha recognizes he is special he is the chosen Messiah and she recognizes that." [55:43](Download | )
6) "Jesus has another one of these I am statements that we've been talking about in the same way he said I am the bread of life and I am the light of the world he says I am the resurrection and the life." [57:46](Download | )
7) "Jesus himself weeps and he does so in such a way that everybody goes man they must have been close see how much this guy loved this family." [01:00:21](Download | )
8) "The story opens where Jesus is off near the place where he was baptized... and he goes from that Bethany to this Bethany... and we're shown over and over again in the way that Jesus prays in the way that he greets people in the way that they go and send word to him that these are close friends he has a deep love for them." [48:41](Download | )
9) "Jesus stayed two days longer in the place where he was then after this he said to his disciples let us go to Judea again... Jesus answered are there not 12 hours in the day if anyone walks in the day he does not stumble because he sees the light of the world." [41:57](Download | )
10) "Jesus deeply moved again came to the tomb... and Jesus said take away the stone... Jesus said to her did I not tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God." [45:04](Download | )
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