Removing Barriers: Partnering in God's Resurrection Work

Devotional

Day 1: The Power of Christ Calls Us from Death to Life

Jesus alone has the power to call those who are spiritually dead into new life. No one can awaken themselves or others from spiritual death; it is Christ’s voice that calls each person by name, inviting them out of darkness and into His marvelous light. This truth reminds us that salvation is not something we can manufacture or control, but a miracle of grace that only God can accomplish. As we recognize our own need for His call, we are also reminded to pray for those who are still waiting to hear His voice, trusting that He knows each one and desires to bring them to life. [38:49]

John 11:38-44 (ESV)
Then Jesus, deeply moved again, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone lay against it. Jesus said, “Take away the stone.” Martha, the sister of the dead man, said to him, “Lord, by this time there will be an odor, for he has been dead four days.” Jesus said to her, “Did I not tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God?” So they took away the stone. And Jesus lifted up his eyes and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this on account of the people standing around, that they may believe that you sent me.” When he had said these things, he cried out with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out.” The man who had died came out, his hands and feet bound with linen strips, and his face wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Unbind him, and let him go.”

Reflection: Who in your life do you sense is “dead in their sins,” and how can you begin to pray specifically for Christ to call them by name into new life?

Day 2: Removing Obstacles So Others Can Respond to Christ

God calls the faith community to actively remove obstacles that prevent people from responding to Jesus’ invitation. While only Christ can give life, He invites us to participate by clearing away the stones—barriers of our own making or those present in our church culture—that might keep someone from hearing and responding to His call. This could mean examining our attitudes, traditions, or even the way we speak and interact with newcomers, ensuring that nothing we do becomes a stumbling block. We may not be able to remove every obstacle, but we are responsible for those within our reach, making the path to Christ as clear as possible. [41:35]

Romans 14:13 (ESV)
Therefore let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother.

Reflection: What is one specific obstacle—whether in your words, actions, or church environment—that you can remove this week to help someone draw closer to Jesus?

Day 3: Welcoming Without Judgment or Expectation

Those who come to Christ often carry the “stink” of their past, and it is not our place to judge or expect immediate transformation. Instead, we are called to welcome them as they are, recognizing that spiritual growth is a process and that people may arrive with deep wounds, habits, or struggles. Our role is not to hold them to standards they do not yet understand, but to offer grace, patience, and genuine hospitality, remembering that we too were once lost and in need of mercy. [49:54]

Luke 15:1-2 (ESV)
Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear him. And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, “This man receives sinners and eats with them.”

Reflection: Is there someone in your church or community whom you have been tempted to judge or avoid because of their past or present struggles? How can you intentionally show them Christ’s welcome this week?

Day 4: Unbinding and Walking with the Newly Freed

When someone responds to Christ, the faith community is called to help “unbind” them from the remnants of their old life. This means coming close, even when it’s uncomfortable, to help them untangle from past hurts, addictions, or patterns that still cling to them. It is a messy, sometimes painful process, but it is also one of the most fulfilling acts of love and discipleship. Rather than leaving new believers to struggle alone, we are to walk with them, offering support, understanding, and practical help as they learn to live in freedom. [55:55]

Galatians 6:2 (ESV)
Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

Reflection: Who is someone in your life or church who needs help “unbinding” from their past? What is one tangible way you can come alongside them this week, even if it feels uncomfortable?

Day 5: Living and Giving the Freedom Christ Provides

We are set free by Christ not only for our own sake, but so that we can help others experience that same freedom. Our calling is to live in the fullness of the freedom Christ has given us and to actively share it—removing obstacles, welcoming the broken, and walking with those who are learning to live in the light. As we do, we become partners with God in His work of transformation, offering hope and new life to those still in darkness. [01:01:19]

Galatians 5:1 (ESV)
For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.

Reflection: In what area of your life are you not fully living in the freedom Christ has given you, and how can you use your freedom this week to help set someone else free?

Sermon Summary

In the story of Lazarus, we see a powerful picture of how God works through both divine power and human participation. Jesus arrives at the tomb of his friend, deeply moved by the pain and confusion of Mary and Martha. Even as they question his timing and express their grief, Jesus is not deterred by their emotions—he meets them in their pain and moves forward with compassion and purpose. The miracle that follows is not just about Lazarus being raised from the dead, but about the role the faith community plays in God’s work of resurrection and restoration.

Jesus commands those gathered to “take away the stone,” inviting them to remove the barrier that stands between death and life. This is a call for us as well: to recognize the obstacles—whether they are attitudes, traditions, or personal biases—that keep others from encountering Christ. We are not called to do the impossible, but to do what is within our power: to make the way clear for others to hear the voice of Jesus calling them out of darkness.

Yet, the work does not end when someone responds to Christ. Lazarus emerges from the tomb still bound in grave clothes, and Jesus instructs the community to “unbind him and let him go.” This is a vivid reminder that new believers often carry the residue of their past, the “stink” and the wounds of a life lived apart from God. Our calling is to come close, even when it is uncomfortable, and help them find freedom—patiently, compassionately, and without judgment. This work is messy, sometimes slow, and always deeply personal. It requires us to see people not as projects, but as beloved children of God, worthy of our time and care.

We are reminded that while only Christ can call the dead to life, he chooses to involve us in the process. Our task is to remove what we can, to welcome without reservation, and to walk alongside those who are finding their way into the light. In doing so, we participate in the ongoing miracle of resurrection, both in others and in ourselves.

Key Takeaways

1. God invites us to partner with Him by removing obstacles that keep others from experiencing His call. This means being attentive to the ways our words, actions, or church culture might unintentionally block someone’s path to Christ. We are called to be proactive in making the way clear, even when we don’t know what God will do next. [38:49]
2. The faith community’s role is not just to witness miracles, but to participate in them by creating space for God’s work. When Jesus asks us to “take away the stone,” He is entrusting us with the responsibility to prepare the way for others to encounter Him. This requires humility, discernment, and a willingness to let go of our own preferences for the sake of others’ spiritual freedom. [36:40]
3. Welcoming others means more than friendly greetings; it means removing relational and cultural barriers that keep people at a distance. Our opinions, traditions, and even our seating preferences can become stumbling blocks if we are not careful. True hospitality is measured by our willingness to make room for those who are different, and to rejoice when someone new finds their place among us. [44:40]
4. Helping others find freedom in Christ is often messy and uncomfortable. New believers may bring with them the pain, habits, and “stench” of their past, and it is our calling to come close and help them untangle what binds them. This work requires patience, vulnerability, and a refusal to let fear or discomfort keep us from loving as Christ loves. [49:54]
5. Our freedom in Christ is not just for ourselves, but is meant to be shared. As we have been set free, we are empowered to help others experience that same freedom. This means being attentive to the Spirit’s leading, responding to God’s call to serve, and being willing to step into the hard places with others, trusting that God is at work in ways we may not fully understand. [61:19]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[14:05] - Opening Prayer for Healing and Purpose
[15:33] - Submitting Our Plans to God
[16:37] - Worship Through Giving
[30:42] - Reading John 11:38-44
[31:43] - Jesus’ Prayer and Lazarus’ Resurrection
[32:34] - The Pain of Waiting and God’s Timing
[34:55] - The Faith Community’s Role in the Miracle
[35:35] - Why Details Matter in Scripture
[36:40] - Removing the Stone: Our Responsibility
[38:49] - Identifying and Removing Obstacles
[41:35] - Welcoming Without Barriers
[44:40] - The Cost of True Hospitality
[46:42] - Unbinding the Newly Alive
[49:54] - The Messiness of Ministry
[54:17] - Bringing Light Into Darkness
[55:55] - Testimony: Tony’s Story of Freedom
[61:19] - Called to Remove Obstacles and Unbind
[67:23] - Closing Prayer and Invitation
[68:13] - Benediction

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

John 11:38-44 (ESV) —
> Then Jesus, deeply moved again, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone lay against it. Jesus said, “Take away the stone.” Martha, the sister of the dead man, said to him, “Lord, by this time there will be an odor, for he has been dead four days.” Jesus said to her, “Did I not tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God?” So they took away the stone. And Jesus lifted up his eyes and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this on account of the people standing around, that they may believe that you sent me.” When he had said these things, he cried out with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out.” The man who had died came out, his hands and feet bound with linen strips, and his face wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Unbind him, and let him go.”

Observation Questions

What specific instructions did Jesus give to the people gathered at Lazarus’ tomb, and what did they do in response? (John 11:39, 44)
According to the sermon, what was the significance of Jesus asking the community to “take away the stone” instead of doing it himself? [38:49]
What condition was Lazarus in when he came out of the tomb, and what did Jesus tell the community to do for him? (John 11:44)
In the sermon, what examples were given of obstacles that might keep people from coming to Christ or feeling welcome in church? [41:35]

Interpretation Questions

Why might Jesus have chosen to involve the community in both removing the stone and unbinding Lazarus, rather than doing everything himself? What does this say about God’s desire for partnership with us? [38:49]
The sermon mentions that new believers often “carry the residue of their past.” Why is it important for the faith community to help “unbind” them, and what might happen if we don’t? [49:54]
How can attitudes, traditions, or personal preferences become “stones” that block others from encountering Jesus? Can you think of times when church culture has unintentionally created barriers? [44:40]
The pastor said, “We are not called to do the impossible, but to do what is within our power.” What are some practical things the church can do to make the way clear for others to hear Jesus’ call? [38:49]

Application Questions

Think about your own church experience. Are there any “stones” (attitudes, traditions, or habits) that might make it hard for new people to feel welcome or to hear God’s call? What is one specific thing you could do to help remove those obstacles? [41:35]
The sermon described how helping new believers find freedom can be “messy and uncomfortable.” Have you ever hesitated to get involved in someone’s life because of their “baggage” or past? What would it look like for you to come close and help “unbind” someone, even if it’s hard? [49:54]
The story of Tony was shared as an example of someone who needed time and support to find freedom. Is there someone in your life or church who needs patient, non-judgmental support right now? How could you show up for them this week? [55:55]
The pastor mentioned that sometimes our opinions or preferences (like where we sit or how we talk about politics) can become barriers. Is there a personal preference or opinion you need to hold more loosely for the sake of someone else’s spiritual journey? [44:40]
Jesus called Lazarus out of the tomb, but the community had to help him get free from his grave clothes. Who has helped you “unbind” from your past, and how can you do the same for someone else? [47:30]
The sermon said, “Our freedom in Christ is not just for ourselves, but is meant to be shared.” What is one way you can use your own story of freedom to encourage or help someone else this month? [01:01:19]
When was the last time you noticed someone on the margins or someone who seemed “different” at church? What could you do to make them feel seen, welcomed, and included? [44:40]

Sermon Clips

And when I look at this story, I know where Lazarus is, right? He's in the tomb. I know where Jesus is. He's standing out calling to Lazarus. He didn't go in to him. He called him out. Where are you? Where am I? Where are we in this story of Lazarus in the tomb? And I am reminded that if I look at this story, I can see all of us there. Picture this. There is someone that is dead. They are dead in their sins. They are lost. They are cut off from God. Have you ever known anybody like that? Ever been someone like that? What do they need? They need the power of Christ to call them out. [00:37:13] (51 seconds) #CalledOutOfDarkness

To remove the obstacles from someone's way so that they can respond to the call of God. And I believe this is one of the calls that God has given his church, which would be us gathered here today. To remove the obstacles from people's way so that they can respond to the way that God is calling them out of darkness and into the marvelous light. [00:40:04] (25 seconds) #RecognizeHiddenBarriers

But there's more to it, you know. People have to be discipled and trained in the Word of God, right? Yeah. But Jesus only tells the faith community two things to do that are recorded here. And we might want to pay attention to those two things. One of them was take away the stone. Did you see what else Jesus told the faith community to do? He told them to take away the stone. Now the person is able to respond. So he makes sure we all know that this is coming from God. Then he calls the man out and the man comes out. And then he gives us further instructions. Once someone has come to life in Christ, we have a job. He did not say, then they took Lazarus and enrolled him in an eight -week Bible study. Right? He did not say, then they took Lazarus to the side and put him in a new member class. No, he commanded them, unbind him, and let him go. [00:46:54] (67 seconds) #UnwrapWithLove

But when people come to Christ, that doesn't mean that they come fresh and healed. How many of you, when you accepted Christ into your life and you gave your life over to Christ, feel like you were perfected in that moment? No one? Good. I was going to say, if somebody raised their hand, I can always ask their spouse. No, we're not perfect, are we? We've still got a lot of problems and issues that God will continue healing throughout our lives. Things that bind us up. Things that hold us back. Things that hold us prisoner to our past. And he's calling the faith community to come in and unbind them. [00:48:02] (44 seconds) #MinistryIsMessyBeauty

Unbinding Lazarus meant that those in the faith community had to come and get right up close those of you who understand the processes that take place in the four days following death those bandages were probably not dry those bandages were certainly not clean not something you're going to reuse this kitchen bathroom contaminate whoever came and helped him with that was going to need clean afterwards Jesus is calling them to be the faith community and he's using this opportunity of Lazarus it's so amazing to me how God is so multifaceted when he came to heal Lazarus he was doing something in the moment for that family and for all those that was gathered around watching and for all believers of all time he was doing about ten different things showing us so much that's why you've heard this story so many times as you can hear a hundred times and still find more things that God is showing you in it [00:50:57] (78 seconds) #FreedomToGiveFreedom

It's the power of Christ that awakens them. We can remove all the obstacles in the world, and until Christ calls them, it's not going to help. It doesn't stop us from removing the obstacles. Notice in our text passage today, he said, roll away the stone. Had he done anything yet? Had he even explained to them what he was going to do? No. It was their job to do, regardless of what happens next. It was their job to remove that stone. What happens when you remove that stone in that dark place? A little light gets in there. [00:53:47] (42 seconds)

I believe as I read through this passage that God is calling us To be a church that helps remove every obstacle from someone's way, whatever it might be. To be attentive to the things that cause them to back up. To be attentive to the things that catch their attention and you see cause them to shy away or their eyes to glaze over. And to remove those obstacles out of their path. And then as they respond to the call of Christ to be ready to step into the ugliness. To be ready to step into the darkness and unbinded. Help them untangle from all of the lies and all of the attacks and all of the baggage that they've carried for a lifetime. That's why we're here. [01:01:04] (55 seconds)

``Paul says in Galatians chapter 5 verse 1 that it is for freedom that you have been set free. You were set free, but you were set free for freedom's sake. You were set free, one, to live in freedom and two, to give that freedom away to others. Because you have been set free, you have been empowered to give that freedom to others. [01:01:58] (25 seconds)

Ask a question about this sermon

Chatbot

What obstacles prevent people from responding to faith?

How does removing the stone symbolize spiritual openness?

What is the church's role after someone comes to Christ?