Resurrection Power: Hope Amidst Suffering and Delay

Summary

In John 11:25-26, Jesus declares, “I am the resurrection and the life.” This is not a philosophical or abstract statement, but a concrete reality. Jesus is not simply pointing to a future event; He is the very source of resurrection itself. The story of Lazarus, whose name means “God has helped me,” unfolds in Bethany, the “house of misery.” Even though Lazarus is sick and surrounded by suffering, his name is a reminder that God’s help is present even in the midst of misery. God’s power is not limited by our circumstances; He can help us right where we are, even when our surroundings seem unchanged.

The narrative of Lazarus teaches that dedication to God does not exempt us from trouble. Mary, Martha, and Lazarus were devoted followers, yet they still faced illness, disappointment, and delay. Jesus’ love for them is clear, but so is His purpose: “This illness does not lead to death. It is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.” Sometimes, our suffering is not a sign of God’s absence or anger, but an opportunity for His glory to be revealed through our endurance and faith.

Delays in God’s response are not denials. Like a plane in a holding pattern, sometimes we must wait for God’s timing, trusting that He sees the bigger picture. Disappointment with God is a reality for mature believers; there are moments when God does not act as we expect. Yet, these moments are invitations to deeper faith, reminding us that we do not change Christ—He changes us. Our waiting and disappointment reveal the limits of our understanding and the depth of His sovereignty.

Ultimately, the story of Lazarus is about resurrection power. Even in situations that seem dead—relationships, dreams, hope—God can call forth new life. Those who do not count Christ cannot truly count; He is the measure and meaning of all things. The miracle of Lazarus, raised after four days, is a testimony that no situation is beyond Christ’s reach. He specializes in “curtain calls,” bringing life where others have counted only loss.

Key Takeaways

- God’s help is present even in misery. The story of Lazarus, whose name means “God has helped me,” set in Bethany—the “house of misery”—reminds us that God’s assistance is not dependent on our circumstances changing. He can sustain and help us right in the midst of our suffering, showing that His power is not thwarted by our environment or condition. Our pain does not negate His presence. [16:14]

- Dedication to God does not guarantee exemption from trouble. Mary, Martha, and Lazarus were deeply devoted, yet they still faced illness and loss. Faithfulness does not shield us from hardship; rather, it positions us to witness God’s glory in the midst of adversity. Sometimes, God chooses to display His power most vividly in the lives of those who are most committed to Him. [20:07]

- Delays in God’s response are not denials of His promise. Like a plane in a holding pattern, waiting on God can feel endless and confusing, but it is often for our benefit and His greater purpose. Trusting God’s timing requires humility and patience, recognizing that He sees what we cannot. The runway must be clear for a safe landing; so too, God prepares the way for His answers. [27:01]

- Disappointment with God is part of mature faith. There will be seasons when God does not act as we expect, and our prayers seem unanswered. These moments are not signs of God’s failure, but invitations to deeper trust and surrender. Our disappointment reveals our limited understanding and calls us to remember that Christ is not changed by our expectations—He changes us. [29:40]

- Resurrection is not just a future hope, but a present reality in Christ. Jesus is the resurrection and the life, able to call forth life from even the most hopeless situations. No matter how dead a circumstance may seem—be it a relationship, a dream, or our own spirit—Christ’s power can bring newness and restoration. Those who do not count Christ cannot truly count, for He is the source and sustainer of all life. [33:35]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[03:48] - Scripture Reading: John 11:25-26
[06:06] - Introduction: Curtain Calls
[07:37] - The “I Am” Statements of Jesus
[08:27] - The Importance of Context
[13:59] - The Story of Lazarus Begins
[14:57] - The Meaning of Names: Lazarus and Bethany
[16:14] - God’s Help in the House of Misery
[19:43] - Dedication Does Not Exempt from Trouble
[21:29] - Suffering for God’s Glory
[24:30] - God’s Curtain Calls for the Diseased
[26:27] - Delayed is Not Denied
[28:18] - Disappointment with God
[32:03] - God’s Curtain Calls for the Deceased
[33:35] - The Centrality of Christ
[34:47] - Jesus Wept: The Compassion of Christ
[36:13] - The Uniqueness of Lazarus’ Miracle
[39:31] - Christ Specializes in Curtain Calls
[40:16] - The Power of Christ’s Call

Study Guide

Small Group Bible Study Guide: “Curtain Calls” (John 11:25-26 and the Story of Lazarus)

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### Bible Reading

- John 11:1-44 (Focus: John 11:25-26)
“Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?’”

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### Observation Questions

1. In John 11:25-26, what does Jesus claim about Himself, and how does this differ from simply promising a future resurrection?
2. According to the sermon, what is the significance of Lazarus’ name and the town of Bethany? How do these details add meaning to the story? [[14:57]]
3. What do Mary, Martha, and Lazarus’ experiences tell us about the relationship between dedication to God and facing trouble? [[20:07]]
4. How does Jesus respond to the news of Lazarus’ illness, and what reason does He give for the situation? [[21:29]]

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### Interpretation Questions

1. The sermon says, “God’s help is present even in misery.” How does the meaning of Lazarus’ name (“God has helped me”) and his situation in Bethany (“house of misery”) challenge the idea that God’s help always means a change in our circumstances? [[16:14]]
2. Why might God allow devoted followers like Mary, Martha, and Lazarus to experience suffering and delay? What does Jesus say is the purpose of Lazarus’ illness? [[21:29]]
3. The pastor compared waiting on God to a plane in a holding pattern. What does this analogy teach about God’s timing and our expectations? [[27:01]]
4. The sermon says disappointment with God is part of mature faith. How can seasons of disappointment actually deepen our relationship with Christ? [[29:40]]

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### Application Questions

1. The story of Lazarus shows that God’s help can come even when our situation doesn’t change. Is there an area in your life right now where you feel stuck in a “house of misery”? How might you look for God’s help in the middle of it, rather than waiting for your circumstances to change? [[16:14]]
2. Mary, Martha, and Lazarus were dedicated to Jesus, yet they still faced pain and loss. Have you ever felt disappointed that your faithfulness didn’t protect you from hardship? How did you respond, and what did you learn from that experience? [[20:07]]
3. The sermon says, “Delays in God’s response are not denials.” Can you think of a time when you felt God was delaying an answer to your prayers? Looking back, do you see any ways that delay was for your benefit or God’s glory? [[27:01]]
4. The pastor said, “Disappointment with God is part of mature faith.” Are you currently disappointed with God about something? How can you bring that honestly to Him, and what would it look like to trust Him in the waiting? [[29:40]]
5. Jesus says, “I am the resurrection and the life.” Is there a part of your life—maybe a relationship, a dream, or your own hope—that feels “dead” right now? What would it look like to invite Jesus to bring new life to that area? [[33:35]]
6. The sermon repeated, “Those who do not count Christ cannot count.” In what ways are you tempted to “count” other things (success, approval, comfort) as more important than Christ? How can you re-center your life on Him this week? [[33:35]]
7. The story ends with Jesus calling Lazarus by name out of the grave. Is there something you sense God is calling you out of—maybe a habit, a mindset, or a place of discouragement? What step could you take this week to respond to His call? [[40:16]]

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Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Invite group members to pray for one another, especially for those who feel stuck, disappointed, or in need of resurrection hope. Ask Jesus to show Himself as “the resurrection and the life” in each person’s situation.

Devotional

Day 1: Christ is the Resurrection and the Life
Jesus is not merely promising a future event; He declares Himself to be the very source and embodiment of resurrection and life. This means that hope, restoration, and new beginnings are not just distant possibilities but are found in a living relationship with Him right now. No matter how final or hopeless a situation may seem, Jesus stands as the One who brings life out of death and hope out of despair. He is not offering a philosophy or an abstract idea—He is offering Himself as the answer to every form of death we encounter. [04:40]

John 11:25-26 (ESV)
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?”

Reflection: Where in your life do you need to trust Jesus as the source of resurrection and new life today, rather than waiting for a distant hope?


Day 2: God Helps Us Even in the House of Misery
Lazarus’ very name means “God has helped,” yet he lived in Bethany, the “house of misery,” and was gravely ill. This shows that God’s help is not limited by our circumstances; He can and does help us right in the midst of our pain, sickness, or misery. Being loved by God and being devoted to Him does not exempt us from hardship, but it does mean that His presence and help are real even when our surroundings seem unchanged. God’s power is not thwarted by our suffering—He is able to sustain, comfort, and help us right where we are. [16:14]

John 11:1-3 (ESV)
Now a certain man was ill, Lazarus of Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. It was Mary who anointed the Lord with ointment and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was ill. So the sisters sent to him, saying, “Lord, he whom you love is ill.”

Reflection: In what area of your life do you feel stuck in a “house of misery,” and how can you look for God’s help right where you are today?


Day 3: Delays Are Not Denials
Sometimes God’s timing does not match our expectations, and we may feel as though our prayers are unanswered or our hopes are deferred. Yet, just as Jesus delayed coming to Lazarus, God’s delays are not denials—they are purposeful and often for our ultimate good and His glory. Waiting can be difficult, but it is often in the waiting that God prepares us, clears the runway, and sets the stage for something greater than we imagined. Trusting God in the delay is an act of faith that acknowledges His wisdom and sovereignty over our lives. [27:39]

John 11:6 (ESV)
So, when he heard that Lazarus was ill, he stayed two days longer in the place where he was.

Reflection: What is one area where you are experiencing delay, and how can you choose to trust God’s timing instead of giving in to frustration or despair?


Day 4: Disappointment with God Is Part of the Journey
Even those closest to Jesus—like Mary and Martha—experienced deep disappointment when He did not act as they hoped. Disappointment with God is not a sign of weak faith but an invitation to deeper trust and understanding. When God does not meet our expectations, it reveals our limited grasp of who He truly is and calls us to keep the faith even when we do not understand. Rather than turning away, we are invited to bring our honest questions and hurts to Him, knowing that He is still working for our good and His glory. [30:58]

Psalm 34:18 (ESV)
The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.

Reflection: When have you felt disappointed with God, and how can you bring that disappointment to Him honestly while still choosing to trust Him?


Day 5: God Specializes in Resurrection—Even in Dead Situations
No situation is too far gone for God’s resurrection power. Whether it is a dead relationship, a dead dream, or a sense of spiritual lifelessness, God can call forth life where there seems to be only death. Just as Jesus called Lazarus by name from the grave, He knows your name and your situation, and He is able to bring about a curtain call—a new beginning—when others have counted you out. Those who do not count Christ cannot count, for He alone is the source of true life and hope. [32:31]

Ezekiel 37:4-6 (ESV)
Then he said to me, “Prophesy over these bones, and say to them, O dry bones, hear the word of the Lord. Thus says the Lord God to these bones: Behold, I will cause breath to enter you, and you shall live. And I will lay sinews upon you, and will cause flesh to come upon you, and cover you with skin, and put breath in you, and you shall live, and you shall know that I am the Lord.”

Reflection: What “dead” area of your life do you need to invite God’s resurrection power into today, believing that He can bring new life where others see only loss?

Quotes