Trusting God's Timing: The Glory in Delays
Summary
In today's message, we explored the profound narrative of John 11, focusing on the story of Lazarus, Mary, and Martha. This story is a powerful illustration of the cost of experiencing God's glory, especially when it seems like God is late in responding to our cries for help. We began by reflecting on the life of James Harrison, known as the "man with the golden arm," whose blood donations saved millions of lives. This story parallels the sacrificial love of Jesus, whose blood offers salvation to all who receive it.
In John 11, we see Jesus intentionally delaying His visit to Lazarus, which initially seems harsh. However, this delay was not a denial but a divine setup to reveal God's glory. Jesus' timing, though not aligned with human expectations, was perfect. He used this moment to demonstrate His authority over life and death, showing that He is the resurrection and the life. This narrative challenges us to trust in God's timing and purposes, even when they don't align with our own.
Martha and Mary's grief and disappointment resonate with us, as we often question God's timing in our own lives. Yet, Jesus' response to their pain is deeply compassionate. He weeps with them, showing that He is not distant from our suffering but intimately involved. This story reminds us that our lives, with all their joys and sorrows, are opportunities for others to encounter God's glory.
The resurrection of Lazarus is a foreshadowing of Jesus' own resurrection, emphasizing that the path to glory often involves suffering and loss. Jesus calls us to rise from our spiritual death, shedding the grave clothes of sin and shame, and to live a life that reflects His glory. This transformation is not just for our benefit but for others to see and experience the love and power of God through us.
Key Takeaways:
- God's delays are not denials but opportunities to experience His glory. When Jesus delayed visiting Lazarus, it was to reveal His power over life and death, teaching us to trust in His perfect timing. [41:41]
- Jesus is the resurrection and the life, offering hope beyond our present circumstances. Our faith is not just in a future event but in a person who embodies life itself. [49:15]
- Our lives are not solely for ourselves but are meant to reflect God's glory to others. Like an apple tree that bears fruit for others, our experiences, both good and bad, can reveal God's beauty and power. [52:28]
- Jesus weeps with us in our pain, showing His deep compassion and empathy. He is not distant from our suffering but enters into it, offering Himself as our ultimate hope. [55:53]
- The resurrection of Lazarus is a call to shed our grave clothes and live in the freedom Jesus offers. We are invited to rise from spiritual death and embrace a life that glorifies God. [01:04:11]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:45] - Introduction to the Series
- [02:30] - Prayer for Wisdom
- [04:00] - The Story of James Harrison
- [07:15] - Jesus' Delayed Arrival
- [10:30] - The Cost of Experiencing Glory
- [13:45] - Jesus' Perfect Timing
- [17:00] - Martha and Mary's Grief
- [20:15] - Jesus as the Resurrection and Life
- [23:30] - Our Lives Reflecting God's Glory
- [26:45] - Jesus Weeps with Us
- [30:00] - The Call to Shed Grave Clothes
- [33:15] - Invitation to New Life
- [36:30] - Communion and Closing Prayer
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- John 11:1-44
Observation Questions:
1. What was Jesus' initial response when He heard about Lazarus' illness, and how did this response set the stage for the events that followed? [41:41]
2. How did Martha and Mary express their feelings to Jesus upon His arrival, and what does this reveal about their relationship with Him? [49:15]
3. What was the significance of Jesus weeping, and how did the people around Him interpret His tears? [55:53]
Interpretation Questions:
1. Why might Jesus have chosen to delay His visit to Lazarus, and what does this teach about His understanding of God's timing? [45:19]
2. How does Jesus' declaration, "I am the resurrection and the life," redefine the concept of resurrection for Martha and for us today? [49:15]
3. In what ways does the story of Lazarus challenge our understanding of suffering and God's glory? [52:28]
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt God was late in responding to your prayers. How did you handle that situation, and what might you do differently now in light of this sermon? [41:41]
2. Jesus wept with Mary and Martha in their grief. How can you be more present and compassionate to those around you who are suffering? [55:53]
3. Consider the "grave clothes" in your life—habits or mindsets that keep you from living fully in Christ. What steps can you take to shed these and embrace the freedom Jesus offers? [01:04:11]
4. How can you use your personal experiences, both joyful and painful, to reflect God's glory to others? [52:28]
5. Jesus' timing was perfect, even when it seemed delayed. How can you cultivate trust in God's timing in your current life circumstances? [45:19]
6. Identify a specific area in your life where you need to experience Jesus as the resurrection and the life. What practical steps can you take to invite His transformative power into that area? [49:15]
7. How can you ensure that your life, like an apple tree, bears fruit for others to enjoy and encounter God's beauty and power? [52:28]
Devotional
Day 1: Trusting in Divine Timing
God's delays are not denials but opportunities to experience His glory. When Jesus delayed visiting Lazarus, it was to reveal His power over life and death, teaching us to trust in His perfect timing. In our lives, we often face situations where it seems like God is not responding to our cries for help. However, these moments are not signs of His absence but rather opportunities for His glory to be revealed in ways we might not expect. Jesus' delay in visiting Lazarus was a divine setup to demonstrate His authority over life and death, challenging us to trust in His timing and purposes, even when they don't align with our own. [41:41]
"Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!" (Psalm 27:14, ESV)
Reflection: Think of a situation where you feel God is delaying. How can you trust His timing and look for His glory in this situation today?
Day 2: Hope Beyond Circumstances
Jesus is the resurrection and the life, offering hope beyond our present circumstances. Our faith is not just in a future event but in a person who embodies life itself. This truth invites us to shift our focus from our immediate challenges to the eternal hope found in Jesus. He is not only the source of life but also the sustainer of it, providing us with the strength and hope we need to navigate life's difficulties. By placing our trust in Him, we can find peace and assurance, knowing that He holds our future in His hands. [49:15]
"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope." (Jeremiah 29:11, ESV)
Reflection: What current challenge are you facing that needs the hope of Jesus? How can you invite Him into this situation today?
Day 3: Reflecting God's Glory
Our lives are not solely for ourselves but are meant to reflect God's glory to others. Like an apple tree that bears fruit for others, our experiences, both good and bad, can reveal God's beauty and power. This perspective encourages us to view our lives as opportunities to showcase God's love and grace to those around us. By living in a way that reflects His character, we can become beacons of hope and light in a world that desperately needs it. [52:28]
"In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven." (Matthew 5:16, ESV)
Reflection: How can your current circumstances be used to reflect God's glory to those around you today?
Day 4: Compassionate Presence
Jesus weeps with us in our pain, showing His deep compassion and empathy. He is not distant from our suffering but enters into it, offering Himself as our ultimate hope. This truth reminds us that we are never alone in our struggles, as Jesus is intimately involved in our lives. His tears for Lazarus demonstrate His profound love and care for us, inviting us to bring our burdens to Him and find comfort in His presence. [55:53]
"The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit." (Psalm 34:18, ESV)
Reflection: In what area of your life do you need to feel Jesus' compassionate presence today? How can you invite Him into your pain?
Day 5: Embracing New Life
The resurrection of Lazarus is a call to shed our grave clothes and live in the freedom Jesus offers. We are invited to rise from spiritual death and embrace a life that glorifies God. This transformation is not just for our benefit but for others to see and experience the love and power of God through us. By letting go of the past and embracing the new life Jesus offers, we can walk in the freedom and purpose He has for us. [01:04:11]
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come." (2 Corinthians 5:17, ESV)
Reflection: What "grave clothes" do you need to shed to fully embrace the new life Jesus offers? What steps can you take today to walk in this freedom?
Quotes
"Mary, Martha, and Lazarus in this story, they were not just friends of Jesus. They were like close family. They had been with him. They had seen him heal strangers, open blind eyes, and even touch lepers. So, when Lazarus got sick, they sent word. They didn't even ask Jesus to come. They just assumed he would come, just based off of his love for their brother, Lazarus." [00:42:05] (28 seconds)
"The scriptures actually show us in the story that God's delays are not denials. They're doorways to experience the glory of Jesus. Jesus. In John 11, 4, he says, the sickness will not end in death, but it's for what? It is for God's glory. Well, what is glory? In the New Testament, this word, this Greek word doxa, which is translated as glory, refers to the visible manifestation of God's power, character, and beauty." [00:47:01] (34 seconds)
"And Jesus said to her, I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though they die, yet he shall live. And everyone who believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this? She said to him, yes, Lord, I believe. I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who came into the world." [00:49:55] (28 seconds)
"Could it be that our lives don't just exist for ourselves? Could it be, friends, that our lives actually exist also for other people? Yes, we do get good things in our life where we get to enjoy them. Our family, our friends, things that you do, hobbies, crocheting. Some people do golf. I would be terrible at golf." [00:52:40] (22 seconds)
"Maybe for you it's that relationship, that loss of a loved one, or that medical diagnosis, that pain, that suffering that you're going through, and the grief that comes in waves is often unbearable. Friends, God never minimizes our pains, and He's not just saying, get over it. But we have to put these things in a proper perspective. That in our pain, in our grief, He grieves with us." [00:55:56] (29 seconds)
"And remember, this is the shortest verse in the Bible, in John 11, 35, that our Savior weeps with us. John 11, 35, Jesus wept. But why does Jesus weep? He weeps because the loss of His friend. He weeps because of the grief that His friends are experiencing. The devastation that death brings." [00:57:41] (27 seconds)
"Jesus is not too late, and just like time does not heal all wounds, time is not an enemy of God. Time actually answers to God. This sickness, this death is required to obey because Jesus is the resurrection and the life. And his healing is not bound by physical space or time because those are merely instruments that actually declare his power and authority." [01:02:58] (29 seconds)
"Lazarus was alive but still wrapped in things that belonged to death. Friends, what are the things that God has set you free from in a brand new life but you are wrapped in them? What is it? What are you wrapped in? All these people are seeing what is happening. And they experience the glory of God in this moment." [01:04:26] (29 seconds)
"Jesus calls us to rise from death by trusting in him, removing the clothes which prohibit us from living free. Lazarus' resurrection was a preview of what was coming. That Jesus wasn't just going to raise the dead. He was the resurrection himself. His victory over death wasn't free. It cost him his blood." [01:07:07] (27 seconds)
"The blood that Jesus offers on the cross is powerful enough to save all people, forgive us of all of our sin, our failures, our mistakes, past, present, and future. And when we come to the table today of communion, where the elements of the bread and the juice representing or being a picture of his blood show us that on the cross, his body was broken for us and that his blood was shed." [01:08:50] (33 seconds)
Chatbot
-
I'm an AI bot trained only on this specific sermon. Do you have any questions about it?