Trusting God's Timing: The Miracle of Lazarus
Summary
### Summary
Hallelujah, glory be to God! Today, we honor God, our spiritual father, and our pastor, who leads us with vision and dedication. We also honor the first lady and all the leaders and members of our church community. It is a privilege to stand before you and bring forth God's word, not my own. Today, we delve into the miracles of Jesus Christ, focusing on the seven miracles as recorded in the Gospel of John.
We began by reflecting on the story of Lazarus from John 11. Lazarus, the brother of Mary and Martha, was sick, and despite their urgent message, Jesus delayed his visit by two days. This delay was not a sign of neglect but a divine plan to reveal God's glory. When Jesus finally arrived, Lazarus had been dead for four days. Both Mary and Martha expressed their grief, saying that if Jesus had been there, their brother would not have died. Jesus responded differently to each sister, revealing profound spiritual truths. To Martha, He declared, "I am the resurrection and the life," emphasizing that faith in Him transcends physical death.
Jesus' compassion was evident when He wept with Mary, moved by her sorrow and the mourning of those around her. Despite the seemingly hopeless situation, Jesus commanded the stone to be rolled away and called Lazarus out of the tomb. Lazarus emerged, alive and well, demonstrating that no situation is beyond God's power to redeem and restore.
This miracle teaches us that God's timing and plans are perfect, even when they don't align with our expectations. It encourages us to have faith and trust in God's ability to bring life and hope into our dead and hopeless situations. We are reminded to roll away the stones of doubt, fear, and unbelief, allowing God's miraculous power to work in our lives.
### Key Takeaways
1. God's Timing is Perfect: Jesus' delay in visiting Lazarus was intentional, designed to reveal God's glory. Our impatience often blinds us to God's perfect timing. Trust that God's delays are not denials but opportunities for greater miracles. [54:04]
2. Faith Transcends Physical Realities: Jesus declared, "I am the resurrection and the life," to Martha, emphasizing that faith in Him overcomes even death. Our faith should not be limited by our physical circumstances but anchored in the eternal truth of who Jesus is. [59:03]
3. Compassion Moves God: Jesus wept with Mary, showing that our pain and sorrow move the heart of God. He is not distant or indifferent but deeply compassionate, ready to act on our behalf. [01:02:34]
4. Roll Away the Stone: Jesus commanded the stone to be rolled away before calling Lazarus out. We must remove the barriers of doubt, fear, and unbelief in our lives to experience God's miraculous power. [01:04:09]
5. God's Power to Restore: Lazarus' resurrection is a testament to God's power to bring life to dead situations. No matter how hopeless things seem, God can restore and renew. Trust in His power to transform your life. [01:05:28]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[45:36] - Honoring Our Leaders
[48:02] - Introduction: The Miracles of Jesus
[50:13] - The Story of Lazarus
[52:16] - The Significance of Mary
[54:04] - Jesus' Delay and God's Timing
[55:32] - Jesus Explains Lazarus' Death
[56:37] - Thomas' Commitment
[57:20] - Martha and Mary's Questions
[59:03] - Jesus' Declaration: I Am the Resurrection
[01:01:37] - Mary's Compassion and Jesus' Weeping
[01:03:23] - Jesus Commands the Stone to Be Rolled Away
[01:04:09] - Lazarus is Raised from the Dead
[01:05:28] - Spiritual Resurrection: Rise Up in Jesus' Name
[01:07:25] - Roll Away the Stone: Overcoming Barriers
[01:09:26] - God's Power to Transform
[01:11:48] - The Continuation of Miracles Today
[01:13:14] - Invitation to Experience Jesus' Power
[01:14:08] - Closing and Call to Prayer
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. John 11:1-44 (The story of Lazarus)
#### Observation Questions
1. What was the initial reaction of Mary and Martha when Jesus arrived after Lazarus had died? How did Jesus respond to each of them? [57:20]
2. How long did Jesus delay before going to see Lazarus, and what was the significance of this delay? [54:04]
3. What did Jesus command to be done before Lazarus was raised from the dead, and why was this significant? [01:04:09]
4. How did Jesus show His compassion towards Mary and the mourners? [01:02:34]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think Jesus chose to delay His visit to Lazarus despite knowing he was sick? What does this teach us about God's timing? [54:04]
2. How does Jesus' declaration, "I am the resurrection and the life," to Martha challenge our understanding of life and death? [59:03]
3. In what ways does Jesus' weeping with Mary demonstrate His compassion and empathy? How does this affect our view of God's character? [01:02:34]
4. What are the "stones" in our lives that we need to roll away to experience God's miraculous power? How can we identify and remove them? [01:04:09]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt God was delaying in answering your prayers. How did you handle the wait, and what did you learn about God's timing? [54:04]
2. Jesus declared, "I am the resurrection and the life." How does this statement impact your faith in difficult circumstances? How can you remind yourself of this truth daily? [59:03]
3. Think of a situation where you felt deep sorrow or pain. How did you experience God's compassion during that time? How can you show similar compassion to others? [01:02:34]
4. Identify a "stone" of doubt, fear, or unbelief in your life. What steps can you take this week to roll it away and allow God's power to work in that area? [01:04:09]
5. Lazarus' resurrection is a testament to God's power to restore. Is there a "dead" situation in your life that you need to trust God to revive? How can you actively place your trust in Him? [01:05:28]
6. How can you cultivate a deeper trust in God's perfect timing, especially when His plans don't align with your expectations? Share a practical step you can take this week. [54:04]
7. Jesus' empathy moved Him to action. How can you be more empathetic towards others in your community? What specific actions can you take to show God's love and compassion? [01:02:34]
Devotional
Day 1: Trusting in God's Perfect Timing
God's Timing is Perfect: Jesus' delay in visiting Lazarus was intentional, designed to reveal God's glory. Our impatience often blinds us to God's perfect timing. Trust that God's delays are not denials but opportunities for greater miracles. [54:04]
In the story of Lazarus, Jesus' delay in responding to Mary and Martha's urgent message was not a sign of neglect but a divine plan to reveal God's glory. When Jesus finally arrived, Lazarus had been dead for four days, a situation that seemed beyond hope. However, Jesus used this moment to demonstrate that God's timing is always perfect, even when it doesn't align with our expectations. This teaches us that our impatience can often blind us to the greater miracles that God has in store for us.
We are encouraged to trust that God's delays are not denials but opportunities for Him to work in ways that exceed our understanding. By waiting on God's perfect timing, we open ourselves to experiencing His power and glory in our lives. This requires faith and patience, knowing that God is always at work, even when we cannot see it.
John 11:6-7 (ESV): "So, when he heard that Lazarus was ill, he stayed two days longer in the place where he was. Then after this he said to the disciples, 'Let us go to Judea again.'"
Reflection: Think of a situation in your life where you are waiting for God's intervention. How can you shift your perspective to trust in His perfect timing and see this waiting period as an opportunity for a greater miracle?
Day 2: Faith Beyond Physical Realities
Faith Transcends Physical Realities: Jesus declared, "I am the resurrection and the life," to Martha, emphasizing that faith in Him overcomes even death. Our faith should not be limited by our physical circumstances but anchored in the eternal truth of who Jesus is. [59:03]
When Jesus declared to Martha, "I am the resurrection and the life," He was emphasizing that faith in Him transcends physical realities, including death. This profound statement challenges us to anchor our faith not in our circumstances but in the eternal truth of who Jesus is. Our physical realities may seem insurmountable, but Jesus calls us to believe in His power to overcome even the most impossible situations.
This declaration invites us to shift our focus from what we see to who Jesus is. It encourages us to trust in His ability to bring life and hope into our dead and hopeless situations. By anchoring our faith in Jesus, we can experience His resurrection power in every area of our lives.
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: Identify an area in your life where you are struggling to see beyond your physical circumstances. How can you anchor your faith in the eternal truth of who Jesus is and trust in His power to bring life and hope to that situation?
Day 3: The Compassionate Heart of God
Compassion Moves God: Jesus wept with Mary, showing that our pain and sorrow move the heart of God. He is not distant or indifferent but deeply compassionate, ready to act on our behalf. [01:02:34]
Jesus' compassion was evident when He wept with Mary, moved by her sorrow and the mourning of those around her. This moment reveals that our pain and sorrow deeply move the heart of God. He is not distant or indifferent to our struggles but is intimately aware of and compassionate towards our suffering. Jesus' tears demonstrate that He is ready to act on our behalf, moved by His love and compassion for us.
This teaches us that we can bring our pain and sorrow to God, knowing that He cares deeply for us. His compassion is a source of comfort and strength, reminding us that we are not alone in our struggles. God's compassionate heart is always ready to respond to our needs and bring healing and restoration.
Psalm 34:18 (ESV): "The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit."
Reflection: Reflect on a time when you felt God's compassion in your life. How can you draw near to Him today, bringing your pain and sorrow to His compassionate heart and trusting in His readiness to act on your behalf?
Day 4: Removing Barriers to Experience God's Power
Roll Away the Stone: Jesus commanded the stone to be rolled away before calling Lazarus out. We must remove the barriers of doubt, fear, and unbelief in our lives to experience God's miraculous power. [01:04:09]
Before Jesus called Lazarus out of the tomb, He commanded the stone to be rolled away. This act symbolizes the need to remove the barriers of doubt, fear, and unbelief in our lives to experience God's miraculous power. Often, these barriers prevent us from fully trusting in God's ability to work in our situations. By rolling away the stone, we open ourselves to witnessing His power and glory.
This teaches us that we must actively participate in the process of experiencing God's miracles. It requires us to confront and remove the obstacles that hinder our faith. By doing so, we create space for God's power to manifest in our lives, bringing transformation and renewal.
Mark 11:23 (ESV): "Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him."
Reflection: Identify a specific barrier of doubt, fear, or unbelief in your life. What steps can you take today to remove this barrier and open yourself to experiencing God's miraculous power?
Day 5: Trusting in God's Power to Restore
God's Power to Restore: Lazarus' resurrection is a testament to God's power to bring life to dead situations. No matter how hopeless things seem, God can restore and renew. Trust in His power to transform your life. [01:05:28]
Lazarus' resurrection is a powerful testament to God's ability to bring life to dead and hopeless situations. This miracle demonstrates that no matter how dire our circumstances may seem, God's power to restore and renew is limitless. We are encouraged to trust in His ability to transform our lives, bringing hope and new beginnings where there was once despair.
This teaches us that we should never lose hope, regardless of how impossible our situations may appear. God's power to restore is always at work, and He can bring about miraculous changes in our lives. By placing our trust in Him, we open ourselves to experiencing His transformative power and witnessing His glory.
Ezekiel 37:5-6 (ESV): "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: Think of a situation in your life that feels hopeless or beyond repair. How can you trust in God's power to restore and renew that situation, and what steps can you take to invite His transformative power into your life today?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "What you go through is not to make you die, but for the glory of God. Hallelujah. So when Jesus heard that Lazarus was sick, it took another day, two days. The writer, when we go deeper to understand the context in this scripture, you will understand that there is a story. There is an impulsion that they sin, a delay tactic. And for two days, which made four days, Jesus received the message that Lazarus is sick. And the Bible says he stayed for another two days. Hallelujah." [54:04] (53 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "It doesn't matter what situation you find yourself in get up in the name of Jesus Christ it doesn't matter four days five days 10 days 30 days it doesn't matter you may be written off saying my days are gone the calendar is ahead behind nothing good will come out from me it's never too late with God change your view change how you see things look out to God and see what God is saying about your situation roll off the stone move the stone move the stone roll the stone rise up in the name of the Messiah proclaim the excellence of the mighty God who called you out of darkness into marvelous light that you may proclaim the excellence of the Lord." [01:05:28] (68 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "God can fast forward your life god can flip the story god can change the situation god can rise up at any time he's not the respecter of a human being he's not the respecter of your situation god can do anything at any time god can move the mountain god can shake the mountain god can break the chain god can break the chain he's the chain breaker he's the way maker he's Jehovah he's El Shaddai can break the chain he's bigger than anything he's mighty power gracious wonderful he is jehovah yes sir he is jehovah yes sir he is the king of king yes ma'am he is the provider yes sir he is the deliverer yes he is the healer yes he is the provider i feel it god is in this place oh hallelujah yes yes yes lord." [01:09:26] (77 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "He prepares the table right in front of your enemy he is jehovah he is mighty is god right in front of your enemy he prepared the table that they may see the goodness of god that they may look at the answer what's going on in your life and say jehovah child has rose the stone and opened that door and then the blessings comes from the lord i wish i had more time but this is what the lord has laid upon my heart that i should speak under the seven miracles of jesus christ the same miracles that jesus performed are the same miracles that are happening today the same miracles that jesus performed he's still raising up he's still the river he's still providing he's still fighting don't you fight your battle don't you pick up the phone and call somebody let god fight for you let god fight for you." [01:11:48] (86 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "The church is the backbone of the community. And the community is the background of the church. That's what his word, but when I looked at this word, I could see what Union Grove is doing. Union Grove is feeding the community. Union Grove is reaching out to the community. That's the vision of the man of God, and we are also now walking into that visionary gift that God had given to him. Those words blessed by God, I kept them in my mind, and I always digest when I see. What was this thing seeing? What did he see when he spoke words like that?" [48:02] (52 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "What have we done because the name will remain what you do and what you say has the power to remain and represent you even when you are gone. That's why today I quoted what Reverend, the pastor spoke. It is written and it is reverence. To us that we can look at it and we can channel our dilution and we will be able to get the word remains and has the impact to change the word that we say what you speak has the character and it also imposes the character to the people that are healing." [50:13] (54 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Sometimes when you speak from your spiritual point of view, you got to understand who you are talking to. Because some people may not understand your spiritual perspective. They may not take it when you speak from the spiritual point of view. But God will give you another word to explain to their level. So Jesus came to their level. And he spoke. He says to them that Lazarus is dead. And then when Jesus said to the disciples, he says, I have to go." [55:32] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "The presentation that the life will give to you determines the level of your spirituality. Life will present its own presentation to you and tell you that you are already gone. Nothing good can come out of you. And the Bible is here to put a challenge on us that all things are possible. Amen. Glory to God. Jesus was not moved by the question that the sister asked. Jesus was not challenged by what she said. Jesus encouraged her as she presented the question to him. He spoke with boldness. Because he understands and he knows who he is." [59:03] (58 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "If you come to church and people look at you and they create something how you look like praise your way in don't you say I'm no longer going to go to church because so-and-so was looking at me in that different way come on let them do what they can rise up from that be bigger than what you think don't define yourself from what you think people are saying about you in actually not saying anything God loves you if you are here in this place you might be dead spiritually and saying I need to rise up the Lord is in this place our past is in the house and thank God for his presence he is in our the house he's anointed called by God to speak just like Jesus speak sometimes you need a little talk with God in the closets in the moment of dispensation dispensation when everything does not make sense you got to close yourself in and be alone with God." [01:13:14] (83 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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