Tabor Baptist Church

Introduction

• Come to a stupendous passage in chapter
• Indisputable he [Lazarus] is dead
• There must have been faith amongst some (even though there was unbelief amongst many)
• Amazing power in three words: "Lazarus come forth"
• Everyone was amazed and many believed
• Who were Lazarus, Martha and Mary?
• A little family who lived in Bethany (2 miles from Jerusalem)
• Two sisters and a brother
• A close knit family
• They loved one another and the Lord Jesus Christ
• Jesus keeps them in their sadness for a while
• He knew it was a grave sickness
• Themes:
• Why did Jesus delay?
• Sometimes Christians find themselves in an awful situation and Jesus does not seem to come
• What happened to Lazarus does happen to Christians
• I am the resurrection and life
• The deity of Christ
• Seen in a way we have not seen up until now
• Incontrovertible proof that He is God
• We see His full humanity
• He wept tears
• v45 - many believed
  v53 - now a definite plot to kill Him
• Why is this passage only found in John's gospel?
• Because God only intended that John should record it
• Other possibilities
• Overview:
• Jesus' love
• Jesus is the solution for all of our troubles
• Jesus calls for faith
• Illustration

Jesus' Love

• Jesus loved Martha, Mary and Lazarus (v5)
• They were different characters:
• Martha
• Mary
• Lazarus
• People knew that Jesus had an intense love for Lazarus (v3, 35-36)
• Learning Points:
• Jesus does not love a certain type of person - examples
• Jesus loves sinners - examples
• Does Jesus love you?
• Jesus loves sinners - examples
• Do you know anything of Jesus' love?
• Jesus loves us unconditionally
• The fact that He loves us does not mean we will have a perfect life
• This is a fallen world
• Jesus does not prevent death or tragedy
• It does not mean that He does not love us
• Lazarus death was not permanent - it was for the glory of God
• When we are going through trials we must be careful not to complain
• 'If only you had come sooner' - v32
• Jesus had compassion - v33-35
• Death is an awful thing and we must all face it
• Jesus is never indifferent to the human plight

Jesus is the solution for all of our troubles

• Jesus is our solution to grief and woe (v11)
• The disciples didn't understand (v12-14)
• He gives words of encouragement (v23)
• "I am the resurrection and the life" (v25-26)
• If you believe
• Martha believed this (v27)
• cf v22 and 27
• Jesus delayed because He was calling for faith
• Why do we have trials - Jesus wants our faith to increase
• The Christian message is faith - believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God
• John 3:16
• John 6:40
• Have you committed your life to Jesus?
• John 10:27 - Do you believe that God is speaking through His word?
• John 14:1-2 - Do you believe in the Son of God?
• John 14:6 - Do you believe there is only one mediator between God and man?
• John 11:41-42 - Do you believe that Jesus if the solution?

Jesus calls for Faith

• Jesus calls people to believe in Him
• v40
• Do you believe?
• "Without faith it is impossible to please God"
• Martha and Mary believed
• We read of this love for Jesus
• cf John 12:1-8
• What about you?
• If so, how it is showing?

Closing Remarks