I Am The Resurrection And The Life Series

I am the Resurrection and the Life

John 10:17-27; Ephesians 2:1-6

Online Sermon: http://www.mckeesfamily.com/?page_id=3567

In our lifetime, we will blink over 620 million times, take countless breaths of air, have our hearts beat more than 2.5 billion times, take 216 million steps, and consume a whopping 35 tonnes of food. The average person will have over 170 million thoughts, both good and bad. Yet, while all these numbers are evidence of life, they don't fully capture what it means to truly live. For those who lack passion or purpose, experience chronic fatigue, isolate themselves, go through routines without joy, and depend on substances to escape reality, an overwhelming sense of helplessness has left them breathing but not truly living. One's brain and heart need not stop to be considered "dead." If you observe carefully, you'll find that even those who achieve their personal goals, enjoy a lifetime of hugs and kisses, take long walks on the beach, live in nice homes, have fat bank accounts, and maintain great health can struggle to find meaning in life. They too may find it difficult to define their daily activities as truly living.

Knowing that God knit us in our mother’s womb, we, like King David, can joyfully declare, “I am fearfully and wonderfully made” (Psalms 139:14). At the same time, we must humbly admit that we were created for an express purpose: to find our meaning in a relationship with our Creator. While we have the “right to do anything” (1 Corinthians 6:12), the world’s definition of living—debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing, and detestable idolatry (1 Peter 4:3)—leaves one engulfed in sins and transgressions, forever chasing temporal joy only to become ironically enslaved and destined for the eternal fires of hell. The very definition of being truly alive rests solely in walking by the still waters and being guided by the Good Shepherd as one of His own. Today’s sermon will review Jesus' statement, “I am the resurrection and the life,” and suggest that while we can be alive and yet dead, we can also be dead and yet live forever. Before we delve into the theology, let’s review the background in which Christ spoke these words: the resurrection of Lazarus.

Resurrection of Lazarus

In the Bible, we learn about Lazarus, who fell ill in Bethany, a town near Jerusalem, where he lived with his sisters, Mary and Martha (John 11:1). Jesus, who was very close to this family, often visited their home. When Lazarus became sick, the sisters sent a messenger to Jesus, saying, "The one you love is sick" (John 11:3). Despite the risk of hostility from the Jerusalem leaders who had already tried to stone Him (John 11:8), they hoped He would come to heal Lazarus. Upon hearing the news, Jesus assured the messenger, "This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God's glory so that God's Son may be glorified through it" (John 11:4). However, He delayed for two days before traveling to Bethany (John 11:6). Despite knowing that Lazarus had already died shortly after the messenger was dispatched, Jesus told His disciples, "Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I am going there to wake him up" (John 11:11). When He arrived, Martha lamented, "If you had been here, my brother would not have died" (John 11:21). Jesus responded, "I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in Me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in Me will never die. Do you believe this?" (John 11:25-26). At the tomb, Jesus commanded the stone to be rolled away and called out, "Lazarus, come out!" Miraculously, Lazarus, who had been dead for four days, emerged from the grave, alive and well (John 11:43-44).

Redefining Death and Life

From this incredible miracle, we are invited by our Creator to see both death and life through His perfect vision. For most people, death is deeply unsettling and outright frightening due to the physical pain, potential for diminished quality of life, and disruption of daily routines, creating intense anxiety. This fear is often compounded by concerns about leaving loved ones behind, unfinished business, and the unknown aspects of death itself. The thought of ceasing to exist or the uncertainty about what, if anything, lies beyond can evoke a fear that grips the heart and paralyzes the mind. For those who are not yet saved, this fear of death is justified. Paul wrote to the church of Ephesus that those who still “follow the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air,” though physically alive, remain “dead in their transgressions and sins” (Ephesians 2:1-2). “By nature, they deserve God’s wrath” (Ephesians 2:3), and the Day of the Lord is approaching when they will be separated from the sheep and, as goats, will perish in the fiery pits of hell, forever wailing and gnashing their teeth (Matthew 25:31-46, 13:36-43).