Lazarus Come Forth

“Lazarus, Come Forth — Take Off the Grave Clothes Text: John 11:38–44

1. The Story of Lazarus and Jesus

• Lazarus of Bethany, brother of Mary and Martha, becomes seriously ill.

• The sisters send word to Jesus: “Lord, the one you love is sick.”

• Jesus responds that the sickness will not end in death but will glorify God.

• Jesus intentionally delays two more days before going to them.

2. Jesus’ Encounter With Martha (John 11:17–27)

• Jesus arrives to find Lazarus has been in the tomb four days.

• Martha meets Him and says, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.

• Jesus declares: “I am the resurrection and the life.”

3. Jesus confronts Death

• Jesus approaches the tomb and commands the stone to be removed.

• Jesus prays to the Father for the sake of the onlookers.

• Jesus cries out with a loud voice: “Lazarus, come forth!”

• Lazarus emerges, still wrapped in grave clothes.

• Jesus instructs the people: “Loose him, and let him go.”

4. The Call Come Forth is a A Powerful Call

• His word penetrates stone, darkness, and death.

• When God speaks even death hears the grave cannot resist the voice

5. The call Come forth is a Purposeful I have a purpose for you

• In John 12, Lazarus attends a supper with Jesus, where chief priests planned to kill him again because his existence prompted many to believe in Jesus.

• Life in Cyprus: Tradition holds that Lazarus, escaping persecution, fled to Cyprus around 33 A.D.. There, he reportedly met apostles Paul and Barnabas, who ordained him as the first Bishop of Kition (modern-day Larnaca).

• Jesus doesn’t say “come alive” — He says come forth. I have a call for you

• Resurrection is about living again; it’s also coming out of what held you.

6. Jesus called Lazarus out

• We are alive in Christ but still stuck in the tomb of our past, “All my Hope is in Jesus and all my yesterdays are gone” song David Crowder

• We’re stuck in fear,

• We’re stuck in shame, or habits.

7. Lazarus comes forth but he is still Bound

• Lazarus is Alive but Limited, Lazarus is resurrected but restricted

• Hands bound ? can’t work Feet bound ? can’t walk Face wrapped ? can’t see

• Many believers experience salvation but not freedom. Who God set free is free indeed

8. The Grave Clothes Represent: Old identity, Old habits, Old wounds, Old thinking

9. Jesus says, “Loose Him and Let Him Go” — we need each other encourage one another

• Lazarus didn’t unwrap himself. Others helped un wrap

• Jesus is still calling people out of dead places. Lazy, half-heartedness, drought, doubt

• Jesus resurrects dead stuff

• The miracle is not complete until the grave clothes come off. Then Lazarus goes and does

• What tomb is Jesus calling you out of, Tomb of loneliness, the commercial “Whether You Think You Can or Think You Can’t, You’re Right”

• What grave clothes need to come off

• “Lazarus, Come Forth — Take Off the Grave Clothes