“LIFE”
The I AM Statements of Jesus
FCC – September 2, 2007
Text: John 11: 25-26
Introduction: This morning we are going to continue our sermon series on the “I AM Statements of Jesus” found in the gospel of John. So far we have looked at four “I AM” statements:
• I AM the Bread of Life
• I AM the Light of the World
• I AM the Door
• I AM the Good Shepherd
Today we are looking at possibly the most powerful of all the “I AM” statements found in John 11: I AM the Resurrection and the Life. Jesus made this statement in the context of raising His friend Lazarus from the dead. He spoke directly and personally to Martha and said in John 11:25-26 (NIV): Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?" Jesus demonstrated that He had power over death by raising Lazarus from the dead.
Lazarus wasn’t the first person raised from the dead in the Bible.
• Elijah raised the son of a widow from the dead.
• Elisha raised the son of the Shunammite woman from the dead.
• Elisha’s dead bones raised a body from the dead.
• Jesus raised two others: the son of the widow of Nain and the daughter of Jairus
• Peter raised Dorcas from the dead
• Paul raised Eutychus from the dead
But Jesus resurrection was different from all the others. They were raised from the dead temporarily that is they all eventually died again. Jesus was raised eternally.
The resurrection of Jesus is central to the gospel message. In fact in 1 Cor. 15:3-4 (NIV) Paul says it was of first importance: For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures…
1 Peter 1:3 (NIV) Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
Ephes. 2:4-5 (NIV) But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, [5] made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions--it is by grace you have been saved.
The resurrection leads to…
Losing the sting of death. There is a certain sting to death. It affects not only those who die, but also those who love them. From our worldly perspective, death seems to be so final. It leaves an incredible hole in our lives that takes years to overcome. Mary and Martha lost their brother Lazarus and felt the sting of death. This is what Mary said to Jesus: John 11:32-33 (NIV) When Mary reached the place where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet and said, "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died." When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. Mary and Martha felt the sting of death.
To Martha, Jesus provided comfort by declaring an awesome thing about Himself. John 11:25-26 (NIV) Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?" Jesus declares that He is the resurrection and based on that fact, He gives life to all who believe. He demonstrates His power over death by raising Lazarus back to life…but that was just a temporary solution. Lazarus would eventually die again. Jesus proved that He had ultimate power and victory over the sting of death by His own resurrection. This was an eternal solution by which we find eternal life.
1 Cor. 15:55-57 (NIV) "Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?"
The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
The resurrection leads to losing the sting of death and then it leads to…
Imperishable bodies. Death is cruel to these fragile bodies. You go to visitation at a funeral home and see a corpse in a casket and you realize how perishable our bodies really are. They decay very quickly. Lazarus had been dead for four days. Listen to Martha describe his condition: John 11:39-40 "Take away the stone," he said. "But, Lord," said Martha, the sister of the dead man, "by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days." Then Jesus said, "Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?" Lazarus’ body was perishable. Your body and my body is perishable.
Jesus declares that He is the resurrection and that changes everything. Paul wrote something similar:
1 Cor. 15:42-44 (NIV) So will it be with the resurrection of the dead. The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable; it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body. Because of the resurrection, believers who are placed in the ground will be raised in glory with a new spiritual body that will never perish.
1 Cor. 15:51-54 (NIV) Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed--in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: "Death has been swallowed up in victory." I look forward to the day when we will be clothed with the imperishable and with immortality.
The resurrection leads to losing the sting of death, imperishable bodies, and it leads to…
Freedom from sorrow. Tears flow more freely at funerals than at any other event we attend. It hits children, youth, grown men and women. In fact, following the loss of a loved one, grief is a process we can’t avoid. It is healthy to cry and let out our inevitable feelings. One of the most amazing verses in all the Bible is also the shortest. In John 11: 35, the Scripture says, “Jesus wept.” Jesus’ friend died and He saw Mary and Martha weep, and He Himself wept. What amazes me is that Jesus knew what He was going to do next. He was going to bring back Lazarus to life. If I had been Jesus, I would have been laughing. Yet, He embrace the moment and allowed Himself to grieve. He grieved but, not as one without hope:
1 Thes. 4:13 (NIV) Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope. We are to grieve, but we find comfort when we know our loved ones know the Lord. That hope becomes an anchor for our soul.
We are also told that if we mourn we will find comfort. Psalm 126:5 (NIV) Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy. Matthew 5:4 (NIV) Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
As normal and important as it is for us to grieve in this life, because Jesus is the Resurrection and the Life, there is a day coming when we will be free from sorrow and we will find eternal comfort. Rev. 7:17 (NIV) For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; he will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes."
Rev. 21:4 (NIV) He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."
The resurrection leads to losing the sting of death, imperishable bodies, freedom from sorrow, and…
Eternal reign with Christ. Jesus was in total control of the situation. John 11:40-43 (NIV) Then Jesus said, "Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?" So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, "Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me." When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, "Lazarus, come out!" Jesus had command over death. The king of kings, the Lord of Lord had command over the winds and the waves, and He was a victor over death.
I wonder if that same commanded voice which said, “Lazarus come out” won’t be the one who comes in the end with a loud shout. 1 Thes. 4:16 (NIV) For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. He spoke and Lazarus came forth…He will speak and the dead in Christ will rise.
Not only will Christ command us to rise, but we are told that we will reign with Him… Rev. 20:6 (NIV) Blessed and holy are those who have part in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him for a thousand years. That’s the army I want to be a part of! We will be reigning with the one who has power over life and death. He is the Resurrection and the Life!
Philip. 3:21 He will take these weak mortal bodies of ours and change them into glorious bodies like his own, using the same mighty power that he will use to conquer everything, everywhere.
Conclusion: The resurrection leads to losing the sting of death, imperishable bodies, freedom from sorrow, and eternal reign with Christ.
ILLUSTRATION: There is a story about a Muslim in Africa who became a Christian and he was asked why. He said, “Well, it is like this: suppose you were going down a road and suddenly the road forked in two directions. And you didn’t know which way to go. If you me two men at the fork – one dead and one alive – which one would you ask to show you the way?”
“All Because of Jesus”
By Casting Crowns
Giver of every breath I breathe – author of all eternity – giver of every perfect thing
To You be the glory – No one can comprehend Your worth – King over all the universe – To You be the glory – And I’m alive because I’m alive in You – It’s all because of Jesus I’m alive – It’s all because the blood of Jesus Christ – That covers me and raised this dead man’s life – It’s all because of Jesus I’m alive
