Seeing Christ Do A Great Work
John 11 – Part 2
Introduction:
1. According to Romans 8:34, Christ is in heaven doing a great work – He is praying on our behalf to the Father.
2. Discussed previously, today we are not seeing the outward, physical signs and wonders that were so prevalent during Christ’s earthly ministry. But don’t think Christ has stopped working and is on an eternal siesta. He is very much at work.
3. As well, Christ desires to do a great work on those of us who have trusted in the finished work of Jesus Christ. Philippians 1:6; 2:13; Colossians 1:29;
Ephesians 3:20.
4. Remember, if you are in Christ, divine power is working in your life. Christ desires to do amazing things in your life, ultimately changing you into His glorious image.
5. But how can we see Jesus Christ do a great work in and through us? And I am talking about a mighty work, a work changing us from the inside out, enabling us to become the man or woman in Christ we are capable of being.
6. There are some key principles from this text. If learned and applied to our lives, they will allow Christ to do a mighty work in and through us.
First, simply do what Christ has commanded.
Second, overcome the voice of opposition.
1. Christ desired to do a great work for Lazarus, but right before He did it, He was hit with opposition (vs. 38-39). At another time, Christ was laughed to scorn.
2. Whenever God is about to do a great work, you can always expect some sort of opposition. We see this throughout the Bible. It is true concerning God’s work on earth today, which is done through the local church, and it is also true in our personal lives.
• This was true during the time of Nehemiah’s tenure as leader of Israel. When he got serious about seeing God do a great work in Jerusalem, there were Sanballat and Tobiah, skeptics, who tried to discourage him from the LORD’s work. Look at Nehemiah 2:19-20. This kind of people have always existed and always will.
3. When you begin to get serious about the Lord and the things of God, especially when God is doing some awesome things in your life, opposition will be stirred up to hinder His working.
4. Sometimes that voice will come from friends and sometimes from family (Martha was Jesus’ dear friend). This can hurt deeply, but you can’t let it stop you.
5. Sometimes that voice of doubt will come from within our own hearts. Martha’s opposition came from her own human reasoning. It’s extremely easy to become negative and cynical; oftentimes, we become doubters in our attitudes and mindsets.
• If you tend to struggle with this, you need to make this a matter of prayer. You have to decide if you are going to be a “John” (he went into the empty tomb, saw, and believed), or be a “Thomas” (he didn’t believe even after the other disciples saw and testified of Jesus’ resurrection). Will you be like Nehemiah’s helpers (let’s roll up our sleeves and get to work), or Sanballat (it can’t be done)?
• As they say down South, “Cain’t never could do nothin’.”
• Paul said, “I CAN DO all things through Christ…” Philippians 4:13
6. God simply will not honor unbelief. The Bible is very clear that we must believe God and be people of faith. Paul said that men should pray everywhere (a universal principle) “without doubting.” 1 Timothy 2:8
• James said to ask God “ …in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.”
James 1:6-7
7. Do you walk by faith? Do you trust God to do a great work in and through you? Do you believe He can work in your family? Do you trust God to do a great work through your local church? Hebrews 11:6 makes it very clear: “Without faith, it is impossible to please him…” This is very emphatic. It didn’t say, “You might not please Him.” It said if you don’t operate in faith, it’s impossible to please Him!
8. So if we are going to see Christ do a great work in our lives, we must overcome the voices of opposition and learn to walk by faith.
Third, fearlessly stand on Christ’s promises.
1. Is there anybody in here who can say, “I have spiritually arrived”? “I’ve got it all together, and I have perfected every area of my life.” If anybody raises their hand, I hope you are not sitting next to them in case lightning strikes!
2. The truth is, every one of us have areas lacking in our lives (humility, contentment, joy, love, patience, holiness, faithfulness, forgiveness, etc.).
• Maybe we struggle with depression, feelings of inferiority, loneliness, financial stewardship, our relationships, etc.
3. For Lazarus it was a lack of life! He became increasingly sick, resulting in death. He was dead for four days. Notice that Jesus Christ prays to the Father in front of everybody (vs. 41-42) and then cries with a loud voice (vs. 43), “Lazarus, come forth.” (Christ exercised great boldness. I think most of us would have whispered it in case he didn’t come out, so as to not be embarrassed.)
• He didn’t do this so that Lazarus would hear him. He could have whispered it, and Lazarus would have come forth. He did it so that everybody watching would hear and would know that Lazarus came forth at precisely the moment when Christ commanded.
4. Christ had a promise that the Father would hear Him at all times, and Christ stood fearlessly on that promise even after Lazarus had been dead for four days.
5. Are there areas that are lacking in your life? Join the crowd. One of the greatest men of faith in the Bible is Abraham. God gave him a great promise – he would be the father of a great nation.
• But when he is introduced in Scripture, isn’t it interesting that he is defined by what he lacked. He had no child. He isn’t brave Abram or faithful Abram, but childless Abram – defined by what he lacked.
• Why? Because God would show Himself great! God calls attention to the need so we won’t miss the great display of divine power.
• Let’s read Romans 4:18-22. There is no way to miss this. Although Abraham had a great area of need in his life, he fearlessly stood on God’s promises. He wasn’t perfect, and certainly had setbacks, but he trusted in God to do a work through him.
6. God can do a great work in your life, but you must get in God’s Word, study His promises to you as a believer in this time of grace. Paul said, “For all the promises of God in him (Christ) are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God…” 2 Corinthians 1:20
7. Like Christ, don’t be afraid to stand on those promises in prayer, privately, and publicly. Share with others what you are trusting God to do in your life. Get them praying with you.
In Conclusion:
1. When you trust the Lord and stand on His promises, Jesus will provide a divine enablement unlike anything you could have ever imagined. vs. 44
2. Jesus said (vs. 44), “Loose him and let him go.” Lazarus found freedom in Christ. Christ doesn’t give life and then leave you bound. He didn’t give him life and then make him walk around the rest of his life like a mummy. He set him free!
3. Is there an area of your life where you feel bound? Are you experiencing opposition? If you have Christ’s life, He can set you free: “If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.” John 8:36
4. Will you allow Christ to do a mighty work in and through you?
