The Miracles Of Jesus (Pt 8) Series

John chapter 11:1

Jesus gets word of Lazarus’s illness and after a couple of days pass by, Jesus tells the disciples, “lets go to Judea again.

v.8: The disciples ask Jesus “are you sure you want to do that? After all, it wasn’t very long ago, they tried to stone you.” I can’t help but wonder if they feared for their own safety as well!

v.22:Martha confronts Jesus and said “Lord if you had been here, my brother would not have died.”

The story goes on, and of course Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead.

4 things to examine in this scripture:

1)The teaching in the miracle:

Many times before Jesus performed a miracle, He capitalized on a teachable moment.

These teachable moments were oftentimes more important than the miracle itself.

He tells Martha “I am the resurrection and the life”

2) The danger in relying on the miracle (instead of relying on Jesus)

According to scripture, by this time, Jesus had performed at least 18 miracles.

So Martha was angry that she hadn’t received her miracle.

Recently I read this and it has really stuck with me, and you may not agree with this and that is okay!

-A miracle is a supernatural intervention of God in a crisis situation. A blessing is still God’s power, but it flows through natural channels. Blessings are better that miracles. If you live your life from one miracle to the next, you will live from crisis to crisis.

As an example:

It’s better to be blessed with good health than to always need divine healing. God’s will is for us to walk in His blessings.-

Again, you may disagree with this, but I believe it is worth considering.

3) The glory in the miracle

John 11:4 When he heard this, Jesus said “This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it.”

It’s not about the miracle, but the glory in the miracle.

4) The prophecy in the miracle

“this sickness will not end in death”

A few weeks back, Pastor Jeff brought a sermon “See, I told you so”. It was about this very verse!

Awakening Hope: The Resurrection Power of Christ

Bible Passage: John 11:1–45

Summary: In John 11:1–45, the story of Lazarus centers on the deep relationship between Jesus and the family of Lazarus. It illustrates Jesus's compassion, his power over death, and the promise of eternal life. Through this miracle, Jesus reveals his identity as the resurrection and the life, providing hope in the face of despair and death.

Application: This passage empowers Christians to approach their struggles with the assurance that Jesus has the authority over life and death. It reminds individuals in pain or loss that Christ’s compassion and power bring hope and restoration in seemingly hopeless situations.

Teaching: The sermon teaches that Jesus empathizes with our grief and has the ultimate power to transform our circumstances. It encourages believers to trust in His divine purpose, even when it is difficult to understand.

How this passage could point to Christ: This passage emphasizes Christ's role as the resurrection and the life, foreshadowing His own resurrection and its implications for believers. Throughout scripture, the theme of resurrection points to God's ultimate victory over sin and death through Jesus.

Big Idea: In moments of despair, turn to Jesus, who not only mourns with us but also has the power to resurrect hope and life within us.

Recommended Study: As you prepare this sermon, consider doing a deeper exegetical study on the emotions displayed in the text. Look at the original Greek terms for ‘weep’ and ‘tomb’ to understand the cultural context of mourning. You might find it enriching to explore the theological implications of Jesus' declaration in verse 25 using Logos to examine relevant commentaries and to compare different translations of the key verses to uncover subtle distinctions.

1. Anticipating Divine Timing

John 11:1-16

You could begin by exploring the initial reaction to Lazarus's illness and the decision to delay visiting him. This part highlights the trust Jesus has in God's timing. Encourage the congregation to see delays and waiting as divine opportunities for greater revelation of God's glory.

2. Empathizing with Grief

John 11:17-34

Maybe focus on the interaction between Jesus and Martha, emphasizing Jesus's empathy and the declaration of being the resurrection and the life. You can suggest that believers find comfort, even in grief, knowing that Jesus shares our pain and offers eternal hope.

3. Activating Resurrection Power

John 11:35-45

Perhaps conclude with the astonishing moment of Lazarus's resurrection, demonstrating Jesus's power over death. This can inspire the congregation to trust in Christ's ability to bring life out of hopeless situations, renewing their faith in his transformative power.