The Resurrection And The Life: Transformed By The Truth Of Jesus - John 11:25 Series

The Resurrection and the Life: Transformed by the Truth of Jesus - John 11:25

Introduction:

Today we gather to delve into the profound truth found in the words of Jesus Himself. In John 11:25, Jesus declares, "I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying."

Let us unpack this powerful statement and discover how it transforms our lives today.

1 Jesus, the Resurrection and the Life:

In John 11:25, Jesus proclaims Himself as the source of resurrection and life. He is not merely a messenger of life; He is Life personified.

Jesus spoke these words during the miraculous raising of Lazarus from the dead, demonstrating His authority over death and His power to bring life even in the face of despair.

Charles Spurgeon once said, "Our Lord's words teach us that there is more in Him than we have yet known, and that we have need to study Him more, that we may enter into His fullness."

John 5:24 (NLT): "I tell you the truth, those who listen to my message and believe in God who sent me have eternal life. They will never be condemned for their sins, but they have already passed from death into life."

In this verse, Jesus assures us of the transformative power of belief in Him. He declares that those who heed His words and trust in God will receive eternal life and be spared from condemnation. Through faith in Jesus, we transition from spiritual death to eternal life, experiencing salvation and reconciliation with God.

"Faith is not the belief that God will do what you want. It is the belief that God will do what is right." - Max Lucado

John 14:6 (NLT): "Jesus told him, 'I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.'"

Here, Jesus unequivocally states that He is the exclusive path to God the Father. He is the embodiment of truth and life, and salvation is only attainable through Him. This verse underscores the unique and indispensable role of Jesus as the savior of humanity.

Acts 4:12 (NLT): "There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved."

The apostle Peter, speaking under the influence of the Holy Spirit, proclaims the exclusive nature of salvation through Jesus Christ. This verse emphasises that salvation is found solely in Jesus Christ and that no other name can grant eternal life. It reaffirms the central role of Jesus as the only means of salvation.

2 Believing in the Resurrection and the Life:

Jesus invites us to believe in Him, promising eternal life to all who put their trust in Him. Belief in Jesus is not merely an intellectual assent but a life-transforming commitment.

Belief in Jesus brings about a spiritual resurrection, where we are made alive in Him and receive the gift of eternal life.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer wrote, "To believe in Jesus Christ means to participate in his resurrection, to live in the light of his resurrection, to die in the strength of his resurrection, and to hope for the day of his resurrection."

John 3:16 (NLT): "For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life."

Perhaps the most famous verse in the Bible, John 3:16 encapsulates the essence of the Gospel message. It highlights God's profound love for humanity, demonstrated through the sacrificial gift of His Son, Jesus Christ. Belief in Jesus leads to eternal life, demonstrating the inseparable link between faith and salvation.

Romans 10:9-10 (NLT): "If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved."

In these verses, the apostle Paul outlines the simple yet profound steps to salvation: openly confessing Jesus as Lord and believing in His resurrection. Salvation is not attained through mere intellectual assent but through genuine faith in Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord. Confession and belief are integral components of the salvation experience.

Ephesians 2:8-9 (NLT): "God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it."

In Ephesians, Paul emphasizes the role of grace in salvation. He underscores that salvation is a gift from God, bestowed upon those who believe in Him. No amount of good works can earn salvation; it is purely by God's grace through faith. This passage highlights the foundational truth of salvation by grace alone.