What's That Smell???

Isaiah 3:24 And it shall come to pass, that instead of sweet smell there shall be stink; and instead of a girdle a rent; and instead of well set hair baldness; and instead of a stomacher a girding of sackcloth; and burning instead of beauty.

John 11: 35 Jesus wept.

Genesis 8:21

And the Lord smelled a sweet savour; and the Lord said in his heart, I will not again curse the ground any more for man's sake; for the imagination of man's heart is evil from his youth; neither will I again smite any more every thing living, as I have done.

I. Lazarus was a friend of Jesus.

A. He had two sisters Mary and Martha.

B. Jesus would occasionally hang out with them. They would cook for him. They were his Friends.

John11: 3 Therefore his sisters sent unto him, saying, Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick.

Verse 5 Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus.

II. Some kind of friend Jesus turned out to be!

A. John 11: 6 When he had heard therefore that he was sick, he abode two days still in the same place where he was.

B. I’m sure there was some anxiety from these sisters who knew their brother was dead.

C. How could Jesus seem so lackadaisical while his friend was being wrapped in grave clothes and placed in a tomb.

D. THE POINT TO REMEMBER IS: The reason Jesus doesn’t run around in a tail-spin like the Tasmanian devil when things go haywire is because no death, no sickness, no circumstance can separate us from the love of God and nothing takes God by surprise!

E. God is not setting on the thrown scratching His head wondering what in the world to do because of your problems, He has everything under control and the answer will come when He’s ready to let it happen!!!

III. The disciples didn’t understand Jesus’ patience. Jesus made a few statements concerning the matter.

A. John 11: 4 When Jesus heard that, he said, This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby.

B. How could He say this? Lazarus was dead!

C. John 11: 11 These things said he: and after that he saith unto them, Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep.

12 Then said his disciples, Lord, if he sleep, he shall do well.

13 Howbeit Jesus spake of his death: but they thought that he had spoken of taking of rest in sleep.

14 Then said Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead.

15 And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, to the intent ye may believe; nevertheless let us go unto him.

D. Jesus blew their socks off with His response.

E. He was saying you guys have so little faith in me I’m glad I was here with you instead of there with Him, because if I were there it would never have escalated to grave clothes.

THREE POINTS I WANT TO MAKE TO YOU TODAY.

1. Jesus did not heal Lazarus when he was sick. Jesus waited until he was dead.

A. Jesus does so much for most of us that we take His blessing for granted.

B. We become as spoiled brats and wine when things don’t go our way.

C. Mary, Martha and Lazarus had been with Jesus when He healed and cast out devils and cured the blind. They knew He was for real.

D. But only from a spectator position. From the stands. From afar.

E. They could talk about Him. But deep down they didn’t know what it was like to be dead.

F. When your dead, it doesn’t matter what happened in Brownsville, or Toronto, or in the revival of 1999.

G. When your dead doctors and medicine can’t get the credit.

H. When your dead your skeptical family can’t make fun of you and doubt what God can do.

I. When your dead God knows in His infinite wisdom no one else will get the Glory but HIM!!!

2. Lazarus wasn’t just dead, he stunk.

A. John 11: 39 Jesus said, Take ye away the stone. Martha, the sister of him that was dead, saith unto him, Lord, by this time he stinketh: for he hath been dead four days.

B. Stink brings humility.

C. When we smell good, look good, appear good. We may be dead inside but those around us don’t even notice.

D. But when we began to rot. When we began to internally rot from the inside out. You cannot hide it from anyone.

3. Jesus cares. Jesus loves you just the way you are, but He refuses to leave you that way.