Yes, Lord, I Believe

John 11:20-32 (NKJV)

"Yes, Lord, I Believe"

September 24, 2023

Following these verses John tells us that Jesus groans in His spirit and then “Jesus wept.” John's Gospel is filled with many vivid portraits of the Lord Jesus Christ. Each one is a masterpiece of His greatness and His glory. In this chapter, the greatest of all the miracles of Jesus is on display. In the events surrounding the resurrection of Lazarus from the dead, we can see the sovereign power of the Lord Jesus Christ. If all His other miracles were stricken from the Gospel record and all we were left with was this great miracle, we would have enough in our possession to conclude that Jesus is the Son of God.

This morning, I would like for us to look together at these verses and get a glimpse of Jesus as The Resurrection and The Life. I want to show you why Jesus is worthy of your faith and how your belief in the Resurrection will transform your life today. Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 15:19, "If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable." I want to show you why we do not have to live in misery, why life does not have to be a time of defeat, why we do not fear death and how we can enjoy an abundant and full life if we only believe that Jesus is the Resurrection and the Life. Whoever believes in Jesus, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Jesus shall never die, but simply be absent from this body but present with the Lord.

The Contrast (John 11:20 & Luke 10:38) There is a contrast between Mary and Martha’s personality. In Luke 10 we get our first look at the contrast at Martha's home, we can tell what each sister's priorities were. Martha was concerned with preparing the meal and serving her guests. Mary, however, was more concerned with being in the presence of the Lord. I have found that the more time one spends at the feet of Jesus, the easier it is to make it a priority in life. The larger He gets in our eyes; the smaller other things seem to become. Every time Mary and Martha are mentioned together, Mary is prioritizing with her heart and Martha is prioritizing with her hands. Mary is found worshiping at the feet of Jesus or mourning at the loss of her brother or anointing the feet of Jesus after her brother was raised. Martha is found serving at the table of Jesus or meeting Jesus afar off or serving at the table of her brother after he was raised. Martha opened her home to Jesus and did her best to be a good hostess. Mary opened her heart to Jesus and did her best to be a good worshiper. While Martha labored, Mary listened. The Bible says that while Mary was doing the good part, Martha was distracted with much serving. She was distracted with good Christian Service, (i.e. Setting up for Prayer Meeting, Bible Study, Morning Worship, Hour of Power and Hour of Prayer, Ministry Meeting, Choir Practice and Family Meeting). How often are we doing a good thing but missing the good part? Isaiah taught us that distraction and unrest begins with lack of focus of the mind! He declared to God (26:3) that, “You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.” Martha complained, Lord “Tell Mary to help me!” Workers spend too much time complaining to God about who is not working and not enough time sitting at the feet of Jesus hearing His Word! BUT There are also some worshipers who are so spiritually minded that they are no earthly good. James 2:15 says Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, “Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? Faith without works is dead! We need some Mary’s and some Martha’s in the church. We need some Mary’s to know that when they finish their prayer it’s time to work and some Martha’s to know that church work is not worship. 2 Corinthians 13 says, “If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.” Yes, faith without works is dead, but works without love gains nothing!