WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:07.400 Open your Bibles to John chapter 11 this morning. John chapter 11. So last week we considered 00:00:07.400 --> 00:00:13.280 ! We considered the deliverance of Christ. Two weeks ago we considered the omniscience of Christ. 00:00:13.280 --> 00:00:22.600 ! Today we will look at His omnipotence. Consider the omnipotence of Christ. Let's open our Sunday 00:00:22.600 --> 00:00:27.760 school hour on the word of prayer. Heavenly Father we just come to you today Lord grateful that 00:00:27.760 --> 00:00:32.200 we could be here. Grateful for the day we could come worship you Lord. Grateful for this country 00:00:32.200 --> 00:00:36.640 that you've given to us. I just pray Father each and every one of us would have opportunity Lord to 00:00:36.640 --> 00:00:41.540 work to keep this nation great. More importantly Lord I pray that we each and every one of us would 00:00:41.719 --> 00:00:46.359 have an opportunity Lord to to spread your gospel and expand your kingdom Lord. I just pray you'd 00:00:46.359 --> 00:00:51.020 bless our time together as we learn about you and I just pray this in Jesus name. Amen. You know all 00:00:51.020 --> 00:00:58.400 throughout the gospels we get the chance to see the Lord Jesus Christ possess all of the attributes of 00:00:58.400 --> 00:01:09.060 deity. In John 8 58 we see Jesus stand and say before Abraham was I am. A few weeks ago we saw the Lord 00:01:09.060 --> 00:01:18.280 control the winds in Mark chapter 4 when he said to the sea peace be still. Something only God could do. 00:01:18.280 --> 00:01:24.599 During his ministry on earth he performed miracle after miracle. Yet there were still some who 00:01:24.599 --> 00:01:31.980 questioned if Jesus Christ was really the Son of God. Not an unfamiliar question is it? They wondered 00:01:31.980 --> 00:01:38.540 if he truly did possess all of the attributes of deity. But in John chapter 11 Jesus unmistakably proved 00:01:38.540 --> 00:01:47.540 to all who were there and to all who read about it today that he was truly God himself. As he revealed his 00:01:47.540 --> 00:01:55.760 power over death. I mean truly is there anything God cannot do. So why did Jesus decide to show his 00:01:55.760 --> 00:02:03.420 omnipotence at this time? And why did he perform these great miracles? What was his purpose in raising 00:02:03.420 --> 00:02:11.000 someone from the dead? Two things I want us to notice today. Two purposes for his miraculous works. 00:02:11.000 --> 00:02:19.919 First of all Jesus performed these miracles so that we might see the glory of God. Right? John chapter 1 00:02:19.919 --> 00:02:28.560 verse 14. And the word was made flesh and dwelt among us and we beheld his glory. The glory is of the 00:02:28.560 --> 00:02:35.139 only begotten of the Father. Full of grace and truth. Second Jesus performed these miracles so that 00:02:35.139 --> 00:02:43.299 we would believe on him as the Son of God. Not just a good teacher. Not just a good man. 00:02:44.259 --> 00:02:50.199 But as the Son of God. Many times he taught that he was the way to have eternal life. But through his 00:02:50.199 --> 00:02:55.799 miracles men and women can have validation of his claims. This is an encouragement to believers 00:02:55.800 --> 00:03:06.120 and assigned to unbelievers. And so he performed them often during his ministry. John here lets us know 00:03:06.120 --> 00:03:12.340 that Jesus performed so many miracles that the apostles could not even record them all. 00:03:13.000 --> 00:03:18.600 John chapter 20 verse 30 and 31. And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples 00:03:18.600 --> 00:03:24.020 which are not written in this book. But these are written that you might believe that Jesus is the 00:03:24.020 --> 00:03:32.140 Christ. The Son of God. And that believing you might have life through his name. Still, even after Christ 00:03:32.140 --> 00:03:37.980 proved that he did have power over death, there were still unbelievers, weren't there? Many did not 00:03:37.980 --> 00:03:47.260 believe. Hey, many would not believe. Their hearts were hard. Not because there was no evidence. 00:03:48.520 --> 00:03:53.600 But because they did not want to humble themselves and put their faith in him. Thankfully, 00:03:53.599 --> 00:04:04.219 Jesus did not let those facts stop him from continuing to prove to have miracles and to continue to prove 00:04:04.219 --> 00:04:11.919 his omnipotence to those that would believe. And I'm glad that there are people even yet today 00:04:11.919 --> 00:04:20.740 that are still willing to believe, not seeing. And it's encouraging to me that he still wants us to 00:04:20.740 --> 00:04:27.180 believe. And he's still willing to perform miracles in the lives of believers and unbelievers. So first 00:04:27.180 --> 00:04:33.199 of all, let's look at Christ's purpose at Bethany. John chapter 11 verse number one. 00:04:33.759 --> 00:04:38.560 Now a certain man was sick named Lazarus of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha. 00:04:39.040 --> 00:04:43.720 It was that Mary which anointed the Lord with ointment and wiped his feet with her hair, 00:04:43.720 --> 00:04:52.680 whose brother Lazarus was sick. Therefore his sister sent unto him saying, Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick. 00:04:53.700 --> 00:04:59.400 When Jesus heard that, sorry about that. See if that helps. Okay. Verse number four. 00:05:00.040 --> 00:05:05.140 When Jesus heard that, he said, the sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, 00:05:05.139 --> 00:05:16.360 that the son of God might be glorified thereby. Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. 00:05:16.519 --> 00:05:22.000 When he had heard therefore that he was sick, he abode two days still in the same place where he was. 00:05:22.620 --> 00:05:28.439 Then after that, saith he to his disciples, let us go into Judea again. His disciples saying to him, 00:05:28.439 --> 00:05:34.339 Master, the Jews of late sought to stone me, and goest thou fither again? Jesus answered, 00:05:35.100 --> 00:05:41.680 Are there not twelve hours in a day? If any man walk in the day, he stumbleth not, because he seeth 00:05:41.680 --> 00:05:48.680 the light of this world. But if a man walk in the night, he stumbleth, because there is no light in him. 00:05:49.000 --> 00:05:55.100 These things said he, and after that he saith unto them, Our friend Lazarus sleepeth, 00:05:55.100 --> 00:06:00.280 but I go that I may awake him out of sleep. Then said his disciples, Lord, if he sleepeth, 00:06:00.320 --> 00:06:07.660 he shall do well. Howbeit Jesus spake of his death, but they thought he had spoken of taking a rest and 00:06:07.660 --> 00:06:14.400 sleep. Then Jesus said unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead. The news had come to Christ that his friend 00:06:14.400 --> 00:06:24.320 Lazarus had died. Lazarus's sisters, Mary and Martha, I suppose they wanted Jesus to come before that. 00:06:25.100 --> 00:06:32.280 Right? They had seen Christ perform miracles before. Why couldn't Jesus come and perform a miracle on 00:06:32.280 --> 00:06:39.500 Lazarus before this? I'm sure that entered their head. But Christ didn't come until Lazarus was 00:06:39.500 --> 00:06:46.280 already dead. I suppose Mary and Martha had thought it would be too late for Christ to do a miracle now. 00:06:46.279 --> 00:06:52.199 I mean, he's dead. Can't heal him now. Little did they know that everything was according to God's divine 00:06:52.199 --> 00:06:59.379 purpose. See, often Christ's purposes are delayed compared to our timetables. 00:07:00.859 --> 00:07:06.699 Verse number six, when he had heard, therefore, that he was sick, he abode two days still in the same 00:07:06.699 --> 00:07:12.939 place where he was. Upon hearing that Lazarus was sick, Jesus waited two days before he decided to go back 00:07:12.939 --> 00:07:21.019 to Bethany. By the time he had gotten back to Bethany, Lazarus had already died. But what Mary and Martha 00:07:21.019 --> 00:07:30.980 were about to learn was that what seems to be a delay, according to us, is not a delay for God. And just 00:07:30.980 --> 00:07:38.959 because God doesn't work now, that doesn't mean God isn't going to work. Jesus had not forgotten about 00:07:38.959 --> 00:07:44.620 Lazarus, nor had he stopped loving Lazarus. Consider the love that Jesus Christ has for us all. 00:07:45.060 --> 00:07:49.680 Hebrews 12, 3 says, first, consider him that endures such contradiction of sinners against himself, 00:07:50.359 --> 00:07:59.099 lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. You know, it's often easy to get weary, to give up, 00:07:59.919 --> 00:08:07.099 to the point of fainting even. I want to quit because my trials are hard. And you know what? My trials are 00:08:07.100 --> 00:08:11.600 harder than your trials. I mean, if you were to stand in my shoes and see my trials, you would know that. 00:08:13.360 --> 00:08:18.540 Am I the only one that thinks that? And we want God to fix it now. But we have to keep in mind 00:08:18.540 --> 00:08:28.680 that God's always working, even if we don't see it. And maybe he's just working on his timetable, 00:08:28.680 --> 00:08:34.639 on his sovereign timing. Galatians 4, 4. But when the fullness of time was come, 00:08:34.639 --> 00:08:43.860 not before, not after. The fullness of time was come. God sent forth his son made of a woman, 00:08:44.179 --> 00:08:50.199 made under the law. When Jesus came to earth, he came at just the right time. I mean, I read the 00:08:50.199 --> 00:08:55.139 Christmas story and I think, gosh, I'd like to be a part of that. I want to see that. I want to see, 00:08:55.399 --> 00:08:59.259 you know, Christ going around and preaching to everybody and everybody being mad at him. You know, 00:08:59.259 --> 00:09:08.000 I want to see that. It's not the right time. He came at the right time. Now it would be too late. 00:09:08.580 --> 00:09:15.580 And when he comes back again, that will also be the right time. The perfect time. Not for us. 00:09:16.019 --> 00:09:22.460 Here's the hard part. Not for us. For him. Yep. Whatever it is we may be waiting on, 00:09:22.460 --> 00:09:30.780 we can always be confident that God will accomplish things according to his perfect timing. 00:09:31.280 --> 00:09:37.420 His purpose in this passage seemed delayed, but his timetable is always perfect. 00:09:39.500 --> 00:09:42.160 And even though his timetable seemed delayed, 00:09:43.000 --> 00:09:50.440 it was deliberate. His timetable was deliberate. Look at verse number four. When Jesus heard that, 00:09:50.440 --> 00:09:57.340 he said, this sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified. 00:09:59.480 --> 00:10:04.600 Have you considered today that the main purpose for our lives is to glorify God? 00:10:06.880 --> 00:10:13.460 Through every trial, through every victory. And including this tragedy here in John 11, 00:10:13.900 --> 00:10:20.100 God has a purpose. Anybody guess what verse is coming next? We've heard it a million times, haven't we? 00:10:20.100 --> 00:10:26.840 Romans 8.28. And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, 00:10:27.040 --> 00:10:34.540 to them who are called according to his purpose. You know? But it can be hard to feel good about 00:10:34.540 --> 00:10:40.300 yourself and about the place you're at in your life when you don't see the good that God is working in it. 00:10:40.299 --> 00:10:52.959 That's a hard thing to do, isn't it? You betcha. But you know what? Romans 8.28 can only be a comfort to you if you believe it's true. 00:10:53.240 --> 00:10:58.719 The good news is, if you do believe Romans 8.28, then anytime you're going through a trial, 00:10:58.979 --> 00:11:07.199 you can have confidence that God is at work. Consider the man of John chapter 9, who had been blind his entire life. 00:11:07.200 --> 00:11:09.300 John 9, verse number 1, 00:11:09.340 --> 00:11:14.140 And Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from his birth. And his disciples asked him, saying, 00:11:14.240 --> 00:11:17.640 Master, who did sin, this man or his parents, that he was born blind? 00:11:18.060 --> 00:11:26.100 Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents, but that the works of God should be made manifest in him. 00:11:26.340 --> 00:11:29.580 That man was experiencing a trial since the day he was born. 00:11:29.580 --> 00:11:33.139 Why would God do that? 00:11:35.520 --> 00:11:37.639 Did he know that God was using his life 00:11:37.639 --> 00:11:40.780 as an illustration for everyone else? 00:11:42.440 --> 00:11:44.720 Did God ask him permission to do so? 00:11:46.080 --> 00:11:47.520 These are hard things, aren't they? 00:11:48.860 --> 00:11:49.139 Yep. 00:11:49.620 --> 00:11:53.100 The disciples assumed that this man's blindness had to be some sort of punishment 00:11:53.100 --> 00:11:55.759 because of his parents' sin or his own sin. 00:11:55.759 --> 00:12:00.960 You know, our human tendency is to assume that difficulties are the result of sin or as a punishment. 00:12:02.580 --> 00:12:04.159 It's easy to get into that, isn't it? 00:12:04.759 --> 00:12:06.539 Maybe we do it to ourselves, right? 00:12:07.019 --> 00:12:10.980 When we grow up, you know, we steal a cookie, we get punished. 00:12:11.580 --> 00:12:13.840 We cheat on a test, we get punished. 00:12:14.059 --> 00:12:15.179 So we're trained. 00:12:15.700 --> 00:12:18.039 Bad behavior equals bad consequences. 00:12:18.179 --> 00:12:20.980 And while that's right, that's not always how God works, is it? 00:12:20.980 --> 00:12:26.200 Because trials sometimes come for his reasons, as we're about to find out. 00:12:26.740 --> 00:12:29.180 Often the Lord will bring trials into our lives 00:12:29.180 --> 00:12:33.279 because he wants to make us stronger. 00:12:33.779 --> 00:12:39.480 He wants to see us, through our trials, bring glory to him. 00:12:40.840 --> 00:12:45.800 God allows trials so that he can be glorified in this world in front of others. 00:12:45.799 --> 00:12:51.199 And what a blessing to know that through every trial, God is working for his glory and for his honor. 00:12:52.179 --> 00:12:57.899 His purpose always glorifies himself and fulfills our needs along the way. 00:12:58.219 --> 00:12:59.259 Remember Romans 8.28? 00:12:59.659 --> 00:13:01.159 The good that we can't always see? 00:13:01.759 --> 00:13:02.740 That's it right there. 00:13:04.139 --> 00:13:06.539 That's the good of Romans 8.28. 00:13:07.779 --> 00:13:11.819 God is working for his honor and glory and fulfilling our needs. 00:13:14.159 --> 00:13:15.479 Maybe that's a new perspective. 00:13:15.799 --> 00:13:17.579 On how to look at trials now. 00:13:17.979 --> 00:13:18.859 Maybe it could help you. 00:13:20.079 --> 00:13:22.199 Understand that trials are not always a punishment. 00:13:24.679 --> 00:13:27.620 Christ's purpose for the miracle of John 11 was twofold. 00:13:27.939 --> 00:13:32.099 So that God would be glorified and so the disciples would learn. 00:13:32.579 --> 00:13:33.259 It's a funny thing. 00:13:33.299 --> 00:13:34.899 Our trials are not always about us. 00:13:35.259 --> 00:13:36.559 John chapter 9, the blind man. 00:13:37.299 --> 00:13:39.559 He did nothing wrong, was blind his whole life. 00:13:40.939 --> 00:13:42.399 His trial was not about him. 00:13:42.399 --> 00:13:45.459 His trial was so that... 00:13:45.459 --> 00:13:47.059 I'm going to battle this court all day. 00:13:47.439 --> 00:13:48.000 All right. 00:13:48.559 --> 00:13:51.019 Christ's purpose for the miracle of John 11 was twofold. 00:13:51.559 --> 00:13:54.419 So that God would be glorified and so the disciples would learn. 00:13:54.959 --> 00:14:01.120 Christ wanted the disciples to grow in their faith, so he allowed this trial for the glory of God and the instruction of the disciples. 00:14:01.120 --> 00:14:02.860 God allows trials. 00:14:04.580 --> 00:14:11.919 Or in other words, God uses us so that others may learn about God through that trial. 00:14:13.580 --> 00:14:15.100 Have you considered that? 00:14:15.539 --> 00:14:20.980 That maybe the trial that's in your life right now, God is using it in the life of another person? 00:14:21.539 --> 00:14:22.580 Another believer? 00:14:23.019 --> 00:14:23.960 An unsaved person? 00:14:23.960 --> 00:14:24.560 Another believer? 00:14:26.100 --> 00:14:29.139 Maybe a second new perspective on trials. 00:14:29.660 --> 00:14:35.019 You know, it strikes me, though, as Lazarus and Martha and Mary are going through this trial. 00:14:36.379 --> 00:14:39.000 Did God ask them permission? 00:14:39.580 --> 00:14:39.840 Right? 00:14:39.900 --> 00:14:41.920 We always say, why me, God? 00:14:43.080 --> 00:14:47.000 And then we say, why do bad things happen to good people? 00:14:48.080 --> 00:14:50.060 Martha, Mary, and Lazarus were good people. 00:14:50.860 --> 00:14:52.139 Bad things happened to them. 00:14:52.180 --> 00:14:52.480 Why? 00:14:52.480 --> 00:14:52.560 Why? 00:14:53.440 --> 00:14:57.159 Because God wants to use them as an example to others. 00:14:58.700 --> 00:15:02.940 If God's using you to a trial right now, praise him for it. 00:15:03.360 --> 00:15:05.620 Because we're an example to someone else through that. 00:15:07.720 --> 00:15:10.279 Maybe it's not a big price to pay if we look at it like that. 00:15:10.720 --> 00:15:11.580 Look at verse number 10. 00:15:12.259 --> 00:15:15.460 But if a man walk in the night, he stumbleth, because there is no light in him. 00:15:15.800 --> 00:15:18.100 These things said he, after that he saith unto them, 00:15:18.159 --> 00:15:21.779 Our friend Lazarus sleepeth, but I go, that I may awake him out of his sleep. 00:15:21.779 --> 00:15:26.100 Then his disciples said, Lord, if he sleep, he shall do well. 00:15:26.539 --> 00:15:28.100 Howbeit Jesus spake of his death. 00:15:28.159 --> 00:15:31.319 But they thought that he had spoken of taking rest and sleep. 00:15:31.659 --> 00:15:34.939 Then said Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead. 00:15:34.940 --> 00:15:38.940 And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there to the intent you may believe. 00:15:39.060 --> 00:15:41.400 Nevertheless, let us go unto him. 00:15:41.900 --> 00:15:45.040 Then said Thomas, which is called Didymus, unto his fellow disciples, 00:15:45.320 --> 00:15:47.360 Hey, let's all go, that we may die with him. 00:15:47.700 --> 00:15:52.080 You know, when Jesus first told his disciples, he was planning to go see Lazarus. 00:15:52.320 --> 00:15:54.900 The disciples were rightfully concerned. 00:15:54.899 --> 00:15:59.720 Verse 8 tells us, Master, the Jews of late sought to stone thee, and goest thou dither again? 00:16:00.299 --> 00:16:05.840 When Jesus made it clear he was going, Thomas said in verse 16, let's all go. 00:16:06.779 --> 00:16:08.039 Let's all die together. 00:16:09.899 --> 00:16:12.019 But the disciples' faith was weak in this. 00:16:14.299 --> 00:16:17.519 And I would imagine, I know I would be scared to go back. 00:16:17.519 --> 00:16:23.980 So it's hard to understand connotation through written text, isn't it, right? 00:16:24.240 --> 00:16:27.500 You ever get a text message and somebody says yes or no or sure, 00:16:27.759 --> 00:16:29.699 and you put the wrong connotation on it? 00:16:30.799 --> 00:16:32.059 I wonder, right? 00:16:32.740 --> 00:16:34.279 Was Thomas, was he being sarcastic? 00:16:34.399 --> 00:16:38.100 It's like, well, they're going to stone Jesus, so let's all go get stoned, you know? 00:16:39.120 --> 00:16:40.059 Was that how it was? 00:16:40.139 --> 00:16:43.699 Or was he like, you know, rah, rah, oh yeah, let's all do it together. 00:16:45.819 --> 00:16:46.439 I don't know. 00:16:46.440 --> 00:16:48.960 Well, I think it tells us if we read about it. 00:16:49.980 --> 00:16:54.220 But their faiths were weak, because they were going to go back to a place where they would be in danger. 00:16:56.180 --> 00:16:57.920 Because it wasn't just Jesus they wanted. 00:16:58.120 --> 00:17:00.040 It was everybody that was with him, too. 00:17:00.160 --> 00:17:02.980 They wanted to make sure that this little movement got stamped out now. 00:17:04.700 --> 00:17:08.259 Undoubtedly, this whole incident was about to strengthen the faith of the disciples. 00:17:09.019 --> 00:17:12.980 And Jesus was about to demonstrate his power to do something that only God could do. 00:17:14.519 --> 00:17:15.680 That's to give life. 00:17:16.440 --> 00:17:18.460 Physically and eternally. 00:17:19.019 --> 00:17:22.640 Christ was not fulfilling his purpose, however, purely out of duty to the Father. 00:17:23.180 --> 00:17:26.840 He also had a love for those that he was trying to serve. 00:17:29.220 --> 00:17:31.820 Next thing we want to look at today is the passion at Bethany. 00:17:31.819 --> 00:17:36.619 Here in Bethany, the disciples saw a glimpse of their Savior's heart. 00:17:36.720 --> 00:17:43.399 When we consider sympathy and comfort, we must remember that there is no greater comforter than God himself. 00:17:43.740 --> 00:17:44.879 Look at verse number 17. 00:17:44.880 --> 00:17:51.960 Then when Jesus came, he found that he had lain in the grave four days already. 00:17:53.580 --> 00:17:56.740 Now Bethany was nigh into Jerusalem, about 15 furlongs off. 00:17:57.140 --> 00:18:01.060 And many of the Jews came to Martha and Mary to comfort them concerning their brother. 00:18:01.059 --> 00:18:05.559 I think that's interesting, that verse right there. 00:18:06.319 --> 00:18:09.539 Many of the friends were there comforting Martha and Mary about their brother. 00:18:09.539 --> 00:18:13.500 But Jesus came to comfort them. 00:18:14.500 --> 00:18:18.180 Then Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met him. 00:18:18.500 --> 00:18:21.759 But Mary sat still in the house and then said Martha unto Jesus, 00:18:21.920 --> 00:18:25.440 Lord, if thou had been here, my brother had not died. 00:18:25.940 --> 00:18:29.680 But I know that now whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee. 00:18:29.680 --> 00:18:33.180 Jesus saith unto her, thy brother shall rise again. 00:18:33.600 --> 00:18:37.720 Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection of the last day. 00:18:38.140 --> 00:18:41.279 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection and the life. 00:18:41.519 --> 00:18:45.880 He that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live. 00:18:46.200 --> 00:18:48.860 And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. 00:18:49.940 --> 00:18:50.900 Believest thou this? 00:18:51.060 --> 00:18:52.539 It's a very piercing question. 00:18:53.039 --> 00:18:54.140 Believest thou this? 00:18:56.140 --> 00:18:57.539 Look up here for a minute, class. 00:18:58.120 --> 00:18:59.259 Believest thou this? 00:18:59.680 --> 00:19:04.340 It's a question that each and every one of us must answer at some point in our life. 00:19:05.660 --> 00:19:07.039 Believest thou this? 00:19:08.740 --> 00:19:13.980 Verse 27, she saith unto him, yea, Lord, I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, 00:19:14.019 --> 00:19:15.160 which should come into the world. 00:19:15.440 --> 00:19:18.799 And when she had so said, she went her way and called Mary, her sister, 00:19:18.900 --> 00:19:20.299 secretly saying, the Master has come. 00:19:21.380 --> 00:19:22.120 Calleth for thee. 00:19:22.380 --> 00:19:24.940 As soon as she heard that, she arose quickly and came unto him. 00:19:25.220 --> 00:19:27.180 Now Jesus was not yet come into town. 00:19:27.180 --> 00:19:29.779 It was in that place where Martha had met him. 00:19:29.779 --> 00:19:35.579 The Jews then, which were with her in the house and comforted her, when they saw Mary, that 00:19:35.579 --> 00:19:39.480 she rose up hastily and went out, followed her, saying, she goeth to the grave to weep 00:19:39.480 --> 00:19:39.700 there. 00:19:40.099 --> 00:19:45.180 Then when Mary was come where Jesus was, saw him, she fell down at his feet, saith unto him, 00:19:45.619 --> 00:19:48.259 Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died. 00:19:48.259 --> 00:19:53.279 When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping, which came unto her, he 00:19:53.279 --> 00:19:57.200 groaned in the spirit and was troubled, and said, where have you laid him? 00:19:57.619 --> 00:19:59.579 They said unto him, Lord, come and see. 00:20:01.420 --> 00:20:03.220 Verse 35, Jesus wept. 00:20:04.299 --> 00:20:06.599 Then said the Jews, behold, how he loved him. 00:20:06.619 --> 00:20:11.480 And some of them said, could not this man with open the eyes of the blind have caused that 00:20:11.480 --> 00:20:13.019 even this man should not have died? 00:20:13.019 --> 00:20:13.059 Right? 00:20:13.579 --> 00:20:17.099 Jesus therefore again, groaning in himself, cometh to the grave. 00:20:17.200 --> 00:20:19.220 It was a cave and a stone lay upon it. 00:20:19.400 --> 00:20:24.799 This account shows that the Lord was not a high priest who could not be touched with the 00:20:24.799 --> 00:20:26.019 feeling of our infirmities. 00:20:26.460 --> 00:20:29.759 Hebrews 4.15 says that. 00:20:30.599 --> 00:20:36.139 He truly loved Lazarus, and he felt pain when he lost his friend. 00:20:36.680 --> 00:20:39.579 Christ's passion involved personal pain for himself. 00:20:39.579 --> 00:20:44.339 Verse 35 shows a painful passion. 00:20:45.500 --> 00:20:48.319 Oh, by the way, if you're looking for a memory verse, verse 35. 00:20:50.659 --> 00:20:51.859 I mean, seriously. 00:20:52.899 --> 00:20:54.279 It's an easy one to remember. 00:20:54.500 --> 00:20:56.519 Like, okay, everybody should know this verse. 00:20:56.720 --> 00:20:57.419 Know the address. 00:20:57.879 --> 00:20:59.539 John 11.35, Jesus wept. 00:20:59.899 --> 00:21:01.139 It's a powerful verse, too. 00:21:01.659 --> 00:21:03.859 Because we learn that Jesus cries for his... 00:21:05.480 --> 00:21:07.759 Jesus loves us enough to weep over us. 00:21:07.759 --> 00:21:11.359 Christ saw Mary and Martha weeping over the loss of their brother. 00:21:12.059 --> 00:21:16.039 The sisters assumed that if Christ had been there earlier, Lazarus may have lived. 00:21:17.200 --> 00:21:21.400 Often when we're in mourning, right, we like to think through all the scenarios, the what-ifs. 00:21:22.819 --> 00:21:23.779 It's what we do. 00:21:24.220 --> 00:21:26.819 And maybe that's what Mary and Martha were doing when Jesus arrived. 00:21:27.619 --> 00:21:29.160 Because Martha stated in verse 21, 00:21:29.160 --> 00:21:43.600 Have you ever ministered to someone? 00:21:44.519 --> 00:21:45.600 Maybe another Christian? 00:21:46.140 --> 00:21:48.180 Sometimes we hurt with them, don't we? 00:21:50.080 --> 00:21:52.560 Sometimes we get hurt by them, don't we? 00:21:52.559 --> 00:21:53.779 Yeah. 00:21:54.960 --> 00:21:56.179 You know, it's a true saying. 00:21:57.359 --> 00:22:00.440 That people who we didn't cut will bleed on us. 00:22:00.839 --> 00:22:01.940 But what are we supposed to do? 00:22:03.440 --> 00:22:04.179 Let them bleed? 00:22:04.539 --> 00:22:07.220 If we really love others, when they hurt, we'll feel pain. 00:22:07.899 --> 00:22:09.980 And perhaps we've invested in someone's life 00:22:09.980 --> 00:22:12.720 only for that person to turn their back on us. 00:22:13.720 --> 00:22:14.899 That happened to Jesus. 00:22:16.019 --> 00:22:17.259 Judas betrayed him, didn't he? 00:22:17.259 --> 00:22:18.259 Yeah. 00:22:20.420 --> 00:22:22.900 Perhaps someone that we love very much will pass away. 00:22:23.839 --> 00:22:26.599 You know, the fact is, we cannot love others in a Christ-like manner 00:22:26.599 --> 00:22:28.480 without experiencing pain and loss. 00:22:29.579 --> 00:22:32.980 Jesus' passion was painful, but it was also personal. 00:22:33.539 --> 00:22:35.160 Therefore his sister sent unto him, saying, 00:22:35.259 --> 00:22:38.720 Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick. 00:22:39.200 --> 00:22:40.680 That's pretty personal, isn't it? 00:22:42.640 --> 00:22:43.900 There's people that I love. 00:22:43.900 --> 00:22:48.000 There's people that I know that I don't love. 00:22:49.040 --> 00:22:51.500 Just being honest, Jesus loved this man. 00:22:53.240 --> 00:22:54.140 It was personal for him. 00:22:54.280 --> 00:22:55.780 When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, 00:22:56.200 --> 00:22:58.060 and the Jews also weeping, which came with her, 00:22:58.100 --> 00:23:00.300 he groaned in the spirit and was troubled, 00:23:00.820 --> 00:23:02.759 and said, Where have ye laid him? 00:23:03.160 --> 00:23:04.780 They said unto him, Lord, come and see. 00:23:05.360 --> 00:23:06.240 Jesus wept. 00:23:07.080 --> 00:23:09.140 Then the Jews, then said the Jews, 00:23:09.240 --> 00:23:10.440 Behold how he loved them. 00:23:10.920 --> 00:23:12.620 Lazarus was a good friend of Jesus. 00:23:12.619 --> 00:23:14.500 He loved this family very much, 00:23:14.599 --> 00:23:16.639 and he came to help them during their time of grief. 00:23:17.239 --> 00:23:19.159 When we have a friend who needs assistance, 00:23:19.299 --> 00:23:21.179 the Christ-like thing for us to do 00:23:21.179 --> 00:23:25.019 is to be there for that friend, 00:23:25.399 --> 00:23:27.000 to offer comfort and support. 00:23:27.379 --> 00:23:28.919 This is what Jesus did then, 00:23:29.039 --> 00:23:31.339 and this is what he wants us to do today, 00:23:31.399 --> 00:23:32.939 and this is what he'll do for us today, 00:23:32.939 --> 00:23:35.339 because Jesus is a faithful friend. 00:23:35.899 --> 00:23:37.279 Proverbs 18.24, 00:23:37.399 --> 00:23:39.399 A man that hath friends must show himself friendly. 00:23:40.059 --> 00:23:40.319 Right? 00:23:40.319 --> 00:23:41.720 You want friends? 00:23:42.039 --> 00:23:43.059 You've got to start it. 00:23:43.559 --> 00:23:45.299 You've got to be friendly to them first. 00:23:46.439 --> 00:23:46.619 Okay? 00:23:47.019 --> 00:23:48.460 But the second part of that verse, 00:23:49.240 --> 00:23:51.539 And there is a friend that sticketh closer to any brother. 00:23:52.000 --> 00:23:53.579 I would suggest this morning, 00:23:53.879 --> 00:23:55.539 if you know somebody that's in a trial, 00:23:55.700 --> 00:23:56.439 somebody that's hurting, 00:23:57.419 --> 00:24:00.899 the most impactful thing you can do in that person's life, 00:24:01.359 --> 00:24:02.399 acknowledge their pain. 00:24:03.079 --> 00:24:03.919 Acknowledge the trial. 00:24:03.920 --> 00:24:06.420 Number two, 00:24:06.600 --> 00:24:07.380 Spend time with them. 00:24:08.160 --> 00:24:09.660 You don't have to fix their problems. 00:24:10.320 --> 00:24:11.560 You don't have to, you know, 00:24:12.080 --> 00:24:13.000 bathe them in Scripture. 00:24:14.920 --> 00:24:16.140 Just spend time with them. 00:24:16.740 --> 00:24:17.660 Let them know you care. 00:24:18.400 --> 00:24:19.360 That somebody cares. 00:24:19.800 --> 00:24:20.380 Because often, 00:24:20.740 --> 00:24:22.660 we don't want people to fix our problems. 00:24:22.920 --> 00:24:24.720 We just want somebody to show up that cares. 00:24:25.620 --> 00:24:26.920 Somebody to go through it together. 00:24:26.920 --> 00:24:27.920 You know, 00:24:29.000 --> 00:24:32.259 even if we can't understand why this person is in pain, 00:24:32.400 --> 00:24:35.060 even if we can't understand why this person would go through this trial, 00:24:35.120 --> 00:24:36.840 it seems small to us, 00:24:36.960 --> 00:24:38.279 ridicule, you know, whatever. 00:24:39.620 --> 00:24:42.160 I can't believe you have such little faith about that. 00:24:42.900 --> 00:24:43.140 You know, 00:24:43.180 --> 00:24:44.759 everybody's mom dies or whatever. 00:24:45.039 --> 00:24:45.300 You know? 00:24:45.519 --> 00:24:45.840 Yeah. 00:24:46.259 --> 00:24:47.960 It's a big trial for them though, isn't it? 00:24:48.220 --> 00:24:49.120 Show up and care. 00:24:49.200 --> 00:24:53.920 But it's even more important when somebody is having spiritual trouble. 00:24:53.920 --> 00:24:57.480 when somebody is going through a spiritual trial. 00:24:58.380 --> 00:24:59.600 Because it's hard, isn't it? 00:24:59.600 --> 00:25:01.000 To show up through a spiritual trial. 00:25:01.100 --> 00:25:02.880 Because we may not know how to minister to that person. 00:25:03.180 --> 00:25:05.019 How to give them the spiritual guidance that they need. 00:25:06.460 --> 00:25:07.640 Same principle applies. 00:25:09.420 --> 00:25:10.080 Show up. 00:25:11.039 --> 00:25:11.800 Spend time with them. 00:25:13.140 --> 00:25:14.220 Let them know that you care. 00:25:16.140 --> 00:25:16.620 You know, 00:25:16.700 --> 00:25:19.200 Jesus came to these sisters in their time of need, 00:25:19.400 --> 00:25:20.120 their time of mourning, 00:25:20.259 --> 00:25:21.480 and was a true friend to them. 00:25:21.480 --> 00:25:23.279 He loved this family, 00:25:23.400 --> 00:25:24.559 and he empathized with them. 00:25:26.519 --> 00:25:28.819 And he saw those that he loved weeping. 00:25:29.640 --> 00:25:31.420 He had a tremendous amount of passion, 00:25:32.059 --> 00:25:32.400 pain, 00:25:32.559 --> 00:25:33.880 and love all mixed together, 00:25:33.940 --> 00:25:34.860 as we all often do. 00:25:35.559 --> 00:25:37.539 When we go through the valley of the shadow of death, 00:25:37.680 --> 00:25:39.200 bearing burdens that seem too heavy, 00:25:39.360 --> 00:25:40.420 Jesus can empathize. 00:25:40.579 --> 00:25:42.579 Jesus will empathize with us. 00:25:42.980 --> 00:25:44.059 He is all-powerful, 00:25:44.720 --> 00:25:48.380 but he also has a heart to feel what we feel. 00:25:49.819 --> 00:25:50.960 Because he's felt it. 00:25:51.480 --> 00:25:53.900 John chapter 11. 00:25:54.200 --> 00:25:55.039 Jesus wept. 00:25:55.220 --> 00:25:56.059 He felt sadness. 00:25:56.680 --> 00:25:57.599 He felt loss. 00:25:58.400 --> 00:25:59.420 Same as you and me. 00:25:59.819 --> 00:26:02.660 This is the wonderful wonder of our Savior. 00:26:03.200 --> 00:26:06.940 And this passage tells us that he groaned in his spirit and wept. 00:26:07.500 --> 00:26:09.059 Because this was not just a loss, 00:26:09.120 --> 00:26:10.380 a physical loss of a loved one. 00:26:10.440 --> 00:26:12.140 This was a spiritual loss also. 00:26:13.220 --> 00:26:16.640 Mary and Martha were having spiritual trouble at this time. 00:26:17.360 --> 00:26:18.720 Consider the care of Jesus. 00:26:18.720 --> 00:26:22.539 The creator God wept for the pain of losing a friend, 00:26:22.759 --> 00:26:23.259 a man. 00:26:24.360 --> 00:26:25.620 Jesus loved this family, 00:26:25.819 --> 00:26:28.100 and he loves your family as well. 00:26:29.420 --> 00:26:31.319 Jesus Christ, the omnipotent son of God, 00:26:31.440 --> 00:26:32.500 left the streets of gold, 00:26:32.880 --> 00:26:34.740 came to the sin-sick streets of the earth, 00:26:35.079 --> 00:26:36.860 and became acquainted with grief, 00:26:37.500 --> 00:26:39.400 and loved us in our sinful state. 00:26:39.400 --> 00:26:42.060 Isaiah 53.3. 00:26:42.060 --> 00:26:44.120 He is despised and rejected of men, 00:26:44.180 --> 00:26:45.100 a man of sorrows, 00:26:45.180 --> 00:26:46.840 and acquainted with grief. 00:26:47.220 --> 00:26:48.980 Because Jesus, the omnipotent God, 00:26:49.019 --> 00:26:50.700 allowed himself to be acquainted with grief, 00:26:50.960 --> 00:26:51.620 he wept, 00:26:51.960 --> 00:26:54.000 he saw Mary and Martha mourning, 00:26:54.460 --> 00:26:56.880 and was sad for them. 00:26:56.880 --> 00:27:00.580 We serve a God who can truly empathize with us, 00:27:00.980 --> 00:27:02.320 feeling our pain as his own. 00:27:02.860 --> 00:27:04.240 Hebrews 4.15 again. 00:27:06.020 --> 00:27:07.160 For we have not a high priest, 00:27:07.200 --> 00:27:09.980 which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities, 00:27:10.100 --> 00:27:12.580 but was in all points tempted like as we are, 00:27:13.600 --> 00:27:14.580 yet without sin. 00:27:16.360 --> 00:27:18.520 Christ is compassionate and powerful. 00:27:19.100 --> 00:27:22.020 Christ's purpose and passionate Bethany were clear. 00:27:22.759 --> 00:27:24.279 However, that's not the end of the story. 00:27:25.220 --> 00:27:27.660 He exercised his power as well. 00:27:28.259 --> 00:27:30.200 So we've looked at Christ's purpose at Bethany. 00:27:30.379 --> 00:27:32.400 We've looked at Christ's passion at Bethany. 00:27:32.599 --> 00:27:35.639 Now let's look at Christ's power at Bethany. 00:27:36.000 --> 00:27:37.000 Look at verse number 23. 00:27:37.619 --> 00:27:39.400 Jesus saith unto her, 00:27:39.740 --> 00:27:41.079 Thy brother shall rise again. 00:27:41.759 --> 00:27:42.900 Martha saith unto him, 00:27:43.019 --> 00:27:44.379 I know that he shall rise again. 00:27:44.379 --> 00:27:46.180 In the resurrection of the last day, 00:27:47.379 --> 00:27:49.420 Jesus said unto her, 00:27:50.119 --> 00:27:51.519 I am the resurrection and the life. 00:27:52.019 --> 00:27:53.839 I am the resurrection and the life. 00:27:54.200 --> 00:27:55.240 He that believeth in me, 00:27:55.339 --> 00:27:56.460 though he were dead, 00:27:56.779 --> 00:27:57.700 yet shall he live, 00:27:57.779 --> 00:28:00.740 and whosoever liveth and believeth in me 00:28:00.740 --> 00:28:01.539 shall never die. 00:28:02.799 --> 00:28:04.079 And there's that question again. 00:28:05.680 --> 00:28:07.139 Believeth thou this? 00:28:07.440 --> 00:28:08.859 I hope you can say yes. 00:28:09.160 --> 00:28:09.839 In verse 23, 00:28:10.000 --> 00:28:12.700 Jesus tells Martha that Lazarus would rise again. 00:28:12.700 --> 00:28:15.900 Christ was not referencing the resurrection of the last day. 00:28:16.000 --> 00:28:18.119 He was referring to that day. 00:28:19.339 --> 00:28:20.740 What a cool thing, huh? 00:28:22.019 --> 00:28:23.059 Right now, 00:28:24.019 --> 00:28:26.359 Jesus was going to bring hope. 00:28:28.079 --> 00:28:31.819 We see the power of hope in verse 25 and 26. 00:28:32.420 --> 00:28:34.879 Jesus Christ has the power to provide hope. 00:28:35.139 --> 00:28:38.200 And this is not a false hope that the world offers today. 00:28:39.740 --> 00:28:41.379 Hope of the world is rhetoric. 00:28:42.460 --> 00:28:42.859 It's, 00:28:43.059 --> 00:28:44.279 I hope the Easter bunny comes 00:28:44.279 --> 00:28:45.500 and Santa Claus brings me, 00:28:45.700 --> 00:28:46.019 you know, 00:28:46.079 --> 00:28:47.339 cool things in my stocking. 00:28:47.339 --> 00:28:51.480 Jesus Christ provides real hope. 00:28:51.939 --> 00:28:54.279 Something that we can know and grab onto 00:28:54.279 --> 00:28:56.899 and not ever let go of. 00:28:57.859 --> 00:28:59.500 We serve a powerful Savior 00:28:59.500 --> 00:29:02.879 who offers hope more powerful than death even itself. 00:29:03.259 --> 00:29:05.199 He is the resurrection and the life. 00:29:05.419 --> 00:29:06.839 He is the power over death. 00:29:07.480 --> 00:29:08.539 Titus 2.13, 00:29:08.539 --> 00:29:10.599 looking for that blessed hope 00:29:10.599 --> 00:29:12.399 and the glorious appearing of the great God 00:29:12.399 --> 00:29:13.799 and our Savior Jesus Christ 00:29:13.799 --> 00:29:17.039 who gave himself for us 00:29:17.039 --> 00:29:19.879 that he might redeem us from all iniquity 00:29:19.879 --> 00:29:23.119 and purify unto himself a peculiar people 00:29:23.119 --> 00:29:25.019 zealous of good works. 00:29:25.539 --> 00:29:28.759 The power of hope is found in verses 25 and 26. 00:29:28.759 --> 00:29:31.579 And in the words of Jesus Christ, 00:29:31.960 --> 00:29:33.099 when he says, 00:29:33.480 --> 00:29:35.079 I am the resurrection and the life, 00:29:36.160 --> 00:29:38.079 Christ has the power of hope 00:29:38.079 --> 00:29:41.779 and Christ has the power of resurrection. 00:29:43.359 --> 00:29:44.759 Look at verse number 38. 00:29:45.460 --> 00:29:46.559 Jesus therefore again, 00:29:46.799 --> 00:29:47.619 groaning in himself, 00:29:48.200 --> 00:29:49.160 cometh to the grave. 00:29:49.940 --> 00:29:52.059 It was a cave and a stone lay upon it. 00:29:52.160 --> 00:29:52.700 Jesus said, 00:29:53.259 --> 00:29:54.480 take ye away the stone. 00:29:55.220 --> 00:29:55.539 Martha, 00:29:56.019 --> 00:29:57.420 the sister of him that was dead, 00:29:57.579 --> 00:29:58.160 saith unto him, 00:29:58.379 --> 00:29:58.660 Lord, 00:29:58.759 --> 00:30:00.180 by this time he stinketh, 00:30:00.379 --> 00:30:02.140 for he had been dead four days. 00:30:03.799 --> 00:30:05.119 Jesus saith unto her, 00:30:05.579 --> 00:30:06.700 said I not unto thee 00:30:06.700 --> 00:30:08.259 that if thou wouldst believe, 00:30:08.519 --> 00:30:10.240 thou shouldst see the glory of God? 00:30:10.720 --> 00:30:11.900 Then they took away the stone 00:30:11.900 --> 00:30:14.140 from the place where the dead was laid. 00:30:14.319 --> 00:30:16.240 And Jesus lifted up his eyes and said, 00:30:16.240 --> 00:30:16.599 Father, 00:30:17.299 --> 00:30:21.379 I thank thee that thou hast heard me. 00:30:22.000 --> 00:30:23.980 And I knew that thou hearest me always, 00:30:24.379 --> 00:30:26.420 but because of the people which stand by, 00:30:27.319 --> 00:30:28.379 I said it 00:30:28.380 --> 00:30:30.040 that they may believe, 00:30:30.680 --> 00:30:32.020 that thou hast sent me. 00:30:32.760 --> 00:30:35.080 And when he had thus had spoken, 00:30:35.200 --> 00:30:36.520 he cried with a loud voice, 00:30:37.120 --> 00:30:37.740 Lazarus, 00:30:37.880 --> 00:30:38.880 come forth. 00:30:39.680 --> 00:30:41.540 And he that was dead came forth, 00:30:41.880 --> 00:30:43.920 bound hand and foot with grave clothes, 00:30:43.920 --> 00:30:47.200 and his face was bound about with a napkin. 00:30:47.200 --> 00:30:49.319 Jesus saith unto him, 00:30:49.319 --> 00:30:50.100 loose him, 00:30:50.380 --> 00:30:51.400 let him go. 00:30:51.660 --> 00:30:51.900 You know, 00:30:51.940 --> 00:30:54.279 the Gospels record three different resurrections 00:30:54.279 --> 00:30:57.319 in addition to Christ's resurrection. 00:30:58.440 --> 00:31:00.120 One was a 12-year-old girl, 00:31:01.039 --> 00:31:01.759 Luke chapter 8. 00:31:02.200 --> 00:31:04.900 One was a young man who had been dead for hours 00:31:04.900 --> 00:31:06.259 in Luke chapter 7. 00:31:06.259 --> 00:31:08.519 And in our text today 00:31:08.519 --> 00:31:10.879 is of a man who had been in the tomb 00:31:10.879 --> 00:31:12.920 for four days. 00:31:13.079 --> 00:31:14.180 Pretty hard to fake that one, 00:31:14.240 --> 00:31:14.640 isn't it? 00:31:16.019 --> 00:31:16.779 Four days. 00:31:17.240 --> 00:31:18.819 This gives a picture of the fact 00:31:18.819 --> 00:31:20.839 that God is willing to save all 00:31:20.839 --> 00:31:23.400 regardless of who they are. 00:31:24.440 --> 00:31:24.879 Age, 00:31:25.640 --> 00:31:26.079 gender, 00:31:27.039 --> 00:31:27.619 status. 00:31:27.619 --> 00:31:31.019 if they are in Christ, 00:31:31.559 --> 00:31:33.639 if we are in Christ, 00:31:34.139 --> 00:31:35.839 we have the hope of resurrection. 00:31:37.500 --> 00:31:38.959 Christ can resurrect anybody, 00:31:39.099 --> 00:31:39.699 any time, 00:31:39.819 --> 00:31:40.319 any day. 00:31:40.500 --> 00:31:41.819 And someday he will resurrect 00:31:41.819 --> 00:31:43.539 all who have died in him. 00:31:44.299 --> 00:31:45.839 This is a power far greater 00:31:45.839 --> 00:31:48.479 than any skeptics we might see today. 00:31:49.159 --> 00:31:50.819 Skepticism is nothing new though, 00:31:50.859 --> 00:31:51.179 is it? 00:31:51.619 --> 00:31:53.359 Especially skepticism of God. 00:31:54.179 --> 00:31:54.699 In fact, 00:31:55.539 --> 00:31:56.500 there were skeptics 00:31:56.500 --> 00:31:57.920 in this account. 00:31:59.240 --> 00:32:00.299 Look at verse number 38. 00:32:00.680 --> 00:32:01.680 Jesus therefore again 00:32:01.680 --> 00:32:02.660 groaning in himself 00:32:02.660 --> 00:32:03.559 come unto the grave. 00:32:03.980 --> 00:32:04.759 It was a cave 00:32:04.759 --> 00:32:06.180 and a stone lay upon it. 00:32:06.279 --> 00:32:06.900 Jesus said, 00:32:07.420 --> 00:32:08.559 take ye away the stone. 00:32:09.119 --> 00:32:10.079 So before you start 00:32:10.079 --> 00:32:12.420 picking on Martha, 00:32:14.000 --> 00:32:14.980 ask yourself 00:32:14.980 --> 00:32:16.200 how many times you've done this. 00:32:18.220 --> 00:32:18.660 Martha, 00:32:18.880 --> 00:32:20.039 the sister of him that was dead, 00:32:20.200 --> 00:32:20.779 saith unto him, 00:32:20.859 --> 00:32:21.079 Lord, 00:32:21.079 --> 00:32:22.420 by this time he stinketh, 00:32:22.720 --> 00:32:24.500 for he hath been dead four days. 00:32:24.500 --> 00:32:26.920 Jesus saith unto her, 00:32:27.299 --> 00:32:28.319 said I not unto thee 00:32:28.319 --> 00:32:29.839 that if thou wouldst believe, 00:32:29.960 --> 00:32:31.440 thou shouldst see the glory of God. 00:32:32.940 --> 00:32:33.180 Yeah, 00:32:33.220 --> 00:32:33.779 we're not here today 00:32:33.779 --> 00:32:34.480 to pick on Martha. 00:32:36.559 --> 00:32:37.900 But she was being skeptical, 00:32:38.079 --> 00:32:38.559 wasn't she? 00:32:39.740 --> 00:32:40.519 About everything 00:32:40.519 --> 00:32:41.640 that was happening around her. 00:32:41.880 --> 00:32:42.779 And she protested 00:32:42.779 --> 00:32:43.160 by noting, 00:32:43.240 --> 00:32:43.839 hey, Lord, 00:32:43.920 --> 00:32:45.160 he's been dead four days. 00:32:45.400 --> 00:32:46.559 There's nothing you can do. 00:32:46.680 --> 00:32:47.599 You missed your window. 00:32:48.099 --> 00:32:48.839 You should have been here 00:32:48.839 --> 00:32:49.799 five days ago 00:32:49.799 --> 00:32:50.420 and healed him. 00:32:51.099 --> 00:32:52.000 Time has passed. 00:32:52.460 --> 00:32:53.380 Anybody else done that? 00:32:55.180 --> 00:32:56.160 In their Christian life? 00:32:56.380 --> 00:32:56.559 God, 00:32:56.619 --> 00:32:57.660 why weren't you here last week? 00:32:57.799 --> 00:32:58.839 I needed you a month ago. 00:32:59.299 --> 00:33:00.299 The Jewish people of the day 00:33:00.299 --> 00:33:01.480 considered the fourth day 00:33:01.480 --> 00:33:02.180 to be the point 00:33:02.180 --> 00:33:03.740 beyond reviving a person 00:33:03.740 --> 00:33:04.519 back to life. 00:33:05.019 --> 00:33:06.240 Jesus explained to Martha 00:33:06.240 --> 00:33:08.380 that this miracle 00:33:08.380 --> 00:33:09.779 showed the glory of God. 00:33:10.279 --> 00:33:11.059 Verse number 40, 00:33:11.140 --> 00:33:12.960 if thou wouldst believe, 00:33:13.259 --> 00:33:14.900 thou should see the glory of God. 00:33:15.720 --> 00:33:15.960 You know, 00:33:15.960 --> 00:33:16.839 there's churches today 00:33:16.839 --> 00:33:17.559 that are skeptical 00:33:17.559 --> 00:33:18.759 of the miracles in the Bible. 00:33:18.759 --> 00:33:21.619 Many celebrate 00:33:21.619 --> 00:33:22.660 Resurrection Sunday 00:33:22.660 --> 00:33:23.460 while denying 00:33:23.460 --> 00:33:24.680 the bodily resurrection 00:33:24.680 --> 00:33:25.720 of Jesus Christ 00:33:25.720 --> 00:33:27.759 and that it even took place. 00:33:30.079 --> 00:33:30.920 Regardless of what 00:33:30.920 --> 00:33:31.819 skeptics may think, 00:33:31.900 --> 00:33:32.779 this account is not 00:33:32.779 --> 00:33:33.519 an allegory. 00:33:33.819 --> 00:33:34.839 It's not a fairy tale. 00:33:36.339 --> 00:33:37.799 It's not a bedtime story. 00:33:39.460 --> 00:33:40.339 And we know this 00:33:40.339 --> 00:33:41.000 because the Bible 00:33:41.000 --> 00:33:42.299 is the infallible word of God. 00:33:42.400 --> 00:33:43.319 And the Bible tells us 00:33:43.319 --> 00:33:45.059 that Lazarus was dead 00:33:45.059 --> 00:33:46.579 and in the grave 00:33:46.579 --> 00:33:47.720 before Jesus Christ 00:33:47.720 --> 00:33:49.519 literally raised him up. 00:33:49.960 --> 00:33:50.700 We serve a God 00:33:50.700 --> 00:33:51.920 with that kind of power. 00:33:53.700 --> 00:33:54.640 Consider today 00:33:54.640 --> 00:33:55.960 God's omnipotence. 00:33:57.319 --> 00:33:58.839 All powerful. 00:33:59.980 --> 00:34:00.819 Is there anything 00:34:00.819 --> 00:34:01.779 God cannot do? 00:34:03.420 --> 00:34:04.460 He has the power 00:34:04.460 --> 00:34:05.319 over skeptics 00:34:05.319 --> 00:34:07.539 and over all doubters 00:34:07.539 --> 00:34:08.500 that exist. 00:34:09.579 --> 00:34:10.320 And even in front 00:34:10.320 --> 00:34:11.000 of those hurting, 00:34:11.220 --> 00:34:12.199 Jesus prayed aloud 00:34:12.199 --> 00:34:12.960 to his Father. 00:34:14.780 --> 00:34:15.980 I'm not praying, God, 00:34:16.099 --> 00:34:17.500 because you'll hear me, 00:34:17.500 --> 00:34:18.159 because I know 00:34:18.159 --> 00:34:18.840 you'll hear me. 00:34:19.360 --> 00:34:20.400 I'm praying so that 00:34:20.400 --> 00:34:21.420 these unbelievers 00:34:21.420 --> 00:34:22.260 will hear me, 00:34:22.619 --> 00:34:23.360 see the miracle, 00:34:23.780 --> 00:34:24.300 and believe. 00:34:24.760 --> 00:34:25.539 Look at verse 41. 00:34:25.840 --> 00:34:26.579 Then they took away 00:34:26.579 --> 00:34:27.679 the stone from the place 00:34:27.679 --> 00:34:28.719 where the dead was laid. 00:34:29.000 --> 00:34:30.079 And Jesus lifted up 00:34:30.079 --> 00:34:30.760 his eyes and said, 00:34:30.840 --> 00:34:31.840 Father, I thank thee 00:34:31.840 --> 00:34:32.920 that thou hast heard me. 00:34:33.800 --> 00:34:34.900 And I knew that thou 00:34:34.900 --> 00:34:35.860 hearest me always. 00:34:37.239 --> 00:34:38.699 He hears us always too, 00:34:38.760 --> 00:34:39.239 by the way. 00:34:40.480 --> 00:34:41.760 But because of the people 00:34:41.760 --> 00:34:42.599 which stand by, 00:34:43.099 --> 00:34:43.780 I said it, 00:34:44.019 --> 00:34:44.840 that they may believe 00:34:44.840 --> 00:34:45.900 that thou hast sent me. 00:34:46.300 --> 00:34:47.240 On that day, 00:34:47.480 --> 00:34:48.460 as many doubted 00:34:48.460 --> 00:34:49.180 whether this man 00:34:49.180 --> 00:34:49.760 named Jesus 00:34:49.760 --> 00:34:51.440 was truly the Son of God, 00:34:51.880 --> 00:34:52.780 Jesus eliminated 00:34:52.780 --> 00:34:53.700 all doubts 00:34:53.700 --> 00:34:56.240 by raising Lazarus 00:34:56.240 --> 00:34:56.760 from the dead. 00:34:57.180 --> 00:34:57.960 This account still 00:34:57.960 --> 00:34:58.800 gives us proof today 00:34:58.800 --> 00:34:59.579 that Jesus is 00:34:59.579 --> 00:35:00.559 who he claims to be, 00:35:01.000 --> 00:35:02.860 God in human flesh. 00:35:03.340 --> 00:35:03.860 One day, 00:35:04.100 --> 00:35:04.800 the same voice 00:35:04.800 --> 00:35:05.860 that called Lazarus 00:35:05.860 --> 00:35:07.880 from his grave 00:35:07.880 --> 00:35:09.840 will call the entire 00:35:09.840 --> 00:35:10.600 bride of Christ 00:35:10.600 --> 00:35:11.260 to join him. 00:35:11.260 --> 00:35:13.340 The trump of God 00:35:13.340 --> 00:35:13.920 will sound 00:35:13.920 --> 00:35:15.080 and we will join him 00:35:15.080 --> 00:35:15.640 in the air. 00:35:17.100 --> 00:35:18.080 I hope it's today. 00:35:18.520 --> 00:35:20.180 1 Thessalonians 4.16 00:35:20.180 --> 00:35:21.260 For the Lord himself 00:35:21.260 --> 00:35:22.260 shall descend from heaven 00:35:22.260 --> 00:35:22.820 with a shout. 00:35:23.440 --> 00:35:24.580 The voice of the archangel 00:35:24.580 --> 00:35:25.620 and with the trump of God 00:35:25.620 --> 00:35:26.320 and the dead 00:35:26.320 --> 00:35:26.820 in Christ 00:35:26.820 --> 00:35:27.780 shall rise first. 00:35:28.140 --> 00:35:29.360 Then we which are alive 00:35:29.360 --> 00:35:29.820 and remain 00:35:29.820 --> 00:35:31.120 shall be caught up together 00:35:31.120 --> 00:35:32.180 with him in the clouds 00:35:32.180 --> 00:35:33.200 to meet the Lord 00:35:33.200 --> 00:35:33.740 in the air. 00:35:34.120 --> 00:35:35.440 And so shall we ever 00:35:35.440 --> 00:35:36.720 be with the Lord. 00:35:37.160 --> 00:35:38.300 Fourth of July was fun. 00:35:38.300 --> 00:35:41.320 That's funner. 00:35:41.720 --> 00:35:42.600 As we get closer 00:35:42.600 --> 00:35:43.380 to that day, 00:35:43.600 --> 00:35:44.420 Jesus desires 00:35:44.420 --> 00:35:46.360 for more 00:35:46.360 --> 00:35:47.519 to come to him 00:35:47.519 --> 00:35:48.860 for salvation, 00:35:49.680 --> 00:35:52.320 more to join him 00:35:52.320 --> 00:35:54.200 on that resurrection day. 00:35:56.080 --> 00:35:57.240 So why did Jesus 00:35:57.240 --> 00:35:57.940 do this miracle? 00:35:59.160 --> 00:36:00.060 So that people 00:36:00.060 --> 00:36:00.820 would believe. 00:36:01.200 --> 00:36:02.080 John chapter 20, 00:36:02.260 --> 00:36:02.960 verse number 30, 00:36:03.060 --> 00:36:04.160 and many other signs. 00:36:05.039 --> 00:36:06.000 Truly did Jesus 00:36:06.000 --> 00:36:06.539 in the presence 00:36:06.539 --> 00:36:07.260 of his disciples 00:36:07.260 --> 00:36:08.180 which are not written 00:36:08.179 --> 00:36:08.839 in this book. 00:36:09.319 --> 00:36:10.179 But these 00:36:10.179 --> 00:36:11.259 are written 00:36:11.259 --> 00:36:14.279 that you might believe 00:36:14.279 --> 00:36:15.539 that Jesus is the Christ, 00:36:15.639 --> 00:36:16.299 the Son of God, 00:36:16.480 --> 00:36:17.319 and that believing 00:36:17.319 --> 00:36:18.539 you might have life 00:36:18.539 --> 00:36:19.579 through his name. 00:36:19.940 --> 00:36:20.679 Is that you today? 00:36:23.059 --> 00:36:24.019 I hope so. 00:36:24.779 --> 00:36:25.980 How does that work then 00:36:25.980 --> 00:36:27.279 if it's not you? 00:36:28.539 --> 00:36:29.379 Maybe you're wondering. 00:36:29.679 --> 00:36:30.559 I hear it all the time, 00:36:30.619 --> 00:36:31.219 but I don't understand 00:36:31.219 --> 00:36:31.839 how it works. 00:36:32.799 --> 00:36:33.599 Romans 10.10 00:36:33.599 --> 00:36:34.819 For with the heart 00:36:34.819 --> 00:36:36.239 man believeth 00:36:36.239 --> 00:36:36.859 unto righteousness, 00:36:36.860 --> 00:36:38.579 and with the mouth 00:36:38.579 --> 00:36:40.180 confession is made 00:36:40.180 --> 00:36:40.840 unto salvation. 00:36:42.340 --> 00:36:43.340 That's how it works. 00:36:44.500 --> 00:36:45.480 Has there ever been 00:36:45.480 --> 00:36:45.900 a day 00:36:45.900 --> 00:36:46.980 that you believe 00:36:46.980 --> 00:36:47.860 that Jesus Christ 00:36:47.860 --> 00:36:48.519 is the resurrection 00:36:48.519 --> 00:36:49.220 and the life? 00:36:50.519 --> 00:36:51.740 Believest thou this? 00:36:52.120 --> 00:36:52.740 If not, 00:36:54.320 --> 00:36:55.460 do it today. 00:36:56.599 --> 00:36:57.460 Do it now. 00:36:57.460 --> 00:36:58.579 If you need help, 00:36:59.039 --> 00:37:00.079 ask. 00:37:00.079 --> 00:37:03.139 Many would be happy 00:37:03.139 --> 00:37:03.719 to help you 00:37:03.719 --> 00:37:04.819 and show you. 00:37:06.940 --> 00:37:07.900 Not an opinion, 00:37:09.480 --> 00:37:09.799 right? 00:37:11.239 --> 00:37:12.679 But what the Word of God says. 00:37:13.259 --> 00:37:14.239 The infallible 00:37:14.239 --> 00:37:15.480 Word of God. 00:37:16.619 --> 00:37:17.299 Perhaps we are 00:37:17.299 --> 00:37:18.179 needing strength today. 00:37:19.759 --> 00:37:20.759 I can only be found 00:37:20.759 --> 00:37:21.440 in God's power. 00:37:22.440 --> 00:37:23.000 And maybe 00:37:23.000 --> 00:37:24.440 through a trial 00:37:24.440 --> 00:37:25.599 we're waiting on God 00:37:25.599 --> 00:37:26.779 and He's just 00:37:26.779 --> 00:37:28.159 not getting it done. 00:37:28.539 --> 00:37:28.739 I mean, 00:37:28.759 --> 00:37:29.199 come on, 00:37:29.319 --> 00:37:30.179 I got things to do, 00:37:30.239 --> 00:37:30.460 God, 00:37:30.519 --> 00:37:31.119 let's hurry up. 00:37:33.119 --> 00:37:33.880 But let's not 00:37:33.880 --> 00:37:34.519 be discouraged. 00:37:36.579 --> 00:37:37.199 God's timing 00:37:37.199 --> 00:37:37.759 is perfect 00:37:37.759 --> 00:37:38.860 because He's sovereign 00:37:38.860 --> 00:37:40.679 and He's omnipotent. 00:37:41.880 --> 00:37:43.259 Just keep trusting God. 00:37:44.819 --> 00:37:45.259 Faithfulness. 00:37:46.039 --> 00:37:46.880 Keep doing it 00:37:46.880 --> 00:37:48.079 over and over. 00:37:49.500 --> 00:37:50.759 Knowing that He does 00:37:50.759 --> 00:37:51.779 have a perfect plan 00:37:51.780 --> 00:37:53.120 and that even 00:37:53.120 --> 00:37:53.820 as we wait, 00:37:55.060 --> 00:37:55.680 He will feel 00:37:55.680 --> 00:37:56.700 our pain 00:37:56.700 --> 00:37:57.400 as His own. 00:37:58.240 --> 00:37:59.100 Christ's omnipotence 00:37:59.100 --> 00:37:59.600 is comforting 00:37:59.600 --> 00:38:01.060 not only because 00:38:01.060 --> 00:38:02.300 He has all power 00:38:02.300 --> 00:38:03.340 but because 00:38:03.340 --> 00:38:04.560 He uses it 00:38:04.560 --> 00:38:07.100 on our behalf. 00:38:07.480 --> 00:38:08.060 I hope you find 00:38:08.060 --> 00:38:08.760 comfort and hope 00:38:08.760 --> 00:38:09.320 in considering 00:38:09.320 --> 00:38:10.140 His omnipotence 00:38:10.140 --> 00:38:10.640 this week. 00:38:11.760 --> 00:38:12.680 Let's pray together.