WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:05.839 Bible lessons that we are going to be studying next several weeks in the evening service. 00:00:05.839 --> 00:00:13.500 During the summertime, while our small group ministries are not meeting, we are here together 00:00:13.500 --> 00:00:19.259 at the church for the purpose of studying the Scriptures together, and we are also together 00:00:19.259 --> 00:00:23.980 off-site, particularly on July the 3rd. 00:00:24.059 --> 00:00:25.000 Mark that down. 00:00:25.600 --> 00:00:30.379 That is a Sunday that I want to encourage you to dedicate to gospel ministry. 00:00:30.500 --> 00:00:32.219 So let me ask you a question first. 00:00:32.219 --> 00:00:39.920 First, what do Andrew, Philip, and the woman at the well all have in common? 00:00:41.879 --> 00:00:49.060 What do Andrew, Philip, and the woman at the well all have in common? 00:00:49.960 --> 00:00:52.920 Just raise your hand and wave at me if you know the answer. 00:00:53.879 --> 00:00:55.420 They all did the same thing. 00:00:56.780 --> 00:00:58.179 Okay, just hold on to it. 00:00:58.179 --> 00:00:59.740 How many? 00:00:59.960 --> 00:01:00.619 Raise your hand. 00:01:00.700 --> 00:01:00.960 Go ahead. 00:01:01.039 --> 00:01:02.899 Get it up there and kind of like, hey, I got it. 00:01:03.060 --> 00:01:03.539 I got it. 00:01:05.480 --> 00:01:10.200 Andrew, when he found the Messiah, what did he do? 00:01:12.900 --> 00:01:13.579 What did he do? 00:01:15.359 --> 00:01:16.780 He went and told somebody else. 00:01:18.099 --> 00:01:21.159 What did Philip do when he found the Messiah? 00:01:22.260 --> 00:01:23.740 He went and told somebody else. 00:01:23.739 --> 00:01:28.459 And what did the woman do when she found the Messiah? 00:01:29.879 --> 00:01:31.399 She went and told somebody else. 00:01:32.019 --> 00:01:37.379 Now, this Sunday evening, we are going to have a witnessing refresher. 00:01:37.899 --> 00:01:39.479 None of us need anything like that. 00:01:39.560 --> 00:01:40.719 I mean, you know, we're good at that. 00:01:41.159 --> 00:01:42.780 We practice all the time. 00:01:42.939 --> 00:01:47.679 We're just, every opportunity that comes by, we take advantage of. 00:01:47.739 --> 00:01:49.659 And God's people said, I'm all over it. 00:01:49.659 --> 00:01:52.239 We do need refreshers. 00:01:52.539 --> 00:01:53.079 Am I right? 00:01:53.659 --> 00:01:59.579 How many of you admit a little bit of witnessing refreshing would probably not hurt you? 00:02:01.159 --> 00:02:01.379 Okay. 00:02:01.620 --> 00:02:07.099 You come this evening, and we're going to lay the platform for what we want to do together 00:02:07.099 --> 00:02:08.280 as a family of believers. 00:02:08.859 --> 00:02:15.759 Sometimes we come in to be the church, and sometimes we go out to be the church, right? 00:02:15.759 --> 00:02:23.439 And so this evening's service is going to focus on encouraging you in your gospel witness. 00:02:23.819 --> 00:02:31.319 Now, with that being said, I want you to take your Bible there in John chapter 11 and follow 00:02:31.319 --> 00:02:33.399 along with me as I read. 00:02:33.400 --> 00:02:43.800 Now, certain man was ill, Lazarus of Bethany, the village of Mary and his sister Martha, 00:02:44.159 --> 00:02:45.020 or her sister Martha. 00:02:45.700 --> 00:02:51.500 It was Mary who anointed the Lord with anointment or with ointment and wiped his feet with her 00:02:51.500 --> 00:02:53.759 hair, whose brother Lazarus was ill. 00:02:55.040 --> 00:03:00.099 So the sisters sent to him, saying, Lord, he whom you love is ill. 00:03:00.099 --> 00:03:05.219 But when Jesus heard it, he said, this illness does not lead to death. 00:03:05.819 --> 00:03:10.799 It is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it. 00:03:12.240 --> 00:03:15.280 Now, Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. 00:03:15.859 --> 00:03:22.180 So when he heard that Lazarus was ill, he stayed two days longer in the place where he was. 00:03:24.219 --> 00:03:24.979 Let's pray. 00:03:24.979 --> 00:03:36.719 Our Father, the song that we just finished singing was an expression of commitment, 00:03:39.179 --> 00:03:45.799 an expression of our dependence upon you to work in us, to give to us ears that hear and 00:03:45.799 --> 00:03:49.459 a heart that appreciates the sweetness of the Word of God. 00:03:49.460 --> 00:03:58.840 And so for us this morning, the matter of coming to you in prayer is not just a habit, but it 00:03:58.840 --> 00:04:08.219 is a declaration of our confidence in your readiness to work to allow us to understand 00:04:08.219 --> 00:04:14.379 and appreciate the beauty of the Scriptures that we have in hand this morning, and to work 00:04:14.379 --> 00:04:19.480 in us that we would grow in our affection for the Lord Jesus and our great confidence in 00:04:19.480 --> 00:04:20.579 the Savior that we know. 00:04:22.860 --> 00:04:28.120 It is also our prayer this morning, Father, that those who are here that do not know Christ 00:04:28.120 --> 00:04:36.959 would be drawn to realize, first of all, the sinfulness of their heart, the absolute certainty 00:04:36.959 --> 00:04:45.439 of your eternal judgment, and that the Lord Jesus Christ is the only hope of the world, and 00:04:45.439 --> 00:04:49.680 that all who come to him in faith receive everlasting life. 00:04:50.680 --> 00:04:56.679 We pray for the working of the Holy Spirit, both in encouraging the believer and in convicting 00:04:56.679 --> 00:05:01.659 the unbeliever, that Christ might be glorified this morning. 00:05:01.660 --> 00:05:04.220 We ask this in Jesus' name. 00:05:05.180 --> 00:05:05.500 Amen. 00:05:06.900 --> 00:05:10.860 Now, as you look at this passage, I want you to understand that probably one of the underlying 00:05:10.860 --> 00:05:15.660 questions that all of us are dealing with on a very regular basis is this, is does he 00:05:15.660 --> 00:05:16.300 really love me? 00:05:17.280 --> 00:05:23.640 We sang a number of different songs that related to that theme, and if you paid attention to 00:05:23.640 --> 00:05:26.540 the...you couldn't call it dueling pianos. 00:05:26.580 --> 00:05:27.460 That would be inappropriate. 00:05:27.760 --> 00:05:29.440 But what's the term for that? 00:05:29.439 --> 00:05:31.839 It's a piano duet, okay? 00:05:32.120 --> 00:05:35.319 It shows you my basic knowledge of musical theory. 00:05:35.839 --> 00:05:37.540 You know, it's like we have two people on there. 00:05:37.600 --> 00:05:38.160 It's a duet. 00:05:38.240 --> 00:05:38.680 I got you. 00:05:38.980 --> 00:05:40.939 But how many of you knew that song? 00:05:41.019 --> 00:05:45.040 I mean, you've learned it forever, and some of you who are grandparents have probably had 00:05:45.040 --> 00:05:50.100 to endure more than one trip in the car with your grandchildren who want to sing it. 00:05:50.779 --> 00:05:54.420 I wouldn't use the term ad nauseum, because that would be entirely appropriate. 00:05:54.839 --> 00:05:57.519 But, you know, it's like we've sung it 47 times. 00:05:57.519 --> 00:05:58.680 Do you know any other one? 00:05:59.759 --> 00:06:06.859 And the ministry of music that we engaged in this morning really focused on the truth 00:06:06.859 --> 00:06:07.719 of the love of God. 00:06:08.740 --> 00:06:10.000 Now, that's a fact. 00:06:10.079 --> 00:06:11.180 It's a theological truth. 00:06:11.180 --> 00:06:19.079 But there are things that happen in our lives that challenge us to appreciate that truth. 00:06:19.939 --> 00:06:24.400 And this passage is one that pushes that truth right up front and center. 00:06:24.920 --> 00:06:27.600 And I trust you walk out of here this morning saying this, 00:06:27.960 --> 00:06:36.360 I know for a fact I am absolutely persuaded that Jesus loves me unconditionally and forever. 00:06:36.360 --> 00:06:45.199 As you look at this passage, we're looking at the last and greatest miracle that Jesus committed 00:06:45.199 --> 00:06:48.220 or Jesus did that is recorded in the Gospel of John. 00:06:48.220 --> 00:06:55.680 The controversy among the Jews as to who Jesus really was had grown into open conflict. 00:06:57.020 --> 00:07:02.460 The miracle of raising Lazarus was going to be the very last thing that he did that would 00:07:02.460 --> 00:07:08.100 kind of move things from controversy to conflict to an open commitment on the part of the Jewish 00:07:08.100 --> 00:07:09.680 leadership to murder him. 00:07:09.780 --> 00:07:14.360 Not only to murder Jesus, but also to get rid of the evidence, namely Lazarus. 00:07:14.360 --> 00:07:22.439 And stop and realize that here we're looking at a miracle that was done in the very shadow 00:07:22.439 --> 00:07:23.160 of Jerusalem. 00:07:23.319 --> 00:07:29.800 It tells us in the text that the city that he was going to do this miracle in there in 00:07:29.800 --> 00:07:32.580 Bethany was only about two miles away from Jerusalem. 00:07:32.780 --> 00:07:38.400 It was close enough that whatever happened in Bethany had traction in the city and everybody 00:07:38.400 --> 00:07:39.580 knew what would take place. 00:07:39.579 --> 00:07:46.779 John's account of this miracle is instructive on many levels. 00:07:46.899 --> 00:07:48.259 It's got a lot of things to tell us. 00:07:48.319 --> 00:07:50.939 It serves to hammer home the deity of Christ. 00:07:51.860 --> 00:07:59.699 It shows his singular focus on the glory of his Father and his desire to make very clear 00:07:59.699 --> 00:08:02.719 that his purpose was to bring glory to his Father. 00:08:02.720 --> 00:08:10.200 But it also serves to kind of give us a window in understanding the Lord Jesus' heart and 00:08:10.200 --> 00:08:12.260 attitude towards us personally. 00:08:13.640 --> 00:08:18.500 And when we put these things together, I trust one of the things that we walk away from here 00:08:18.500 --> 00:08:23.960 this morning is we have this fixed firmly in our mind that the Lord Jesus Christ, who is 00:08:23.960 --> 00:08:30.340 the Savior of the world, loves us individually with an unfailing, unchangeable love. 00:08:30.339 --> 00:08:34.959 And that theological truth is supremely important. 00:08:36.579 --> 00:08:37.139 Supremely. 00:08:39.899 --> 00:08:46.819 Well, we dive into the text and we see, first of all, a delay for the purpose of revealing 00:08:46.819 --> 00:08:47.639 God's glory. 00:08:48.939 --> 00:08:56.919 John's account begins like any good newsworthy story in that early on in a journalism class, 00:08:56.919 --> 00:09:00.620 one of the things that you're taught is if you're going to communicate to people effectively, 00:09:00.799 --> 00:09:06.299 particularly in a newsworthy fashion, that you've got to get the who, what, how, why, 00:09:06.439 --> 00:09:07.899 when, where out there. 00:09:08.360 --> 00:09:12.179 In fact, it's good to hammer those things down in the first couple sentences. 00:09:13.379 --> 00:09:15.599 And you're going to see that John does that. 00:09:15.659 --> 00:09:17.459 He gives us a number of those pieces. 00:09:17.860 --> 00:09:19.740 He tells us who is going to be involved. 00:09:20.019 --> 00:09:21.879 He says where the event takes place. 00:09:21.879 --> 00:09:27.820 He tells us what was wrong and even goes so far as telling us why this was going to happen. 00:09:28.460 --> 00:09:32.000 Now, I'm not going to overplay those pieces of information, but I do want you to have them 00:09:32.000 --> 00:09:37.779 in mind because kind of working our way through is going to help us track the lesson that we 00:09:37.779 --> 00:09:39.159 are looking at this morning. 00:09:40.259 --> 00:09:47.539 Understand that Bethany, the town that Lazarus, Mary, and Martha lived in, was really quite near 00:09:47.539 --> 00:09:48.279 to Jerusalem. 00:09:49.019 --> 00:09:55.039 And it was a city, Bethany, that was close enough that anything that happened in Bethany 00:09:55.039 --> 00:09:56.620 got carried over into Jerusalem. 00:09:56.919 --> 00:10:02.059 And remember that Jerusalem was the city that by this point had become so kind of inflamed 00:10:02.059 --> 00:10:06.779 by the attitude of the Jewish leadership that it was unsafe for Jesus to be there. 00:10:07.360 --> 00:10:09.360 He had withdrawn as a result of that. 00:10:09.639 --> 00:10:15.599 And he'd moved quite a distance away so that he was not in the immediate proximity of the 00:10:15.600 --> 00:10:17.840 leadership and those that openly hated him. 00:10:18.139 --> 00:10:21.480 He was distant from them for safety. 00:10:23.540 --> 00:10:31.019 I want you to imagine also that when Mary and Martha became aware that their brother had 00:10:31.019 --> 00:10:39.580 gotten sick, and you can imagine as they watched his countenance and his health failing, they 00:10:39.580 --> 00:10:45.780 would probably have little discussions in the room about, well, should we let Jesus know? 00:10:45.900 --> 00:10:49.340 Now, they knew why Jesus had left the area. 00:10:50.200 --> 00:10:52.139 And they probably went back and forth. 00:10:52.200 --> 00:10:53.460 The Scripture doesn't tell us. 00:10:53.800 --> 00:11:00.360 But you can imagine the concern they had for Jesus' safety, but the concern they had watching 00:11:00.360 --> 00:11:05.920 their brother begin to slip lower and lower in his health and becoming more and more anxious. 00:11:05.919 --> 00:11:12.079 We've all been there at one point or another where we've watched someone that we love get 00:11:12.079 --> 00:11:12.479 sick. 00:11:13.579 --> 00:11:18.319 And there are occasions where the process of getting sick is pretty sudden. 00:11:19.500 --> 00:11:21.599 How many of you out here have had kidney stones before? 00:11:22.240 --> 00:11:24.779 The gift from God that keeps on giving, right? 00:11:24.860 --> 00:11:30.000 You know, it's like I am a frequent flyer with kidney stones, and I can tell you something 00:11:30.000 --> 00:11:30.919 about kidney stones. 00:11:30.919 --> 00:11:37.659 They come upon you without announcement, and there's not a long run-up to the pain. 00:11:37.799 --> 00:11:42.659 It's like you suddenly wake up, and it's like, ah, I'm dying, you know, get me to the hospital. 00:11:43.579 --> 00:11:49.699 On the other hand, some of us have watched individuals that we love kind of get more and more frail 00:11:49.699 --> 00:11:54.240 and a little more and more painful, and it kind of goes down and eventually begins to say, 00:11:54.319 --> 00:11:56.079 should I take you to the hospital? 00:11:56.199 --> 00:11:56.899 Well, I'm not sure. 00:11:56.899 --> 00:11:59.579 I'm taking you to the hospital, and off you go. 00:12:00.959 --> 00:12:06.879 And so here were Mary and Martha kind of watching their brother as he was getting worse and worse. 00:12:08.559 --> 00:12:11.480 And they thought, well, we ought to call Jesus. 00:12:12.480 --> 00:12:17.399 Yeah, but coming this close to Jerusalem is probably not safe for Jesus. 00:12:17.399 --> 00:12:24.480 And so you can imagine that finally they made the decision to reach out to a trusted friend, 00:12:24.819 --> 00:12:31.860 and they sent this friend to Jesus with a very carefully framed statement. 00:12:32.120 --> 00:12:33.399 I want you to notice it there. 00:12:34.399 --> 00:12:35.480 It says this, 00:12:35.480 --> 00:12:49.340 They didn't say, come right now because Lazarus is dying, and if you don't show up, he's gone. 00:12:52.139 --> 00:12:53.259 They were careful. 00:12:53.259 --> 00:13:02.419 Now, one of the things that I want to add to this is that when you are thinking about who all was making this appeal, 00:13:02.819 --> 00:13:09.399 we are struck by the fact that in the mix, Mary and Martha, Mary is spoken of in a very unique way. 00:13:09.700 --> 00:13:12.340 And I want you to mark what it says there in verse 2. 00:13:12.419 --> 00:13:16.519 It was Mary who anointed the Lord with ointment and wiped his feet with her hair, 00:13:16.939 --> 00:13:18.659 whose brother Lazarus was ill. 00:13:18.659 --> 00:13:23.740 So here is this request sent to Jesus, 00:13:24.319 --> 00:13:31.480 and it is sent by people that have particular traction and credibility or authority in Christ's life. 00:13:32.279 --> 00:13:37.740 I want you to mark that what is being said here in verse 2 about Mary 00:13:37.740 --> 00:13:40.519 is something that actually hadn't happened yet. 00:13:41.480 --> 00:13:44.079 Later, as we work our way through the book of John, 00:13:44.079 --> 00:13:46.220 we will come to John chapter 12, 00:13:46.220 --> 00:13:49.800 where we find that Mary anointed the feet of Jesus, 00:13:50.680 --> 00:13:57.139 and not only did she anoint the feet of Jesus with an ointment that was worth about one year's wages, 00:13:58.139 --> 00:14:02.019 but she did something that is unbelievably exceptional 00:14:02.019 --> 00:14:07.399 in that she knelt down and she wiped his feet with her hair. 00:14:07.399 --> 00:14:17.679 How much of ancient culture are you aware of in relationship to feet and touch? 00:14:18.559 --> 00:14:24.459 As a general rule, only slaves had the responsibility of washing a person's feet. 00:14:24.600 --> 00:14:25.740 It was, guess what? 00:14:26.240 --> 00:14:28.879 When you walked around in sandals or whatever else, 00:14:28.879 --> 00:14:34.980 and there were no modern sewers to kind of take waste away, 00:14:35.840 --> 00:14:38.799 it was a very messy, ugly environment, 00:14:38.980 --> 00:14:41.100 and the feet were not something you wanted to get near. 00:14:42.399 --> 00:14:43.460 And so here is Mary, 00:14:44.860 --> 00:14:47.779 who later on we are going to find anoints Christ's feet 00:14:47.779 --> 00:14:49.500 and wipes them with her hair. 00:14:49.659 --> 00:14:51.279 The fact that she did this 00:14:51.279 --> 00:14:54.159 is noted as being so exceptional 00:14:54.159 --> 00:14:58.159 that if you were to look over in John chapter 26 verse 13, 00:14:58.299 --> 00:14:58.959 it says this, 00:14:59.339 --> 00:15:02.980 that what she did in preparation for Christ's burial 00:15:02.980 --> 00:15:05.559 and this act of worship on her part 00:15:05.559 --> 00:15:09.159 was so noteworthy that wherever the gospel, 00:15:09.299 --> 00:15:10.019 this is what it says, 00:15:10.299 --> 00:15:12.399 wherever the gospel is told, 00:15:13.259 --> 00:15:15.559 her action would be repeated. 00:15:17.000 --> 00:15:20.000 The significance of Mary's worship 00:15:20.000 --> 00:15:24.019 and what she did for Christ 00:15:24.019 --> 00:15:28.779 was so clear in its testimony 00:15:28.779 --> 00:15:30.820 to her appreciation for the Savior 00:15:30.820 --> 00:15:33.460 that even here prior to its happening 00:15:33.460 --> 00:15:37.519 as John is penning this letter or this gospel, 00:15:37.899 --> 00:15:38.519 he is reminded, 00:15:38.679 --> 00:15:39.279 this is Mary. 00:15:39.440 --> 00:15:41.980 Oh, Mary, the one who worshiped Christ 00:15:41.980 --> 00:15:44.679 by doing this distinct and very special thing. 00:15:45.279 --> 00:15:46.460 I want to stop just for a moment 00:15:46.460 --> 00:15:47.519 and ask you this question. 00:15:47.519 --> 00:15:50.100 Is my worship, the question you should ask, 00:15:50.159 --> 00:15:51.819 is my worship of Christ 00:15:51.819 --> 00:15:54.220 something others are affected by 00:15:54.220 --> 00:15:55.319 and will remember? 00:15:56.120 --> 00:15:58.379 Is my worship of Christ 00:15:58.379 --> 00:16:01.759 something other people are affected by 00:16:01.759 --> 00:16:03.439 and will remember? 00:16:03.679 --> 00:16:06.319 Incidentally, when you ask yourself that question, 00:16:06.620 --> 00:16:08.899 what are the ways in which we worship Christ? 00:16:10.199 --> 00:16:13.000 We worship Christ by the way we live. 00:16:13.779 --> 00:16:16.379 We worship Christ by the way we talk. 00:16:16.379 --> 00:16:17.100 Isn't that right? 00:16:17.519 --> 00:16:20.539 We worship Christ by the way we treat other people. 00:16:21.460 --> 00:16:23.720 We worship Christ by the joy 00:16:23.720 --> 00:16:26.819 and the confidence of our countenance in life. 00:16:27.879 --> 00:16:30.639 And so, practical question for you this morning 00:16:30.639 --> 00:16:32.259 as you think about Mary 00:16:32.259 --> 00:16:34.220 and the testimony that is given of her, 00:16:34.579 --> 00:16:35.679 you ask yourself the question, 00:16:35.779 --> 00:16:37.559 hey, the way in which I'm living, 00:16:37.659 --> 00:16:38.899 the way in which I'm talking, 00:16:39.259 --> 00:16:41.079 does it cause other people 00:16:41.079 --> 00:16:42.679 to think favorably of Christ 00:16:42.679 --> 00:16:44.740 and to remember Him 00:16:44.740 --> 00:16:46.220 in the light of my worship? 00:16:46.220 --> 00:16:49.660 Now, I want you to notice something else in the passage 00:16:49.660 --> 00:16:50.720 as we work our way through. 00:16:50.820 --> 00:16:51.680 It tells us here 00:16:51.680 --> 00:16:53.600 that the sisters, 00:16:53.800 --> 00:16:54.879 when they send the messenger, 00:16:55.040 --> 00:16:56.759 look there in verse 3, 00:16:57.200 --> 00:16:57.720 it says, 00:16:58.420 --> 00:16:59.000 the one who, 00:16:59.139 --> 00:17:00.840 he whom you love is ill. 00:17:02.840 --> 00:17:04.120 Instead of saying 00:17:04.120 --> 00:17:06.900 what probably they were thinking on the surface, 00:17:06.980 --> 00:17:07.299 you know, it's like, 00:17:07.500 --> 00:17:07.700 hey, 00:17:07.700 --> 00:17:10.059 our brother's sick 00:17:10.059 --> 00:17:11.080 and he's going to die 00:17:11.080 --> 00:17:14.279 and you need to come right now. 00:17:15.720 --> 00:17:17.240 Instead of being so bold, 00:17:18.319 --> 00:17:20.340 they frame it in a more careful 00:17:20.340 --> 00:17:21.620 and cautious way 00:17:21.620 --> 00:17:23.100 and they communicate this idea, 00:17:23.519 --> 00:17:25.180 the one that you love is ill. 00:17:26.259 --> 00:17:27.180 I want to tell you 00:17:27.180 --> 00:17:29.019 that it wasn't just Lazarus 00:17:29.019 --> 00:17:30.000 that Jesus loved. 00:17:30.080 --> 00:17:30.900 And how do we know that? 00:17:31.400 --> 00:17:32.080 For one thing, 00:17:32.140 --> 00:17:33.000 we read in the passage 00:17:33.000 --> 00:17:34.720 that Jesus also loved 00:17:34.720 --> 00:17:36.660 Mary and Martha. 00:17:36.859 --> 00:17:37.420 You look there 00:17:37.420 --> 00:17:38.539 in verse 5 00:17:38.539 --> 00:17:39.799 and it says this, 00:17:39.859 --> 00:17:41.180 now Jesus loved Martha 00:17:41.180 --> 00:17:41.920 and her sister 00:17:41.920 --> 00:17:43.039 and Lazarus. 00:17:43.880 --> 00:17:45.539 And there are all kinds of questions 00:17:45.539 --> 00:17:46.819 that arise from this. 00:17:46.900 --> 00:17:48.500 Did Jesus love these three 00:17:48.500 --> 00:17:50.500 more than He loves everybody else? 00:17:51.960 --> 00:17:52.519 Incidentally, 00:17:52.740 --> 00:17:53.779 we're going to find, 00:17:53.920 --> 00:17:54.819 as we work our way 00:17:54.819 --> 00:17:55.740 through the book of John, 00:17:55.740 --> 00:17:57.940 that John the Apostle 00:17:57.940 --> 00:18:00.400 never refers to himself 00:18:00.400 --> 00:18:02.400 by his own name 00:18:02.400 --> 00:18:04.180 in the book of John. 00:18:04.640 --> 00:18:05.420 Does anybody know 00:18:05.420 --> 00:18:06.680 how he identifies himself 00:18:06.680 --> 00:18:07.140 in the book? 00:18:08.779 --> 00:18:09.920 How does he call himself? 00:18:10.000 --> 00:18:10.539 What's he say? 00:18:13.099 --> 00:18:14.480 He refers to himself 00:18:14.480 --> 00:18:15.740 as the one Jesus loved. 00:18:15.880 --> 00:18:16.000 Now, 00:18:16.120 --> 00:18:17.140 question to you, 00:18:18.220 --> 00:18:21.099 is the way John identifies himself 00:18:21.099 --> 00:18:21.700 indicative 00:18:21.700 --> 00:18:23.559 of his exceptional 00:18:23.559 --> 00:18:25.399 relationship 00:18:25.399 --> 00:18:26.639 with Christ 00:18:26.639 --> 00:18:28.619 or is it indicative 00:18:28.619 --> 00:18:30.919 of his being overwhelmed 00:18:30.919 --> 00:18:33.240 by the unbelievable blessing 00:18:33.240 --> 00:18:33.980 of being loved 00:18:33.980 --> 00:18:35.039 by the Lord of glory? 00:18:35.339 --> 00:18:35.980 That's a question 00:18:35.980 --> 00:18:37.119 you can ponder. 00:18:38.119 --> 00:18:39.359 I want you to recognize 00:18:39.359 --> 00:18:40.639 as you look at this statement 00:18:40.639 --> 00:18:41.679 that is made repeatedly 00:18:41.679 --> 00:18:44.220 about Lazarus 00:18:44.220 --> 00:18:45.159 and Mary and Martha 00:18:45.159 --> 00:18:45.980 that one of the things 00:18:45.980 --> 00:18:46.879 that it's fair for us 00:18:46.879 --> 00:18:47.619 to ask ourselves 00:18:47.619 --> 00:18:48.039 is that, 00:18:48.359 --> 00:18:48.539 hey, 00:18:49.059 --> 00:18:52.179 if Jesus loves Lazarus, 00:18:52.299 --> 00:18:53.119 Mary and Martha 00:18:53.119 --> 00:18:54.119 as he did, 00:18:54.719 --> 00:18:56.559 does he love me that way? 00:18:57.239 --> 00:18:58.339 And that's a fair question. 00:18:58.959 --> 00:18:59.219 So, 00:18:59.339 --> 00:18:59.979 in one sense, 00:19:00.059 --> 00:19:01.359 the thing that I want you 00:19:01.359 --> 00:19:01.919 to think here 00:19:01.919 --> 00:19:03.059 very carefully about 00:19:03.059 --> 00:19:04.859 is as you ponder this passage 00:19:04.859 --> 00:19:05.939 and this statement's made, 00:19:06.299 --> 00:19:07.959 he loved Lazarus, 00:19:08.819 --> 00:19:09.879 Mary and Martha, 00:19:10.099 --> 00:19:11.399 I want you to ask yourself 00:19:11.399 --> 00:19:11.979 this question, 00:19:12.039 --> 00:19:12.839 does he love me? 00:19:13.899 --> 00:19:16.319 Does he really love me? 00:19:17.939 --> 00:19:19.199 In response to that, 00:19:19.259 --> 00:19:19.799 I want to give you 00:19:19.799 --> 00:19:21.219 a couple very clear statements 00:19:21.220 --> 00:19:22.200 in a Bible passage 00:19:22.200 --> 00:19:23.180 to hold on to. 00:19:23.819 --> 00:19:24.200 For one, 00:19:24.319 --> 00:19:25.059 Jesus loves you 00:19:25.059 --> 00:19:26.420 far more than you can imagine 00:19:26.420 --> 00:19:27.319 and fully grasp. 00:19:28.120 --> 00:19:29.079 I want you to write that down 00:19:29.079 --> 00:19:30.299 and have it fixed in your mind. 00:19:32.319 --> 00:19:33.640 Jesus loves you 00:19:33.640 --> 00:19:35.299 far more than you can imagine 00:19:35.299 --> 00:19:36.319 and fully grasp. 00:19:37.600 --> 00:19:39.240 The truth of the matter is 00:19:39.240 --> 00:19:43.240 that by our nature 00:19:43.240 --> 00:19:45.099 and the sinfulness 00:19:45.099 --> 00:19:46.160 of our own hearts, 00:19:46.559 --> 00:19:47.640 the thing that we're 00:19:47.640 --> 00:19:48.859 fairly good at, 00:19:49.019 --> 00:19:49.720 sadly enough, 00:19:49.779 --> 00:19:50.380 is loving, 00:19:50.920 --> 00:19:51.339 guess who? 00:19:52.680 --> 00:19:53.819 How many of you would say, 00:19:54.319 --> 00:19:55.120 I'm still struggling 00:19:55.120 --> 00:19:56.000 with loving me? 00:19:56.740 --> 00:19:57.240 In fact, 00:19:57.319 --> 00:19:57.920 everybody look up 00:19:57.920 --> 00:19:58.559 and smile at me 00:19:58.559 --> 00:19:59.819 so you know I'm talking to you. 00:20:00.380 --> 00:20:00.839 In fact, 00:20:00.900 --> 00:20:01.819 I'm a little irritated 00:20:01.819 --> 00:20:02.500 that other people 00:20:02.500 --> 00:20:03.099 don't love me 00:20:03.099 --> 00:20:03.660 quite as much 00:20:03.660 --> 00:20:04.359 as I love me. 00:20:04.359 --> 00:20:06.199 In fact, 00:20:06.259 --> 00:20:07.039 it's bothersome 00:20:07.039 --> 00:20:08.919 when people in front of me 00:20:08.919 --> 00:20:10.179 are on their cell phone 00:20:10.179 --> 00:20:11.319 instead of paying attention 00:20:11.319 --> 00:20:11.779 to the fact 00:20:11.779 --> 00:20:12.740 that they should love me 00:20:12.740 --> 00:20:14.019 and get out of my way. 00:20:15.139 --> 00:20:15.339 I mean, 00:20:15.399 --> 00:20:15.799 there they are 00:20:15.799 --> 00:20:16.939 stuck at the stoplight 00:20:16.939 --> 00:20:18.099 texting somebody 00:20:18.099 --> 00:20:19.159 that I don't care about 00:20:19.159 --> 00:20:20.719 and I have somewhere to go. 00:20:22.799 --> 00:20:23.299 You know, 00:20:23.839 --> 00:20:25.899 I am good at loving me. 00:20:27.639 --> 00:20:29.119 The fact of the matter is 00:20:29.119 --> 00:20:30.539 is that's just poor theology, 00:20:31.339 --> 00:20:32.279 sadly, 00:20:32.279 --> 00:20:34.299 and good theology 00:20:34.299 --> 00:20:35.639 is appreciating the fact 00:20:35.639 --> 00:20:36.779 that Jesus loves me 00:20:36.779 --> 00:20:38.079 far more than I can imagine 00:20:38.079 --> 00:20:38.920 or fully grasp. 00:20:39.359 --> 00:20:39.759 Secondly, 00:20:40.220 --> 00:20:41.619 growing to know 00:20:41.619 --> 00:20:42.660 just how much 00:20:42.660 --> 00:20:43.680 He loves you 00:20:43.680 --> 00:20:46.079 is absolutely essential. 00:20:46.539 --> 00:20:47.639 It is foundational. 00:20:47.960 --> 00:20:48.819 It is essential. 00:20:49.279 --> 00:20:50.579 It is a life changer. 00:20:53.359 --> 00:20:54.480 I said I would give you 00:20:54.480 --> 00:20:55.019 a couple things 00:20:55.019 --> 00:20:55.740 to hang on to 00:20:55.740 --> 00:20:57.160 and some clear Bible instruction. 00:20:57.720 --> 00:20:58.460 Turn in your Bible, 00:20:58.599 --> 00:20:59.099 if you would, 00:20:59.559 --> 00:21:01.299 to Ephesians chapter 3, 00:21:01.299 --> 00:21:02.639 verse 14 through 19. 00:21:04.000 --> 00:21:05.399 Why is it that I can say 00:21:05.399 --> 00:21:06.480 that Jesus loves you 00:21:06.480 --> 00:21:08.000 far more than you can imagine? 00:21:09.159 --> 00:21:10.579 Why is it that I can say 00:21:10.579 --> 00:21:11.180 that knowing 00:21:11.180 --> 00:21:12.039 just how much 00:21:12.039 --> 00:21:12.680 He loves you 00:21:12.680 --> 00:21:13.940 is absolutely essential? 00:21:14.419 --> 00:21:14.599 Well, 00:21:14.659 --> 00:21:15.399 the Bible answer 00:21:15.399 --> 00:21:17.039 is in Ephesians chapter 3, 00:21:17.539 --> 00:21:18.879 verse 14 through 19. 00:21:19.240 --> 00:21:19.980 And I'm going to just 00:21:19.980 --> 00:21:21.319 kind of refer to it briefly 00:21:21.319 --> 00:21:22.940 and then have you fix it 00:21:22.940 --> 00:21:23.680 in your own mind 00:21:23.680 --> 00:21:25.039 and you spend time. 00:21:25.139 --> 00:21:25.839 Here's what I'm going 00:21:25.839 --> 00:21:26.500 to encourage you. 00:21:26.500 --> 00:21:28.200 If you're here 00:21:28.200 --> 00:21:28.799 this morning 00:21:28.799 --> 00:21:30.680 and struggle on occasion 00:21:30.680 --> 00:21:32.099 with being pretty moody, 00:21:34.299 --> 00:21:35.279 being kind of 00:21:35.279 --> 00:21:37.059 caught up 00:21:37.059 --> 00:21:38.380 in being a navel gazer, 00:21:38.420 --> 00:21:38.640 do you know 00:21:38.640 --> 00:21:39.839 what a navel gazer is? 00:21:41.460 --> 00:21:42.519 A navel gazer 00:21:42.519 --> 00:21:42.940 is someone 00:21:42.940 --> 00:21:44.039 who is so obsessed 00:21:44.039 --> 00:21:44.440 that they're, 00:21:44.700 --> 00:21:44.960 you know, 00:21:45.019 --> 00:21:47.339 okay. 00:21:47.839 --> 00:21:48.819 If you're struggling 00:21:48.819 --> 00:21:49.259 with that, 00:21:49.339 --> 00:21:50.180 I'm going to suggest 00:21:50.180 --> 00:21:50.940 that you memorize 00:21:50.940 --> 00:21:51.619 this passage 00:21:51.619 --> 00:21:52.619 and hang on to it 00:21:52.619 --> 00:21:54.559 and every now and then 00:21:54.559 --> 00:21:56.000 when you go left of center, 00:21:56.099 --> 00:21:57.220 you bring the passage back. 00:21:58.599 --> 00:21:59.799 Ephesians chapter 3, 00:22:00.139 --> 00:22:00.899 verse 14, 00:22:01.000 --> 00:22:01.559 for this reason 00:22:01.559 --> 00:22:02.319 I bow my knees 00:22:02.319 --> 00:22:03.119 before the Father 00:22:03.119 --> 00:22:04.779 from whom every family 00:22:04.779 --> 00:22:05.679 in heaven and earth 00:22:05.679 --> 00:22:06.200 is named 00:22:06.200 --> 00:22:07.059 that according 00:22:07.059 --> 00:22:07.599 to the riches 00:22:07.599 --> 00:22:08.139 of His glory 00:22:08.139 --> 00:22:08.919 He may grant you 00:22:08.919 --> 00:22:09.659 to be strengthened 00:22:09.659 --> 00:22:10.639 with power 00:22:10.639 --> 00:22:11.480 through His Spirit 00:22:11.480 --> 00:22:12.419 in your inner being 00:22:12.419 --> 00:22:13.599 so that Christ 00:22:13.599 --> 00:22:14.539 may dwell in your hearts 00:22:14.539 --> 00:22:15.039 through faith 00:22:15.039 --> 00:22:16.259 that you being rooted 00:22:16.259 --> 00:22:17.399 and grounded in love, 00:22:17.519 --> 00:22:18.519 now follow me here, 00:22:19.299 --> 00:22:20.119 may have strength 00:22:20.119 --> 00:22:20.799 to comprehend 00:22:20.799 --> 00:22:22.079 with all the saints 00:22:22.079 --> 00:22:23.679 what is the breadth 00:22:23.680 --> 00:22:24.600 and length 00:22:24.600 --> 00:22:25.560 and height 00:22:25.560 --> 00:22:26.440 and depth 00:22:26.440 --> 00:22:27.400 and to know 00:22:27.400 --> 00:22:28.600 the love of Christ 00:22:28.600 --> 00:22:30.299 that surpasses knowledge 00:22:30.299 --> 00:22:32.019 that you may be filled 00:22:32.019 --> 00:22:33.900 with all the fullness 00:22:33.900 --> 00:22:35.019 of God. 00:22:44.019 --> 00:22:45.400 Paul says this, 00:22:46.400 --> 00:22:47.860 the one thing 00:22:47.860 --> 00:22:48.720 I really want you 00:22:48.720 --> 00:22:49.660 to get your head around 00:22:49.660 --> 00:22:53.320 is just how much 00:22:53.320 --> 00:22:55.259 Jesus really loves you. 00:23:01.340 --> 00:23:02.440 I want you to stop 00:23:02.440 --> 00:23:02.980 for a moment 00:23:02.980 --> 00:23:04.180 and ponder the reality 00:23:04.180 --> 00:23:04.500 of it 00:23:04.500 --> 00:23:05.779 is that Jesus loves me 00:23:05.779 --> 00:23:06.640 with an infinite 00:23:06.640 --> 00:23:08.320 and satisfying love 00:23:08.320 --> 00:23:09.920 that will never change. 00:23:13.620 --> 00:23:14.440 Now I want you 00:23:14.440 --> 00:23:14.980 to move on 00:23:14.980 --> 00:23:15.640 through the passage 00:23:15.640 --> 00:23:16.900 because we're struck 00:23:16.900 --> 00:23:17.519 by the fact 00:23:17.519 --> 00:23:18.259 that yes, 00:23:18.640 --> 00:23:20.019 Jesus loved Lazarus 00:23:20.019 --> 00:23:20.660 and Mary 00:23:20.660 --> 00:23:21.560 and Martha 00:23:21.560 --> 00:23:22.780 but He loves me. 00:23:23.600 --> 00:23:24.440 He loves you. 00:23:25.720 --> 00:23:27.240 Well if He loves me 00:23:27.240 --> 00:23:29.680 I'd have to believe 00:23:29.680 --> 00:23:30.360 that everything 00:23:30.360 --> 00:23:31.300 in my life 00:23:31.300 --> 00:23:32.759 would just go perfectly. 00:23:34.480 --> 00:23:35.540 I wouldn't even 00:23:35.540 --> 00:23:36.259 have to buy 00:23:36.259 --> 00:23:37.080 a lottery ticket 00:23:37.080 --> 00:23:37.920 because He would 00:23:37.920 --> 00:23:39.040 just be heaping it up 00:23:39.040 --> 00:23:40.540 and I'd have 00:23:40.540 --> 00:23:42.200 more than I need. 00:23:43.200 --> 00:23:43.360 I mean, 00:23:43.420 --> 00:23:43.860 follow me? 00:23:43.859 --> 00:23:46.139 I would never 00:23:46.139 --> 00:23:46.899 be sick. 00:23:47.939 --> 00:23:48.279 I mean, 00:23:48.299 --> 00:23:49.019 if He loved me, 00:23:49.199 --> 00:23:49.479 right? 00:23:51.079 --> 00:23:52.199 I would never 00:23:52.199 --> 00:23:53.219 have a job 00:23:53.219 --> 00:23:54.259 I didn't like 00:23:54.259 --> 00:23:55.539 if He loved me. 00:23:57.779 --> 00:23:59.019 Everybody would just 00:23:59.019 --> 00:24:00.199 think I was 00:24:00.199 --> 00:24:01.639 the most wonderful person 00:24:01.639 --> 00:24:02.859 if He loved me. 00:24:05.959 --> 00:24:07.079 Look at verse 4. 00:24:09.859 --> 00:24:12.000 When Jesus heard it, 00:24:12.079 --> 00:24:12.619 what was that? 00:24:12.619 --> 00:24:13.019 Lord, 00:24:13.599 --> 00:24:14.779 He whom you love 00:24:14.779 --> 00:24:15.399 is ill. 00:24:16.859 --> 00:24:18.019 So when Jesus 00:24:18.019 --> 00:24:18.659 heard it, 00:24:18.699 --> 00:24:19.259 He said, 00:24:19.799 --> 00:24:20.579 this illness 00:24:20.579 --> 00:24:21.679 does not lead 00:24:21.679 --> 00:24:22.319 to death. 00:24:22.719 --> 00:24:23.879 It is for the glory 00:24:23.879 --> 00:24:24.379 of God 00:24:24.379 --> 00:24:25.139 so that the Son 00:24:25.139 --> 00:24:25.519 of Man 00:24:25.519 --> 00:24:26.519 may be glorified 00:24:26.519 --> 00:24:27.419 through it. 00:24:28.459 --> 00:24:29.419 I want you to imagine 00:24:29.419 --> 00:24:30.019 just for a moment 00:24:30.019 --> 00:24:31.279 that you have 00:24:31.279 --> 00:24:32.859 rushed your loved one 00:24:32.859 --> 00:24:33.959 into ER. 00:24:35.719 --> 00:24:36.259 I remember 00:24:36.259 --> 00:24:37.039 when my dad 00:24:37.039 --> 00:24:38.539 had his last 00:24:38.539 --> 00:24:38.919 bout 00:24:38.919 --> 00:24:40.339 with a UTI, 00:24:40.599 --> 00:24:41.639 urinary tract infection, 00:24:41.640 --> 00:24:42.759 and we ran him 00:24:42.759 --> 00:24:43.860 off to OSU hospital 00:24:43.860 --> 00:24:44.980 and he stayed in ER 00:24:44.980 --> 00:24:45.720 in a little room 00:24:45.720 --> 00:24:47.200 for 17 hours 00:24:47.200 --> 00:24:47.980 and we watched 00:24:47.980 --> 00:24:49.480 his condition die. 00:24:49.700 --> 00:24:50.040 Do you know 00:24:50.040 --> 00:24:50.660 how many times 00:24:50.660 --> 00:24:51.300 we walked in 00:24:51.300 --> 00:24:52.040 and let the nurse 00:24:52.040 --> 00:24:53.080 know that something 00:24:53.080 --> 00:24:53.980 needed to be done? 00:24:53.980 --> 00:24:58.220 I just want you to imagine 00:24:58.220 --> 00:24:59.279 that here is Jesus, 00:24:59.640 --> 00:25:00.759 the one you love 00:25:00.759 --> 00:25:01.559 is sick. 00:25:02.779 --> 00:25:04.000 And what's it say next? 00:25:05.880 --> 00:25:07.640 He stayed around 00:25:07.640 --> 00:25:08.839 for how many more days? 00:25:09.880 --> 00:25:10.460 Count them. 00:25:11.900 --> 00:25:13.460 Two more days. 00:25:13.539 --> 00:25:14.559 48 hours, right? 00:25:14.559 --> 00:25:18.839 And then what does 00:25:18.839 --> 00:25:19.299 he say? 00:25:19.619 --> 00:25:20.379 Look at the passage. 00:25:20.539 --> 00:25:21.079 It says this, 00:25:21.539 --> 00:25:22.220 This illness 00:25:22.220 --> 00:25:23.759 does not lead to death. 00:25:23.879 --> 00:25:24.759 It is for the glory 00:25:24.759 --> 00:25:25.179 of God 00:25:25.179 --> 00:25:25.879 so that the Son 00:25:25.879 --> 00:25:26.319 of God 00:25:26.319 --> 00:25:27.940 may be glorified 00:25:27.940 --> 00:25:29.419 through it. 00:25:31.200 --> 00:25:32.019 What Jesus 00:25:32.019 --> 00:25:32.720 was saying 00:25:32.720 --> 00:25:33.539 to his disciples 00:25:33.539 --> 00:25:34.099 is this, 00:25:34.159 --> 00:25:34.980 is that Lazarus' 00:25:35.139 --> 00:25:35.519 sickness 00:25:35.519 --> 00:25:36.759 will not end 00:25:36.759 --> 00:25:39.240 in his death 00:25:39.240 --> 00:25:40.119 at the moment. 00:25:41.379 --> 00:25:43.159 This sickness 00:25:43.160 --> 00:25:44.160 is something 00:25:44.160 --> 00:25:45.259 that is going to, 00:25:45.380 --> 00:25:45.740 and here's, 00:25:46.259 --> 00:25:47.180 the word glory 00:25:47.180 --> 00:25:47.860 can be used 00:25:47.860 --> 00:25:48.660 two different ways 00:25:48.660 --> 00:25:49.620 in the Greek 00:25:49.620 --> 00:25:50.160 in particular. 00:25:50.759 --> 00:25:51.340 There are times 00:25:51.340 --> 00:25:51.820 in which 00:25:51.820 --> 00:25:53.160 it's talking about 00:25:53.160 --> 00:25:54.340 just the overwhelming 00:25:54.340 --> 00:25:56.120 praise 00:25:56.120 --> 00:25:56.920 that is deserved 00:25:56.920 --> 00:25:57.519 to God. 00:25:57.740 --> 00:25:57.920 You know, 00:25:58.040 --> 00:25:59.140 glory to God. 00:26:00.019 --> 00:26:01.060 There's another way 00:26:01.060 --> 00:26:01.660 in which glory 00:26:01.660 --> 00:26:02.060 is used, 00:26:02.200 --> 00:26:02.779 and this is an 00:26:02.779 --> 00:26:03.660 illustration of it, 00:26:03.920 --> 00:26:04.880 where the purpose 00:26:04.880 --> 00:26:05.420 of glory 00:26:05.420 --> 00:26:06.840 is really to display 00:26:06.840 --> 00:26:08.080 the power 00:26:08.080 --> 00:26:09.620 and nature of God. 00:26:09.700 --> 00:26:10.220 That's what 00:26:10.220 --> 00:26:12.019 John is saying here. 00:26:12.420 --> 00:26:13.140 Jesus makes 00:26:13.140 --> 00:26:13.640 the point 00:26:13.640 --> 00:26:14.580 that this, 00:26:14.759 --> 00:26:15.280 the purpose 00:26:15.280 --> 00:26:16.160 of this sickness 00:26:16.160 --> 00:26:18.840 is that God's glory 00:26:18.840 --> 00:26:19.660 and his, 00:26:19.660 --> 00:26:21.300 his person, 00:26:21.660 --> 00:26:22.360 his power 00:26:22.360 --> 00:26:23.360 would be revealed. 00:26:25.060 --> 00:26:25.820 I want you to think 00:26:25.820 --> 00:26:26.740 with me just for a moment, 00:26:27.060 --> 00:26:27.960 which would have been 00:26:27.960 --> 00:26:28.759 more dramatic? 00:26:31.259 --> 00:26:32.160 For Jesus 00:26:32.160 --> 00:26:33.200 to have heard 00:26:33.200 --> 00:26:36.259 this messenger 00:26:36.259 --> 00:26:37.060 come and say, 00:26:37.160 --> 00:26:38.280 Lazarus is sick, 00:26:38.540 --> 00:26:39.800 and Jesus have done 00:26:39.800 --> 00:26:40.540 the same thing 00:26:40.539 --> 00:26:41.180 that he did 00:26:41.180 --> 00:26:42.319 over in John 00:26:42.319 --> 00:26:43.039 chapter 2. 00:26:43.119 --> 00:26:43.440 Remember? 00:26:43.779 --> 00:26:44.139 I think it's 00:26:44.139 --> 00:26:44.920 John chapter 2 00:26:44.920 --> 00:26:46.460 where the ruler 00:26:46.460 --> 00:26:48.359 comes and says, 00:26:48.460 --> 00:26:49.279 my son is sick, 00:26:49.319 --> 00:26:49.960 and Jesus said, 00:26:50.019 --> 00:26:50.220 what? 00:26:50.940 --> 00:26:51.579 He's good. 00:26:51.839 --> 00:26:52.399 He's healed. 00:26:52.920 --> 00:26:54.139 And they get back home 00:26:54.139 --> 00:26:54.720 and find out 00:26:54.720 --> 00:26:55.180 that the guy 00:26:55.180 --> 00:26:55.700 was healed 00:26:55.700 --> 00:26:56.339 at the time 00:26:56.339 --> 00:26:57.180 Jesus said that. 00:26:57.839 --> 00:26:58.700 Remember when 00:26:58.700 --> 00:27:00.299 the centurion 00:27:00.299 --> 00:27:01.079 came to Jesus 00:27:01.079 --> 00:27:01.740 and said, 00:27:02.059 --> 00:27:02.319 you know, 00:27:02.379 --> 00:27:03.399 my servant is sick, 00:27:03.440 --> 00:27:04.180 and Jesus said, 00:27:04.220 --> 00:27:04.319 well, 00:27:04.319 --> 00:27:04.799 I'll come down. 00:27:04.879 --> 00:27:05.119 He says, 00:27:05.159 --> 00:27:05.460 no, no, 00:27:05.460 --> 00:27:06.720 just say the word. 00:27:06.720 --> 00:27:07.640 Could Jesus 00:27:07.640 --> 00:27:08.259 have healed 00:27:08.259 --> 00:27:09.519 in absentia? 00:27:09.600 --> 00:27:10.480 The answer is what? 00:27:10.860 --> 00:27:11.339 You bet. 00:27:12.200 --> 00:27:12.920 No problem. 00:27:13.360 --> 00:27:14.480 Could have done it. 00:27:16.519 --> 00:27:17.460 Would it have been 00:27:17.460 --> 00:27:18.299 more glorious 00:27:18.299 --> 00:27:19.039 for Jesus 00:27:19.039 --> 00:27:19.819 to have, 00:27:20.960 --> 00:27:21.240 hey, 00:27:21.660 --> 00:27:22.680 I've taken care 00:27:22.680 --> 00:27:22.960 of it. 00:27:23.360 --> 00:27:24.460 He's good now. 00:27:25.700 --> 00:27:26.819 Or would it have 00:27:26.819 --> 00:27:28.600 been more glorifying, 00:27:28.759 --> 00:27:29.920 revealing his power, 00:27:30.519 --> 00:27:31.120 to have kind of 00:27:31.120 --> 00:27:32.460 waited for two more days 00:27:32.460 --> 00:27:32.860 and can you, 00:27:33.120 --> 00:27:34.220 where's Jesus? 00:27:34.460 --> 00:27:35.120 Is he coming? 00:27:35.700 --> 00:27:36.539 Where is he? 00:27:37.720 --> 00:27:38.839 And he shows up 00:27:38.839 --> 00:27:40.880 and there's Mary 00:27:40.880 --> 00:27:41.279 and Martha. 00:27:41.360 --> 00:27:42.039 We're going to see that 00:27:42.039 --> 00:27:43.140 a couple weeks from now. 00:27:44.380 --> 00:27:46.779 And here is Lazarus 00:27:46.779 --> 00:27:47.559 who has now been 00:27:47.559 --> 00:27:48.299 in the grave 00:27:48.299 --> 00:27:49.180 for how many days? 00:27:50.160 --> 00:27:50.680 Count them, 00:27:50.980 --> 00:27:51.259 four. 00:27:53.940 --> 00:27:55.279 What we find here 00:27:55.279 --> 00:27:57.720 is that Jesus 00:27:57.720 --> 00:27:58.600 makes it clear 00:27:58.600 --> 00:27:59.819 that the circumstances 00:27:59.819 --> 00:28:00.839 of the moment 00:28:00.839 --> 00:28:03.740 were circumstances 00:28:03.740 --> 00:28:05.440 in which his power 00:28:05.440 --> 00:28:06.440 and his glory 00:28:06.440 --> 00:28:09.480 had a platform 00:28:09.480 --> 00:28:10.720 in which to be displayed. 00:28:12.980 --> 00:28:14.160 I wonder how often 00:28:14.160 --> 00:28:15.180 you remind yourself 00:28:15.180 --> 00:28:16.340 of that in your own life. 00:28:17.360 --> 00:28:18.000 Think with me. 00:28:19.940 --> 00:28:21.140 Things are not going 00:28:21.140 --> 00:28:22.480 the way you would like. 00:28:24.980 --> 00:28:26.220 Hardship and heartache. 00:28:27.600 --> 00:28:28.559 A job. 00:28:28.559 --> 00:28:30.000 A marriage. 00:28:30.880 --> 00:28:31.400 Children. 00:28:31.400 --> 00:28:32.400 Circumstances 00:28:32.400 --> 00:28:33.280 circumstances 00:28:33.280 --> 00:28:34.860 surrounding your employment. 00:28:36.240 --> 00:28:37.100 Things in which 00:28:37.100 --> 00:28:38.340 there is that 00:28:38.340 --> 00:28:39.600 natural temptation 00:28:39.600 --> 00:28:40.360 in your heart 00:28:40.360 --> 00:28:40.780 to say, 00:28:41.300 --> 00:28:42.700 if Jesus loved me, 00:28:42.840 --> 00:28:44.360 it would not be 00:28:44.360 --> 00:28:45.120 happening 00:28:45.120 --> 00:28:46.259 this way. 00:28:46.259 --> 00:28:51.359 I want you to be careful 00:28:51.359 --> 00:28:53.539 that you don't play 00:28:53.539 --> 00:28:54.099 the fool 00:28:54.099 --> 00:28:56.440 and complain 00:28:56.440 --> 00:28:57.059 at the moment 00:28:57.059 --> 00:28:58.119 that he has granted 00:28:58.119 --> 00:28:59.379 you an opportunity 00:28:59.379 --> 00:29:01.339 to be an illustration 00:29:01.339 --> 00:29:02.180 of his glory. 00:29:04.039 --> 00:29:04.500 Instead, 00:29:04.640 --> 00:29:05.420 what I would encourage 00:29:05.420 --> 00:29:06.559 you to say to yourself 00:29:06.559 --> 00:29:07.059 is this, 00:29:07.059 --> 00:29:08.359 this moment 00:29:08.359 --> 00:29:09.539 is my chance 00:29:09.539 --> 00:29:10.799 to show who my God 00:29:10.799 --> 00:29:11.839 and Savior 00:29:11.839 --> 00:29:12.960 is. 00:29:17.220 --> 00:29:18.359 I'll never forget 00:29:18.359 --> 00:29:22.419 a man that I ministered to 00:29:22.419 --> 00:29:23.500 whose son was born 00:29:23.500 --> 00:29:24.339 with spina bifida 00:29:24.339 --> 00:29:26.679 and I watched 00:29:26.679 --> 00:29:27.899 this man and his wife 00:29:27.899 --> 00:29:29.240 care for that little boy 00:29:29.240 --> 00:29:31.679 until he was taken home. 00:29:33.220 --> 00:29:34.339 I still remember 00:29:34.339 --> 00:29:34.819 the funeral 00:29:34.819 --> 00:29:36.599 because they had 00:29:36.599 --> 00:29:37.720 his little wheelchair 00:29:37.720 --> 00:29:38.659 up here in the front 00:29:38.659 --> 00:29:39.379 with balloons 00:29:39.379 --> 00:29:40.439 tied all over it. 00:29:41.859 --> 00:29:42.759 And after the funeral, 00:29:43.019 --> 00:29:44.139 after the ceremony, 00:29:44.279 --> 00:29:45.480 we took the little wheelchair 00:29:45.480 --> 00:29:46.039 outside 00:29:46.039 --> 00:29:47.879 and the father 00:29:47.879 --> 00:29:49.039 cut those little balloons 00:29:49.039 --> 00:29:50.139 and let them float away 00:29:50.139 --> 00:29:53.000 into the horizon. 00:29:54.339 --> 00:29:55.059 I remember 00:29:55.059 --> 00:29:57.899 when Fred said 00:29:57.899 --> 00:29:58.500 to me one day, 00:29:58.559 --> 00:29:58.939 he said, 00:30:00.740 --> 00:30:02.199 Dustin's condition 00:30:02.199 --> 00:30:03.299 was not something 00:30:03.299 --> 00:30:04.679 God did to us 00:30:04.679 --> 00:30:06.240 but something 00:30:06.240 --> 00:30:07.459 God did for us. 00:30:09.720 --> 00:30:10.959 We learn things 00:30:10.959 --> 00:30:11.679 about God 00:30:11.679 --> 00:30:14.720 in ministering 00:30:14.720 --> 00:30:15.199 to Dustin. 00:30:18.419 --> 00:30:19.099 You know, 00:30:19.159 --> 00:30:19.819 sometimes we get 00:30:19.819 --> 00:30:20.500 so caught up 00:30:20.500 --> 00:30:20.980 in thinking 00:30:20.980 --> 00:30:21.699 that the things 00:30:21.699 --> 00:30:22.599 we're suffering 00:30:22.599 --> 00:30:24.519 are just 00:30:24.519 --> 00:30:25.419 illustrations 00:30:25.419 --> 00:30:27.019 of the indifference 00:30:27.019 --> 00:30:27.819 of God 00:30:27.819 --> 00:30:29.039 and that's wrong. 00:30:32.699 --> 00:30:33.459 This moment 00:30:33.459 --> 00:30:34.299 is my chance 00:30:34.299 --> 00:30:34.740 to show 00:30:34.740 --> 00:30:35.379 who my God 00:30:35.379 --> 00:30:36.339 and Savior is. 00:30:38.259 --> 00:30:38.740 Well, 00:30:39.000 --> 00:30:40.799 let's go a little further 00:30:40.799 --> 00:30:41.519 and understand 00:30:41.519 --> 00:30:42.379 in broad terms 00:30:42.379 --> 00:30:44.500 that this delay 00:30:44.500 --> 00:30:45.219 is to amplify 00:30:45.219 --> 00:30:45.879 his glory. 00:30:46.939 --> 00:30:47.740 We pick up there 00:30:47.740 --> 00:30:48.480 in verse 6 00:30:48.480 --> 00:30:49.359 and we see something 00:30:49.359 --> 00:30:50.500 that really does 00:30:50.500 --> 00:30:51.019 stun us. 00:30:51.019 --> 00:30:51.720 It says he waited 00:30:51.720 --> 00:30:52.700 two days longer. 00:30:54.519 --> 00:30:55.059 And we're going 00:30:55.059 --> 00:30:55.660 to learn later 00:30:55.660 --> 00:30:56.440 in the chapter 00:30:56.440 --> 00:30:57.339 that when Jesus 00:30:57.339 --> 00:30:58.480 does get to the tomb, 00:30:58.599 --> 00:30:59.379 as I pointed out 00:30:59.379 --> 00:30:59.779 already, 00:31:00.220 --> 00:31:01.160 Lazarus would have 00:31:01.160 --> 00:31:01.579 been dead 00:31:01.579 --> 00:31:02.539 for four whole days 00:31:02.539 --> 00:31:03.299 and his body 00:31:03.299 --> 00:31:04.440 had begun 00:31:04.440 --> 00:31:06.259 that process 00:31:06.259 --> 00:31:06.799 of decay. 00:31:09.079 --> 00:31:10.359 In delaying, 00:31:10.460 --> 00:31:10.980 what Jesus 00:31:10.980 --> 00:31:11.680 had done 00:31:11.680 --> 00:31:12.619 was he had removed 00:31:12.619 --> 00:31:13.819 any possible 00:31:13.819 --> 00:31:14.639 doubt 00:31:14.640 --> 00:31:16.500 or he had 00:31:16.500 --> 00:31:17.120 completely 00:31:17.120 --> 00:31:17.880 eliminated 00:31:17.880 --> 00:31:18.880 any potential 00:31:18.880 --> 00:31:19.660 misunderstanding 00:31:19.660 --> 00:31:21.000 or denial 00:31:21.000 --> 00:31:21.660 of the miracle 00:31:21.660 --> 00:31:22.180 that he was 00:31:22.180 --> 00:31:22.920 going to do. 00:31:25.259 --> 00:31:25.840 You see, 00:31:25.940 --> 00:31:26.400 when Jesus 00:31:26.400 --> 00:31:27.600 arrives on the scene 00:31:27.600 --> 00:31:30.060 in all of our lives 00:31:30.060 --> 00:31:30.759 and he does 00:31:30.759 --> 00:31:32.300 for those of you 00:31:32.300 --> 00:31:33.360 who know his grace, 00:31:34.720 --> 00:31:36.060 he arrives 00:31:36.060 --> 00:31:37.000 at such a point 00:31:37.000 --> 00:31:38.340 that the timing 00:31:38.340 --> 00:31:39.080 is perfect 00:31:39.080 --> 00:31:40.759 and the stage 00:31:40.759 --> 00:31:41.500 is set for him 00:31:41.500 --> 00:31:42.020 to be the one 00:31:42.020 --> 00:31:42.759 that is glorified 00:31:42.759 --> 00:31:43.539 in that moment. 00:31:45.339 --> 00:31:46.400 I want you to notice 00:31:46.400 --> 00:31:47.279 something else there 00:31:47.279 --> 00:31:48.420 in verse 7. 00:31:48.960 --> 00:31:49.400 Pick up, 00:31:49.500 --> 00:31:49.819 if you will, 00:31:49.900 --> 00:31:50.039 there. 00:31:50.460 --> 00:31:51.299 Then after he said 00:31:51.299 --> 00:31:52.079 to the disciples, 00:31:52.259 --> 00:31:53.700 let us go to Judea again, 00:31:54.119 --> 00:31:55.240 the disciples said to him, 00:31:55.299 --> 00:31:55.539 Rabbi, 00:31:55.720 --> 00:31:56.980 the Jews are just now 00:31:56.980 --> 00:31:58.160 seeking to stone you 00:31:58.160 --> 00:31:59.039 and you're going 00:31:59.039 --> 00:31:59.879 there again? 00:32:02.059 --> 00:32:02.660 You know, 00:32:02.740 --> 00:32:04.460 their voiced concern 00:32:04.460 --> 00:32:05.079 was this, 00:32:05.160 --> 00:32:06.119 is that Jesus 00:32:06.119 --> 00:32:07.500 was stepping back 00:32:07.500 --> 00:32:08.640 into the arena 00:32:08.640 --> 00:32:09.819 in which his 00:32:09.819 --> 00:32:12.000 imminent murder 00:32:12.000 --> 00:32:13.220 was going to take place 00:32:13.220 --> 00:32:14.559 and what Jesus said, 00:32:14.579 --> 00:32:14.960 and we're not going 00:32:14.960 --> 00:32:15.480 to play out 00:32:15.480 --> 00:32:16.319 all the pieces here, 00:32:16.680 --> 00:32:17.339 in essence, 00:32:17.420 --> 00:32:18.000 what he was saying 00:32:18.000 --> 00:32:18.180 is, 00:32:18.279 --> 00:32:18.420 hey, 00:32:19.660 --> 00:32:20.680 the time is okay 00:32:20.680 --> 00:32:21.319 right now 00:32:21.319 --> 00:32:23.920 and it's appropriate 00:32:23.920 --> 00:32:24.720 for me to be doing 00:32:24.720 --> 00:32:25.400 what I'm doing. 00:32:27.339 --> 00:32:28.519 The disciples knew 00:32:28.519 --> 00:32:29.240 about the hatred 00:32:29.240 --> 00:32:30.799 of Christ's enemies, 00:32:31.299 --> 00:32:32.720 but they really 00:32:32.720 --> 00:32:33.619 were not considering 00:32:33.619 --> 00:32:34.759 the fact that Jesus 00:32:34.759 --> 00:32:35.640 knew exactly 00:32:35.640 --> 00:32:36.579 what the time was 00:32:36.579 --> 00:32:37.940 and what was appropriate. 00:32:37.940 --> 00:32:40.140 And so, 00:32:40.360 --> 00:32:41.539 as you find yourself 00:32:41.539 --> 00:32:42.680 here on occasion 00:32:42.680 --> 00:32:43.539 and all of us 00:32:43.539 --> 00:32:44.100 have been there 00:32:44.100 --> 00:32:45.480 where we've wondered 00:32:45.480 --> 00:32:48.059 about his sense 00:32:48.059 --> 00:32:48.740 of timing. 00:32:49.039 --> 00:32:49.440 How many of you 00:32:49.440 --> 00:32:50.100 have ever been there? 00:32:51.000 --> 00:32:51.180 Well, 00:32:51.740 --> 00:32:53.019 you could do this 00:32:53.019 --> 00:32:53.680 sooner. 00:32:54.840 --> 00:32:55.160 No. 00:32:56.299 --> 00:32:57.640 His sense of timing 00:32:57.640 --> 00:32:58.240 is perfect 00:32:58.240 --> 00:32:59.259 and he will take care 00:32:59.259 --> 00:32:59.620 of it 00:32:59.620 --> 00:33:01.380 in his timing 00:33:01.380 --> 00:33:02.500 and his moment. 00:33:04.440 --> 00:33:05.440 Let me draw attention 00:33:05.440 --> 00:33:06.299 to one other piece 00:33:06.299 --> 00:33:07.379 there in verse 11. 00:33:08.639 --> 00:33:09.639 Jesus says this, 00:33:09.759 --> 00:33:11.159 our friend Lazarus 00:33:11.159 --> 00:33:12.059 has fallen asleep 00:33:12.059 --> 00:33:13.839 and I go to waken him. 00:33:15.339 --> 00:33:16.319 His disciples, 00:33:16.940 --> 00:33:17.779 still concerned 00:33:17.779 --> 00:33:18.399 with the issue 00:33:18.399 --> 00:33:19.879 of his death 00:33:19.879 --> 00:33:20.319 at the hands 00:33:20.319 --> 00:33:20.919 of the Jews, 00:33:21.039 --> 00:33:21.599 he says this, 00:33:21.639 --> 00:33:22.299 they say this, 00:33:22.839 --> 00:33:25.859 they didn't get it 00:33:25.859 --> 00:33:28.099 and they said to him, 00:33:28.180 --> 00:33:28.319 Lord, 00:33:28.379 --> 00:33:29.359 if he has fallen asleep, 00:33:29.460 --> 00:33:30.039 verse 12, 00:33:30.139 --> 00:33:30.919 he will recover. 00:33:31.480 --> 00:33:32.119 Jesus spoke 00:33:32.119 --> 00:33:32.779 of his death 00:33:32.779 --> 00:33:34.159 and they had thought 00:33:34.159 --> 00:33:34.899 that he was just talking 00:33:34.899 --> 00:33:35.759 about taking a nap, 00:33:35.879 --> 00:33:36.220 resting. 00:33:36.579 --> 00:33:37.379 No, no, no, 00:33:37.460 --> 00:33:38.200 he's dead. 00:33:39.359 --> 00:33:40.319 And then the disciples 00:33:40.319 --> 00:33:41.079 really wake up, 00:33:41.399 --> 00:33:41.700 okay. 00:33:42.740 --> 00:33:43.759 I love, 00:33:44.799 --> 00:33:45.480 how many of you 00:33:45.480 --> 00:33:46.200 like Thomas? 00:33:46.859 --> 00:33:47.779 Look at verse 16. 00:33:48.519 --> 00:33:49.279 So here is 00:33:49.279 --> 00:33:50.700 Mr. Resolute, 00:33:51.259 --> 00:33:53.440 kind of a moderate pessimist. 00:33:53.599 --> 00:33:54.480 Some of you can hang on 00:33:54.480 --> 00:33:55.039 to this verse 00:33:55.039 --> 00:33:55.419 and say, 00:33:55.779 --> 00:33:55.919 well, 00:33:55.960 --> 00:33:57.059 I'm a little like Thomas. 00:33:57.399 --> 00:33:58.019 Here it is. 00:33:58.940 --> 00:34:00.240 So Thomas called the twins, 00:34:00.359 --> 00:34:01.480 said to his fellow disciples, 00:34:01.759 --> 00:34:02.019 well, 00:34:02.159 --> 00:34:03.000 let us go 00:34:03.000 --> 00:34:04.879 that we may also 00:34:04.879 --> 00:34:05.879 die with him. 00:34:06.480 --> 00:34:07.160 That's a pretty 00:34:07.160 --> 00:34:08.019 positive statement, 00:34:08.099 --> 00:34:08.440 isn't it? 00:34:09.039 --> 00:34:09.400 They're like, 00:34:09.480 --> 00:34:09.760 yeah, 00:34:09.960 --> 00:34:10.700 I'm in it. 00:34:10.940 --> 00:34:12.019 I'm dying too. 00:34:12.420 --> 00:34:12.840 You know. 00:34:15.740 --> 00:34:16.140 Well, 00:34:16.400 --> 00:34:17.460 I do want to take 00:34:17.460 --> 00:34:18.099 a couple points 00:34:18.099 --> 00:34:18.960 and leave you with these 00:34:18.960 --> 00:34:19.800 and hold on to them. 00:34:21.519 --> 00:34:22.220 For one, 00:34:22.940 --> 00:34:24.660 every blood-bought believer 00:34:24.660 --> 00:34:27.240 who is here today 00:34:27.240 --> 00:34:28.220 is as precious 00:34:28.220 --> 00:34:29.660 and as deeply loved 00:34:29.660 --> 00:34:30.700 as the three 00:34:30.700 --> 00:34:31.820 that we're reading about. 00:34:31.820 --> 00:34:34.000 Will you hold on to that? 00:34:35.640 --> 00:34:37.860 If you were in this story, 00:34:39.039 --> 00:34:41.980 it could be accurately 00:34:41.980 --> 00:34:43.900 and justly said 00:34:43.900 --> 00:34:45.640 that Jesus loves you 00:34:45.640 --> 00:34:47.080 with an unconditional, 00:34:47.500 --> 00:34:48.380 unwavering, 00:34:48.700 --> 00:34:50.200 unchangeable love. 00:34:51.519 --> 00:34:53.940 And understanding that truth 00:34:53.940 --> 00:34:56.320 is profoundly significant 00:34:56.320 --> 00:34:58.900 to your emotional 00:34:58.900 --> 00:35:01.440 and spiritual well-being 00:35:01.440 --> 00:35:03.059 and to your behavior 00:35:03.059 --> 00:35:03.800 as a believer. 00:35:07.320 --> 00:35:08.420 You're here as one 00:35:08.420 --> 00:35:10.280 who has come to faith 00:35:10.280 --> 00:35:12.240 and has been led 00:35:12.240 --> 00:35:13.220 by the grace of God 00:35:13.220 --> 00:35:13.860 to understand 00:35:13.860 --> 00:35:14.660 that He loves you 00:35:14.660 --> 00:35:15.519 and I've got to tell you 00:35:15.519 --> 00:35:17.059 that He will not 00:35:17.059 --> 00:35:18.180 change His mind 00:35:18.180 --> 00:35:18.820 about you. 00:35:18.820 --> 00:35:21.360 For another, 00:35:22.860 --> 00:35:24.039 I want you to understand 00:35:24.039 --> 00:35:25.280 that the hard things 00:35:25.280 --> 00:35:27.140 of a believer's life 00:35:27.140 --> 00:35:28.620 are not meant to destroy 00:35:28.620 --> 00:35:30.160 but bring glory to God. 00:35:31.400 --> 00:35:31.680 You know, 00:35:31.720 --> 00:35:32.580 one of the privileges, 00:35:33.320 --> 00:35:34.039 Pastor Shearer, 00:35:34.080 --> 00:35:34.840 I can tell you, 00:35:35.180 --> 00:35:36.200 comes with staying 00:35:36.200 --> 00:35:36.660 at a church 00:35:36.660 --> 00:35:37.519 for a long time 00:35:37.519 --> 00:35:38.580 is that in time 00:35:38.580 --> 00:35:39.320 you get to know 00:35:39.320 --> 00:35:39.880 the hearts 00:35:39.880 --> 00:35:41.320 and the heartaches 00:35:41.320 --> 00:35:42.080 of God's people. 00:35:43.519 --> 00:35:45.000 But because I've been here 00:35:45.000 --> 00:35:45.760 a long time, 00:35:45.940 --> 00:35:46.880 I also know 00:35:46.880 --> 00:35:48.080 the victories of grace. 00:35:48.079 --> 00:35:48.880 Do you follow that? 00:35:49.179 --> 00:35:49.980 If you move 00:35:49.980 --> 00:35:50.900 every couple years, 00:35:51.119 --> 00:35:51.819 you don't know 00:35:51.819 --> 00:35:53.239 how the story ends. 00:35:55.920 --> 00:35:57.079 And I can say 00:35:57.079 --> 00:35:58.299 without hesitation 00:35:58.299 --> 00:36:00.299 that the hardships 00:36:00.299 --> 00:36:01.319 and the heartaches 00:36:01.319 --> 00:36:02.920 that God brings 00:36:02.920 --> 00:36:03.880 into the lives 00:36:03.880 --> 00:36:05.059 of His children 00:36:05.059 --> 00:36:06.400 are not meant 00:36:06.400 --> 00:36:07.239 to destroy 00:36:07.239 --> 00:36:09.440 but they're meant 00:36:09.440 --> 00:36:10.239 to bring glory. 00:36:12.219 --> 00:36:12.739 Finally, 00:36:12.880 --> 00:36:13.400 and I want you 00:36:13.400 --> 00:36:14.539 to hold on to this 00:36:14.539 --> 00:36:15.380 if you're here today 00:36:15.380 --> 00:36:16.340 and don't know Christ, 00:36:16.340 --> 00:36:19.039 raising Lazarus 00:36:19.039 --> 00:36:19.820 from the dead 00:36:19.820 --> 00:36:22.320 was an undeniable miracle 00:36:22.320 --> 00:36:23.440 and was so powerful 00:36:23.440 --> 00:36:24.440 that actually others 00:36:24.440 --> 00:36:25.460 were led to believe 00:36:25.460 --> 00:36:25.960 in Jesus. 00:36:27.280 --> 00:36:28.400 And I want to tell you this, 00:36:28.440 --> 00:36:31.200 if Jesus raised Lazarus 00:36:31.200 --> 00:36:31.900 from the dead, 00:36:32.019 --> 00:36:32.940 He can raise you 00:36:32.940 --> 00:36:34.059 from the dead as well. 00:36:35.400 --> 00:36:35.700 You know, 00:36:35.740 --> 00:36:36.160 amazingly, 00:36:36.320 --> 00:36:37.100 the Bible says 00:36:37.100 --> 00:36:38.500 that those who are here 00:36:38.500 --> 00:36:39.700 that are not saved 00:36:39.700 --> 00:36:40.320 are dead. 00:36:40.320 --> 00:36:43.260 Have you ever wondered 00:36:43.260 --> 00:36:44.000 why it is 00:36:44.000 --> 00:36:46.519 that to this moment 00:36:46.519 --> 00:36:48.320 the gospel truths 00:36:48.320 --> 00:36:49.740 have not just connected? 00:36:52.519 --> 00:36:53.920 It may well be 00:36:53.920 --> 00:36:55.720 that until this moment 00:36:55.720 --> 00:36:57.160 your heart has been dead 00:36:57.160 --> 00:36:57.820 to the sweetness 00:36:57.820 --> 00:36:58.640 of the gospel 00:36:58.640 --> 00:37:00.580 and yet faith 00:37:00.580 --> 00:37:03.080 by the grace of God 00:37:03.080 --> 00:37:04.640 brings life 00:37:04.640 --> 00:37:05.740 to the dead 00:37:05.739 --> 00:37:07.039 and changes 00:37:07.039 --> 00:37:07.599 the way 00:37:07.599 --> 00:37:09.139 we understand 00:37:09.139 --> 00:37:11.539 who Jesus is 00:37:11.539 --> 00:37:12.219 and why He came 00:37:12.219 --> 00:37:12.859 into the world. 00:37:14.439 --> 00:37:15.099 And so, 00:37:15.199 --> 00:37:15.859 if you're sitting here 00:37:15.859 --> 00:37:16.379 this morning 00:37:16.379 --> 00:37:17.279 and you are absolutely 00:37:17.279 --> 00:37:18.519 sick of the stench 00:37:18.519 --> 00:37:19.239 of your sin 00:37:19.239 --> 00:37:20.539 and you are broken 00:37:20.539 --> 00:37:21.619 by the ugliness 00:37:21.619 --> 00:37:22.539 of your heart, 00:37:22.739 --> 00:37:23.779 I got to tell you 00:37:23.779 --> 00:37:25.659 that those convicting 00:37:25.659 --> 00:37:26.299 truths 00:37:26.299 --> 00:37:27.739 are not the work 00:37:27.739 --> 00:37:29.419 of just a natural brain 00:37:29.419 --> 00:37:30.419 getting a hold 00:37:30.419 --> 00:37:31.159 of how messy 00:37:31.159 --> 00:37:32.319 and ugly your life is. 00:37:32.539 --> 00:37:33.619 That is the work 00:37:33.619 --> 00:37:34.459 of the Holy Spirit 00:37:34.460 --> 00:37:35.780 bringing you to see 00:37:35.780 --> 00:37:37.240 the desperate condition 00:37:37.240 --> 00:37:37.940 of your soul 00:37:37.940 --> 00:37:39.079 and leading you 00:37:39.079 --> 00:37:39.679 to understand 00:37:39.679 --> 00:37:40.800 that apart from Jesus 00:37:40.800 --> 00:37:42.099 there is no remedy 00:37:42.099 --> 00:37:43.099 and there is no hope. 00:37:44.940 --> 00:37:46.099 And the gospel is this, 00:37:46.159 --> 00:37:47.360 is that Christ Jesus 00:37:47.360 --> 00:37:48.260 came into the world 00:37:48.260 --> 00:37:49.059 to save sinners. 00:37:50.720 --> 00:37:51.519 And the Bible 00:37:51.519 --> 00:37:52.300 makes it clear. 00:37:53.559 --> 00:37:55.539 Salvation is a profoundly 00:37:55.539 --> 00:37:56.720 simple matter 00:37:56.720 --> 00:37:58.000 of calling upon 00:37:58.000 --> 00:37:58.840 the name of the Lord 00:37:58.840 --> 00:37:59.300 and saying, 00:37:59.519 --> 00:38:00.119 I am a sinner 00:38:00.119 --> 00:38:01.039 justly condemned 00:38:01.039 --> 00:38:02.059 before a holy God 00:38:02.059 --> 00:38:03.500 but I believe Jesus 00:38:03.500 --> 00:38:04.920 died for my sins 00:38:04.920 --> 00:38:06.239 that I might have 00:38:06.239 --> 00:38:07.320 everlasting life. 00:38:08.280 --> 00:38:09.280 And I take God 00:38:09.280 --> 00:38:10.000 at His promise. 00:38:12.659 --> 00:38:13.739 And so as we think 00:38:13.739 --> 00:38:14.500 about Lazarus 00:38:14.500 --> 00:38:15.039 this morning, 00:38:15.880 --> 00:38:17.159 for the believer, 00:38:17.719 --> 00:38:18.440 here's the takeaway, 00:38:19.280 --> 00:38:21.079 I want you to know 00:38:21.079 --> 00:38:22.539 that Jesus loves you 00:38:22.539 --> 00:38:23.980 like He loved Lazarus, 00:38:24.280 --> 00:38:24.559 Mary, 00:38:24.760 --> 00:38:25.380 and Martha 00:38:25.380 --> 00:38:27.039 and it doesn't get 00:38:27.039 --> 00:38:28.780 any better than that. 00:38:28.780 --> 00:38:31.980 and if you are here 00:38:31.980 --> 00:38:32.820 today and you do 00:38:32.820 --> 00:38:33.660 not know Christ, 00:38:33.760 --> 00:38:35.019 it would be my plea, 00:38:35.340 --> 00:38:36.660 it has been my prayer, 00:38:37.600 --> 00:38:38.500 that you would be 00:38:38.500 --> 00:38:39.660 first of all convicted 00:38:39.660 --> 00:38:40.519 of the misery 00:38:40.519 --> 00:38:41.300 of your soul 00:38:41.300 --> 00:38:42.320 and understand 00:38:42.320 --> 00:38:43.480 that there is no remedy 00:38:43.480 --> 00:38:44.420 apart from Jesus 00:38:44.420 --> 00:38:46.240 and you call upon 00:38:46.240 --> 00:38:46.800 His name 00:38:46.800 --> 00:38:48.380 and be saved. 00:38:49.100 --> 00:38:49.880 Let's close 00:38:49.880 --> 00:38:51.460 as John comes 00:38:51.460 --> 00:38:52.100 to lead us 00:38:52.100 --> 00:38:53.240 and we prepare 00:38:53.240 --> 00:38:53.900 for baptism. 00:38:53.900 --> 00:38:56.800 Precious Father, 00:38:56.900 --> 00:38:57.539 we are thankful 00:38:57.539 --> 00:38:58.220 for the sweetness 00:38:58.220 --> 00:38:58.960 of the gospel 00:38:58.960 --> 00:38:59.860 that reminds us 00:38:59.860 --> 00:39:00.660 that Christ Jesus 00:39:00.660 --> 00:39:01.639 came into the world 00:39:01.639 --> 00:39:02.840 to save sinners. 00:39:03.920 --> 00:39:04.680 We're thankful 00:39:04.680 --> 00:39:05.599 of the encouragement 00:39:05.599 --> 00:39:06.300 that we see 00:39:06.300 --> 00:39:07.039 in this story 00:39:07.039 --> 00:39:07.639 of Jesus 00:39:07.639 --> 00:39:09.260 having such a special 00:39:09.260 --> 00:39:10.599 love for Lazarus 00:39:10.599 --> 00:39:12.160 and yet being willing 00:39:12.160 --> 00:39:13.900 to allow Lazarus 00:39:13.900 --> 00:39:14.840 and His loved ones 00:39:14.840 --> 00:39:15.440 to suffer 00:39:15.440 --> 00:39:16.960 not just out of 00:39:16.960 --> 00:39:18.240 pleasure in their suffering 00:39:18.240 --> 00:39:19.220 but for the glory, 00:39:19.219 --> 00:39:21.939 for the purpose 00:39:21.939 --> 00:39:22.719 of revealing 00:39:22.719 --> 00:39:24.759 our Savior's power. 00:39:25.819 --> 00:39:26.379 And Lord, 00:39:26.459 --> 00:39:27.299 we want to be people 00:39:27.299 --> 00:39:28.239 who are overwhelmed 00:39:28.239 --> 00:39:29.139 by the reality 00:39:29.139 --> 00:39:30.059 of your love 00:39:30.059 --> 00:39:31.399 and also ready 00:39:31.399 --> 00:39:32.659 to allow the hardships 00:39:32.659 --> 00:39:33.719 that we face 00:39:33.719 --> 00:39:35.659 to lift up Jesus. 00:39:36.899 --> 00:39:38.459 We pray that as we sing 00:39:38.459 --> 00:39:41.259 and as we enjoy 00:39:41.259 --> 00:39:41.980 the testimony 00:39:41.980 --> 00:39:43.739 of Megan in baptism 00:39:43.739 --> 00:39:44.459 that our hearts 00:39:44.459 --> 00:39:45.379 rejoice together 00:39:45.379 --> 00:39:46.000 in Christ 00:39:46.000 --> 00:39:47.739 and that those 00:39:47.739 --> 00:39:48.139 who are here 00:39:48.139 --> 00:39:48.919 that do not know 00:39:48.920 --> 00:39:49.700 Christ would be drawn 00:39:49.700 --> 00:39:50.360 to the cross. 00:39:50.480 --> 00:39:51.099 We ask this 00:39:51.099 --> 00:39:52.579 in Jesus' name. 00:39:53.079 --> 00:39:53.380 Amen.