We're going to do our reading now from page 1077 in the Blue Bibles.
We're going to be starting from chapter 11 verse 1.
Now a man named Lazarus was ill.
He was from Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha.
This Mary, whose brother Lazarus now lay ill,
was the same one who poured perfume on the Lord and wiped his feet with her hair.
So the sister sent word to Jesus,
Lord, the one you love is ill.
When he heard this, Jesus said,
This illness will not end in death.
No, it is for God's glory so that God's son may be glorified through it.
Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus.
So when he heard that Lazarus was ill, he stayed where he was two more days.
And then he said to his disciples,
Let us go back to Judea.
But Rabbi, they said,
A short while ago, the Jews were there tried to stone you.
And yet you are going back?
Jesus answered,
Are there not twelve hours of daylight?
Anyone who walks in the daytime will not stumble.
For they see by this world's light.
It is when a person walks at night that they stumble,
for they have no light.
After he said this, he went on to tell them,
Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep,
but I am going there to wake him up.
His disciples replied,
Lord, if he sleeps, he will get better.
Jesus had been speaking of his death,
but his disciples thought he meant natural sleep.
So then he told them plainly,
Lazarus is dead, and for your sake,
I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe.
But let us go to him.
Then Thomas, also known as Didymus,
said to the rest of the disciples,
Let us also go, that we may die with him.
On his arrival, Jesus found that Lazarus
had already been in the tomb for four days.
Now Bethany was less than two miles from Jerusalem,
and many Jews had come to Martha and Mary
to comfort them in the loss of their brother.
When Martha heard that Jesus was coming,
she went out to meet him,
but Mary stayed at home.
Lord, Martha said to Jesus,
if you had been here, my brother would not have died,
but I know that even now God will give you
whatever you ask.
Jesus said to her,
Your brother will rise again.
Martha answered,
I know he will rise again
in the resurrection at the last day.
Jesus said to her,
I am the resurrection and the life.
The one who believes in me will live,
even though they die,
and whoever lives by believing in me will never die.
Do you believe this?
Yes, Lord, she replied.
I believe that you are the Messiah,
the Son of God,
who is to come into the world.
After she had said this,
she went back and called her sister Mary
aside.
The teacher is here,
she said,
and is asking for you.
When Mary heard this,
she got up quickly and went to him.
Now Jesus had not yet entered the village,
but was still at the place where Martha had met him.
When the Jews who had been with Mary in the house,
comforting her,
noticed how quickly she got up and went out,
they followed her,
supposing she was going to the tomb to mourn there.
When Mary reached the place where Jesus was and saw him,
she fell at his feet and said,
Lord,
if you had been here,
my brother would not have died.
When Jesus saw her weeping and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping,
he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled.
Where have you laid him?
He asked.
Come and see,
Lord,
they replied.
Jesus wept.
Then the Jews said,
see how he loved him.
But some of them said,
could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man have kept this man from dying?
Jesus,
once more deeply moved,
came to the tomb.
It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance.
Take away the stone,
he said.
But Lord said,
but Lord said,
Martha,
the sister of the dead man.
Sorry,
but Lord said,
Martha,
the sister of the dead man.
By this time,
there is a bad odor for he has been there four days.
Then Jesus said,
did I not tell you that if you believe you will see the glory of God?
So they took away the stone.
Then Jesus looked up and said,
father,
I thank you that you have heard me.
I knew that you always hear me,
but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here,
that they may believe that you sent me.
When he had said this,
Jesus called in a loud voice,
Lazarus,
come out.
The dead man came out,
his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen and a cloth around his face.
Jesus said to them,
take off the grave clothes and let him go.
Andrew.
Thank you,
Daisy.
Again,
as I've just up here,
as you know,
my name's Andrew.
I'm one of the leaders of this church West Kilburn here.
And it's a pleasure to be here this afternoon or this morning to share God's word with you.
So,
as Daisy just read this wonderful story,
it is a wonderful story.
It's the last of the seven signs in the book of John,
where John highlights signs to demonstrate and show that Jesus is Lord.
Ideally,
the book of John,
as John writes in chapter 20,
verse 30 to 31,
it makes it known that Jesus performed many signs,
and these was written that you may believe,
Jesus is the Christ and the Son of God,
and that by believing,
you may have a life in his name.
So,
John is writing from an evangelistic point of view.
And it is such a wonderful story.
It really is.
You know,
you couldn't make it up,
but it's something really extraordinary that,
you know,
as we're going to hear today,
we're going to go through this story and just see what is communicated to us.
What can we draw out of this text?
Before I do that,
though,
I do want to pray.
And my default,
I just want to apologize.
There's no slides here today,
all right?
So,
do keep your Bibles in your hands,
or open your phones so you can follow the words and hear what is going on.
As I will refer to various verses,
all right?
But,
sorry about the slides,
all right?
I'm not up to scratch like Stephen.
I've been rather busy,
really.
So,
my apologies,
but you'll be good stewards of the words if you follow the Bible.
All right?
Just pray.
Father God,
we thank you again that we come to sit at your feet,
Lord,
and to hear your words.
And as we come before your presence,
Lord,
we pray in what we read in chapter 11,
Lord,
we pray,
Father,
as we hear,
Lord,
that this ultimately is for your glory and that the Son of God,
Jesus,
will be glorified through this act of the resurrection of Lazarus.
So,
Lord,
I pray that you would help me,
Lord,
just to draw out what is written within this chapter,
Lord,
and help us to see how it speaks to our life,
Lord.
Help us,
Father,
to see how good you are and how you reveal yourself to us and meet us through your beloved Son,
Jesus Christ.
So,
we just want to give this next half an hour or so to you,
in Jesus' name.
Amen.
All right,
so the first six verses,
I just want to kind of just bring up to our attention as what was read,
right?
We see clearly in verse,
in verse five,
right?
Jesus loves Mary,
Martha and Lazarus,
right?
We see that in verse five.
That's clear.
He loves them,
right?
In the other Gospels,
maybe Luke or so,
you'll read that Jesus often spent time at Mary's house.
You know,
you know the story.
Martha busy,
Mary sitting at his feet,
you know.
So,
Jesus would have been there.
He has relations with them.
They're,
you know,
somewhere where he would often go.
He says in the Gospels,
he has nowhere to lay his head.
So,
he's on a mission and we probably take it that that would have been an abode where often he may have gone to.
So,
word is sent to Jesus to help,
right?
Because they know Jesus loves Lazarus again,
verse three.
Now,
Jesus is in no rush to get to Mary and Martha because he knows,
in verse four,
this illness will not end in death.
Though we do read that Lazarus dies.
Jesus knows this illness is for God's glory ultimately and that him,
Jesus,
will be glorified through these events.
So,
he stays there.
He stays where he is for a further two days.
Mary and Martha look to Jesus because they have hope in him.
And we hear that in Psalms 145,
verse 15a.
It says,
the eyes of all look to you.
They all look to God,
whether they know that or not,
right?
So,
the sisters look to Jesus,
the one in whom their help comes,
who is their refuge and strength at every present help in trouble.
That's Psalms 46,
verse one.
Now,
can you imagine how the two sisters felt?
Knowing Jesus loved them and Lazarus,
hearing about the many miraculous signs Jesus did and possibly witnessing a few themselves.
Now,
in a place of grief and uncertainty,
fearful,
what is there to them may be lost,
Lazarus.
to see Jesus not attending to them straight away.
Maybe the messengers had arrived back and told them what Jesus has said and that he was staying for two more days.
What would be their thoughts in the midst of their despair and anguish?
Knowing Jesus delaying his visit at their urgent request,
how would you feel?
We are all,
we can only imagine the temporary grief that they would,
that would come to them.
So,
this situation will bring about the glory of God,
as we're told through Lazarus' resurrection.
And at this point,
by the way,
I do want to just take a moment just to acknowledge anyone here who may be currently experiencing grief through the loss of a family member or a loved one or a dear friend.
I do want to say as a church here at West Kingburn,
we,
you know,
with all,
with all the person might be going through if there's anybody,
I want to encourage you to please,
you know,
feel free to speak to Steve,
a pastor or any elder here,
you know,
that we may be able to just speak with you,
pray with you,
and just journey with you at this sensitive time that you may possibly gain through.
So,
let us consider,
right,
Mary and Martha's situation in real time.
Now,
imagine,
let's use our imagination,
imagine we are with a loved one,
a family member,
a parent,
a child,
or a very dear close friend to us.
They fall ill and are in a serious condition,
where it's plain to see they need emergency assistance.
We call for an ambulance.
It states that average time for the most critical calls,
that's a category one,
life threatening,
it says it will take roughly about six minutes,
40 seconds.
And the category two emergency,
which is less life threatening,
but,
you know,
something severe at the same time.
They say that will take roughly 25 minutes,
52 seconds.
Now,
let's imagine,
it's a category one situation,
where we've spoken to the operator,
and they've informed us,
that they will take their,
do their best to send an ambulance to us,
ASAP,
as soon as possible.
We find ourselves still waiting after an hour,
fearful of what might happen,
as we watch our loved one,
while praying for God's intervention.
Maybe some of us may think,
Lord,
look at all I've done,
for your namesake.
I've been faithful,
I've been attending church,
I've been giving sacrificially,
I do good works,
I even share Jesus with other people,
I bear witness to your name.
I love you,
and I seek to keep your ways,
in all I do.
With all these thoughts,
we might think,
why God,
allow me to suffer,
and go through these emotional griefs,
confusion,
fear,
and anxiety.
Mary and Martha already knew,
and believed,
Jesus had,
Jesus had been there.
Sorry,
Mary and Martha already knew,
if Jesus had been there,
if he had chosen to attend to them urgently,
their brother would not have died,
verse 21 and 32.
The Lord loves them dearly,
and will meet them,
at their point of need,
but in a moment,
of real difficult life challenges,
it's hard,
it seems it was hard,
for Mary and Martha,
to see how God will work,
in their moment of need,
when he doesn't attend to them,
in their requested time frame.
We also,
have challenging thoughts,
of doubt,
our prayer,
when our prayers,
are not answered,
within our expected,
time frame.
What might come to mind,
God,
why am I going through,
this situation,
which seems so unbearable,
you could put an end,
to this right now,
where are you?
God allows,
difficulties though,
and trials,
and suffering,
to bring about,
a greater good,
which we often,
do not see,
when we are in the moment,
of these trials,
like Mary and Martha,
we touched briefly,
last week,
or I believe,
the light button,
the week before,
Steve was preaching,
on Romans,
chapter 7 and 8,
but for Mary and Martha,
the trials that they gain,
about in that instant,
the good,
that God will often,
bring out of situations,
is far more greater,
than if it had not,
happened at all,
which we will see,
within this text.
It's also,
so we can know him,
more intimately,
trusting him,
and have assurance,
in his name,
as he is glorified,
through these,
challenging situations,
we all encounter,
from time to time.
John's writing here,
helps us to see,
Jesus,
love for Mary,
Martha,
and Lazarus,
but he is not,
moved by our,
external timing forces,
he doesn't always,
act in our,
determined timing,
but on his,
determination,
only to do,
the father's will,
so God may be,
glorified through the son,
we see in the scriptures,
God's faithfulness,
time and time again,
never failing us,
but always faithful,
and true,
though we are taught,
God is faithful,
and true,
it doesn't stop God,
from allowing again,
these temporary trials,
and difficulties,
so we get to see,
his glory being worked out,
in and through our life,
when he answers prayers,
and meets us,
at that place of need,
let us remember,
examples that we have,
in the Bible,
we can remember,
Joseph,
in the book of Genesis,
as Joseph was sold,
by his brother,
Joseph was accused,
of sexual assault,
gone through great trials,
and great grief,
let us all remember,
King David,
before he was crowned,
as king,
or anointed as king,
when he was anointed,
as king,
but before,
he became monarchy,
and was on the throne,
he went through,
great suffering,
and trials,
as he had to run,
and flee for his life,
let us not forget Job,
which is very clear,
the suffering,
that he went through,
you also have,
the apostle Paul,
and all the others,
so all of these things,
people go through,
experiencing great suffering,
grief,
and emotional turmoil,
allowing temporary grief,
and suffering,
also compact,
combats the prosperity gospel,
where some would have it,
that you name it,
and you claim it,
or believe as Christians,
we shouldn't be sick,
we shouldn't be poor,
we shouldn't suffer loss,
as a battle,
or we shouldn't suffer,
we shouldn't suffer,
or lose a battle,
as we struggle,
with the elements,
we face,
in this fallen world,
that we all live in,
it would be terribly wrong,
to suggest,
to someone suffering,
because they lack faith in God,
they gain through,
they gain through their suffering,
because while having faith in God,
as we do,
you can still experience,
suffering,
and hardship,
Jesus causes them,
to wait though,
but because,
he knew,
he'd be,
sorry,
but because he knew,
they'd be blessed,
in receiving Lazarus back,
from the outcome,
we also need,
to be vulnerable,
and wait on God's timing,
even when it seems,
he's abandoned us,
or we feel,
he's forgotten us,
God is for us,
and he will never leave us,
or forsake us,
no matter the situation,
we can have great assurance,
and trust in Jesus,
knowing God will be glorified,
through his son,
so let's continue,
to follow Mary and Martha's,
example,
verse 3,
as they sent,
a message to Jesus,
and present our words,
of prayer to Jesus,
knowing he loves us,
also a point,
I want to see,
what John shows here,
right,
our faith,
is progressive,
so our faith in Jesus,
is we're all called,
to have faith,
to trust in him,
but our faith,
is progressive,
so that we may believe,
we see this,
in verse 15,
as he tells them,
for your sake,
I'm glad I was not there,
so that you may believe,
and we also see that,
in verse 21,
Mary,
Martha says,
that she does believe,
and she believed,
that Jesus cannot,
whatever he asked God,
we see it in verse 32,
you know,
Mary believes as well,
and we see that,
in verse 42,
as well,
yeah,
so we see that,
so our faith,
is progressive,
now,
verses 7 to 8,
we see,
Jesus was ready,
to go back to Judea,
after the lame now,
you know,
he's with his disciples,
and he says,
that he's ready,
to go back to Judea,
to fulfill his mission,
and cause the people,
to see God's glory,
in the resurrection,
of Lazarus,
the disciples,
said to him though,
Rabbi,
the Jews weren't,
just seeking,
to kill you,
you'll find that,
in some chapters,
before chapter 6,
chapter 10,
you know,
when he'd done,
miraculous signs,
on the Sabbath,
and so forth,
and he also said,
that he and the father,
are one,
the Jews was outraged,
and they wanted,
to kill him,
they wanted to stone him,
and persecute him,
so the disciples knew,
Jesus life,
was at danger,
right,
in danger,
which would mean,
repercussions for them,
because they were,
associated with him,
so,
how often,
do we consider,
the potential,
repercussions,
for being,
identified,
with following,
Jesus faithfully,
the disciples,
saw the great,
threat the Jewish,
leaders felt,
from Jesus teaching,
ministry,
from Jesus teaching,
ministry,
and signs,
that demonstrated,
Jesus is the,
awaited Christ,
they longed for,
by the father,
it would take,
an act of faith,
to follow Jesus,
knowing your life,
was in danger,
for being with him,
I'd say,
we too,
can be challenged,
by the fear,
and thoughts,
of danger,
in following Jesus,
where he wants to go,
and where he wants,
to lead us,
it's often clear,
that these places,
do not welcome him,
or want him,
there for fear,
of interruption,
to their livelihood,
and their way of life,
we also desire,
to have self preservation,
and do what we,
and do not want,
to be rejected,
where might Jesus,
be wanting,
to lead you,
and asking you,
to follow him,
though you sense,
the fear,
and the danger,
I'd say,
in my early faith,
as I became a Christian,
and I was working out,
my own fear,
and salvation,
with fear,
and trembling,
as I was,
learning,
what it is,
to be a Christian,
attending church,
assimilating,
and doing,
what I would see,
the wider body do,
there is real implications,
as Jesus enters,
into our life,
and reveals himself,
to us,
he makes us,
a new creation,
so that takes time,
with each,
and every one of us,
but as for me,
there was many things,
I would be fearful about,
because being in a hostile world,
that does not,
want Jesus,
to be a part,
of that world,
it can be intimidating,
and it can be frightening,
that I found myself,
where I would have a desire,
where I would want to stand,
for Jesus,
and share,
and do what I feel,
I was led to do,
but I would often not do that,
because of fear,
but then,
in time,
seeing people,
who really love the Lord,
and standing tall,
for the faith,
seeing them,
with proclam,
seeing them making,
an open procuration,
and standing,
in that place,
to proclaim,
the embodiment,
and demonstrate,
the embodiment of Christ,
this gave me hope,
and encouraged me,
that I started,
to yearn,
and desire,
to be likewise,
and through praying,
and through seeking,
the Lord,
the Lord has helped me,
to come to a place,
where I am right now,
and clearly,
as we just see,
as a missionary,
I love to go out here,
to seek to reach people,
who are far from him,
and even,
Saturdays,
when we go out,
at times,
when we meet together,
as a group,
it may seem,
sometimes,
when we gather together,
you know,
we're in different places,
within our mind,
you know,
when we might,
be looking externally,
and it seems fearful,
knowing that some people,
when they see us,
they are going to want to,
try and divert away,
from where we are,
but praying,
and united,
and being together,
we often see,
as the Lord leads us,
to places,
where we might not,
we might not,
naturally go ourself,
the Lord does wonderful things,
and we can see,
the lives,
we can connect with,
just to share good news,
with them,
and we know,
we leave the rest to God,
because salvation,
is of the Lord,
so maybe,
you may sense,
the Lord is wanting,
you to draw close,
to someone,
you're aware of,
who could be used,
by God,
to,
you could be used,
by God,
to encourage them,
in some way,
though it seems fearful,
to do so,
God allows,
us to sense,
these feelings,
of fear,
doubt,
and uncertainty,
so we grow,
to trust in him,
as our faith,
in him is progressive,
and through various,
experiences,
as we walk with him,
we learn to trust,
and believe in him,
as we see,
in verse 21,
and 33 again,
you know,
we go through these things,
but Jesus will do things,
to help us grow,
in our faith,
to rest assured in him,
and no doubt,
the disciples,
had faith in Jesus,
just as Mary and Martha did,
you know,
though we see,
in verse 39,
there was a little bit,
of doubt there,
but you know,
we do see,
they had faith in him,
and Jesus says,
for their sake,
he's glad,
they was not there,
so that they may believe,
so he was intentional,
he intentionally,
did not go there,
at that stage,
as he wanted to demonstrate,
an act of God's goodness,
and God,
see God glorified,
so the disciples left,
all they had,
to follow Jesus,
they believed in him,
yet their faith,
was not strong,
there are always,
new depths,
of faith,
to be explored,
and new heights,
of faith,
to be scaled,
the rising of Lazarus,
the raising of Lazarus,
in their sight,
will have a profound,
effect on them,
and give their faith,
a content,
that it did not have before,
their faith,
will be strengthened,
in Jesus,
when they see him,
perform this act,
it's also clear,
Jesus is on a mission,
and his time,
is drawing near,
for him,
to lay down his life,
his disciples,
are committed,
to following him,
though they do not,
fully grasp,
all that is taking place,
verse 13,
fully not clear,
what is taking place,
but he knows,
how to lead us,
as the good shepherd,
he is,
and his leading,
is to bring us,
to the knowledge,
and truth,
that he loves us,
he cares for us,
and he wants us,
to believe in him,
that we may have,
life,
in his name,
he declares to them,
yes,
that he declares,
that they would,
you know,
he's glad,
that they wasn't there,
they were to believe,
in him ultimately,
that he will fulfill,
the law of Moses,
and the prophets,
as sort of said in Luke,
chapter 24,
verse 44 to 45,
said their long awaited king,
that they've been waiting,
for God to fulfill,
was right there with them,
but still,
these signs,
had to take place,
to help them,
to really believe,
and trust,
in the fulfilling word,
of God,
you too,
can trust in him,
and know,
that he loves you,
Jesus takes his time,
which will allow,
his disciples,
and others,
to witness,
and see Lazarus,
is really dead,
and through his death,
they will see,
they will experience,
the glory of God,
and see God's son,
glorified through it,
what might be,
a situation,
in your life,
God is waiting,
to glorify himself through,
will you continue,
calling out to Jesus,
believing,
he can save,
your family,
a son,
or a daughter,
a close friend,
is there any area,
in your life,
that needs to be revived,
resurrected,
and brought to life,
do you feel,
worn out,
or tired,
lacking the physical,
or mental strength,
to live life,
in a healthy way,
where you feel,
your life,
has a great purpose,
does your passion,
need to be revised,
so you spend more time,
in a loving relationship,
with Jesus,
do we need to be revived,
that we become,
more intentional,
and engage,
with cell groups,
and fellowships,
in the saints,
and sitting in the Lord's presence,
so that we would grow,
well Jesus is the solution,
as he alone,
brings about new life,
and revives us,
the writer John,
also continues,
to let us know,
in verse 16,
we see John,
so we see,
John highlights Thomas now,
where Thomas takes the role,
as the spokesperson,
often in the gospels,
we hear Peter speak,
because Peter may be the spokesperson,
we hear a lot of his voice,
but in verse 16,
we read Thomas says,
to his fellow disciples,
let us go,
with him,
that we may die,
we,
we acknowledge Thomas,
you know,
we're in the gospels,
we say,
doubting Thomas,
but I think,
this statement,
what John has written of him,
is a commendable statement,
as Thomas is encouraging,
his fellow disciples,
to go with Jesus,
and what Thomas is demonstrating,
is John chapter 12,
verse 24 to 26,
where it tells us,
whoever serves me,
Jesus,
will follow me,
and where I am,
my servant will be,
it talks about,
a grain of wheat dying,
you know,
you lose your life,
you find your life in Christ,
and so forth,
so the next point,
I want to go on,
and touch on,
right,
is,
is that we see the glorious gospel,
in here,
right,
so,
verse 25 to 26,
Jesus said to her,
I am the resurrection,
and the life,
whoever the person is,
that believes in me,
though they die,
yet,
shall they live,
and everyone,
who lives,
and believes in me,
shall never die,
do you believe this,
Martha says,
yes Lord,
I believe,
that you are the Christ,
the son of God,
who is coming into the world,
so metaphorically speaking,
I want to say,
so,
Lazarus,
in verse 1 to 3,
Lazarus,
illness,
represents,
I would say,
metaphorically,
human condition,
we all have a problem,
and we,
could be classified as ill,
because we all agree,
that one day,
one day,
we will die,
as Lazarus did,
that's something,
that the human race,
accepts,
without any arguments,
or complaints,
everyone dies,
it was not originally,
meant to be that way,
but that is something,
that is accepted,
and that's something,
that people,
would really agree,
he was buried,
as is expected,
as those who die,
living a life,
outside of Christ,
is not living at all,
Ephesians chapter 2,
1 to 3,
tells us,
you were dead,
in your transgressions,
and your sins,
that's all of us,
and everybody,
doesn't know Christ,
but we were dead,
in our transgression,
and sins,
we all,
followed,
the ways of this world,
and of the ruler,
of the kingdom,
of the air,
the spirit,
who is now,
at work,
in those,
who are disobedient,
so that's where,
we used to be,
but many of us,
may not be there,
right now,
praise God,
all of us,
also live,
used to live,
among them,
at one time,
gratifying,
the cravings,
of the flesh,
and following,
its desires,
and thoughts,
like the rest,
we were by nature,
deserving of God's judgment,
and wrath,
but Romans tells us,
the consequences for that,
the wages of sin,
is death,
but the gift of God,
is eternal life,
life in Christ,
Jesus our Lord,
Romans 10,
11,
also tells us,
anyone,
whoever that person,
will be,
who believes,
in Jesus,
will never be put,
to shame,
we all understand,
and know,
what shame,
looks like,
we may do,
something wrong,
or someone,
does something to us,
and put us in a place,
where we feel shame,
but whoever,
the person is,
who puts their trust,
in Jesus Christ,
will never be,
put to shame,
and that is,
from God,
that is true,
we all need Jesus,
as our saviour,
we are totally lost,
and we're totally,
deluded,
without him,
without Jesus,
our illness,
will result,
eternal separation,
loneliness,
and death,
but we have,
through Jesus,
the invitation,
and full,
companionship,
to enjoy God,
right now,
and throughout,
eternity,
Martha,
Martha believed,
in the resurrection,
in the last days,
as did the Pharisees,
you're hearing,
in the Gospels,
Jesus said to Martha,
Martha,
I am the resurrection,
and the life,
whoever believes,
in Jesus,
though they die,
they shall live,
Jesus reveals,
his identity,
and presents,
to Martha,
his authority,
over death,
death,
and this authority,
is to display,
what would,
ultimately point,
to Jesus,
own death,
where he would,
lay down,
his own life,
and die,
upon the cross,
for the sins,
of the world,
my sins,
your sins,
the sins,
of the world,
that was in chapter,
that would be in chapter 19,
John,
but only,
to resurrect,
and rise again,
on the third day,
chapter 20,
so this demonstration,
of Lazarus,
would point,
to his own death,
and resurrection,
Martha responds,
that she believes,
Jesus is the Christ,
the Messiah,
the son of God,
who is coming,
to the world,
the question is,
do you believe,
Jesus is the resurrection,
and the life,
the one and only,
who gives life,
to all,
and is able,
to resurrect,
and give you life,
the abundant life,
is found in him alone,
Job 34,
verse 14 to 15,
says,
if it were God's intention,
and he withdrew,
his spirit,
and his breath,
all human,
would perish together,
and mankind,
would return,
to the dust,
throughout the book of John,
the author continues,
to make known,
the life transforming truth,
of Jesus Christ,
and we are faced,
with a choice,
which has eternal,
consequences,
on each and everybody,
John,
and a good preacher,
evangelist,
and Christians,
who love,
Jesus Christ as Lord,
wants people,
to see clearly,
Jesus has,
the power,
of the death,
and to see,
how beautiful,
Jesus is,
that is the gospel,
we want people,
to see how beautiful,
Jesus is,
the name Lazarus,
for reasons,
it means,
God has helped,
God is able,
and willing,
to help anyone,
who puts their trust,
and hope in him,
he is more than able,
to help anyone,
in any situation,
we find ourselves in,
he is able,
and willing,
today,
to resurrect,
life,
to give us,
newness of life,
in him,
John 3,
16,
for God,
so loved the word,
his creation,
his people,
that he gave his only son,
Jesus,
that whoever,
the person is,
that believes in him,
should not perish,
but have eternal life,
do you believe this,
do you feel trapped,
in the cycle of life,
and want to be set free,
do you find yourself,
dropping,
doing things,
you don't want to do,
put your faith,
and trust in Jesus,
the new life,
found in him,
so we are not saved,
by call,
by,
we are not saved,
or called Christians,
for faithfully,
just attending church,
for years,
and still haven't submitted,
to the word,
and power of God,
through his spirit,
or if we call ourselves,
Catholics,
and do not have,
a relationship,
or know Jesus personally,
but rely upon the priest,
to pray for us,
I'm not saying Catholics,
cannot be Christians,
but if you do not,
have a personal,
relationship,
if you do not,
personally trust,
in Jesus Christ,
he is your,
I priest,
also,
if we claim,
to be a Christian,
but fail continually,
to seek God's will,
for our lives,
and we seek,
God's will,
in matters,
pertaining to his,
call on our lives,
Jesus,
is the resurrection,
and he,
alone,
is the life,
believe in Jesus,
as direction,
and the life,
allow God,
into your life,
so you can live,
and fulfill,
the plans,
and purpose,
he has for you,
let us take courage,
and say,
as Martha declares,
in verse 27,
I believe,
that Jesus,
is the Messiah,
or the Christ,
the son of God,
who came,
into the world,
to save me,
Jesus,
demonstrated,
many times,
in the other gospels,
we see in the book,
Matthew chapter 9,
Mark 5,
and Luke chapter 8,
he raised,
Jairus daughter,
she was dead,
he brought her,
back to life,
we also see,
in Luke chapter 7,
Jesus raises,
the widow of Nain,
dead son,
he was in a coffin,
but Jesus raised him,
and the glory of God,
is not his praise,
but it's his activity,
in what he does,
and what he displays,
and I could say,
I could see,
his glory,
in what he's displayed,
in our lives,
as people here,
worshipping,
demonstrating,
transformed lives,
knowing God,
has come in,
and made us new creation,
calls us,
sons and daughters,
so as I bring this,
to a close now,
the assurance,
and trust,
we have in Jesus,
verse 35,
which we all know,
the shortest verse,
in the Bible,
we read,
Jesus wept,
we know in Hebrews 4,
15,
it declares,
that Jesus is our high priest,
he knows how to empathize,
with us,
he knows our feeling,
he knows our thoughts,
there's nothing,
that you are gained through,
that he's,
unable to relate,
to us with,
he knows us,
he knows how to empathize,
with us,
he is our high priest,
he is the one,
we look to,
there is even,
a greater reason,
why Jesus weeps,
weeps,
in verse 35,
he sees,
the battle,
that we have to,
contend with,
and we will lose,
without our assurance,
and trust in him,
death is an enemy,
that he has defeated,
nevertheless,
it continues,
to take and destroy lives,
let us hold,
to the truth,
we've heard today,
Jesus is the resurrection,
and the life,
he can,
and is willing,
to restore,
and give new life,
we just need,
to believe in him,
and call upon him,
like Mary and Martha,
and allow for God's glory,
to be seen in our lives,
through his son,
Jesus Christ,
see how beautiful,
Jesus is,
and the power,
he has to speak,
life into existence,
Genesis chapter 1,
God said,
and he was,
he brought about life,
Genesis chapter 2,
God made man,
and he breathed life,
into man,
through the nostrils,
and then we see here again,
in this chapter,
he,
causes people,
to witness,
him raise a dead man,
now what do we do,
with that,
I would want to suggest,
or encourage,
possible takeaways,
for some of us,
I would say,
for believers,
let us continue,
to trust,
and call upon the Lord,
even while we wait patiently,
as we may be going,
through trials,
and difficulties,
let us learn,
from Martha,
and Mary,
still call to the Lord,
and wait patiently,
and trust,
that he will work good,
out of our circumstances,
let us also,
continue to call,
upon the Lord,
for our saved children,
our loved ones,
those who are heavy,
on our heart,
God will,
God is able to revive,
and bring newness of life,
let us continue,
for those,
who may not be,
in that place,
quite yet,
to know Jesus,
as their personal Lord,
and their saviour,
today,
he invites you,
to receive him,
into your life,
he can revive you,
and give you,
newness of life,
where you can experience,
the joy,
and the union,
of being one,
with Jesus Christ,
as your Lord,
and saviour,
so with that,
let us pray,
Father God,
we thank you,
for your word,
we thank you,
that,
you are,
the one,
who gives new life,
you are the one,
who turns,
all things around,
and make things new,
Lord help us,
with our finite minds,
with our little minds,
Lord help us,
Father that we,
can trust in you,
help us Lord,
that we can look to you,
Lord I pray for us,
in areas of our lives,
where we may,
have been stagnant,
where,
Lord we are not growing,
and living the abundant life,
that you called us to,
Lord help us,
that we refocus on you,
and call upon you,
and be persistent,
in looking to you,
Lord I pray for the body here,
at West Kilburn Lord,
I pray for,
the life here Lord,
I pray for all,
that is here today Lord,
as they have heard your word Lord,
speak to their hearts,
in the way that they will respond,
you know how to get our attention,
you know,
how to speak to us,
and help us to respond to you,
help us to see,
how wonderful you are,
help us to see,
that you are the one we need,
so Lord,
we give you glory,
we give you praise,
thank you,
that you demonstrate Lord,
for a wonderful,
miraculous act,
that all glory,
belongs to you,
and your son Jesus Christ,
is exalted on high,
through the acts,
that he reveals you through,
I pray these things,
in Jesus name,
Amen.
Thank you.