Sermon nuggets Weds July 2
Theme Overcoming Death
Verses- John 11:16-28 Then Thomas (called Didymus) said to the rest of the disciples, "Let us also go, that we may die with him."
17 On his arrival, Jesus found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days.
18 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.
20 When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet him, but Mary stayed at home.
21 "Lord," Martha said to Jesus, "if you had been here, my brother would not have died.
22 But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask."
23 Jesus said to her, "Your brother will rise again."
24 Martha answered, "I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day."
25 Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?"
27 "Yes, Lord," she told him, "I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who was to come into the world."
The Special Promise
After Jesus decided to return to Bethany Thomas was so convinced that the Jews were going to kill Jesus that it was suicide to go back because it was only a couple of miles from Jerusalem. His comment showed he was willing to die with Jesus.
That reminded me of a Little Leaguer who came to his coach when his team found out that they were to play a much larger and advanced team in the playoff. He groaned, "We're going to get slaughtered." the Coach reminded him the of the importance of a positive mental attitude. He confessed he had forgotten then said, "I'm positive we're going to get slaughtered." And sure enough they did. Thomas was positive they were going to die with Jesus. But he was committed to Jesus even to die.
Certainly all eyes were on Jesus when he was entering the town. Many Jews were there to comfort the family even after Lazarus had been in the tomb for four days. Mary was understandable upset, yet pleased to see Jesus and came to Him even before He made it to the house. Her trust was in Him regardless.
There is a tremendous lesson of the resurrection hope that is ours by faith in Jesus Christ. We have hope of seeing our loved ones again. The Bible tells us,"He who has the Son has life." Jesus gives us what we cannot give ourselves.
We cannot forgive ourselves of sin against God, only Christ can do that. Only Christ can bring our loved ones to life again. We cannot rise up ourselves only Christ can do that to us. When He asked Martha if she believed in the resurrection, indeed, she knew the conservative Jewish thought that is consistent with the Old Testament teaching, Daniel 12:2-3 "Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake; some to everlasting life, other to shame and everlasting contempt. Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever." She believed that at the last day there will be a resurrection. That is our hope. That is what we look forward to now purchased for us on the cross.
Walter Lowen wrote in the Readers Digest of the intense sorrow he felt and the emptiness he experienced because of the death of his beloved wife of 37 years. He felt all meaning was gone from his own life. The Doctor who was a friend and a fellow believer in Jesus took his arm and said in a matter of fact voice, "you'll see her again." That was all and he left the room.
Lowen writes, "But that was all I needed to hear, that simple gesture and eloquent statement reminded me of the one things that has been give to us to help us bear such separations form our beloved; the resurgent and ever present ability to believe in the immortality. The idea of immortality is the strongest lifeline to the grief-stricken. In my case I could from his words on, think of the separation of Selma and myself as temporary. Everything that sustained that belief sustained me. Three of my friends somehow knew the almost morbid sensitivity that one in grief has, they sent flowering plants instead of cut flowers, so that the idea of continuance of life and not its brief blooming would be suggested."
There are promises in Jesus comforting presence with us in our sorrow. There is the promise of faith that conquers the fiery darts of the evil one. Tell me, what in your life, have you concluded is beyond the Lord's power? What seems "hopeless". What is it that seems irreparable? A disease, a relationship, a business crisis? Consider: Ephesians 3:20 "he is able to do immeasurably more than we ask or imagine" God's hands are NOT tied. Why is this important? Because God's sufficiency is your basis for hope.
There is the fantastic hope of resurrection that is for all who believe. This hope is in none other than Jesus Christ. Because Jesus is the resurrection and the life we take comfort in the fact He lives, so shall we, and we are promised a life everlasting. There is our hope.
Pastor Dale
