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IF YOU WOULD BELIEVE

Text: John 11
18 October 2020

BELIEVING IN THE LORD JESUS

The word “believe” was used over 80 times in the Gospel of John, in various forms (verb, noun, participle). 

  1. Many expressed that they believed in Him

a) Because they saw the miracles the Lord performed

b) Because of His teachings

  1. Few had been tested

a) Thus, the faith in the Lord Jesus remained theoretical at best

b) When the faith of the Disciples was tested, they did not fare very well

A TIME OF TESTING

A pain time of testing came to Martha and Mary. Their beloved brother, Lazarus was very ill. They quickly sent word to the Lord. They had hoped He would come at their request. A few days later, Lazarus passed away.

The Lord Jesus appeared on the scene after Lazarus had been entombed for four days! Martha and Mary were upset that the Lord had not come earlier. Each sister said to Him,

“Lord, if You had been here,

My brother would not have died.”     John 11:21, 32a

DIFFICULTY OF APPLYING FAITH

The Lord Jesus raised an issue with Martha at the tomb of Lazarus.

Did I not say to you that if you would believe

You would see the glory of God?”     John 11:40

  1. This was a teaching about believing

a) If one would truly believe

b) One would see the glory of God

c) The Lord said that He was the Resurrection and the Life

d) He could give life to anyone He wished

  1. The faith of Martha and Mary

a) Their faith was genuine

b) They believed that Jesus was indeed the Son of God   John 11:27

c) But Lazarus had died and that was it!

d) Their faith was largely theoretical

THE RAISING OF LAZARUS

The Lord raised Lazarus from the dead for s a number of reasons: 

  1. That faith may be deepened
  1. That faith may be broadened
  1. That faith may be corrected

We may begin with a theoretical faith! But it must be enlarged so that faith can and should be both personal and practical! The trauma of death should not affect our faith adversely!