Message Notes

SUNDAY SCHOOL SPECIAL 6 March 2022

Text: John 11:17-27

Subject: Evangelism

Focus: “I am the resurrection and the life II” John 11:25

INTRODUCTION

1. There were Lessons the Disciples needed to learn

a) The deep language of faith the Lord Jesus used

b) The figurative language the Lord employed

c) The Power of God

d) The Glory of God

2. There were also lessons that Martha and Mary had to learn as well

a) They were very close to their brother Lazarus

b) Lazarus had been sick

c) He had died

d) The Lord Jesus had not responded as swiftly as they had hoped

e) There were some misgivings in their heart because Lazarus had died

ARRIVING IN BETHANY

1. Lazarus had been entombed four days already (John 11:17)

2. Bethany was 3.2 km away from Jerusalem (John 11:18)

a) Many of the Jews were in their home

b) They had come to comfort them (John 11:19)

MARTHA AND THE LORD JESUS CHRIST

1. Martha had heard that the Lord Jesus had come

She went to see the Lord (John 11:20a)

2. Mary chose to stay in the house (John 11:20b)

3. They grieved differently

REMONSTRATING WITH THE LORD JESUS

²¹ Now Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.

²² But even now I know that whatever You ask of God, God will give You.”

²³ Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.”

²⁴ Martha said to Him, “I know that 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, though he may die, he shall live.

²⁶ And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?”

²⁷ She said to Him, “Yes, Lord, I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.”

John 11:21-27

1. Martha’s misgiving expressed

²¹ “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.

²² But even now I know that whatever You ask of God, God will give You.”

John 11:21-22

a) Why had not the Lord come when word was sent to Him?

b) If the Lord had responded Lazarus would not have died!

2. Martha’s faith-focus

“But even now I know that whatever You ask of God, God will give You.”

John 11:22

a) If the Lord Jesus were to pray to God

b) God would answer Him

c) Gentle hint

That the Lord Jesus would ask God to raise Lazarus

d) Her faith was not in the Lord Jesus at this point of time

3. Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.”

a) The Lord’s reply

b) Lazarus will rise again

c) Would Martha believe that He could raise him up?

4. Martha’s response

a) “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.” John 11:24

b) She did not understand what the Lord Jesus was saying

c) Her answer was academic and theoretical

d) She believed in the doctrine of the resurrection!

5. The Response of the Lord Jesus

²⁵ Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.

²⁶ And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?”

John 11:25-26

a) The Focus was not on God

b) Nor was the Focus on the distant future

c) The Focus was on the here and now

d) The Focus was on the Lord Jesus Christ Himself

6. He was the Resurrection and the Life

a) The power to resurrect lay with the Lord Jesus

b) He has the power to give Life

c) Death is only sleep to the Lord Jesus

d) Does Martha believe in the Lord Jesus and all that He has said?

MARTHA’S RESPONSE

“Yes, Lord, I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.”    John 11:27

1. Her faith was that the Lord Jesus was the Christ

2. That He was the Son of God

3. But this was not what the Lord Jesus asked her?

a) Was the Lord Jesus the Resurrection and the Life?

b) Martha had difficulty in answering this question

CONCLUSION

1. Our struggles in faith

a) When we face a crisis

b) When we face death

2. Our faith

a) Often theoretical

b) Not always firm and relevant

3. Our Challenge

a) To believe fully

b) To believe deeply 

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