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THAT THE SON OF GOD MAY BE GLORIFIED THROUGH IT

Text: John 11:1-44
16 November 2008

(I) THE GLORY OF THE LORD JESUS REVEALED THROUGH OVERCOMING SICKNESS AND DEATH

1. He allowed death to come to one whom He loved

a) Lazarus was deeply loved by the Lord

“…’Lord, behold, he whom You love is sick.’ ” John 11:3

b) Jesus allowed Lazarus to die

“So, when He heard that he was sick, He stayed two more days in the place where He was.” John 11:5

2. The Lord’s power over sickness and death

“ When Jesus heard that, He said, ‘This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified through it.’ ” John 11:4

a) It would show forth the glory of God

b) It would glorify Jesus as the true Son of God

(II) THE PROBLEM OF NOT BEING ABLE TO SEE THE GLORY OF THE LORD JESUS

1. Death clouded out the glory of the Lord Jesus

a) An obvious lack of understanding

“However, Jesus spoke of his death, but they thought that He was speaking about taking rest in sleep.” John 11:13

b) Wrong reaction

“…’Let us also go, that we may die with him.’ ” John 11:16

2. The fact of a lack of faith makes matters worse

a) Martha

“…’If You had been here, my brother would not have died.’ ” John 11:21

b) Mary

“…’Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.’ ” John 11:32

3. The Lord’s response – Sorrow and weeping

“…He groaned in the spirit and was troubled.” John 11:33

“Jesus wept.” John 11:35

(III) THE GREAT PURPOSE IN JESUS OVERCOMING DEATH – TO HELP PEOPLE FIND FAITH

1. The Lord’s gladness for people to find faith

“And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, that you may believe…” John 11:15

2. The Lord’s encouragement to believe in Him as the resurrection and the life

“Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?” John 11:25-26

3. The Lord’s admonishment to have faith in His words.

“…’Did I not say to you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?’ ” John 11:40

4. The Lord’s interceding for people to have faith in Him

“And I know that You always hear Me, but because of the people who are standing by I said this, that they may believe that You sent Me.” John 11:42

(IV) THE CHALLENGE TO HAVE THE FAITH TO SEE THE GLORY OF THE LORD JESUS

1. To see beyond the cloud of sickness and death

2. To see the glory of the Lord Jesus as One who overcame sickness and death

3. To let the Lord and His words help us find faith

4. To have absolute faith in the Lord Jesus as the Son of God

“But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.” John 20:31