Message Notes

SUNDAY SCHOOL SPECIAL 20 February 2022

Text: John 11:1-10

Subject: Evangelism

Focus: “That the Son of God may be glorified”

INTRODUCTION

1. The Lord was away “beyond the Jordan” (John 10:40)

2. Geographically

a) East of Jordan

b) Generally, Galilee

3. News of the illness of Lazarus reached the Lord Jesus (John 11:3)

a) This piece of news was sent by Martha and Mary 

b) They counted on the Lord Jesus to respond to this bit of news swiftly

4. The Lord Jesus may have moved from there 

a) To a place nearer to Bethany

b) The Lord Jesus does not stay in any place for too long

c) Near enough for Martha and Mary to send Him word

A SPECIAL FAMILY 

1. Three siblings were mentioned

a) Lazarus

b) Martha

c) Mary

2. They lived in a city called Bethany (John 11:1)

a) Bethany was nearly 3 km from Jerusalem

b) It was at Bethany that Mary 

i) Anointed the Lord Jesus with fragrant oil

ii) And wiped His feet with her hair (John 11:2)

3. Martha’s message to the Lord Jesus

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

a) The love of the Lord Jesus was mentioned

b) He obviously had a special affection for Lazarus 

c) The sickness of one who is loved was noted!

4. That this love was real was confirmed

“Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus” John 11:5

a) This love was not assumed

b) This love was noted

THE RESPONSE OF THE LORD JESUS

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

1. The sickness of Lazarus

a) The news was noted

b) The Lord then commented on it

2. His understanding of the situation and of this illness

a) It was not unto death

b) But for the glory of God

c) That the Son of God may be glorified through it

3. It may seem straightforward

a) That Lazarus’ illness is not serious

b) It would not lead to death

But was this the meaning?

4. His statement was puzzling

a) That God would be glorified

b) That the Son of God should be glorified too

How does a non-fatal illness result in glory to God?

5. The Lord Jesus stayed 2 more days where He was

a) The Lord Jesus did not respond immediately

b) He stayed where He was for two more daysJohn 11:6

i) To complete His work

ii) He was sensitive to God’s divine leading

 A STARTLING WORD GIVEN

1. He spoke to His disciples after 2 days

2. He shared His plan

“Let us go to Judea again” John 11:7

a) They had left Judea 

b) The Jews were increasingly more hostile

c) It did not make sense to the Disciples why the Lord wanted to go to Judea

i) Lazarus’ illness was not unto death

ii) They could not understand the Lord’s decision

THE RESPONSE OF THE DISCIPLES

The disciples said to Him, “Rabbi, lately the Jews sought to stone You, and are You going there again? John 11:8

1. They recalled that the Jews had sought to stone the Lord John 10:31

2. They asked why He was going to Judea again!

AN EXPLANATION FROM THE LORD 

⁹ Jesus answered, “Are there not twelve hours in the day? If anyone walks in the day, he does not stumble, because he sees the light of this world.

¹⁰ But if one walks in the night, he stumbles, because the light is not in him.”

John 11:9-10

1. Day and Night illustration

2. The Day

a) If a person walks in the day, he will not stumble

b) He sees the light

3. The Night

a) If a person walks in the night, he stumbles

b) The light is not in him

CONCLUSION

1. Lessons for the Disciples 

a) To understand the Lord better

b) To trust Him even if there are things that are not immediately clear

2. Vital truths to bear in mind

a) The glory of God

b) The glory of the Son of God

c) Walking in the Light so that one need not stumble