Message Notes

SUNDAY SCHOOL SPECIAL 20 March 2022

Text: John 11:38-44

Subject: Evangelism

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

INTRODUCTION

1. The Death of Lazarus

a) The Disciples had not understood the word of the Lord Jesus concerning the death of Lazarus

b) Martha and Mary had misgivings about the Lord Jesus not preventing the death of Lazarus

c) The Jews certainly did not understand that the Lord was indeed the Resurrection and the Life

2. The Lord had done all He could

a) To explain

b) To encourage

c) To exhibit faith in Him

d) But there had been poor responses

AT THE TOMB OF LAZARUS

1. He had come to the tomb where Lazarus had been laid the last 4 days

2. A stone had been rolled over the mouth of the tomb John 11:38

3. The command of the Lord Jesus

“Take away the stone” John 11:39a

4. Martha’s response

Martha, the sister of him who was dead, said to Him, 

“Lord, by this time there is a stench, for he has been dead four days.” John 11:39b

She could not understand the Lord Jesus and what He was going to do!

5. The gentle reminder of the Lord Jesus

Jesus said to her, “Did I not say to you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?” John 11:40

a) “Did I not say to you”

b) “If you believe”

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

6. The stone rolled away

Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead man was lying. John 11:41a

THE PRAYER OF THE LORD JESUS

41 And Jesus lifted up His eyes and said, “Father, I thank You that You have heard Me.

⁴² 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 11:41b-42

1. A special prayer to God as Father

a) Of closeness

b) Of confidence that God hears always

2. A consciousness of the people standing by

a) They had heard the prayer of the Lord Jesus

b) His concern that they might believe in Him 

c) That God had indeed sent Him

THE RAISING OF LAZARUS

⁴³ Now when He had said these things, He cried with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come forth!” ⁴⁴ And he who had died came out bound hand and foot with graveclothes, and his face was wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Loose him, and let him go.”

1. He spoke with a loud voice

“Lazarus, come forth!” John 11:43

2. An immediate response

“And he who had died came out bound hand and foot with graveclothes, and his face was wrapped with a cloth” John 11:44a

a) Lazarus was bound hand and foot with grave clothes

b) His face was wrapped with a cloth

3. The last word from the Lord Jesus

“Loose him, and let him go.” John 11:44b

a) The attendants had to remove the grave clothes

b) Lazarus was resurrected

CONCLUSION

1. The Resurrection and the Life

a) This doctrine had come alive

b) The glory of God was manifested

c) The glory of the Lord Jesus was evidenced

2. The faith of All must be re-examined

a) The Disciples

b) Martha

c) Mary

d) The Jews 

3. Problems affecting Faith must be addressed

a) Lack of Depth of understanding

b) Unbelief

c) Misgivings

d) Feelings of despair

4. Challenges

a) A renewed faith

b) A deeper faith

c) A life-changing faith