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Series Title: Final Approach
Sermon Title: Raised from the Dead
Sermon Scripture: John 11:1-44
Key Point: “Raising Lazarus from the grave put Jesus in grave danger.”

Something to think about:

Today we start a new series entitled, “Final Approach.” Over the next several weeks we will be exploring the last three weeks of Jesus’ life before He entered Jerusalem for the final time before His death.

Our series starts with the story of Lazarus being raised from the grave, but that story starts with restless waiting. Mary and Martha, Lazarus’ sisters send a message to Jesus who is about a day’s travel away, that Lazarus is deathly ill. However, when Jesus receives the message, instead of coming right away, He waits two more days before traveling to Bethany to see His dear friend. By the time He gets there, Lazarus has died and been buried for four days. Both Mary and Martha are in mourning, and frustrated by the fact that Jesus didn’t come soon enough. But what they are about to experience is that GOD’s timing is very different from their own. Jesus wasn’t late as they had assumed; He was right on time. Let’s take a closer look…

Key Point: “Jesus is always on time.”

Let’s unpack the scene a little more this morning:

· Martha was ______________ because Jesus didn’t show up when she thought He should.

John 11:20-21 (NLT), 20 When Martha got word that Jesus was coming, she went to meet him. But Mary stayed in the house. 21 Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if only you had been here, my brother would not have died.

· Jesus ______________ Martha and Mary who He is.

John 11:25-26 (NLT), 25 Jesus told her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying. 26 Everyone who lives in me and believes in me will never ever die. Do you believe this, Martha?”

· Lazarus ______________ the voice of Christ.

John 11:43-44 (NLT), 43 Then Jesus shouted, “Lazarus, come out!” 44 And the dead man came out, his hands and feet bound in graveclothes, his face wrapped in a headcloth. Jesus told them, “Unwrap him and let him go!”

Something to take home:

Though Jesus spent a couple extra days before going to Bethany, His timing was still perfect. Lazarus’ death wasn’t the problem in this scenario, it was the faith of those nearby. Death seems so final, so complete, but Jesus wanted to show that He was the Master of not only time, but death. Because of who He was, Jesus was able to conquer death through the Father’s strength and power in Him. So, Jesus wasn’t late, He was right on time.

Key Point: “Jesus is always on time.”

Read John 11:1-44.
Why do you think that Jesus waited two more days before going to Bethany to see Mary, Martha, and Lazarus?

What did Jesus mean when He said to the disciples that “Lazarus’s sickness will not end in death” (v. 4) when in all actuality his sickness did end in death (v. 14)?

Jesus spoke to Martha and encouraged her that Lazarus would rise again (v. 23).Responding to Jesus, Martha believed that Lazarus would live again on the “last day,” but Jesus meant something more by His statement.In response, He says, “I am the resurrection and the life.Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying.Everyone who lives in me and believes in me will never die.”Take some time and pray about these two verses.Now take some time and explain or write down what this means.

When Jesus commands for the stone to be removed from the entrance of Lazarus’ tomb, Martha protests (vv. 38-39).Why does she do this?

How do you respond to Jesus when your situation seems impossible?Have you allowed Him to roll your stone of doubt away?

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