Sermon Series: Men Who Died With A Smile On Their Face, Part Two

Subject: Lazarus
Text: John 11
Subtitle: Once More Through the Tomb!

Introduction:

Review sermon series introduction from previous sermon –
Part One: Samson – Judges 16, One Push From Glory

“Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more,
Or close the wall up with our English dead!
In peace there's nothing so becomes a man
As modest stillness and humility;
But when the blast of war blows in our ears,
Then imitate the action of the tiger:
Stiffen the sinews, summon up the blood.”

Henry V, 3:1:44-51, by William Shakespeare


I. The Response of the Disciples to the Death of Lazarus - John 11:1-13

[1] Now a certain man was sick, named Lazarus, of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha. [2] (It was that Mary which anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick.) [3] Therefore his sisters sent unto him, saying, Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick. [4] When Jesus heard that, he said, This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby. [5] Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus. [6] When he had heard therefore that he was sick, he abode two days still in the same place where he was. [7] Then after that saith he to his disciples, Let us go into Judaea again. [8] His disciples say unto him, Master, the Jews of late sought to stone thee; and goest thou thither again? [9] Jesus answered, Are there not twelve hours in the day? If any man walk in the day, he stumbleth not, because he seeth the light of this world. [10] But if a man walk in the night, he stumbleth, because there is no light in him. [11] These things said he: and after that he saith unto them, Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep. [12] Then said his disciples, Lord, if he sleep, he shall do well. [13] Howbeit Jesus spake of his death: but they thought that he had spoken of taking of rest in sleep.

 
II. The Response of Christ to the Disciples – John 11:14-42

[14] Then said Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead. [15] And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, to the intent ye may believe; nevertheless let us go unto him. [16] Then said Thomas, which is called Didymus, unto his fellowdisciples, Let us also go, that we may die with him. [17] Then when Jesus came, he found that he had lain in the grave four days already. [18] Now Bethany was nigh unto Jerusalem, about fifteen furlongs off: [19] And many of the Jews came to Martha and Mary, to comfort them concerning their brother. [20] Then Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met him: but Mary sat still in the house. [21] Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died. [22] But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee. [23] Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again. [24] Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day. [25] Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: [26] And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this? [27] She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world. [28] And when she had so said, she went her way, and called Mary her sister secretly, saying, The Master is come, and calleth for thee. [29] As soon as she heard that, she arose quickly, and came unto him. [30] Now Jesus was not yet come into the town, but was in that place where Martha met him. [31] The Jews then which were with her in the house, and comforted her, when they saw Mary, that she rose up hastily and went out, followed her, saying, She goeth unto the grave to weep there. [32] Then when Mary was come where Jesus was, and saw him, she fell down at his feet, saying unto him, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died. [33] When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping which came with her, he groaned in the spirit, and was troubled, [34] And said, Where have ye laid him? They said unto him, Lord, come and see. [35] Jesus wept. [36] Then said the Jews, Behold how he loved him! [37] And some of them said, Could not this man, which opened the eyes of the blind, have caused that even this man should not have died? [38] Jesus therefore again groaning in himself cometh to the grave. It was a cave, and a stone lay upon it. [39] Jesus said, Take ye away the stone. Martha, the sister of him that was dead, saith unto him, Lord, by this time he stinketh: for he hath been dead four days. [40] Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God? [41] Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me. [42] And I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me.

Who was Jesus weeping for?
You have a choice!
Who’s role will you play?
Who’s part will you take?
Be careful what choice you make!
Is Jesus weeping for you?


III. The Response of Lazarus to the Command of Christ – John 11:43-44

[43] And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth. [44] And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go.

Consider this from Lazarus’ perspective rather than from the perspective of a bystander

Consider this as reality rather than history

There is a difference between resurrection and resuscitation

The place of this event as one of the greatest miracles

Clusters of miracles in Biblical history

Other resurrections/resuscitations in Scripture:

1 Kings 17:22 - And the Lord heard the voice of Elijah; and the soul of the child came into him again, and he revived.

2 Kings 4:35 - Then he returned, and walked in the house to and fro; and went up, and stretched himself upon him: and the child sneezed seven times, and the child opened his eyes.
2 Kings 13:21 - And it came to pass, as they were burying a man, that, behold, they spied a band of men; and they cast the man into the sepulchre of Elisha: and when the man was let down, and touched the bones of Elisha, he revived, and stood up on his feet.

Matthew 9:25 - But when the people were put forth, he went in, and took her by the hand, and the maid arose.

Mark 5:42 - And straightway the damsel arose, and walked; for she was of the age of twelve years. And they were astonished with a great astonishment.

Matthew 27:52 - And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose,

Luke 7:15 - And he that was dead sat up, and began to speak. And he delivered him to his mother.

Acts 9:40 - But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down, and prayed; and turning him to the body said, Tabitha, arise. And she opened her eyes: and when she saw Peter, she sat up.

 
IV. The Response of the Unbelievers to the Resurrection of Lazarus – John 11:45-57

[45] Then many of the Jews which came to Mary, and had seen the things which Jesus did, believed on him. [46] But some of them went their ways to the Pharisees, and told them what things Jesus had done. [47] Then gathered the chief priests and the Pharisees a council, and said, What do we? for this man doeth many miracles. [48] If we let him thus alone, all men will believe on him: and the Romans shall come and take away both our place and nation. [49] And one of them, named Caiaphas, being the high priest that same year, said unto them, Ye know nothing at all, [50] Nor consider that it is expedient for us, that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not. [51] And this spake he not of himself: but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus should die for that nation; [52] And not for that nation only, but that also he should gather together in one the children of God that were scattered abroad. [53] Then from that day forth they took counsel together for to put him to death. [54] Jesus therefore walked no more openly among the Jews; but went thence unto a country near to the wilderness, into a city called Ephraim, and there continued with his disciples. [55] And the Jews' passover was nigh at hand: and many went out of the country up to Jerusalem before the passover, to purify themselves. [56] Then sought they for Jesus, and spake among themselves, as they stood in the temple, What think ye, that he will not come to the feast? [57] Now both the chief priests and the Pharisees had given a commandment, that, if any man knew where he were, he should shew it, that they might take him.


There were two completely different reactions to Lazarus’ resuscitation

Note the unbelief and the blindness of sin even in the face of this great display of God's power


Conclusion:

Compare the truths of the Christian life in Christ

the resurrection of the Christian in Christ
the murderous hatred of world to testimony of Christians
the death of the resurrected followed by life

“Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more,
Or close the wall up with our English dead!
In peace there's nothing so becomes a man
As modest stillness and humility;
But when the blast of war blows in our ears,
Then imitate the action of the tiger:
Stiffen the sinews, summon up the blood.”

Henry V, 3:1:44-51, by William Shakespeare

resurrection followed by death followed by life followed by resurrection?
Romans 6
Colossians 2

Will you have a smile on your face when you die?

There are Two Kinds of People in the World

Introduction:

“There are two types of people in this world: Those who like Neil Diamond, and those who don't.”
Quote from Bob ‘Bobby’ Wiley, played by Bill Murray, in the movie “What About Bob?” (Touchstone Pictures, 1991).

It is true that there are two kinds of people in this world. There are those who believe in miracles, and there are those who deny the existence of miracles. There are those who believe in the supernatural, and those who deny it. There are those who have faith in a supernatural God who is able to work miracles, and who have experienced his miracle working power within themselves. And there are those who do not have such faith, and no nothing of God’s power.

I would turn your attention to the Bible at this time.

In fact, the Scriptures speak of there being two kinds of people in the world!
“He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad.” (Mt. 12:30)
“And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.”
(Mt. 25:32-33)
“...children of light...children of darkness” (Eph. 5:6-11)
“...children of God...children of the devil” (1 Jn. 3:10)

The Bible is a Book of Miracles from beginning to end. There are those who believe this, and those who do not.

The Miracle of Creation

It begins with the great miracle of creation. Oh, yes, this was a miracle despite was is commonly taught and proclaimed as fact in falsely so-called scientific circles, in textbooks, and is schools. We find the words, “And God said...” ten times in the first chapter of Genesis. Often this is followed by the words “...and it was so.”

Genesis 1:3 - And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.
[6] And God said, Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters. [7] And God made the firmament, and divided the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament: and it was so.
[9] And God said, Let the waters under the heaven be gathered together unto one place, and let the dry land appear: and it was so.
[11] And God said, Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb yielding seed, and the fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind, whose seed is in itself, upon the earth: and it was so.
[14] And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years: [15] And let them be for lights in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth: and it was so.
[24] And God said, Let the earth bring forth the living creature after his kind, cattle, and creeping thing, and beast of the earth after his kind: and it was so.

God spoke. And it was so. His Word has the power to create, to create out of nothing, to call into existence. When we speak of creation we speak of it as a miracle sourced in His creative Word.

The Bible ends with another great miracle, that of the destruction of this world, and its replacement, its renewal into the New Heavens and the New Earth. Revelation 21:1-8. God will speak once again, and it will be so. There were no unbelievers present for the first great miracle. There will be no place for them in the last. The world is divided into two kinds of people: those who believe this, and those who do not.

The Miracle of Christ

The Bible is centered on a series of great miracles that focus on the Person and Work of Jesus Christ. Just as creation itself His time on this earth began and ended with great miracles. His birth as the Son of Man is a miracle - the great miracle of the Incarnation. His victory of sin and death in the great miracle of the Resurrection brought about the end of His time as Son of Man on this earth in the Ascension. The world is divided into two groups: those who believe in Him and those who do not.

The Miracles of Christ

Throughout His life He showed Who He was and demonstrated His power as God by working many miracles. These miracles performed by the Lord Jesus Christ spanned a variety of realms and subjects. The first of these was his turning of water into wine at a marriage feast in Cana of Galilee. However, if you are into grading miracles you might agree that few would characterize this miracle as His greatest. The fascination of many with this miracle seems to have more to do with the wine, than with the point of the miracle itself – that of testifying to Christ’s power over creation.

You will remember that at creation God spoke and it was so. It is always so, but it seems to be especially so at certain times in the Bible with regard to miracles.

The resuscitation of Lazarus

Read John 11:1-21

These were folks who believed in miracles. They were well aware of Christ’s miracle working power. They had seen Him show Who He was. They had experienced the supernatural, and fully expected Him to do more. They were actually very disappointed that He had not come to their home in time to perform a miracle of healing on their brother and friend before He died of His sickness.

My “trail name” or nickname on the Appalachian Trail is “Overkill”. This is due to the fact that I carry lots of extra stuff, adding up to what my daughters feel is too much weight. There are, however, those who would assert that, “Overkill is underrated.” This is actually a line from the new movie “A-Team” produced by Twentieth Century Fox. COL “Hannibal” Smith said this in that movie. I like that. What does that have to do with anything? It has to do with Jesus Christ Himself! I would like to use that line with regards to Christ Himself. Christ is underrated! Christ is underrated. He is even underrated by those who say they believe in Him, and who know that He can and does perform powerful miracles.

Read John 11:22-45

Conclusion:

There are two, and only two, kinds of people in the world today. There are those who believe that the Bible is a book of miracles from beginning to end, and those who don’t. There are those who believe in miracles, in God’s supernatural, miracle-working power, and those who don’t. There are those who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and those who don’t. Which of these two groups do you fall into, and don’t say neither, because there is no gray area, no middle ground here. There is no “neither”! It is one or the other. Are you here today as one who cannot confess a faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, who does not believe He did miracles, who denies the miracle of creation itself? Are you someone who hears the Bible, who knows what it says, but who cannot subscribe to a belief in the Bible as a “Book of Miracles”? Are you one of the two kinds of people who denies the existence of a supernatural God, or who denies His miracle working power? If so, perhaps you need to ask yourself, “Why?” What keeps you from taking God at His Word, and believing in His Son the Lord Jesus Christ, and confessing Him as your Savior?

The Miracle of Regeneration, of the New Birth

2 Cor. 4:3-7 – [3] But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: [4] In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. [5] For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake. [6] For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. [7] But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.

Heidelberg Catechism, Lord’s Day 1

Q.1: What is your only comfort in life and in death?
A.1: That I, with body and soul, both in life and in death,[1] am not my own,[2] but belong to my faithful Savior Jesus Christ,[3] who with His precious blood [4] has fully satisfied for all my sins,[5] and redeemed me from all the power of the devil;[6] and so preserves me [7] that without the will of my Father in heaven not a hair can fall from my head;[8] indeed, that all things must work together for my salvation.[9] Wherefore, by His Holy Spirit, He also assures me of eternal life,[10] and makes me heartily willing and ready from now on to live unto Him.[11]

Is this your only comfort in life and in death?

Footnotes:

1. Rom. 14:7 8
2. I Cor. 6:19
3. I Cor. 3:23
4. I Peter 1:18 19
5. I John 1:7; 2:2
6. I John 3:8
7. John 6:39
8. Matt. 10:29 30; Luke 21:18
9. Rom. 8:28
10. II Cor. 1:21 22; Eph. 1:13 14; Rom. 8:16
11. Rom. 8:1

[This sermon was preached by Pastor John T. “Jack” Jeffery during a funeral service on January 6, 2011, and at Wayside Gospel Chapel, Greentown, PA on January 9, 2011.]