Our preaching for Sunday will be John 11:1-16. Jesus escapes an angry mob at the end of chapter 10 and retreats across the Jordan where John the Baptist began his ministry a few years earlier. In stark contrast from what Jesus experienced in Jerusalem, his sheep are responding in faith to his words and works that testify to the fact that he is the Messiah, God come in the flesh. We don’t know how long Jesus has been ministering across the Jordan, but it probably wasn’t too long before he received a message from his friends Mary and Martha that their brother Lazarus is very ill. If you’re familiar with this passage, or have heard this story before then you know that Lazarus dies and Jesus raises Lazarus from death to life. All of that is true, and important, but there is so much going on in this chapter that we can’t just rush to the conclusion or we will miss some really important details. So, we will take this chapter in three (maybe four) sections (11:1-6, 11:17-37, 11:38-57). Our text this week records Jesus’ surprising response to the news of Lazarus’ illness. However, as surprising as his response may be at first glance, we are also given the reason for both the illness and subsequent death of Lazarus and Jesus’ delay in coming to be with Lazarus and his family. Jesus doesn’t always respond the way we think he will, or should, but this text teaches us that he always responds rightly, because everything he does he does for God’s glory and the good of his people. May the truth of the Word be planted in our hearts and bear fruit for the glory of God!
Sermon Title: “Lazarus Dies For God’s Glory”
Sermon Text: John 11:1-16
Meditation Passage: Luke 10:38-42
Call To Worship: Psalm 107: 1-9
Benediction: Philippians 1:9-11
Songs For Sunday:
Come Thou Fount Of Every Blessing
O Lord My Rock And My Redeemer