This sermon explores how trials reveal our faith and God's power to transform sorrow into joy, as demonstrated in the story of Lazarus. Key
Good morning, dear friends. What a joy it is to gather together in the house of the Lord, united in our faith and our desire to draw closer to our Creator. We are here to seek His face, to learn from His word, and to encourage one another on this path we walk together. We are not alone in our struggles, nor are we alone in our victories. We are a family, bound by the blood of Christ and the love of God.
Today, we turn our hearts and minds to John 11:1-16, a passage that speaks of love, loss, and the Lord's power to transform our deepest sorrows into joy.
In the story of Lazarus, we see an extraordinary display of divine affection. Jesus, upon hearing of Lazarus' illness, doesn't rush to his side. Instead, He waits. He waits two days before setting out for Bethany. This delay might seem strange, even cruel, to us. But it's important to remember that Jesus' actions are always motivated by love. His delay wasn't due to indifference or neglect. Rather, it was a part of His divine plan to reveal His glory and power in a way that would strengthen the faith of His followers.
The first aspect of this divine love we see is its patience. Jesus could have healed Lazarus immediately. He could have spoken the word, and Lazarus would have been restored to health. But He didn't. He waited. He allowed Lazarus to die. He allowed Mary and Martha to grieve. Why? Because He knew that the end result would be far greater than an immediate healing. He knew that through Lazarus' death and resurrection, His disciples would witness a miracle that would strengthen their faith and deepen their understanding of who He is.
The second aspect of this divine love is its purposefulness. Jesus' delay wasn't arbitrary. It was intentional. It was part of His divine plan. He knew that Lazarus' death would serve a greater purpose - it would glorify God. In John 11:4, Jesus says, "This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it." Jesus' love is always purposeful. It always serves a greater purpose - the glory of God.
The third aspect of this divine love is its power. When Jesus finally arrives in Bethany, Lazarus has been dead for four days. His body is in the tomb. His sisters are grieving. The situation seems hopeless. But Jesus, with a word, brings Lazarus back to life. He demonstrates His power over death, the ultimate enemy. His love isn't weak or passive. It's powerful. It's transformative. It's capable of bringing life out of death.
The fourth aspect of this divine love is its personal nature. Jesus loved Lazarus. He loved Mary and Martha. His actions weren't motivated by a detached sense of duty or obligation. They were motivated by love. When He sees Mary weeping, He is deeply moved. He weeps with her. He shares in her grief. His love is personal. It's compassionate. It's empathetic.
In the midst of the heartache that Mary and Martha were experiencing, we see a shift in the narrative ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO
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