Sermon Central
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God Is Never Late
Contributed by Omololu Ogunremi on Apr 7, 2017 (message contributor)
Summary: At some points in life, we do not get all we desires at our own time despite prayer; at such time God is waiting for a reason, wait for him, don't give up, WAIT FOR HIM
GOD IS NEVER LATE
John 11: 1-15
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.
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. KJV
INTRODUCTION
Reading through John 11 brings to the mind that Jesus great miracle of rising up Lazarus from the dead. Beyond the miracle there are many more lessons to be learnt from this story. The one we are learning this morning is found in verse 6:
6 When he had heard therefore that he was sick, he abode two days still in the same place where he was. KJV
Why did he wait TWO DAYS more?
Even though he had heard that Lazarus His friend (his lover) was sick;
3 Therefore his sisters sent unto him, saying, Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick. KJV
It is noteworthy that the whole of family of Lazarus are devoted lovers of Christ. May the Lord give us the grace to raise a family that loves Christ! With unity in the family
2 (It was that Mary which anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick.) KJV
Do everything within your reach to make every member of your household lovers of Christ
5 Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus.
KJV
Remember He said …”ye are my friends; if you do whatsoever I commanded you”
o If you love Christ…
o If you are friend of Jesus…
o And you are experiencing one trouble of the other…
He delayed for a reason.
That two days waiting may be years in your own case
He delayed for a reason; wait for him.
1. WHY DID HE WAIT SO LONG?
2. HE HAS POWER TO DO ALL THINGS
3. WAIT FOR HIM; HE CAN NEVER BE LATE
1. WHY DID HE WAIT SO LONG?
6 When he had heard therefore that he was sick, he abode two days still in the same place where he was. KJV
This is a question to be considered very seriously: why did he wait two days still?
The answer was found in verse 4
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. KJV
He waited to
• manifest his glory
• for the right time
• teach you patience
• strengthen you
• get your attention
• develop your trust in Him
• develop your faith in Him
•
Isa 30:18-21
18 And therefore will the Lord wait, that he may be gracious unto you, and therefore will he be exalted, that he may have mercy upon you: for the Lord is a God of judgment: blessed are all they that wait for him.
19 For the people shall dwell in Zion at Jerusalem: thou shalt weep no more: he will be very gracious unto thee at the voice of thy cry; when he shall hear it, he will answer thee.
20 And though the Lord give you the bread of adversity, and the water of affliction, yet shall not thy teachers be removed into a corner any more, but thine eyes shall see thy teachers:
