Hello, my name is...
The Testimony of Lazarus.
Key verse: Mark 5:19, “... Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee.”
Text: John 12:9-11
(9) Much people of the Jews therefore knew that he was there: and they came not for Jesus' sake only, but that they might see Lazarus also, whom he had raised from the dead. ?(10)? But the chief priests consulted that they might put Lazarus also to death; ?(11)? Because that by reason of him many of the Jews went away, and believed on Jesus.
(ref: The death and resurrection of Lazarus: Ref: John 11:32-35, 43-44, 53, 57. 12:1-11)
Today I would like to focus on “The Power of a Testimony.”
Illustration: In many recovery groups such as AA, the participants are encouraged to share their names and how long they have been sober. It goes something like this, “Hello, my name is Sarah, I’m an Alcoholic, but I have been sobered for 12 years.” She is greeted, “Hello Sarah.”
Humor: One man stood up and said, “Hello, my name is David, but I had my “ID” stolen, so just call me “Dav.”
For the Believer, it should go something like this, “Hello, my name is LC, I used to be a lost sinner, now I am a Price, a child of the King!” For because of the grace of God and His great salvation, we are no longer what we used to be, we are new creatures in Christ!
As we have looked at the dinner that Christ’s friends gave to Him, we noted that several personalities are mentioned:
Mary is best known as the worshiper of Christ.
Martha is known as the worker of Christ.
Judas is known as the wicked one who betrayed Christ.
Today, I would like to look at Lazarus, we will call him “The Witness of Christ.”
Now, all followers are and should be witnesses of Christ and what He has done for us.
NOTE: I think even though not a single word that Lazarus spoke is recorded in Scripture, he still has something to say to us. The verses we will take a look at have to do with the impact Lazarus’s testimony had and then we draw some principles to encourage us.
Background:
Preceding the supper of chapter 12, we read of the miracle of the death and resurrection of Lazarus. John 11.
Lazarus became sick, and Martha and Mary sent for Jesus.
Jesus waited until 4 days. Lazarus died, was wrapped in grave clothes, and laid in a tomb.
Jesus came to the scene. Jesus wept. “I am the resurrection and life!” John 11:25-26
Jesus raised him from the dead, still in grave wrappings.
Many believed in Jesus, John 11:45, while at the same time, many refused to believe!
Jewish leaders put out a wanted poster on Jesus: Report Him, turn Him in. John 11:53, 57
There was a Stir in Town!
Before the PASSOVER, many were gathered to celebrate. John 12:1
Judas proceeds to meet with the Jewish leaders to betray Christ!
The crowds came together and were excited because of the miracle of Lazarus.
In Lazarus, there was “A Man.” “A miracle.” “A Message!”
1. There was the man Lazarus who had died.
2. There was the miracle, Jesus had raised him to life!
3. There was the message! The testimony of Lazarus. A Living Witness!
Every child of God has a Miracle Testimony!
1. There is the man or woman, and the life you lived. The condition you were in before Jesus found you. Dead in trespasses and sin! Separated from God, from joy and peace! Heading for Hell!
2. There is the miracle! When we were saved, we were born again! God gave us His Holy Spirit! God gave us a new life. God filled us with His love, joy, and peace! We became children of God!
3. There is the message! The way we live our lives, and the words of our mouths should give glory to God and reflect the fact that we are “Children in God’s family!” New creatures!
Examples in Scripture:
Moses: From Killer to Leader ...
Joseph: From Rejected to Ruler ...
Rahab: From Harlot to Hero.
Elijah: From Fearful to Faithful ...
David: From Shepherd to King ...
Gadarian Maniac: From someone who terrorized to someone who testified!
Mary Magdalene: From Demoniac To Disciple ...
The woman at the well: From a Wasted Life to Wonderful Witness!
The Philippian Jailer- From a cruel hopeless official to a kind joyful believer!
Paul: From Persecutor to Preacher ...
Old cliche: “I'm not what I should be, and not what I’m gonna be, but praise God, I’m not what I used to be!”
How to Share Your Salvation Testimony
There are many ways one may share their testimony which have proven to be powerful tools to be used by the Holy Spirit to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
We have now the ability to share what Christ has done for us through social media, podcasts, the airwave, printed pages, etc.
But we can narrow how we share the Gospel down to two main ways: Verbal and Lifestyle.
Verbal Witness: Verbal is important because in it we share not only our words and firsthand accounts of what has happened to our life since receiving Christ, but more importantly we can share the Word of God.
If Lazarus appeared today and gave his witness he may begin with these words,
“Hello, my name is Lazarus.”
“The witness of Lazarus.”
We are not sure that Lazarus ever spoke, I am sure he did, but the Bible doesn’t record it.
I certainly would have loved to have heard him share his testimony, maybe something like this.
“Hello, my name is Lazarus, and I am truly honored to speak to you about my best Friend.
I am from Bethany and live in our family home with my two living sisters Martha and Mary. For those who have known us for any length of time, you know well that over the past several years tragedy struck our home, coming as quickly as leaves falling to the ground. One by one our loved ones fell sick and were taken from us; it seemed too quickly. My sisters and I found ourselves living in sadness, loneliness, hopelessness, and despair.
Then one day Mary came home and excitedly told us of a man who others claimed was the Messiah. She stated that as she listened to Him speak, she became convinced that He was the promised One. That day, we saw in her a joy that we had never witnessed before. So, out of curiosity and hope, Martha and I sought this man out. We soon found Him preaching to a crowd of people who seemed mesmerized by the power and love in his sermon. As we listened to His words, we knew then why. Our hearts opened that moment to trust in Him, as we too became believers. He changed our lives and filled our hearts with hope and joy, and we have never been the same. Jesus became to us not only the Messiah, our Savior and Lord; but he became our closest friend.
We spoke to Jesus, and we decided that whenever He was in our area, for any reason, he would consider our humble home his home; a place of refuge, and rest, and allow us to minister to Him. He agreed and we have cherished His visits. Since that first meeting until now our relationship with Him has grown into a true friendship.
Now allow me to share my testimony with you.
Some weeks before the celebration of Passover, I started feeling weak and became desperately sick. My sisters and others did their best to minister to me, but I only grew worse. My body became so weak, I could not eat and only take tiny sips of water. Finally, I drifted into sleep, for how long, I do not know.
Then out of deathly silence, I heard a loud, but kind voice and familiar voice saying, “Lazarus…” It was the voice of my friend Jesus. My eyes opened, and then he commanded, “Come forth!”
Then like the wave of the sea flowing over me, I felt my strength return and rush into my body. I took a deep breath and started to sit up but felt strangely restricted. At that point, I was wide awake. I struggled more and managed to twist myself from the place I lay. Although my whole body was restrained, I was able to stand up and then inch my way towards His voice. Suddenly, He spoke again, “Lose him, and let him go!”
I felt several sets of hands all over my body, ripping what I now know were grave clothes from me.
As my head was unwrapped, I saw my Lord Jesus, and then a large crowd around me. I mumbled,
“What happened?” Jesus winked at me and smiled.
My sisters both speaking in tearful joy at the same time said, “Brother, you died! You have been dead for four days! But Jesus, the resurrection and life came and raised you from the dead!
Enough about me, and the miracle, let me tell you about Jesus!
©Loyd C Taylor, Sr., 2024
Paul taught us in Romans 10:9-17
(9) That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. ?(10)? For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness, and with the mouth, confession is made unto salvation. ?(11)? For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. ?(12)? For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. ?(13)? For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. ?(14)? How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? ?(15)? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? As it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! ?(16)? But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? ?(17)? So then faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of God.
God’s Word is the most powerful tool to share the Gospel with the seeker!
Visible Witness: Lifestyle Witness is another powerful tool God uses.
This is a term that implies that “the seeker” will be able to view your life and conduct as you live near or around this person.
He then will recognize something in your life that the Holy Spirit can use to create a desire in your heart.
In other words, the seeker will witness
How you handle Trouble.
How you deal with opposition.
How you handle sickness, or death, of some other tragedy.
How honest you are in your dealings.
How obedient you are to God’s Law.
How you manifest a “Love for God”, and a “Love for your neighbor.”
As far as the Gospel in us is concerned, the things we practice go a long way to substantiate what we claim to possess. ©LCT
The adage; “The Christian’s life is the only Bible some people will read.”
As Jesus taught in Matthew 5:13-16
(13) Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt has lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.
(14) Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. (15)? Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
(16) Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
Challenge: How do people view your witness?
CONCLUSION:
Christians have been given the charge to be witnesses of Christ…
Mar 16:15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
Act 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
What results might we expect?
We plant the seed, it is God who gives the increase!
We are called to be His witnesses, the results belong to Him!
Summary:
1. The power and effectiveness in the testimony of Lazarus are spelled out clearly for us in the Word of God.
2. There are others we know of as well, for the Book of Hebrews lists many of them.
3. They had heard of his testimony, i.e., what Christ had done for them.
4. They attracted several types of seekers:
Those who wanted to know more.
Those who opposed the truth.
Those who believed.
Testimony is a powerful thing.
The Mind is a terrible thing to waste, but so is one’s testimony.
Some are very concerned about keeping their testimony as a powerful tool for God’s use.
Some have damaged their testimony, but yet because of God’s forgiveness, he can still use a broken vessel.
We learn so much about their lives, and find that they were just like you in me in so many ways:
All were born sinners and doomed for Hell until they met God.
All were called by God and invited to have a personal relationship with Him.
All wrapped in human flesh.
All are plagued by human weakness.
All had a starting place while they were in sin, and God saved them, and then lifted them out of the muck and mire of their sinfulness and placed them on a solid rock.
All were chosen to be witnesses of God’s power in their lives.
Then, we come to you and me.
God wants to do the same in our lives as He has done in the lives of others as well.
We all have our sorted backgrounds.
We all come to God as broken useless vessels.
We all are imperfect, we have flaws!
We all have been given His Spirit.
We all have been called to be His witnesses!
Peter tells us… “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: (16) Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ. 1 Peter 3:15-16
God has commanded us!
With His help, we can do it!
Simply start with these words, “Hello, my name is…”
INVITATION:
Come and See -
Nathanael said to Philip, "Can anything good come from Nazareth? Philip answered, Come and see. — Joh_1:46
Go and Tell -
Jesus told the Gadarian Maniac, “Go… home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee.”
We should do the same!
If you have not accepted Christ, then Come and See.
If you have accepted Christ, Go and Tell!
William A. Ogden, 1887
1. I’ve a message from the Lord, hallelujah!
This message unto you I’ll give,
’Tis recorded in His word, hallelujah!
It is only that you “look and live.”
o Refrain:
“Look and live,” my brother, live,
Look to Jesus now, and live;
’Tis recorded in His word, hallelujah!
It is only that you “look and live.”
2. I’ve a message full of love, hallelujah!
A message, O my friend, for you,
’Tis a message from above, hallelujah!
Jesus said it, and I know ’tis true.
3. Life is offered unto you, hallelujah!
Eternal life thy soul shall have,
If you’ll only look to Him, hallelujah!
Look to Jesus who alone can save.
4. I will tell you how I came, hallelujah!
To Jesus when He made me whole—
’Twas believing on His name, hallelujah!
I trusted and He saved my soul.
Disclaimer: I am sharing this as one beggar to another; many have blessed me with their sermons, and I hope this will be a blessing to you. This sermon is an accumulation from several sources for which and to whom I am grateful, so I claim only partial originality for it. I have tried to tailor it to develop the sermon to fit my style and audience. I have sought to acknowledge credit to whom credit is due. I hope it will bless you.
