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THE RESURRECTION THAT LED TO DEATH (John 11:1-53) (Kent Smith Notes 4/28/24)

THE RESURRECTION THAT LED TO DEATH

John 11:1:53

The account of Lazarus’ death and resurrection.

The Seventh Sign

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A GROWING CRISIS IN BETHANY

  • Bethany was the home of Lazarus, Martha, and Mary

  • The message they sent to Jesus: “Lazarus (whom you love) is sick.”

THE RESPONSE:

  • Jesus said, “This sickness is not to end in death, but for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified by it.”

  • When He heard Lazarus was sick, He stayed two days long where He was.

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11: 7  After the wait of two days, Jesus suggests they return to Judea.

11: 8  The disciples object because the Jews of Judea had been seeking to kill Him.

11:14-15 Nevertheless Jesus tells the disciples that Lazarus has died and says, “Let us go to him.”


EMPHASIS: WE MAY NOT KNOW THE REASON FOR THE DIFFICULTIES WE FACE, BUT WE CAN TRUST THAT GOD HAS A PURPOSE IN ALL OF  OUR CIRCUMSTANCES.

(Romans 8:28 And we know that [a]God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.)

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COMING NEAR TO BETHANY

  • They learn that Lazarus had been entombed for four days.

  • Martha confronts Jesus, “Lord if you had been here my brother would not have died. Even now I know that whatever you ask of God, God will give to You.”

  • Then Martha lets Mary know Jesus is nearby.

  • Mary confronts Jesus, “Lord if you had been here my brother would not have died.”

  • When Jesus saw all those gathered mourning, Jesus wept also.

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EMPHASIS:  WHEN WE DON’T UNDERSTAND GOD’S PURPOSES IN OUR CIRCUMSTANCES WE WILL BE INCLINED TO BLAME HIM FOR OUR DIFFICULTIES.

James 1:13-14  Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own desires.

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AT THE TOMB

  • The tomb was a cave with a rock laid over the entrance.

  • Jesus said, “Remove the stone.”

  • Martha objects saying, “Lord, by this time there will be a stench, for he has been dead four days.”

  • Jesus thanks the Father for hearing His plan and prayer, “so that they (the people gathered) may believe that You have sent Me.”

  • Jesus cried out, “Lazarus come forth.”

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EMPHASIS:  WHEN WE ONLY LOOK AT CIRCUMSTANCES FROM OUR LIMITED UNDERSTANDING WE MAY SEEK TO QUENCH THE WORK OF GOD.

1 Thess 5:18-20 In everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. Do not quench the Spirit; and do not despise prophetic utterances.

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THE RESURRECTION OF LAZARUS

  • Lazarus came forth bound in his funeral wrappings.

  • May who had come to mourn with Mary, and saw what Jesus had done, believed in Him.

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Emphasis:  Scott Calvin in the movie the Santa Clause, turns to an elf named Judy, who is his minder in the whole experience, and says: “There is a polar bear out there directing traffic. I see it, but I don't believe it.” Judy says: “Seeing isn't believing; believing is seeing.”

John 11:40  Jesus *said to her, “Did I not say to you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?”

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THE COUNCIL OF THE PRIESTS AND PHARISEES

  • They discussed what to do about Jesus acknowledging the signs that He had been doing.

  • They concluded that if they let Jesus continue his ministry, everyone would believe in Him, and the Romans would remove their authority and destroy the nation.

  • Caiaphas the high priest advises, “It is expedient for one to die for the people, and that the whole nation not perish.”

  • The council from that day on planned together to kill Jesus.

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11:51-52  Caiaphas’ remark was not at his own initiative, but rather a prophetic statement made at the initiative of God (2 Peter 1:21  no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God. ) John adds that Caiaphas prophesied that ‘Jesus was going to die for the nation, and to gather all the children of God into one body.’


11:53 - EMPHASIS: THE RESURRECTION OF LAZARUS WAS THE LAST DOMINO TO FALL THAT LED TO THE CRUCIFIXION AND DEATH OF JESUS

This was a resurrection that ended in death.

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SEEING IS NOT BELIEVING

BELIEVING IS SEEING

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This is the Seventh Sign in John’s gospel.  He gave an account of these signs that we might believe that Jesus is the Christ, and that believing we might have life in His name. (John 20:30-31)


Lazarus could not raise himself from the dead. He needed Jesus to call him from death to life.  That life comes from God at His initiative by grace -- for we were dead in our trespasses and sins, But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us,  even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved).   

Ephesians 2:1-10


Again

John 3:3 As Jesus said to Nicodemus, ““Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”


Again

Nathanael  Philip found Nathanael and said to him, “We have found Him of whom Moses in the Law and also the Prophets wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” 46 Nathanael said to him, “Can any good thing come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.” 47 Jesus saw Nathanael coming to Him, and said of him, “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no deceit!” 48 Nathanael *said to Him, “How do You know me?” Jesus answered and said to him, “Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.” 49 Nathanael answered Him, “Rabbi, You are the Son of God; You are the King of Israel.” 50 Jesus answered and said to him, “Because I said to you that I saw you under the fig tree, do you believe? You will see greater things than these.” 


Believing in the Word and words of God will be the catalyst to open your eyes to see the wonder and the work of God all around you.  Believing is Seeing.

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Do you believe that Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead?  If you truly believe, then you are beginning to see Jesus for who He really is.  The Son of God, the payment for Sin, the ransom for souls, the Savior of sinners.


John 6: 33   For the bread of God is that which comes down out of heaven, and gives life to the world.”


John 6:51  I am the living bread that came down out of heaven; if anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread also which I will give for the life of the world is My flesh.”


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