JOHN 11

Intro: What does the Bible mean when it talks about the glory of God? In today’s lesson vs 4 and vs 40 both use this term and our goal today is to try to understand a little bit more what it means.

Glory: Webster defines it as praise, honor renown, thanksgiving to God. A distinguished quality or asset.

Something marked by beauty or splendor. Dan. 7:13/OT/Last days. Rev 5:12,13/NT/Last days. So what is it?

Vs 1-4 “The one __you__.” Notice she doesn’t say “the one who really loves you.”

Q. Why do we find sickness, even death among God’s creation?

A. 1. Ultimately a result of the fall. Gen. 3

2. Sometimes the result of sin: John 5:14

3. Sometimes, it has nothing to do with sin: Job, Jn 9:2,3 – the blind man, and Jn 11:4 Lazarus

Vs. 5-7 His __love__ is emphasized. Skip this thought and you may wonder about His concern.

God’s __timing__. Not mothers (Jn 2), not brothers (Jn 7)

Remember Lazarus is already dead. Probably died the same day the messenger left to find Jesus.

Vs. 11-14 Lazarus has fallen “__asleep__.” Why does God often call death for the believer, sleep?

a. I Thes. 4:13, 14 – Christ underwent the full horror of death (separation) that we might be “absent from the body and present with the Lord.” 2 Cor 5:8 One day we will be joined again with our resurrected body when Christ calls it from sleep.

b. For the believer, death has no sting. (I Cor. 15)

c. For the unbeliever, death ends in condemnation/separation.

Vs. 17-20 Jesus __arrives__ to the funeral. Do you know He ended every funeral He ever attended?

Vs. 21-25 Vs. 25 &26 are the greatest piece of news that has ever fallen on ears of man. Martha is thinking about an __event__ (Ps 16:9-11; Job 19:25) Jesus says look at me, a __person__.

Q. What does believe mean? How do you know if you believe?

A. To __stretch__ yourself out upon.

1. Believe His claims/His words

a. To: Woman at the well – The __Messiah__

b. To: The Blind man – The Son of Man (Dan. 7:13,14)

c. To: Martha – I Am the Resurrection and the Life

2. Believe His Works: “Believe in Me for my very __works__ sake.

Vs. 33-35 Behold the Son of Man. The __Man__ __of__ __Sorrow__ and acquainted with grief. (Is. 53)

See His humility. He groaned, He was troubled. He wept. He knows our pain, our sorrows our loss. He

understands.

Vs. 38-40 Seeing is __not__ always believing, but believing is always seeing.

* Notice in vs. 40, it doesn’t say if you believe…I will do the miracle. The miracle is not conditioned on her __faith__, but for Martha to see the glory of God in the miracle, she had to have her faith in Christ.

Vs. 41-45 Behold the Son of God. (Rev 1:17,18) What __power__. Resurrection power.

Just 3 words from the Creator’s mouth. “Lazarus come forth.” And the grave released it’s victim, look at Rev. 1:18!! Can you imagine what would have happened if the one who created all things by the very power of His __word__ would have said only two words...”Come forth!” He still holds the keys!!

Did you see it? Did you see the glory? Where was your focus?

Did you see the sign? (Jn 2:11) Was your focus on the corpse (39,40), on the Roman government (45-50) or on the Christ (45)? Don’t miss the glory!!

APPLICATIONS:

1. You cannot glorify God apart from glorifying the Son of God (5:23)

2. Sickness is not always the result of one’s own sin. But, we should examine ourselves, keep our sin account short and then trust God keeping our eyes fixed upon Him rather than our own circumstances.

3. Death for the believer is referred to as sleep and points to the glorious awakening on the other side.

4. Trust God. Trust His Power. Trust His Will. Trust His timing. He is never late. He sometimes delays His answer to prayer. There is a difference. Late means you planned to be there sooner, but something was out of your control. Delay is for a purpose – maybe to up your faith to display His glory.

5. Do you __believe__ in the Son of God? Have you stretched yourself upon Him in faith, trusting?