This message I guess was prompted by all the recent funerals I have done. It is about Man--Life-- Death.
This message focuses on the story of the raising of Lazarus and the conversations Jesus had with Lazarus's sisters, Mary and Martha.

"Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection and the life. He that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live and whosoever liveth and believeth in me, shall never die. Believeth thou this"?

Have you ever stopped to really look at man, as God's creation and comprehend just how wonderful of a creation, man is?

1. He has made it within himself to live better.
2, He has invented methods of instant communication.
3, He has invented things that has made his life easier and less toilsome.
4. He has invented medications to stop diseases and to improve health in mankind.

But, when it comes to death, man has not fared so well. He has not found a way to stop it!!!!!!!!
a. We try to ignore it.
b. We try to postpone or delay it.
c. We pretend and hope maybe someway, it will go away.

A man asked me the other day this question. This man claims to be an Atheist. Here was his question.

"Why is it that all you who go to church, talk about Heaven but, none of you want to die and go there"?

I answered him this way. Jesus was human. He came from heaven to earth . He prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane that if there were any other way to pay for mankind's sin, that his upcoming torture and death not happen. Jesus had the human side of Him, that did not want to die, anymore than any of us want to die.

A. Death deprives us of our parents.
B. It takes away our loved ones from us.
C, It removes children and siblings
D. It removes our spouse's from us.

Death comes and cuts off our desires, our goals and, the enjoyment of things, we as humans look for in life.

Here are three things that Jesus does, that makes a difference to the Believer.

Jesus addresses the world's greatest problem, as man sees it, DEATH.

I. They mystery and the Miracle:

In John Chpt. 11, we do not find the definition of death.
In John Chpt. 11, we do not find the explanation of death, either.
Instead, we find that God has planned and provided for those that believe in, trust, and love His son, Jesus.

If we have trusted in Christ as our Savior, death is not the worst thing that can happen to us. We sometimes feel that way because we are human and, physical things is all we understand or comprehend. This is what Jesus was trying to convey to Mary and Martha. Jesus knew He could and would raise Lazarus from the dead. If you read the scriptures before and after our text verses, you will find, there was a reason and a plan behind Jesus tarrying where he was for 2 more days.

II. Jesus shared the world's greatest News:

A. Death is as much a part of life as birth is.
B. Death is not the end of things as we see it.
C. Death is swallowed up by life, not life swallowed up by death.

We, as preachers often use the term of "being among the land of the living", here in our existance here on earth but, the truth is, we are living in the land of the dying.

If you remember the scripture where Jesus was transfigured in the presence of Peter, James and John in
Matt Chpt. 17 vs-1-8, we see that those who had passed on before were just as recognizable as they were when they were here on this earth. Peter recognized Elijah and Moses and, called them by name.

Moses lived 1400 years before Peter and Elijah lived 900 years before Peter. These 2 men met with Jesus and they stood for 2 primary things.
A. Moses represented the Law.
B. Elijah represented the Prophets.
These two came together with Jesus showing the agreement and the coinciding with Jesus mission here on earth. This showed the unity of the Old and New testaments on Immortality!!!!!!

a. Job believed in immortality. He said 'though worms destroy this skin, yet in my flesh shall I see God"( referring to his physical death and also his belief in Heaven and immortality) Job Chpt 19 vs 26.

b, David believed in immortality. He said "He can not come to me but, I can go to him"(referring to his infant son who had died), II Sam. Chpt. 12 vs 22-23.

III. Jesus presents the world's greatest offer: John 11 vs-15

Jesus makes a profound statement that many people just read and then, let it gently drift by.

"I am GLAD for your sakes, that I was not there, to the intent you may believe". The whole purpose behind Jesus tarrying where He was is stated here. He came to raise Lazarus from the DEAD not from just being SICK.

At the tomb, Jesus did three things that we should notice.
1. He asked that the stone be removed.:

It's amazing to note that sometimes Jesus does us to do some small thing, so He can do a Big Thing.
Jesus could have rolled the stone himself or destroyed it but, He asked that the stone me rolled away.

Sometimes, we have to remove some stones in our life too, so Jesus will show us what He can and will do, next.

2. Jesus Prayed:
He addressed His Heavenly Father ( The Spirit--Eternal

3. He addressed Lazarus ( the flesh--DEAD--temporal

Closing thoughts:

Lazarus was dead. We are dead in trespasses and sin.
Lazarus was bound.--We are bound by the bondage of sin.
Entrance was blocked--we have things that block Christ's blessings for us as well, The greatest is the stone of UNBELIEF. There was only one way out of the tomb and there is only one way of salvation,

It took Jesus' call to free him
1. from death
2, from the grave

Lost people (unbelievers) are spiritually dead, till they hear the voice of Jesus, through the Holy Spirit.
a, believe in me.
b. trust me
c. trust my word and my promises

Because of Lazarus resurrection, many believed on Jesus.

When Lazarus answered the call of Jesus from the grave, his life was never the same. If you will answer the call of Jesus, yours will never be the same either.

May this message be a blessing for those of which it was intended.

Have a great weekend.


Oldbiker