Introduction:
A. Ten most expressive words in the English language (Dr. Wilfred Funk)
B. Central Idea: Jesus brings faith to the troubled heart.
D. Raising of Lazarus shows the importance of building a strong faith (Jn. 11).
I. Message from Bethany (Jn. 11:1-6)
A. “Lord, behold, he whom You love is sick” (Jn. 11:3; Lk. 9:58).
B. “This sickness is…for the glory of God…that the Son of God may be glorified…” (Jn. 11:4).
C. We must seek the glory of the Lord in every circumstance.
II. Discussion with the Disciples (Jn. 11:7-16)
A. “Let us go to Judea again” (Jn. 11:7; Eph. 5:16; Hb. 9:27).
B. “Lazarus has fallen asleep” (Jn. 11:11-12; 1 Th. 4:13; Rm. 8:28).
C. “Let us also go, so that we may die with Him” (Jn. 11:16).
III. Arrival at Bethany (Jn 11:17-32)
A. “He has been dead four days” (Jn. 11:17, 39, 18-19).
B. “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died” (Jn. 11:21, 32).
C. Time alone with Jesus builds faith (Acts 4:13).
IV. Raising of Lazarus (Jn. 11:33-44)
A. “Jesus wept” (Jn. 11:35; Lk. 19:41; Hb. 5:7; 4:15; Rev. 7:17).
B. “Remove the stone” (Jn. 11:39).
C. “Father, I thank You…so that they may believe that You sent Me” (Jn. 11:41-42).
D. “Lazarus, come forth” (Jn. 11:43; Mk 4:39; Jn. 5:28-29).
E. “Unbind him, and let him go!” (Jn. 11:44).
IV. Results of the Miracle (Jn. 11:45-57)
A. They “saw what he had done, [and] believed in Him” (Jn. 11:45).
B. They “went to the Pharisees and told them the things Jesus had done” (Jn. 11:46).
C. “What are we doing?” (Jn. 11:47).
D. “What do you think; that He will not come to the feast at all?” (Jn. 11:56).
Conclusion:
A. Jesus brings faith to the troubled heart.
B. You must give Him your heart in faith, repentance, and baptism.
C. You must trust Jesus for on that day you will hear His voice summon the dead and call the living.
D. Are you ready for that day to come?