[ ]4/18/06 #655
DEATH AND THE GLORY OF GOD
John 11:1-44
INTRODUCTION: In this life, we experience many sorrows and heartaches. Death is universal. All around this world at this very moment tears are being shed because of the death of a love one. A tragic death always makes it harder. We may ask why this had to happen. I do not have the answer. Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.” We may not understand the ways of the Lord, but we can always trust His heart. We must look to God who loves and cares for His own. As a child of God, we cannot view death as a tragedy. It is no tragedy to be with Christ. In heaven, there is no more pain, sorrow, sickness or death.
I. WAYS OF THE LORD
A. PLEAS OF THE SISTERS. (v. 1-3)
B. PURPOSE OF DELAY. (v. 4)
1. His ways are higher.
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isa. 55:8-9)
“Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways pass finding out! (Rom. 11:33)
2. His ways are just and true.
“The LORD is righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works.” (Ps. 145:17)
“Great and marvelous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints.” (Rev. 15:3)
“For the ways of the LORD are right.” (Hosea 14:9)
II. WEEPING OF THE LORD
A. COMFORT OF JESUS. (v. 23, “Thy brother shall rise again”)
B. COMPASSION OF JESUS. (v. 3, 36)
“A man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief.” (Isa. 53:3)
III. WORD OF THE LORD
A. HIS WORD TO THE LIVING. (v. 25-26)
B. HIS WORD TO THE DEAD. (v. 43, “Lazarus come forth”)
“Marvel not at this; for the hour is coming, in which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice.” (John 28)
LESSONS FOR LIFE:
1. Physical death is the way for the saved to enter into God’s eternal presence.
2. The death and resurrection of Lazarus brought glory to Jesus and led many to believe on Jesus.
3. It is no tragedy to be with Christ in glory.
4. In the presence of Jesus, there are indescribable and immeasurable blessings.
“All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.” (John 6:37)
SOMETIME WE’LL UNDERSTAND
Not now, but in the coming years,
It may be in a better land;
We’ll read the meaning of our tears,
And there, sometime we’ll understand.
God knows the way, He holds the key,
He guides us with unerring hand;
Sometime with tearless eyes we’ll see,
Yes, there—up there, we’ll understand.
Then trust in God through all the days,
Fear not, for He doth hold thy hand.
Though dark thy way, still sing and praise,
Sometime, sometime we’ll understand.
Maxwell N. Cornelius