“Take Away the Stone”
John 11:39
INTRODUCTION
A. Lazarus’ sisters Mary and Martha sent word to Jesus that he was sick.
1. 6-7: Jesus stayed 2 more days where He was before going to Bethany.
2. 11-15: Jesus announces that “Lazarus has fallen asleep…dead.”
3. 17: By the time they arrive in Bethany Lazarus has been dead for “4 days.”
4. 34-39: At the tomb Jesus said, “Take away (remove) the stone.”
5. 44: When Lazarus arose, Jesus said, “Loose him, and let him go.”
B. Why didn’t Jesus remove the stone?
1. Just a word from Him and the stone would be gone.
1) He had the power to still a storm, surely He could have removed the stone.
2. Why didn’t Jesus loose him?
1) He could have done it as easily as them.
2) The power that raised him could have loosed him.
I. GOD NEVER DOES FOR MAN WHAT MAN CAN DO FOR HIMSELF.
A. Salvation in the ark:
1. Noah was required to “build” (Gen 6).
1) Could God have saved Noah in some other way?
2) Perhaps just transport him to the top of the tallest mountain?
B. Deliverance of Israel from Egypt:
1. Chose Moses to “bring them out” (Ex 3:7-10).
1) Required Moses to “lift up his rod” at the sea (Ex 14:16).
2) Required Moses to “stretch out his hand” to close the sea over the Egyptians (Ex 14:26).
C. Removing of the plaque of serpents:
1. Required Moses to “make a fiery serpent” and set it on a pole (Num 21:8-9).
1) They must “look at it” in order to live.
D. Naaman was required to “wash in Jordan 7 times” (2 Kings 5:10).
1. Naaman was looking for something spectacular.
1) 11: “But Naaman was furious and went away and said, ‘Behold, I thought, He will surely come out to me, and stand and call on the name of the LORD his God, and wave his hand over the place, and cure the leper.’”
E. Blind man was required to “wash” in pool of Siloam. (John 9:7).
1. Could not Jesus have healed him instantly? He has done so before.
1) It was difficult for a blind man to go do what Jesus said to do.
2) He could have given some of the excuses people give today.
F. All men are to “be baptized” for forgiveness of sins. (Acts 2:38).
1. To “be baptized” to be saved (Mark 16:16; 1 Pet 3:21).
1) “Lord, can You not just speak the word and save us? Why baptism?
II. GOD ALWAYS DOES WHAT MAN CANNOT DO FOR HIMSELF.
A. Note what God did in each of the previous examples.
1. The way of escape was provided by God.
1) But, each was required to have faith in God and obey the command given to them.
2) He provided the way of salvation IF man believed and DID.
B. The same is true in saving people today.
1. He furnished the sacrifice.
1) Heb 10:4: “For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats could take away sins.”
2) Rom 5:6: “For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.”
2. He gave the plan.
1) Gal 1:11-12: “But I make known to you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man. For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through the revelation of Jesus Christ.”
2) 2 Tim 1:9: “Who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began.”
3. He offers and gives the salvation – God’s part – GRACE.
1) Eph 2:8-9: Man’s Part – FAITH – Do what God says (not faith only).
2) Jas 2:24: “You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone.” (Eph 2:10; 2 Tim 3:16-17).
3) Rom 6:23: Salvation is “the free gift of God.”
4. He enrolls our names in heaven.
1) Rev 3:5: “He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels.”
· God has done something for you that you can not do for yourself.
· He provides for your salvation.
· But God won’t do what we can do for ourself – Faith to obey!
III. SOME STONES WHICH WE MUST ROLL AWAY.
A. To The Sinner:
1. The stone of UNBELIEF.
1) John 8:24: "Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for if you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins."
2. The stone of IMPENITENCE.
1) Acts 17:30-31: “Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent, because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead.”
3. The stone of DENIAL.
1) Matt 10:32-33: “Everyone therefore who shall confess Me before men, I will also confess him before My Father who is in heaven. But whoever shall deny Me before men, I will also deny him before My Father who is in heaven.”
4. The stone of DISOBEDIENCE.
1) Rom. 6:17-18: “But God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered. And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness.”
2) By obeying you will then DO His will and be baptized for the forgiveness of sins.
· God will not force you to believe in Christ, to turn from your sins, to confess your faith in Him, to be buried in baptism for the forgiveness of sins.
· THAT IS YOUR CHOICE – YOU ALONE WILL DECIDE YOUR ETERNAL DESTINY.
· Will you roll away the stone today and surrender to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ?
B. To the child of God:
1. The stone of INDIFFERENCE.
1) Heb 6:12: “that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises” (Heb 2:1).
2) Eccl 9:10: “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might; for there is no work or device or knowledge or wisdom in the grave where you are going.”
3) We just cannot afford to be unconcerned, indifferent, when it comes to Christ and His work and worship.
4) Heb 10:24-25: Up to you to encourage and be encouraged.
2. The stone of IGNORANCE.
1) 2 Tim 2:15: “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, handling accurately the word of truth.”
2) 2 Pet 3:18: “but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ...... ”
3) Heb 5:12-14: “For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again for someone to teach you the elementary principles of the oracles of God. For everyone who practices only of milk is not accustomed to the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil.”
3. The stone of LOVE FOR THE WORLD.
1) 1 John 2:15-17:
2) We cannot become attached to the world and its allurements, enticements.
4. The stone of CARNAL-MINDEDNESS (living for the flesh).
1) Rom 8:6-8: “For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God.”
2) We must ever strive to have the mind of Christ (1 Cor 2:16).
3) We must strive to be faithful each day of our life.
CONCLUSION
1. There are many other stones that we can roll away.
1. Things that inhibit and hinder us from being the person which Christ Jesus desires us to be.
1) Some expect (even DEMAND) God to roll away the stones and do it all.
2) They put the total salvation of man upon the shoulders of God.
3) God has done his part and that is all He is going to do!!!
2. God wants us to do our part by obeying His will and be saved.
1. 2 Pet 3:9: “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.”
3. Salvation is conditional – Our salvation is now up to us:
1. God has done for us what we could not do for ourselves.
1) But we must roll away the stone – RESPOND TO THE WILL OF GOD.
2) We must act for ourselves, doing His will (Matt 7:21; Heb 5:9).
4. Blessings are for those who do His will.
1. Rev 22:14: “Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city.”
5. Could there be a stone between you and God right now?
1. What are you going to do about it?
1) We want to encourage you to roll away the stone that hinders your obedience.
2) We invite you to come right now to obey the Lord in baptism as we stand and sing the invitational song.
1