Gospel of John - Come Out!!

       

Come Out!!

John 11:38-45

How many of you have heard and seen the mourning of grief and despair over something tragic and unexpected in life? Even with the assurance of God’s faithfulness and promises, people are broken beyond doubt to the why’s, the if’s, and the impossible. Yet God knows exactly what to do and all for the glory of his name and his Son’s name.

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Rom. 8:28

Jesus saw all this at the tomb of Lazarus, but he came with the power of God to do the works of God for his Father’s glory. Let’s look at the first part of the text, “Jesus, once more deeply moved, came to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance. “Take away the stone,” he said. “But, Lord,” said Martha, the sister of the dead man, “by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days.” Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?” 

Jesus deeply disturb with the weeping and moved in his heart with compassion for those who truly grieved the loss of Lazarus. He walked up to the tomb to where Lazarus had laid for four days. It was a cave converted into a tomb, which would have had a rock or dressed circular stone over the entrance that kept animals as well as thieves out of the chamber where the dead lay. Even with the ceremonial anointing of the body with spices and aloes, the decay would have begun after four days. First,  the internal organs bloating and the blood and fluids of the body begin to seep through the pores and out of the nose, mouth, and rectum. The stench of the gasses from the decaying cells because of the lack of oxygen would release sulfides, methanes, and putrescine (an oily unpleasant smell) to fill the burial chamber. Martha must have been knowledgeable about the decaying process, because she mentioned this to Jesus. She is beginning to doubt Jesus can help her brother because of the longevity of the death, even after declaring to Jesus that he is the Christ, the Son of God, and the resurrection and the life. Jesus reassures her to believe in what she had asked God for and not doubt. For it is believing (faith) in what she hoped for even when she couldn’t see its possibility “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. Heb. 11:1 ” For Jesus knew the miracle of the resurrection was for the Glory of God.

Application - Faith, the confidence in the things hoped for and the assurance of things not seen is still the evidence of a true believer. Many confess their faith in God, but when they ask God for things in prayer (But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt… James 1:6a), for even the impossible they must not doubt that they will receive what they asked for, as James wrote “...you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” (James 1:3-4)

 For Jesus promised all his disciples that he would be with them, but they must believe. To be a faithful disciple meant( they must deny themselves :submit to the Holy Spirit whom the Father sent to all believers, and have died: have been cleansed of the old ways from their lives, and follow him: walk by faith) (Matt. 16:24) ““Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?” “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” and “To put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.” (Isa. 43:18-19, 1 Jn. 1:9, Eph. 4:22-24) Like Martha and Mary, they had to put to death doubt and believe in the power and promises of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Are you believing Jesus for an answer to your prayer? Don’t let doubt and the intellect of the natural hinder your faith in the abilities of God to give you what you asked for.

Next, Jesus gives the command with the authority and power of God to do the impossible. Let’s look at the text, “So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me.” When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” 

In obedience to Jesus' command, the people rolled away the stone. As they rolled away the stone, Jesus spoke reverently and openly with the Father so that all those around him and those who will hear about the works of God will know that God the Father has indeed sent his Son. Jesus had taught his disciples the importance of honoring the Father in prayer. (Our Father who is in heaven, holy and honored be your name… Matt. 6:9) Then Jesus spoke with the assurance that the Father always hears His Son’s prayers. The acknowledgment of the oneness that the Father and Son have was not for Jesus’ account, but for those who would witness the works of God through the Son. With the call of authority over all creation, Jesus speaks life into the dead body of Lazarus. 

Application - Just as at the beginning of creation, life springs forth by the fiat Word of God. Jesus gave two commands, first “roll away the stone”, and second “Come out!” Both of these commands took obedience and faith. The scriptures say when God speaks his words, the whole earth and heaven shakes

“ When God spoke from Mount Sinai his voice shook the earth, but now he makes another promise:“Once again I will shake not only the earth but the heavens also.” This means that all of creation will be shaken and removed, so that only unshakable things will remain. (Heb. 12:26-27)

Though only Lazarus came to physical life, many who believed came to eternal life, and as Jesus said, “For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage one another with these words.” (1 Thes. 4:16-18)

Jesus is the Resurrection and the Life, and all who believe in him, will obey the command and come out of the grave or from this earthly life to be with Jesus forever. As it says in verse 18, “Therefore encourage one another with these words.” If you are still in doubt, believe the Word of God, for He is Life. (Jn. 14:6)

Last, the family and friends witness the miraculous as Lazarus, still wrapped up in the linen grave clothes, sauntered out of the cave. Let’s look at the text, “The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face. Jesus said to them, “Take off the grave clothes and let him go.” Therefore many of the Jews who had come to visit Mary, and had seen what Jesus did, believed in him.” 

Jesus, knowing the suspicious and cynical minds of the unbelievers, told the people to take off the linen strips and facial cloth to show them it was Lazarus, whom all had witnessed his death and burial.  Undoubtedly, Martha and Mary went up to embrace their brother, who was dead and now has been resurrected back to life by the wondrous and marvelous works of God’s power through His Son. 

With the shroud of doubt and unbelief lifted from the minds, hearts, and eyes of all that were at the resurrection of Lazarus from the dead, many of the mourners became jubilant believers in the Son of God, Jesus the Christ.

Application - I love testimonies of the wondrous power of the works of God in the lives of those who believe, and even in those who doubted at first. The words of God’s glorious power to change a life, to free those in bondage, to heal by the power of the Word of God will forever speak of the Son of God, in whose name there is life and that eternal. The text doesn’t tell us the testimony of Lazarus after returning to physical life, but I am sure there were probably many who asked and heard his testimony. And then the sisters, Martha and Mary, I’m sure they too testified as well as those who witnessed it for it does tell us the testimonies of the resurrection of Lazarus did reach the Chief priest and the Pharisees.

Have you testified to the works of God that have happened to you, or that you have witnessed?  For God is still at work, “My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I too am working.” “For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.” (John 5:17 NIV, Philippians 2:13, NLT) and finally “May he equip you with all you need for doing his will. May he produce in you, through the power of Jesus Christ, every good thing that is pleasing to him. All glory to him forever and ever! Amen. Hebrews 13:21, NLT

Today remember to testify of Jesus who is still working in us to the glory of God.

I’m again including the ABC’s of salvation (JD Farag). Please, Jesus, God the Son, came to this world to save all who would believe and trust in him. He desires to reveal himself to you, He is the Light that overcomes the darkness of this lawless world. He hears your prayers, and all authority in heaven and earth have been given to him. He will answer you if you will truly believe. If you haven’t asked him to be your Lord and Savior, today could be that day.

 First, A - Admit that you are a sinner. This is where that godly sorrow leads to genuine repentance for sinning against a righteous God and there is a change of heart, we change our mind and God changes our hearts and regenerates us from the inside out. Romans 3:10 - As it is written: "There is none righteous, no, not one." Romans 3:23 - For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. (We are all born sinners which is why we must be born spiritually in order to enter the Kingdom of Heaven). Romans 6:23 - For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. The bad news is that the wages of sin is death, in other words our sin means that we have been given a death sentence, we have the death penalty hanging over our heads, that's the bad news. But here's the good news: The good news is that the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Ephesians 2:8-9 - For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith —and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. Second,

 B - Believe in your heart that Jesus Christ died for your sins, was buried, and that God raised Jesus from the dead. This is trusting with all of your heart that Jesus Christ is who he said he was. Romans 10:9-10 - That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. Third, 

C - Call upon the name of the Lord. Every single person who ever lived since Adam will bend their knee and confess with their mouth that Jesus Christ is Lord, the Lord of lords and the King of kings. Romans 14:11 - For it is written: "As I live, says the Lord, Every knee shall bow to Me, And every tongue shall confess to God." Don't wait until later — do this now. Romans 10:13 - For "whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved." "O God, I am a sinner. I'm sorry for my sin. I want to turn from my sin. I believe Jesus Christ is Your Son; I believe that He died on the cross for my sin and that He was buried and You raised Him to life. I have decided to place my faith in Jesus Christ as my Savior, trusting only in His shed blood as sufficient to save my soul and to take me to heaven. Thank You, Lord Jesus, for saving me. Amen."

Please share this with someone this week, the Lord knows that we and they need it.

If you would like other lessons, please go to http://pmdinhisservice.blogspot.com 

Until next week, In His Service Mike Davis

I am developing a new webpage on Spiritual warfare. Please give it a look. I’m adding answers each week to questions that pertain to our time today.  Thank you

http://uss-warfare3.webnode.com