Sermon Synopsis for March 9, 2008

John 11:1-45 “Into New Life”

We talked about the story of Lazarus in John 11. Maybe you heard about the Children’s Sunday School class that studied the story. The little boy asked the teacher hy the Bible doesn’t mention the others that came out of the grave?

The teacher asked why he thinks there were others in the grave.
The Boy responded, “The Bible says that Lazarus came forth.”

That’s a King James Version Joke. That’s a problem with new translations of the Bible – They ruin a lot of old jokes.

HOW IS YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD?

When our relationship with God is good, it’s easy to do many things:
- To attend church and S.S.
- To contribute to the offering and special projects
- To help out where you can
- Volunteer

What about when things get rough?
- Arthritis is keeping you from doing what you enjoy
- Problems of old age, the body is wearing out
- Financial problems
- Marriage problems
- Tragic accident (boy killed in motorcycle accident a month ago)
- your sister-in-law is dying
- your mother is dying
- you are dying

When difficulties enter our lives, sometimes it affects our relationship with God.

How is your relationship with God then?

Martha, Mary and Lazarus had a special relationship with Jesus. They were good friends.

When Jesus heard Lazarus was ill, he waited a couple of days and then went to visit the family. It doesn’t make sense for him to wait if he really liked Lazarus and family. He told his disciples, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep,” by which he meant Lazarus was dead.

MOST OF US WOULD GO TO THE FUNERAL OF A FRIEND

Funerals are a time to remember special relationships we had with people. They are difficult; because we won’t see that person any longer in just the same way we knew them.

Lazarus (and his sisters Mary and Martha) were friends with Jesus and his disciples. Lazarus had died. Jesus went (late) to the funeral; when all the grieving was in full swing.

It turned out to be one of the oddest funerals in the history of the world – Lazarus came back to life and they had a great reunion among friends. Most funerals don’t turn out that way.
Funerals often bring accusations. (The “if onlys”)
- If only I hadn’t let him go
- If only I had seen the warning symptoms
- If only I had sent her to the doctor sooner

The “If Onlys” can destroy us.

As Jesus was approaching the town of Bethany; the funeral was in full swing. The mourners were “sitting shivah.” Martha came out to see Jesus with her “if only.” “Jesus, if only you had been here, my brother would not have died.” (John 11:21)

Later on, Mary caught up with Jesus and had her own “if only.”

When I was director of the Baptist Seminary in Cochabamba, Bolivia, we sent our students to do internship ministry. A group was going South, over the Taquina mountain range to minister in rural villages. Long story shorter – a tragic accident killed a number of the students. Enrique Ferufino was one of those who died. A bad case of the “if onlys” hit hard. It hit me, the other students, the churches, the seminary, especially his family and community. It was so bad, we considered closing the seminary for a while.

When Martha came with her “if only,” Jesus told Martha, “Your brother will rise again”
Martha replied, “I know, in the end times.”
Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believe in me will live …”
Jesus was telling Martha, “Trust me” “Believe in me”

Jesus came to the funeral so they would trust in him.

JESUS WANTS TO BE OUR FRIEND

John 15:15 says, “I no longer call you servants … instead I call you friends.”

Confession time: I had a speeding ticket last week. Your pastor is in trouble with the law. Sorry. I look at that section of road differently now.

The fact is, when there are police around, I drive differently.

Many people consider God as a police rather than a friend.

Jesus is our Savior. He is our Master. He is the eternal God who came to this earth and was made a man. Jesus is the Son of God who offered Himself as a sacrifice on Calvary for our sins. He who knew no sin was made sin on our behalf that we might be made the righteous of God in Him. Jesus rose from the dead on the third day; thereby proving Himself to be both the Son of God and God the Son. Jesus ascended into heaven and took His place on the throne at the right hand of God the Father. Jesus is our ruler, judge, and King. But is he our friend? Would you be comfortable talking to him the way you do to your friends in "your language?"

Jesus wants that kind of relationship with us. You don’t become friends easy. It means spending time together. It means sharing ideas, feelings, experiences. Going fishing together, hunting together, sewing together, shopping together.

The words friendship and together are just about inseparable.

Jesus became friends with Mary, Martha & Lazarus. And the bottom line of their relationship – he loved them. (Greek: filios – “like a brother”)

Jesus loved Lazarus, and we suppose that Lazarus loved Jesus too.
That’s why Lazarus’ death upset Jesus so much.

Jesus likes to be present at his friends funerals.

THE GOSPEL MESSAGE TELLS US THAT JESUS WANTS TO GO TO OUR FUNERALS, JUST LIKE HE WENT TO LAZARUS’ FUNERAL.

Jesus shares our emotions:
Everyone was crying – Mary, Martha, all the people at the funeral …
What was Jesus’ response?
Shortest verse in the English language Bible (John 11:35) “Jesus wept.”

Why did Jesus weep?
Certainly he was moved by the death of his friend and the emotion of everyone else.
Jesus wept …
Because it isn’t fair!
Death dominates.
It’s not the way God wants it to be

God wants us to live - that’s why Jesus came into the world. We learned that fact from Jesus’ encounter with Nicodemus. John 3:16-17 - God loves the world so much, he sent Jesus … so that we might live. God didn’t send Jesus to condemn us – we already feel bad enough … God sent Jesus that through him we might be saved

God cries, God weeps - at a world of sin / anger / hatred / death

God sees the sickness, the sadness, the troubles, the sorrow – and it makes God sad.

So he sends Jesus - to do something about it.

Even though it looks like it’s too late (like it was for Lazarus), the gospel message is “It’s not too late!”

It wasn’t fair that Jesus suffered and died; it was one of the great tragedies of all time.
But God used that suffering and death that we might have life.

Jesus said to disciples in John 15:13, “Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.”

When I reflect on my personal friendships, I realized that I really haven’t done much for my friends. Friends do nice things for each other. I had been a friend. I loaned money; treated them to a meal; shared experiences; given them nice gifts (rule: the nicer the gift the better the friend): prayed with them and for them.

I’ve read about friends who: gave a kidney; worked so they could get an education; given large sums of cash. However, I never thought about dying for a friend. It’s tough to think about.

Jesus is just that kind of friend. He wants that kind of relationship with us.

TO THE POINT
Jesus was present at Lazarus funeral. It turned out to be one of the oddest funerals in the history of the world – Lazarus came back to life and they had a great reunion among friends. Most funerals don’t turn out that way.

In two weeks we celebrate the funeral of Jesus (Good Friday). That’s another funeral that didn’t turn out as most people expected.

Friendships are important, but they don't always last. Most of the friends I had as a kid are long gone. The friends I had as a teenager are a distance away. Even many of the friends that I have had as an adult have drifted away. Jesus knows us and loves us. He stands by for us. He cares about our weakness and loneliness. Jesus will always be there for us. He wants to be our friend. He loves us.

Here's Jesus' promise to you! "When you are sad…I will dry your tears. When you are scared…I will comfort your fears…when you are worried…I will give you hope…And when you are lost and cannot see the light…I shall be your beacon, shinning ever so bright. This is my promise, I pledge till the end. 'Why?' you may ask…because you are my friend." Because I love you.

The tragic death of Enrique Ferrufino (long story short), resulted in many coming to Christ.

Lazarus’ death and resurrection resulted in … v. 45 “many … put their faith in him.” They trusted Jesus.

How is your relationship with Jesus?
Is he your friend?
Jesus will come into your life. – Invite Him!
Jesus will come to your funeral.
He will give you new life.