https://www.bible.com/events/49481405

Church of the Nazarene – East Rockingham Campus 

5 Keys of John Part 4 

Stop doubting and believe… 

We continue in our teaching series in the Gospel of John called “Five Keys of John”. 

The gospel of John was written around 80-90AD, by Jesus’ closest friend; The Apostle John. 

John was the oldest and last surviving eyewitness of the 12 disciples who were with Jesus. 

He is writing for a very specific purpose. He says in Chapter 20:31 “But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name. 

John believes that the Jesus we discover through the stories in his gospel account is real and alive. And when we come to know who he is and believe in him, we will find true and eternal life. 

‭‭John‬ ‭20‬:‭24‬-‭25‬‬ 

Now Thomas (also known as Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.” 

Just before our teaching text the disciples are gathered together on the first easter evening, behind closed doors, probably processing the stories they had just heard. 

As Jesus met with the disciples, he showed them beyond any doubt, that it was him. It was Jesus, back from the dead, resurrected. 

There was just one problem, our boy Thomas wasn’t there. He missed it. And that’s where our teaching text picks up in verse 24. 

Even though his close friends tell him the story, recounting the details, it’s not enough. Thomas has to be sure. He wanted to see Jesus, to touch the scars, to stick his hand into his side, just like everyone else. 

I think it’s safe to say that Thomas could have worded this better- He probably shouldn’t have been so dogmatic to say “I will not believe” 

But what he did do right; he was honest about his doubts. 

‭‭John‬ ‭20‬:‭26‬-‭27‬‬ 

A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.” 

Dont miss where it says “Thomas was with them”. 

Thomas didn’t bail out because he had questions. He didn’t throw in the towel, he kept coming. He kept coming, and Jesus showed up. 

Jesus shows up with an invitation for Thomas to settle his doubts. 

Jesus meets Thomas right in the place of his doubts. Word for word what Thomas said it would take, Jesus offers him here. 

Jesus heard Thomas when he confessed his doubt, he always hears when his people confess their doubts. He hears you today. 

‭‭John‬ ‭20‬:‭28‬-‭29‬‬ 

Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!” Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” 

With these words, Thomas declares that not only is Jesus alive, resurrected form the dead, he declares that Jesus is Lord. And notice, he uses personal language- My Lord and my God. 

This critical and practical thinker who struggles with doubt and questions has traded his doubt for a personal saving faith in the Lordship of Jesus Christ. 

Jesus recognizes and clarifies in this moment that not everyone will be afforded the opportunity to literally see and touch him, but those who believe without seeing, are blessed. 

Friends, that’s all of us who believe today. 

As we conclude I want to offer three actions steps we can take in facing our doubts. 

When you face doubt, I want you to A.C.T. 

A-Acknowledge 

To act on our doubt, to challenge them, we need to acknowledge the place they hold in our faith. 

C-Connected 

To pursue faith in the face of our doubts, we need to stay connected, to the Lord through prayer and worship. Connected to the church through Sunday services and fellowship opportunities. 

T-Trust 

As we act on our doubts, we need to trust and believe that the Lord hears us. 

The most important thing about doubt is what you choose to do with it. 

Will you ACT to see your doubt turned to faith? 

WELCOME 

• WELCOME- GLAD YOU ARE HERE 

• WE HAVE 4 CAMPUSES THAT MEET WEEKLY 

• EAST ROCK CAMPUS- ELKTON 

• RIVER BAPTISM- OVER 200 IN SERVICES 

WHO IS JESUS?                                                     

AW TOZER QUOTE 

WEEK 1- JESUS IS GODS SON 

• THE WORLD HAS A WIDE VARIETY OF OPINIONS 

• BILLBOARDS TRY AND TELL US DIFFERENT.  

• CULTS AND OTHER RELIGIONS SAY HES NOT  

WEEK 2 (WHO IS JESUS)  

• JESUS IS LOVE  

• JESUS LOVES ME 

JESUS AND THE WRITER OF THIS BOOK ASK-  

DO YOU BELIEVE?  BELIEVE WHAT? –  

98 TIMES HE USES THE WORD BELIEVE 

BUT EVEN DEMONS BELIEVE SCRIPTURE SAYS 

THAT I’M THE SON OF GOD 

DO YOU BELIEVE- BELIEVE WHAT? THAT I LOVE YOU 

WHAT ELSE WOULD CHANGE IN MY LIFE?  

• TODAY- WEEK 3, ANOTHER LOOK INSIDE JOHN 

• SOME PEOPLE ARGUE HISTORICAL PLACE  

HAVE YOU EVER GOTTEN CAUGHT?  

WHAT WAS LAST THING YOU GOT CAUGHT ? 

CHILD HAND IN THE COOKIE JAR.           

• FAIRLY INNOCENT HERE- ITS REAL THO 

• COLD PLAY CONCERT? – NO PIC NEEDED 

BILL CLINTON PICTURE 

COUNTRIES PERCENTAGE CHEATERS 

JOHN 8:1-2 

  ¹but Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. 

²At dawn he appeared again in the temple courts, where all the people gathered around him, and he sat down to teach them. 

PICTURE OF WAILING WALL 

• FEAST OF TABERNACLES 

• 3 FESTIVALS ALL JEWISH MALES 21 OLDER ATTEND 

PICTURE OF NIGHT PICNIC 

• STILL CELEBRATED TODAY – (7-8 DAYS) 

SLIDE 17: SCRIPTURE JOHN 8:3-5                                      

 ³The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group ⁴and said to Jesus, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. ⁵In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?”  

DEUTERONOMY 22:22 

  “IF A MAN IS FOUND SLEEPING WITH ANOTHER MAN’S WIFE, BOTH THE MAN WHO SLEPT WITH HER AND THE WOMAN MUST DIE. YOU MUST PURGE THE EVIL FROM ISRAEL.” 

LEVITICUS 20:10 

  10. “IF A MAN COMMITS ADULTERY WITH ANOTHER MAN’S WIFE- WITH THE WIFE OF HIS NEIGHBOR- BOTHTHE ADULTERER AND THE ADULTERESS ARE TO BE PUT TO DEATH.” 

JOHN 8:6 

   ⁶They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him. But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger.  

  WOMAN IS A COMMIDITY IN THEIR GAME 

JOHN 8:7-8  

  ⁷When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” ⁸Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground. 

PICTURE OF WOMAN CAUGHT 

JOHN 8: 9-10                                               

  ⁹At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there. ¹⁰Jesus straightened up and asked her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” 

JOHN 8:11 

  11. NO ONE, SIR, “ SHE SAID. “THEN NEITHER DO I CONDEMN YOU, “JESUS DECLARED. “GO NOW AND LEAVE YOUR LIFE OF SIN.” 

   HE DOESN’T SAY DON’T DO THIS SIN ANYMORE 

   HE DOESN’T SAY- I KNOW YOUR PROBABLY GOMNA STRUGGLE-  JUST TRY AND NOT SIN 

IF WE GRASP THAT- WE HAVE A DESIRE TO LEAVE YOUR LIFE OF SIN 

JOHN 20:30-31 

  20. “JESUS PERFORMED MANY OTHER SIGNS IN THE PRESENCE OF HIS DISCIPLES, WHICH ARE NOT RECORDED IN THIS BOOK. BUT THESE ARE WRITTEN THAT YOU MAY BELIEVE THAT JESUS IS THE MESSIAH, THE SON OF GOD, AND THAT BY BELIEVING YOU MAY HAVE LIFE IN HIS NAME.” 

JESUS IS FORGIVENESS 

• WHO IS JESUS 

• JESUS IS THE SON OF GOD 

• JESUS IS THE RESURRECTION AND THE LIFE 

• JESUS LOVES ME 

SCARLET LETTER 

• NATHANIEL HAWTHORNES FAMOUS BOOK- 1850 

• GIRL NAMED HESTER PRYNNE (PEARL) 

• SHE IS SHAMED AND MUST WEAR AN A HER DRESS 

• ARTHUR DIMMESDALE- FATHER HES A MINISTER 

REVELATION12:10 

  THEN I HEARD A LOUD VOICE IN HEAVEN SAY. “NOW HAVE COME THE SALVATION AND THE POWER AND THE KINGDOM OF OUR GOD, AND THE AUTHORITY OF HIS MESSIAH. FOR THE ACCUSER OF OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS, WHO ACCUSES THEM BEFORE OUR GOD DAY AND NIGHT, HAS BEEN HURLED DOWN.” 

JESUS STOOPS 

¹⁸When the Lord finished speaking to Moses on Mount Sinai, he gave him the two tablets of the covenant law, the tablets of stone inscribed by the finger of God. EX 31 

MOSES COMES DOWN -ENCOUNTERS EVIL (PARTY) 

34 The Lord said to Moses, “Chisel out two stone tablets like the first ones, and I will write on them the words that were on the first tablets, which you broke. ²Be ready in the morning, and then come up on Mount Sinai. Present yourself to me there on top of the mountain. ³No one is to come with you or be seen anywhere on the mountain; not even the flocks and herds may graze in front of the mountain.” 

⁴So Moses chiseled out two stone tablets like the first ones and went up Mount Sinai early in the morning, as the Lord had commanded him; and he carried the two stone tablets in his hands. ⁵Then the Lord came down in the cloud and stood there with him and proclaimed his name, the Lord.  

• NO JEWISH MAN BENT DOWN IN PRESENCE FEMALE 

• DEFINITELY NOT A TEACHER/RABBI 

• JESUS DOES SO TWICE.    

VIDEO THE CHOSEN                                

• FORGIVENESS OFFERED 

JESUS ISN’T CONDEMNATION 

JOHN 3:16-17 

¹⁶For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. ¹⁷For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 

• THE WOMAN REFERS TO HIM AS LORD 

• DO YOU NEED FORGIVENESS?  

• DO YOU WANT THE POSTURE THAT JESUS TOOK? 

• IS THERE SOMEONE IN YOUR LIFE THAT NEEDS THIS KIND OF FORGIVENESS?  

• WHAT IS YOUR POSTURE? MEN WHO BROUGHT HER 

• DOES IT BOTHER YOU HE LETS HER OFF SEEMINGLY?  

• WOULD YOU? 

• DO WE?  

• DOESN’T MEAN YOU’RE A PUNCHING BAG BUT DO WE  ONLY FORGIVE THOSE WHO DESERVE IT- WHAT IS THAT? 

Five Keys (Truths) from John:  

Sent into the World | John 17:13-21 

• John 15:9-11 – HIS JOY 

• 9 “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 10 If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. 11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. 

• Quickly introduce myself or offer greetings 

• WHO IS JESUS? 

• Week 1: The Lordship of Christ Jesus – Creator, eternal, Lord of all of Creation 

• Week 2: The Resurrection and the Life (note of baptisms from previous week) 

• Now we make a turn in our series 

• If we understand and KNOW not just who this Jesus is but we would declare in faith today that He is that to us, then we must ask what is his will for our lives as his children, as disciples? 

• Week 3: Sanctified and Sent 

• Church of the Nazarene – Core Values (plug DYC next week with lunch) 

• We are a Christian people 

• We are a Holiness people 

• We are a Missional people 

Key Concepts 

• In essence, Jesus prays in this way in our text today: 

• That His followers have a full measure of joy 

• That His followers not be taken out of the world 

• That His followers be protected from the work of the evil one in our lives 

• That the Father sanctify His followers by His Word (which He has given us)  

• That if you are Christ’s, you are on a mission in this world. 

MESSAGE: (stand for the reading of the Word) 

• (SLIDE) John 17:13-19 

• 13 “I am coming to you now, but I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them. 14 I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world. 15 My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. 16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. 17 Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. 18 As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world. 19 For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified. 

• The prayer of the Lord specifically is that we may be sanctified because we are being sent into the world on a mission for the Kingdom of God. 

• 13 “I am coming to you now, but I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them.. 

• If Jesus was so concerned for joy among His disciples that He prayed for it, we can know that He is also concerned that we have joy.  

• 14 I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world. 15 My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one.. 

• ‘the world’ 

• Is the world system (set of values) that is ruled by Satan 

• John 12:31 

• 31 Now is the time for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out.  

• John 16:11  

• 11 and about judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned. 

• Jesus will tell them before he prays to the Father in their presence 

• John 16:33  

• “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” 

• 1 John 5:19  

• 19 We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one. 

Illustration 

Author and pastor Mark Sayers says there are two stories competing for our minds and hearts. The first story is broadcast loudly across pop culture, social media, and all media. It claims that you and I are the center of the universe. We are unique individuals, and we can be awesome. We just need to create our identities. By making the right choices with our wardrobe and weekends, and by hanging out with the right people and doing the right things, we can be limitlessly happy. The world offers you and me an amazing life; we just have to go out and make it happen. 

The second story is quiet. It’s more of a whisper from the back burner in our brains, but it will not go away. It’s there in the quiet, in the middle of the night. It’s the longing when the promises of the first story under-deliver. The whisper tells us we were made for more. In hushed voices, it insists that we have an immovable and important identity, a sort of real home somewhere out there. We’re longing for it, and we know it’s not just in our imaginations. There’s got to be more to this life, it nags. 

We continuously suppress that second story, though, largely because the first story is so loud. Everything from Instagram to movies to clothing ads to political campaigns declares that we can be whoever we want to be. Pursuing the second story takes time and intentionality and going against every cultural grain. 

• And often times, those living according to the systems of this world will hate you because of it… 

• Why? 

• “The truth looks like hate, to those who hate the truth.” 

• Jesus understand this reality 

• He did then 

• He does now 

• It is one reason He prays what He prays in John 17  

• Being taken from the world would secure their safety from evil, however it would leave the world unblessed by their testimony to what Christ had done and was about to accomplish  

• If you’re not of the world then the spiritual battle is intense 

• Jesus didn’t pray that we would be taken out of the battle, but that we would be strengthened and protected in it. 

• He has given you divine weapons as protection from the evil one 

• Primarily His word, prayer, and faith 

• Warren Wiersbe: 

• “How can we be overcome by the world when we have the Word of God to enlighten us, enable us, and encourage us?” 

• 16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. 17 Sanctify (Gr. hagiazō – separate out, make holy, consecrate) them by the truth; your word is truth.. 

• We are in the world but not of the world, and we must not live like the world. 

• Sanctify: 

• Refers to God’s ongoing work to set His people apart for His purposes—to make them holy as He is holy.  

• The Spirit is the one who prompts and tends to this work. 

• ‘your word is truth’ 

• We must come back to embrace the authority of the Scriptures. 

• (SLIDE) Romans 12:2 

• Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. 

• Kevin DeYoung (Do Not Be True to Yourself) 

• “There is a way that looks like blessing but in the end leads to death, and a way that is more difficult at first but in the end leads to life.” 

• OSWALD CHAMBERS 

• We must never measure our spiritual capacity on the basis of our education or our intellect; our capacity in spiritual things is measured on the basis of the promises of God. If we get less than God wants us to have, we will falsely accuse Him as the servant falsely accused his master when he said, “You expect more of me than you gave me the power to do. You demand too much of me, and I cannot stand true to you here where you have placed me.” When it is a question of God’s Almighty Spirit, never say, “I can’t.” Never allow the limitation of your own natural ability to enter into the matter. If we have received the Holy Spirit, God expects the work of the Holy Spirit to be exhibited in us 

• John 8:36  

• 36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. 

• 18 As you sent me into the world (Gr. kosmos – humans, ungodly multitude see Matthew 4:8), I have sent them into the world. 19 For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified. 

• As those left in the world to carry God’s message (John 17:17), Christians are meant to continue speaking God’s truth, as Jesus did 

• The church is called to be a counter-narrative people in the world in which they live …enlivened and led by The Word and His word 

• We are people, if you belong to the Kingdom of God through Christ Jesus today, “under orders” as Wiersbe says and we had better obey! 

• Jesus is now “set apart” in heaven, praying for us, that out witness will bear fruit as many repent of their sins and turn to the Lord and find LIFE. 

CONCLUSION: 

• Mission of our church 

• Transformed by God to bring hope to others through Christ. 

• Living a biblically missional/SENT life is really all about Lordship – it comes back to week one and two 

• It will be impossible, exhausting, and ultimately a foundation-less hope if we are trying with all our best efforts to bring hope to others – yet we ourselves have not placed all our hope in Christ alone as Lord of our life 

• You can’t give what you yourself don’t possess 

• Is Christ Lord of your life today? Is He the object and expectation of your hope today for your own sanctification and day-to-day living in the world in which he has sent you now? 

• If YOU understand and KNOW not just who this Jesus is but would declare in faith today that He is that to you, then YOU must ask your self “what story am I living into today?”  

RESPONSE: 

• Core Values give us the framework for the second story 

• The Gospel story 

• CHRISTIAN 

• He Pardons by Grace through Faith 

• A FREE GIFT – God’s Love FOR us! 

• HOLINESS 

• He Purifies us by Grace through Faith 

• A FREE GIFT – God’s Love IN us! 

• MISSIONAL 

• He Empowers us by Grace through Faith 

• A FREE GIFT – God’s Love THROUGH us! 

• We are saved and sanctified and SENT INTO THE WORLD  

• God has the purpose to raise up people who are so much like Him, like Jesus, that they actually fulfill the mission of Jesus in the world. 

• Richard Foster 

• This way of living is not confined to people in religious orders or those who have special skills in spiritual matters. No, this life is also for ordinary people. People who work in high-pressure jobs of information tech and finance. People who are constantly dealing with the stresses of raising children and balancing the family budget. People who teach school and work in hospitals and provide social services and so much more. In short, people just like you and me. 

• Is your life an answer to the prayer that Jesus prayed in John 17? 

MOST KNOW THAT WE HAVE MULTIPLE CAMPUSES 

WANTED TO SHARE FROM THE OTHER CAMPUSES 

WE ARE GOING TO DO A COMBINED BAPTISM END OF SEPTEMBER FIRST TWO SERVICES 

MORE DETAILS COMING 

PASTOR JARED AND JOHNNY GOOD 

   JOHNNY’S MOM/DAD ATTEND EAST ROCK 

   JOHNNY IS BEING DEPLOYED THIS WEEK 

JOHNNY GOOD BAPTISM 

• JOHNNY AND PASTOR JARED IN SHENANDOAH RIVER-  

• PRAY FOR JOHNNY ADDISON/MOMMA 

WE ALSO THIS PAST WEEKEND CELEBRATED  

EPSERANZA VIVA CELBRATED 20 YEARS AS A CAMPUS 

PASTOR MARITZA BAPTIZING    

WAYNESBORO CAMPUS– GRAN ASADO 

GIANT BARBECUE 

65 TOTAL PEOPLE 

12 NEW PEOPLE CAME 

PASTOR WALTER AND PASTOR MARITZA 

BAPTIZED 2 

GRAN ASADO PICTURE– 20^TH ANNIVERSARY 

ESPERANZA VIVA MET LAST WEEK 

37 PEOPLE SAVED (19 ADULTS/18 CHILDREN) 

PASTOR SAM/ PASTOR CHRIS BAPTIZING 

BAPTIZED 6 PEOPLE 

PASTOR SAM/PASTOR CHRIS BAPTIZING 

• ADULTS AND CHILDREN 

• FOOD WAS AMAZING 

• PARTY– MECHANICAL BULL               

KEYS OF JOHN SERIES WEEK 2 

• JOHN DISCIPLE- NOT JOHN BAPTIST WRITER 

• JOHN WRITES AS ONE WHO SAW FIRSTHAND 

• JOHN WROTE 

• JOHN WAS A HUMBLE BRAGGER 

ATEAM PICTURE 

In 1972 , a crack commando unit was sent to prison by a military court for a crime they didn’t commit. These men promptly escaped from a maximum security stockade to the Los Angeles underground. Today, still wanted by the government, they survive as soldiers of fortune. If you have a problem, if no one else can help, and if you can find them, maybe you can hire… the A-Team 

• JOHN 1 IS THE INTRO- ITS PROLOGUE 

• EVERYTHING FLOWS FROM THERE 

SIGNS IN JOHN 

   TURNING WATER INTO WINE 

   CLEASING THE TEMPLE 

   HEALING A NOBLEMANS SON 

    HEALING THE LAME MAN 

  FEEDING THE MULTITUDE 

  HEALING THE BLIND MAN 

  RAISING LAZARUS 

I AM STATEMENTS 

   I AM THE BREAD OF LIFE 

   I AM THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD 

   I AM THE DOOR OF THE SHEEP 

   I AM THE RESURRECTION AND THE LIFE 

   I AM THE WAY TRUTH AND LIFE 

   I AM THE VINE 

JOHN 11: 1-3                                  

• Now a man named Lazarus was sick. He was from Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. ²(This Mary, whose brother Lazarus now lay sick, was the same one who poured perfume on the Lord and wiped his feet with her hair.) ³So the sisters sent word to Jesus, “Lord, the one you love is sick. 

LAZARUS NAME MEANS “GOD HAS HELPED” 

JOHN 11:4-5 

   ⁴When he heard this, Jesus said, “This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it.” ⁵Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. 

HAND GESTURE FOR LOVE 

• WHAT’S THE SIGN FOR LOVE? 

• LAST TIME YOU SENSED- YOU KNEW WERE LOVED?HEART EYES EMOJI 

CAN YOU REMEMBER FEELING INTENSE LOVE? 

THE MOST DEEPEST/BESTEST/ HEART WARMING 

________________________________________________________ 

⁶So when he heard that Lazarus was sick, he stayed where he was two more days 

TWO DAYS 

• HAVE YOU EXPERIENCED TWO DAYS? 

• TWO EXCRUCIATING-LONG-NO RESPONSE DAYS 

• WHAT IS HE WAITING FOR- THIS IS LOVE? 

__________________________________________________________ 

11. After he had said this, he went on to tell them, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I am going there to wake him up.”¹²His disciples replied, “Lord, if he sleeps, he will get better.”  

¹³Jesus had been speaking of his death, but his disciples thought he meant natural sleep. ¹⁴So then he told them plainly, “Lazarus is dead, ¹⁵and for your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.” 

Then Thomas (also known as Didymus) said to the rest of the disciples, “Let us also go, that we may die with him.” 

JESUS SHOWS UP- LAZARUS IN GRAVE 4 DAYS 

SLIDE 19: SCRIPTURE JOHN 11: 20-22 

   20. WHEN MARTHA HEARD THAT JESUS WAS COMING, SHE WENT OUT TO MEET HIM, BUT MARY STAYED AT HOME. “LORD, MARTHA SAID TO JESUS, “IF YOU HAD BEEN HERE, MY BROTHER WOULD NOT HAVE DIED. BUT I KNOW THAT EVEN NOW GOD WILL GIVE YOU WHATEVER YOU ASK,” 

JOHN 11: 23-25 

  23. JESUS SAID TO HER, “YOUR BROTHER WILL RISE AGAIN.” MARTHA ANSWERED, “I KNOW HE WILL RISE AGAIN IN THE RESURRECTION AT THE LAST DAY.” JESUS SAID TO HER, I AM THE RESURRECTION AND THE LIFE. THE ONE WHO BELIEVES IN ME WILL LIVE, EVEN THOUGH THEY DIE.  

JOHN 11:26-27 

  26. AND WHOEVER LIVES BY BELIEVING IN ME WILL NEBER DIE. DO YOU BELIEVE THIS? YES LORD, SHE REPLIED, I BELIEVE THAT YOU ARE THE SON OF GOD, WHO IS COME INTO THE WORLD.” 

   THIS IS DIFFERENT- THIS IS MASSIVE 

I DON’T POINT PEOPLE IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION LIFE 

I AM THE DIRECTION- I AM LIFE (BEGINNING TO….) 

THIS PASSAGE THESE WORDS APPEAR MORE THAN ONCE 

   SICK 4/ SLEEPS 3/ RISE 2 TWICE/ WEEPING 3/ LOVE TIMES/ DEATH 7  

ONLY WORD APPEARS MORE IS BELIEVE 9 TIMES.  21MINS 

WHAT ARE YOU STILL HAVING TROUBLE BELIEVING? 

PLANE  

• ANTONOV PLANE ITSELF WEIGHED 1.4 MILLION POUNDS- CAARY AN EXTRA 550,000 LBS 

• WING SPAN 240 FEET- LENGTH 230 FEET 

JOHN 11:33-34 

  33. WHEN JESUS SAW HER WEEPING, AND THE JEWS WHO HAD COME ALONG WITH HER ALSO WEEPING, HE WAS DEEPLY MOVED IN SPIRIT AND TROUBLED. 34. WHERE HAVE YOU LAID HIM? HE ASKED. “COME AND SEE, LORD , “THEY REPLIED.  

JOHN 11:35-36 

  JESUS WEPT. THEN THE JEWS SAID, “SEE HOW HE LOVED HIM”  

5 GREEK WORDS FOR LOVE 

         MANIA-STORGE-EROS-PHILIA-AGAPE 

V 5: JESUS LOVED MARTHA AND HER SISTER/LAZARUS  

PICTURE OF LAZARUS TOMB 

• HISTORICAL SITE OF LAZARUS TOMB 

• CLOSE TO MOUNT OF OLIVES 

• SUBDIVISION OF JERUSALEM- THOUSANDS VISIT 

³⁸Jesus, once more deeply moved, came to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance. ³⁹“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.” ⁴⁰Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?” 

⁴¹So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. ⁴²I 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.” ⁴³When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out! THE DEAD MAN CAME OUT 

JESUS RAISES LAZARUS- ANNOUNCES HIS DEATH 

JOHN 11:45-46 

  ⁴⁵Therefore many of the Jews who had come to visit Mary, and had seen what Jesus did, believed in him. ⁴⁶But some of them went to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done.  

JOHN 11:46-48 

  ⁴⁷Then the chief priests and the Pharisees called a meeting of the Sanhedrin. “What are we accomplishing?” they asked. “Here is this man performing many signs. ⁴⁸If we let him go on like this, everyone will believe in him, and then the Romans will come and take away both our temple and our nation. 

   ONE OF THE STRONGEST EXAMPLES OF LOVE WE HUMANLY KNOW IS A PARENT AND A CHILD 

JANETTE SHARE- BEST EXAMPLE OF DEEP LOVE 

VIDEO OF DAD AND SON 

   SEE HOW HE LOVED HIM/ 

DO YOU BELIEVE ? BELIEVE WHAT? THAT I LOVE YOU- BECAUSE IF YOU BELIEVE THAT- IT CHANGES EVERYTHING YOU ARE CONCERNED ABOUT 

ARE YOU HAVING TROUBLE BELIEVING BECAUSE OF 2 DAYS? 

   ²²While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take it; this is my body.” 

²³Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, and they all drank from it. 

²⁴“This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many,” he said to them. 

HANDS SHAPED LIKE HEART 

• QUESTION TODAY ISN’T HOW MUCH YOU LOVE HIM 

• QUESTIONS ISN’T HOW MUCH SHOULD YOU SHARE AND SPREAD HIS LOVE 

THE QUESTION IS DO YOU BELIEVE? BELIEVE WHAT? THAT JESUS WHO IS THE SON OF GOD- LOVES YOU- AGAPE LOVES YOU NO MATTER WHO YOU ARE AND WHAT YOU HAVE DONE AND WILL YOU BELIEVE THAT? 

https://www.bible.com/events/49475044

Church of the Nazarene – East Rockingham Campus 

5 Keys of John Part 2 

I am the resurrection and the life. 

We continue in our teaching series in the Gospel of John called “Five Keys of John”. 

The gospel of John was written around 80-90AD, by Jesus’ closest friend; The Apostle John. 

John was the oldest and last surviving eyewitness of the 12 disciples who were with Jesus. 

He is writing for a very specific purpose. He says in Chapter 20:31 “But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name. 

John believes that the Jesus we discover through the stories in his gospel account is real and alive. And when we come to know who he is and believe in him, we will find true and eternal life. 

‭‭John‬ ‭11‬:‭1‬-‭5‬‬ 

Now a man named Lazarus was sick. He was from Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. (This Mary, whose brother Lazarus now lay sick, was the same one who poured perfume on the Lord and wiped his feet with her hair.) So the sisters sent word to Jesus, “Lord, the one you love is sick.” When he heard this, Jesus said, “This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it.” Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. 

Mary, Martha, and Lazarus are close friends of Jesus who live in a village just a few miles from Jerusalem. John makes sure we understand that Jesus loved them. 

Lazarus has become ill and it’s pretty serious. The sisters send the message to Jesus “Lord, the one you love is sick.” 

These unique words of Jesus are a clue that something different is going on here. 

‭‭John‬ ‭11‬:‭6‬‬ 

So when he heard that Lazarus was sick, he stayed where he was two more days, 

In our text, Jesus’ delay has a very specific purpose- He waits so that he might have the opportunity to reveal something to his disciples greater than even death itself. 

His disciples are as confused about this plan as we might be today. The next few verses unpack their confusion, before finally Jesus makes it clear for them in vs. 14 

‭‭John‬ ‭11‬:‭14‬-‭15‬‬ 

So then he told them plainly, “Lazarus is dead, and for your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.” 

What Jesus is about to teach his disciples, is that knowing him, knowing who he really is and the life he brings, is the most important in their lives. Even greater than the tragedy of death itself. 

Jesus is glad for their sakes, they have this opportunity to know him more. 

‭‭John‬ ‭11‬:‭17‬-‭22‬‬ 

On his arrival, Jesus found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days. Now Bethany was less than two miles from Jerusalem, and many Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them in the loss of their brother. When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet him, but Mary stayed at home. “Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.” 

The note about 4 days signals to readers that Lazarus is truly gone, any hope of a misdiagnosis is past. 

Martha comes to Jesus bearing the weight of grief and sorrow, yet still confident that even in death, Jesus can bring about something good. There is no rebuke in her words, as she clings to faith in the face of death. 

‭‭John‬ ‭11‬:‭25‬-‭26‬‬ 

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?” 

Jesus invites Martha to know Him as the resurrection and the life. The future hope she held, was now embodied in the person of Jesus, standing in front of her. He is the resurrection and the life. 

Note that Jesus doesn’t say, “I do resurrection” or “I do life”, he says “I am”. 

I am the Resurrection, I am the power to overcome death, to bring hope in the darkness of death. I am the life, the vital essence of full and real life here and now. 

This is a key to understanding who Jesus is. This is the revelation this whole story has been building up to. The raising of Lazarus that comes next, that’s secondary to seeing this truth. 

This whole seen has ben building to this moment, and it hangs on the edge with one searching question on the lips of Jesus: Do you believe this? 

Friends our journey to discover who Jesus is and the life he came to bring, must stop here and answer that very question for ourselves. 

Do you believe this? 

Do you know Jesus as the power over sin, death, and hell itself- Do you know that in your life? 

Have you experienced resurrection through faith in him? 

‭‭John‬ ‭11‬:‭27‬‬ 

“Yes, Lord,” she replied, “I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.”