The Promise of Easter Lazarus Raised John 11:25-27 Also available are a text-only version of the outline at www.evbapt.org/docs/evangel_sermon_outline_2015-04-05.pdf or an audio podcast at www.evbapt.org/media/evangel_sermon_2015-04-05.mp3 This is a pdf file for the PowerPoint notes for the sermon by Pastor Dave Tietjen on Easter Sunday, April 5, 2015 the second of three sermons based on the story of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead as found in the book of John
John 11:25-27 ESV Jesus said to her, I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this? She said to him, Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world.
The attraction to this speaker
A movement of faith More Muslims have come to Christ in the past two decades than any other time in mission history. David Garrison, 2005 Every year, six million Muslims convert to Christianity. Al-Jazeera, Television Interview, March 2004
A movement of fear radical jihadists Actions offensive to many Approach an opportunity to many
A moment of hope... I can die in peace
The audience of this speaker
John 11:17-19 ESV Now when Jesus came, he found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb four days. Bethany was near Jerusalem, about two miles off, and many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary to console them concerning their brother.
The many Bethany s proximity to Jerusalem
The many Bethany s proximity to Jerusalem Burial procedures of Jewish families
The mourners
The sister: Martha John 11:20-21 ESV So when Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went and met him, but Mary remained seated in the house. Martha said to Jesus, Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.
The sister: Martha Her hurt: If only Jesus were here... Her hope: Whatever you ask of God... my brother will rise at last Job 19:25-26 ESV For I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last he will stand upon the earth. And after my skin has been thus destroyed, yet in my flesh I shall see God.
The sister: Martha Her hurt: If only Jesus were here... Her hope: Whatever you ask of God... my brother will rise at last Daniel 12:2 ESV And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.
The sister: Martha Her hurt: If only Jesus were here... Her hope: Whatever you ask of God... my brother will rise at last John 6:28-29 ESV Then they said to him, What must we do, to be doing the works of God? Jesus answered them, This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.
The audacity of the speaker
His assertions To come down from heaven John 6:36 Be Savior to the world John 3:17 Be Supreme Judge who returns in splendor Matthew 16:27 Be only way to God John 14:6 Be able to raise the dead John 2:19, 22 Be the Son of God John 3:16, 10:37-38
His assertions A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic on a level with the man who says he is a poached egg or else He would be the Devil of Hell. You must make your choice. Either this man was, and is, the Son of God, or else a madman or something worse. C S Lewis
His assertions To come down from heaven John 6:36 Be Savior to the world John 3:17 Be Supreme Judge who returns in splendor Matthew 16:27 Be only way to God John 14:6 Be able to raise the dead John 2:19, 22 Be the Son of God John 3:16, 10:37-38
His affirmation John 20:31 ESV But these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
His affirmation I am the Resurrector vs 25a, c I am the Guarantor of Life vs 25b, 26a Am I both in your belief? vs 26b
Her confession John 11:27 ESV She said to him, Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world.
Her confession Acts 26:6-7a, 8 ESV And now I stand here on trial because of my hope in the promise made by God to our fathers, to which our twelve tribes hope to attain, as they earnestly worship night and day.... Why is it thought incredible by any of you that God raises the dead?
Her confession John Niemela If I have never known that faith alone in Jesus Christ alone gave me eternal life, then I have not yet believed in Him. If I have ever known that faith alone in Jesus Christ alone gave me eternal life, then I have believed in Him.
Her confession To believe this is to believe what He says of Himself and thus to believe in Him. It is one thing to hear it, to reason and to argue about it; and quite another thing to believe, embrace, trust it. To believe is to receive, hold, enjoy the reality and the power of it, with all that lies in it of joy, comfort, peace and hope. R C H Lenski
Our adoration of this speaker
The sites attract Garden Tomb Church of the Holy Sepulcher
These sites announce... Visitors come not to reflect on remains, but to remember: He is Risen!