John 11:1-26
Introduction:
“If Jesus rose from the dead, then you have to accept all that he said; if he didn’t rise from the dead, then why worry about any of what he said? The issue on which everything hangs is not whether or not you like his teaching but whether or not he rose from the dead.”
―
Timothy J. Keller
,
The Reason for God: Belief in an Age of Skepticism
“The resurrection completes the inauguration of God’s kingdom. . . . It is the decisive event demonstrating that God’s kingdom really has been launched on earth as it is in heaven.”
“The message of Easter is that God’s new world has been unveiled in Jesus Christ and that you’re now invited to belong to it.” ―
N.T. Wright
Transition
:
Transition:
1st, let me make a case for the evidence.
The Resurrection sets Christianity apart. No other religious leader has broken the power of death and conquered sin.
Transition
:
2. Significance of the Resurrection
The resurrection of Jesus Christ was a miracle. No matter if you believe in God or not, no matter if you’re a philosophical naturalist or a Christian, the account and effects of Jesus’ resurrection are truly miraculous.
Non-Christians may scoff at this claim, but let us explain. The resurrection is a miracle in one of three ways – it is either
1. A biological miracle
2. A psychological miracle
3. A theological miracle
Before we continue, two quick points are necessary. First, options one and two above are purely natural – only explanations of the resurrection – and therefore the definition of
miracle
in their case (“a highly uncommon but still natural occurrence”) is different from how it’s used in the third option, where the biblical definition applies.
Second, it is important to remember that no historical scholar – Christian or non-Christian – doubts the core facts surrounding the resurrection, which are
• Jesus was crucified and buried.
• Three days after His death, His body went missing.
• There were reported appearances of Jesus over the course of 40 days to both believers and unbelievers.
• These individuals were transformed by the appearances, and they began to proclaim Christ’s resurrection even to the point of being martyred for their proclamation.
These are the core facts of Jesus’ resurrection, and these facts are not disputed by any educated historian, secular or religious. That being the case, let’s conduct a brief tour of each possible explanation of the resurrection.
The Resurrection confirms that Jesus is who He claimed to be. Let us consider the magnitude of this event:
Transition
: Let me lastly go back to the text and point out the application I’d like to make for us this morning.
John 11 – Mary – Mary – Lazarus
Recap story
For consideration about resurrection potential:
Three Key verse(s) for the application and then a final question.
Question
: So here is the question I want to pose to you today: What do you want Jesus to bring back to life in you?
Pure Ministry
Introduction: As we have taken the time to honour our Pastors (and thank you), I invite you to look at 1 Thessalonians 2 with me. I. Paul’s Assessment (of Pure Ministry) – 1 Thessalonians 2:1-2a II. Paul’s Advantage (of Pure Ministry) – 1 Thess. 2:2b III. Paul’s (Ministries) Integrity – 1 Thess. 2:3-6 IV. Paul’s…
Word to the Wise
Introduction: Let me finish my thoughts on Matthew 8-10. Jesus is moved for the people and to send disciples/others into the whitened harvest field. Jesus does give additional instructions and awareness of lays before them. Question: Why did Jesus not send the disciples to Gentiles and Samaritans? In Romans 1:16 Paul writes, “I am not…
Author and Authorization
Matthew 10:1-15 Introduction: This is where I left off last week. Because there is a ripen harvest prepared by God himself… Jesus says, 9:38, ‘So pray, to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into the fields.’ Pray =Ask =Send = thrust forth – ‘The harvest is…
The Lost – A Whitened Harvest
Introduction: Last week I spoke about what the oil running down Aaron’s beard was all about. It was about the separation of objects and especially people for God’s use. Transition: In the Book of Matthew, after Jesus taught about matters like praying, not judging others, the ‘golden rule’, the problem with worrying, and some other…
Oil on Aaron’s Beard
Psalm 133:1-2; Lev. 8:10-12 Introduction: Some of you may have heard or studied this image in scripture of oil soaking Aaron’s beard and dripping down all the way to his toes. This comes from Psalm 133:1-2 & Leviticus 8:10-12. I sensed the Lord was putting this in my heart and mind and what the significance…
Nothing Formed
Isaiah 54:1-17 Introduction: The last verse of Isaiah chapter 54 is one of the verses we lean on frequently. NLT – Isaiah 54:17 ‘But in that coming day no weapon (turned, formed, forged) against you will (succeed, prosper)’. ‘You will silence every voice raised up to accuse you. These benefits are enjoyed by the servants…
Harvest Seed
2 Corinthians 9 Introduction: Last weekend I spoke to you about Sabbath rest and how (Labor Day) was one of those days as a day of extra ‘rest’. Labor Day is also known as the last (unofficial) weekend of the summer. That’s the natural time (God’s time) we are moving into. The first official day…
Why Rest
Labor Day today is a welcomed day not only because it recognizes workers/labors, but because it gives us an extra day of ‘rest’. Judaism[edit] Main article: Shabbat See also: Hebrew calendar Jewish Shabbat (Shabbath, Shabbes, Shobos, etc.) is a weekly day of rest, observed from sundown on Friday until the appearance of three stars in…
The Big Stick
Exodus 15:22-16:27 Introduction: Trustin God during Bitter Times ‘The people complained and turned against Moses.’Meaning: 1) to lodge, stop over, pass the night, abide 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to lodge, pass the night 1a2) to abide, remain (fig.) 1b) (Hiphil) to cause to rest or lodge 1c) (Hithpalpel) to dwell, abide 2) to grumble, complain, murmur…