THE LAZARUS WAKE-UP CALL (John 11)

I. The Lazarus Wake-up Call Begins with Death

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.” ¹¹“Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I am going there to wake him up.”

II. The Lazarus Wake-up Call is Usually Late

¹⁷On his arrival, Jesus found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days. ²¹“Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died. ²²But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.” ²³Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” ²⁴Martha answered, “I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.”

III. The Lazarus Wake-up Call is for NOW Not Just Hereafter

²⁵Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; ²⁶and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?” ²⁷“Yes, Lord,” she replied, “I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.”

IV. The Lazarus Wake-up Call Empowers You To See The Glory of God

³⁴“Where have you laid him?” he asked. ³⁵Jesus wept. ³⁸Jesus, once more deeply moved, came to the tomb. 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?” ⁴³When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” ⁴⁴The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face.