This sermon is based on John 11:38 –
45. It is the familiar story of Jesus
raising Lazarus his good friend from the dead.
What can we learn from this story? When Jesus learnt of Lazarus death, He was in
another place and Lazarus had died four days already. Jesus was very sad when He learnt of his death. His disciples wanted Him to stay where He
was, but He insisted of going back to Lazarus’ village. When Jesus reached the village he ordered the
stone to be taken away from the tomb, but people were reluctant because of the
odour after four days. Jesus knew, He
wanted to show them He was God. He also
wanted to show His love for Lazarus. In
this away, God show great love for us, also Jesus was raise from the dead for
us. Those who believed will have eternal
lives. Jesus returned to raise Lazarus
as well as to show His love for Lazarus.
Although Jesus could have roll the stone from the tomb, He asked his
disciples to do that. This was because He was teaching the disciples, similarly
He is teaching us. God will do His part,
let us do our part. Sometimes we cannot
understand like what Pastor Daniel experienced in his ministries, but we just
obey God. Pastor Daniel said doing
mission work is not easy. Many of these
activities are new to him. Like raising
Lazarus was new to the disciples. God
wants us to do the unfamiliar. Like
removing the stone, to show love to the people.
To be closed to the people. It was
like Jesus even though He knew people hated Him, He still wanted to go back to
the village.
Pastor Daniel related an incident in the
longhouse his ministry is helping. A man
who usually opposed his ministry came to ask for his help to give him some
stones, cement and bricks to build his house as he was an invalid. People had told Pastor what this man had done
to his ministry in that kampong. Pastor
said he will pray about this man’s request.
After two weeks this man received what he requested for and he was so
thankful and came to the Lord. Pastor
Daniel said the lesson is that sometime Christians are the ones who do not
share the Gospel with non-Christians. It
is the hope that Jesus brings to people, regardless of who they are. Pastor Daniel also observed that believers in
the kampong have stronger faith then believers in the city.
When the stone rolled away from the cave,
Jesus shouted to Lazarus to come out.
Actually, His shout was for the people presence, and not about
Lazarus. Jesus could have raise Lazarus
without going to the village but He chose to go there. His shout was meant for the villagers. He brought a message of love. Jesus has also given us spiritual authority
so let us use this authority.
When Lazarus came out of the tomb he was in
grave cloths. When Jesus asked the
people to remove his cloth, they hesitated.
May be people were sceptical and worried about the odour. Why Jesus wanted the people to remove the
cloths? Because He wanted the people to be involved in the Kingdom, also they
have to do their part and God will do His part.
This lesson also applies to us today.
It is not necessary to have great faith to
do ministry, but we need to obey God.
The raising of Lazarus was for the people, after he was raise from the
dead many came to believe in Jesus Christ.
What is Jesus doing in your life? Show love to the unreached, share our faith
and show our love to them.
Exercise our faith and release people into
the ministries of God.
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