Sermon Cloud

Seeing God’s Glory

John 11:38-44

August 5, 2012 BFBC am

Intro:

I. The Darkness of Death Is Shattered

A. There can’t be a greater example of the darkness and the evil of this world than in death. Every time we face the issue of death we are reminded of the devastating fall into sin that the human race has endured. We are a hurting people.

B. We wonder why these terrible things happen but the ultimate answer is so that the glory of God may be seen. It will be seen provided that we are in relationship with Jesus Christ. If you are lost, there is no glory to be revealed in you, only against you.

C. This hideous evil that laughs in our faces is suddenly shown to be what it actually is - a defeated foe. The worst that the enemy can do pales before the sudden display of God’s amazing power.

D. Jesus wept at the grave of this man he loved but not for Lazarus. It was for the grief death had caused, the trouble and pain. God loves you and He grieves the evil and problems that you go through. He is with you at your darkest moment but He is the Light of the World.

II. Salvation Is Pictured

A. Here we see a vivid picture of how Christ calls us from the darkness and deadness of the tomb of our sin to new life - Eph. 2:1. We are bound in our old way of life, our sin, our old nature and Jesus commands that we are to be loosed.

B. How foolish it would have been for Lazarus to leave the house that evening and go back to the tomb and lie on that cold shelf all night long. How foolish it is for Christians to be set free from sin and then to go back and live in it again!

III. The Preview of Things to Come

A. The fact is that what Jesus did at the tomb of Lazarus that day is a preview of the day when He will call all the dead in Christ to life again.