Stories and Signs: "Jesus Raises the Dead"

Stories and Signs: “Jesus Raises the Dead”

John 11:1-44     

I. Confusion        (John 11:1-6)

Isaiah 5:20 - “Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter.”

II. Confidence (John 11:9-16)

III.  Confession  (John 11:17-32)

IV. Compassion (John 11:33-37)

V. Calling (John 11:43-44)

1. Irresistible “Too convincing to resist or too attractive to be resisted.”

Romans 9:16 - “(Salvation) is not of him who wills nor of him who runs, but of God who has mercy.”

2. Eternal

John 17:5-6 - “And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed.  ‘I have manifested your name to the people whom you gave me out of the world. Yours they were, and you gave them to me…’”

3. For absolute freedom

Galatians 5:11 – “But if I, brothers, still preach circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross has been removed.” 

4. For confident ministry

Philippians 4:13 – “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.”  

Faith sheet

1. Put yourself in Mary, Martha and Lazarus’ place. How would you have interpreted Jesus’ delay in coming to heal Lazarus?

2. Why do delays often cause frustration and anxiety?

3. How does trusting God in difficult circumstances bring Him glory?

4. How does Jesus’ expression of grief (“He wept”) communicate God’s compassion for people who suffer?

5. What would confident resurrection ministry look like where your C group has chosen to serve? In your home or work?

6. How would you explain to an unbeliever that Jesus’ resurrection life is better than anything else in life?