PROOF THAT ONLY JESUS CAN GIVE YOU ETERNAL LIFE (John 11)
Without a doubt the greatest 3 events in the History of the World was Jesus Christ’s death on the Cross to save us from our sins; His resurrection from the dead; and His ascension into Heaven to sit at the right hand of God. Jesus was “declared to be the Son of God with power by the resurrection from the dead” (Romans 1:4). Whether you want to believe it or not Jesus’ resurrection is irrefutable history (Acts 1:1-3). There were over 500 eye witnesses (I Corinthians 15:3-6). Jesus conquered death! (Heb. 2:14-15; 2 Tim. 1:10) Thus Jesus is the only Person who can give us the assurance we too can rise from the dead and experience the eternal glories of heaven.
Today I would like us to get to know this Lord Jesus Christ better. Get to know Him well enough that you can trust Him for your eternal salvation. You can only get to know another person through their words and their works. Through what they say and by what they do. In the Gospel of John we have an opportunity to hear some of Jesus’ amazing words, as He reveals great spiritual truths of both the visible & invisible world around us. We also have an opportunity to see some of Jesus’s supernatural works which prove that He was more than a mere man. Works that prove beyond any doubt that Jesus was God come to earth in human flesh (John 1:1-14).
Let’s take a quick look at just 5 examples of Jesus’ words & works that the Gospel of John records so that we can believe that Jesus Christ truly is the Savior of the World (John 20:30-31).
- In John chapter 2 we see Jesus perform a great miracle at a wedding feast. He turned about 180 gallons of water into non fermented wine. He revealed Himself to be the LORD of Nature. He created everything (John 1:3) and here reveals He has control over His creation.
- In John Chapter 4 Jesus meets a Samaritan woman. Jesus tells her everything she’s ever done, even her sins (4:29). This led her to trust Jesus as her Savior. Jesus reveals Himself to be omniscient. He knows everything you and I have ever done. (see also John 1:47-51).
- 3. In John Chapter 6 Jesus says: “I am the bread of life” (6:35). “I am the living bread which came down from heaven; if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever” (6:51).
Now if you or I were to say such a thing people would laugh at us. But when Jesus said it nobody laughed. Why? Because they had seen him take 5 small loaves of bread & 2 fish and multiply it to feed 5,000 people. Jesus didn’t just say He was the bread of life. He did a miraculous work that had never been done before or since to prove that what He said was true. Jesus proved He was LORD of all Creation. That nothing was impossible for Him.
- In John Chapter 8 Jesus says: “I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life” (John 8:12). If you or I was to say something like that people would ignore us as being crazy. But when Jesus said it everyone took Him seriously. Why? Because Jesus was healing countless blind people. In John chapter 9 Jesus healed a man who had been born blind. Such a thing had never been done before or since. So Jesus did these mighty miraculous works to prove that His incredible life changing words were true. Jesus revealed himself to be the LORD of sight as well as the LORD of spiritual insight. Only He can open our eyes to see the truth of eternal salvation in Him.
- Now we come to John chapter 11 and hear some of Jesus’ greatest words.
“I am the resurrection and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall helive: and whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?” (11:25-26)
Once again Jesus proves the TRUTH of His Words by raising Lazarus from the dead. And then the final proof of every word of Jesus is revealed 10 days later when Jesus Himself rises from the dead after being crucified. So lets look at some of the life changing truths revealed in John 11.
I.) BE PATIENT IN SUFFERING. We live in a sinful fallen world (John 11:1-21)
A.) As Christians, we understand that sometimes our sickness as well as our health can be for the Glory of God. (John 9:3; Phil. 1:20; 2 Cor. 12:7-10; Job 1:21; 2:9-10)
1.) In any situation we must ask: “How can I bring glory to God in this situation?
Like Mary & Martha invite Jesus into your suffering (John 11:3).
Illustration: Trials purify us like silver (Psalm 12:6; 66:10; Prov. 17:3; Zech. 13:9)
B.) Never Doubt God’s love just because some bad things are happening
“Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus” (John 11:5)
C.) Be Patient: God’s perfect timing is unpredictable (John 11:6)
“When Jesus heard Lazarus was sick, he waits 2 days” before going (John 11:6)
- God’s timing can seem unloving but it’s not {God is Love}
- God’s timing can seem too late but it’s not (John 11:14) {God is Eternal}
- God’s timing often seems dangerous {God is Sovereign & in control}
- Jesus is willing to risk his life to help Lazarus (11:8, 16)
- God’s timing is often frustrating to us (John 11:21, 32). Both Martha & Mary say:
“Lord if only you had been here, Lazarus would not have died”
- {God is omniscient} His ways are perfect (Deut. 32:4; Isa. 30:18)
II.) HAVE FAITH IN GOD’S WORD & GOD’S POWER (John 11:23-26, 44). Know that:
“In all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us” (Rom. 8:37)
A.) Why? Because Jesus has redefined death for the believer as sleep (11:11-14)
a.) Sleep is perfectly harmless. There is nothing to fear. Sleep comes as a welcome rest after the trials and struggles of the day. In sleep we lie down to rise again. (Rev. 14:13; I Cor. 15:20,51; I Thess. 4:14; 5:10)
b.) Without Christ the sleep of death becomes a nightmare. Trust Jesus!
B.) Jesus “is the resurrection and the life.” He had already proved it by raising many people from the dead (Matt. 9:25; 11: 4-5; Luke 7:15)
III.) EXPERIENCE A SUPERNATURAL COMFORT IN ALL YOUR TRIALS. (2 Cor. 1:3-7) Jesus has experienced & understands all our trials and tribulations (Heb. 4:15; 5:7-9; 2 Cor. 4:16-18).
A.)“Jesus wept.” (John 11:35). Even though He knew He would raise Lazarus from the dead!
1.) Man’s ability to shed tears of emotion is part of our being created in the image of God.
Jesus didn’t have to become a man to cry! Man can cry because God can.
a.) Illustration from Chaplain Tom Cole.
B.) Jesus tears are a revelation of God’s heart & compassion (John 11:36; Lk. 19:41; Heb. 5:7).
In the Bible Jesus’ tears were connected with the effect or consequences of sin.
IV.) REJOICE IN THE ULTIMATE TRIUMPH OF JESUS CHRIST (John 11:37-44)
“Look unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith” (Heb. 12:2) as He brings “life and immortality to light” (2 Tim. 1:10). Jesus alone conquers death (I Corinthians 15:42-58)
A.) Christ’s words & works inspire Hope (11:23-24, 25-26)
1.) “said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?” (11:40)
B.) Christ’s words not only inspire, they empower obedience (11:43-44)
Jesus spoke only 2 words (in Greek): “Lazarus Here!”
1.) Wherever Lazarus was he heard the voice of Jesus (John 10:16; 5:28-29)
Wherever Lazarus was he knew the voice of Jesus (John 10:4)
Wherever Lazarus was he obeyed the voice of Jesus! Do You?(John 5:28-29)
2.) With every command of God comes the power to obey (John 10:18)
Illustration: Something about Lazarus you might not have known
“If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not. But if I do, though ye believe not me, believe the works: that ye may know, and believe that the Father is in me, and I in him.” (John 10:37-38)
V.) BE WARNED BY THE 3 REACTIONS TO CHRIST’S WORDS & WORKS
- Are you one of the “many who believed on Jesus” (John 1:45) (Good)
- Are you one of those who goes you way and just talks about it (John 11:46) (Bad)
- Are you one who wishes Jesus would just go away or even die! (John 11:48, 53). (Ugly)
We learn that it is the condition of the heart that determines whether or not we will respond with faith to divine miracles or the preaching of God’s Word. Perhaps you have come here today with serious concerns for your eternal welfare. You wonder what will happen to you when you die. Where will you go when you die? Heaven or Hell? What you do with the LORD Jesus Christ will determine your eternal destiny!