If only…Even now. Where is God When life goes bad And he seems absent?

If only…Even now

This Mary, whose brother Lazarus This Mary, whose brother Lazarus now lay sick, was the same one who now lay sick, was the same one who

poured perfume on the Lord poured perfume on the Lord and wiped his feet with her hair.and wiped his feet with her hair.

So the sisters sent word to Jesus,So the sisters sent word to Jesus,"Lord, the one you love is sick”"Lord, the one you love is sick”

So the sisters sent word to Jesus, So the sisters sent word to Jesus, "Lord, the one you love is sick”"Lord, the one you love is sick”

Expectation?Expectation?

When he heard this, Jesus said, When he heard this, Jesus said, "This sickness will not end in death. "This sickness will not end in death.

No, it is for God's glory so that God's No, it is for God's glory so that God's Son may be glorified through it”Son may be glorified through it”

When he heard this, Jesus said, When he heard this, Jesus said, "This sickness "This sickness will not end in death. will not end in death.

No, No, it is for God's glory it is for God's glory so that God's so that God's Son may be glorified through it”Son may be glorified through it”

Jesus knows the outcomeJesus knows the outcomePhysically and SpirituallyPhysically and Spiritually

Jesus knows the outcomeJesus knows the outcomePhysically and SpirituallyPhysically and Spiritually

What does that say aboutWhat does that say aboutTrusting God?Trusting God?

Why does God need glory (praise)?Why does God need glory (praise)?

God’s glory is never about God’s glory is never about his need, but ours his need, but ours

It’s about revealing his nature so that It’s about revealing his nature so that we can recognize, know and we can recognize, know and

glorify him as God in our livesglorify him as God in our lives

Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. Yet when he heard Lazarus. Yet when he heard

that Lazarus was sick, that Lazarus was sick, he stayed where he was he stayed where he was

two more days.two more days.

Messengers: Messengers:

He said it won't end in death.He said it won't end in death.Something about God's glory.Something about God's glory.

Jesus stayed.Jesus stayed.

Have you ever been there?Have you ever been there?

You call out and God You call out and God is nowhere to be found?is nowhere to be found?

Maybe he doesn't really careMaybe he doesn't really careMaybe he's afraidMaybe he's afraid

Maybe our faith is misplacedMaybe our faith is misplaced

So…Jesus says the sicknessSo…Jesus says the sicknesswill not end in deathwill not end in death

So…Jesus says the sicknessSo…Jesus says the sicknesswill not end in deathwill not end in death

And…Lazarus diesAnd…Lazarus dies

How do Mary and Martha feel?How do Mary and Martha feel?

We have a right to expectWe have a right to expectThat God will love usThat God will love us

(God is love)(God is love)

We have no right to dictateWe have no right to dictateHow his love must be shownHow his love must be shown

Disillusionment: presuming upon Disillusionment: presuming upon God actions consistent with God actions consistent with

our expectations of loveour expectations of love

Disillusionment: presuming upon Disillusionment: presuming upon God actions consistent with God actions consistent with

our expectations of loveour expectations of love

God owes me… God owes me…If he existed…If he existed…

It’s not fair…It’s not fair…

What’s missing?What’s missing?

HumilityHumility


HumilityHumilityPerspectivePerspective


HumilityHumilityPerspectivePerspective

Submission (Shepherd)Submission (Shepherd)

Then he said to his disciples, Then he said to his disciples, "Let us go back to Judea.""Let us go back to Judea."

"But Rabbi," they said, "But Rabbi," they said, "a short while ago the Jews "a short while ago the Jews

tried to stone you, and tried to stone you, and yet you are going back there?"yet you are going back there?"


tried to stone you, and tried to stone you, and yet you are going back there?"yet you are going back there?"

What's the operative word?What's the operative word?


triedtried to stone you, and to stone you, and yet you are going back there?"yet you are going back there?"

What's the operative word?What's the operative word?

Jesus is in controlJesus is in controlNo one ever takes he lifeNo one ever takes he life

He lays it downHe lays it downWhen he's good and readyWhen he's good and ready

Jesus answered, Jesus answered,

"Are there not twelve hours of "Are there not twelve hours of daylight? A man who walks daylight? A man who walks

by day will not stumble, for he sees by day will not stumble, for he sees by this world's light. It is when he by this world's light. It is when he walks by night that he stumbles, walks by night that he stumbles,

for he has no light"for he has no light"

"I am the light of the world""I am the light of the world"- Jesus- Jesus

Jesus has the timetableJesus has the timetableThe light stays litThe light stays lit

Until Jesus says differentUntil Jesus says different

After he had said this, After he had said this, he went on to tell them, he went on to tell them,

"Our friend "Our friend Lazarus Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I am going has fallen asleep; but I am going

there to wake him up.”there to wake him up.”

His disciples replied, His disciples replied, "Lord, if he sleeps, he will get better""Lord, if he sleeps, he will get better"

Jesus had been speaking Jesus had been speaking of his death, but his disciples of his death, but his disciples

thought he meant natural sleep.thought he meant natural sleep.

So then he told them plainly, So then he told them plainly,

"Lazarus is dead, and "Lazarus is dead, and for your sake for your sake I am glad I was not there, I am glad I was not there,

so that you may believe. so that you may believe. But let us go to him."But let us go to him."

He's dead, Jim!He's dead, Jim!

God is constantly trying to God is constantly trying to teach his followersteach his followers

That we can trust himThat we can trust him

"Lord, help me see"Lord, help me seebeyond the what I can seebeyond the what I can see

with my eyeswith my eyes

To the One To the One I can trust with my heart"I can trust with my heart"

““For God’s glory…For God’s glory…so that you may believe”so that you may believe”

Belief is a direct consequence of the Belief is a direct consequence of the revealing of God’s gloryrevealing of God’s glory

““For your sake I’m glad For your sake I’m glad I was not there…”I was not there…”

Lazarus suffered death in order to be a Lazarus suffered death in order to be a blessing to othersblessing to others

“Lord, how can you use my situation “Lord, how can you use my situation for your glory and others’ benefit?”for your glory and others’ benefit?”

Eggs of Steel!Eggs of Steel!

Then Thomas (called Didymus) said to Then Thomas (called Didymus) said to the rest of the disciples, the rest of the disciples,

"Let us also go, that we may "Let us also go, that we may die with him”die with him”

On his arrival, Jesus found that Lazarus On his arrival, Jesus found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb had already been in the tomb

for four days.for four days.

Bethany was less than Bethany was less than two miles from Jerusalem, two miles from Jerusalem,

and many Jews had come to Martha and many Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them and Mary to comfort them in the loss of their brother.in the loss of their brother.

When Martha heard that Jesus was When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet him, coming, she went out to meet him,

but Mary stayed at home.but Mary stayed at home.

"Lord," Martha said to Jesus, "Lord," Martha said to Jesus, "if"if you had been here, my brother you had been here, my brother

would not have died."would not have died."

Is she right?Is she right?

Is she right?Is she right?

Does it change anything?Does it change anything?

We all have "If Onlys"We all have "If Onlys"

““If onlys” are barriers to:If onlys” are barriers to:

- Walking with Jesus- Walking with Jesus- Growing spiritually- Growing spiritually- Living life “to the full”- Living life “to the full”

““If onlys”:If onlys”:

- Tied to the past, backward focused- Tied to the past, backward focused- Regret or accusation- Regret or accusation- Live in the unreality of what might - Live in the unreality of what might

have beenhave been- Are full of guilt or anger- Are full of guilt or anger

““Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, ""if if you had been here, you had been here,

my brother would not have died.”my brother would not have died.”

But I know that But I know that even noweven now God will give God will give you whatever you ask"you whatever you ask"

"Even nows" give God room to work:"Even nows" give God room to work:

- Present-to-future perspective - Present-to-future perspective (forward-looking)(forward-looking)

- Are God-centered- Are God-centered- Involve faith- Involve faith- Include acceptance and forgiveness- Include acceptance and forgiveness

““Even nows” create paths for spiritual Even nows” create paths for spiritual growth:growth:

- “What can I learn from it?” - “What can I learn from it?” - “What can I do differently in the - “What can I do differently in the

future?”future?”- “How can my experiences help - “How can my experiences help

others?”others?”

Am I willing to give up myAm I willing to give up my “if onlys” for God’s “even now”? “if onlys” for God’s “even now”?

Jesus said to her, Jesus said to her, "Your brother will rise again.""Your brother will rise again."

Martha answered, Martha answered, "I know he will rise again in the "I know he will rise again in the

resurrection at the last day”resurrection at the last day”

“I believe in the right doctrine”“I believe in the right doctrine”

Jesus said to her, Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life."I am the resurrection and the life.

He who believes He who believes in mein me will live, even will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and though he dies; and whoever lives and

believes in me will never die. believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?"Do you believe this?"

Don't believe in Don't believe in aa truth truthAnd miss And miss TheThe Truth Truth

"Yes, Lord," she told him, "Yes, Lord," she told him, "I believe that you are the Christ, "I believe that you are the Christ,

the Son of God, who was to come the Son of God, who was to come into the world”- vs. 23-27into the world”- vs. 23-27

Martha moves from faithMartha moves from faith in a religious tenet in a religious tenet

To faith in a PersonTo faith in a Person

The point at which faithThe point at which faith becomes real is when it is founded becomes real is when it is founded

On the person of Jesus ChristOn the person of Jesus Christ

And after she had said this, she went And after she had said this, she went back and called her sister Mary aside.back and called her sister Mary aside.

"The Teacher is here," she said,"The Teacher is here," she said,"and is asking for you." "and is asking for you."

When Mary heard this, When Mary heard this, she got up quickly and went to him.she got up quickly and went to him.

Now Jesus had not yet entered the Now Jesus had not yet entered the village, but was still at the place village, but was still at the place

where Martha had met him.where Martha had met him.

When the Jews who had been with Mary When the Jews who had been with Mary in the house, comforting her, in the house, comforting her,

noticed how quickly she got upnoticed how quickly she got up and went out, they followed her, and went out, they followed her,

supposing she was going supposing she was going to the tomb to mourn there.to the tomb to mourn there.

When Mary reached the place where When Mary reached the place where Jesus was and saw him, Jesus was and saw him,

she fell at his feet and said, she fell at his feet and said,

"Lord, "Lord, ifif you had been here, my brother you had been here, my brother would not have died”would not have died”

When Jesus saw her weeping, When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had and the Jews who had

come along with her also weeping, come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled.in spirit and troubled.

Deeply moved= enebrimeesato- Deeply moved= enebrimeesato- connotes anger (to snort with anger)connotes anger (to snort with anger)

Deeply moved= enebrimeesato- Deeply moved= enebrimeesato- connotes anger (to snort with anger)connotes anger (to snort with anger)

God hates sin because it God hates sin because it alwaysalways ends ends in ruin, destruction, heartachein ruin, destruction, heartache

Deeply moved= enebrimeesato- Deeply moved= enebrimeesato- connotes angerconnotes anger

God hates sin because it God hates sin because it alwaysalways ends ends in ruin, destruction, heartache in ruin, destruction, heartache

God’s anger moves him God’s anger moves him to the action of love= crossto the action of love= cross

Freebie:Freebie:

One way to measure character is,One way to measure character is,“What makes me angry?” “What makes me angry?”

“What does it motivate me to do?” “What does it motivate me to do?”

"Where have you laid him?" he asked. "Where have you laid him?" he asked.

"Come and see, Lord," they replied."Come and see, Lord," they replied.

Jesus wept.Jesus wept.

Then the Jews said, Then the Jews said, "See how he loved him!” "See how he loved him!”

But some of them said, But some of them said, "Could not he who opened "Could not he who opened

the eyes of the blind man the eyes of the blind man have kept this man from dying?”have kept this man from dying?”

People-pleasing never worksPeople-pleasing never works

Jesus, once more deeply moved, came Jesus, once more deeply moved, came to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone

laid across the entrance. laid across the entrance.

"Take away the stone," he said."Take away the stone," he said.

But, Lord," said Martha, the sister of But, Lord," said Martha, the sister of the dead man,the dead man,

"by this time there is a bad odor, for he "by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days”has been there four days”

Then Jesus said, Then Jesus said,

"Did I not tell you that "Did I not tell you that if you believed, if you believed,

you would see the glory of God?"you would see the glory of God?"

So they took away the stone. So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, Then Jesus looked up and said,

"Father, I thank you that you have "Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the me, but I said this for the benefit of the

people standing here, people standing here, that they may that they may believebelieve that you sent me" that you sent me"

When he had said this, When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, Jesus called in a loud voice,

"Lazarus, come out!”"Lazarus, come out!”

“Lazarus! This way out!"“Lazarus! This way out!"

The dead man came out,The dead man came out,his hands and feet wrapped with strips his hands and feet wrapped with strips

of linen, and a cloth around his face.of linen, and a cloth around his face.

Jesus said to them, Jesus said to them,

"Take off the grave clothes"Take off the grave clothesand let him go"and let him go"

- vs. 40-44- vs. 40-44

Would that make you believe?Would that make you believe?

Not everyone does…Not everyone does…

What’s the difference between What’s the difference between Lazarus’ resurrection and Christ’s?Lazarus’ resurrection and Christ’s?

What if Jesus had simply answered What if Jesus had simply answered Mary and Martha’s first request?Mary and Martha’s first request?

Never put a period Never put a period where God has placed a commawhere God has placed a comma


- Round 1- Christ was wrong and - Round 1- Christ was wrong and Lazarus is deadLazarus is dead


- Round 1- Christ was wrong and - Round 1- Christ was wrong and Lazarus is deadLazarus is dead

- Round 2- There’s a guy walking - Round 2- There’s a guy walking around in grave-clothesaround in grave-clothes

"If onlys" are periods "If onlys" are periods that can define usthat can define us

"Even nows" are commas "Even nows" are commas that can set us that can set us freefree

Jesus is aliveJesus is alive

Power over life and deathPower over life and death

He changes the period of deathHe changes the period of deathto the comma that brings triumphto the comma that brings triumph

What could he doWhat could he doIn your lifeIn your life

If you let go of the past If you let go of the past and trusted him for today?and trusted him for today?

If only…Even now. Where is God When life goes bad And he seems absent?

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