"Should We Let Jesus Go On Like This?"

John 11:45-57 Pastor Chad DeGraff (04/26/09)

1. We do not get what we "want" from the Lazarus story - the reactions of the people involved. The Apostle John gives us what we need - the evidence needed to believe. We need to respond in belief. The Gospel according to John makes 84 references to belief and at least six in Chapter 11 (John 11:15, 11:25-27, 11:40, and 11:42).
2. Belief in Jesus as God reveals to us what is truly important in life. Most only want to discuss God when death is near (Ecclesiastes 7:2). True belief brings us to Christ throughout our lives; we live by it. This manifests itself in a continuation of belief, something of which we grab hold and embrace the promises given by Christ (John 3:16).
3. Not an approval of facts - Jesus is not satisfied in the belief of the disciples (John 2:11). He pushes them in their belief. All the disciples believed. Belief does not exist in a moment; we must continue to believe. The church encourages a "fall" when it focuses on a moment of belief rather than a life of belief.
4. Absurdities in reacting and idolatry - The Jews were concerned after Christ's raising of Lazarus (John 11:47-48). They feared the Romans' oppression and destruction of the temple. They were more concerned for their idols (their nation and themselves) than the coming of the Lord. Either you're pointing people to Christ or you're pointing them to the world (Matthew 12:30).
5. Irony in the Jews' solution - They decided to eliminate Jesus so they wouldn't lose the temple. They still lose the temple to the Romans in 70 A.D. Caiaphas feared the death of the nation, so he suggested killing Christ (John 11:49-50). Killing Christ saved the "nation." Caiaphas was concerned for the physical salvation of Israel, but the spiritual salvation of Israel was at hand.
6. Covenantal responsibilities - We cannot encourage the "fall" and allow brothers and sisters to live in a past moment. We must love one another and encourage growth in belief (Matthew 13:1-9).

Questions to consider:
1. Are you believing today? Judas was chosen by Christ, believed, and ultimately betrayed Jesus (John 18:5). Are you living from a moment of first believing?
2. Are you following God's Word? We must repent for our sins and follow His Law. Repentance also includes change.
3. Is He greater than the treasures in your life? (Matthew 13:44)
4. Are you encouraging growth for your brothers and sisters?

Other references: God turning evil into good (Genesis 50:20), the need for love in the Covenant (Jude 1:4), Brothers falling (1 Corinthians 8:11).

"I am the Resurrection and the Life"

Easter Sunday
John 11:17-27 Pastor Chad DeGraff (04/12/09)

The Resurrection matters! NOW!

1. Significance of two days - Jesus delays two extra days to allow for the Jewish belief that the spirit of the dead hovers over the body for three days before departing to pass. The extra two days (in addition to the two days necessary for travel) left Lazarus in the tomb for four days. The time had passed and Lazarus was dead. Jesus left no room for confusion and no other explanations for his rising.
2. Martha - She worried for her brother and expressed her pain to Jesus. She still trusted Jesus (John 11:21-22). Though she trusted, she did not completely understand Christ. She "knows" (past, present and future) that the Resurrection will take place (John 11:24). Martha's lack of understanding is similar to that of Mary, Jesus' mother, and her reaction to Christ at the wedding at Cana(John 2:5, 11:22). "Whatever" He says will be done. The Resurrection is hard to understand now. Martha represents those who believe now but don't fully understand (1 Peter 1:8-9)
3. Jesus draws attention to Himself - "I am," (John 11:25-26). He is the answer for all of our questions. Not even Death can stop Christ, nor his gift (John 5:25). Our belief in His sacrifice sends a "stamp of approval" to the Father. We are redeemed! Belief in Jesus grants eternal life, NOW!

Questions to consider:
1. Was it a "trick?" Did both Lazarus and Jesus rise from the dead?
2. Are you like Martha? Do you believe but still lack understanding?
3. Do you believe? Can you send the stamp of approval to the Father?

Jesus is the answer for every question, every day.

I love baseball...

In His perfect timing...

Between Two Worlds:

How Children Come to Faith in Christ

Permalink Ryan Kelly

In an earlier post I pointed to some resources for wrestling through the issues of the gospel, conversion, and assurance with our kids. One of the best resources I’ve found is the the Family Life Today radio interviews with Jim Elliff, “How Children Come to Faith in Christ.” You can purchase the series on audio CDs here, which I already mentioned. However, in addition I discovered that six of the sessions are available online for free:

1. Genuine Salvation: More Than a Prayer

2. How Children Come to Faith in Christ

3. Taking Our Children to Church: Is That Enough?

4. How to Deal With Doubt

5. Observing Salvation in Your Child: What Does It Look Like?

6. The Family: No Better Place to Come to Know Christ!

Transcripts are also available at the bottom of each of these pages’ links.

I cannot recommend these talks enough to any parent wanting to be thoughtful, careful, and prayerful in the salvation of their children.

Posted using ShareThis

"The Unusual Love of Jesus" - Part 2

John 11:1-6 Pastor Chad Degraff (03/29/09)

1. Jesus' waiting glorifies God. - Jesus delayed to glorify God. The Israelites in Exodus give us the example that we are not on our schedule; we are on God's. When God makes us wait, he is sanctifying us by cleaning up the garbage in our lives. Pain may be suffered. He wants us to focus on Him. Don't doubt His presence; don't turn on your Leader.
2. We are leaders too. - Jesus does everything for the Gospel and the glory of God. We need to follow this example and lead in our lives. Bring God's Word to every situation even if it won't be received well. Expect difficulty.
3. God's only concern is His own glory. - For God to have a concern for something other than His own glory, He would cease being God.
4. God loves you. - God chooses you to sanctify. He loves you enough to delay so He may clean out the garbage in your life. Take the responsibility and honor by God's choosing you so that you may glorify Him. He loves you by using you for His glory.

Questions to consider:
1. How is Jesus changing our lives?
2. How are we responding?
3. How are we shaped by His love?
4. How will you glorify Him in His delays?

Other references: James 1:22-25 and 4:17, Mark 15:6-20.

"The Unusual Love of Jesus" - Part 1

"The Unusual Love of Jesus" - Part 1
John 11:1-6 Pastor Chad Degraff (03/22/09)

-The battle in John's Gospel was not for what Jesus did but for what He said. The signs and wonders provided skeptics evidence of his messianic identity.

Couple of early questions:
-Why does God and Jesus allow such hostility to exist toward Himself?
-What is the point of continuing to give more signs if the people won't believe?

-The motivation for Jesus to raise Lazarus is the glorification of God and that Jesus may be glorified.
-Jesus' love and the Cross will melt or harden your heart.
-Jesus glory is made evident in the pain and trials of His people.

-"So," "as a result" of His love for them, Jesus waited two days longer (verse 6). This was for His glory!
Question: -Why the delay?


Looking closely at the 3 different kind of people in the text:
1) Martha - What does Jesus do with her? - A busybody who lost sight as why she was serving. She served to bring glory to herself, she doubted, and she changed in John 12. She served but did not complain.

2) Lazarus - He doesn't say anything. He loved Jesus and had a relationship with Jesus. He was a threat to the Jews because he was prominent and associated himself with Jesus. We are like Lazarus as we are dead spiritually and Jesus raises us from the dead. We need to identify ourselves with Jesus and deal with how the we're seen by the World.

3) Mary - She was at Jesus' feet. She gave what she valued to Him. She showed that worldly possessions are nothing compared to Jesus. "I do it for Him."
-Lazarus was a rich, prominent Jew (owned oils made of nard). His resurrection was a huge threat to the Jews. His funeral was attended by many and his resurrection would have been noticed by everyone.

Jesus' statement: "The One Whom You Love" - refers to Mary, Martha, Lazarus, the Apostle John, and us.

Click here for Calvin's Take