John 11:17-27On his arrival, Jesus found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days. 18 Bethany was less than two miles from Jerusalem, 19 and many Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them in the loss of their brother. 20 When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet him, but Mary stayed at home.

21 “Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died. 22 But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.” 23 Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” 24 Martha answered, “I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.”

25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; 26 and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?”

“I am the Resurrection and the

Life”

“I Am the Resurrection and the Life” –Knowing God’s Possibilities

John 11:17-26+

LazarusFor all the drama…

He never speaksHe’s not the main character

The emphasis is on his sistersThis story is about facing death and loss

Into the WordThe scripture gives us hope.

It calls us to believe and trust in the possibilities that Jesus gives us

because of the power of God in the resurrection.

25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; 26 and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?”

“Believe” is used 3 times Greek: “pisteuo”

Barbara Brown Taylor makes a distinction “belief” and “trust”

Visiting a dentist“We truly believe in someone

when we are able to fully trust in that person”. (Barbara Brown Taylor)

ApplicationIt is the same thing with faith.

Jesus is really calling us beyond simple belief, to truly trusting him.

Can we believe all the right things about God but find it hard to trust?

To believe is one thing…Trust takes faith to another level!

My mom’s illness and death.My faith was no longer hypothetical.

I had to make a decision to trust in the God that I had learned about, that I

believed in for a long time.My trust grew during the journey with

my mom, and without her.It allowed me to make some

important life decisions.

Through the challenges of life, especially losing someone dear, we are invited to trust Jesus –

For comfort and to discover a new joy for living.

When we trust Jesus, we can let go of the old and move to

something new.A seed has to die to grow

a new plant.

Distinction between resuscitation and resurrectionClearly a story of resuscitation

because Lazarus would die again.When we lose someone, we may

just want resuscitationThis is also a story of resurrection –Trusting God to do more than we

think is possible!

Loss is difficultDeath, loss of spouse, job, schooling,

a dream, a move, illness, physical limitations

We focus on what we don’t have Instead we can rejoice in new

opportunities and possibilities Expect God to do something new

Baptism – a symbol of dying to self to let God do something new

The God We Can KnowThink of the words “I am”

God is no has-been!Likewise, God doesn’t say “I will be”

We don’t have to get our lives together for God to be with us

God says, “I am”God is present now!

At this moment in our lives we can open ourselves to the full

presence of Christ. We can trust him and invite him

into our lives.

25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; 26 and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?”

27 “Yes, Lord,” she told him, “I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who was to come into the world.”

May we be like Martha who said, “Yes, Lord, I believe.”

Because of the risen Lord, we can trust God for possibilities

we never even imagined –Both in this life and the next.

Litany

When we find ourselves wondering why loss has come, we can remember Jesus’ words as he faced death: “I am the Resurrection and the Life.”

When we are tempted to give in to the lie that life will never change for us, Jesus says, “I am the Resurrection and the Life.” When life’s disappointments cause us to stumble, Jesus reminds us,“I am the Resurrection and the Life.”

When we ask God to give us back something we’ve lost, Jesus reminds us to look forward, saying, “I am the Resurrection and the Life.” God works on both sides of the grave, giving us life now and life yet to come, through Christ who said, “I am the Resurrection and the Life.” Amen.

We are the Federated Church.

Our Mission is to…

Seek Christ, Serve Christ and Share

Christ.