Jim Batterton - That night, January 9, 1989, I paced around my room. All of the memory verses I had ever learned were racing through my mind. I knew I really needed to be saved, and as I became increasingly more upset, I was realizing that I really didn’t know how to be saved...
Memroy Verse: John 11:5 Memory Verse Text: Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus.
Point 1: Lazarus is sick. This sickness is to display God's glory v4. Sorrow comes to his own in spite of God's love for them V6,35,36. The Able One does not immediately relieve the problem and to their grief death seems to claim the victory. Point 2: Death and Corruption are well established - 4 days dead v17. The Lord Jesus speaks to illuminate and reveal Himself in spite of the obvious death and sorrow that existed. 'I AM . '. Important for us to realize that this person wants to reveal Himself and be known in all our circumstances. Point 3: Notice how moved the Lord was about this. He does share a real part in our sorrow. He cares but somethings are needful for His Glory to be revealed v40. He takes over in spite of death and the unseen world. Note He acts in fellowship with God the Father. Take away the stone. Point 4: HE SPEAKS and all must yield to Him. Note the difference between Him saying, Come forth! And "Lazarus, come forth!" Note too - he was bound and the Word of the Lord brought him right out of the tomb.There are no limits to His power.
Notes: Some feel that this tomb was more like a catacomb having many graves in it. The stone would be over the main entrance.
This Sunday School Curriculum guide is part of a 254 Sunday School Lesson Book available at www.gospelhall.org. See the Downloads Section of the site for a complete copy.
Jim Batterton
