Proof of Life (04/21/2019)
April 20, 2019
Opening Scripture: Lazarus is dead (John 11: 17-25)
17 So when Jesus came, He found that he (Lazarus) had already been in the tomb FOUR DAYS. 18 Now Bethany was near Jerusalem, about two miles away. 19 And many of the Jews had joined the women around Martha and Mary, to comfort them concerning their brother. 20 Then Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met Him, but Mary was sitting in the house. 21 Now Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died. 22 BUT EVEN NOW I KNOW THAT WHATEVER YOU ASK OF GOD, GOD WILL GIVE YOU.”
23 Jesus said to her, “YOUR BROTHER WILL RISE AGAIN.” 24 Martha said to Him, “I KNOW THAT HE WILL RISE AGAIN IN THE RESURRECTION AT THE LAST DAY.”
MARTHA’S QUESTION:
- I believe you Jesus. I can even dare to believe that my brother Lazarus is alive now. But Jesus: I NEED SOMETHING–I NEED PROOF OF LIFE
- Proof of life: Evidence that someone is alive. Typically in a kidnapping situation. Without proof of life, ransom will not be paid.
JESUS’S ANSWER:
25 Jesus said to her, “I AM THE RESURRECTION AND THE LIFE. HE WHO BELIEVES IN ME, THOUGH HE MAY DIE, HE SHALL LIVE. AND WHOEVER LIVES AND BELIEVES IN ME SHALL NEVER DIE. DO YOU BELIEVE THIS?”
- Here’s what Jesus says: I AM THE PROOF OF LIFE.
- Today we celebrate the ultimate proof of life: The tomb is empty- Jesus is alive!
To have proof of life you need 3 things
BELIEF: You Must Believe
- Jesus asked Martha: “Do you believe this?”
- This proof of life only comes when you believe. And because you believe you must speak it
- “If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Romans 10:9)
DEATH: You Must Die
- Proof of life comes when you are ready to die
- “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20)
PERMISSION: You Must Roll Away The Stone
- Jesus stood in front of Lazarus tomb. He said: “Roll away the stone”
- He asked for permission. He asked them to roll away the stone.
- Proof of life comes when roll away the stone.
CONCLUSION
- I have a question for you today: DO YOU HAVE THE PROOF OF LIFE?
- Would you roll away the stone and let Jesus in?
Leave a Reply