1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:08,480 Now if you will turn with me in your Bibles to John chapter 11, and I'm going to be reading 2 00:00:08,480 --> 00:00:10,840 from verse 17 through 27. 3 00:00:10,840 --> 00:00:17,680 If you haven't been with us, we have been looking at the I am statements in the Bible. 4 00:00:17,680 --> 00:00:22,440 Such statement says, I am the way, the truth, and the life. 5 00:00:22,440 --> 00:00:25,000 No one comes to the Father except through me. 6 00:00:25,000 --> 00:00:31,960 I am the good shepherd who lays down his life for his sheep. 7 00:00:31,960 --> 00:00:40,360 And in all those statements, Jesus tells us something about himself, but he is also interested 8 00:00:40,360 --> 00:00:49,440 in comforting his disciples who were struggling, especially with his death approaching. 9 00:00:49,440 --> 00:00:52,720 Today we're going to look at another one. 10 00:00:52,720 --> 00:00:56,640 I am the resurrection and the life. 11 00:00:56,640 --> 00:01:02,360 Certainly we need that hope as we grow older. 12 00:01:02,360 --> 00:01:13,520 And let's see what Jesus says this morning in John chapter 11 from verse 17 through 27. 13 00:01:13,520 --> 00:01:20,480 On his arrival, Jesus found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days. 14 00:01:20,480 --> 00:01:26,480 Now Bethany was less than two miles from Jerusalem, and many Jews had come to Martha and Mary 15 00:01:26,480 --> 00:01:29,720 to comfort them in the loss of their brothers. 16 00:01:29,720 --> 00:01:34,720 And when Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet him, but Mary stayed 17 00:01:34,720 --> 00:01:35,720 at home. 18 00:01:35,720 --> 00:01:42,880 Lord, Martha said to Jesus, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. 19 00:01:42,880 --> 00:01:50,400 But I know that even now, God will give you whatever you ask. 20 00:01:50,400 --> 00:01:54,480 Jesus said to her, your brother will rise again. 21 00:01:54,480 --> 00:02:00,800 And Martha answered, I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day. 22 00:02:00,800 --> 00:02:06,840 Jesus said to her, I am the resurrection and the life. 23 00:02:06,840 --> 00:02:12,120 The one who believes in me will live even though they die. 24 00:02:12,120 --> 00:02:17,400 And whoever lives by believing in me will never die. 25 00:02:17,400 --> 00:02:19,400 Do you believe this? 26 00:02:19,400 --> 00:02:29,200 Yes, Lord, she replied, I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, who is to 27 00:02:29,200 --> 00:02:32,920 come into this world. 28 00:02:32,920 --> 00:02:41,880 Let's pray and ask God to bless this reading of his word. 29 00:02:41,880 --> 00:02:51,320 Our Heavenly Father, help us now to have hope in you from who Jesus Christ is. 30 00:02:51,320 --> 00:02:57,440 As we have read in John chapter 11, verses 17 and following, he gives us a great hope 31 00:02:57,440 --> 00:03:04,680 for those of us who are human and finite, who need to number our days. 32 00:03:04,680 --> 00:03:06,680 So encourage us this morning. 33 00:03:06,680 --> 00:03:10,240 I make this prayer in his name. 34 00:03:10,240 --> 00:03:11,240 Amen. 35 00:03:11,240 --> 00:03:17,000 My first experience with death occurred when I was very young. 36 00:03:17,000 --> 00:03:19,760 I was in elementary school. 37 00:03:19,760 --> 00:03:21,400 And I had an uncle. 38 00:03:21,400 --> 00:03:24,280 And this uncle was a World War II veteran. 39 00:03:24,280 --> 00:03:27,840 He was in Patton's armor. 40 00:03:27,840 --> 00:03:32,120 And he worked for many years as a manager of a country club. 41 00:03:32,120 --> 00:03:36,480 But we lived with that uncle and his wife. 42 00:03:36,480 --> 00:03:37,480 And he got cancer. 43 00:03:37,480 --> 00:03:41,480 It was in his lungs, but then it spread to his brain. 44 00:03:41,480 --> 00:03:47,480 And I remember having to go to Chinook Field, which was an Air Force base where they had 45 00:03:47,480 --> 00:03:48,920 a hospital there. 46 00:03:48,920 --> 00:03:52,360 And I remember going into that room. 47 00:03:52,360 --> 00:03:55,080 And I remember seeing his emaciated body. 48 00:03:55,080 --> 00:04:01,360 And he was literally out of his mind because that cancer had gone into his brain. 49 00:04:01,360 --> 00:04:05,720 My response scared me. 50 00:04:05,720 --> 00:04:06,720 Absolutely scared me. 51 00:04:06,720 --> 00:04:09,640 And I guess I didn't fully comprehend what was going on. 52 00:04:09,640 --> 00:04:13,840 I knew he was gravely ill, but it was fear. 53 00:04:13,840 --> 00:04:16,880 Fear is the emotion. 54 00:04:16,880 --> 00:04:22,760 And then some years later, another set of uncles and aunts that we lived with, he also 55 00:04:22,760 --> 00:04:24,720 got sick. 56 00:04:24,720 --> 00:04:29,280 I remember he used to take me to school, so I didn't have to ride the school bus. 57 00:04:29,280 --> 00:04:31,240 And I went into his room that morning. 58 00:04:31,240 --> 00:04:33,880 I knew he was sick, but I thought, well, it's just a cold. 59 00:04:33,880 --> 00:04:34,880 He'll get over it. 60 00:04:34,880 --> 00:04:36,560 And I asked him foolishly. 61 00:04:36,560 --> 00:04:37,560 I may have. 62 00:04:37,560 --> 00:04:40,000 Would you be able to take me to school today? 63 00:04:40,000 --> 00:04:42,160 And he goes, I don't think so. 64 00:04:42,160 --> 00:04:44,280 He could barely breathe. 65 00:04:44,280 --> 00:04:46,480 And later the stress was too much on his heart. 66 00:04:46,480 --> 00:04:47,640 And he died. 67 00:04:47,640 --> 00:04:55,320 And I remember after that it wasn't fear that I experienced, but loss and loneliness. 68 00:04:55,320 --> 00:04:58,520 Because he meant so much to me. 69 00:04:58,520 --> 00:05:01,840 Not there anymore. 70 00:05:01,840 --> 00:05:04,680 Fear and loss. 71 00:05:04,680 --> 00:05:10,400 I imagine that's what a lot of us go through when someone we know and are very close to 72 00:05:10,400 --> 00:05:14,320 dies. 73 00:05:14,320 --> 00:05:19,240 Fear because it is the final humiliation of our bodies. 74 00:05:19,240 --> 00:05:28,480 When body and soul are separated and this earthly body we have because of disease and 75 00:05:28,480 --> 00:05:35,000 injury and time it starts to break down and it is not a pleasant experience. 76 00:05:35,000 --> 00:05:41,160 And there is also loss because we may have spent a lifetime with a husband or a wife. 77 00:05:41,160 --> 00:05:43,640 And they're no longer there. 78 00:05:43,640 --> 00:05:51,080 It's sort of like the Dan Fogelberg song about his mom, I suspect, after her husband 79 00:05:51,080 --> 00:05:57,480 died and the lyrics go, nothing left but windows and walls as she sits at home all day. 80 00:05:57,480 --> 00:06:00,480 Loss. 81 00:06:00,480 --> 00:06:06,040 And as Christians we have got to have a way of dealing with it. 82 00:06:06,040 --> 00:06:10,080 Because if we don't we are no different than the rest of the world. 83 00:06:10,080 --> 00:06:14,240 If there is no hope then what's the point? 84 00:06:14,240 --> 00:06:21,000 But Jesus Christ gives us some hope and it is one of his I am statements. 85 00:06:21,000 --> 00:06:25,920 I am the resurrection and the life. 86 00:06:25,920 --> 00:06:32,080 And what we need to look at this morning is how does that statement help those of us 87 00:06:32,080 --> 00:06:38,640 who live in this world where unless the Lord comes again quickly you and I are going to 88 00:06:38,640 --> 00:06:42,040 be in the same situation. 89 00:06:42,040 --> 00:06:43,920 How are we to go on living? 90 00:06:43,920 --> 00:06:47,160 What hope do we have? 91 00:06:47,160 --> 00:06:50,600 Well Jesus tells us here. 92 00:06:50,600 --> 00:06:57,400 And if we're going to deal with death we've got to be honest, honest about it. 93 00:06:57,400 --> 00:07:03,680 The fact is we will all have to face the shadow of death. 94 00:07:03,680 --> 00:07:13,800 And here in this passage we see Jesus dealing honestly about a plight that you and I will 95 00:07:13,800 --> 00:07:21,000 have to face, the shadow of death which consumes us all. 96 00:07:21,000 --> 00:07:29,440 Now I realize that there are some people who think that Christianity is nothing more than 97 00:07:29,440 --> 00:07:32,720 pie in the sky. 98 00:07:32,720 --> 00:07:38,960 It was invented as a crutch to help us with these difficult situations that you and I 99 00:07:38,960 --> 00:07:41,240 have to face. 100 00:07:41,240 --> 00:07:43,960 And I know I've done enough funerals. 101 00:07:43,960 --> 00:07:49,280 Some people respond to the words that you say but I know there are others there in that 102 00:07:49,280 --> 00:07:52,520 situation where they're not listening to the words of the preacher. 103 00:07:52,520 --> 00:07:56,960 They are thinking to themselves, well these are just words to help people out in their 104 00:07:56,960 --> 00:07:58,880 time of grief. 105 00:07:58,880 --> 00:08:01,080 They really don't mean anything. 106 00:08:01,080 --> 00:08:08,240 It's just a psychological aid to help these people who are suffering and it means nothing 107 00:08:08,240 --> 00:08:09,240 to them. 108 00:08:09,240 --> 00:08:18,960 Like all of that talk about a resurrection, heaven, it's just a myth. 109 00:08:18,960 --> 00:08:24,720 And they have no intentions of paying any heed to what is said. 110 00:08:24,720 --> 00:08:27,600 They probably don't go to church. 111 00:08:27,600 --> 00:08:32,160 And even some Christians may have that same opinion. 112 00:08:32,160 --> 00:08:33,800 It's not real. 113 00:08:33,800 --> 00:08:38,080 It's escapism. 114 00:08:38,080 --> 00:08:44,280 What happens to us is no different than what happens to the bugs or the animals that are 115 00:08:44,280 --> 00:08:48,880 in our homes which we have to get rid of. 116 00:08:48,880 --> 00:08:54,080 That's the way a lot of people see death. 117 00:08:54,080 --> 00:08:59,640 But the Bible does not give us escapism. 118 00:08:59,640 --> 00:09:04,640 And I want you to notice what is going on here in this passage. 119 00:09:04,640 --> 00:09:05,640 Lazarus died. 120 00:09:05,640 --> 00:09:10,040 This is not the parable of Lazarus and the rich man. 121 00:09:10,040 --> 00:09:12,680 Lazarus was a real person. 122 00:09:12,680 --> 00:09:16,280 He was related to Mary and Martha. 123 00:09:16,280 --> 00:09:23,440 And it tells us in the Bible that they were very good friends of Jesus. 124 00:09:23,440 --> 00:09:35,480 And at first when Jesus hears that Lazarus is sick, others said the one you love is sick. 125 00:09:35,480 --> 00:09:38,600 See that? 126 00:09:38,600 --> 00:09:41,040 Jesus loved Lazarus. 127 00:09:41,040 --> 00:09:45,400 They got along together. 128 00:09:45,400 --> 00:09:48,920 But Jesus when he hears this news does not move. 129 00:09:48,920 --> 00:09:54,840 He stays where he was for two more days. 130 00:09:54,840 --> 00:10:01,400 And he says what is going to happen to Lazarus will ultimately glorify God. 131 00:10:01,400 --> 00:10:02,720 So then he goes. 132 00:10:02,720 --> 00:10:05,000 He takes off to Bethany. 133 00:10:05,000 --> 00:10:06,440 And you've got to understand here. 134 00:10:06,440 --> 00:10:08,760 He tells us in the Bible it was the fourth day. 135 00:10:08,760 --> 00:10:15,840 Now according to the Jewish traditions of the time, once a person dies, they are quickly 136 00:10:15,840 --> 00:10:17,160 buried. 137 00:10:17,160 --> 00:10:22,280 And according to the belief system of some Jews at that time they thought the soul stayed 138 00:10:22,280 --> 00:10:25,600 around the body for three days. 139 00:10:25,600 --> 00:10:27,560 But on the fourth day that was it. 140 00:10:27,560 --> 00:10:31,080 In other words on the fourth day they're really dead. 141 00:10:31,080 --> 00:10:36,960 You also know here that there are plenty of mourners because that was also part of the 142 00:10:36,960 --> 00:10:38,200 Jewish custom. 143 00:10:38,200 --> 00:10:41,440 Everybody went to their home to mourn. 144 00:10:41,440 --> 00:10:45,280 The people who lost loved one did not go out of the house. 145 00:10:45,280 --> 00:10:47,000 People came to him. 146 00:10:47,000 --> 00:10:52,360 And in all of this do not think that Jesus is unaffected by death because what does it 147 00:10:52,360 --> 00:10:54,600 tell us? 148 00:10:54,600 --> 00:10:57,960 Jesus has an emotional reaction. 149 00:10:57,960 --> 00:10:59,840 He wept. 150 00:10:59,840 --> 00:11:02,800 He cried. 151 00:11:02,800 --> 00:11:05,000 He was distraught. 152 00:11:05,000 --> 00:11:11,600 And in verse 36, what do the people who saw Jesus' emotional reaction to what was going 153 00:11:11,600 --> 00:11:12,600 on say? 154 00:11:12,600 --> 00:11:14,720 What did they say? 155 00:11:14,720 --> 00:11:22,280 See how he loved him. 156 00:11:22,280 --> 00:11:26,200 That's the type of emotional reaction that Jesus had to the death of last year. 157 00:11:26,200 --> 00:11:28,320 Jesus is taking this very seriously. 158 00:11:28,320 --> 00:11:29,320 It's a reality. 159 00:11:29,320 --> 00:11:30,320 It's not escapism. 160 00:11:30,320 --> 00:11:35,200 And you want to further see the reality of the shadow of death here? 161 00:11:35,200 --> 00:11:41,320 Well look at the response that Martha gives in verses 21 and 22. 162 00:11:41,320 --> 00:11:50,080 It is a combination that is partly an accusation where she said to him, if you had been here 163 00:11:50,080 --> 00:11:52,440 my brother would not have died. 164 00:11:52,440 --> 00:11:56,160 Jesus, why didn't you hurry up? 165 00:11:56,160 --> 00:12:02,120 But then she goes on to say, I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask. 166 00:12:02,120 --> 00:12:08,640 I think Mary is a lot like you and I when we're out of funeral. 167 00:12:08,640 --> 00:12:13,320 There's a part of us who have our doubts, but there's also that same part of us who 168 00:12:13,320 --> 00:12:20,720 have some hope that Christ will work. 169 00:12:20,720 --> 00:12:24,880 So if you're going to deal with death, we've got to be clear here. 170 00:12:24,880 --> 00:12:28,400 You've got to be realistic about the shadow of death. 171 00:12:28,400 --> 00:12:29,400 It's there. 172 00:12:29,400 --> 00:12:31,640 You can't escape it. 173 00:12:31,640 --> 00:12:36,560 And there are some people who will say, just have a stiff upper lip. 174 00:12:36,560 --> 00:12:38,480 Don't weep over it. 175 00:12:38,480 --> 00:12:41,240 You can't say that about Jesus. 176 00:12:41,240 --> 00:12:44,600 He whacked. 177 00:12:44,600 --> 00:12:48,480 We are not dealing with escapism when it comes to death. 178 00:12:48,480 --> 00:12:49,560 Death is real. 179 00:12:49,560 --> 00:12:54,080 It tears apart relationships. 180 00:12:54,080 --> 00:12:59,840 You know, at times when we see the reality of death, you know, it's like when my uncle 181 00:12:59,840 --> 00:13:00,840 Lou died. 182 00:13:00,840 --> 00:13:05,240 He was the second uncle I had. 183 00:13:05,240 --> 00:13:10,840 And I remember the preacher came over and he said something to me and I gave this false 184 00:13:10,840 --> 00:13:16,640 bravado answer, something like, well, we'll get by. 185 00:13:16,640 --> 00:13:18,040 When inside, I was really grieving. 186 00:13:18,040 --> 00:13:22,560 I'm going to tell you, if you don't take death seriously, it's going to come back to 187 00:13:22,560 --> 00:13:24,320 you emotionally. 188 00:13:24,320 --> 00:13:32,960 You've got to be realistic and we don't downplay the seriousness of it because Jesus didn't. 189 00:13:32,960 --> 00:13:38,800 And we see that not only with Jesus, but we see that with Martha, who is somewhat of a 190 00:13:38,800 --> 00:13:44,280 mixed reaction, partly of faith, partly accusation. 191 00:13:44,280 --> 00:13:45,880 Be real about it. 192 00:13:45,880 --> 00:13:50,800 No, we are not saying you should dismiss it. 193 00:13:50,800 --> 00:13:56,800 Nobody does not deny the gravity of it. 194 00:13:56,800 --> 00:14:00,880 No, don't deny it. 195 00:14:00,880 --> 00:14:04,080 But also keep in mind something else here. 196 00:14:04,080 --> 00:14:10,040 Because yes, it's the shadow of death, but there is also the person of Christ here, the 197 00:14:10,040 --> 00:14:12,160 person of Christ. 198 00:14:12,160 --> 00:14:15,400 And what does it say in 25? 199 00:14:15,400 --> 00:14:21,440 That he is the conqueror of death, he says, I am the resurrection of the life. 200 00:14:21,440 --> 00:14:26,200 No one who believes in me will live even though, who believes in me will live even though he 201 00:14:26,200 --> 00:14:27,200 dies. 202 00:14:27,200 --> 00:14:32,920 It's one of those I am statements that we see over and over again. 203 00:14:32,920 --> 00:14:39,280 And it should take us back to the Old Testament where in the burning bush, the name Yahweh 204 00:14:39,280 --> 00:14:42,160 can be translated, I am. 205 00:14:42,160 --> 00:14:46,280 I am the God of the living. 206 00:14:46,280 --> 00:14:48,360 I am not the God of the dead. 207 00:14:48,360 --> 00:14:58,240 I am Jesus, who is the divine Son of God, who has power over death because death is not 208 00:14:58,240 --> 00:14:59,240 omnipotent. 209 00:14:59,240 --> 00:15:05,160 But the Lord of the universe is. 210 00:15:05,160 --> 00:15:11,160 And what Jesus is telling his followers at this point when he says, I am the resurrection 211 00:15:11,160 --> 00:15:20,440 of the life, he is saying, I am the divine Messiah who can overcome this. 212 00:15:20,440 --> 00:15:29,400 It is a reference to who he is as a person. 213 00:15:29,400 --> 00:15:30,960 And he is God. 214 00:15:30,960 --> 00:15:34,520 In John chapter 10, I and the Father are one. 215 00:15:34,520 --> 00:15:43,040 And look at what happens later on in this passage where by his very word, he says, Lazarus 216 00:15:43,040 --> 00:15:45,560 come out. 217 00:15:45,560 --> 00:15:47,040 And he came out. 218 00:15:47,040 --> 00:15:53,160 The very word of Jesus brought life in the midst of death. 219 00:15:53,160 --> 00:16:02,040 Just as in Genesis chapter 1, the word of God brings life into existence. 220 00:16:02,040 --> 00:16:05,480 You've got to keep in mind, Christian, that we have a Savior who is more powerful than 221 00:16:05,480 --> 00:16:07,560 death itself. 222 00:16:07,560 --> 00:16:10,760 Death seems to be omnipotent, but it is not. 223 00:16:10,760 --> 00:16:14,440 It may seem to be all-consuming. 224 00:16:14,440 --> 00:16:22,160 But when death ran into Jesus Christ, death met its end. 225 00:16:22,160 --> 00:16:25,240 And that is the great hope we have. 226 00:16:25,240 --> 00:16:27,520 And I also want you to notice something else he says. 227 00:16:27,520 --> 00:16:36,040 He not only says I am the resurrection, he says I am life. 228 00:16:36,040 --> 00:16:38,280 God brought life into this world. 229 00:16:38,280 --> 00:16:43,520 And you can see it all around us every day with the great variety of life on this planet. 230 00:16:43,520 --> 00:16:46,360 And there's some say, oh, it's a biological process. 231 00:16:46,360 --> 00:16:54,400 No, there's too much variation in life for it just to have happened. 232 00:16:54,400 --> 00:16:55,640 God is life. 233 00:16:55,640 --> 00:16:56,840 He's pro-life. 234 00:16:56,840 --> 00:16:59,920 He brings life of all sorts into this world. 235 00:16:59,920 --> 00:17:03,960 And he says it right here. 236 00:17:03,960 --> 00:17:07,680 And Jesus gives us life that is abundant. 237 00:17:07,680 --> 00:17:12,520 I want you to think of those miracles that he performed. 238 00:17:12,520 --> 00:17:17,600 When he turned the water into wine, it was the best. 239 00:17:17,600 --> 00:17:23,520 When he fed the 4,000 and the 5,000, there was more than enough. 240 00:17:23,520 --> 00:17:31,080 We were created to live in paradise where those needs would be met and to be met by 241 00:17:31,080 --> 00:17:34,280 what was excellent. 242 00:17:34,280 --> 00:17:39,000 And when we get to the new heavens and the new earth, that excellence will be restored 243 00:17:39,000 --> 00:17:40,480 again. 244 00:17:40,480 --> 00:17:43,240 That is what we are used to. 245 00:17:43,240 --> 00:17:45,200 That is what Jesus promises. 246 00:17:45,200 --> 00:17:50,400 And here is, and I'm going to repeat this over and over again. 247 00:17:50,400 --> 00:17:56,920 But when we think of heaven and the new heavens and the new earth, what do we think of? 248 00:17:56,920 --> 00:18:07,960 Clouds, people in robes, harps, boring worship services. 249 00:18:07,960 --> 00:18:11,480 It is no wonder people don't want to turn to Christianity. 250 00:18:11,480 --> 00:18:19,400 But when you look at what the revelation says, it shows us a recreated world where, yes, 251 00:18:19,400 --> 00:18:23,600 there is worship, but it is also life in its fullness. 252 00:18:23,600 --> 00:18:27,040 Life at its best. 253 00:18:27,040 --> 00:18:30,320 That is what you and I are destined for. 254 00:18:30,320 --> 00:18:37,640 And that is what Jesus tells us he's going to ultimately bring about by his own death. 255 00:18:37,640 --> 00:18:45,200 He is there to reverse the curse, to bring us back to paradise, which was lost. 256 00:18:45,200 --> 00:18:48,520 Don't think heavens and the new heavens and the new earth is going to be boring. 257 00:18:48,520 --> 00:18:49,520 It's not. 258 00:18:49,520 --> 00:18:50,520 It's going to be exciting. 259 00:18:50,520 --> 00:18:57,120 It's going to be this world the way it should be in all of its beauty, in all of its glory. 260 00:18:57,120 --> 00:19:01,680 And your very bodies will also be truly alive. 261 00:19:01,680 --> 00:19:07,840 Because at this point, they're not truly alive, but one day they will be truly alive. 262 00:19:07,840 --> 00:19:11,840 Sensing all that God is. 263 00:19:11,840 --> 00:19:14,600 That is who our Savior is. 264 00:19:14,600 --> 00:19:18,560 And if you want to deal with death in this world, if you're going to take it seriously, 265 00:19:18,560 --> 00:19:21,960 also take Jesus Christ very seriously. 266 00:19:21,960 --> 00:19:29,480 He says, I am the resurrection in the life. 267 00:19:29,480 --> 00:19:30,800 And he tells us one other thing. 268 00:19:30,800 --> 00:19:35,280 He not only tells us about the shadow of death, which is very real. 269 00:19:35,280 --> 00:19:43,600 He not only tells us that he is the resurrection in the life, his person. 270 00:19:43,600 --> 00:19:48,560 He also tells us about the necessity of belief. 271 00:19:48,560 --> 00:19:58,840 And you see that in 24 through 27 when Martha has to respond. 272 00:19:58,840 --> 00:19:59,840 Do you believe Mary? 273 00:19:59,840 --> 00:20:00,840 Now I want you to know. 274 00:20:00,840 --> 00:20:01,840 Do you believe Martha? 275 00:20:01,840 --> 00:20:07,520 Now notice, Martha hadn't seen the resurrection yet. 276 00:20:07,520 --> 00:20:10,920 Lazarus hasn't come out of the grave. 277 00:20:10,920 --> 00:20:11,920 Do you believe Martha? 278 00:20:11,920 --> 00:20:14,040 And what does she respond? 279 00:20:14,040 --> 00:20:17,640 Yes, even before the miracle has occurred. 280 00:20:17,640 --> 00:20:18,640 I believe. 281 00:20:18,640 --> 00:20:28,400 You know what the hardest thing is for children to understand when they're young? 282 00:20:28,400 --> 00:20:31,160 It's called separation anxiety. 283 00:20:31,160 --> 00:20:34,360 It's when your parents leave. 284 00:20:34,360 --> 00:20:36,160 And you don't think they're ever going to come back. 285 00:20:36,160 --> 00:20:44,400 I remember one time looking out the window as my mom walked away screaming. 286 00:20:44,400 --> 00:20:46,640 Why is it that little kids scream like that? 287 00:20:46,640 --> 00:20:47,920 Why are they terrified? 288 00:20:47,920 --> 00:20:52,240 Because they think mom or dad is never coming back. 289 00:20:52,240 --> 00:20:58,480 They have no faith because they don't have enough of a track record yet or the comprehension 290 00:20:58,480 --> 00:21:00,600 to understand. 291 00:21:00,600 --> 00:21:04,400 But you and I. 292 00:21:04,400 --> 00:21:07,480 We have that same separation anxiety that Jesus doesn't care. 293 00:21:07,480 --> 00:21:08,680 He's not coming back. 294 00:21:08,680 --> 00:21:11,760 Oh, but he has given us a track record. 295 00:21:11,760 --> 00:21:18,200 And you know that child as he grows older learns to trust mom and dad all the more and 296 00:21:18,200 --> 00:21:21,800 believe yes, they'll be back. 297 00:21:21,800 --> 00:21:24,720 Jesus Christ died on the cross. 298 00:21:24,720 --> 00:21:27,520 He rose again. 299 00:21:27,520 --> 00:21:31,200 And that is all the track record we need. 300 00:21:31,200 --> 00:21:37,240 And the Holy Spirit should be testifying into your hearts over and over again. 301 00:21:37,240 --> 00:21:44,360 Nothing will separate us from that great love of God. 302 00:21:44,360 --> 00:21:49,840 And this morning in your own life, do you trust Christ? 303 00:21:49,840 --> 00:21:53,640 Do you trust Him as the victor over death? 304 00:21:53,640 --> 00:21:57,200 Do you trust Him as the one who can overcome death? 305 00:21:57,200 --> 00:22:02,720 Do you trust Him as the conqueror of death? 306 00:22:02,720 --> 00:22:03,720 That's what He did. 307 00:22:03,720 --> 00:22:08,240 And when do you need to know this the most? 308 00:22:08,240 --> 00:22:10,920 Because you're all going to go to funerals one day. 309 00:22:10,920 --> 00:22:13,920 We did it Friday, didn't we? 310 00:22:13,920 --> 00:22:14,920 We were there. 311 00:22:14,920 --> 00:22:22,480 And you remember looking at those pictures of Wilma De Vio when she was young and how 312 00:22:22,480 --> 00:22:23,480 vibrant she was. 313 00:22:23,480 --> 00:22:25,480 She was a former beauty queen. 314 00:22:25,480 --> 00:22:27,480 You didn't know that. 315 00:22:27,480 --> 00:22:32,320 But then you looked at her last days. 316 00:22:32,320 --> 00:22:35,360 The effects of cancer. 317 00:22:35,360 --> 00:22:40,160 And there is only one hope that any of you are, well, that any of us have. 318 00:22:40,160 --> 00:22:49,600 That Christ is the Christus Victor as they say in Latin, the victor over death. 319 00:22:49,600 --> 00:22:54,080 And in all of history there is one thing that has baffled historians. 320 00:22:54,080 --> 00:23:02,080 What happened all those years ago when Christianity started out is that a few people conquered 321 00:23:02,080 --> 00:23:05,320 the Roman Empire by their belief. 322 00:23:05,320 --> 00:23:07,800 Tell you why. 323 00:23:07,800 --> 00:23:12,080 Jesus Christ rose from the dead. 324 00:23:12,080 --> 00:23:18,120 So as we face death, be aware of the reality of the shadow of death. 325 00:23:18,120 --> 00:23:20,000 Be aware. 326 00:23:20,000 --> 00:23:22,520 Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. 327 00:23:22,520 --> 00:23:30,240 Be aware we have got to continue to believe and the best strategy for that would be memorizing 328 00:23:30,240 --> 00:23:32,240 that verse. 329 00:23:32,240 --> 00:23:38,960 So as we come to the close of this sermon, let's recite it together as a congregation. 330 00:23:38,960 --> 00:23:44,240 Verse 25, Christian, what do you believe about Jesus? 331 00:23:44,240 --> 00:23:49,400 I am the resurrection and the life. 332 00:23:49,400 --> 00:23:56,840 The one who believes in me will live even though they die. 333 00:23:56,840 --> 00:24:00,920 Praise God for Christ. 334 00:24:00,920 --> 00:24:03,600 Let's pray. 335 00:24:03,600 --> 00:24:13,440 Our Lord and our God, we ask now that you will, by your Holy Spirit, convince us of 336 00:24:13,440 --> 00:24:23,360 the truth that Jesus Christ is not only resurrection in his person, but also our life, life in abundance, 337 00:24:23,360 --> 00:24:28,320 life that is good, life that is pleasing. 338 00:24:28,320 --> 00:24:37,120 May we not think that all we believe is merely a crutch, a psychological aid, but that we 339 00:24:37,120 --> 00:24:51,040 have a living Savior who loves us and is coming back to do away with death once and for all. 340 00:24:51,040 --> 00:24:53,160 Come quickly, Lord Jesus. 341 00:24:53,160 --> 00:24:54,160 Amen. 342 00:24:54,160 --> 00:25:09,460 Amen.