John 11:15-44

(Joh 20:30) And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples,

which are not written in this book:(Joh 20:31) But these are written,

that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through

his name.

Unbelieving Believers

(Joh 11:14-15) Then said Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead. And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, to the intent ye may believe;

nevertheless let us go unto him.

(Mar 9:23-24) Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that

believeth. And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I

believe; help thou mine unbelief.

(Mat 11:2) Now when John had heard in the prison the

works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples,

(Mat 11:3) And said unto him, Art thou he that

should come, or do we look for another?

I. Dealing with our Mental unbelief

A. Martha’s frustration

never cause her to change

her fundament

al faith

(Joh 11:20-22) Then Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met him: but Mary sat still in the house. Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here,

my brother had not died. But I know, that even now, whatsoever

thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee.

B. Martha’s is trying to wrap

her mind around

the situation

(Joh 11:20-22) Then Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met him: but Mary sat still in the house. Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died. But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God,

God will give it thee.

(Pro 3:5-6) Trust in the LORD with all thine

heart; and lean not unto thine own

understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct

thy paths.

C. Martha’s mind is

focused in the here

after, instead of the here and now

(Joh 11:23-27) Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again. Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the

resurrection at the last day. Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this? She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of

God, which should come into the world.

II. Dealing with our Emotional unbelief

A. Mary’s frustration

never cause her to change

her fundament

al faith

(Joh 11:28-32) And when she had so said, she went her way, and called Mary her sister secretly, saying, The Master is come, and calleth for thee. As soon as

she heard that, she arose quickly, and came unto him. Now Jesus was not yet come into the

town, but was in that place where Martha met him. The Jews then which were with her in the house, and comforted her, when they saw Mary, that she rose up hastily and went out, followed her, saying, She goeth unto the grave to weep there. Then when

Mary was come where Jesus was, and saw him, she fell down at his feet, saying unto him, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not

died.

B. Jesus met her on her

emotional level

(Joh 11:33-36) When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping

which came with her, he groaned in the spirit, and was troubled, And said,

Where have ye laid him? They said unto him, Lord, come and see. Jesus wept. Then said the Jews, Behold how he loved

him!

(Heb 4:15) For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the

feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without

sin.

(Mat 9:36) But when he saw the multitudes, he

was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered

abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.

III. Dealing with our Temporal unbelief

(Joh 11:37-40) And some of them said, Could not this man, which opened the eyes of the blind,

have caused that even this man should not have died? Jesus therefore again groaning in himself cometh to the grave. It was a cave, and a stone lay upon it. Jesus said, Take ye away the stone. Martha, the sister of him that was dead, saith unto him, Lord, by this time he stinketh: for he

hath been dead four days. Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest

believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?

IV. Dealing with our Vocational unbelief

(Act 12:7-8) And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands. And the angel

said unto him, Gird thyself, and bind on thy sandals. And so he did. And he saith unto him, Cast

thy garment about thee, and follow me.

A. We are to make a path for Jesus to reach

those who need his

super natural power

(Joh 11:39) Jesus said, Take ye away the stone. Martha, the sister of him that was dead, saith unto him, Lord, by this time he stinketh: for he hath been dead four days.

B. We are to loose and free people

(Joh 11:44) And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with

graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go.

(Joh 8:31-32) Then said Jesus to those Jews

which believed on him, If ye continue in my

word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And

ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make

you free.