Bible Text: John 11:1-44 | Preacher: Pastor Joe Ricchuiti | Series: God’s Delays, John

Recap of 7/29/12 (John 11:7-44):

Life lessons from John 11 and the raising of Lazarus:

1.  Despite mysteries and delays in God’s dealings with us, we must never doubt His love for us. In the words of G. Campbell Morgan:  “…, if our pathway lies in some dark valley where for the moment no light is shining, and no path is known.  He knows, and all He permits will only serve to reveal Him more perfectly, and so give us a yet stronger confidence.”

2.  Sometimes God doesn’t answer our prayers in the way we pray them—so that He may do something greater.

3.  Because Jesus has power over death and conquered death Himself—our greatest enemy is vanquished.

4.  “Have you come to a place where the case seems hopeless, where the prospect is ‘dead’?  That loved one for whom you have prayed so long seems in direr straits than ever.  The hope long deferred now seems impossible.  But Jesus had no funerals.  And when the world says the issue is as dead as a corpse, remember that Jesus can break up funerals.  We are so prone to give up and attend the interment of our hopes when God would raise the dead.” (Vance Havner)