The Gospel of John: Jesus Brings Dead Things to Life

In this sermon on John 11:28-44, Pastor Steve Smith explores the profound truth that Jesus is "the resurrection and the life" who not only raised Lazarus from the dead but desires to resurrect dead areas in our lives today. Beginning with a personal anecdote about a college prank involving coffins, Pastor Steve draws a parallel to how we've been "tricked" into believing certain aspects of our lives are dead when they can still be revived through Christ.

Pastor Steve identifies several areas where believers might have lost hope: health struggles, troubled marriages, stalled careers, unfulfilled desires for children, negative thought patterns, wavering faith, and prodigal children. He emphasizes that our spiritual journey begins with recognizing we were all "dead in our sins" (Ephesians 2:1) until Christ gave us life. As Romans 3:10-12 states, "There is none righteous, no, not one," yet through Christ, we become "a new creation" where "old things have passed away" (2 Corinthians 5:17).

A pivotal moment in the sermon focuses on John 11:35, "Jesus wept." Pastor Steve unpacks how these two simple words reveal Christ's profound compassion and understanding of human suffering. He reminds us that Jesus, though fully God, humbled Himself to experience human grief (Philippians 2:6-11). This compassion extends to our current struggles, assuring us that Jesus weeps with us over our pain and losses.

Pastor Steve outlines four important principles about resurrection: God resurrects things for His glory rather than our convenience; the process may take longer than we expect (just as Jesus waited four days before raising Lazarus); people may mock our faith as they questioned Jesus; and resurrection can be messy (like the stench of Lazarus's tomb).

The sermon concludes with practical steps: we must believe as Jesus asked Martha, "Do you believe this?" (John 11:26); we must obey even when God's instructions don't make sense; we must listen carefully to God's voice; and we need a community of believers to help "unwrap" us from our grave clothes, just as others unwrapped Lazarus. Pastor Steve ends with a powerful altar call, urging those who have buried hopes and dreams to hear Jesus calling, "Lazarus, come forth," and to trust Him to bring life to what seems dead.