Dealing with Death: Christ, the Resurrection and the Life

Sermon Outline: Jesus' Responses to Death — He grieved • He Fostered Hope and Faith • He Gave Life

Scripture List: Psalm 30:1-12 (Scripture Reading), John 11:28-45 (Sermon Passage), Romans 12:15, 1 Peter 1:3-6, Acts 3:15, John 1:4, John 5:25, Romans 6:9, John 3:3, John 3:5, 1 Peter 1:3, 1 Peter 1:23, Ephesians 2:1, Ephesians 2:4-5, Romans 3:10-11, Romans 8:29-30, John 1:13, John 6:44, Ephesians 2:8-9

Jesus Grieved: Understanding Our Sorrow

When Jesus arrived at Lazarus’ tomb, He didn’t immediately perform a miracle. He wept. This moment reveals the heart of God—He is not indifferent to human suffering. Even knowing He would raise Lazarus, Jesus first met Mary and Martha in their grief, showing that mourning is not a lack of faith but part of our human experience.

Jesus Gave Life: The Power of Resurrection

The ultimate climax of the passage is Jesus calling Lazarus forth from the grave. In doing so, He not only restored physical life but pointed to His greater mission—defeating death itself. Just as Lazarus was raised, so too are believers made alive in Christ, freed from spiritual death and promised eternal life.

Key Verses and Brief Commentary:

John 11:25-26 – Jesus declares, “I am the resurrection and the life; the one who believes in Me will live, even if he dies.” This is the central claim of Christ's power over death.
Psalm 30:5 – “Weeping may last for the night, but a shout of joy comes in the morning.” A promise of God's deliverance after sorrow.
1 Peter 1:3 – “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.” The hope of eternal life through Christ.
Romans 12:15 – “Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.” Jesus demonstrated this by mourning with Mary and Martha.
Ephesians 2:4-5 – “But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our wrongdoings, made us alive together with Christ.” Spiritual death is conquered through Christ.

Key Words and Concepts

Resurrection – The act of rising from the dead, both physically (Lazarus) and spiritually (believers in Christ).
Hope – A confident expectation in God’s promises, especially in eternal life.
Faith – Trusting in Christ’s power over sin and death.
Mourning – Deep sorrow over loss, which Jesus Himself expressed.
Life – Both physical life and eternal life given by Christ.

Key People

Jesus – The Resurrection and the Life, demonstrating power over death.
Lazarus – A friend of Jesus, raised from the dead to display Christ’s glory.
Mary & Martha – Sisters of Lazarus, mourning their loss but witnessing Christ’s power.
Disciples – Present to witness another sign of Christ’s divinity.

Jesus: The Resurrection and the Life

Jesus, in John 11:28-45, approaches the death of Lazarus with deep sorrow, yet ultimate power. He grieves with Mary and Martha, fostering faith in God’s sovereign plan, and then commands Lazarus to rise, proving His authority over death. The original audience would have recognized this as a divine sign, affirming Jesus as the promised Messiah. For believers today, this passage offers comfort in grief and assurance of eternal life in Christ.

Applications for Believers Today

Jesus understands our grief – He mourns with us, validating our sorrow.
Hope in the Resurrection – Death is not the end for those in Christ.
Faith strengthens in trials – Like Mary and Martha, we must trust Jesus even when we don’t understand His timing.

Conclusion: Hope Beyond the Grave

Jesus' power over death in John 11:28-45 confirms that He is the Resurrection and the Life. For those who trust in Him, grief is not the end—eternal hope awaits. His compassion in sorrow and victory over the grave assure us that in Christ, death has no final claim.

John 11:18-45 "Dealing with Death"