“Being with Jesus” Sunday, November 1, 2009 Christian Year: All Saint’s Day Sacrament: Communion Series Title: “Our Go – Between” Main Text: John 11: 32-44 Secondary Text: Revelation 21:1-6a Theme: By Being with Jesus, we gain all we need for this life, forever! Brief explanation of Scripture Passages: It could be said the turning point in the gospel of John is the death of Lazarus. The faith of the disciples and especially of Mary and Martha are sorely tested, therefore the questions in vss. 32 and 37 about Jesus’ intentions and methods. But Jesus reveals the wonders of God’s ways as he brings Lazarus back to life, and foreshadows his role as Savior for all the world. The Revelation passage shows us what is promised in the end times: all old things (practices, life experiences, and relationships) will one day be made new, because Jesus Christ is over all time and space (alpha and omega). Summary of Message: When we are withJesus we gain spiritual vision; compassion for the lost; a sense of a higher purpose than what we think; power to witness for God’s power; and a resurrection hope. How then, do we get close to Jesus?   I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only son our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried and on the third day, he rose from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth at the right hand of the God the Father almighty, from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. (apostle’s creed) I say I believe, but what good does it do me? When I’ve lost a loved one, when I am losing my way, when life is not going well; when I would just as soon give up? What difference does Jesus make anyway?

It’s a crisis of faith that really makes us decide: WHAT DIFFERENCE DOES JESUS MAKE ANYWAY? Read also from Nicene creed, p. 880 in hymnal. If you think you are alone in your questioning, look at Mary and Martha and Lazarus. It could be said the turning point in the gospel of John is the death of Lazarus. The faith of the disciples and especially of Mary and Martha are sorely tested, therefore the questions in vss. 32 and 37 about Jesus’ intentions and methods: “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died!” (32) Translation: Why did you delay? Do you not care about us? See vs. 4 “This illness is not unto death; it is for the glory of god, so that the son of God may be glorified by means of it.” See vs. 5,6 “Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister Mary and Lazarus. So when he heard that he was ill, he stayed to days longer in the place where he was.” Say what? Because he loved them, he delayed coming? (to interpret, see vs. 4, then vs. 14-15; 25!) Jesus to Martha: “Do you believe this?” (our resurrection based on belief) Jesus to you: “Do you believe this?” Is. 55: 8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways, says the LORD. 9For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. In My Utmost for His Highest, by Oswald chambers, “We are called into intimacy with the gospel, and things happen that appear to have nothing to do with us. But God is getting us into fellowship with Himself. Let Him have His way. If you refuse, you will be of no value to God in His redemptive work in the world, but will be a hindrance and a stumbling block.