’m just curious this morning how many here know that it takes 4 hours and 5 minutes to get from here to Monkey’s Eyebrow, KY. Now—there’s a good chance that most of you are thinking…not only did I not know that—nor do I care! Let me ask you this since we’re on the subject. How long would it take for you to get to Monkey’s Eyebrow if all of the road signs had been taken down between here and there. You have no cell phone to call for directions. No GPS navigation system for help. My point is this…signs play an important role in our everyday life.

Signs provide valuable information that is helpful for getting us to the right destination. Our destination in this sermon series is the resurrection. Since the beginning of our journey we’ve been following the signs recorded in the Bible concerning God’s plan for having a land where His people will dwell in His presence absent from sin, sorrow, and suffering.  

What a wonderful thought that is—a place where people will live without the threat of death or mourning or crying or pain…yet we read about this in the Bible (Rev 21:4). We all know that death is a very present reality. How many here have been to the funeral home far too many times already? In order for death to no longer have a hold on us…it must somehow be defeated and done away with.

Well, today our journey takes us to the story of Lazarus (John 11). His story is another one of the signs recorded in Scripture that will point us in the right direction as we head towards our final destination…the resurrection on Easter morning.

On the surface the story of Lazarus is pretty common to mankind—he’s alive, he becomes sick, he dies, and he’s buried. It’s at this point that the story of Lazarus becomes very interesting and also tremendously important to us. Jesus shows up and we discover that He has the power to defeat death. He brings Lazarus back to life. Death no longer has victory over him. Why is this important to us…you might ask? What happens here is a sign of what’s about to happen on resurrection morning.

For us this morning—it’s the story below the surface or the significance of the whole event that will provide valuable information. And—this information has a definite purpose and a specific destination in sight. It’s so that you may believe (v15).

A logical question at this point would be, “So that you may believe what?” Martha provides a partial answer for us in verse 27—we are to “believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, who has come into the world.” Notice also that Jesus offers even more information concerning what we are to believe in verse 25. He says, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in Me will never die.”

This story is about preparing our heart and mind for what Jesus is going to do on resurrection morning. It’s about providing valuable information that will be helpful for increasing the faith of His disciples when they find an empty tomb. I hope to share with you 3 observations from our Scripture passage this morning that will serve as signs to point us in the right direction…so that we may believe also.

1. Physical death is a reality.

One of the first things we learn about in this story is the death of Lazarus. In verse 14 Jesus tells the disciples “Lazarus is dead.” I don’t have to remind you that physical death is a reality. The reality of death is reaffirmed every time we open the newspaper to the obituary page. Every time we get that dreaded phone call about a family member or someone you meet informs you a co-worker or friend has just passed.

When this takes place there are at least 2 things that happen. Both are mentioned here in our Scripture passage. 1) The family and friends of the deceased mourn. Martha, Mary and their friends are weeping (v33). 2) Death creates separation. Lazarus is put away in a tomb—separated by a large stone (v39).

I can’t tell you how many times I have personally witnessed both of these events since entering the ministry. A grieving family standing at a graveside. It’s a living sign of the reality of physical death and the separation it creates. The truth is—it’s something that everyone here will face at some point in the future barring the return of Christ (Heb 9:27). The story of Lazarus is a sign that provides valuable information so that hopefully we’ll be fully prepared when it happens.

2. Spiritual death is a reality.

God told Adam—if you eat the fruit from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil…the consequence will be death (Gen 2:17). The death God was talking about was two-fold. 1) He would die physically. 930 years later he did. 2) He would die spiritually. The spiritual death came quickly—and the results were broken fellowship with God and being cast out of His sanctuary-garden.

Adam and Eve now have a sinful nature. They had no children prior to their rebellion, therefore everyone born after the fall has a nature like theirs (Rom 5:12). Since the Bible teaches that we are all spiritually dead (Eph 2:1)—evidenced by our personal actions (Eph 2:3)…we are without hope. Like Adam and Eve—we also, are on the outside without any possibility of entering into God’s presence unless He does something for us.

This is why Jesus told Nicodemus (John 3:3), “no one can enter the kingdom of God (His presence) unless he is born again.” Jesus is basically saying, Nicodemus—your physical body is corrupted by sin and your spirit is dead. But—the good news is, God has sent His Son into the world and if you will believe in Him…you will live forever (John 3:16).

Six times in John 11 we see the word believe used. Each time it used—it challenges us to believe in Jesus. It challenges us to believe that Jesus can not only resurrect the dead…but that He can also give new life to a dead spirit. The good news for us this morning is this—what Jesus did for Lazarus…he’ll do for you. You see—reality is…everyone is spiritually dead unless they believe in Jesus. If there hasn’t been a time in your life when trusted Jesus as Savior and Lord—ask Him to forgive you of your sinful nature…because you’re still spiritually dead. Separated from His love and perfect fellowship.    

3. Resurrection life is available.

This is a tragic story until Jesus arrives. But—the amazing thing here is how Jesus can turn tragedy into triumph. Notice that Martha had hope that Lazarus would be resurrected one day in the future (v24)—yet, Jesus says, “If you only believe…you’ll see the glory of God” revealed today (v40). Then Lazarus walks out of the grave.

I believe we can draw something very important from this story that has the potential to impact someone here today. Where Jesus is—life is available. Available for everyone who is willing to believe that He is the Son of God and that by believing you may have life in His name (John 20:31).

Church—His Spirit is still present in this world and that makes resurrection life available to all who are willing to believe. As a matter of fact—the Bible teaches that where two or more gather in His name He’ll be among them (Mat 18:20). I believe the Spirit of Christ is here today…Amen.

This story demonstrates for us that Jesus has power over death and the grave. He proves it again in just a few days by bringing Himself back to life after dying on the cross at Calvary.

The Bible teaches that all of us have sinned (Rom 3:23). The consequence of our sin is both physical and spiritual death and separation from God (Rom 6:23, Is 59:2). But—the good news is this…everyone who believes in Jesus will live forever (John 3:16). The Bible says all of this was written so that you may believe. Do you believe in Jesus?