GOOD NEWS FOR THE SICK!
John 11:1-16
Introduction: There are many people who are going around
disillusioned, disturbed and worried because of sickness and affliction in
their lives. They go from doctor to doctor trying to find relief and a possible
cure to their ailment. For many there is no cure. Just a time
of physical suffering and ultimate death. Yet, even in the face of death
there is anxiety and concern as to what lies ahead.
A. When
Jesus walked the earth, whenever those who were sick got word that Jesus was in
their town, this was good news to their ears
1. In Mark
1 a leper received good news
2. In Mark
2 a man with palsy received good news
3. In Mark
5:25-34 (read) a woman with an issue of blood received good news
B. The
sick can’t reach out and touch Jesus’ garment to day, but they certainly can
trust in him to take them to a better place (Rev. 21:4)
C. Time
and again, Jesus demonstrated His power and authority over sickness and
disease; ultimately Jesus demonstrated His power and authority over death
1. The
focus of this lesson is the fact that in the face of physical death we have
nothing to fear if we are in a right relationship with God
2. Eventually,
we will all get sick and die. Yet, in spite of that morbid fact, there is still
good news.
3. Jesus
was not just a great physician to the
physically sick, but also to the spiritually sick
I. Consider
the context of John 11:1-16
A. Jesus
was told that Lazarus was sick (v. 1-6)
1. He
didn’t go immediately to Lazarus
2. He
stayed 2 more days where he was (at the place where john first baptized (
B. Jesus
decided to go tend to Lazarus (v. 7-10)
1. The
disciples did not want Jesus to go back
2. Especially
in light of the fact that the Jews sought to kill Him (
C. Jesus
needed to wake Lazarus (v. 11-16)
1. The
disciples felt that it was good news that Lazarus was only sleeping
2. However,
Jesus referred to the sleep of death
3. Jesus
purposed that Lazarus die that He and the Father would be glorified in this,
resulting in the belief of many
D. Even
though Lazarus died, with Jesus on the scene it was still good news
II. Jesus
demonstrated power and authority over death no matter when it happened
A. Though
one may have just died (Mark
B. Though
one may be on the way to be buried (Luke
C. Though
one be dead for four days unto the point of decay (John
D. In this
Jesus truly demonstrated the power to conquer death no matter how long a person
has been dead
1. Knowing
this how can I be afraid (Rev. 1:17-18); for he overcame death
2. The
doctors may never cure me and I may go the way of dusty death, one thing is for
certain, as long as I have faith in Jesus, he will find me and restore me anew.
It doesn’t matter how long I may have been gone, I know that he has the power
to raise me unto himself
III. Jesus
demonstrated in the physical realm what He is truly able to do in the spiritual
realm.
A. The
soul’s worth more than that of the body
1. Matthew
2. See
also Matthew 16:26
3. Show
Jesus demonstrated physically that which he could do spiritually: bring healing
to the soul
B. Jesus
died to effect the healing of the sin sick soul (Isa. 53:3-5)
C. Only
those who have faith in him can benefit from what he desires to give (John
Conclusion: Yes we will all get
sick, some of us are sick now. Eventually our sickness will be unto physical
death (Heb.