I. SERMON NOTES​

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Introduction

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“I am the resurrection and the life” John 11:25

 

Facing the reality of aging, illness, and the passing on of elderly family members is a journey many families experience. The issues addressed in John 11:1–44 - illness, death, sorrow, the desire for healing, faith, and life - are deeply real and universal to everyone.
 
In John 11, Jesus performed His most unique and remarkable miracle. As William Barclay stated, "There is no parallel whatever for the raising of a man who had been dead for four days and whose body had begun to decay."
 

• Lazarus (the Greek form of Eleazar) means "God is my Help."

• Bethany derives from a Hebrew name meaning "house of figs," symbolising peace, love, and divine presence.

 
To build a confident faith in Jesus and live it out daily to the glory of God, three key issues from this text must be understood:
 

1.  The Reality of Illness and Death from Jesus’ Perspective

2.  Jesus’ Reaction to Illness and Death

3.  Jesus - The Resurrection and The Life

 

1. The Reality of Illness and Death from Jesus’ Perspective

John 11:1–6

Some Christians believe that salvation guarantees freedom from sickness or premature death, often citing Isaiah 53:5 ("...and by his wounds we are healed"). While the suffering and death of Jesus bring true peace (shalom) and spiritual healing through the forgiveness of sins (2 Corinthians 5:17), it is incorrect to claim that believers will never fall ill or even die prematurely on this earth.
 
As Charles Spurgeon noted, "The love of Jesus does not separate us from the common necessities and infirmities of human life. Men of God are still men."

While we do acknowledge the reality of illness and death while living on this earth, we also acknowledge that illness and death are in fact not as God had first planned.
 

• Not the Original Design: Illness and death do not fit the original creation, which was made in the image of God (Genesis 1:27) and declared "very good" (Genesis 1:31). God formed man from dust and breathed into him the breath of life (Genesis 2:7); mankind was never meant to experience illness or death. Death and evil entered the world only when Adam and Eve sinned, disrupting this original design.
   

• Apparent Delays: When we pray for healing, God may sometimes appear slow to answer. When Mary and Martha sent word that Lazarus was sick, Jesus stayed two more days where He was (John 11:4–6). While critics might view this delay as cold or insensitive, we must align our perspective with Jesus'.
   

• For the Glory of God: Jesus declared, "This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified through it" (John 11:4). As D.A. Carson explained, "It is not that the sickness occurred in order for God to be glorified, but rather that it constituted an occasion for God’s glory to be revealed."
  God did not inflict sickness to bring Himself glory, but used the situation as an occasion to demonstrate His power.
  
  What Jesus was saying is that even in the terribleness and unfairness of Lazarus’ illness and death, some good would come out of it that will reveal how glorious and how marvellous God really is! Jesus knew that the death of Lazarus would give Him the opportunity to reveal who He really was – The Resurrection and the Life (John 11:25) – as He later raised Lazarus from the dead!
  
  It is also through Jesus’ own death and resurrection later on that He as the Son of God would be glorified as He conquered death and effected eternal life for all who believe in Him.

 

• Illness and Death Do Not have the Final Say: For a believer, death is not a "dead-end" sign. Jesus referred to Lazarus' death as sleep: "Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I am going there to wake him up" (John 11:11). From God's perspective, death for a believer is merely a sleep—a transition from earthly existence into eternal life in Jesus with God in heaven. Therefore, we should not fret if God appears slow in responding to our prayers.

 
2. Jesus’ Reaction to Illness and Death

John 11:33–36, 38
 
When Martha and Mary both said, "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died" (John 11:21, 32), Jesus was not offended. His response revealed deep compassion and emotion:

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• Deeply Moved and Troubled: The text notes that Jesus was "deeply moved in spirit and troubled" (John 11:33, 38). The Greek phrase for "groaned in the spirit" literally means to snort like a horse, denoting strong anger and indignation. Jesus was not merely sad; He was extremely angry at illness, death, and the pain they inflict, because they represent the exact opposite of the "very good" life God intended for humanity.

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• Jesus Wept: In John 11:35, "Jesus wept". While the crowd's weeping expressed loud wailing, Jesus' weeping was a quiet, deep grief. By weeping, Jesus dignified the tears of all who mourn loved ones. Spurgeon observed: "Sometimes we are told that if we really believed that our friends would rise again, and that they are safe and happy even now, we could not weep. Why not? Jesus did. There cannot be any error in following where Jesus leads the way."

 
Jesus feels our grief and pain, and shares our indignation against death—a power He would soon break upon the cross.
 

3. Jesus — The Resurrection and The Life

John 11:23–27, 38–44
 
When Jesus told Martha her brother would rise again, she thought of the general resurrection on the last day. Jesus redirected her focus to Himself:

"I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?" (John 11:25–26)

 

• Inseparable from His Person: Jesus did not merely say He would bring about resurrection; He declared that He is the Resurrection and the Life. Eternal life and resurrection cannot exist apart from the person of Jesus.

 

• The Miraculous Proof: At the tomb, after ordering the stone to be removed and praying to the Father, Jesus called out in a loud voice, "Lazarus, come out" (John 11:43). Lazarus emerged bound in grave clothes, and Jesus commanded, "Unbind him, and let him go" (John 11:44). This miracle demonstrated His divine power over death.

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• The Promise of Eternal Life: When Jesus stated that believers "shall never die," He was not referring to physical death. He promised that believers will never experience eternal separation from God. As 2 Corinthians 5:8 states, "We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord."

 

Conclusion

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1.   Understand Illness and Death: Recognise that while illness and death affect us on earth, they never have the final say for those who trust in Christ. Death is but a transition into God's presence.

2.   Rest in His Compassion: Know that Jesus understands our grief and feels indignation toward the pain caused by death.

3.   Anchor Your Faith in Him: Place full confidence in Jesus as the Resurrection and the Life, knowing our eternal future is secure in Him.
 
Closing Call: Church members were encouraged to participate in CCMC's upcoming Family Day (Sat 12 Sep  2026) and 32nd Anniversary Worship Service (Sun 13 Sep 2026).

 

Reach out to family and friends, showing them a community that does not fear illness or death, but rests in the hope of Jesus Christ – The Resurrection and The Life!

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II. REFLECTION QUESTIONS
 

In the sermon, we considered 3 issues:

• Firstly, the Reality of Illness and Death from Jesus’ perspective

• Secondly, Jesus’ Reaction to illness and death.

• Thirdly, Jesus - The Resurrection and The Life

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1. Share (if you are comfortable) how you/your family has had to face or are facing illness and death.

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2. On the issue of the Reality of Illness and Death from Jesus’ perspective:

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(a) Discuss the statement, “Illness and death do not fit the life that was created in the image of God as recorded in Gen 1:27 and that was declared as very good in Gen 1:31”.

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(b) Refer to John 11:4 to 6 – how does DA Carson’s statement, “It is not that the sickness occurred in order for God to be glorified, but rather that it constituted an occasion for God’s glory to be revealed.” help us when God appears to be slow in answering our prayers and petitions for Him to help relieve us or our loved ones of our illness or save us from impending death.

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3. What is your response to Jesus’ reaction to the illness and death of Lazarus as stated in John 11:33 – 36 & 38? How has it surprised or encouraged you?

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4. Discuss

(a) What does Jesus stating that he is “The Resurrection and The Life” (John 11:25) mean to you?

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(b) How has this affected the way you are living your Christian life daily?

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(c) How are you sharing this statement about Jesus with others?