Read John 11:1-16
This morning we continue our series entitled, “The Year of Supernatural Manifestation”, with our mini-series on “The Miracles of Jesus.” Let’s get back to the story of Lazarus.
When Jesus received word that Lazarus was sick, He remained where he was for two more days before taking off for Bethany. As they left, Jesus let his team know that Lazarus was dead. Lazarus was dead, the sisters were in mourning, the disciples were afraid of going back to Judea, and Jesus had made two statement about the situation. Jesus said, “This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it,” and “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I am going there to wake him up.” Those statements don’t seem to line up with the deadness of the situation, but we know that Jesus was no liar. So no matter how dead the situation seemed, it was not too dead for God. The hard part is that the sisters were unaware of Jesus’ declarations and they had given up hope. When Lazarus stopped breathing they stopped believing.
When Jesus arrived on the scene Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days. Think about that for a moment. The average believer can maintain their hope while the situation looks hopeful, but when happens when your situation shifts from the hopeful category to the hopeless category? Most people stop believing when their situation seems hopeless. Most believers throw in the towel of their faith when their breakthrough does not come when they wanted it. Some say things like, “Well, I guess God did not want me to have it.” But what if He did? What if He was not through with the situations? What if He was stilling working? What if He had a plan, but His timing did not line up with your timing? What if you give up on God BEFORE He had given up on you?
Some of you are thinking, “But Rick, it was four days. The body was already decomposing.” I know that, you know that, the sisters knew that, and Jesus knew it too; but what is TOO HARD for God? How dead does a situation need to be for it to be PAST God’s power? Is there anything God cannot do? Is there any dream He can’t resurrect? Is there is problem He can’t solve? Is there any enemy He can’t defeat?
Lazarus had been dead for four days. Many family members and friends had come to comfort the sisters in the loss of their brother. Many tears had been shed. Many soul-searching questions had been asked. I am sure questions were still flowing through their heads when Jesus arrived. Even while Martha went out to meet Him I am sure she was thinking, “Why are you here now? Why had you not come earlier? You have healed so many people, why did you not heal my brother? I thought you loved us. I thought you cared.” We will stop here for today.
So what does this mean to you today? A few things.
- Jesus said, “As far as possibilities go, everything is possible for the person who believes.” (Mark 9:23). Jesus said “everything” and He meant it. There are no impossibilities for the person who has the capacity to believe in a God of no limits.
- There is absolutely nothing too hard for God. There is nothing that God can’t do. No situation exceeds God’s ability. There is no problem that can outrun the length of His arms.
- There was a point when Mary and Martha fully believed Jesus would heal Lazarus. But they stopped believing when he stopped breathing. They gave up! They quit. They threw in the towel of their faith. How dead does your situation need to be before you stop believing? You should never give up, unless God tells you, “It’s over!”
- Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead after four days. Surely He can deal with your situation this morning. No matter how bad your situation seems, don’t give up! DON’T STOP BELIEVING!
Closing Confession: Father, this is a year of Great Victory for me. I know You are the God of No Limits. There is nothing too hard for You. As big as my issues seemingly get to me, they are small to You! So I ask You, in faith, to move in my life in this situation. I ask You to get involved. One Word from You can turn it around in an instant. No matter how long it takes, and no matter how hard it gets, I will not stop believing! My eyes are on You! My trust in in You! I know You can… and I believe You will! I declare this by faith. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper.
