SEEING THE GLORY OF GOD
JOHN 11:1-4
Introduction:
In this passage of Scripture Jesus shows that illness or even death does not necessarily mean that the individual involved is a terrible sinner as is held by some religions. God uses illness in the life of the believer to teach him things in order to bring greater glory to the Lord Jesus Christ.
In Lazarus’ case, his death was to demonstrate the power of God in the live of the Lord Jesus and to glorify the heavenly Father. Now let us consider that…
I. SICKNESS IN OUR LIVES MAY BE FOR THE GLORY OF GOD.
A. Lazarus was a friend of the Lord Jesus Christ, v. 5, “Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus.”
B. The Lord states the purpose for this sickness, v. 4, “When Jesus heard that, he said, This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby.”
C. Hezekiah’s illness, 2 Kings 20:1, “In those days was Hezekiah sick unto death. And the prophet Isaiah the son of Amoz came to him, and said unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Set thine house in order; for thou shalt die, and not live.”
1. In those days refers to days of the invasion of Jerusalem by Sennacherib that was imminent and Hezakiah knew that Judah would not stand the invasion without good leadership.
2. Hezakiah was driven to prayer after Isaiah related the news of his soon departure from this life, 2 Kings 20:2-3, “Then he turned his face to the wall, and prayed unto the LORD, saying, 3I beseech thee, O LORD, remember now how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in thy sight. And Hezekiah wept sore.”
3. God added 15 years to his life, 2 Kings 20:4-6.
II. SICKNESS IS NOT THE CASE OF THE LOST BUT RATHER, HE IS SPIRITUALLY DEAD.
A. When a person is spiritually dead, he does not respond to spiritual things,
1. Spiritually dead, without God in their life, Ephesians 2:12, “That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:”
2. Dead in trespasses and sins, Ephesians 2:1-3, “And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; 2Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: 3Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.”
a. You were dead in trespasses and sins.
b. You walked according to the course of this world.
c. You were a child of disobedience.
d. You were a child of the wrath of God.
B. But having trusted Jesus Christ as your Savior God has made you alive spiritually having forgiven your sin, Colossians 2:13, “And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;”
III. SICKNESS CAN PRODUCE GREATER FAITH TO TRUST GOD’S WISDOM.
A. Paul had a “thorn in the flesh,” 2 Corinthians 12:7, “And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.”
1. Paul was an educated man with many talents and abilities that would exalt the man rather than the Lord Jesus.
2. God allowed this “thorn,” in Paul’s life to cause him to remember where his strength came from, 2 Corinthians 12:8-9, “For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. 9And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”
B. As a result of what God had allowed in Paul’s life he was able to be more effective for the Lord bringing greater glory to his Father in Heaven. In 2 Corinthians 12:10 Paul states: “Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.”
C. While we might not understand why we suffer illnesses, we can understand that God’s wisdom is greater than ours is. Romans 8:28, “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”
1. This is directed to God’s people, that is, those who have trusted Jesus Christ as their personal Savior.
2. What we might suffer is under God’s direction “according to his purpose.”
3. Since we do not know what the future holds for us and the Lord does, He directs our lives in order to bring greater glory to His name by the things that we suffer. Romans 8:18, “For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
4. It is the way we handle our suffering that determines how much glory God receives through us.
a. Some suffer and have irate feelings that God has been unjust to us.
b. Others suffer quietly without complaining, at least before others, and bring greater glory to the Lord.
CONCLUSION:
Real suffering is not to know Jesus Christ as your Savior. He loves you and wants to bless you in many ways, but in order to have these blessings you have trust Him as your Savior and Lord.
Christians are asked to suffer for His honor and glory, but this is a temporary situation that cannot be compared with what He will do in the future for us.