I Am the Resurrection
Partial Outline: FULL PDF HERE
John 11:21-27
Here is one of the most profound titles of Christ—”I am the resurrection, and the life.” The context of Christ’s statement—Jesus was speaking in the very atmosphere of death, decay, and despair. Lazarus had been dead four days. His family and friends were sorrowing. Yet in this environment of death Jesus boldly declares, “I am the resurrection, and the life.”
HUMOR: Three guys were discussing what they would like people to say at their funeral.
The first guy said, “I’d like people at my funeral to say, ‘He was a dedicated Christian and loved Jesus.’”
The second guy said, “I’d want people to say, ‘He was a good father and a good husband.’”
Finally, the third guy said, “What I’d like people to say at my funeral is, ‘Hey, look! He’s moving! He’s alive!!!’”
That is what witnesses said about Jesus after He died, “He’s moving and up walking around! He’s alive!”
If you know Jesus as your Savior, that will also be true of you after you die! You’ll actually be alive and walking around on streets of gold!
Is there anybody here that wants to live forever? If you want eternal life, you gotta get it from Jesus! “This is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son” (1 John 5:11).
I. The PERSON of Christ (v. 25).
“I am the resurrection and the life.” Jesus IS “the resurrection.” Apart from Him there is no resurrection! No one else could ever say that! All other religious leaders are still rotting in the grave! Apart from Jesus Christ, there is only death and despair (1 Cor. 15:19).
You may be cultured, respected in the community, and a member of a church—but if you are not joined to the Lord Jesus, you are in a “walking sepulcher”—”dead in trespasses and sins” (Eph. 2:1).
A. The resurrection was not just a fact of prophecy or doctrine, but embodied in a PERSON.
Jesus becomes whatever we need.
• When you need nourishment—“I am the bread of life.”
•When you are in the dark—“I am the light of the world.”
• When you need a way out—“I am the door.”
• When you need someone to care and lead you, “I am the good shepherd.”
• When you are dealing with death—“I am the resurrection.”
• When you want to go to heaven—“I am the way, the truth, and the life.”
B. Martha did not need bread at the moment… She didn’t need light. She needed a resurrection!
C. Jesus statement moved the doctrine of the resurrection out of the future, and into the present. When you believe on Christ, you don’t have to wait to “the last day.” You can be “come up from the dead” today!
II. The PITY of Christ (vs. 27-35).
Christ’s humanness. He even asked where the grave was (v. 34).
A. He “groaned” (v. 33). He sympathized with their sorrow and grief.
B. He “wept” (v. 35). He had personal concern and compassion. Weep with them that weep.
Partial Outline: FULL PDF HERE
