1 00:00:00,040 --> 00:00:03,000 Well, of course I want to open with the Scripture concerning 2 00:00:03,000 --> 00:00:05,680 this day. In Matthew 28 it says, But the 3 00:00:05,680 --> 00:00:10,000 Angel answered and said to the woman, Do not be afraid, for I 4 00:00:10,000 --> 00:00:12,840 know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. 5 00:00:13,240 --> 00:00:16,840 He is not here, for He is risen as He said. 6 00:00:16,880 --> 00:00:20,280 Come see the place where the Lord lay, and go quickly and 7 00:00:20,280 --> 00:00:22,800 tell His disciples that He has risen from the dead. 8 00:00:23,080 --> 00:00:25,560 Indeed, He is going before you into Galilee. 9 00:00:25,560 --> 00:00:30,240 There you will see Him. Behold, I have told you, it's so 10 00:00:30,240 --> 00:00:33,480 important for us to think about what we're celebrating today, 11 00:00:33,920 --> 00:00:36,600 and this winds up what we call Holy Week. 12 00:00:36,600 --> 00:00:40,440 Last Sunday, we talked about Palm Sunday, Jesus Christ, 13 00:00:40,560 --> 00:00:44,120 triumphant entry into the city of Jerusalem. 14 00:00:44,640 --> 00:00:47,600 A great multitude of people greeted him. 15 00:00:47,680 --> 00:00:50,880 They threw palm branches on the road, even their coats. 16 00:00:51,160 --> 00:00:53,680 They were so excited about what was going on. 17 00:00:54,120 --> 00:00:56,840 But the message last week is how important it is that we're not 18 00:00:56,840 --> 00:01:00,200 just following the crowd, because many in that same crowd 19 00:01:00,200 --> 00:01:03,920 that cheered when he came to town also were in the crowd that 20 00:01:03,920 --> 00:01:07,080 said crucify him. Crucify him. 21 00:01:07,720 --> 00:01:11,440 Yesterday, or excuse me, Friday, as we were celebrating Good 22 00:01:11,440 --> 00:01:15,360 Friday as we call it, the day of His death, I talked about how 23 00:01:15,360 --> 00:01:19,240 important it is that we would recognize that Jesus gave us an 24 00:01:19,240 --> 00:01:23,000 example that we need to be prepared for that which is to 25 00:01:23,000 --> 00:01:26,040 come. We oftentimes think in terms 26 00:01:26,040 --> 00:01:29,200 only about dealing with situations now, but the Bible 27 00:01:29,200 --> 00:01:32,040 pattern is take care of it ahead of time. 28 00:01:32,320 --> 00:01:35,600 It makes it much easier and you can begin to walk through the 29 00:01:35,600 --> 00:01:40,400 situation with proper wisdom. So after Jesus Christ died and 30 00:01:40,400 --> 00:01:43,320 was buried, the Bible says that the disciples were all 31 00:01:43,320 --> 00:01:46,960 distressed by the situation. They were all in hiding. 32 00:01:47,320 --> 00:01:51,040 And so some of the ladies in this particular chapter are 33 00:01:51,040 --> 00:01:55,920 going to the grave to find out what's going on, not expecting 34 00:01:55,920 --> 00:01:59,040 really a resurrection, although they had been told ahead of time 35 00:01:59,040 --> 00:02:01,240 it would happen. I mean, there's one thing to 36 00:02:01,480 --> 00:02:04,240 hear somebody say, well, there's going to be a resurrection. 37 00:02:04,240 --> 00:02:07,120 Jesus said I'm going to raise from the dead on the third day. 38 00:02:07,680 --> 00:02:11,039 That would be another thing to actually go there and find out 39 00:02:11,039 --> 00:02:13,920 it had happened. And that's why when the Angel 40 00:02:13,920 --> 00:02:17,240 met them, they were scared. And that's why the Angel first 41 00:02:17,240 --> 00:02:22,000 says to them, don't be afraid because he is risen. 42 00:02:22,000 --> 00:02:26,680 How many glad today we can say Amen, Jesus Christ has risen 43 00:02:26,680 --> 00:02:30,880 from the dead. There are many great teachers 44 00:02:30,880 --> 00:02:34,600 throughout history and even followers of great teachers who 45 00:02:34,600 --> 00:02:38,240 can say, wow, weren't these amazing instructions and things 46 00:02:38,240 --> 00:02:40,080 that he taught? And many people will say that 47 00:02:40,080 --> 00:02:43,040 about Jesus Christ. But more than just believing he 48 00:02:43,040 --> 00:02:46,200 was a great teacher, we believe that he was God come in the 49 00:02:46,200 --> 00:02:50,200 flesh, that he came to give his life for the sacrifice of our 50 00:02:50,200 --> 00:02:53,680 sins, that he would die on the cross, that he would be 51 00:02:53,800 --> 00:02:58,120 resurrected and give to us that life giving spirit, that 52 00:02:58,120 --> 00:03:02,160 resurrection spirit so that we walk in it all the time. 53 00:03:02,720 --> 00:03:06,280 That's why the question, what are you looking for is a very 54 00:03:06,280 --> 00:03:10,080 important question because on Easter Sunday we should be 55 00:03:10,080 --> 00:03:14,120 looking for, well, what is it that God really wants us to see 56 00:03:14,360 --> 00:03:16,920 and understand about what he's doing in the earth? 57 00:03:17,480 --> 00:03:20,120 That's why this next verse of Scripture is so powerful. 58 00:03:20,360 --> 00:03:23,880 It's the apostle Paul praying for the church in Ephesus, and 59 00:03:23,880 --> 00:03:27,800 it says, Father, let the eyes of their understanding be 60 00:03:27,800 --> 00:03:31,240 enlightened, that they might know what is the hope of His 61 00:03:31,240 --> 00:03:33,440 calling speaking about Jesus Christ. 62 00:03:33,600 --> 00:03:36,480 What are the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the 63 00:03:36,480 --> 00:03:40,480 Saints, And what is the exceeding greatness of His power 64 00:03:40,480 --> 00:03:43,560 towards us who believe according to the working of His mighty 65 00:03:43,560 --> 00:03:47,160 power which He worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead 66 00:03:47,360 --> 00:03:51,320 and seated him at the right hand in heavenly places? 67 00:03:51,720 --> 00:03:55,120 And again, the apostle Paul understood, and that's why he's 68 00:03:55,120 --> 00:03:58,640 even praying for the Church of Ephesus, because it takes 69 00:03:58,640 --> 00:04:01,120 special enlightenment, if you would. 70 00:04:01,560 --> 00:04:04,960 In other verses he talks about a spirit of revelation, a spirit 71 00:04:04,960 --> 00:04:07,240 of wisdom. It takes something from God to 72 00:04:07,400 --> 00:04:10,920 actually believe. Jesus Christ not only lived and 73 00:04:10,920 --> 00:04:15,480 died, He rose from the dead. And those of us who have become 74 00:04:15,480 --> 00:04:20,519 familiar with the Holy Spirit can say, yes, we can testify to 75 00:04:20,519 --> 00:04:23,840 that. But also in this Scripture, he's 76 00:04:23,840 --> 00:04:25,960 praying that they would recognize that. 77 00:04:25,960 --> 00:04:28,440 Well, there's a calling He wants us to see. 78 00:04:28,880 --> 00:04:31,240 There's an inheritance God has put within us. 79 00:04:31,240 --> 00:04:35,400 He wants us to know and he wants us to really comprehend, well, 80 00:04:35,400 --> 00:04:38,560 what is this resurrection power all about? 81 00:04:39,080 --> 00:04:41,920 Because church, we're not here today just to talk about a 82 00:04:41,920 --> 00:04:45,160 resurrection that happened 2000 years ago. 83 00:04:45,440 --> 00:04:48,880 We're here to recognize that power is still in the earth 84 00:04:48,880 --> 00:04:49,960 today. Amen. 85 00:04:51,520 --> 00:04:57,280 And it takes a revelation from God to actually say, wow, this 86 00:04:57,280 --> 00:05:01,080 power of God is available to us today. 87 00:05:01,360 --> 00:05:04,000 We're not just those who celebrate something that 88 00:05:04,000 --> 00:05:07,400 happened in the past so that we can say, well, I know that it 89 00:05:07,400 --> 00:05:10,200 happened. That's my faith, but know for 90 00:05:10,200 --> 00:05:14,920 those who experienced this power began to walk in this power. 91 00:05:14,920 --> 00:05:18,000 And so when we talk about it, we can say, wow, I know something 92 00:05:18,000 --> 00:05:20,920 inside of me says that's true. And what God is saying to us 93 00:05:20,920 --> 00:05:22,600 today is, well, there's some more of that. 94 00:05:22,600 --> 00:05:26,280 I want you to see. That's why in the book of Romans 95 00:05:26,280 --> 00:05:29,760 chapter 8 and speaking about resurrection power, he said, for 96 00:05:29,760 --> 00:05:34,440 if the spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in 97 00:05:34,440 --> 00:05:38,720 you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to 98 00:05:38,720 --> 00:05:43,040 your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you. 99 00:05:43,640 --> 00:05:47,480 When Jesus Christ was getting ready to leave his disciples by 100 00:05:47,480 --> 00:05:51,760 way of his death, burial and resurrection, and ultimately to 101 00:05:51,880 --> 00:05:55,120 his ascension into heaven, he said, I don't want you to think 102 00:05:55,120 --> 00:05:58,080 I'm going to leave you as orphans, but I'm going to come 103 00:05:58,080 --> 00:06:00,200 again to you. And it's going to be in the form 104 00:06:00,200 --> 00:06:03,600 of the Holy Spirit. And when I come back, I won't 105 00:06:03,600 --> 00:06:08,120 just be God in one location. I'll be God dwelling in the 106 00:06:08,120 --> 00:06:12,160 midst of my people, and I'll be a God who will be wherever my 107 00:06:12,160 --> 00:06:15,120 people are. And not only that, he wants us 108 00:06:15,120 --> 00:06:18,400 to know that we can have that spirit inside of us. 109 00:06:19,320 --> 00:06:22,920 That's an amazing thought. In First Corinthians chapter 15 110 00:06:22,920 --> 00:06:27,040 it says after the first Adam we all come alive. 111 00:06:27,560 --> 00:06:30,880 So when we are born, coming out of our mother's womb, we breathe 112 00:06:30,880 --> 00:06:34,240 the breath of life and that makes each and every one of us a 113 00:06:34,240 --> 00:06:38,120 living being. But when we are born again, the 114 00:06:38,120 --> 00:06:41,880 Bible says that God puts within us a life giving spirit. 115 00:06:42,400 --> 00:06:45,280 I'd like to say we're born and noun, but God wants to make us a 116 00:06:45,280 --> 00:06:46,280 verb. Amen. 117 00:06:47,080 --> 00:06:50,760 So that we're in this world not in a passive way, but we're in 118 00:06:50,760 --> 00:06:55,080 this world in a proactive way. As a church, Mountain Zion, this 119 00:06:55,080 --> 00:06:57,920 is our first fruit Sunday. We give this extra offering 120 00:06:57,920 --> 00:07:00,120 because we have community centers. 121 00:07:00,120 --> 00:07:02,160 We reach out to the nations of the world. 122 00:07:02,320 --> 00:07:07,480 We preach a gospel that says God's power is available today 123 00:07:07,480 --> 00:07:11,400 man, and we're here to be a proactive force in our world. 124 00:07:11,920 --> 00:07:14,000 It's easy to look at what's happening in the world and 125 00:07:14,000 --> 00:07:17,080 become all discouraged and talk about it and wonder what's going 126 00:07:17,080 --> 00:07:18,800 on. I know what's going on. 127 00:07:18,800 --> 00:07:20,400 My God is at work. Amen. 128 00:07:20,800 --> 00:07:24,080 I know what's going on because God has put within us a life 129 00:07:24,080 --> 00:07:27,240 giving spirit and it doesn't matter what I'm looking at, I 130 00:07:27,240 --> 00:07:30,640 can know that with the power of that life giving spirit I can 131 00:07:30,640 --> 00:07:33,120 make a difference in the world I live in. 132 00:07:33,960 --> 00:07:37,720 And I can also know that just like it gave life to Jesus 133 00:07:37,720 --> 00:07:41,680 Christ, so he rose from the dead, we also believe that He 134 00:07:41,680 --> 00:07:45,760 makes each and every one of us alive in that we have the gift 135 00:07:45,760 --> 00:07:49,040 of eternal life. That's why the Bible says death. 136 00:07:49,160 --> 00:07:52,800 Where is your sting, O grave, where is your victory? 137 00:07:52,800 --> 00:07:56,600 Because through Jesus Christ we have the gift of eternal life, 138 00:07:57,480 --> 00:08:01,000 but also that scripture said He can make alive our mortal body. 139 00:08:01,240 --> 00:08:04,520 And that's not just about resurrection, which is to come. 140 00:08:05,200 --> 00:08:07,360 It's life that we can have today. 141 00:08:07,960 --> 00:08:10,120 That's why at Mount Zion we pray for the sick. 142 00:08:10,440 --> 00:08:13,880 That's why when somebody has a problem and they need strength, 143 00:08:13,880 --> 00:08:16,240 we pray that God will help you overcome. 144 00:08:16,360 --> 00:08:20,560 When I'm up here preaching, I don't just talk about self help. 145 00:08:20,560 --> 00:08:24,680 I'm talking about God's help. And God's help is greater than 146 00:08:24,680 --> 00:08:28,000 you, a man. And so we can all come to self 147 00:08:28,000 --> 00:08:30,800 help to a certain level, but there comes a point in time 148 00:08:30,920 --> 00:08:33,600 where we should recognize we need God's help. 149 00:08:34,240 --> 00:08:38,120 And that gives us the ability to go beyond that which is natural 150 00:08:38,440 --> 00:08:41,480 and to that supernatural power of the living God. 151 00:08:41,880 --> 00:08:44,680 We're living in a world today where all the statistics are 152 00:08:44,680 --> 00:08:49,680 indicating people are facing anxiety, depression, all kinds 153 00:08:49,680 --> 00:08:54,200 of emotional distress in the midst of our affluence. 154 00:08:54,200 --> 00:08:57,120 We're finding out that that's no cure for the soul. 155 00:08:57,640 --> 00:09:00,480 That's no cure for what's going on inside. 156 00:09:01,040 --> 00:09:04,000 But God says though darkness will cover the earth and gross 157 00:09:04,000 --> 00:09:07,480 darkness the people, I'll give you a power, says the Lord, so 158 00:09:07,480 --> 00:09:11,680 that you can arise and shine, and my glory can be seen upon 159 00:09:11,680 --> 00:09:14,040 you. How many excited about that 160 00:09:14,040 --> 00:09:17,680 today? So the story shared with you 161 00:09:17,680 --> 00:09:21,560 today in John Chapter 11 is a story about resurrection. 162 00:09:22,120 --> 00:09:25,080 In this particular case, it isn't where Jesus is being 163 00:09:25,080 --> 00:09:27,960 resurrected. It's where he becomes the source 164 00:09:28,000 --> 00:09:31,200 of resurrection. Because as I was contemplating 165 00:09:31,200 --> 00:09:34,520 what I should share today, the Lord said, I want you to share 166 00:09:34,520 --> 00:09:39,200 this story because I want people to understand that resurrection 167 00:09:39,200 --> 00:09:41,920 isn't just a theological concept. 168 00:09:42,280 --> 00:09:46,400 Resurrection is a power that's available to whosoever will 169 00:09:46,400 --> 00:09:47,400 believe. Amen. 170 00:09:49,000 --> 00:09:51,760 And when Jesus Christ was here in the earth, the Bible says 171 00:09:51,760 --> 00:09:55,160 that that was God made flesh to dwell among us. 172 00:09:55,440 --> 00:09:59,280 He was the visible image of the invisible God. 173 00:09:59,840 --> 00:10:02,800 I heard a pastor once say Jesus put a face on God, and that's 174 00:10:02,800 --> 00:10:06,000 absolutely true. So when we see his life and see 175 00:10:06,000 --> 00:10:09,960 how he responded in situations, that's God in action and the 176 00:10:09,960 --> 00:10:12,720 human form so that we can more easily relate to it. 177 00:10:12,920 --> 00:10:16,320 But I want to look at this story from the perspective that God is 178 00:10:16,320 --> 00:10:20,000 in this story and the person of Jesus Christ in church. 179 00:10:20,000 --> 00:10:22,680 I want you to know something. God is in your story. 180 00:10:23,760 --> 00:10:27,880 I'm gonna we all have a story and I love stories and I love to 181 00:10:27,880 --> 00:10:32,000 hear about people's stories, but I know that God has a story in 182 00:10:32,000 --> 00:10:34,600 your life. And I remember many years ago 183 00:10:34,600 --> 00:10:37,560 preaching the sermon, God has a road just for you. 184 00:10:38,200 --> 00:10:41,160 And I think that's so important for us to know that we all have 185 00:10:41,160 --> 00:10:45,720 a different journey in life and nobody can actually understand 186 00:10:45,720 --> 00:10:49,400 the journey that we're in. And that's why it's so good for 187 00:10:49,400 --> 00:10:52,960 us when we turn our attention to God and realize, well, there is 188 00:10:52,960 --> 00:10:55,280 someone who does know my journey. 189 00:10:55,840 --> 00:10:59,080 And when nobody else perhaps will understand, or nobody else 190 00:10:59,080 --> 00:11:02,640 can sympathize, or nobody else can give me the very device 191 00:11:02,640 --> 00:11:06,360 because they just don't know me or my story, we can know that. 192 00:11:06,360 --> 00:11:09,880 Well, Jesus Christ wants to come into our story. 193 00:11:10,200 --> 00:11:12,920 And if we will let him, he will gladly be there. 194 00:11:13,320 --> 00:11:16,680 So going back to the story again, it says in John 11, now a 195 00:11:16,680 --> 00:11:20,680 certain man was sick, Lazarus of Bethany, the town of Mary, and 196 00:11:20,680 --> 00:11:24,320 her sister Martha. It was that Mary who anointed 197 00:11:24,320 --> 00:11:27,200 the Lord with fragrant oil, wiped his feet with her hair, 198 00:11:27,360 --> 00:11:31,280 whose brother Lazarus was sick. Therefore the sister sent to 199 00:11:31,280 --> 00:11:34,840 him, saying, Lord, behold, he whom you love is sick. 200 00:11:35,360 --> 00:11:39,040 When Jesus heard that, he said, this sickness is not on to 201 00:11:39,040 --> 00:11:43,360 death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be 202 00:11:43,360 --> 00:11:47,160 glorified in it. Now, when thinking about Mary 203 00:11:47,160 --> 00:11:50,200 and Martha, I think it's very good to recognize Jesus had 204 00:11:50,200 --> 00:11:54,040 friends. I want you to know that God says 205 00:11:54,040 --> 00:11:57,280 we can be his friend. When Jesus was getting ready to 206 00:11:57,280 --> 00:11:59,520 leave his disciples, so he's talking about after his 207 00:11:59,520 --> 00:12:02,040 resurrection, he says I don't want to deal with you anymore 208 00:12:02,040 --> 00:12:05,440 like you're my servants. He said I want you to be my 209 00:12:05,440 --> 00:12:08,560 friends. And in the Scriptures of 210 00:12:08,560 --> 00:12:11,840 Galatians chapter 4, the apostle Paul said God doesn't just want 211 00:12:11,840 --> 00:12:15,520 you to be a servant, He wants you to know you're a son of God, 212 00:12:15,960 --> 00:12:18,640 that just like Jesus Christ, his hand is upon us. 213 00:12:18,640 --> 00:12:22,120 We have a purpose for our life. And when we see that purpose, 214 00:12:22,160 --> 00:12:25,080 God will help us fulfill that purpose. 215 00:12:25,520 --> 00:12:28,720 And so it's important for us to realize that in this place, 216 00:12:28,720 --> 00:12:31,800 Jesus had friends. And God says, I want you to 217 00:12:31,800 --> 00:12:34,000 know, I want you to be my friends. 218 00:12:34,640 --> 00:12:36,800 I want us to have a relationship. 219 00:12:37,720 --> 00:12:39,840 Mary and Martha are very interesting because the Bible 220 00:12:39,840 --> 00:12:42,320 gives us some insight into their personalities. 221 00:12:42,640 --> 00:12:45,760 There was a time when Jesus Christ went to their house for a 222 00:12:45,760 --> 00:12:49,240 time of what we would call fellowship today, or just to 223 00:12:49,240 --> 00:12:53,120 getting together at their house. And the Bible says that Mary and 224 00:12:53,120 --> 00:12:56,480 Martha were there getting ready for everything that was going to 225 00:12:56,480 --> 00:12:59,280 happen. Now, when you see that story and 226 00:12:59,280 --> 00:13:01,800 all the stories about Martha, she was the more practical 227 00:13:01,800 --> 00:13:04,880 person, wasn't real motivated by her emotions. 228 00:13:04,880 --> 00:13:07,280 She just looked at it, hey, we're putting on a party. 229 00:13:07,560 --> 00:13:10,520 We got to get this party and we want it to be a good party 230 00:13:10,520 --> 00:13:12,400 because of the masters coming to our house. 231 00:13:12,720 --> 00:13:16,000 And so the Bible says she was very busy doing everything she 232 00:13:16,000 --> 00:13:18,920 needed to do. And it also says she became very 233 00:13:19,000 --> 00:13:21,600 preoccupied or nervous about what was going on. 234 00:13:22,360 --> 00:13:25,640 She got so upset that she came to Jesus because her sister 235 00:13:25,640 --> 00:13:29,240 Mary, who should have been helping her, is laying at the 236 00:13:29,320 --> 00:13:33,320 feet of Jesus Christ, soaking in his stories and just looking at 237 00:13:33,320 --> 00:13:34,840 him. And she goes in the room. 238 00:13:34,840 --> 00:13:38,320 She says, Jesus, would you tell my sister that she could be in 239 00:13:38,320 --> 00:13:41,920 the kitchen helping me? And she's like, no, I'm not 240 00:13:41,920 --> 00:13:45,840 going to tell her that. There's lots of times when work 241 00:13:45,840 --> 00:13:47,840 is important. But right now she's doing the 242 00:13:47,840 --> 00:13:51,240 better part because she realizes, hey, who's sitting in 243 00:13:51,240 --> 00:13:53,320 the room with her and she wants to drink it all in. 244 00:13:53,320 --> 00:13:55,520 No, it's OK that Mary's doing this. 245 00:13:56,280 --> 00:14:00,160 There was another time when Jesus was at their house again, 246 00:14:00,160 --> 00:14:04,400 and the Bible tells us that Mary started pouring oil on his head. 247 00:14:04,840 --> 00:14:07,600 Now, I don't know how they would have known this, what kind of 248 00:14:07,600 --> 00:14:09,640 oil it was that she was pouring on his head. 249 00:14:09,920 --> 00:14:13,240 But his disciples knew right away that it was a very 250 00:14:13,240 --> 00:14:17,520 expensive perfume oil that she was putting on her head. 251 00:14:18,080 --> 00:14:20,640 And one of them said, Jesus, you should stop her. 252 00:14:20,960 --> 00:14:24,120 The poor could use this money. We should sell it basically, is 253 00:14:24,120 --> 00:14:27,200 what he's saying. Jesus said no, what she's doing 254 00:14:27,200 --> 00:14:29,800 is right because she's annoying to me for burial. 255 00:14:30,400 --> 00:14:34,400 So you can see how Mary was the lover, the more emotional of the 256 00:14:34,400 --> 00:14:38,360 two, and she was the one who just wanted to show Jesus her 257 00:14:38,360 --> 00:14:41,480 affection. And Martha wanted to show Jesus 258 00:14:41,480 --> 00:14:44,800 how willing she was to work. Now, as Christians, we have to 259 00:14:44,800 --> 00:14:47,880 understand there's the work of the ministry and also there's 260 00:14:47,880 --> 00:14:51,000 the point where we show our affection and love for him. 261 00:14:51,440 --> 00:14:55,320 That's why at Mount Zion we have a program where we have worship 262 00:14:55,320 --> 00:14:57,080 and praise because it's appropriate. 263 00:14:57,080 --> 00:15:01,280 That would come and well, Make Love to our Savior Jesus Christ. 264 00:15:01,280 --> 00:15:03,720 Say, man, how am I glad we can do that in the House of the most 265 00:15:03,720 --> 00:15:07,760 High God? But we want to also have 266 00:15:07,760 --> 00:15:11,000 something that touches the more practical side, which is when 267 00:15:11,000 --> 00:15:14,680 the word of God comes to us and gives us instruction and helps 268 00:15:14,680 --> 00:15:17,240 us understand what what it is that we need to do. 269 00:15:17,920 --> 00:15:21,040 Now, I don't know where Lazarus fits into this other than that 270 00:15:21,120 --> 00:15:25,560 was their brother and he's the subject of this story. 271 00:15:25,960 --> 00:15:29,240 But when we see the sisters in action, we can understand 272 00:15:29,600 --> 00:15:33,400 they're just people. And for them, Jesus is the 273 00:15:33,400 --> 00:15:36,640 Messiah. He is a great teacher, but he 274 00:15:36,640 --> 00:15:40,240 also has honored them by being their friend. 275 00:15:40,960 --> 00:15:43,640 And that's what we need to understand God wants to do for 276 00:15:43,640 --> 00:15:48,160 each and every one of us. Now they're all concerned as 277 00:15:48,160 --> 00:15:52,360 Jesus has come to them and they're like Jesus, don't you 278 00:15:52,360 --> 00:15:55,160 know that? Well, if you would have been 279 00:15:55,160 --> 00:15:56,960 here earlier, this wouldn't happen. 280 00:15:57,640 --> 00:16:01,000 And Jesus said this thing is not on to death, but it's for the 281 00:16:01,000 --> 00:16:04,280 glory of God. What is he talking about? 282 00:16:04,360 --> 00:16:07,640 Well, we know as we read the whole story, how many know when 283 00:16:07,800 --> 00:16:10,720 Jesus Christ raises somebody from the dead, that's to the 284 00:16:10,720 --> 00:16:14,320 glory of God. That story even preceded him as 285 00:16:14,320 --> 00:16:17,000 he was going to the holy city and helped him with his 286 00:16:17,000 --> 00:16:19,640 reputation because that gave glory to God. 287 00:16:19,640 --> 00:16:22,440 That was something awesome. And again, that's why at Mount 288 00:16:22,440 --> 00:16:24,960 Zion we believe that when someone is sick, we pray for 289 00:16:24,960 --> 00:16:26,520 them. When they need deliverance, we 290 00:16:26,520 --> 00:16:28,280 pray for them. When there's a difficult 291 00:16:28,280 --> 00:16:31,640 situation, we pray for them. But always remember, in the 292 00:16:31,640 --> 00:16:35,480 context of this story, we know what happened, but we also want 293 00:16:35,480 --> 00:16:38,400 to have to understand that for everything that God does, it's 294 00:16:38,400 --> 00:16:43,160 about the glory of God, and we can't necessarily define that. 295 00:16:43,880 --> 00:16:47,760 We do and should know that if we belong to Him that His glory 296 00:16:47,760 --> 00:16:50,200 will be revealed in and through our lives. 297 00:16:50,640 --> 00:16:53,520 But at the same time, we have to be very careful that we're not 298 00:16:53,520 --> 00:16:57,120 trying to manage it. If you would, I've often shared 299 00:16:57,120 --> 00:17:01,320 I had two dramatic miracles in my life with muscular dystrophy 300 00:17:01,320 --> 00:17:03,480 diagnosis. I had that the Lord healed me 301 00:17:03,480 --> 00:17:07,720 from a seizure disorder. I had about 10 years later I was 302 00:17:07,720 --> 00:17:10,760 healed from that. And that's a miracle. 303 00:17:10,760 --> 00:17:13,040 And those are the kind of miracles I like say that brings 304 00:17:13,040 --> 00:17:14,599 glory to God. Amen. 305 00:17:16,599 --> 00:17:20,800 But over the years, I began to realize well before God answered 306 00:17:20,800 --> 00:17:24,200 my prayers, He gave me supernatural strength because 307 00:17:24,520 --> 00:17:27,520 nothing that I was going through ever hindered me from doing what 308 00:17:27,520 --> 00:17:30,360 I always did. And so I realized, wow, that 309 00:17:30,360 --> 00:17:33,440 brought glory to God. It was more about glory that I 310 00:17:33,440 --> 00:17:36,520 was observing in this particular situation because I didn't 311 00:17:36,520 --> 00:17:39,680 necessarily talk about how I felt or what I was feeling at 312 00:17:39,680 --> 00:17:44,640 the time, but I understand that, well, God can glorify himself in 313 00:17:44,640 --> 00:17:48,480 many different ways when we think about resurrection, that 314 00:17:48,480 --> 00:17:51,040 brings glory to God. But you know, in church history, 315 00:17:51,360 --> 00:17:54,880 martyrdom was one of the ways that God brought glory to his 316 00:17:54,880 --> 00:17:57,960 name. In the early days of the Church, 317 00:17:57,960 --> 00:18:00,800 one of the Church fathers said the blood of the martyrs is the 318 00:18:00,800 --> 00:18:03,840 seed of the church because martyrdom was quite common under 319 00:18:03,840 --> 00:18:07,520 the rule of Rome. But in the midst of all of this, 320 00:18:07,520 --> 00:18:11,480 when people saw how these people responded by what they were 321 00:18:11,480 --> 00:18:14,600 going through and how they had God's grace to help them in 322 00:18:14,600 --> 00:18:18,880 these situations, it was such a tremendous time that within 300 323 00:18:18,880 --> 00:18:23,120 years, the whole Roman Empire became officially Christian 324 00:18:23,120 --> 00:18:26,880 because of the testimony of the glory of God being revealed in 325 00:18:26,880 --> 00:18:28,160 church. I believe with all my heart, 326 00:18:28,160 --> 00:18:30,440 we're living in a time when the glory of the Lord's going to be 327 00:18:30,440 --> 00:18:32,720 revealed and all flesh are going to see it together. 328 00:18:32,920 --> 00:18:35,080 So I'm saying, God, I want to be in the glory. 329 00:18:35,440 --> 00:18:37,760 I want to share your glory to my world. 330 00:18:37,960 --> 00:18:41,760 But it means we have to be careful to say, OK, God, show me 331 00:18:41,760 --> 00:18:44,160 what you're doing in the midst of this situation. 332 00:18:44,600 --> 00:18:48,360 Now, in this particular situation, it says Jesus again 333 00:18:48,360 --> 00:18:51,720 loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. 334 00:18:52,200 --> 00:18:55,360 So when he heard that he was sick and this is important, he 335 00:18:55,360 --> 00:18:58,720 stayed two more days in the place where he was. 336 00:18:59,120 --> 00:19:03,360 Then after this, he said to the disciples, let us go to Judea 337 00:19:03,440 --> 00:19:06,400 again. Now, this is interesting because 338 00:19:06,400 --> 00:19:10,360 if somebody sends you a message, could you come quickly and pray 339 00:19:10,360 --> 00:19:15,040 for our brother Lazarus? It's a very bad situation. 340 00:19:15,040 --> 00:19:16,520 How many? You know, you'd think you'd pack 341 00:19:16,520 --> 00:19:20,280 up, say we got to get over there, but instead he waited a 342 00:19:20,280 --> 00:19:23,600 couple days. And this tells us something 343 00:19:23,600 --> 00:19:27,080 about God because, well, God doesn't always do what we tell 344 00:19:27,080 --> 00:19:30,960 him to do. But you need to understand 345 00:19:30,960 --> 00:19:32,760 something. He loved them. 346 00:19:33,360 --> 00:19:36,680 So what he was doing in their life was not a reflection on the 347 00:19:36,680 --> 00:19:41,600 fact that, well, he didn't care. He understood that he wanted to 348 00:19:41,600 --> 00:19:45,520 manifest his glory in this situation and he wanted them to 349 00:19:45,520 --> 00:19:47,920 be a part of it. And so he was going to 350 00:19:47,920 --> 00:19:51,360 demonstrate his love by the fact that he waited, because the 351 00:19:51,360 --> 00:19:53,960 situation was going to get worse before it was going to get 352 00:19:53,960 --> 00:19:58,720 better, and they were going to be confused before the situation 353 00:19:58,720 --> 00:20:02,560 was worked out, and they were going to be disappointed before 354 00:20:02,560 --> 00:20:07,520 everything would be revealed. But when the joy of the Lord 355 00:20:07,520 --> 00:20:10,680 came church, it was the greatest joy you could ever imagine. 356 00:20:10,680 --> 00:20:13,000 Amen. And I really believe that with 357 00:20:13,000 --> 00:20:15,920 all my heart that we the people of God need to set ourselves up 358 00:20:15,920 --> 00:20:18,560 by saying, you know what? God's going to do something 359 00:20:18,720 --> 00:20:22,200 that's exceedingly in abundantly above all that we could ask or 360 00:20:22,200 --> 00:20:24,480 think. I have a testimony. 361 00:20:24,480 --> 00:20:27,800 I've seen God do great things in my life, but even at my age, I 362 00:20:27,800 --> 00:20:30,560 have a greater testimony in front of me as my faith is 363 00:20:30,680 --> 00:20:35,800 something good is on the horizon because God is the God of 364 00:20:35,800 --> 00:20:37,160 resurrection. Amen. 365 00:20:37,160 --> 00:20:41,400 Church. And so even his delays lead to a 366 00:20:41,400 --> 00:20:45,560 greater testimony. Again, I remember early on in 367 00:20:45,560 --> 00:20:47,280 the ministry I preached a message. 368 00:20:47,280 --> 00:20:50,400 God doesn't wear a wristwatch. I did at the time. 369 00:20:50,400 --> 00:20:52,640 Now, I just checked my cell phone all the time, but I'm 370 00:20:52,640 --> 00:20:56,080 always aware of the time. And that's because I felt like 371 00:20:56,080 --> 00:20:58,680 God had said, you know, if you do these things, I'm going to 372 00:20:58,680 --> 00:20:59,960 bless you and this is going to happen. 373 00:20:59,960 --> 00:21:02,000 That's going to happen. I'm like, OK, when's it going to 374 00:21:02,000 --> 00:21:03,800 happen? When's it going to happen? 375 00:21:03,800 --> 00:21:07,480 And God said, I'm not wearing a wristwatch. 376 00:21:08,360 --> 00:21:10,240 So I guess this is as on to the Lord. 377 00:21:10,240 --> 00:21:14,680 Now, I don't wear a wristwatch. But anyway, you can't watch the 378 00:21:14,680 --> 00:21:18,560 timetable when God's involved in it because He doesn't operate in 379 00:21:18,560 --> 00:21:19,560 our time. Amen. 380 00:21:20,000 --> 00:21:23,600 So Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went to 381 00:21:23,600 --> 00:21:27,160 meet him, but Mary was sitting in the house, two kinds of 382 00:21:27,160 --> 00:21:29,440 people. Martha, well, got company 383 00:21:29,440 --> 00:21:32,920 coming, got to go greet him and said, Mary sitting in the house 384 00:21:32,920 --> 00:21:35,800 because she's probably just overwhelmed by the emotion of 385 00:21:35,800 --> 00:21:38,200 it. Now, Martha said to Jesus, Lord, 386 00:21:38,320 --> 00:21:40,920 if you had been here, my brother would not have died. 387 00:21:41,320 --> 00:21:44,160 But even now I know that whatever you ask of God, God 388 00:21:44,160 --> 00:21:47,160 will give it to you. And of course, when you're the 389 00:21:47,160 --> 00:21:50,120 busy type who likes to get the job done, how do you know that's 390 00:21:50,120 --> 00:21:51,720 what you look for other people to do? 391 00:21:52,880 --> 00:21:55,320 And so that's kind of what she's saying. 392 00:21:55,440 --> 00:21:58,200 You know, I just want you to understand something. 393 00:21:58,480 --> 00:22:02,800 If you would have been a little more fast, little bit more on 394 00:22:02,800 --> 00:22:05,800 the ball, guess what? This wouldn't have happened 395 00:22:05,800 --> 00:22:07,800 here. She's looking at it from the 396 00:22:07,920 --> 00:22:10,960 practical observation of the situation. 397 00:22:11,160 --> 00:22:14,000 And basically she's asking the question, well, where were you? 398 00:22:15,000 --> 00:22:16,560 Why didn't you come two days ago? 399 00:22:17,040 --> 00:22:19,080 Why didn't you get here before he died? 400 00:22:19,600 --> 00:22:22,800 Now I I know I still believe that you're the God who can 401 00:22:22,800 --> 00:22:24,960 heal. I still believe that you can do 402 00:22:24,960 --> 00:22:27,600 all things. But as far as this story goes, 403 00:22:27,600 --> 00:22:31,640 she thought it was all over. Have you know, church with God, 404 00:22:31,640 --> 00:22:34,720 the story is never all over. If we put our trust in him, 405 00:22:35,320 --> 00:22:36,880 that's so important for us to know. 406 00:22:36,960 --> 00:22:39,800 Amen. And so Jesus said to her, your 407 00:22:39,800 --> 00:22:44,440 brother will rise again. Martha said to him, I know that 408 00:22:44,440 --> 00:22:46,360 he will rise again in the resurrection. 409 00:22:46,360 --> 00:22:49,840 At the last day. Jesus said to her, I am the 410 00:22:49,840 --> 00:22:53,240 resurrection and the life. He who believes in me, though he 411 00:22:53,240 --> 00:22:57,240 may die, he shall live, And whoever lives and believes in me 412 00:22:57,240 --> 00:22:59,960 shall never die. Do you believe this? 413 00:23:00,400 --> 00:23:03,880 She said to him, Yes, Lord, I believe that you are the Christ, 414 00:23:03,880 --> 00:23:06,360 the Son of God who is coming to the world. 415 00:23:06,720 --> 00:23:10,960 And I put over this the theological observation because 416 00:23:10,960 --> 00:23:13,000 she was more the practical person. 417 00:23:13,240 --> 00:23:16,240 You can be sure she knew her catechism, she knew her 418 00:23:16,240 --> 00:23:20,040 doctrine, and when Jesus Christ is asking her question, she 419 00:23:20,040 --> 00:23:23,920 could recite the lessons. Well, I know that one day we 420 00:23:23,920 --> 00:23:28,440 will raise from the dead. I know that you will do such and 421 00:23:28,440 --> 00:23:31,440 such and such and such, but Jesus wanted to understand 422 00:23:31,440 --> 00:23:32,640 something. No, wait a second. 423 00:23:33,000 --> 00:23:35,520 I didn't say I'm going to be the resurrection. 424 00:23:35,640 --> 00:23:39,040 He said what I am the resurrection. 425 00:23:39,720 --> 00:23:44,640 Jesus was the one who met Moses in the burning Bush and Moses 426 00:23:44,640 --> 00:23:48,120 said, well, who's talking to me? He said I am who I am. 427 00:23:48,280 --> 00:23:51,880 Tell them the I am had sent you because he was asking questions 428 00:23:51,880 --> 00:23:54,280 about, well, what are the children of Israel going to say 429 00:23:54,280 --> 00:23:56,920 when I come to them and say they're going to be delivered? 430 00:23:57,120 --> 00:24:00,560 And God says to you today I am who I am. 431 00:24:00,560 --> 00:24:04,280 You fill in the blanks. I said you fill in the blank 432 00:24:04,280 --> 00:24:09,120 because whatever it is that's happening in your life, He is 433 00:24:09,160 --> 00:24:14,640 the solution for your situation. He will reveal His glory in your 434 00:24:14,640 --> 00:24:16,920 life if you'll let Him in. Amen. 435 00:24:17,400 --> 00:24:22,000 And so he wanted Martha to understand I'm the present tense 436 00:24:22,000 --> 00:24:23,920 God. I'm not just the future God. 437 00:24:23,920 --> 00:24:27,560 A lot of people have a God that had a past. 438 00:24:28,000 --> 00:24:30,760 He rose from the dead and they'll talk about the Gospels 439 00:24:31,080 --> 00:24:34,080 and some have one of the future. One day I know I'm going to go 440 00:24:34,080 --> 00:24:36,600 to heaven or one day Jesus is going to return. 441 00:24:37,040 --> 00:24:40,280 And Jesus said both of those things are theologically 442 00:24:40,280 --> 00:24:42,920 correct. But remember, I'm here right now 443 00:24:42,960 --> 00:24:45,160 in the here and now says the mighty God. 444 00:24:45,840 --> 00:24:48,960 And he wants us to know he's the I am God. 445 00:24:49,640 --> 00:24:52,240 Mary came where Jesus was and saw him. 446 00:24:52,680 --> 00:24:56,320 She fell down at her feet again. She's the emotional one, saying 447 00:24:56,320 --> 00:24:59,600 to him, Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have 448 00:24:59,600 --> 00:25:02,280 died. Therefore, when Jesus saw her 449 00:25:02,280 --> 00:25:06,560 weeping and the Jews who came with her weeping, he groaned in 450 00:25:06,560 --> 00:25:10,120 the Spirit and was troubled, and he said, Where have you laid 451 00:25:10,120 --> 00:25:12,840 him? They said to him, Lord, come and 452 00:25:12,840 --> 00:25:15,040 see. Jesus wept. 453 00:25:15,720 --> 00:25:20,360 And I, I love this story because it shows us #1 the other side, 454 00:25:20,360 --> 00:25:22,160 which is Mary, the sensitive one. 455 00:25:22,200 --> 00:25:26,400 She's probably hurt because Jesus didn't show up, but she's 456 00:25:26,400 --> 00:25:29,640 also sensitive to him. So she's not going to say I'm 457 00:25:29,640 --> 00:25:30,600 hurt. Where were you? 458 00:25:30,600 --> 00:25:33,800 But she did say, well, Lord, I do know it makes it sound like a 459 00:25:33,800 --> 00:25:36,560 faith confession. I know if you were here, this 460 00:25:36,560 --> 00:25:38,880 wouldn't have happened. But I hope you never mind. 461 00:25:38,880 --> 00:25:42,200 She's thinking if you would have been here, this wouldn't have 462 00:25:42,200 --> 00:25:45,640 happened. But she was a sensitive one, but 463 00:25:45,640 --> 00:25:48,400 so was Jesus. And I want you to know this 464 00:25:48,400 --> 00:25:52,080 about God because the Bible teaches us that God has 465 00:25:52,080 --> 00:25:54,160 emotions. He feels what we feel. 466 00:25:55,000 --> 00:25:58,320 That might be hard for you to believe that the Bible tells us 467 00:25:58,320 --> 00:26:01,920 that God is a God of feelings. And when Jesus Christ was in 468 00:26:01,920 --> 00:26:05,640 this situation, he felt what they felt, how he knew he was 469 00:26:05,640 --> 00:26:08,040 going to raise them from the Lazarus, from the dead. 470 00:26:08,240 --> 00:26:10,160 So it wasn't an issue of outcomes. 471 00:26:10,320 --> 00:26:13,640 He was getting drawn into their emotions. 472 00:26:13,800 --> 00:26:17,760 He was getting drawn into their feelings and He wept because he 473 00:26:18,160 --> 00:26:21,320 was aware of how they felt in the situation. 474 00:26:22,160 --> 00:26:25,720 Jesus wept and I was a kid. That was our favorite verse of 475 00:26:25,720 --> 00:26:28,760 the Bible because we always had Sunday school and vacation Bible 476 00:26:28,760 --> 00:26:32,320 school contest. Whoever could memorize the most 477 00:26:32,320 --> 00:26:36,000 verses and everybody could add Jesus wept right away. 478 00:26:37,400 --> 00:26:40,520 Very short, but. So telling. 479 00:26:41,560 --> 00:26:46,480 He felt he groaned. The Bible even says when we have 480 00:26:46,480 --> 00:26:50,960 the Holy Spirit, that sometimes the Holy Spirit inside of us is 481 00:26:51,040 --> 00:26:53,800 crying out with groanings which cannot be uttered. 482 00:26:54,240 --> 00:26:57,040 I know that when I'm in prayer, I can get in touch with God and 483 00:26:57,040 --> 00:27:00,640 know how he feels about the service on Sunday morning, and 484 00:27:00,640 --> 00:27:04,520 he can direct me on what to say for that particular time. 485 00:27:05,520 --> 00:27:08,760 And I believe it's so important to know that we have a God who 486 00:27:08,760 --> 00:27:12,280 can sympathize with our infirmities. 487 00:27:12,680 --> 00:27:17,280 That's why God became flesh, so he can sympathize with our 488 00:27:17,280 --> 00:27:19,720 infirmities, and he certainly does. 489 00:27:19,720 --> 00:27:23,280 Church. The Jews said, see how he loved 490 00:27:23,280 --> 00:27:25,560 him there. Everybody recognized the love. 491 00:27:26,160 --> 00:27:29,480 And some of them said, could not this man who opened the eyes of 492 00:27:29,480 --> 00:27:32,640 the vine also have kept this man from dying? 493 00:27:33,360 --> 00:27:35,840 Lazarus was raised from the dead. 494 00:27:35,920 --> 00:27:39,400 Then Jesus again groaning in himself, came to the tomb. 495 00:27:39,560 --> 00:27:41,840 It was a cave and a stone lay against it. 496 00:27:42,440 --> 00:27:46,720 Jesus said take away the stone. Martha, the sister. 497 00:27:46,720 --> 00:27:49,520 Of him who was dead, said to him, Lord, by this time there's 498 00:27:49,520 --> 00:27:52,360 a stench, for he has been dead for days. 499 00:27:54,360 --> 00:27:56,200 Everybody asked the same. Question. 500 00:27:58,520 --> 00:28:01,120 Really, everybody had the. Same statement too. 501 00:28:01,640 --> 00:28:04,120 And that was, first of all, why weren't you here? 502 00:28:04,120 --> 00:28:08,440 And #2 why did this happen? And I like to say that from time 503 00:28:08,440 --> 00:28:10,880 to time, because one of the greatest things you'll hear 504 00:28:10,880 --> 00:28:13,280 people say when they say, I don't believe in God. 505 00:28:13,280 --> 00:28:15,000 How can there be a God when there's wars? 506 00:28:15,000 --> 00:28:16,680 How can there be a God when they're suffering? 507 00:28:16,920 --> 00:28:18,520 Because everybody thinks the same thing. 508 00:28:18,520 --> 00:28:21,120 How can there be a God who that's bad things happen? 509 00:28:23,720 --> 00:28:27,040 And God said well. I created the natural order and 510 00:28:27,040 --> 00:28:30,480 I created people so that they could grow and develop. 511 00:28:30,480 --> 00:28:33,520 And because of these two things, there's always a conflict. 512 00:28:33,520 --> 00:28:36,040 I don't stop everything from happening, but I'm always there 513 00:28:36,040 --> 00:28:39,320 when it happens. I said he's always there when it 514 00:28:39,320 --> 00:28:40,760 happens. Amen, Sharks. 515 00:28:42,720 --> 00:28:45,640 But sometimes when we. Feel that we weren't protected. 516 00:28:45,640 --> 00:28:48,920 We kind of think, well, God doesn't notice we're here, God 517 00:28:48,920 --> 00:28:52,040 doesn't love thee or God doesn't care my about my situation. 518 00:28:52,040 --> 00:28:53,920 God said no, that's not true at all. 519 00:28:54,760 --> 00:28:59,160 I care, I'm concerned. And when Jesus said roll the 520 00:28:59,160 --> 00:29:04,080 stone away Martha, the practical ones like he's been dead 4 days, 521 00:29:04,080 --> 00:29:08,400 it's going to stink. Martha, I want to work a 522 00:29:08,400 --> 00:29:09,800 miracle. What's the matter with you? 523 00:29:10,640 --> 00:29:14,760 Get yourself together. You know church, sometimes we go 524 00:29:14,760 --> 00:29:19,600 through situations and it's like that stench that we want to stay 525 00:29:19,600 --> 00:29:21,880 away from. We don't want to open or roll 526 00:29:21,880 --> 00:29:24,200 away the stone because it's better not to deal with it. 527 00:29:24,200 --> 00:29:28,760 Just just let dead dogs lie, so to speak and God. 528 00:29:28,760 --> 00:29:32,320 Says Nope, you got. To roll the stone away might 529 00:29:32,320 --> 00:29:36,880 smell a little bit, you might have some issues you got to deal 530 00:29:36,880 --> 00:29:41,680 with, but roll the stone out of the way so God can do his work 531 00:29:41,680 --> 00:29:44,880 in that church. And I believe that with all my 532 00:29:44,880 --> 00:29:48,000 heart. And He says to us that we need 533 00:29:48,000 --> 00:29:49,720 to be that kind of a people of faith. 534 00:29:49,880 --> 00:29:52,600 It says then finally then they took away the stone from the 535 00:29:52,600 --> 00:29:54,560 place where the dead man was lying. 536 00:29:55,240 --> 00:29:59,200 Jesus lifted up his eyes and said, Father, I thank you that 537 00:29:59,200 --> 00:30:02,320 you have heard me. Now when he said these things, 538 00:30:02,320 --> 00:30:05,920 he cried with a loud voice. Lazarus come forth, and he who 539 00:30:05,920 --> 00:30:10,280 had died came out bound hand and foot with grave clothes. 540 00:30:10,720 --> 00:30:12,520 His face was wrapped with a cloth. 541 00:30:13,000 --> 00:30:16,760 Jesus said to him, Lose him and let him go. 542 00:30:17,920 --> 00:30:21,240 I do want to say that, you know, as Christians, God can make us 543 00:30:21,240 --> 00:30:24,360 alive, but sometimes we do have some grave clothes. 544 00:30:24,920 --> 00:30:27,360 That's why we have our life enrichment classes in the 545 00:30:27,360 --> 00:30:30,800 ministry of counseling here at Mount Zion for marriages and for 546 00:30:30,800 --> 00:30:33,960 personal situations. Because sometimes even after 547 00:30:33,960 --> 00:30:36,280 you've been made alive, you got to be willing to deal with the 548 00:30:36,280 --> 00:30:39,520 issues because God doesn't want us just to be alive. 549 00:30:40,000 --> 00:30:42,480 Jesus said I didn't just come to make you alive. 550 00:30:42,560 --> 00:30:45,160 I have come to give you the abundant life. 551 00:30:45,800 --> 00:30:49,000 How many want to reach out for the abundant life on this very 552 00:30:49,000 --> 00:30:51,840 important day of Easter? Amen. 553 00:30:52,480 --> 00:30:54,920 Let's all bow our heads and close our eyes for just a 554 00:30:54,920 --> 00:30:57,840 moment. And I'd like. 555 00:30:57,840 --> 00:31:01,560 To say that the. Jesus, that was with. 556 00:31:01,560 --> 00:31:05,280 Mary, Martha. Who loved them? 557 00:31:06,440 --> 00:31:12,320 Who was at work for them that same Jesus is saying won't. 558 00:31:12,320 --> 00:31:16,120 You let me into. Your life won't you let me into 559 00:31:16,120 --> 00:31:20,280 your circumstance? Let me in your. 560 00:31:20,280 --> 00:31:25,360 Marriage, let me in your personal distress. 561 00:31:27,880 --> 00:31:28,960 Let me in. I want to. 562 00:31:28,960 --> 00:31:33,520 Be there for you. Let me in your. 563 00:31:33,520 --> 00:31:35,880 Heart and in your life, I want to be your strength. 564 00:31:35,880 --> 00:31:37,920 I want to be your God. I want to be your helper. 565 00:31:39,680 --> 00:31:41,680 That's what he wants. To do for us. 566 00:31:43,000 --> 00:31:45,360 Father I thank. You today for your covenant of 567 00:31:45,360 --> 00:31:47,520 blessing that you have for us, your people. 568 00:31:48,080 --> 00:31:51,160 I pray in Jesus name that each and everyone of us would have an 569 00:31:51,160 --> 00:31:55,480 enlightenment this day to know there's more you have for us in 570 00:31:55,520 --> 00:32:00,440 Jesus name, Amen. This is Pastor Lorne Coverbius 571 00:32:00,440 --> 00:32:03,040 from Mount Zion Church. We thank you for joining us 572 00:32:03,040 --> 00:32:06,040 today and invite you to connect with our church family by 573 00:32:06,040 --> 00:32:09,800 visiting mountzion.org and following us on social media. 574 00:32:10,040 --> 00:32:10,760 God bless you.