What would it look like for you to offer your very best in response to what Jesus has done for you? In John 12, Mary teaches us that the extravagant gifts of God to us provoke extravagant worship from us.

When Jesus calls us to life, it includes a command to leave our old dead way of life behind us. If we want to remove our grave clothes and move forward, we need to ask others to help us and then let them help!

We are all products of our environment. Where we live, when we live, and who we live with all impact the way we experience the world. When Jesus brings new life, he reveals everything in our lives that is incompatible with his kingdom. Our job is to let him reveal the grave clothes of culture, time, and place and remove them.

Paul in Galatians 6 encourages the church to “steady on” in doing good works for their brothers and sisters in Christ and to everyone. Because of the law of sowing and reaping, they would reap the spiritual benefits of bringing glory to God and advancing His kingdom if they don’t quit.

When Jesus called Lazarus out of the tomb, he also instructed others to help get the grave clothes off of Lazarus so he could enter into his new life. When say yes to Jesus, it still involves a process of leaving many parts of our old way of life behind us. Thankfully, Jesus sends others our way to help us get the grave clothes off and follow him.

In John 11:43-44 Jesus calls Lazarus back to life and then out of the grave. When Jesus speaks life he follows it up with direction that requires obedience. Come out of that grave and start walking the path that Jesus is laying out in front of you!

Today we picked up the Lazarus story in John 11:41-43 where Jesus prays to the Father for Lazarus’ resurrection. In this passage we see Jesus demonstrating his connection to the Father but we also see that Jesus knows Lazarus. Just like Lazarus, Jesus knows your name, He knows your situation and has a plan for your life. When Jesus speaks your name, he speaks life.

This week we looked at John 11:38-41, the part of the Lazarus story where Jesus tells them to roll back the stone at Lazarus’ grave. Pastor Chris explains that Martha tries to stop him, just like when we try to stop Jesus accessing our unclean places, but Jesus is not afraid. Jesus already knows what is in the grave, in your grave, so roll back the stone and let Jesus work.