Crossroads Christian Fellowship Media Archive

Jesus and His disciples receive word that their friend Lazarus is sick. After an intentional delay, Lazarus dies, and they all head to Bethany to awaken him.

John 11:1-16 Now a certain man was sick, Lazarus of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha. 2 It was that Mary who anointed the Lord with fragrant oil and wiped His feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick. 3 Therefore the sisters sent to Him, saying, “Lord, behold, he whom You love is sick.”

4 When Jesus heard that, He said, “This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified through it.”

5 Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. 6 So, when He heard that he was sick, He stayed two more days in the place where He was. 7 Then after this He said to the disciples, “Let us go to Judea again.”

8 The disciples said to Him, “Rabbi, lately the Jews sought to stone You, and are You going there again?”

9 Jesus answered, “Are there not twelve hours in the day? If anyone walks in the day, he does not stumble, because he sees the light of this world. 10 But if one walks in the night, he stumbles, because the light is not in him.” 11 These things He said, and after that He said to them, “Our friend Lazarus sleeps, but I go that I may wake him up.”

12 Then His disciples said, “Lord, if he sleeps he will get well.” 13 However, Jesus spoke of his death, but they thought that He was speaking about taking rest in sleep.

14 Then Jesus said to them plainly, “Lazarus is dead. 15 And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, that you may believe. Nevertheless let us go to him.”

16 Then Thomas, who is called the Twin, said to his fellow disciples, “Let us also go, that we may die with Him.”

John 5:21-22 For as the Father raises the dead and gives life to them, even so the Son gives life to whom He will. For the Father judges no one, but has committed all judgment to the Son…

John 2:21  But He was speaking of the temple of His body.

Isaiah 41:1-3a But now, thus says the Lord, who created you, O Jacob,
And He who formed you, O Israel:
“Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by your name;
You are Mine.

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you.
When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned,
Nor shall the flame scorch you.

For I am the Lord your God,
The Holy One of Israel, your Savior…

Sermon Discussion Questions:

• What "I AM" phrases have we covered so far in John?

• What is something that struck you as interesting about Mary and Martha's plea?

• Why does Jesus delay rather than leaving at once for Bethany?

• How do His disciples react to the news they are returning to Judea?

• How should a Christian view death?

Jesus was asked if He was the Christ and His answer was way more than they asked for.  Although they were shocked and turned violent, His answer is a source of immense wonder and comfort to His followers.

Psalm 82 God stands in the congregation of the mighty;
He judges among the gods.
2 How long will you judge unjustly,
And show partiality to the wicked? Selah
3 Defend the poor and fatherless;
Do justice to the afflicted and needy.
4 Deliver the poor and needy;
Free them from the hand of the wicked.

5 They do not know, nor do they understand;
They walk about in darkness;
All the foundations of the earth are unstable.

6 I said, “You are gods,
And all of you are children of the Most High.
7 But you shall die like men,
And fall like one of the princes.”

8 Arise, O God, judge the earth;
For You shall inherit all nations.

John 10:22-42 22 Now it was the Feast of Dedication in Jerusalem, and it was winter. 23 And Jesus walked in the temple, in Solomon’s porch. 24 Then the Jews surrounded Him and said to Him, “How long do You keep us in doubt? If You are the Christ, tell us plainly.”

25 Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in My Father’s name, they bear witness of Me. 26 But you do not believe, because you are not of My sheep, as I said to you. 27 My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. 28 And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand. 30 I and My Father are one.”

31 Then the Jews took up stones again to stone Him. 32 Jesus answered them, “Many good works I have shown you from My Father. For which of those works do you stone Me?”

33 The Jews answered Him, saying, “For a good work we do not stone You, but for blasphemy, and because You, being a Man, make Yourself God.”

34 Jesus answered them, “Is it not written in your law, ‘I said, “You are gods” ’? 35 If He called them gods, to whom the word of God came (and the Scripture cannot be broken), 36 do you say of Him whom the Father sanctified and sent into the world, ‘You are blaspheming,’ because I said, ‘I am the Son of God’? 37 If I do not do the works of My Father, do not believe Me; 38 but if I do, though you do not believe Me, believe the works, that you may know and believe that the Father is in Me, and I in Him.” 39 Therefore they sought again to seize Him, but He escaped out of their hand.

40 And He went away again beyond the Jordan to the place where John was baptizing at first, and there He stayed. 41 Then many came to Him and said, “John performed no sign, but all the things that John spoke about this Man were true.” 42 And many believed in Him there.

John 5:17-18   But Jesus answered them, “My Father has been working until now, and I have been working.” Therefore the Jews sought all the more to kill Him, because He not only broke the Sabbath, but also said that God was His Father, making Himself equal with God.

John 8:58-59   Jesus said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM.” Then they took up stones to throw at Him; but Jesus hid Himself and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by.

John 4:25-26   The woman said to Him, “I know that Messiah is coming” (who is called Christ). “When He comes, He will tell us all things.” Jesus said to her, “I who speak to you am He.”

John 9:35-38   Jesus heard that they had cast him out; and when He had found him, He said to him, “Do you believe in the Son of God?” He answered and said, “Who is He, Lord, that I may believe in Him?” And Jesus said to him, “You have both seen Him and it is He who is talking with you.” Then he said, “Lord, I believe!” And he worshiped Him.

John 6:67-69   Then Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you also want to go away?” But Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. Also we have come to believe and know that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

“The Jews had asked for a plain statement that would clarify whether or not He was the Messiah.  He gave them far more…”  D A Carson

“Now indeed He had ‘told them plainly’, but the plainness was intolerable.”  F F Bruce

“So He administers a short, sharp shock, a Scriptural reason why they should not take umbrage (offense) just because He calls Himself the Son of God”  D A Carson

John 1:1   In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

John 1:14   And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.

Mutual Co-Inherence

Inherent:

            1.  Existing as an essential constituent or characteristic; intrinsic.  “The dangers inherent in the surgery”

            2.  Permanently existing in something; inseparably attached or connected; naturally pertaining to; innate;  “Polarity is an inherent quality of the magnet”

John 17:21   that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me.

Ephesians 3:18-19   may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height— to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

Romans 11:33   Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out!

Ephesians 1:3   Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,

Sermon Discussion Questions:

• Why was Jesus words called a "bombshell" in the sermon? 

• Why was the reaction so strong? 

• Why did Jesus refer to Psalm 82? 

• What does Mutual Co-Inherence refer to? 

• Why is this great mystery glorious and important as we face life in this fallen world?

Are you one of Christ's sheep.  He describes them as incredibly blessed, loved and protected...eternally.  Are you one of them?  This message will help you answer this question.

Ecclesiastes 3:8   A time of war, And a time of peace.

Ephesians 1:4-5   just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will,

John 15:13   Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.

John 6:39   This is the will of the Father who sent Me, that of all He has given Me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up at the last day.

John 10:28 (Holman Bible)   I give them eternal life, and they will never perish—ever! No one will snatch them out of My hand.

John 10:14-15  (NIV)   “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep.

1 John 1:19-20   They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us; but they went out that they might be made manifest, that none of them were of us. But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and you know all things.

Sermon Discussion Questions:

• What are the Privileges that come with being one of Christ's Sheep? 

• When all of them are considered, what is your response? 

• Are you one of Christ's Sheep?  How would you know?

Jesus gave a simple illustration which had the most profound meaning that should touch us to the very deepest parts of our heart and soul and should impact our whole self, life and even death.

John 10:1-21 “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door, but climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. 2 But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. 5 Yet they will by no means follow a stranger, but will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.” 6 Jesus used this illustration, but they did not understand the things which He spoke to them.

7 Then Jesus said to them again, “Most assuredly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. 8 All who ever came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them. 9 I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. 10 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.

11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep. 12 But a hireling, he who is not the shepherd, one who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees; and the wolf catches the sheep and scatters them. 13 The hireling flees because he is a hireling and does not care about the sheep. 14 I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own. 15 As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep. 16 And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd.

17 “Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again. 18 No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This command I have received from My Father.”

19 Therefore there was a division again among the Jews because of these sayings. 20 And many of them said, “He has a demon and is mad. Why do you listen to Him?”

21 Others said, “These are not the words of one who has a demon. Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?”

John 20:31   but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name. 

John 15:13   Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.

1 John 3:16a   By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us.

Luke 22:33-34   But he said to Him, “Lord, I am ready to go with You, both to prison and to death.” Then He said, “I tell you, Peter, the rooster shall not crow this day before you will deny three times that you know Me.”

Galatians 2:20   I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.

Luke 9:51   Now it came to pass, when the time had come for Him to be received up, that He steadfastly set His face to go to Jerusalem,

John 12:27   “Now My soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save Me from this hour’? But for this purpose I came to this hour.

Matthew 26:38   Then he said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.”

Philippians 1:20   according to my earnest expectation and hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death.

Sermon Discussion Questions:

• What is the "Simple" illustration Jesus gave? 

• What is so "Profound" about it? 

• What is the greatest expression of love and why? 

• How did Jesus express this to us? 

• What should be the responses when one realizes that God the Son loved him/her in this profound way?

Following the events of Chapter 9, Jesus begins to compare Himself to the corrupt leaders of the jews by describing Himself as the Good Shepherd.

John 10:1-10 “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door, but climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. 2 But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. 5 Yet they will by no means follow a stranger, but will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.” 6 Jesus used this illustration, but they did not understand the things which He spoke to them.

7 Then Jesus said to them again, “Most assuredly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. 8 All who ever came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them. 9 I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. 10 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.

John 14:6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

Matthew 7:15 “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.

2 Peter 2:1 But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction.

2 Corinthians 11:13-15 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. 14 And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. 15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works.

1 John 4:1 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world.

2 Timothy 4:3-4 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; 4 and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.

Sermon Discussion Questions:

• Describe a first century, Palestinian sheepfold, and shepherd

• How does this imagery pertain to Jesus?

• Who did Jesus mean by robbers and thieves? 

• What are Jesus's roles as the door to the sheepfold?

• How was this applied to us today?

The blind man who Jesus healed finds himself on trial before the Jewish leaders, and finds himself being excommunicated from the synagogue. But then meets with his Savior.

Matthew 11:25 At that time Jesus answered and said, “I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and have revealed them to babes.

Luke 6:27-28 “But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you.

Sermon Discussion Questions:

• Why was the blind man taken before the Jewish leaders?

• Why were the man's parents nervous to testify

• Why did the Jews excommunicate the man?

• What's the first question Jesus asks the man?

• Explain what must a person do to be saved.

Jesus and His disciples pass by a blind man, and the question arises about sin and it's effects on the body. Jesus heals the man and the glory is given to God

John 9:1-12 Now as Jesus passed by, He saw a man who was blind from birth. 2 And His disciples asked Him, saying, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?”

3 Jesus answered, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but that the works of God should be revealed in him. 4 I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work. 5 As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”

6 When He had said these things, He spat on the ground and made clay with the saliva; and He anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay. 7 And He said to him, “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam” (which is translated, Sent). So he went and washed, and came back seeing.

8 Therefore the neighbors and those who previously had seen that he was blind said, “Is not this he who sat and begged?”

9 Some said, “This is he.” Others said, “He is like him.”

He said, “I am he.”

10 Therefore they said to him, “How were your eyes opened?”

11 He answered and said, “A Man called Jesus made clay and anointed my eyes and said to me, ‘Go to the pool of Siloam and wash.’ So I went and washed, and I received sight.”

12 Then they said to him, “Where is He?”

He said, “I do not know.”

Isaiah 29:18 In that day the deaf shall hear the words of the book,
And the eyes of the blind shall see out of obscurity and out of darkness.

Ezekiel 18:19-20 “Yet you say, ‘Why should the son not bear the guilt of the father?’ Because the son has done what is lawful and right, and has kept all My statutes and observed them, he shall surely live. 20 The soul who sins shall die. The son shall not bear the guilt of the father, nor the father bear the guilt of the son. The righteousness of the righteous shall be upon himself, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon himself.

Sermon Discussion Questions:

• Upon seeing the blind man, what do the disciples ask Jesus?

• What was Jesus's response?

• What does this account tell us about suffering?

• How should we react to suffering?

Are you a slave or has the Son set you free? This is an extremely important question to answer and this message will guide us through Jesus' teaching on the subject.

John 1:12-13   But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

1 John 3:9   No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God’s seed abides in him; and he cannot keep on sinning, because he has been born of God.

1 John 5:1-5   Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves Him who begot also loves him who is begotten of Him. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep His commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome. For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world— our faith.

1 John 5:18   We know that whoever is born of God does not sin; but he who has been born of God keeps himself, and the wicked one does not touch him.

Romans 1:32   who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.

2 Corinthians 4:3-4   But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them.

Colossians 2:13-15   And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses, having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it.

Matthew 12:28-29   But if I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, surely the kingdom of God has come upon you. Or how can one enter a strong man’s house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man? And then he will plunder his house.

2 Corinthians 4:5-6   For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, and ourselves your bondservants for Jesus’ sake. For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

James 1:18   In the exercise of His will He gave us birth by the word of truth, so that we would be a kind of first fruits among His creatures.

Sermon Discussion Questions:

• How does the Son set people free? 

• What is Satan’s character and his role in keeping people enslaved? 

• If no one can save themselves who can and must save them?  How does this work? 

• Are you Free or still a Slave...how can you answer this question according to Scripture?

Without a doubt, the most important question any person must answer is:  Who is Jesus? This message will explore the answer and some implications of the answer.

Galatians 3:6-9  just as Abraham “believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” Therefore know that only those who are of faith are sons of Abraham. And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel to Abraham beforehand, saying, “In you all the nations shall be blessed.” So then those who are of faith are blessed with believing Abraham.

Exodus 3:14  And God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.” And He said, “Thus you shall say to the children of Israel, ‘I AM has sent me to you.’ ”

Deuteronomy 32:39   ‘Now see that I, even I, am He, And there is no God besides Me; I kill and I make alive; I wound and I heal; Nor is there any who can deliver from My hand 

Isaiah 41:4   Who has performed and done it, Calling the generations from the beginning? ‘I, the LORD, am the first; And with the last I am He.’ ” 

Isaiah 43:10   “You are My witnesses,” says the LORD, “And My servant whom I have chosen, That you may know and believe Me, And understand that I am He. Before Me there was no God formed, Nor shall there be after Me. 

Isaiah 43:13   Indeed before the day was, I am He; And there is no one who can deliver out of My hand; I work, and who will reverse it?” 

Isaiah 46:4   Even to your old age, I am He, And even to gray hairs I will carry you! I have made, and I will bear; Even I will carry, and will deliver you. 

Philippians 2:5-6   Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 

Colossians 1:19   For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell, 

Colossians 2:9-10   For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power. 

Titus 2:13   looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,

Romans 9:5   of whom are the fathers and from whom, according to the flesh, Christ came, who is over all, the eternally blessed God. Amen.

Sermon Discussion Questions:

• Why did Jesus' use of "I AM" cause men to want to kill Him on the spot? 

• What insight into this phrase does the OT give us? 

• Once we believe He is the great "I AM" why should this lead us into:

  • 1.  Great Joy 

  • 2.  Great Concern?

Jesus, wrapping up His discussion with the woman caught in adultery, turns back to the crowd and makes a bold, profound statement: "I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life".

Numbers 24:17   I see Him, but not now; I behold Him, but not near; a Star shall come out of Jacob; A Scepter shall rise out of Israel, and batter the brow of Moab, and destroy all the sons of tumult.

Isaiah 9:2   The people who walked in darkness have seen a great Light; those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, upon them a light has shined.

Isaiah 49:6   Indeed He says, ‘It is too small a thing that You should be My Servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved ones of Israel; I will also give You as a light to the gentiles, that You should be My salvation to the ends of the earth.’

Luke 2:32    A light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of Your people Israel

John 15:11   These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.

John 12:35-36   Then Jesus said to them, “A little while longer the light is with you. Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you; he who walks in darkness does not know where he is going. While you have the light, believe in the light that you may become sons of light.”

Matthew 5:14-16   “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp ad put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”

John 15:11  These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.     (I have this one twice because I am going to reference it again in this order for PP)

Philippians 2:14-15   do all things without complaining or disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked an perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world

Matthew 5:16   Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven

Sermon Discussion Questions:

• Who were some of the people that prophesied Jesus coming as a light?

• Describe the way that John describes Jesus in the beginning of John 1.

• What are the two ways that people react when encountering the Light of the World.

• In what ways are we to be light unto the world?