After raising Lazarus from the dead, Jesus withdraws from the public eye, no longer “walking openly” among those who have hardened themselves against him. As chapter 12 opens, the scene shifts to a house party at Simon the leper. The room is full—friends, disciples, and curious onlookers gathered to celebrate and to sit with Jesus. And in this setting, the Lord reveals something essential about the heart of true worship.

Two figures stand in stark contrast: Mary of Bethany and Judas Iscariot—each embodying a radically different vision of what worship should look like. Today we’re going to discover, through their example, what it means to enter the place of power in our worship.

What happens when we deny Christ? What happens when he reveals himself, reasons with us, and yet we still resist him?Today we watch the Sanhedrin plot against the Messiah—even after he raised Lazarus. In their response, we see their motives laid bare. And if we’re honest, we see our own exposed as well.

Now we come to the moment when Jesus returns to Bethany to raise Lazarus from the dead. But before the miracle, there’s a meeting—a heartfelt exchange with Martha and Mary as they pour out their grief and confusion before the Lord. Through their words, we learn what it means to believe even when it hurts—to trust Christ when life hasn’t gone the way we hoped. this passage calls us to find our satisfaction in him, and how to draw near to God despite our unmet expectations.

John 11:1-16 / In this sermon, we find Jesus receiving news that his dear friend Lazarus is gravely ill. Though the need seems urgent, Christ delays His journey—not from neglect, but for the sake of his divine purposes. In these verses we see the heart of our Savior: fully aware, deeply loving, and perfectly intentional. He knows every detail of our lives, even when we feel forgotten. What seems like absence, distance or delay is often just the setup for a greater story. In John 11 we find Jesus, as our friend, working all things according to a plan far higher and holier than our own.

At the Feast of Dedication, Jesus once again faces a skeptical crowd. They demand that He state plainly whether He is the Messiah—but He has grown weary of their unbelief. In response, Jesus delivers a powerful series of declarations and promises concerning those who truly follow Him. In this message, we explore Christ’s words not only as a source of encouragement, but also as a means of examining the sincerity and fruit of our own ministries.

At the Feast of Dedication, Jesus once again faces a skeptical crowd. They demand that He state plainly whether He is the Messiah—but He has grown weary of their unbelief. In response, Jesus delivers a powerful series of declarations and promises concerning those who truly follow Him. In this message, we explore Christ’s words not only as a source of encouragement, but also as a means of examining the sincerity and fruit of our own ministries.