John 11:35-44

God has created us with emotion. Jesus is proof. Being closer than a brother He weeps over the loss of his friend Lazarus.

Genesis 1:26; Love = 1John 4:16; Anger = 1Kings 11:9; Joy = Romans 14:17; Peace = Psalm 85: 8

1. An odor.

a. Conversation about Death is a tricky.

b. Jesus' request is met with obedience.

2. Prayer

a. Jesus is an advocate on our behalf when we come to Him in prayer.

b. Prayer can happen anywhere, at anytime, and with any emotion.

c.Jesus is the High Priest examining a healed man. He turned a scenario of death upside-down.

John 11:28-37

Hebrews 5:1&7-9 = How Christ identifies with us and we reflect Him.

1. The 'why's' & 'if only's' (Vs. 32)

                 James 4:1-3 

2. Jesus wept (vs. 35)

               Isaiah 61:1-4

               Matthew 5:4

               Zephaniah 3:14-20

John 11:17-27

In the midst of delay:

1. Faith Increased. 2Corinthians 1:3-9

2. Jesus reveals He is the Resurrection and the Life.

3. Martha chooses Belief.

4. Martha Confesses Jesus as Lord & The Son of God

1Peter 2:9-12

John 10:39-11:16

*Jesus has escaped mankind, who again attempts too imprison/kill Him (vs. 39).

= No one can take Jesus' life. He willingly lays His life down for the redemption of us and the world.

*A comparison is made between John the Baptizer and Jesus (vs. 40-41).

=John a true prophet. Jesus is more than a prophet, He is greater than John. When Jesus calls Himself the Son of God; He is being truthful.

*Many follow Jesus (vs. 42).

= Many people overcame there skepticism, unbelief, and hard hearts. 

Lazarus = Loved by Jesus.    Mary = Loved by Jesus.   Martha = Loved by Jesus

1. What is Love?

1Corinthians 13:4-8

*Where do I need to improve my love?

*Have I perverted love? If yes, Then I need to repent.

2. Strange happenings:  (Galatians 6:9; Romans 8:32-39)

         a. Jesus says Lazarus wont die from this illness, yet Lazarus is dead.

         b. Jesus loves Lazarus, yet delays going to him on purpose 2 more days. 

1. Jesus is Messiah = He and God are One. (John 10:30)

John 3:31-36; 2Corinthians 8:9; Colossians 3:15; Colossians 1:18-20; Hebrews 1:1-4

2. Four more characteristics of Christ

Protector

Provider

Deliverer

Master

3. The struggle = Jesus is Master

John 10:11-19

In today's episode we discuss Jesus' attributes as the Good Shepherd, look at His warning against hired hands, and the reality that Jesus loves people different from us. 

Questions to ponder:

Is Jesus God?

How does the reality that Jesus has authority to lay down His life and pick up His life again effect your view of life in the 21st century?

Is Jesus more than a prophet?

*Salvation through Christ is bigger than my personal salvation.

John 10:1-11

In the parable of John 10 we see Jesus ' attributes conveyed in 2 ways first He is The Good Shepherd. Next we see Him as The Door. Jesus' character is not limited to just these two descriptions.  We have the gatekeeper who is the helper of the Shepherd, a reference to The Holy Spirit.

We see ourselves as sheep and the importance of our reliability upon the ability to enter through The Door and follow The Good Shepherd.

Last we have the enemy whose purpose is to steal, kill, and destroy. The enemy is not just out to damage or steal the sheep, but to ultimately attack The Good Shepherd. 

The Conclusion of John 9:35-41

1. Do you believe?

Discussion of belief and faith.  *Matthew 22:2-6

2. Confession of belief.

Jesus simply invites us to follow Him. Man complicates matters with anything beyond belief.

*Not all paths lead to the same location (i.e. God) if they did no one would ever get lost.

3. Discussion with nearby Pharisees.

Knowledge can not heal a blind man and make him see. 

The Fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.

Proverbs 1:7; 1:24-31; Proverbs 19:27; Ecclesiastes 12:13-14; Isaiah 11:1-5

Outdoor addition

Taken from John 9:24-34

1. The religious leaders attempt to politically sway (spin the truth) the former blind man.

2.The Blind man refuses to play there game.

*I am no expert. 

*I was blind. Now I see.

3.Another attempt by religious leaders to re-influence the former blind man.

4.The former blind man re-asserts the truth.

5.The religious leaders attack the former blind man.

6.Jesus is present when everyone else has left the former blind man. (vs.35)

Jesus is present for you even if all the world isolates you. Jesus is actively working to bring glory to God the Father (Creator) and bring you into right relationship with Him.

A blind man is healed by Jesus. Within moments his neighborhood is divided between belief in the miraculous and disbelief.

John 9:7-23

I. Disbelief begins (vs.8-10)

a. to deny a miracle = denying the person is real.

b. to deny the miracle we look for 'experts' to point us to or away from belief. (vs.13)

Question: To what lengths will I go to, in order to deny Christ the opportunity to work in my life?

II. Everybody is looking for Jesus.

a. testimony of the blind man. He specifically talks about Jesus as his healer.

b. When the people can not find Jesus they turn, not to God in prayer, but to religious leaders.

Question(s): 1. What makes a person an 'expert' of God?   - personal experience.         -peoples confidence in them.    -study.        - living close to a religious site.     -faith.          -the clothes you wear.     -closeness in speaking with God.     -how you treat others.      -how many times one attends a festival.           -title.    -amount of times a person sings a song, reads a scripture, subjugates oneself to poverty/nothingness.

 2. Why was it/or was it necessary for the Pharisees to believe in Jesus, before the people could believe in Jesus?

III. Religious leaders can not even believe the facts.

a. The healing took place on Sabbath. Again!!

b. The don't believe the man was blind to begin with.

c. The disagree about who Jesus could even be.

d. Need the parents to help in the investigation.

Question: Why do people argue against actual facts?

IV. Put out of synagogue...

a. Even today people have a fear of rejection, isolation, and protection of their community/culture.

b. Peoples comfort rest in common routine.

c. God is to be our comfort, not routine.

Question: Why is rejection from community a fear?

Psalm 119:52; Isaiah 12:1; Isaiah 61:1-2; 2Corinthians1:6-7