Sermon Overview
Scripture Passage: John 11

The Book of John shares Jesus’ glorious miracles with great messages and spiritual truths. In John 11, Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, revealing that He is God’s answer to Man’s death.

“Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die’” (John 11:25-26).

Many of us are alive but simply exist, fighting to live, while living to fight; but Jesus came, so that we may have life abundantly.

Therefore, the only way to live abundantly is to first experience life in Jesus.
In this passage, Lazarus had been physically dead for days; spiritually, he represents many of us who are dead in our sins. No amount of examples, encouragement, environment or education can bring a spiritually dead man back to life. He is resurrected the same way Jesus resurrected Lazarus: by His Word. Those who know Jesus Christ never truly die; instead, they have everlasting life.

Second, living abundantly means exercising liberty through Jesus.
We can be saved, and still not live in victory, caught up somewhere between the powers of Calvary and Pentecost.

As Lazarus was taken out of his grave clothes, we must also discard our old lives and step into new lives of liberty. As the Church, we minister to each other by calling forth the spiritually dead and unwrapping the saints.

Abundant life also means enjoying our love for Jesus.
Lazarus dined with Jesus after he was resurrected, reminding us that fellowship with Jesus Christ is a reward in itself.

Finally, abundant life means expressing loyalty to Jesus.
After all he’d experienced, Lazarus was no longer afraid of death; He was loyal to Jesus, even when there was a threat made against him by the Pharisees.

Adrian Rogers says, “No man is ready to live until he is no longer afraid to die.”

When we experience life in Jesus, as well as liberty, love, and loyalty to Him, we begin to live the abundant life He promised us.



Apply it to your life
Do you have the abundant life Jesus promised those who live in Him? Consider your spiritual condition today, and step into a life of liberty, love, and loyalty to Christ.