Read john 11
17 Now when Jesus came, he found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb four days. 18 Bethany was near Jerusalem, about two miles off, 19 and many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary to console them concerning their brother. 20 So when Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went and met him, but Mary remained seated in the house. 21 Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. 22 But even now I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give you.” 23 Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” 24 Martha said to him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.” 25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, 26 and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” 27 She said to him, “Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world.” … 38 Then Jesus, deeply moved again, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone lay against it. 39 Jesus said, “Take away the stone.” Martha, the sister of the dead man, said to him, “Lord, by this time there will be an odor, for he has been dead four days.” 40 Jesus said to her, “Did I not tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God?” 41 So they took away the stone. And Jesus lifted up his eyes and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. 42 I knew that you always hear me, but I said this on account of the people standing around, that they may believe that you sent me.” 43 When he had said these things, he cried out with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out.” 44 The man who had died came out, his hands and feet bound with linen strips, and his face wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Unbind him, and let him go.”
PONDER
What does it mean that Jesus is the resurrection and the life? How does the narrative of His miracle with Lazarus help us understand this revelation?
Jesus says, “Everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die.” Do you believe this?
PRAY
- Father, thank you for Jesus: the resurrection and the life. Help us not to grow dull to the glorious truth that everyone who lives and believe in Him shall never die.
- Father, in believing, give us eyes to see your glory.
- Father, help us set our hope beyond the pain and suffering of this world. Help us to trust in you. You are our life.
- Father, as we study your Word, may we believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and by believing, may we have life in His name.
- Father, prepare me to gather with my church and worship you. You are worthy! To you be the glory!
PRactice
Gather! 9:30 or 11:00am. Purpose to read, sing, pray, and give to worship our Savior and build up your brothers and sisters in Christ.
This Sunday we will celebrate baptism! Take a moment to pray with your family, thanking the Lord for His work in your lives and in the lives of those who will be baptized into God’s family this weekend.
5 Practices for Gathering Well:
- Be Present – The first step to gathering well: Gather!
- Be Early – Prioritize the gathering with your time. Don’t be late. The practical discipleship of this priority can be profound for you and your family.
- Be Prepared – Ponder, pray, sing, fast, and praise are all good ways to prepare.
- Be Uncomfortable – Sit with different people. Sing loud. Challenge routines. Gather on mission.
- Be Responsive – Don’t just be hearers of the Word, be doers. Pray. Ponder. Practice. Too often we gather to affirm what we already hold, rather than be taught, rebuked, corrected, or trained in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16). Gather to be transformed.
- Get help and accountability in Prepare Sundays at either 9:30 or 11:00 downstairs in the adult hall. Prepare is a Go Study Group aimed to help us grow as doers of the Word by working through the next steps required to faithfully apply the biblical text we’re reading and preaching through at TCBC.