The messenger and his role – Preaching
Preaching Outline on John 11:3-4 – Then his sisters sent to him, saying, “Lord, behold, he whom you love is sick. When Jesus heard this, he said, “This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified through it.
Development
ANONYMITY
My brothers, first of all it’s worth remembering that the Bible doesn’t mention the name of this messenger or his origins, so he’s an Anonymous. The aim is not to propagate/evidence the name of the one who will carry the message, but of the one who described the message.
THE FUNCTION
He was responsible for finding the addressee in bad weather, cold, sun and clearly directing the message he was sending.
Often, we as workers have to face barriers, difficulties so that the message can be delivered.
THE 1st MESSAGE (of man, creator, without faith, without hope)
Vs.3 – Lord, behold, the one you love is sick. Look, brothers, the text begins by saying that the sisters sent him with this message. This messenger is worried, afraid, not 100% sure, disbelieving, without hope.
When the worker takes the message of reason, of hopelessness, without faith, without certainty, when instead of it coming from heaven, it comes from the ground of a difficult situation… As workers, every time we carry this message, we won’t see any results. But there is one detail… He knew how to meet JESUS, and he goes to Jesus with this message… Jesus didn’t despise him, but now he has another message…
THE 2nd MESSAGE (of JESUS, life, redemption, miracle, hope)
Vs.4 – Not to death… – This man now had an even greater responsibility to clearly carry a message that had come from the mouth of JESUS. He probably returns now with faith, hope in the midst of the situation, because he has had an encounter with Jesus.
When we meet Jesus (the truth) everything changes, the message is different, it’s what came from the mouth of the Son of God, and we have a great responsibility to speak only what came from Jesus. The detail is that we know how to find him – by praying, seeking, using the means of grace, which are resources that lead us to the author of truth.
THE CONDITION (life vs. death)
When that messenger arrived in Bethany at the home of Lazarus’ sisters, he saw a difficult scene: Lazarus was DEAD!
He had one condition, to believe in Jesus’ word and by faith tell those women in the midst of pain that Jesus had said that he was not for DEATH, when he had seen it with his own eyes in the grave. Of course, they wanted to know what the encounter with Jesus had been like… And that messenger tells her: “He told me that he is not for death”
These women also had a condition: whether or not they believed in the message.
My brothers and sisters, it can be difficult what our church and its members are going through with struggles, trials in their homes, work and health. But we have to have DARING and FAITH to deliver the message that is not ours, it is JESUS’, we are just his instruments, vehicles, vessels. Even when you see the difficult situation, BELIEVE!
Many will not believe this message, given the DEATH they are experiencing in their homes, in their lives, they will doubt whether we are really handing over something that belongs to the Lord.
THE TIME
It had been four days since Lazarus had been dead in his grave, which is, humanly speaking: IMPOSSIBLE. But Jesus arrived at the house. There was weeping, sadness, hopelessness…
From now on there will be no more talk of the messenger, as it has done its job.
Time may pass, but the word of Jesus does not return empty… He is faithful and just, even if some think it’s too late, he doesn’t hold back his promise. The important thing is that Jesus will come for you, for your pain, and will change your sadness into joy.
THE RESULT
Vs. 43,44 – …Come out! …. And he who was dead came out….
Jesus met the needy and restored hope, peace and joy, working a miracle in the lives of those in need.
Look, brothers, when he delivers the message, it’s no longer about the messenger, it’s about Jesus. Fulfill your role of carrying the word, we are vessels, only he works, who stands out.
Don’t show up, let Jesus show up and he’ll perform the miracle.
Preaching Outline on John 11:3-4 – Then his sisters sent to him, saying, “Lord, behold, he whom you love is sick. When Jesus heard this, he said, “This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified through it.
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