The Lazarus Effect / Part 1
- fccreative
- Mar 25
- 10 min read
Embracing the Lazarus Effect: Faith and Breakthroughs
In today's gathering, we explored the profound journey of faith and the concept of the "Lazarus Effect," which illustrates the transformative power of God in our lives before we experience a breakthrough. We began by acknowledging the reality that life is not always linear, and our spiritual journey often mirrors the ups and downs of Passion Week. From the initial excitement of following Jesus to the challenges and doubts that arise, we are reminded that setbacks are part of the process leading to our ultimate victory.
The story of Lazarus serves as a powerful metaphor for understanding how God prepares us for breakthroughs. Jesus' delay in coming to Lazarus was not a denial but an opportunity to demonstrate His power and deepen the faith of those involved. This teaches us that delays in our lives are not rejections but divine setups for something greater. We are encouraged to trust in God's timing and to see delays as opportunities to grow in faith and understanding.
Moreover, the Lazarus Effect emphasizes that God is an "even now" God, capable of intervening in our lives no matter how dire the situation seems. Martha's wavering faith, caught between doubt and belief, reflects our own struggles. Yet, her declaration that "even now" God can act is a testament to the power of faith in the face of impossibility.
We also learned that we must actively participate in our breakthroughs. God requires us to take steps of faith, to trust Him, and to act on His instructions. Our involvement is crucial, as it demonstrates our trust and opens the door for God's power to manifest in our lives.
Finally, the Lazarus Effect calls us to live free. Jesus' command to "loose him and let him go" signifies the importance of discipleship and community in maintaining our freedom. We are reminded that while we are set free from sin, we must continue to grow and shed old mindsets that keep us bound.
Key Takeaways
Delays Are Not Denials: God's timing is perfect, and what seems like a delay is often a setup for a greater miracle. Trusting in God's timing allows us to grow in faith and prepares us for future challenges.
God is an "Even Now" God: No situation is too far gone for God to intervene. Our faith should hold onto the belief that God can act even in the most impossible circumstances, teaching us to trust in His limitless power.
Active Participation in Breakthroughs: God requires us to take steps of faith as part of our journey to breakthrough. Our actions demonstrate our trust in Him and invite His power into our lives.
Living Free Through Discipleship: True freedom comes from not only being set free by Christ but also growing in community and discipleship. We must shed old mindsets and embrace the new life God offers.
Trust as the Language of Heaven: Trust is essential in our relationship with God. It is the means by which we receive His promises and see His glory manifest in our lives.
Bible Study Discussion Guide: The Lazarus Effect
Bible Reading: John 11:38-44
Observation Questions:
1. What was Jesus' initial reaction when He heard about Lazarus' sickness, and how did this demonstrate His understanding of God's timing?
2. How did Martha's response to Jesus' arrival reflect her struggle between doubt and faith?
3. What specific instructions did Jesus give to those present at Lazarus' tomb, and what do these actions signify?
4. How did the raising of Lazarus from the dead impact the people who witnessed it, according to the sermon?
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the concept of "delays are not denials" challenge our understanding of God's timing in our personal lives?
2. In what ways does the story of Lazarus illustrate the idea that God is an "even now" God, capable of intervening in seemingly impossible situations?
3. What role does active participation play in experiencing breakthroughs, and how does this relate to the actions Jesus asked of those at Lazarus' tomb?
4. How does the sermon suggest that living free through discipleship is essential for maintaining the freedom that Christ offers?
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you experienced a delay in your life. How did you perceive it at the time, and how might you view it differently now in light of the idea that "delays are not denials"?
2. Consider a situation in your life that seems beyond hope. How can you apply the belief that God is an "even now" God to this situation?
3. Identify a specific area in your life where you feel God is asking you to take a step of faith. What practical steps can you take this week to act on this prompting?
4. Think about the community and discipleship relationships in your life. How can you engage more deeply with others to help maintain your spiritual freedom?
5. What old mindsets or habits do you need to shed to fully embrace the new life God offers? How can you begin this process today?
6. How can you cultivate a deeper trust in God's timing and plans, especially when facing uncertainty or setbacks?
7. Reflect on the role of trust as the "language of heaven" in your relationship with God. How can you strengthen this trust in your daily walk with Him?
Devotional
Day 1: Trusting in Divine Timing
Delays in life are often perceived as setbacks, but they can be divine setups for something greater. The story of Lazarus illustrates that God's timing is perfect, even when it seems delayed. Jesus' delay in coming to Lazarus was not a denial but an opportunity to demonstrate His power and deepen the faith of those involved. This teaches us that delays in our lives are not rejections but divine setups for something greater. Trusting in God's timing allows us to grow in faith and prepares us for future challenges.
"For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay." (Habakkuk 2:3, ESV)
Reflection: Think of a situation in your life where you feel God is delaying. How can you shift your perspective to see this delay as a divine setup for something greater?
Day 2: Embracing the "Even Now" Faith
God is an "even now" God, capable of intervening in our lives no matter how dire the situation seems. Martha's wavering faith, caught between doubt and belief, reflects our own struggles. Yet, her declaration that "even now" God can act is a testament to the power of faith in the face of impossibility. This teaches us to hold onto the belief that God can act even in the most impossible circumstances, trusting in His limitless power.
"Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh. Is anything too hard for me?" (Jeremiah 32:27, ESV)
Reflection: Identify a seemingly impossible situation in your life. How can you practice "even now" faith by trusting God to intervene?
Day 3: Participating in Our Breakthroughs
God requires us to take steps of faith as part of our journey to breakthrough. Our involvement is crucial, as it demonstrates our trust and opens the door for God's power to manifest in our lives. The story of Lazarus shows that while God performs the miracle, He invites us to participate actively in the process. This active participation is a demonstration of our trust in Him and an invitation for His power to work in our lives.
"But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves." (James 1:22, ESV)
Reflection: What is one step of faith you can take today to actively participate in the breakthrough you are seeking?
Day 4: Living Free Through Discipleship
True freedom comes from not only being set free by Christ but also growing in community and discipleship. Jesus' command to "loose him and let him go" signifies the importance of discipleship and community in maintaining our freedom. We are reminded that while we are set free from sin, we must continue to grow and shed old mindsets that keep us bound.
"For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery." (Galatians 5:1, ESV)
Reflection: What old mindset or habit do you need to shed to fully embrace the freedom Christ offers? How can your community support you in this journey?
Day 5: Trust as the Language of Heaven
Trust is essential in our relationship with God. It is the means by which we receive His promises and see His glory manifest in our lives. The journey of faith involves trusting God even when we do not understand His ways. Trusting in God's promises allows us to experience His glory and the fulfillment of His plans in our lives.
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths." (Proverbs 3:5-6, ESV)
Reflection: In what area of your life are you struggling to trust God? What practical steps can you take to deepen your trust in Him today?
Quotes
"If you don't see change in an area of your life that you want to see change in, I want to encourage you, pray about that area of your life. Prayer will change you so that your situation can change to come into alignment with what you're praying for as long as it agrees with the word of God"
"Jesus has a special relationship with Lazarus, Mary, and Martha. He has a special relationship because you might remember, and the story identifies her as such. This is the Mary that had anointed his feet in the home of Simon the Pharisee. Had anointed his body and washed his feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. Why did she do this? Because apparently, before that event, Jesus had freed her from a life of prostitution. And because she was a prostitute, I'm surmising, she was probably distanced from her family. Her sin separated her from her family, just like our sin separates us from being part of the family of God. But when she came into contact with Jesus, Jesus set her free from her sin, and she was reunited with her family. And she loved Jesus so much because he did for her what nothing else could do for her. He set her free from the bondage of sin and shame. And so she broke into, busted into, bum -rushed the aristocratic dinner party. Made a beeline for Jesus in the company of all the who's -whos and what -nots and people who thought that their you -know -what was not smelly."
"And Jesus, knowing the thoughts and intents of their hearts, what did he say? He said, she loves much because she's been forgiven much. And thank God the Bible describes who this Mary is. Because when you read the resurrection story, you can get confused. There's a lot of Marys in the resurrection story. It's Mary this and Mary that. What Mary is that? What Mary is this? And the Bible defines for us who this Mary is."
"Jesus has a special relationship. He has restored this family. By the way, when Jesus has done something for you, how do you treat him afterwards? He has a special relationship. And because he has a special relationship, the first thing Mary does, I'm tracking, I'm tracking, I'm tracking. The first thing Mary does is she sends word to Jesus. Jesus, the one you love, special relationship. He's sick. And when Jesus hears this, I'm tracking, I'm tracking, I'm tracking. Jesus said, I'm not going to allow for this sickness to result in death. This is for the glory of God. I got it. I got it. I got it. That's the way it's supposed to work."
"But then I become flabbergasted. My understanding gets challenged. My mind does cartwheels. When I read verse number five, Now Jesus loved Martha and our sister and Lazarus. So, because of his love, when he heard that he was sick, he stayed two more days in the place where he was. Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait. Jesus, I thought that when you love somebody and something happens to them, that the first thing you do is you run to where they are. I thought that when you get that kind of message, no matter what you're up to and what you're doing, that you drop it all and you run and you make a beeline. But wait a second, Jesus. You love them. So you stayed. But when it came to Jairus, who you had no personal relationship with, Jairus, who you never been over his house for a meal, when it came to Jairus and what he came, you ran with Jairus through the crowd in order to get to his house."
"And Jesus, you didn't know the widow woman of Nain and her son. I mean, you knew him because you were God, but you had no personal relationship with them like you do with us. And when you heard about their situation, you ran to them. But because you loved us, you waited. Now, even though this tweaks our mind, one of the things I've learned when I studied the Bible is always stay on God's side. If you think God is somehow being unjust or unloving, think again. It is beyond God to be either one of those things. God is too good to be unkind. He's too unjust to be unloving. When I can't see his hand, I can always trust his heart. So in this situation, even though I don't understand, I know God must be up to something good."
"And that's my first point. Delays are not denials. They mean God has something better in mind. Say, what do you mean, Pastor? Well, if you studied the text carefully, you will discover that Jesus was about four to five hours away from Bethany. He was on the other side of the Jordan River in a city called or named Perea. And they had to get a message to Jesus. Then they had to find Jesus. And then they and Jesus had to go back to Bethany. So even if this all happened real quick, it could have potentially taken two days. And I believe it did take two days. And the reason why I believe it did take two days is because it said Jesus waited two days. And then when he got there, Lazarus was dead four days. So four minus two means by the time the news got to Jesus, guess what?"
"Jesus wanted to do something special for them. They wanted healing. Jesus said, not only do I want to give you resurrection, but I want to give you a special kind of resurrection. You'll see what kind of special kind of resurrection this was. But here's my point on this very first portion of this text, and that is simply this, that when God seems like he's delayed, it's not a denial. It's evidence that God has something better in mind than you even thought of. Stay on God's side."
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