Do You Believe This?

 

Today we'll start by reading - John 11:25–26 which says:

“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. Do you believe this?”

In many ways we have all felt the sting of death in one way or another — whether from losing a loved one... And even in wrestling with our own weaknesses... And trying to live with our frailties or failures...

We can feel the sting of death even through broken relationships within our own family...

We battle the many cruel consequences of sin every day in one way or another. 

The Bible tells us that whole world is dying and groans for the resurrection.

Listen to what Romans 8:22 says about this – “For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now.”

We are told in 1 Corinthians 15:17–19, what the consequence would have been if Christ had never risen. 

It tells us: “and if Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless and powerless [mere delusion]; you are still in your sins [and under the control and penalty of sin]. ¹⁸ Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. ¹⁹ If we who are [abiding] in Christ have hoped only in this life [and this is all there is], then we are of all people most miserable and to be pitied.”

The result of this is we would carry our sin, our shame, and our pain through the grave into something far worse than death...

If Jesus had not risen from His grave...  If his final breath on the cross had been his final breath...  And if death had not been conquered... Hopelessness and fear would rule over our lives.

But Praise be to God! Death could not stifle His breath.  “But in fact, Christ has been raised from the dead”

Just as 1 Corinthians 15:20 declares: “But now Christ has in fact been raised from the dead, [and He became] the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep [in death].”

 Our Savior and King secured His victory over death forever.  And His victory is our victory!

Yet there can be many days when our fears can feel far more real than His victory.

It was just a couple weeks before Jesus died, He said, “I am the resurrection and the life” (John 11:25). 

Do you remember who He said that to, and why? 

Mary and Martha had sent for Jesus, but He hadn’t come right away...and they had watched their brother Lazarus die. Martha was distraught... wondering why Jesus hadn’t come sooner.

Have you ever felt like God was late in your life — like He didn’t seem concerned that you were suffering – and why hadn’t He done something?

It was Martha that Jesus said... “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. ²⁶ And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?” (John 11:25–26).

It had been four days since Lazarus had died, when Jesus called him out of the tomb. 

And it was about two weeks later... When Jesus Himself walked out of the tomb! 

And when He did... He called us all out of the tomb, for: “Whoever believes in Me, though he die, yet shall he live.”  

If you do believe... Then death has no power over you anymore.

Whenever fears begin to creep in, you can declare with Paul, “Death is swallowed up in victory “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin [by which it brings death] is the law; but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory [as conquerors] through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 15:54B, 55–57).

You see, Fear will only ever melt away in the face of something stronger than our fears... Fear will only give way in the face of our fear-conquering King.

Hebrews 2:14-15 says, “[Christ] himself likewise partook of [flesh and blood], that through death He might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery.”

You see... For the fear that held us now gives way to the One who is our Peace. And we are not a slave to death anymore. 

John 11:25–26 AMP, Jesus said, “I am the Resurrection and the Life. Whoever believes in (adheres to, trusts in, relies on) Me [as Savior] will live even if he dies; and everyone who lives and believes in Me [as Savior] will never die. Do you believe this?”

The sorrow and the pain, that Martha felt... All gives way to what Jesus asked her... Do you believe? 

If you do then you can exclaim what Romans 8:38–39 exclaims, “For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Praise God.... not even death will be able to separate you from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord

What used to be our worst fear now only brings us home to Him forever!