Bible Study - Hrd (2) - You'll Never Die - John 11:25-27; 20:24-29 - April 21, 2019 - Happy Easter

HAPPY EASTER TO ALL!!! HE HAS RISEN INDEED!!!

Bible Study – Hard (2) – You’ll Never Die – April 21, 2019

This is lesson two (2) in our series entitled “HE Said What? Hard Sayings of JESUS.”

Our focus scripture is John 11:25-27; 20:24-29.

The resurrection of JESUS makes our own resurrection possible.

This statement reads as if our own resurrection is in doubt. Well, our resurrection as Christians is not in doubt. The Apostle Paul stated it best in 2 Corinthians 5:1-9: (NKJV)

1 For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.

2 For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed with our habitation which is from heaven,

3 if indeed, having been clothed, we shall not be found naked.

4 For we who are in this tent groan, being burdened, not because we want to be unclothed, but further clothed, that mortality may be swallowed up by life.

5 Now He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who also has given us the Spirit as a guarantee.

6 So we are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord.

7 For we walk by faith, not by sight.

8 We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.

9 Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him.

How did the Apostle Paul know this? Let’s read 2 Corinthians 2:1-5:

Sufficient Grace

1 It is necessary to boast; it is not helpful, but I will move on to visions and revelations of the Lord.

2 I know a man in Christ who was caught up into the third heaven 14 years ago. Whether he was in the body or out of the body, I don't know; God knows.

3 I know that this man-whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows-

4 was caught up into paradise. He heard inexpressible words, which a man is not allowed to speak.

5 I will boast about this person, but not about myself, except of my weaknesses.

It is believed that this man was the Apostle Paul. Possibly when Paul was stoned as we read in Acts 14:19:

19 Then some Jews came from Antioch and Iconium, and when they had won over the crowds and stoned Paul, they dragged him out of the city, thinking he was dead.

This account from Paul parallels an account a pastor friend gave me many years ago who had been pronounced dead after an automobile accident. His body had been taken to the basement of the hospital for the funeral home to pick him up. A nurse passing by saw his eyelid move and resuscitated him. As Paul could not put into words what he saw in Heaven neither could my pastor friend.

Let’s read John 11:21-27:

21 Then Martha said to Jesus, "Lord, if You had been here, my brother wouldn't have died.

22 Yet even now I know that whatever You ask from God, God will give You."

23 "Your brother will rise again," Jesus told her.

24 Martha said, "I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day."

25 Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in Me, even if he dies, will live.

26 Everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die-ever. Do you believe this?"

27 "Yes, Lord," she told Him, "I believe You are the Messiah, the Son of God, who was to come into the world."

Martha knew about the “resurrection at the last day.” JESUS reminded Martha that HE was both the resurrection and the life. Even when a person dies physically, he or she will live eternally because JESUS is both the resurrection and the life. But it takes faith in JESUS to live eternally with GOD/JESUS. Martha responded to JESUS’ question appropriately.

The miracle of rebirth of our human spirit requires placing your faith in JESUS. Every person’s human dna must be changed into Spiritual DNA through the miracle of Spiritual rebirth by the power of GOD via the Holy Spirit.

Let’s read John 12:20-36:

Jesus Predicts His Crucifixion

20 Now some Greeks were among those who went up to worship at the festival.

21 So they came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and requested of him, "Sir, we want to see Jesus."

To me these verses have had special meaning over the years. Most every person has the desire to see JESUS for various reasons. Most of us long to see JESUS to be in HIS presence and commune with HIM and ask questions. Often, we try to define HIM before we see HIM and get to know HIM. That can lead to false assumptions. Most of us seek truth, as HE is truth. To me when I read the words "Sir, we want to see Jesus," it came across in my mind as loving and genuine. They wanted to meet JESUS for the right reasons. It is precious because it reflects their hearts. Does it reflect your heart? Does it reflect my heart? Such a question sent a powerful message to JESUS as we read on ----

22 Philip went and told Andrew; then Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus.

23 Jesus replied to them, "The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.

24 "I assure you: Unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains by itself. But if it dies, it produces a large crop.

25 The one who loves his life will lose it, and the one who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.

26 If anyone serves Me, he must follow Me. Where I am, there My servant also will be. If anyone serves Me, the Father will honor him.

27 "Now My soul is troubled. What should I say-Father, save Me from this hour? But that is why I came to this hour.

28 Father, glorify Your name!" Then a voice came from heaven: "I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again!"

29 The crowd standing there heard it and said it was thunder. Others said, "An angel has spoken to Him!"

30 Jesus responded, "This voice came, not for Me, but for you.

31 Now is the judgment of this world. Now the ruler of this world will be cast out.

32 As for Me, if I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw all [people] to Myself."

33 He said this to signify what kind of death He was about to die.

34 Then the crowd replied to Him, "We have heard from the law that the Messiah will remain forever. So how can You say, 'The Son of Man must be lifted up'? Who is this Son of Man?"

35 Jesus answered, "The light will be with you only a little longer. Walk while you have the light so that darkness doesn't overtake you. The one who walks in darkness doesn't know where he's going.

36 While you have the light, believe in the light so that you may become sons of light." Jesus said this, then went away and hid from them.

We, as Christians, must walk in the light of HIS presence while there is still light because darkness is coming. Christians must share the truth of JESUS while they can because dark days are coming.

Martha and Mary witnessed the dark days of the death of their brother, Lazarus. But their grief will be turned to joy through faith in JESUS. JESUS spoke the words as recorded in John 11:32-44:

32 When Mary came to where Jesus was and saw Him, she fell at His feet and told Him, "Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died!"

33 When Jesus saw her crying, and the Jews who had come with her crying, He was angry in His spirit and deeply moved.

34 "Where have you put him?" He asked. "Lord," they told Him, "come and see."

35 Jesus wept.

36 So the Jews said, "See how He loved him!"

37 But some of them said, "Couldn't He who opened the blind man's eyes also have kept this man from dying?"

The Seventh Sign: Raising Lazarus from the Dead

38 Then Jesus, angry in Himself again, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone was lying against it.

39 "Remove the stone," Jesus said. Martha, the dead man's sister, told Him, "Lord, he already stinks. It's been four days."

40 Jesus said to her, "Didn't I tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God?"

41 So they removed the stone. Then Jesus raised His eyes and said, "Father, I thank You that You heard Me.

42 I know that You always hear Me, but because of the crowd standing here I said this, so they may believe You sent Me."

43 After He said this, He shouted with a loud voice, "Lazarus, come out!"

44 The dead man came out bound hand and foot with linen strips and with his face wrapped in a cloth. Jesus said to them, "Loose him and let him go."

Yes, JESUS resurrected Lazarus but keep in mind Lazarus eventually died physically and to live eternally with JESUS.

This miracle was before the crucifixion of JESUS. Now we go to after the resurrection of JESUS as we read on -----

Let’s read John 20:24-25:

Thomas Sees and Believes

24 But one of the Twelve, Thomas (called "Twin"), was not with them when Jesus came.

25 So the other disciples kept telling him, "We have seen the Lord!" But he said to them, "If I don't see the mark of the nails in His hands, put my finger into the mark of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will never believe!"

Aren’t many of us like doubting Thomas. We want proof. I know, I did. But guess what? We all must take a step of faith and when we do our Spiritual eyes are opened and we see truth and behold truth. Let’s read Thomas’s statement again, "If I don't see the mark of the nails in His hands, put my finger into the mark of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will never believe!"

When Thomas encountered JESUS eight days later, how did he respond?

Let’s read John 20:26-29:

26 After eight days His disciples were indoors again, and Thomas was with them. Even though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them. He said, "Peace to you!"

27 Then He said to Thomas, "Put your finger here and observe My hands. Reach out your hand and put it into My side. Don't be an unbeliever, but a believer."

28 Thomas responded to Him, "My Lord and my God!"

29 Jesus said, "Because you have seen Me, you have believed. Those who believe without seeing are blessed."

Notice, “eight days later,” JESUS appeared to Thomas. It seems that eight days is significant. It marks “new beginnings.” Thomas would have a new beginning because he would place his faith in the risen JESUS. That is exactly what every person must do.

JESUS demonstrated to HIS disciples including Thomas, this time, that HE was living in HIS Glorified body by walking through the locked door. JESUS was no longer bound by physical constraints. Walls or doors were no longer a barrier to HIM. JESUS appeared in their midst. When HE did, HE specifically addressed Thomas and answered his questions. JESUS was not physically present when Thomas made his statements in verse 25, yet JESUS knew the questions Thomas had concerning HIM.

Notice what JESUS told Thomas, “"Put your finger here and observe My hands. Reach out your hand and put it into My side. Don't be an unbeliever, but a believer."

This is a message to all people, explore JESUS and Don't be an unbeliever, but a believer." What does scripture reveal to us as recorded in Luke 11: 9 “So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. (JESUS was speaking)

JESUS knows the questions we have concerning HIM and HE seeks to answer them when we seek answers in earnest in order to get to know HIM in truth.

JESUS desires to reveal truth to all who seek HIM. As the Greeks stated "Sir, we want to see Jesus."

Do you desire to see JESUS? If so, tell HIM and HE will reveal Himself to you. JUST be vigilant. Read GOD’S Word. You might begin with the Book of Mark or John. Be honest with HIM and tell HIM why you do not believe and ask HIM to help you with your unbelief. Just keep in mind that the road as a Christian will be hard but HE will be your strength. Blessings!!!