Jesus answers Martha with, "I am the resurrection and the life."
1. Crossway Christian Church's "At the Feet of Jesus" series uses John 11 to address pain and suffering.
2. Anson, one of the pastors at Crossway Christian Church in southern New Hampshire, leads the sermon and says the church's mission is to "practice the way of Jesus together."
3. The episode asks what people should do when suffering arrives without warning and creates confusion.
4. Anson says people usually respond to pain by avoiding it or obsessing over it.
5. The sermon says Mary and Martha sent word to Jesus, "Lord, the one you love is sick," about Lazarus in Bethany.
6. Jesus says, "this sickness will not end in death," then stays where he is two more days.
7. Anson points out that John repeats Jesus' love for Martha, Mary, and Lazarus to show that their appeal rests on real relationship.
8. He tells listeners to repeat the phrase, "Jesus loves Anson," as a way of hearing the promise personally.
9. The message says that love becomes the foundation for bringing grief, anxiety, and discouragement to Jesus.
10. When Jesus arrives, Lazarus has been in the tomb for four days, and many Jews are already there to comfort Mary and Martha.
11. Martha says, "if you had been here, my brother would not have died," but also says God will give Jesus whatever he asks.
12. Jesus replies, "I am the resurrection and the life," and asks, "Do you believe this?"
13. Martha answers, "I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, who is to come into the world."
14. Mary falls at Jesus' feet and repeats the same complaint about his absence.
15. Anson reads Psalm 130, which says, "Out of the depths I cry to you, Lord," and, "I wait for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the morning."
16. He says grief and hope can be held together instead of separated.
17. The sermon says Jesus is "deeply moved" twice and then quotes, "Jesus wept."
18. Anson uses Bruce and Carolyn Hindmarch's book "At the Feet of Jesus" to say Jesus knows he will raise Lazarus but still weeps.
19. The sermon has a direct, pastoral style with repeated Scripture reading, personal application, and clear invitations.
20. Listeners who like John 11, grief, and pastoral preaching will likely stay engaged; listeners wanting a short devotional may skip it.
