Local Church St. Pete Podcast

The Resurrection and the Life | John 11:25

·29 min·2 clips
Jesus arrives after his friend's death and makes the startling claim: 'I am the resurrection and the life.'
The episode is a sermon focused on John 11, the story of Lazarus's death and resurrection. The speaker introduces death as a difficult, universal topic and Jesus's claim to be the resurrection and the life. The narrative begins with Lazarus falling sick and dying, and Jesus arriving four days later. Martha meets Jesus, expressing faith but also frustration. Jesus responds with his declaration in verse 25, stating he is the resurrection and the life, promising life to believers even in death, and asking Martha if she believes. Martha affirms her belief that Jesus is the Christ. The scene shifts to Mary weeping at Jesus's feet, with others also weeping. Jesus is described as deeply moved and greatly troubled, and he weeps. The speaker analyzes this emotional response, explaining the Greek word implies anger and outrage at death as an intruder contrary to God's design. Jesus is portrayed as fully human and fully God, experiencing sorrow and grief. The sermon connects this to the Advent season, anticipating Christ's second coming and a future without death or pain. The final point covers Jesus raising Lazarus by commanding the stone's removal and calling him out of the tomb. The speaker notes this miracle leads the Jewish leaders to plot Jesus's death, but Jesus later resurrects himself. Jesus's resurrected body is described as a blueprint for believers' future resurrected bodies. The resurrection is presented as the central event of Christianity, validating Jesus's claims. The sermon concludes by reiterating Jesus's question of belief, discussing the hope it provides against death's sting, and inviting listeners to trust in Jesus.

As heard by us

A direct sermon on death, grief, and Jesus' promise of resurrection.

Death sets the tone for this single-episode review of Christian hope, beginning with the common certainty of dying before turning to Jesus' claim in John 11: that he is the resurrection and the life.

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Why you'd press play

Press play when you want John 11 to sit with death, grief, outrage, and hope beyond the grave.

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