This is a draft sermon outline for a brother in Christ and friend that I’ve been talking to about preaching John 11:24.
Some quick comments:
- This isn’t a complete outline; there’s part that says “(Insert insight)” or “(Insert more application”) etc are areas to flesh out more.
- I am a big fan of the 4 P of preaching: Point, Proof, Picture and Practice.
- I try to make my outline reflect the passage of God’s Word that I’m preaching on.
- I like to make my points be not just information but we do something even if its being amazed with God.
- I like to have outlines when I preach to respect the time of the church service that I finish the message on time and not be beyond the time limit; so the more details gets indented in so if I need to go faster I can just summarize but I have my argument for my view saved if others ask or if I preach again somewhere else next time the same passage.
Be Amaze at Jesus claiming to be the Resurrection and the Life
(ESV)
John 11:24
Establish the need: Have you thought about the reality of death lately? There’s no vaccine from facing eternity separated from God or eternity with God.
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life.[a] Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live,
Purpose: Today we shall consider three truths to be amazed about concerning Jesus statement that He is the Resurrection and the Life so that we trust in Him and Worship Him today.
- Be amaze at Jesus being the Resurrection and the Life (v.24a)
- Be amaze at Jesus being God Himself (v.24a)
- Be amaze at Jesus gift of eternal life (v.24b)
Context
- Jesus’ friend Lazarus has died.
- Lazarus’ sisters, Mary and Martha were weeping when Jesus finally arrived.
- It is in the context of Mary and Martha grieving that Jesus said this profound declaration of who He is in John 11:24.
Be amaze at Jesus being the Resurrection and the Life (24a)
Passage: “Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life.”
Proof
- Some scholars have actually said the Old Testament isn’t clear about whether or not there’s a resurrection and afterlife in the Old Testament.
- But the Old Testament does teach there is a resurrection!
- “Your dead shall live; their bodies shall rise. You who dwell in the dust, awake and sing for joy! For your dew is a dew of light, and the earth will give birth to the dead..” (Isaiah 26:19)
- (Insert insight)
- “At that time shall arise Michael, the great prince who has charge of your people. And there shall be a time of trouble, such as never has been since there was a nation till that time. But at that time your people shall be delivered, everyone whose name shall be found written in the book. 2 And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.” (Daniel 12:1-2)
- (Insert insight)
- “Your dead shall live; their bodies shall rise. You who dwell in the dust, awake and sing for joy! For your dew is a dew of light, and the earth will give birth to the dead..” (Isaiah 26:19)
- Jesus’ disciples and Mary and Martha must have known these truth from the Old Testament.
- What is amazing now is not Jesus teaching there’s a resurrection but that He’s saying He is the Resurrection and Life! Hear Jesus: “I am the resurrection and the life” (A)
- In the Greek the “I am” has an emphasis Jesus gave to let us think about Himself
- In the Greek it is Ἐγώ εἰμι which literally is “I” (Ἐγώ “ego”) and “I am” (εἰμι “eimi”).
- The verb “I am” already include the first person singular idea, but that extra pronoun “I” (Ἐγώ) is Jesus making the point we don’t want to miss this is about Him (“I”).
- SO literally in the Greek it is “I, I am…”
- So that repeated “I” is Jesus making an emphasis about this being about himself if that makes sense
- It is also significant that Jesus said that He’s both “the resurrection” and “the life.”
- The Greek word resurrection appear in the Gospel of John and there are two occurrences in John 5:29: “and come out, those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment.”
- Jesus in John 5:29 actually taught there’s two “resurrections” when He said “and come out, those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment.” = There’s a resurrection of life and resurrection of judgment.
- We need to remember there’s a resurrection unto judgment.
- Obviously we want to be resurrection of life and resurrected to be judged; so when Jesus said He’s the Resurrection and Life, he’s focusing on the Resurrection we want (resurrection of life) when in John 11:25 He said of Himself He’s the Resurrection and the Life.
- It amazing Jesus didn’t say there is a resurrection of life but that He Himself is the Resurrection and life.
- The Greek word resurrection appear in the Gospel of John and there are two occurrences in John 5:29: “and come out, those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment.”
Picture: (Insight illustration)
Practice
- Are you reminded that there’s two kinds of resurrection?
- Do you see that if you want the resurrection of life, this involves Jesus?
- (Insert more application)
Be amaze at Jesus being God Himself (24a)
- Passage: “Jesus said to her, “I am “
- Proof
- “I am” is a title for God.
- We see this is what God told Moses: “Then Moses said to God, “If I come to the people of Israel and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ what shall I say to them?” 14 God said to Moses, “I am who I am” (Exodus 3:13-14)
- (Insert Insight)
- Earlier in Jesus’ ministry the religious leaders understood what Jesus meant when He said “I am,” they wanted to kill Him for blasphemy: “So the Jews said to him, “You are not yet fifty years old, and have you seen Abraham?”[a] 58 Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.” 59 So they picked up stones to throw at him, but Jesus hid himself and went out of the temple.” (John 8:57-59)
- (Insert Insight)
- So when Jesus said “I am” He’s implying that He’s God.
- We see this is what God told Moses: “Then Moses said to God, “If I come to the people of Israel and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ what shall I say to them?” 14 God said to Moses, “I am who I am” (Exodus 3:13-14)
- Furthermore Jesus claiming to be the Resurrection is itself saying He’s God!
- Old Testament teaches only God can give life: ““‘See now that I, even I, am he, and there is no god beside me; I kill and I make alive; I wound and I heal; and there is none that can deliver out of my hand.” (Deuteronomy 32:39)
- (Insert insight)
- The Old Testament passage about the valley of dry bone it is God indeed who resurrect the body: “Therefore prophesy, and say to them, Thus says the Lord God: Behold, I will open your graves and raise you from your graves, O my people. And I will bring you into the land of Israel. 13 And you shall know that I am the Lord, when I open your graves, and raise you from your graves, O my people. 14 And I will put my Spirit within you, and you shall live, and I will place you in your own land. Then you shall know that I am the Lord; I have spoken, and I will do it, declares the Lord.”” (Ezekiel 37:12-14)
- (Insert insight)
- So Jesus as the Resurrection means Jesus is none other than God!
- Old Testament teaches only God can give life: ““‘See now that I, even I, am he, and there is no god beside me; I kill and I make alive; I wound and I heal; and there is none that can deliver out of my hand.” (Deuteronomy 32:39)
- “I am” is a title for God.
Picture: (Insight illustration)
Practice
- Are you blown away that Jesus is God?
- When you worship at Church, do you experience awe that you worship Jesus?
- (Insert more application)
Be amaze at Jesus gift of eternal life (24b)
Picture: “Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live.”
Proof
- What is our responsibility? Believe in Jesus: “Whoever believes in me” (v.24b)
- Believe has meaning of trust.
- In the Greek “Whoever believes” is one word. This verbal noun (a participle) with the present tense is telling us we are to keep on continuing and endure in trusting in Jesus.
- Trusting in Jesus does mean there is no death that we face or experience: “though he die” (v24b)
- This shows death is still a reality and a possibility.
- (Insert insight)
- Yet even with death there is hope of life after death (eternal life): “yet shall he live” (v24b)
Picture: (Insight illustration)
Practice
- Have you trusted in Jesus Christ? Do so today if you are not yet saved!
- If you do trust in Jesus Christ, continue to endure in your faith, even while knowing God is gracious to help you endure in your faith!
Not yet done, but a good outline
Thanks! Sermon prep as you know is hard work from outlining to exegesis and research and study and knowing ones audience to apply God’s truth to, amen??? Just ordered the books I’ll let you know when I get them in the mail at my house
Amen.
Wow. Thanks pastor.
Great foundation for an even greater truth. Sounds like a great journey you are having in this passage!
Thanks Pastor! I know you know the heavy responsibility of preaching the Word and yet also the joy!!!! Are you preaching this upcoming Sunday?
Great outline brother. Blessings for sharing your insights.
Good point: “What is amazing now is not Jesus teaching there’s a resurrection but that He’s saying He is the Resurrection and Life!”
Reblogged this on Talmidimblogging.
Great outline Jim. I love the 4 P strategy, and the audience loves the 5th P which is Pray and be done (before their inner buzzer sounds that they are done even if you are not).
That is so funny Gary I laughed! Some preachers need a sixth P: Push to end in time! Instead of saying “in closing” and talk for 15 minutes…one gotta land that plane well and press the points home with a home run amen???
Aman Jim, great 6th P.
Our pastor is a great godly guy but needs landing practice
Thanks for sharing…
Oh I loved this outline, and I’d never heard of the 4 P’s of Preaching, but it makes a lot of sense. MLJ said being in the pulpit is the most romantic place on earth: You never know what God’s Spirit is going to do. I can see a sermon like this leading people to rejoice and worship in praise and awe: glad that wonder is a part of your message. No one should leave church without it. (Take that AmEx!)
pax,
dora
That is insightful from MLJ! Man it is such a privilege to preach the Word of God and to preach it to exalt God and let people know about the awe of God and the Gospel! Thanks for that reminder of this high calling and privilege! If need be, I would pay to preach! That’s how awesome that honor is!
You were ordained by God for this high calling. A privilege to pray for the ministry you have been given. May God be glorified! 🙏🙏🙏
Thanks for this sermon outline! Praise God that Jesus is the Resurrection and the Life and I have eternal life in Him!
Good argument for the divinity of Christ
Jesus Resurrection is Life Changing
Pastor Jim, thanks for sharing this sermon outline in draft form. It shows the prayer and planning which go into a Gospel-based Sunday message. Many years ago, I was privileged with creating my own sermon outline when I filled the pulpit one Sunday when our pastor was away.
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