When He could’ve stopped it…

When He could’ve healed it…

When He could’ve answered it…

1. Love that delays

John 11:1-2 Now a certain man was ill, Lazarus of Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. 2 It was Mary whoanointed the Lord with ointment and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was ill.

John 11:3 So the sisters sent to him, saying, “Lord, he whom you love is ill.”

John 11:4 But when Jesus heard it he said, “This illness does not lead to death. It is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.”

 John 11:5 Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus.

John 11: 6 So, when he heard that Lazarus was ill, hestayed two days longer in the place where he was.

Because Jesus loved them He let Lazarus die.

God’s highest commitment is to His Glory, not your temporary comfort.

God’s highest commitment is to His Glory, not your temporary comfort.

“How is that Loving?”

God’s highest commitment is to His Glory, not your temporary comfort.

“How is that Loving?”

Because the glory of God is the only thing big enough to satisfy the human soul.

True love is not doing what makes someone feel the best, but what IS best.

Love delayed is not love denied

What has Jesus not done that you expected Him to do?

Has His delay changed your view of His love?

Will you interpret His love through your circumstances?

Or will you interpret your circumstances through His love?

Love that walks toward risk

John 11:7-8 Then after this he said to the disciples, “Let us go to Judea again.” 8 The disciples said to him, “Rabbi, the Jews were just now seeking to stone you, and are you going there again?”

 John 11:9-10 Jesus answered, “Are there not twelve hours in the day? If anyone walks in the day, he does not stumble, because he sees the light of this world. 10 But if anyone walks in the night, he stumbles, because the light is not in him.”

We think love protects us from hardship. Jesus knows love prepares us through hardship

3.Love that redefines death

John 11:11 After saying these things, he said to them, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I go to awaken him.” 12 The disciples said to him, “Lord, if he has fallen asleep, he will recover.”

John 11:13-14 Now Jesus had spoken of his death, but they thought that he meant taking rest in sleep. 14 Then Jesus told them plainly, “Lazarus has died, 15 and for your sake I am glad that I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.”

4.Love that leads to loyalty

Slide- John 11:16 So Thomas, called the Twin, said to his fellow disciples, “Let us also go, that we may die with him.”

The greater the pain, the greater the potential for glory.