Sermon Summary
The Gospel of John: Come and See the Power- The Raising of Lazarus
What do you do when God doesn't do what you want Him to do? Pastor David confronts this agonizing question through the lens of Mary and Martha's heartbreak as they watched their brother Lazarus die while Jesus delayed His arrival. This isn't about the consequences of poor choices—it's about those faithful moments when the promotion doesn't come, the marriage doesn't heal, the diagnosis isn't reversed, and our thousand prayers seem to go unanswered. Pastor David guides us through five powerful scenes: from the sisters' initial confidence that "Jesus will fix it," through their confusion at His delay, to their raw honesty when they tell Jesus, "If you had been here, my brother would not have died." The most stunning moment comes when Jesus weeps—not because He lacks power, but because He enters our suffering before He changes our circumstances. Sometimes the greatest gift isn't immediate deliverance from the storm, but His presence with us in it. The resurrection of Lazarus reveals that God's delays aren't His denial, and His plans often exceed our expectations—healing becomes resurrection. As we approach communion today, we're reminded that the cross answers our deepest question: Can we trust Jesus when we don't understand? The answer is a resounding yes.
Sermon Questions
Come and See the Power-The Shepherds Authority | June 7,2026 Pastor David Colp
What if the God who weeps with you is preparing something greater than you could imagine? When Mary and Martha sent word to Jesus about their dying brother Lazarus, they expected immediate healing—but Jesus delayed, and Lazarus died. Pastor David reveals how their "if only you had been here" becomes our own cry when prayers seem unanswered. Yet Jesus enters our pain before changing our circumstances, weeping with us not from weakness but from love. This powerful message shows how God's delays aren't denials, and sometimes resurrection requires death first. Don't miss this hope-filled exploration of trusting Jesus when you don't understand—watch now and discover the greater glory He's unveiling in your waiting.
1. Pastor David mentioned that Mary and Martha both said the exact same thing to Jesus: 'Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.' What does this reveal about how they were processing their grief and disappointment?
2. Think about a time when you've had 'if only' thoughts about God's timing in your life. How can you bring those honest feelings to Jesus like Mary and Martha did, while still maintaining your faith in who He is?
3. Why do you think Jesus wept in John 11:35 when He already knew He was about to raise Lazarus from the dead?
4. When you're going through difficult times, how does it change your perspective to know that Jesus doesn't just stand above your suffering but actually enters into it with you?
5. What's the difference between the healing that Mary and Martha originally hoped for and the resurrection that Jesus had planned?
6. Can you think of a situation in your life where you were asking God for one thing, but He might have had something greater in mind that you couldn't see at the time?
7. Pastor David said that 'faith is not the absence of grief, but bringing that grief to Jesus.' How did Martha demonstrate this when she first met Jesus?
8. How can you practice bringing your honest emotions and disappointments to God while still holding onto your beliefs about His character and love for you?
9. What does it mean that 'God's delays are not God's absence,' and how can this truth help us when we're waiting for God to act?
10. When you're in a season of waiting for God to answer a prayer or change a situation, what practical steps can you take to trust that His timing might be preparing something greater than what you're currently asking for?