Sermon Archives
The Source of Life
John 11:17-272018 - Non-Series Sermons
Rickey Primrose
April 1, 2018
Description:
In John 11:24, Martha’s hope is built upon an abstract doctrine of an afterlife in the future: “I know that he [her brother Lazarus] will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.” In the very next verse, Jesus adjusts her thinking: “I am the resurrection and the life.” Jesus wants her to see that there is a type of resurrection and life that is available today. Further, He wants her to see that the only way you can experience a resurrection and eternal life in the future is if you first experience a resurrection and have life today: “everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die.” Life after death requires life before death.
This truth, however, begs two questions:
What is life? Life is becoming awakened to enjoy the glory of God in Christ. “Life” in John’s Gospel does not refer merely to brain activity or never-ending existence; it refers to a quality of life. It is life as God intended it to be. God created us to know and enjoy His glory, and the fullest revelation of His glory is revealed in Christ. That is why Jesus is “the life.” To know and enjoy God through an intimate relationship with Christ is life as God intended it. Jesus is the life.
How do you receive life? The clear answer to this question in John is, “by believing.” But belief must mean more than affirming certain doctrinal propositions since even demons believe Jesus is the Christ. To believe means to embrace Christ alone as the source of life. It is entrusting yourself into Christ, relying on Him for satisfaction, joy, and fullness. Life is received by embracing Christ alone as the source of life.
What are you relying on for life? What do you depend upon for joy, satisfaction, and wholeness—a relationship, money, comfort, or pleasure? To believe in Jesus is to cling to Him as your source of life. Do you have the life that Jesus is talking about in John 11? Have you experienced this type of resurrection from spiritual death? Only those who have life before death will continue to enjoy life after death.
He is risen! He is risen indeed! Are you?
Keywords:
Belief, Jesus, Life, Resurrection, Victory