This Sickness Will Not End In Death

  • Pastor Josh Smith
Have you ever felt like your story was set in stone, with no hope for change? Discover how Jesus, the author of life, can rewrite even the most hopeless situations, bringing life to dead places and purpose to pain. Let’s explore how His timing and presence can transform your life in this powerful message.

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This Sickness Will Not End In Death

Message Summary
Have you ever felt like your story was set in stone, with no hope for change? Discover how Jesus, the author of life, can rewrite even the most hopeless situations, bringing life to dead places and purpose to pain. Let’s explore how His timing and presence can transform your life in this powerful message.
Key Scripture
Jesus told her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying. Everyone who lives in me and believes in me will never ever die. Do you believe this, Martha?”
John 11:25-26 NLT
Additional Scriptures

5 Day Devotional

Day 1

Day 1: The Author of Life

Scripture: Hebrews 12:1-3 NLT

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up.

Devotional: Jesus is described as the author and perfecter of our faith. This means He not only initiates our journey but also guides us to completion. As we reflect on the story of Lazarus and the resurrection of Jesus, we see how He rewrites the narratives of despair into stories of hope and life. Just as He called Lazarus out of the grave, He calls us to shed the weights of sin and run the race set before us with endurance.

Response Questions:

  1. What “weights” are currently slowing you down in your spiritual journey?
  2. How can you keep your eyes on Jesus amidst life’s challenges?
  3. In what ways have you seen Jesus rewrite your story?

Prayer Points:

  1. Pray for the strength to lay aside every weight and sin that hinders your walk with God.
  2. Ask for a renewed focus on Jesus, the author and perfecter of your faith.

Day 2

Day 2: Divine Timing

Scripture: John 11:1-6, 17-27 NLT

A man named Lazarus was sick. He lived in Bethany with his sisters, Mary and Martha. This is the Mary who later poured the expensive perfume on the Lord’s feet and wiped them with her hair. Her brother, Lazarus, was sick. So the two sisters sent a message to Jesus telling him, “Lord, your dear friend is very sick.” But when Jesus heard about it he said, “Lazarus’s sickness will not end in death. No, it happened for the glory of God so that the Son of God will receive glory from this.” So although Jesus loved Martha, Mary, and Lazarus, he stayed where he was for the next two days. When Jesus arrived at Bethany, he was told that Lazarus had already been in his grave for four days. “Lord, if only you had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now I know that God will give you whatever you ask.” Jesus told her, “Your brother will rise again.” “Yes,” Martha said, “he will rise when everyone else rises, at the last day.” Jesus told her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying. Everyone who lives in me and believes in me will never ever die. Do you believe this, Martha?”

Devotional: God’s timing often challenges our understanding. Jesus delayed His visit to Lazarus, allowing the situation to reach a point of hopelessness. Yet, this delay was purposeful, designed to reveal God’s glory in a profound way. In our lives, we may experience divine delays that test our faith, but these moments are opportunities for God to demonstrate His power and love.

Response Questions:

  1. How do you respond when God’s timing doesn’t align with your expectations?
  2. What can you learn from Jesus’ delay in visiting Lazarus?
  3. How can you trust God’s timing in your current circumstances?

Prayer Points:

  1. Pray for patience and trust in God’s perfect timing.
  2. Ask God to reveal His glory in your life, even in delayed answers.

Day 3

Day 3: The Power of Belief

Scripture: John 11:38-44 NLT

Jesus was still angry as he arrived at the tomb, a cave with a stone rolled across its entrance. “Roll the stone aside,” Jesus told them. But Martha, the dead man’s sister, protested, “Lord, he has been dead for four days. The smell will be terrible.” Jesus responded, “Didn’t I tell you that you would see God’s glory if you believe?” So they rolled the stone aside. Then Jesus looked up to heaven and said, “Father, thank you for hearing me. You always hear me, but I said it out loud for the sake of all these people standing here, so that they will believe you sent me.” Then Jesus shouted, “Lazarus, come out!” And the dead man came out, his hands and feet bound in graveclothes, his face wrapped in a headcloth. Jesus told them, “Unwrap him and let him go.”

Devotional: Belief is a powerful force that can move mountains and roll away stones. Jesus challenged Martha to believe, promising that she would see God’s glory. Our faith in Jesus opens the door for miracles and transformation. When we believe, we align ourselves with God’s purposes and witness His power at work in our lives.

Response Questions:

  1. What stones need to be rolled away in your life through belief?
  2. How does your faith impact your ability to see God’s glory?
  3. In what areas do you need to strengthen your belief in Jesus?

Prayer Points:

  1. Pray for a deepened faith that trusts in God’s power to transform situations.
  2. Ask God to help you see His glory in your life as you believe in Him.

Day 4

Day 4: Resurrection and Life

Scripture: John 20:1-10, 19-22 NLT

Early on Sunday morning, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and found that the stone had been rolled away from the entrance. She ran and found Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved. She said, “They have taken the Lord’s body out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have put him!” Peter and the other disciple started out for the tomb. They were both running, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. He stooped and looked in and saw the linen wrappings lying there, but he didn’t go in. Then Simon Peter arrived and went inside. He also noticed the linen wrappings lying there, while the cloth that had covered Jesus’ head was folded up and lying apart from the other wrappings. Then the disciple who had reached the tomb first also went in, and he saw and believed—for until then they still hadn’t understood the Scriptures that said Jesus must rise from the dead. Then they went home. That Sunday evening the disciples were meeting behind locked doors because they were afraid of the Jewish leaders. Suddenly, Jesus was standing there among them! “Peace be with you,” he said. As he spoke, he showed them the wounds in his hands and his side. They were filled with joy when they saw the Lord! Again he said, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you.” Then he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.”

Devotional: The resurrection of Jesus is the cornerstone of our faith, affirming His power over death and His promise of eternal life. Just as He called Lazarus from the grave, Jesus rose from the dead, offering peace and purpose to His followers. His resurrection assures us that no situation is beyond His power to redeem and restore.

Response Questions:

  1. How does the resurrection of Jesus impact your daily life?
  2. What does it mean for you to receive the peace and purpose Jesus offers?
  3. How can you live as someone sent by Jesus in your community?

Prayer Points:

  1. Thank God for the resurrection of Jesus and the hope it brings.
  2. Pray for the courage to live out the peace and purpose Jesus has given you.

Day 5

Day 5: Living in Resurrection Power

Scripture: Romans 8:10-11 NLT

And Christ lives within you, so even though your body will die because of sin, the Spirit gives you life because you have been made right with God. The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you.

Devotional: The same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead dwells within us, empowering us to live victorious lives. This resurrection power enables us to overcome sin, fear, and despair. As we embrace this truth, we can walk confidently in the new life Jesus offers, knowing that His Spirit is at work within us.

Response Questions:

  1. How does knowing the Spirit of God lives in you change your perspective on challenges?
  2. In what areas of your life do you need to experience resurrection power?
  3. How can you rely more on the Holy Spirit’s power in your daily walk?

Prayer Points:

  1. Pray for a fresh infilling of the Holy Spirit to empower you for victorious living.
  2. Ask God to help you experience His resurrection power in every area of your life.

GrowGroup Guide

A weekly guide to carry the conversation beyond Sunday morning.

Group Leader Guide: Responding to the Message of Resurrection and Life

Opening Prayer: Begin with a prayer inviting the Holy Spirit to guide your discussion and open hearts to the message of Jesus’ resurrection and life.

Introduction: Briefly summarize the sermon, emphasizing the key points: Jesus as the author of life, the significance of His resurrection, and the call to live a life believing in Him. Highlight the stories of Lazarus and the resurrection of Jesus as central to understanding how Jesus rewrites our stories.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Understanding Jesus as the Author of Life
    • Context: The sermon emphasized that Jesus is the author and perfecter of our faith, and that anything good originates with Him.
    • Question: How does recognizing Jesus as the author of life change your perspective on your own life story? Can you share a moment when you felt Jesus rewriting your story?
  2. The Significance of Lazarus’ Resurrection
    • Context: The story of Lazarus illustrates Jesus’ power over death and His timing, which may not align with our expectations but serves a greater purpose.
    • Question: How do you respond to delays in your life where you expect Jesus to act? How can the story of Lazarus encourage you in times of waiting?
  3. Living with Purpose and Peace
    • Context: Jesus’ first words to His disciples after His resurrection were “Peace be with you,” emphasizing the peace and purpose He brings.
    • Question: What does it mean to you to live with the peace and purpose that Jesus offers? How can you apply this in your daily life?
  4. Experiencing and Extending Forgiveness
    • Context: The sermon highlighted the importance of forgiveness, empowered by the Holy Spirit, as a key aspect of living a life in Jesus.
    • Question: Is there someone you need to forgive or seek forgiveness from? How can the Holy Spirit help you in this process?
  5. The Power of Testimony
    • Context: The story of Roger and Karen Engel was shared as a testimony of holding onto faith through loss and experiencing Jesus’ rewriting of their story.
    • Question: How can sharing your own story of Jesus’ work in your life impact others? Are you willing to share your testimony with the group or others?

Closing Reflection: Encourage group members to reflect on how they can actively believe in Jesus and invite Him into every area of their lives. Remind them of the ongoing nature of belief and the life that comes from it.

Prayer Requests: Invite group members to share any prayer requests, particularly in areas where they seek Jesus’ life and rewriting of their story.

Closing Prayer: Conclude with a prayer, thanking God for His presence and asking for His continued guidance and peace in each member’s life.

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