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by Sandy Shaw
In John Chapter 11, we read of that scenario where Lazarus has died and his sisters, Martha and Mary meet Jesus Christ.
We see here two sisters meeting Jesus, and their words are quite similar, but their reactions are different. Different people react differently to bereavement.
Some talk and talk and talk. Others say very little, and just weep. Some think a lot and some feel a lot. Some are confused in their mind whilst others are overwhelmed in their hearts.
We also see here how sensitive Jesus is. To Martha Jesus has quite a lot to say. With Mary Jesus just asks a question and weeps.
This is an area of ministry where we have to be so very careful.
Verse 23 – Jesus said to Martha, “Your brother will rise again.” and her reply is, “I know all that”, but she is expecting something more from Jesus now.
O I know the promises – but I am looking for more than promises.
What Martha is saying is, “I need help now”. It is at this point that Jesus says, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live. Martha, do you believe this?”
Verse 27 – She boldly replies through her tears, “Yes Lord I believe”. What a confession of faith. Yes Jesus, bring Lazarus back to life. We will look at these details later, but what we need to learn from this passage is that Jesus Christ can help us and minister to that need now.
No matter what it is, He comes and asks, “Do you believe?” It is after Jesus asks the question and accepts the answer, that Christ comes and acts – sometimes dramatically – miraculously – and as in these verses, mightily.
Now, take a moment to think about this. Do you believe? Do you truly believe and not just believe but obey? Are you born again? Some people do not like that question but it has to be posed and asked because of people are not born again then all our time may be wasted.
How are people born again? In the book of Acts, every time people came into the Church of Jesus Christ, having believed in Jesus, they turned to God in Repentance, and were Baptised in water and received the Holy Spirit. Check it out, and make sure you have these four essential elements in your basic foundational Christian experience. If you are a preacher or teacher, then make sure your people have these four essential aspects in their Christian experience.
If you know of any other way of coming into the Church of Jesus Christ, then please tell me, because I certainly have not found another way in the scriptures.
Alexander 'Sandy' Shaw is pastor of Nairn Christian Fellowship in Nairn, Scotland. Nairn is 17 miles east of Inverness - on the Moray Firth Coast - not far from the Loch Ness Monster!
Gifted as a Biblical teacher, Sandy is firmly committed to making sure that his teachings are firmly grounded in the Word.
Sandy has a weekly radio talk which can be heard via the Internet on Saturday at 11:40am, New Orleans time, at wsho.com.
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