When God Breathes, Part 2: Into a Dead Relationship
Grant Fishbook, Lead Teaching Pastor
Part of When God Breathes
March 21, 2021

The

Reveal Answer

Again the Jews picked up stones to stone him… —John 10:31

The

Reveal Answer

Now a man named Lazarus was sick. He was from Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha.” —John 11:1

The

Reveal Answer

Then he said to his disciples, “Let us go back to Judea.”
“But Rabbi,” they said, “a short while ago the Jews tried to stone you, and yet you are going back there?” —John 11:7

The

Reveal Answer

So then he told them plainly, “Lazarus is dead, and for your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.” —John 11:14

The

Reveal Answer

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?” —John 11:25-26

The

Reveal Answer

When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. “Where have you laid him?” he asked. “Come and see Lord,” they replied.
Jesus wept.
Then the Jews said, “See how he loved him!” —John 11:33-36

The

Reveal Answer

“Take away the stone,” he said.
“But Lord,” said Martha, the sister of the dead man, “by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days.” —John 11:39

The

Reveal Answer

So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me.”
When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face. Jesus said to them, “Take off the grave clothes and let him go.” —John 11:41-44

The Way of the Gospel

  • God has completed the work of the cross
  • We cry out for God’s divine help
  • God is moved by our heartfelt cry
  • God reveals himself on his perfect timetable
  • God calls into death and miraculously breathes life
  • If we leave the grave behind, a new relationship comes to life
  • Once God’s primary relationship with you is restored, then you become the conduit through which God heals other relationships – we become those who assist in removing the grave clothes of others

    • Have you heard the call of Jesus?
    Have you left the grave clothes behind?
    Have you helped others be released from the grip of death?

    Small Group Questions

    1. What’s your favorite spring activity?
    2. Read the entire Lazarus story again, out loud.
      What is God saying to you personally through this story?
    3. Assuming Jesus already knew he would resurrect Lazarus, what do you think made him weep? What does that say to you about Jesus?
    4. Look again at the scripture under The Bold Truth (John 11:25). What tension does Jesus’ statement create for you? What uncertainties does it calm?
    5. What grave clothes are you still wearing? Why?
    6. How can we pray for you right now and throughout the week?