John 11:25-26
There were once two sisters and a brother: Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. They loved Jesus, and Jesus loved them.
Once, when Jesus was away on a journey, Lazarus got critically ill. His sisters hurriedly sent to Jesus and said, “Lazarus is at the point of death. Come and heal him!” But Jesus deliberately delayed, and Lazarus died. When Jesus got there, Mary and Martha began to scold Him—“If you had been here, he would not have died!” (Read John 11:1-24.)
John 11:25-26
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?”
Where Does Abundant Life Come From?
Those of you whose hearts are pumping—do you have life? You say, “Yep, I’m alive.” Actually, you may not be. (See 1 Timothy 5:6, Ephesians 4:18.)
It takes a miracle to raise a dead man. Jesus said, “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly” (John 10:10b). Salvation does not come by learning lessons from the life of Christ, but by receiving life from the death of Christ.
Would you like to live life abundantly?
1. Abundant Life is Faith in Jesus
John 11:43
Now when [Jesus] had said these things, He cried with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come forth!” (Word in brackets added.)
Why was the Book of John written? “That you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name” (John 20:30-31; emphasis added). This resurrection of Lazarus literally happened, and it is an illustration of how to be saved.
How was Lazarus raised? No pleading, no shouting. Jesus simply spoke. “The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life” (John 6:63).
2. Abundant Life is Freedom in Christ
John 11:44
And he who had died came out bound hand and foot with graveclothes, and his face was wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Loose him, and let him go.”
Lazarus had life, but he needed freedom. He was not fit for walking, working, or witnessing with that reek of death still wrapped around him.
Does sin have you bound? “Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness” (James 1:21a). “Overflow of wickedness” means leftover sins from your old life: old habits, old language, old lusts.
This remainder does not necessarily mean you’re not saved. You need to be set free.
3. Abundant Life Is Fellowship with God
John 12:1-2
Then, six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany…Lazarus was one of those who sat at the table with Him.
Lazarus was now raised, loosed, and fellowshipping with Christ—enjoying Him.
People are afraid of what they will have to give up to come to Jesus. But the only things Jesus will ask you to give up are the things that will hurt you or somebody else. God wants to give us enjoyment with Him. (See Psalm 84:11.)
4. Abundant Life Is Being Faithful to Jesus
John 12:10-11
The chief priests plotted to put Lazarus to death also, because on account of him many of the Jews went away and believed in Jesus.
It seems almost humorous—the chief priests wanted to intimidate Lazarus with death! He would only think, “Been there, done that!” He knew he would be forever with the Lord. He was changed.
Living a supernatural life is not something you do. It is something that Jesus Christ does through you.
