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Key Verse:
John 11:14-29 (English Standard Version)
14 Then Jesus told them plainly, “Lazarus has died, 15 and for your sake I am glad that I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.” 16 So Thomas, called the Twin, said to his fellow disciples, “Let us also go, that we may die with him.” 17 Now when Jesus came, he found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb four days. 18 Bethany was near Jerusalem, about two miles off, 19 and many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary to console them concerning their brother. 20 So when Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went and met him, but Mary remained seated in the house. 21 Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. 22 But even now I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give you.” 23 Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” 24 Martha said to him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.” 25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, 26 and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” 27 She said to him, “Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world.” 28 When she had said this, she went and called her sister Mary, saying in private, “The Teacher is here and is calling for you.” 29 And when she heard it, she rose quickly and went to him.
Today we shall see that the Lord has many ways in which He calls us. We shall also learn that we never know beforehand when Christ will call us. However, when Christ does call us, it will be in His timing.
I. CHRIST CALLS PEOPLE TO HIMSELF.
John 11:28
… she went and called her sister Mary, saying in private, “The Teacher is here and is calling for you.”
A. This is a call to peace.
B. This is a call too a guiltless conscience.
C. This is a call to a full pardon from sin.
D. This is call to a new life in Christ.
II. CHRIST CALLS PEOPLE IN THE DARKEST OF HOURS.
John 11:21
Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.
John 11:15
and for your sake I am glad that I was not there, so that you may believe.
A. The Lord can and often will use our pain and suffering to Glorify His Name in order that we may believe!
B. God allows suffering in our lives so that His power might be revealed and thereby others would believe.
C. God often waits until the last minute to rescue us so that there will be no mistake about His power.
D. Trouble is often the only door through which Jesus can get to our hearts.
III. HE CALLS PEOPLE IN MANY DIFFERENT WAYS.
John 10:27
My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.
A. Christ calls people through preaching of the word.
Romans 10:13-15
13 For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
14 How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching?
15 And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!”
B. Christ calls people through His providence (care/guidance).
C. Christ calls people through tragedy, death, sickness, etc.
D. No matter what circumstance He may use, Christ always calls us through the Holy Spirit!
John 16:7-8
7 Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you.
8 And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment:
IV. CHRIST IS CALLING YOU!
Revelation 3:20
Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.
A. To confession of Sin.
1 John 3:9
No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God’s seed abides in him, and he cannot keep on sinning because he has been born of God.
B. To repentance of Sin.
Acts 17:30
The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent,
C. To a new birth.
John 3:3
Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
D. To a Holy Life!
Romans 12:1
I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.
E. To Eternal Life with Him!
John 14:2-3
2 In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?
3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.
Conclusion:
JESUS IS CALLING YOU….. 1. That He might save your soul. 2. That He might make your life useful for God. 3. That you might dwell with Him eternally. “Where I am ye may be also … ” WILL YOU ANSWER HIS CALL???