Sermon Based Group Homework
For the message on April 4, 2021
Passage: John 11:20-27, 32-44
QUICK REVIEW
On Easter, Mike continued our “Jesus” series by looking at one of Jesus’ declaration: “I am the resurrection and the life.” In the message, Mike explained that Jesus wants to untangle my past, enter my mess, and settle my eternity.
Looking back at your notes from Sunday’s message, was there anything you heard for the first time, caught your attention, or challenged you?
GETTING TO KNOW YOU
If you could only have three words engraved on your tombstone, what would they be? Why do most of us feel uncomfortable talking about death?
LET’S GO DEEPER
1. One of the reasons that many people resist giving their lives to Jesus is their past. When Martha met Jesus after her brother died, she expressed disappointment in Jesus’ delay in coming to help her brother. Some are disappointed in themselves because of what they’ve done. Others, like Martha, find themselves disappointed in God because of the painful experiences of their past. Jesus helped Martha untangle the disappointment of her past in order to believe and find hope.
- What do the following passages tell us about God’s ability to untangle your past and help you overcome it?
Genesis 50:20 (ESV)
20 As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.
Psalm 103:8, 10-12 (ESV)
8 The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. 10 He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities. 11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him; 12 as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us.
Romans 8:28 (ESV)
28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
- Is there anything in your past keeping you from giving your whole heart to God?
2. When Jesus approached Lazarus’ tomb, Martha warned Jesus there would be a stench. In the King James Version, it says “he stinketh.” Jesus was undeterred and had them open the tomb. Many of us are hesitant to get serious with Jesus because we think we are too much of a mess. We don’t want Jesus getting into our lives before we have a chance to straighten things up a bit on our own. The problem is that we can’t clean up our mess on our own. This story shows us that our mess doesn’t deter Jesus. In fact, Jesus wants to enter my mess with grace and transform my life with His power.
- What insight do the following passages provide for how Jesus cleans us up?
Titus 2:11-13 (ESV)
11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, 12 training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, 13 waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,
Romans 12:1-2 (ESV)
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. 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
Philippians 2:13 (NLT2)
For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.
- Give an example of how Jesus has in the past or is currently transforming a messy area of your life.
- Is there a messy area of your life that you want Jesus to clean up?
3. What hope is found in John 11:25-26? According to Paul in 1 Cor 15:16-17, what confidence do we have that Jesus’s words are true and that he can raise the dead as well as the spiritually dead?
John 11:25-26 (ESV)
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?”
1 Corinthians 15:16-17 (ESV)
16 For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised. 17 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins.
- How is the hope of John 11:25-26 received? (Hint it is mentioned three times in these two verses)
- Is your eternity settled? If you stood before God right now and He asked you why He should let you into His heaven, what would you say?
TAKE IT HOME
1. What is your biggest takeaway from this sermon and study?
2. Do you have any prayer requests for your group?
Prayer Requests:
