In this message, The Stumbling Stone, we talk about that fact that the bible refers to Jesus as the foundation stone and the capstone, but also as the stumbling and the rock of offense. We examine John chapter 11 and the story of the resurrection of Lazarus. It is a story of wills. Jesus is shown as being totally depended upon and surrendered to the will of the Father. In contrast, the religious leaders of first century Jerusalem we most concerned about their own program and the carrying out of their own selfish will.
This message will help us evaluate our level of surrender to God's will. I hope you are helped and encouraged as you listen to this message. If you have a question concerning this teaching please email me rich@christcommunitychurch.org
Right Click and "Save As" to download this file: The Stumbling Stone
The Stumbling Stone Study Notes
1Pe 2: 6 For in Scripture it says: "See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame." 7 Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe, "The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone," 8 and, "A stone that causes men to stumble and a rock that makes them fall." They stumble because they disobey the message…
Isa 28:16 So this is what the Sovereign LORD says: "See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation; the one who trusts will never be dismayed.
- Foundation stone, the corner stone, Jesus is the Son of God, the prince of peace
- But also: the rock of offence and the stone of stumbling.
- Most people embrace the concept of God
- Jesus is where people part company
They have trouble with:
Joh 14:6 Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
Ac 4:12 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved."
Ro 14:11 It is written: "'As surely as I live,' says the Lord, 'every knee will bow before me; every tongue will confess to God.'"
Php 2:9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Everything starts with a right understanding of who Jesus is.
In the first century the Jewish leaders had a hard time with understanding who Jesus was.
I. In John Chp 11 They Stumble Over Jesus
- The story of the resurrection of Lazarus
- Characters in this drama
- Lazarus and his sisters Mary and Martha
- The Jews who came to morn Lazarus’ death
- Jesus
- Jewish religious leaders
Lazarus has gotten sick and they send for Jesus to heal him.
Joh 11:1 Now a man named Lazarus was sick. He was from Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. 2 This Mary, whose brother Lazarus now lay sick, was the same one who poured perfume on the Lord and wiped his feet with her hair. 3 So the sisters sent word to Jesus, "Lord, the one you love is sick." 4 When he heard this, Jesus said, "This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God's glory so that God's Son may be glorified through it." 5 Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus.
Joh 11:1 Now a man named Lazarus was sick. He was from Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. 2 This Mary, whose brother Lazarus now lay sick, was the same one who poured perfume on the Lord and wiped his feet with her hair. 3 So the sisters sent word to Jesus, "Lord, the one you love is sick." 4 When he heard this, Jesus said, "This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God's glory so that God's Son may be glorified through it." 5 Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus.
Jesus waits for Lazarus to die – then goes.
He is met by Lazarus’ sisters
Joh 11:20 When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet him, but Mary stayed at home. 21 "Lord," Martha said to Jesus, "if you had been here, my brother would not have died. 22 But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask." 23 Jesus said to her, "Your brother will rise again." 24 Martha answered, "I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day." 25 Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; 26 and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?" 27 "Yes, Lord," she told him, "I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who was to come into the world."
Joh 11:32 When Mary reached the place where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet and said, "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died." 33 When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. 34 "Where have you laid him?" he asked. "Come and see, Lord," they replied. 35 Jesus wept.
Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead
Joh 11:3 When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, "Lazarus, come out!" 44 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." 45 Therefore many of the Jews who had come to visit Mary, and had seen what Jesus did, put their faith in him.
II. Why Did Jesus Wait Until Lazarus Was Dead?
Possible Reasons
Timing was perfect:
Millions in Jerusalem for pass-over
After 4 days hope was gone – Death was certain
Lazarus resurrection would make the highest emotional impact
Mourners would come and see what He did
Great press – Jerusalem was only 2 mile down the road. WORD WAS GOING TO GET OUT
The people of Jerusalem would welcome Him into Jerusalem as the Messiah
BUT THE REASON JESUS WAITED UNTIL LAZARUS WAS DEAD WAS BECAUSE A RESURERCTION WOULD ENSURE HIS DEATH
Joh 11:44 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." 45 Therefore many of the Jews who had come to visit Mary, and had seen what Jesus did, put their faith in him. 46 But some of them went to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done.
III. Like Gangsters They have a sit down about what needs to be done about Jesus.
Joh 11:47 Then the chief priests and the Pharisees called a meeting of the Sanhedrin. "What are we accomplishing?" they asked. "Here is this man performing many miraculous signs. 48 If we let him go on like this, everyone will believe in him, and then the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation." 49 Then one of them, named Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, spoke up, "You know nothing at all! 50 You do not realize that it is better for you that one man die for the people than that the whole nation perish." 51 He did not say this on his own, but as high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the Jewish nation, 52 and not only for that nation but also for the scattered children of God, to bring them together and make them one. 53 So from that day on they plotted to take his life.
- Lazarus resurrection was too big
- Millions were in Jerusalem for Passover
- They were tired of Rome and looking for a leader - Messiah
Jewish leaders were afraid of one thing:
Joh11: 48 If we let him go on like this, everyone will believe in him, and then the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation."
- They didn't want to lose power
- They saw the nation as their possession and didn't want to lose it.
IV. They passed a death sentence on Jesus, But none even questioned the possibility that Jesus may be more than a man
The only thing that impressed them about the resurrection of Lazarus was how much trouble it could cause them.
They didn't consider the possibility of Jesus being the Messiah because He didn't fit into their program.
Jesus said of them one time:
Lu 7:30 But the Pharisees and experts in the law rejected God's purpose for themselves, because they had not been baptized by John.) 31 "To what, then, can I compare the people of this generation? What are they like? 32 They are like children sitting in the marketplace and calling out to each other: "'We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not cry.'
Jesus by contrast was about the Father's program
Jesus would soon make that two mile walk on the road to Jerusalem.
At the end of that road the people would cheer Him.
BUT JESUS KNEW THERE WOULD ALSO BE WAITING ANGRY PHARASEES WHO HAD ALREADY DECIDED HE NEEDED TO DIE.
THE CROSS WAITED.
Joh 5:30 I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me. KJV
V. Three Things Happen When You Demand Your Own Program - Your Own Will
#1. Insist on your will and You become blind to what God is doing.
- They were blind to Jesus
- God shows people who care to know, what He is doing
- Insist on your own way and you will see nothing of what God wants
#2. You will try and make God your servant
- You will tell Him what to do
- You will get angry at Him when He doesn't do it.
-
#3. You will Open Yourself up to more deception from the enemy
-You will have more in common with Satan than Jesus.
Jesus said your will be done, not mine.
Satan said: I will raise my throne above God's
VI. HOW CAN I TELL IF I'M WALKING IN GOD'S WILL?
#1. Pray & study God's word
#2. You will be at peace in your heart even in a storm
Isa 26:3 You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You.
Confusion and inner turmoil is usually a sign that something is not right.
Where is the peace of God. Move In that Direction.
#3. In God's will you will not have to push and struggle.
- I didn't say you don't have to work and do what you need to do.
- But if you are pounding your head against a wall, you are missing something
- Let God do the pushing - you find out where