Spiritual Stench

Pastor Darryl Bentley

Midland SDA Church

November 14, 2009

 

Homiletical Idea: Just as Jesus was able to restore Lazarus from the dead even after four days had passed, He is able to restore us spiritually even if we have been “dead” for many days, weeks, or years.

 

Common Loss

            If we were to take the time to poll each one today I am certain that most all of us would be able to tell of loved ones who have fallen asleep.  We would be able to tell of those that we long to see restored when Jesus comes back to take us home.  I have my own list of fallen loved ones that I want to see restored in the resurrection.

            This hope that lives within us is not new to our generation.  The promise of new life at the second coming of the Messiah is one that was well known to those that lived in Jesus’ day as well. For generations those who believe the words of God have looked forward with hope and certainty to the day that death and the grave are fully defeated. 

They, like us, looked forward to an end of loss, an end of heartache, and end of death.  I am very glad to tell you all this morning that soon and very soon we are going to see the king.

 

Christ’s Place of Refuge

            During His time on earth Jesus had those that were close to Him.  There were a few places to which He could go to find rest and invigoration because of the friendship that He shared with some of those that accepted Him.  The home of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus was one such place. There were many times that Jesus was able to find much-needed rest and relaxation as He visited their home.  Theirs was a peaceful, loving home where Jesus was always welcome to impart the teachings that He longed to share with the masses.

 

A Biblical Story of Loss

            However, that peaceful atmosphere was interrupted by sudden illness that struck Lazarus.  Seeing the severity of his disease, Mary and Martha sent for Jesus.  They knew if anyone could save their brother it was Him.

            Hearing of this news Jesus decided that He would tarry an additional two days.  The Bible gives us some insight as to why Jesus made this decision.

**Read John 11:4**

            We see from the text that Jesus knew there was a deeper purpose than what might be obvious to the casual observer or even to those that were attempting to nurse Lazarus back to health.  When the cry for help came Jesus tarried two days longer instead of rushing to their immediate aid.  Was it that Jesus did not care for their suffering?  Was it that He wanted them to endure hardship on purpose?  No.  Jesus tarried because He had greater plans than they were even asking Him to perform.

            How often do we call out to God and ask for our petition to be granted right away because we know better than God?  How often do we become frustrated with God when He does not seem to react as quickly as we think He should?  Could it be that God wants to work even deeper miracles in our lives than we have asked Him to do?  Could it be that in waiting we are able to see an even greater miracle than the one for which we have asked?  I think it could very well be that way.  It certainly was for Mary and Martha.

 

The Rest of the Story

            Most all of you know how this story unfolds don’t you?  When it was time for Jesus to return to Bethany He told the disciples that He must return to Judea because their friend Lazarus had fallen asleep (John 11:11).

**Read John 11:11-16**

            As was often the case, the disciples had a case of the thick head.  They did not understand that Jesus spoke of Lazarus being dead.  Jesus had to break it down Barney-style for them and tell them outright that their friend was dead.  And Jesus even says that He is glad that Lazarus died.  Why did He say that?  He said it not because of some morbid sense of cruel jesting.  He said it because He knew that He was to be glorified through this event.

            Of course when they arrived near the edge of Bethany just two mile beyond Jerusalem, Martha ran out to meet Jesus.  She was both confused and comforted by the fact that Jesus was finally there.  Over and over again in her mind she wondered why Jesus had not come sooner.  Her mind spilled over onto her lips as she met Jesus at the edge of town.

**Read John 11:20-27**

            I love how Jesus takes her from hurt to hope in just a few words.  He made her a promise; one with which she was familiar.  He promised her that Lazarus would rise again, and immediately she thought of the resurrection of the righteous.  She did not think that her beloved brother was now in heaven having been dead for some four days.  No, she knew that her brother was sleeping in his grave awaiting that glorious day when all who sleep in Christ will be called forth to newness of life.

            However, Jesus did not speak of the future resurrection.  He had other plans for Lazarus.  Soon after Martha had come she sent for Mary who repeated Martha’s cry from earlier, “Lord, had You need here our brother would not have died.”  Amid this scene of loss Jesus was trouble and moved to compassion for the family of the deceased.  In this moment Jesus too wept (John 11:35).

            Longing to bring joy in the midst of this heartache Jesus asked to be shown where Lazarus had been laid.  Although they were taking Him to the place, they reminded Jesus that Lazarus had been dead four days at this point and the Bible says that, “…by this time there will be a stench…” (verse 39)  This was no deterrent to Christ.  Even the decay of death is no match for the Life-giver.

            After commanding that the stone be rolled away, Jesus raised His voice in prayer to the Father.  After giving praise to God Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come forth.”  Notice a few things here friends.  Jesus did not say, “Lazarus, come down.”  Some would have us believe that we go to heaven or hell when we die.  But Jesus knew better.  He did not call Lazarus from the courts of heaven back to a world of sin.  He did not call Him from the bowels of hell.  No!  He called him from the grave where Lazarus slept waiting the call of the master.  Lazarus was not in heaven friends, he was in the grave sleeping in Christ. 

A Glimpse of Glory

This was a small glimpse of what it will be like on the day Jesus comes to take us home with Him.  In this story Jesus had to be specific about who He called forth.  Had He not been specific with the name of the deceased graves all over the world would have given up their dead.  One day soon that day is coming.  Paul speaks of that day on 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 when all who sleep in Christ will rise to newness of life to meet their Lord in the air. 

What a day that will be!  What glory we will behold when our Lord comes to call us home!  Lazarus alone came forth that day in Bethany, but soon and very soon the stench of death will be overcome for all who go down into the grave securely in Christ.  I long for that day!

 

A Spiritual Stench

            When I consider this story of death and subsequent resurrection I cannot help but draw a spiritual application for us today.  When I look around the church today I cannot help but wonder how many here have a spiritual stench.  I wonder how many here today are dead to the things of God and are in desperate need of a visit from the Savior?

            Communion is a very special time.  This is a time when we have an opportunity for a fresh start.  This is a time we can use to let go of the past and seek a fresh start with our Lord Jesus.  Like Lazarus, too many of us have become sick.  Not in a physical sense but in a spiritual sense.  Too many of us we have been playing church and not allowing the Lord of life to change us into His image.  Communion is the time that we can overcome the Laodicean disease of lukewarm Christianity; a disease that leads to the eventual death of our first-love experience. 

            If the curtain were to be pulled back on some of our lives today a tomb might be revealed; a tomb filled with the failure of our lives; a tomb that has us spiritually crippled from truly experiencing the joy of living for Jesus; a tomb that reveals how far from grace we have fallen; a tomb filled with a stench of one who is dead spiritually.

 

Wrap-up & Appeal

            As we consider the table before us today might we consider our spiritual condition before the Lord?  As I mention the story of Lazarus today, I tell it that we might each be encouraged to leave a life of death.  This table is symbolic of the death that Jesus died for each of us.  His blood was poured out for the remission of sins (1 John 1:7).  We are here today to celebrate that which Christ did for all mankind.

            How is it with you today friend?  Do you come having given your life to Jesus that He might give you eternal life, or do you come with a spiritual stench swirling round about you?  If you are among the latter group then today can be the day of salvation for you.  Today can be the day that, like Lazarus, you come forth to newness of life in Christ Jesus. 

            Who here today would like to come forward and experience a new experience with Jesus?  If you need to make things right with Jesus I invite you to come forward today and surrender your life to Christ afresh.  Come and rid yourself of spiritual stench.  Amen.