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Sermon

Between Outrage and Compassion

by Rev. Kirby Williams

Learning the importance of balance from Jesus as He weeps at Lazarus' tomb.

Text: John 11:28-37
Date: 08/05/2018, the Traditional service.
Series: "John: Encountering Love" Part 99

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Description:

In a Christian context, we might think of outrage and compassion as mutually exclusive emotions-- the one (outrage) to be tempered and the other (compassion) to be developed. But in our text for this lesson Jesus exhibits both emotions at the same time in perfect, (and as we will discover-- necessary) balance. Having finished His conversation with Martha, He now turns His attention to Mary and her particular needs. Both woman will demonstrate excellent Christian principles in the way they interact with each other and with Jesus, and serve as a model for us to follow. But our main focus will be on Jesus and His profound expression of human emotions as He reacts to Lazarus' death, the din of the mourners, and the sister's deep-seated grief. Ultimately we will discover how vital it is for Christians and the church to emulate Jesus and maintain the delicate balance between outrage and compassion.


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I. Introduction
II. Exposition of the text, John 11:28-37.
A. Context, John 11:21,23,24,25.
B. Jesus' conversation with Mary.
1. Martha's role in Mary's calling, vs. 28.
a. A private conversation.
b. A house full of mourners
c. Two vastly different women.
d. Noticing how Martha relates the call.
2. Mary responds to the call, vs. 29-32.
a. Mary's quick reaction, vs. 29.
b. The significance of Jesus' location, vs. 30.
i. Why Jesus remained outside the village.
ii. A model for the sufferer.
c. The persistence of the noisy crowd, vs. 31.
d. Mary before Jesus, vs. 32.
i. Noticing Mary's posture.
ii. Noticing Mary's words.
3. Jesus' response to Mary, vs. 33-35.
a. An emotionally charged environment, vs. 33a.
b. The response of outrage, vs. 33b.
i. Reasons for outrage.
• Outrage at sin, death and the curse of the Fall.
• Outrage at the perpetrator of human suffering.
• Outrage at the evidence of unbelief.
ii. Jesus as the Warrior, preparing for battle.
c. The response of compassion, vs 33c.
i. A human response.
ii. The "ever-preset help in times of trouble", Psa. 46:1.
d. Going to the tomb, vs. 34.
e. Jesus' show of emotion, vs. 35.
i. A unique word for "wept".
ii. A model to follow.
4. The misunderstanding of the Jews, vs. 36-37.
a. A typical assumption, vs. 36.
b. Evidence of unbelief, vs. 37.
III. Application
IV. Conclusion

The Preaching Ministry of Kirby Williams
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