The Apparent Delays of God (John 11:1-15)
Sermon Notes
Pastor David Yan
19 April 2020
We sometimes think that God delays. But he never delays. He does everything according to his time. God's delays are our perception only.
Consider now the incident of Lazarus, Martha and Mary as recorded in John 11:1-15.
Need.
Immediate. Lazarus sick and dying. We have immediate needs. Today, in the midst of a viral pandemic employment is a pressing need.
Felt. Sisters Martha and Mary loved brother Lazarus. Felt needs are agonising. Jesus knows our pains.
Desperate. They longed for Jesus to come. Desperate times are prayerful times. God hears desperate prayers. We do not pray enough because we are not desperate enough.
Beyond self-help. They could not do much more for their brother. Palliative care. We must give our all and all and leave matters in the hands of Jesus who does all things well.
Jesus knows the need. He knows when it will end. He knows how it will end. He knew all about sick Lazarus and his anxious sisters.
But Jesus did not immediately come. His response is strange. He delays.
The purpose of God's delays.
They are for the glory of God that people may come to believe in Jesus.
Jesus will be glorified through Lazarus' death and resurrection. (Later he raised Lazarus from death.)
All things work for the advancement of the gospel.
Examples of God's delays in the Bible and how they advanced the gospel.
Days of Noah. An evil violent world. God gave the world 120 years to repent. Noah a preacher. The 120 years was evidence of God's mercy. He delayed punishment.
Days of Moses. A family goes to Egypt. After 400 years there emerged a nation---Israel. From Israel came the Messiah, Jesus. The 400 years of seeming delay served the purpose of creating the nation of Israel.
Days of Jeremiah. Israelites in captivity for 70 years. The 70 years of silence served the purpose of purging Israel of idolatry. Never again idolatrous.
Days between Old and New Testaments. A period of around 400 years. Seeming silence of God. But God at work during this 400-year period to further the gospel as seen in the ruling empires during the 400 years and the perpetuity of the Jews and their religion.
Grecian empire. Greek language. New Testament written in Greek. God's revelation continued through the Greek New Testament.
Roman Empire. Network of roads established. Gospel carried along Roman roads. Paul.
Synagogues. During the 400 years the Jews built synagogues. Worship continued. Reading and teaching Scriptures continued. Jesus preached in synagogues. Paul preached in synagogues.
Note God's advancing of the gospel in the 18th and 19th century missionary movement. Pioneer missionaries made use of the new road and sea routes to preach in the unreached world. Today Christians all over the world.
We live in a global digital age. New and rapid means of communication are before us. Already Christians worldwide are using technology to share gospel. Witness the streaming of meetings on the internet during the present corona virus pandemic.
Jesus delayed his coming to Lazarus so that when he did come and work a miracle the people would believe in him.
We await the second coming of Jesus. The delay seems long, but it is for a purpose. When Jesus returns, he will inaugurate a new heaven and a new earth.
You may think God has delayed answering your prayers. But he is working. His delays are not denials; they may be deferrals.
Believe in Jesus. His delay in coming to Lazarus served a purpose. His delay in answering your needs serves a purpose.
Rest in him. Be still and know that he is God.