TAKE AWAY THE STONE
Introduction:
1. John 11:1-37
2. Note the sickness and death of Lazarus
3. "Jesus said, Take away the stone" (vs 39).
4. Lazarus comes forth. Jesus then said, "Loose him, and let him
go" (vs 44).
I. QUESTIONS:
1. Why didn't Jesus remove the stone? Just a word from Him and
the stone would be gone. He had power to still the storm,
surely He could have removed the stone.
He could have even raised Lazarus without the stone
being removed.
2. Why didn't Jesus loose him? That would have been no great
challenge. A simple act. The same power that raised him
could have easily loosed him.
II. GOD NEVER DOES FOR MAN WHAT MAN CAN DO FOR HIMSELF:
1. Noah was required to "build the ark." Gen 6:14ff
Could Jehovah have saved Noah some other way, perhaps
just transport him to the top of the tallest mountain???
2. Deliverance of Israel from Egypt:
(1) Moses chosen to "bring them out" (Ex. 3:7-10).
(2) Moses required to "lift his rod" (Ex. 14:16).
(3) Moses required to "stretch his hand" to close the sea
over the Egyptians (Ex. 14:26).
Could not the Lord have provided escape?
3. Escape from snake bites:
(1) Num. 21:8 -- Required to make the brazen serpent and
put it upon a pole.
(2) You must LOOK upon the serpent.
Surely, Lord there is a better way.
4. 2 Kings 5:10, Naaman, "Go dip 7 times in the Jordan."
(1) Naaman was looking for something sensational,
spectacular. "Come out and wave his hand....."
5. John 9:7, blind man required to "go and wash in the pool of
Siloam." Could not Jesus have healed him instantly? He had
done so before.
6. Acts 2:38 -- "Repent and be baptized for the remission of
sins." Acts 22:16 -- "Arise and be baptized and wash away
your sins...." Mark 16:16, etc.
Lord, can You not just save us? Why baptism?
III. GOD ALWAYS DOES WHAT MAN CANNOT DO:
1. In each of these examples, the way of escape (salvation)
was provided by the Lord; but, each was required to have
faith in Jehovah and obey the command given to them.
2. The same is also true in the salvation of mankind today:
(1) Jehovah provides the sacrifice. Heb 10:4; Rom 5:6.
(2) He gave the plan for salvation. Gal 1:11-12; 2 Tim 1:9
(3) He offers salvation. Eph. 2:8-9
(4) It is a free gift. Rom. 6:23.
(5) He enrolls our name in Heaven. Rev. 3:5.
3. God has done something for you that you could not, can not
do for yourself. He provides for your salvation
IV. SOME STONES WHICH WE MUST ROLL AWAY:
1. TO THE SINNER:
(1) The stone of unbelief. John 8:24
(2) The stone of impenitence. Acts 17:30-31.
(3) The stone of denial. Matt. 10:32-33. Rom 10:10.
(4) The stone of disobedience. Rom. 6:17-18
(5) God will not force you to believe in Christ, to turn
from your sins, to confess your faith in Him, to be
buried in baptism for the remission of sins... THAT IS
YOUR CHOICE, YOUR DECISION. You, and YOU ALONE shall
decide your eternal destiny.
(6) Will you roll away the stone today and surrender to
our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
2. TO THE CHILD OF GOD:
(1) The stone of indifference. Heb 6:12; 5:11-14.
We just cannot afford to be unconcerned, indifferent,
when it comes to Christ and His work, worship.
(2) The stone of ignorance. 1 Tim 2:15; 2 Pet. 3:18.
(3) The stone of "love for the world." 1 John 2:15-17.
Brethren, we just cannot become attached to the
world and its allurements, enticements.
(4) The stone of carnality (materialism). Rom. 8:6-8 We
must ever strive to have the mind of Christ. Phil 2:5;
1 Cor 2:16.
Conclusion:
1. No doubt there are many other stones that we need to roll
away. Things that inhibit us from being the person which
Christ Jesus desires that we be.
2. There are those who expect (yea, DEMAND) that God roll away
the stones. They put the total salvation of man upon the
shoulders of Jehovah. Salvation is completely up to the Lord.
3. God has done His part, all that He is going to do!!!!
4. Our salvation is now up to us: We must roll away the stone.
(1) God wishes (wants) us to do His Will and be saved:
2 Pet. 3:9; 1 Tim 2:1-4.
(2) Salvation is conditional; God had done for us what we
could not do for ourselves. But, WE MUST RESPOND TO THE
WILL OF THE LORD, do His will. Matt. 7:21; Heb. 5:9.
(3) Blessings are for those who do His will. Rev. 22:14.
5. Could there be a stone between you and the Lord today? What
are you going to do about it?
(From a lesson by Richie Thetford)
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