March 22nd, Sermon & Ministry Resources

"When Jesus Delays" (John 11:1-45)

Lectionary Readings — Fifth Sunday in Lent — March 22, 2026

Ezekiel 37:1-14; Psalm 130; Romans 8:6-11; John 11:1-45

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Call to Worship (based on John 11:1-45)

Leader: Jesus said to Martha, “I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die.”

People: We come this morning believing in Jesus Christ, the resurrection and the life.

Leader: Martha answered Jesus, “Yes, Lord, I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, the one coming into the world.”

People: We too confess that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, the Savior of the world.

Leader: When Mary came to Jesus and saw Him, she knelt at His feet. Jesus was deeply moved in spirit and troubled.

People: We come to Jesus in our times of trouble, knowing that He understands our pain and grief.

Leader: Jesus wept. He cried out with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” And the dead man came out, alive.

People: We worship the One who has power over death itself, who brings life from death and hope from despair.

Leader: Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?”

All: We believe, Lord Jesus. Show us Your glory as we gather to worship You today. Amen.

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Opening Prayer (based on Psalm 130)

Let us pray:

Heavenly Father, we come before You this morning crying out from the depths of our hearts. Like the psalmist, we acknowledge that we stand in need of Your mercy and grace. If You kept a record of our sins, O Lord, none of us could stand before You. But with You there is forgiveness, and so we worship You with reverence and gratitude.

We thank You that You hear our voices when we call to You. You listen to our cries for mercy. You do not turn away from us in our need, but You draw near to us with compassion and love. This morning we ask that You would hear our prayers as we gather in Your name.

Lord, we confess our sins to You. We have fallen short of Your glory. We have failed to love You with all our hearts and to love our neighbors as ourselves. We have walked in darkness when You have called us to walk in light. Forgive us, O God, and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

As we continue this journey through Lent toward the cross, help us to wait for You with expectant hearts. More than watchmen wait for the morning, we wait for Your Word and Your promises. Our souls wait for You, O Lord, for with You there is unfailing love and full redemption.

Redeem us from all our sins. Transform us by Your Spirit. Prepare our hearts for Holy Week and for the celebration of resurrection morning. May this time of worship draw us closer to You and deepen our trust in Your saving grace.

We pray this in the name of Jesus Christ, our Redeemer and Lord. Amen.

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[NOTE to Paid subscribers — scroll down for the full manuscript sermon]

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Sermon Outline: "WHEN JESUS DELAYS"

Based on John 11:1-45

INTRODUCTION:

The story of Lazarus is one of the most dramatic and emotional accounts in the Gospels. It is a story about sickness, death, grief, faith, and ultimately, resurrection. But it is also a story about waiting and wondering why Jesus does not always show up when we think He should. Mary and Martha sent word to Jesus that their brother Lazarus was sick, expecting Him to come immediately. But Jesus delayed. He stayed where He was for two more days. And by the time He arrived, Lazarus had been dead for four days. Why would Jesus delay? What was He waiting for? This passage reveals profound truths about God’s timing, God’s compassion, and God’s power over death itself.

I. The PURPOSE: Understanding Divine Delays (vv. 1-16)

A. The urgent request - “Lord, he whom you love is ill”

B. The unexpected delay - Jesus stayed two days longer

C. Jesus explains: “This illness does not lead to death; rather it is for God’s glory”

D. God’s timing is not our timing - delays are purposeful, not punitive

II. The PAIN: Jesus Enters Our Suffering (vv. 17-37)

A. Martha’s honest grief - “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died”

B. Jesus makes His declaration - “I am the resurrection and the life”

C. Martha’s confession of faith despite her pain

D. Jesus sees Mary weeping and is “greatly disturbed in spirit and deeply moved”

E. The shortest verse in the Bible - “Jesus wept”

III. The POWER: Jesus Commands Life from Death (vv. 38-44)

A. Jesus arrives at the tomb - “already there was a stench”

B. Jesus reminds them - “Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?”

C. Jesus prays to the Father - so they may believe

D. The commanding word - “Lazarus, come out!”

E. The impossible becomes possible - the dead man came out

IV. The PROCLAMATION: Believing Leads to Life (v. 45)

A. Many who saw what Jesus did believed in Him

B. The miracle points beyond itself to who Jesus is

C. Jesus proves His claim - He is the resurrection and the life

D. This foreshadows His own resurrection

Conclusion:

The raising of Lazarus is more than just a miracle story. It is a preview of Easter morning. It is a demonstration that Jesus has authority over life and death. It is proof that even when Jesus delays, even when things seem hopeless, even when death appears to have the final word, Jesus can speak life into any situation. As we move closer to Holy Week, this passage reminds us that the same Jesus who called Lazarus out of the tomb would Himself walk out of a tomb three days after His crucifixion. He is the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in Him, even though they die, will live. And everyone who lives and believes in Him will never die. The question He asked Martha is the question He asks us today: “Do you believe this?” Our response to that question changes everything.

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Full Manuscript Sermon Below for Paid Subscribers