Sermon Theme: “If You Believe”
Have you ever been in a situation where you wished things were different?
We’ve all said it at some point — “I wish…”
“I wish I had more time.” “I wish I hadn’t made that decision.” “I wish this pain would go away.” “I wish things were like they used to be.”
The phrase “I wish” has become part of human vocabulary because deep inside, we all desire something better, brighter, or easier than what we face.
But most of the time, our wishes focus on earthly comfort — not eternal transformation.
Think back to Adam’s life before the fall. In the Garden of Eden, Adam had everything he needed — peace, provision, and direct fellowship with God. No worries, no weeds, no warfare. All that changed when sin entered the world. Since then, humanity has learned to long again — to wish for the world as it was meant to be.
It’s okay to say, “I wish life were like Adam’s.” But beloved, here’s the truth: wishing alone changes nothing. It is believing that activates God’s transformation in our lives.
And this morning, this Word is for everyone at Carson and Mount Hope — and for anyone here who has said recently, “I wish things were different.”
The good news of John 11 is that when you believe God’s power works beyond human timing, your wish can become reality in God’s glory.
Scripture Application
Jesus is not bound by timing or anything. He lives and operates in eternity.
Let’s step into the story. Lazarus is dead. Mary and Martha have buried him. The community has gathered to mourn. Four long days have passed — time enough for hope to fade and for human reasoning to take over.
When Mary met Jesus, her words reflected both faith and frustration:
“Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” It wasn’t that she doubted Jesus’ power; she just couldn’t see beyond the limits of what she had already witnessed. She had seen Him heal, but not resurrect.
Many of us are like Mary and Martha. We believe Jesus can help as long as the situation is fixable. We say, “Lord, if You had come earlier — before the divorce, before the diagnosis, before the financial loss — maybe I wouldn’t be in this mess.”
But Jesus does not live within the boundaries of our clocks. He operates in eternity’s perfect timing.
Where we see “too late,” He sees “right on time.” Part of what moved Jesus to tears that day was not only Lazarus’ death, but the people’s unbelief. The God who created life was standing before them, and they could not imagine His glory at work beyond death itself.
Then Jesus gave a simple, direct command:
“Take away the stone.” This is where faith turns into obedience. Martha objected — “Lord, by this time there will be a stench; he’s been dead four days.”
Her reasoning was correct, but her faith was hesitant. Jesus answered gently but firmly, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?”
Those words echo down to us today. Faith always requires us to do something that doesn’t make sense — to remove the stone between God’s promise and our problem.
Maybe your stone is fear. Maybe it’s doubt. Maybe it’s self-reliance, guilt, or even exhaustion. Whatever it is, Jesus says, “Take it away.”
When they obeyed, Jesus lifted His eyes to heaven, prayed, and then shouted into the darkness of that tomb, “Lazarus, come out!”
And the impossible happened — a dead man walked out alive, still wrapped in grave clothes but breathing again.
Here’s the truth, people of God: Lazarus didn’t come out because they wished for it. He came out because they believed and obeyed Jesus’ command. And this same power that raised Lazarus back to life is still active today.
So, what does this mean for us in 2026 — right here in our communities?
When medical science reaches its limit and the doctor says, “Only God can heal now,” faith steps in to see God’s glory.
When a farmer, after a difficult harvest and financial loss, decides to prepare the ground and plant again — that is faith working beyond failure.
When believers continue to serve, give, pray, and worship despite wars, division, unrest, and economic struggle — that is the faith that moves stones in this generation.
Faith doesn’t deny the difficulty. It simply refuses to let the difficulty define the outcome.
Conclusion
The message of Jesus to Martha and to us is simple but profound:
“If you believe, you will see the glory of God.”
That means: If you believe, broken relationships can live again. If you believe, hope can return to the hopeless. If you believe, what was buried in shame can rise in victory. Believing means trusting that God can bring to life anything you’ve declared dead — even if it’s been buried for years.
How Do We Strengthen Our Belief?
Recognize human limitation.
Without God, we can do nothing (John 15:5). Recognize that dependence is not weakness; it’s the beginning of resurrection life.
Believe God’s power is unlimited.
Jesus declared, “With God all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26). That includes the things that look impossible right now.
Acknowledge Jesus’ authority over life and death.
He said, “I am the resurrection and the life” (John 11:25–26). Where He is present, death loses its final word.
Trust and obey.
Belief without obedience is shallow. We must walk in step with the Spirit (Galatians 5:25) — even when He tells us something that challenges our logic.
Closing Invitation
Beloved, as we journey through this Lenten season, what tomb stands before you?
What dream, calling, or family relationship feels sealed behind a stone?
Maybe it’s your faith itself that feels lifeless — silent, stale, or uncertain.
Jesus is standing at the entrance, calling you by name. His words remain the same: “If you believe, you will see the glory of God.” So stop trying to fix it in your own strength. Stop reasoning why it can’t change.
Listen for the Savior’s voice this morning. Roll away the stone of unbelief, and let Jesus speak life over your situation.
Your miracle may already be waiting — not when you wish, but when you believe.