First Good Samaritan Baptist Church
The Caring Church, Preparing the world by Sharing the WORD!

WEEKLY WORD

Sermon Prepared By Minister Gloria Dunbar-Webb

It’s Not About You
John 11 v. 1-4

1Now a certain man was sick, named Lazarus, of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha. 2 (It was that Mary which anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick.)3 Therefore his sisters sent unto him, saying, Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick. 4 When Jesus heard that, he said, This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby.

He says “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. As Jesus loved Lazarus, He also loves us. There are times when we are unable to see and feel His love due to our very own circumstances clouding our minds. Upon hearing the word that Lazarus was sick, Jesus did not immediately come to the aid of his dear friend. There will be times when Jesus will wait to come to our rescue. While He knew of the, sickness as well as the moment in which Lazarus died it was only then that He proceeded to go to Lazarus. He is all knowing and just as He knew of the sickness and death of Lazarus, He also knows what we are in need of before we ask.

Jesus said “This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby.” Jesus is saying that it is not about Lazarus. It is about how God will get the glory and He too will be glorified. God always has a plan for our lives and he will use us so that He can get the glory. While situations and circumstances may become painful, uncomfortable and even be made public, it is always for a greater good. It’s not about us. We may not be able to see it during our crisis, however at the end of the test, it is then we clearly see why things happened the way they did.

The glory came at the resurrection of Lazarus. No one could say it was some other power that raised Lazarus. All who were there knew that it was God and Jesus. God gets glory out of what happens in our lives after he has brought us through it, not for what did not happen. Whatever your circumstance is, God is going to get some glory out of it. Believe that He is going to bring you out.

Written by
Minister Gloria Dunbar-Webb
Assistant to Pastor Simmons