The Purpose of Our Problems

I. The Divine View of Problems
A. Death as an opportunity for manifesting resurrection life - John 11:1-44; 2 Cor. 4:8-12;
Phil. 1:19-21
B. Death as the occasion for producing the church - John 11:45-57; Eph. 2:13f
II. Experiencing Life Out of Death
A. The death environment
1. Sickness and weakness - John 11:1-4; 2 Cor. 12:7-10
2. Disappointment and despair - John 11:5-6; 2 Cor. 1:8-10
3. Corruption setting in - John 11:17, 39; 1 Cor. 15:50-55
4. Discouraging talk - John 11:16
5. Sorrow - John 11:19; 2 Cor. 7:8-11
6. Disillusionment - John 11:21, 32, 37; Heb. 10:32-35
7. Mere doctrinal knowledge - John 11:23-24
8. Weeping - John 11:33-36
B. The life experience
1. Knowing the goal in our problems - John 11:4; Rom. 8:28-30, 35-39
2. Things get worse before they get better - John 11:4-6; Luke 15:11-24
3. Making decisions based on life and light rather than outward circumstances
- John 11:7-10
4. Things are really not as bad as they seem - John 11:11-15
5. Infusing faith - John 11:15, 25-26, 40, 41-42, 45
6. Experiencing Christ Himself! - John 11:25-26; Gal. 2:20
7. Our sympathizing High Priest - John 11:35-36, 41-42; Heb. 4:14-16
8. An exercised spirit - John 11:33, 38
9. Prayer and commanding with a loud voice - John 11:41-43; 2 Cor. 4:13
10. Set free from death by Life - John 11:44; Eph. 2:5; Rom. 8:2
III. Enjoying the Reality of the Church Life
A. The organic nature of the church
1. Scattered - John 11:52b; Eph. 2:11-13
2. Created in Him - John 11:51-53; Eph. 2:13-16
3. Gathered organically in oneness - John 11:52; Eph. 4:3-6
B. The picture of the church life (Bethany)
1. A place of sweetness and satisfaction - "Bethany" means "House of Figs"
- cf. Judges 9:11
a) The church is where Jesus is at home - Matt. 27:17; Mark. 11:11;
Eph. 3:16-17
2. A place where Jesus is welcome - Luke 10:38- 42; Rev. 3:20
3. A place where His worth is affectionately appreciated - John 11:2; Matt. 26:6-13;
Mark. 14:3-9; John 12:1-9
4. A place of life-fellowship and feasting - John 12:1-2
5. A place of looking for His appearing - Luke 24:50-53; Mark. 11:1; Lk. 19:29;
Acts 1:9-12