All Saints Sunday
Facing Death
John 11:32-44
I. Introduction
Hitting the tree/Leaving my mark
I can remember my first youth outing with my last church. We were in the process of confirmation and I had planned an outing for them at one of our member’s house. So we were out there having a good time. We were playing games, eating, talking, etc. Well, we were about to go somewhere so we all piled into the church van. Once we loaded in, I put it in reverse to back out, and then I heard a crash. Boom! I had hit a beautiful tree! As you can imagine with a bunch of sixth graders, they were yelling and screaming like we hit a car on the highway. So I jumped out of the van and realized that the van was fine. No scratches at all. However, I left a huge dent in the tree. So, the first time I visited at that house, I left my mark. Everytime they look at that tree, they will remember me.
The imprint of saints
This morning we are celebrating All Saints Day. I’m sure that your minds are filled with people who have gone on to be with the Lord who have had a huge impact on your life. As you look around this room, there is so much history that has taken place. We are reminded of them today because they have left their mark on our lives. Above all, saints are people who have encountered God and have left a mark on our lives. They are people who have lived their lives, not for themselves, but for others. So, what are other characteristics about Saints?
One is that saints are people who have witnessed the power of Jesus.
II. Saints are people who have witnessed the power of Jesus
What makes one a saint? Holiness?
Whenever we hear the word saint, we usually think of someone who does no wrong. Every time I hear saint I automatically think of my grand dad. My granddad is someone who I have never seen do anything wrong. I have never heard him cuss, I have never heard him yell, he have never kicked a dog, he never misses church. When I think of saint, that’s usually what I think of. Personal righteousness. Holiness. Therefore, I usually think that a saint is a perfect, super spiritual person. However, that’s not necessarily the case. For one, a saint of someone who has witnessed God’s power.
Jesus’ power
In today’s story, Lazarus is dead. Everyone is sad and some are wondering why Jesus didn’t get there sooner. However, he says to the people, “Remove this stone.” When Martha questions him for doing this, he says, “Did I not say to you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?” Then, after Jesus calls, Lazarus comes out of the tomb. The people had witnessed the power of God. Because of this encounter, the people will never be the same.
My first Braves game
When I was about 5 or 6, my dad took me to my first Atlanta Braves baseball game. This was back during the Dale Murphy days when the Braves were terrible. We sat right behind the dugout. I brought my glove to catch foul balls with, even though I never got one. I loved everything about the experience. I loved the smell of peanuts. I loved when we sang “Take me out to the ballgame.” I discovered for the first time at this game that the Braves were America’s team because when we did the National Anthem we sang that America was “the land of the free and the home of the Braves”. I loved watching the players. I loved seeing the action live. I don’t remember much about my childhood, but I remember a lot about this game. I went to the game as a normal 6 year old, but I left as a Braves fan.
Saints encounter God
In the same way that I’m a Braves fan, the people of God are Saints because they have witnessed the power of God. They have encountered God’s goodness and have been eternally affected by it. Maybe they have never seen anyone raised from the dead, but they have experienced the goodness and forgiveness of God. They are Saints because their encounter with God has sanctified them.
Saints are people who have witnessed the power of Jesus. They are also people who have brought life into a death filled world.
III. Saints are people who have brought life into a death filled world
Jesus overcoming death
This story in John 11 puts death in its rightful place. Jesus, the light of the world, shows darkness and death that he has power over them. Even death is no match for Jesus!
Mother Teresa
When you think of a saint, Mother Teresa of Calcutta comes to mind. It’s amazing all of the things that she has done. In a world full of pain and suffering, she gave her life to bringing the love of God to people.
Doesn’t have to be on the same scale
However, we can bring life into the world right where we are. We are not all called to do what Mother Teresa has done. God has called us to bring life into the world right where we are. We must simply be opened to what God wants to do through us. Even Mother Teresa said that “I am a little pencil in the hand of God trying to write a love letter to the world”. We are saints to the world whenever we disappear and people can see the love of God.
When God’s holiness encounters the world
This is what the church is called to be. We are called to represent the love of God to the world. We aren’t called to judge them. That’s God’s job. We are simply called to be a light in the world of darkness. Saints aren’t people who are so holy that they are judgmental, but people who have experienced the love of God and share it in a dark world.
Saints are people who have witnessed the power of Jesus, people who have brought life into a death filled world, and they are also people who have lived a life for us to model.
IV. Saints have lived a life for us to model.
Children watching movies
Have you ever noticed how children act after they get out of a movie? If they watch spiderman, they leave wanting to go by the store to buy them a spiderman costume. If they watch a Hanna Montana movie, they leave wanting a Hanna Montana toy. When they encounter these stories, they are affected by it.
In the same way, a saint is someone who has been affected by the life of Christ and sets a model for us to live by. They leave God’s presence like a child leaves a movie and wants to put on God’s costume. They want people to see the love, grace, and mercy of God through them.
My faith has been shaped by models
As I think about my life, it has been shaped by many different people. I’m sure that you can say the same thing this morning. We are sitting here this morning because someone had an impact on our lives. In the same way, we try to follow their example and live the Christian life in they same way they did. Saints are still with us today because they have left a legacy. They have left people behind who talk like them, walk like them, pray like them, because they gave us a model. A saint’s presence never leaves because the holiness that they left behind never dies.
V. Conclusion
The promises Resurrection
Jesus waited before he came to Lazarus. One reason is so that everyone there could experience the power of God. Another reason, probably the main reason, is to forecast his future. He showed everyone there that not even death had power him. When Lazarus was raised, it was a snapshot of what was coming in Christ. In the same way that Lazarus was raised, Jesus will be raised. So today, as we think about our loved ones who have gone before us, who are with God in heaven, be reminded of Christ’s resurrection. Be reminded that the story isn’t over. It continues in the presence of God because of Christ’s resurrection. Thanks be to God. In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.
