Worship Preparation Guide for June 8

As we gather for worship this week we will see Jesus call out the name of His friend Lazarus and raise him from the dead.  Before Jesus calls Lazarus out of the tomb, He stands for us, and comes face to face with our enemy – death. 

Jesus stands boldly before Lazarus’ tomb and commands the stone be removed.  Why did he not just make it roll away on its own?  John tells us that “All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made (John 1:3).  Surely the One who created that stone could have commanded it to roll away just as He commanded the wind and waves to be silent (Matt 8:26-27). 

Later on in the account after Jesus raises Lazarus He says to those at the tomb, “Loose him, and let him go.”  (John 11:44)  Why didn’t Jesus make the grave cloths fall away Himself?  Surely if He can raise Lazarus He can unbound him in the same miraculous way! 

Here at the tomb of Lazarus Jesus does what only He can do by calling a man out of death into life.  But He expects the people, He expects us, to do what we can do; to do what He asks us to do.  Jesus did the same thing when He feed the crowds with the loaves and fish.  He sent the disciples to find what He alone could miraculously multiply. 

J.M Boice raises this question in his commentary on John:

“Will you also play your part in Christ’s miracles?  You say, “But what do you mean?  Haven’t you said that the work is Christ’s alone?  No one can raise the dead but Jesus.”  Yes, that is true.  But have you noticed that although it was Jesus alone who could bring the dead to life; nevertheless, he delighted to involve the bystanders in the miracle.  First, they were told to move the stone.  Then, after the miracle, they were told to unbind Lazarus.  True, we cannot bring the dead to life. But we can bring the word of Christ to them.  We can do preparatory work, and we can do work afterward.  We can help to remove stones—stones of ignorance, error, prejudice, and despair.  After the miracle we can help the new Christian by unwinding the graveclothes of doubt, fear, introspection, and discouragement.  The miracle is Christ’s.  But there is work for us to do if we will do it.  Will you?  Do you doubt that he would use you if you were ready to do such work?  Then get ready!  Or be ready!  As A.W. Pink says, “There is no higher privilege this side of Heaven than for us to be used of the Lord in

rolling away gravestones and removing graveclothes.”   Boice, J. M.. The Gospel of John (896)

A mysterious, yet integral component of seeing God move in our impossibilities is being obedient to what He has commanded us to do.  Each of us knows of individuals, families, classmates, friends or co-workers who in some way need to know the resurrection power of Christ.  How would God use you to bring them to Jesus – to bring a miracle into their lives?  We can pray for them – and certainly we should.  Perhaps you could give them a call and invite them to attend church with you this Sunday. 

Perhaps there is a brother or sister in Christ here at Westwood that needs you to call them, encourage them, invite them back to church, help them out of the “graveclothes of doubt, fear, introspection, and discouragement.”

Hebrews 11: 6 is a good word to meditate upon as we pray and prepare for worship this week:   “And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.” 

Lord Jesus, enable us by your Holy Spirit to gather with your people this Sunday for worship, declaring with our presence, prayers, songs and attention to your Word that You exist; and that as we drawn near to You we will hear from You, experience Your grace and resurrection power in our lives, see that grace and power in the lives of other; and in that time of worship get a taste of heaven and the great reward that awaits us there in Christ Jesus our Lord.

A part of our worship music will be Glorious Christ.

The radiance of the Father, before the dawn of time; 

You spoke and all creation came to be;

The molecules and planets reveal Your great design, 

and every one was made so we could see, So we could see.

You are the glorious Christ, the greatest of all delights. 

Your power is unequaled, Your love beyond all heights,

No greater sacrifice, than when You laid down Your life. 

We join the song of angels who praise You day and night, 

Glorious Christ.

You left the air of heaven to breathe the dust of earth,  

And dwell among the outcast and the poor;

You came to be forsaken, and died to take our curse 

so You could be our joy forevermore. 

Forevermore!

You’re seated now in heaven, Enthroned at God’s right hand. 

You’ve shattered death and freed us from our fears.

And though we cannot see You, You’re coming back again; 

And all will be made right when You appear;

And all will be made right when You appear.

You are the glorious Christ, the greatest of all delights. 

Your power is unequaled, Your love beyond all heights,

No greater sacrifice, than when You laid down Your life. 

We join the song of angels who praise You day and night, 

Glorious Christ.