I Am the Resurrection and the Life

Sermon Outline:  Sunday, April 5th, 2026
Speaker: Gary Campbell, Jr.

Text

John 11:25-26

I.  Lazarus and me

     A.  Background- John 11

     B.  “For the glory of God”- John 11:4, 40

II.  Jesus and Resurrection — Jesus and Life

“Everyone…who believes in Me will never die.”

     A.  Jesus is the power of resurrection—

Colossians 1:18b- [He is] the firstborn from among the dead.

     B.  Jesus is the source of life—

John 14:6- “I am the way, the truth, and the LIFE…”

     C.  Jesus cannot be defeated by death—

Hebrews 7:16b-…the power of an indestructible life.

     D.  Jesus confers life—

John 14:19b- “Because I live you also will live.”

Apply — If Jesus lives, then I too will live.

III.  Jesus’ Question for me

Jesus asks— “Do you believe this?’

     A.  “Lazarus, come out!” (John 20:16a)

     B.  “Therefore…”- John 11:45-53

      1. “Many… put their faith in Him”

      2. The Pharisees called a meeting

      3. …resulting in, “they plotted to take his life.”

IV.  Conclusion and an invitation

     A.  The Batman Effect

     B.  The Jesus Effect- Who we are and what we gain in Christ!

Apply — Jesus is inviting you; He has called your name!

“Today I…_____________________________________________

“I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in me will never die.

Do you believe this?”

Small Group Questions

Sunday, April 5th, 2026

Launch

Who is someone in your life who saw potential in you before you saw it in yourself? How did they help you see it?

READ- John 11:1-44

[Break this reading into 6 or so verses and have several readers]

Observe

  • What does Jesus declare about Himself in John 11:25-26?

  • What specific promises does He make to those who believe in Him?

Process

  • In the story of Lazarus, what parallel can we draw between Lazarus in the tomb and our own spiritual condition? What does this reveal about our situation apart from Christ?

  • In John 20:16, Jesus calls Mary by name at the resurrection. John intends that we would see ourselves in Mary. Share your own faith story. When did you “hear” Jesus call your name? What events led to that encounter or understanding?

  • When we belong to Jesus, we possess many things: redemption, forgiveness, justification, peace with God, eternal life, and more. Which of these resonates most deeply with you right now, and why?

Respond

  • Jesus asks the crucial question: "Do you believe this?" How would you honestly answer that question today? What doubts or struggles might be holding you back from fully believing?

  • What is one specific area of your life where you need to trust Jesus' resurrection power this week? What would that look like practically?

  • Who in your life needs to hear that Jesus is calling their name? How can you share the hope of resurrection life with them this week?