I. THE CALL FROM THE GRAVE

"When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, 'Lazarus, come out!' The dead man came out..." John 11:43-44a

• Only Christ's voice has power over spiritual death (cf. John 5:25 )

“No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them, and I will raise them up at the last day. John 6:44

• Augustine noted: Jesus called Lazarus by name, lest all the dead arise

• Application: Your salvation began with Christ's specific call to you 

• (Give reference to people's lightbulb moment)

• Lazarus heard and obeyed while still dead—this is grace

• Faith is the dead hearing the voice of the living God

• Modern parallel: We respond to Christ while still spiritually bound

"Your grave clothes do not define you—Christ does."

"...his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face." John 11:44 b

Theologically: The "old man" that Scripture says we must put off (Eph. 4:22-24)

22 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. Ephesians 4:22-24

Practically:

• Habitual sins that once defined us

• Mental patterns formed in spiritual death

• Relational dynamics rooted in selfishness

• Emotional responses shaped by a godless worldview

• We are simultaneously justified and being sanctified

• Already raised, yet still being unbound

• Martin Luther's insight: Simul justus et peccator - at the same time righteous and sinner

The Voice That Raises the Dead

The Response of Faith
II. THE PROBLEM OF THE GRAVE CLOTHES 

What Are Our Grave Clothes?

The Paradox of Christian Experience

Why Don't the Grave Clothes Fall Off Automatically?

1. God's pedagogical purpose - We learn dependence through struggle

   1. The nature of habit - Sin creates neural pathways that require intentional rewiring

   "Every grave cloth once served a purpose in your old life—address the root, not just the fruit."

   1. Community necessity - Others must help us see our blind spots…. 

   Growth Groups, CR, you need this throughout your life if you want to truly take off your grave clothes

   Gospel Turn:

   “Lazarus, COME OUT”

   God is calling you…

   Some of you went back in the tomb, and you're just chilling in your grave clothes, lying around in your cold, dark tomb

   Jesus has called you out of your tomb

   “Faith is the dead hearing the voice of the living God.”
   III The Voice That Raises the Dead