I Am the Resurrection and the Life
The Great I Am
April 4, 2021
Rev. Gabe Sylvia
We must learn from Scripture to set correct expectations for Jesus—understanding that his ministry always glorifies the Father, that unanswered prayers do not mean God’s love is absent, and that true resurrection life comes through a personal relationship with Christ.
Summary
The sermon warns that popular or cultural expectations about the Messiah often misread his work; to rightly understand Jesus we must be grounded in Scripture so we neither expect too much nor too little of him. Jesus’ actions, even delays or seeming silence in response to prayer, are ordered to glorify the Father and fit God’s greater purposes, not simply to confirm our assumptions. Knowing Jesus is tied to knowing the resurrection—the promise of real, restored life for those who trust him—and Easter’s grace brings cleansing, renewal, and ongoing rest in Christ.
Key Points
- The Jewish anticipation of the Messiah was strong but often incorrect; Scripture study helps us know God correctly.
- Misunderstanding Jesus leads to wrong expectations—either expecting too much or too little from him.
- Jesus’ timing and actions (e.g., waiting while Lazarus was ill) point to his purpose to glorify the Father, not to conform to our demands.
- God answers the prayers of the righteous, but unanswered expectations do not equal lack of God’s love.
- Martha affirmed a general resurrection but had not yet apprehended the personal resurrection that comes through knowing Jesus.
- True resurrection life belongs to those who die in faith and trust Christ; both righteous and unrighteous will be raised, but only believers share in Christ’s life.
- Easter and Sunday invite believers into rest, cleansing, renewal, and a daily calling to follow Jesus.
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