Only the Gospel of John records the miracle of Lazarus. Luke will speak of a different Lazarus who is described as a poor man begging for food. John, however, writes of a resurrected Lazarus as he declares the Lord’s deity. John said that Jesus was the Word in flesh, the Light that lights every man. He said that Jesus made everything that was ever made.

It was John that gave us Mary and Martha’s dying brother Lazarus. Jesus will arrive four days late to find a sealed tomb and a family in mourning. We are probably familiar with this biblical narrative, but I wish to expose a not so well known portion of scripture. In fact, few even take the time to discover the other part of Lazarus’ story after he rose from the dead.

John 12:9-11 Much people of the Jews therefore knew that he was there: and they came not for Jesus’ sake only, but that they might see Lazarus also, whom he had raised from the dead. But the chief priests consulted that they might put Lazarus also to death; Because that by reason of him many of the Jews went away, and believed on Jesus.

Lazarus was a problem for the chief priests. His mere presence; breathing, living body was a major issue. They hated Lazarus because he validated the preaching of Jesus Christ. They hated Jesus because He was taking their followers. Jesus was talking about a new Kingdom and a new covenant. His parables mesmerized the people and His teaching captivated their hearts. Jesus understood the Law and He brought it to life among the people. He came to set the captive free.

The chief priests tried to stop Him and would have defamed Him had it not been for a living Lazarus. Dead Men Walking always pose a problem for the Unbeliever. You can mock the Bible; call it “old fashion” or not relevant, but you can’t dismiss the miracle. Lazarus needed to die by the hands of the unbeliever because he boosted the prominence of the Lord’s Gospel and posed a threat to their kingdom.

You see, the enemy has a kingdom also and the greatest threats to his kingdom are the walking miracles among us. People can deny speaking in other tongues, but they can’t deny the blind being able to see. They can deny holiness and righteous living, but they have a difficult time belittling cancer healed and the deaf talking and the lame walking. I’m praying for those “Undeniables” this year.

Because for that reason, verse 11, many will come to hear the saving message of Acts 2:38.

Pastor Jeffrey Harpole

Genesis is a noun that literally means origin. It means creation or to create. The Old English expression was used in the sense of “form out of nothing.” When God created the worlds, He spoke them into existence; literally out of nothing. We are made in His image and in His likeness, which implies that we too have the power to create. We do so when we speak. The spoken word is powerful. The spoken word is the covering of blessing and the proclamation of promise. However, it is also the wedge that divides and destroys.

There is nothing more powerful than the tongue. James 3:8 But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.

Solomon wrote these profound truths:
Proverbs 23:6-8
“Eat thou not the bread of him that hath an evil eye, neither desire thou his dainty meats: For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee. The morsel which thou hast eaten shalt thou vomit up, and lose thy sweet words.”

Solomon was talking about a relationship in conversation. He was not referring to actual food. Consider verse 6, “his dainty meats.” If you consume the conversation of the bitter man and eat his “meats”, you will lose your “sweet words.” Vain and bitter conversations are poison to the heart and mind. The things we hear have great bearing on the condition of our heart. When James submitted that the tongue can be full of deadly poison, he was referring to a process of time. Over time, vain conversations infect the spirit. Paul wrote, 1 Corinthians 15:33 Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.

What we say really does matter. Of course, some erroneously believe that they can say whatever they want as long as it is in the privacy of their own homes. However, God addressed that matter when He said, Deuteronomy 1:27 And ye murmured in your tents, and said, Because the LORD hated us, he hath brought us forth out of the land of Egypt, to deliver us into the hand of the Amorites, to destroy us.

There are no private places apart from God. All commentaries matter. Jesus said, Matthew 12:36-37 “…every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.”

Finally, though I have not exhausted this most pivotal subject,

Proverbs 4:23 – 26
“Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life. Put away from thee a froward mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee. Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee. Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established.”

Pastor Jeffrey Harpole

The Civil Rights Movement was and is an important part of the fabric of America. By all accounts, it’s premise is based on the Bible’s own declarations of love, brotherhood, and unity. Paul was clear when he wrote, Romans 12:5 So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. The body of Jesus Christ has no divisions or segregations.

While we pause to give honor to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., we know that there were many others who suffered and stood strong in the face of racism and segregation. Leaders, known and unknown, sought for equality and acceptance. Even still, Dr. King rose above the rest and paid the ultimate sacrifice to preach his message.

It is important that we know that Dr. King was a preacher because modernism and some humanists would like us to think differently. I present this fact, because I believe that Dr. King was good as The King made him to be. His passion, voice, sound, and conviction rose from the depths afforded to him by the King of all Kings. The times in which he lived needed more than just a public speaker. They needed a voice that echoed the Throne of God. Maybe Dr. King would have been revered and admired without the call that lay beneath him. Maybe he would have still been a notable figure in society and history. I believe it was the King of Glory that ushered him into the realm of authority, to speak to the nation and to generations to come. I submit to you, The King of King.

The Psalmist asked,
Psalms 24:8 – 10 Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle. Lift up your heads, O ye gates; even lift them up, ye everlasting
doors; and the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The LORD of hosts, he is the King of glory.

John identified him when he saw Him:
Revelation 19:12 – 13 His eyes were as a flame of fire – on his head were many crowns… And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is
called The Word of God.
Revelation 19:15 – 16 And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword…And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.

Pastor Jeffrey Harpole

Isaiah 58 “Is not this the fast that I have chosen?”

God’s message through Isaiah about fasting is often lost in the absence of context. So to be true to the larger picture, God used fasting as a means to change the hearts of His people. He had chosen this time, but their day of fasting had not altered their behavior. In context, the poor remained hungry; fighting and arguing were still prevalent; and the less fortunate were being mishandled. God desired a fast in order to subdue greed and pride. He was looking for a change in their actions, but ultimately they went through the motions without allowing the sacrifice to do its intended work. God said, “Is this fast only for a day? No change of spirit? No humility; no heart?” They fasted, but still exploited their workers. They fasted, but were still bitter towards one another. It was ritual without relationship. Isaiah wrote that the fast was to break chains and tear down strongholds, but the routine had become ceremonial and ultimately lost its purpose.

Fasting is not just about giving up food. It is certainly not a weight-loss program. Fasting is about crucifying the most natural desires of the flesh. It’s about an introspective look into the recesses of the heart and mind to change the disposition of the person who makes the sacrifice.

I submit that worship, giving, and prayer can become a ritual. Any repeated action can develop into a function of the body. Just because someone declares that they go to church every Sunday, does not mean that they have a heart for sacrifice. Without the heart, singing is nothing more than a function and prayer only a recital. God desires for our hearts to be changed and our actions to follow in like manner. Chains must be broken and anointing must flow.

Therefore, in this time of prayer and fasting, I submit that we seek for a change of heart. It is imperative that we use the time wisely and consider the condition of our lives. David said it this way…

Psalms 139:23-24 Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

Pastor Jeffrey Harpole