Believe! The Gospel of John

WK 34 – “Do You Stink?”

John 11:33-46 NASB

November 8, 2026

Justin Scarberry

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“Do You Stink?” John 11:33-46

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He was deeply moved in spirit and was troubled…

He said, “Where have you laid him?” 

– John 11:33-34

• Jesus arrived to a heartbroken Mary and Martha after Lazarus had died.
• “The Jews” were not religious leaders, they were people with Jewish blood.
• They were probably friends and neighbors who came to support the family.

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Jesus wept. – John 11:35

• The shortest verse in the Bible, and one of the most powerful.
• Jesus, Sovereign God in human flesh, was weeping over one man.
• Why would He weep? Because God is Love (1 John 4:8).
• We have a God who came to live like we live, who feels the exact same pain we feel, and who feels compassion for the people He created in His image.
• Everyone will know we are Christian by how we love each other (John 13:35).
• Sanctification: A lifelong process, making us less like us and more like Jesus.

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“See how He loved him!” vs.

“Could this Man… not have also kept this man from dying?”

– John 11:36-37

• At that point, the Jews weren’t followers; they were skeptical of Jesus.
• Could God have healed Lazarus? Yes! God has the power of life and death.
• God has His ways & His timing; it’s not our job to figure out why or why not.
• God has His reasons; in the end it all comes together for good (Romans 8:28).

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So Jesus, again being deeply moved within, *came to the tomb.

– John 11:38

• “A cave… a stone was lying against it.” – This prefigures Jesus, who would be in the grave for three days, roll away the stone, and walk out in Victory over death!

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Jesus said, “Remove the stone.”

Martha *said, “Lord, by this time there will be a stench.”

– John 11:39

• After four days there would definitely be a stench from the body decaying.
• Sin stinks, and “sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.” – James 1:14-15
• We cannot contain the stench of sin; it is a life away from God.

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Jesus raised His eyes, and said, “Father, I thank You that You have heard Me.”

– John 11:40-42

• Jesus was praying out loud so that those around Him might believe.
• When we pray in God’s Will, it is a sweet aroma that God enjoys. – Phil. 4:18
• The gospel message is a sweet fragrance to spread around. – 2 Cor. 2:14

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He cried out with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” – John 11:43

• God has power over life and death. – Deuteronomy 32:39
• Prefigures Jesus’ resurrection; He would walk out of the grave defeating death!

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Out came the man who had died… – John 11:44

• Lazarus had been dead for four days, and now he came walking out of the grave!
• Walking out of the grave – A sinner who was dead in their sins, heading to hell, now turned from the world, giving their life to Jesus and guaranteed heaven!
• Faith – We see His Spirit raising souls from the dead in real time.

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Many of the Jews… believed in Him.

But some of them went to the Pharisees…

– John 11:45-46

• Mary’s faith drew people to Jesus!
• There will always be those, in spite of the evidence, who will not believe.
• Instead of rejoicing at the miracle and realizing that the promised Messiah was right there with them, some of them ran off to tell the Pharisees.
• They all had a choice: Jesus and the eternity saving sweetness of a new life in Him, or the old dead ways of their religion with others who were against Jesus.

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FINAL THOUGHTS

We all have the same choice today: To see Jesus and what He has done for us, believing that He did that for us OR reject what Jesus did on the cross.

Have you chosen eternal life and the sweet smell of Victory in Jesus?

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SAVE THE DATE!

Christmas Luncheon after service DECEMBER 6^th

Details coming, and a surprise guest will be appearing!

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THANKSGIVING DINNERS

We are supporting 10 Local Families in WCSD

Providing a Complete Thanksgiving Meal

(cost approximately $50)

If you would like to sponsor a meal, we are collecting donations

November 1^st – November 18^th

Contact Paulette (775) 813-7615 or Laura (360) 430-8590

THANK YOU for being a Blessing!

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PACK-A-SHOEBOX

Pack a Christmas Box for a child in need!

RETURN BOX TO CHURCH BY NOVEMBER 15 (Sunday)

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MID-WEEK BIBLE STUDIES

Monday: Bible Study at Paul & Paulette’s 6pm

Wednesday: Women’s Bible Study at church 7pm

Thursday: Men’s Bible Study at church 6pm

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YOUTH GROUP WEDNESDAY

Paul & Paulette’s. Thanksgiving Dinner! Parents Invited! 5pm-8pm

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Digital Giving

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  2 Corinthians 2:14 NIV

¹⁴ But thanks be to God, who always leads us as captives in Christ’s triumphal procession and uses us to spread the aroma of the knowledge of him everywhere.

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1. What is the context of John 11?

2. Read John 11:33-37, does Jesus have complete knowledge of everything that will happen in the world? If so, why does Jesus weep in verse 35?  Does God love everyone?  Why or why not?

3. What is sanctification? Is everyone sanctified?  Why or why not?

4. Why do you think God heals some people and not others?

5. Read John 11:38-42, where did Lazarus soul go when he died?

6. Read Luke 16:19-31, who is Abraham in the Bible? Some people believe this is a parable that Jesus gave to highlight a spiritual truth, others believe this is telling what actually happens when people died before Jesus.  Regardless of the correct interpretation, what are some truths that we can take away from these verses?

7. When we have a difference of opinion on teachings in the Bible, how do we have a conversation with other Christians about it? What are some things we should not do when we have a difference in opinion?

8. What is sin? How would you explain it to people who are not familiar with the church?

9. What is meant in verse 40 “you will see the glory of God?”

10. If someone asked you, “How can I be sure that I am going to heaven?”, how would you answer that question?

11. Read John 11:43-46, sin is often compared to or shown to lead to death in the Bible. What are some ways that sin can bind us and keep us from doing God’s will?