1 of 17

2 of 17

I Belong to Him

John 11 & Mark 2

3 of 17

So when Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went and met him, but Mary remained seated in the house. 21 Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. 22 But even now I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give you.” 23 Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” 24 Martha said to him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.” 25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, 26 and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” 27 She said to him, “Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world.” John 11:20-27

4 of 17

38 Then Jesus, deeply moved again, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone lay against it. 39 Jesus said, “Take away the stone.” Martha, the sister of the dead man, said to him, “Lord, by this time there will be an odor, for he has been dead four days.” 40 Jesus said to her, “Did I not tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God?” 41 So they took away the stone. And Jesus lifted up his eyes and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. 42 I knew that you always hear me, but I said this on account of the people standing around, that they may believe that you sent me.” 43 When he had said these things, he cried out with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out.” 44 The man who had died came out, his hands and feet bound with linen strips, and his face wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Unbind him, and let him go.” John 11:38-44

5 of 17

Belonging doesn’t mean we will never face pain

  • Sometimes Christians think belonging to Jesus means life becomes easy.
  • Jesus never promised that.
  • He promised His presence.
  • Belonging means He walks through suffering with us.

6 of 17

Jesus Calls His Own by Name

  • He knows:
    • Your fears
    • Your failures
    • Your name

7 of 17

Belonging Means Leaving the Grave Clothes Behind

  • When Jesus makes us His own, He calls us to walk in freedom
  • We are no longer defined by:
    • shame
    • addiction
    • fear
    • bitterness
    • past

8 of 17

I Belong to the One Who Gives Life

John 11

9 of 17

1 And when he returned to Capernaum after some days, it was reported that he was at home. 2 And many were gathered together, so that there was no more room, not even at the door. And he was preaching the word to them. 3 And they came, bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men. 4 And when they could not get near him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him, and when they had made an opening, they let down the bed on which the paralytic lay. 5 And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” 6 Now some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts, 7 “Why does this man speak like that? He is blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?” Mark 2:1-7

10 of 17

8 And immediately Jesus, perceiving in his spirit that they thus questioned within themselves, said to them, “Why do you question these things in your hearts? 9 Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise, take up your bed and walk’? 10 But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he said to the paralytic— 11 “I say to you, rise, pick up your bed, and go home.” 12 And he rose and immediately picked up his bed and went out before them all, so that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, “We never saw anything like this!” Mark 2:8-12

11 of 17

Jesus Deals with Our Greatest Need First

  • Many people today want:
    • peace
    • success
    • health
    • answers
  • Jesus offers something even greater.
  • Forgiveness

12 of 17

Belonging Gives Us a New Identity

  • We are no longer defined by:
    • our past
    • our mistakes
    • our failures
  • We are:
    • children of God
    • heirs with Christ
    • forgiven
    • redeemed
    • loved

13 of 17

Belonging Changes How We Walk

  • The mat that once carried him became evidence of God's work.
  • The Christian life is visible.
  • Not because we're perfect, but because Jesus changes us.

14 of 17

I Belong to the One Who Forgives

Mark 2

15 of 17

The Common Thread

  • Neither could save himself.
  • Both depended entirely on Jesus.
  • That is true of every believer.
  • We belong to Him because of His grace—not because of our goodness.

16 of 17

What Does It Mean to Belong to Jesus?

  • We are known.
  • We are forgiven.
  • We are loved.
  • We are called.
  • We are never abandoned.
  • We are given eternal life.
  • We become part of God's family.
  • We are sent to bring others to Him.

17 of 17

  • What part of your life do you need to surrender to the One you belong to?
  • Is there a "grave cloth" you need to leave behind?
  • Who is one person God is calling you to carry to Jesus in prayer this week?