R.A. Torrey explores the profound event of Lazarus' resurrection, emphasizing the interactions between Jesus, Martha, and Mary. He highlights Martha's faith and her understanding of resurrection, as well as Mary's sorrow and the comfort Jesus provides. The sermon illustrates Jesus' dual nature as both divine and human, showcasing His compassion and authority over death. Torrey encourages believers to recognize the significance of faith in witnessing God's glory and the transformative power of Christ as the Resurrection and the Life. Ultimately, the message calls for a deeper understanding of life, death, and the hope found in Jesus.

DISCOVERY OF THE FACTS 1. Our Lord and Martha, vv. 17–28 How long had Lazarus been dead and buried when our Lord reached Bethany? Were Martha and Mary without comforters? Was there much real help in these comforters? Who is the great Comforter? (Matt. 11:28.) What glad news was brought? What did Martha do? How promptly? Why so promptly? Did household cares keep her away from our Lord this time? (Compare Luke 10:39, 40.) Why did not Mary go too (vv. 28, 29)? Why was it Martha was the first to hear of our Lord’s approach? What were her first words to Him? Who else was of the same opinion (vv. 32, 37)? Was it true? Why, then, had not our Lord been there? (vv. 4, 5, 6, 15.) Did it seem kind? Was there any touch of reproof or complaint in the words of Martha? (Compare Luke 10:40.) Are we ever tempted to complain of those dealings of our Lord which we cannot for the time being understand? Was there any ground for complaint? How much faith had Martha as manifested in this 21st verse? Do we find anywhere in the Gospels a faith that went beyond that? (Matt. 8:8–10.) What further faith had she (v. 22)? Was she right about that? (v. 42.) Can we get to a place where God will give us whatsoever we shall ask? (1 John 3:22.) What was it Martha desired our Lord to ask? Why did she not say so plainly? Did she get what she desired? Does He ever grant us the things we only dare hint at? Did He understand what Martha wished? What did He say (v. 23)? What does He say concerning our loved ones who have fallen asleep in Him? Did this answer altogether satisfy Martha? Why not? What did she say? Was her theology correct in this matter? (1 Cor. 15:52.) Where had she learned it? (Dan. 12:1, 2, 3; John 5:28, 29.) Was she very positive about it? Can you say “I know” about this doctrine of the resurrection? What new thought about “resurrection” and “life” did our Lord give Martha? If then we wish “resurrection” and “life” what must we do? (1 John 5:12.) What is the difference between “resurrection” and “life”? (Phil. 3:21; John 17:3.) When do we get “life”? John 3:36; 1 John 5:12.) When do we get “resurrection”? (Phil. 3:20, 21; 1 Cor. 15:52.) What is the necessary corollary of our Lord being “the resurrection” and “the life”? What is meant by the assertion that “whosoever liveth and believeth on Me shall never die”? (John 5:24; 3:36; 6:50, 58; 1 John 5:10–12; Ro. 8:13.) Can one be dead in the spirit while alive in the body? (1 Tim. 5:6.) Can one be alive in the spirit while dead in the body? (1 Peter 3:18, R. V.; 2 Cor. 5:8.) After making this statement about Himself what question did our Lord put to Martha? Is it important to believe this? Do you believe it? What did Martha answer? Was her faith in this very firm (v. 39)? What further did she say she believed? Is it important to believe that? (1 John 5:1, 5; John 20:31.) How alone can we learn this wondrous truth? (Matt. 16:16, 17.) Did Martha wait any longer? Why not? What did she do? What ought every one to do who finds the Lord and the comfort there is in Him? (1:41, 45.) 2. Our Lord and Mary, vv. 28–35 What were the glad tidings Martha brought to Mary (v. 28, R. V.)? To whom may that glad information always be carried. (Matt. 11:28; Mark 10:49; Heb. 13:7.) How did Mary show her wisdom? What is always the wisest thing to do when the Master calls? (Ps. 27:8.) What did she do when she got where He was? Had she ever been at His feet before? (Luke 10:39.) Was she there for the same purpose now? Is “at His feet” a good place to get sympathy and help as well as instruction? Had Martha fallen at His feet? Why not? Which got the most from Him, Mary or Martha? What did He give Martha (vv. 23–26)? What did He give Mary (vv. 33–35)? What did Mary say? How did she come to say precisely the same thing that Martha did? Was there any complaint in it this time? What did our Lord do? Was her sorrow to be of any great duration? Had it any good foundation? Why then did He weep too? (Is. 63:9.) What is the literal translation of the word rendered “groaned”? (R. V. margin.) Toward whom or what was He “moved with indignation” in the midst of His sympathetic sorrow? (Hosea 13:14; 1 Cor. 15:26; Heb. 2:14, 15.) Is this the only instance in which He is reported to have wept? (Luke 19:41.) Is there anything unmanly in tears? (Jer. 9:1; 13:17; 14:17.) 3. Our Lord and Lazarus, vv. 36–45 How did the Jews explain His tears? What thought did some of them have (v. 37)? Could He? Did they dream that He could do more than that? What did He do at these words? What did He bid them do? Could not He take away the stone Himself? Why did not He? Before He speaks the word that raises our dead, what must we do? Did any one think He was making a mistake? Does it make any difference with Him how long a man has been dead? What was His reply to Martha’s protest? What is then the condition of our seeing the glory of God? (2 Chron. 20:20.) How did they show they did believe (v. 41, R. V.)? What did our Lord then do first of all? What proof had He that the Father had heard Him? Had Lazarus yet come forth? Can we have the assurance our prayers are heard before we see the thing we have asked? (1 John 5:14, 15.) When we have that assurance what should we do (v. 41)? What did our Lord say He knew? Can we know that the Father heareth us always? (1 John 3:22; 5:14, 15.) Why did our Lord say this? What did He wish them to believe (17:8, 21, 25)? What did He then do? With what effect. Who was this whose voice raised the dead? (Ps. 33:8, 9; 1 Sam. 2:6, A. R. V.) How did this resurrection differ from those effected through Elijah and Elisha? (1 Kings 17:21, 22; 2 Kings 4:33–36.) How was it more remarkable than the other resurrections effected by our Lord Himself? In it what do we see subject to His bare word? Will He ever again speak the word that will raise the dead? (John 5:28, 29.) Is there any sense in which His voice raises the dead today? (John 5:24.) What did He bid the friends do? Why didn’t He loose him Himself? After He has raised the spiritually dead, is there anything for us to do? What was the effect of this miracle? Was their faith reasonable? Has it that effect upon you? CLASSIFICATION OF TEACHINGS 1. Our Lord (1). His nature: Divine—death subject to His word, 43, 44; human, 17, 33, 35. (2). His titles: Christ, Son of God, 4; Jesus, 14 times; Lord, 5 times; Master (teacher), 28; the Resurrection, the Life, 25. (3). His dealings with man: Does not always do what we would naturally expect, 17, 21; seeks His loved ones in their sorrow, 17; is near and calls them unto Himself, 28; grants a better thing than the loved ones seek, 43, 44; hears the prayer His loved ones scarcely dare to put into words, 21–25, 43, 44; instructed Martha, 22–26; wept with Mary, 33–35; is indignant at death and Satan’s devastation, 33; demands faith as a condition of beholding God’s glorious working, 40; demands that men take away the stone from before the sepulchre before He speaks the word that raises the dead, 39; demands that men take off the grave clothes from those He raises, 44; raises men long dead, corrupt, bound and shut in a sepulchre, 43, 44; gives life to all that believe—(a) He that believes on Him, though he die, yet shall he live, 25; (b) He that liveth and believeth on Him shall never die, 26. (4). His relation to the Father: Subordinate to, prays to, 41; the Father heareth Him always, 42; grants whatever He asks, 22; He knew that the Father always heard Him, 42; believed His prayer was heard before there was any outward sign, thanked God for hearing His prayer even before the thing asked was received, 41; wished men to believe that the Father had sent Him, 42. 2. Martha Bereft of one she dearly loved, our Lord sought her in her bereavement, 17–20; had many comforters before He came, but no consolation, 19; as soon as she heard He was coming she went to meet Him, 20; complained of His dealings where she could not understand, 21; was instructed by Him, 22–26; believed that if He had been present He could and would have kept her brother from dying, 21; believed that God answered prayer; that God could raise the dead, 22; believed in the resurrection, 24; believed that Jesus was the Resurrection and the Life, 27; believed that whosoever believed in Jesus, though he died, yet should he live, 25, 27; believed that whosoever lived and believed in Jesus should never die, 26; believed that Jesus was the Christ, the Son of God, He that should come, 27; knew that God would grant anything our Lord asked, 22; knew that her brother should rise again in the resurrection at the last day, 24; called her sister Mary to the Master who had comforted her, 28; her faith momentarily wavered, she feared the Lord was making a mistake, 39; her faith was reassured and she saw the glory of God, 40–44; only dared hint at what she desired the Lord to do, 21, 22; got the request she feared to make, 23, 44. 3. Mary Overwhelmed with grief, 20–32; called by the Saviour to come unto Him, 28; arose quickly and went to Him, 29; saw Him, fell down at His feet, 32; wept, 33; received the tender sympathy of her Lord; 33–35; her brother raised to life again, 44. 4. Lazarus (1). What he was: A long time dead, 17; corrupt, 39; bound—hand and foot and mouth, 44; fastened in a tomb, 38. (2). What was done for him: The stone was taken away, 41; our Lord bade him come forth, 43; the grave clothes were removed, 44. (3). Results: He received life, rose, came forth, received liberty, 44; many believed, 45.