A Spiritual Lesson in Toon Language: Lesson 4

Topic: Lazarus

Series: Smurfs

Episode: "The Purple Smurfs"

Lesson PDF link: 4.pdf

Introduction

I use the Smurfs episode "The Purple Smurfs" to show that the Lazarus account in the Bible is more than what Jesus did for him. I show in this lesson the fact that not only does our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ have power over physical death, He has power over spiritual death as well. It is just as easy for Our Lord to rescue people from physical death as it is for Him to rescue people from spiritual death as well. We just have to trust Him on His sacrifice and atonement for our sins and if we have that, Jesus will give us his miracle of salvation (of course as His will dictates; not ours). Even though physical death may not be averted all the time, Jesus has better plans if we don't get what we want or perceive that we need. This lesson shows that miracles still happen if we trust Jesus, namely the miracle of salvation and then in the bad circumstances that we all face. Trust and praise God in the good things too, but this lesson deals with averting destruction.

Scriptures used include John 11: 1-44; Hebrews chapter 1; Revelation 22: 12-16; and Hebrews 13: 1-8.

Have you ever felt sad, with no hope, and without help?

Sometimes we can feel this way if disaster strikes us or something else that's awful happens to us. It may feel that part of us dies.

We are going to discuss a seemingly helpless situation. I will now show a Smurfs short called "The Purple Smurfs".

Cartoon Show: "The Purple Smurfs":

What do you see here?

Bible Study: John 11: 1-44

What is Jesus doing here? How is this like our cartoon?

In this story we see that Lazarus died. All of his family was in mourning because of his death. It seemed that Jesus was way too late to save poor Lazarus. Under normal circumstances, he would have been. However, God is never tardy. It may seem like he is, but that is our thinking as humans. God's time clock is much different. Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead when it looked totally impossible!

How could this be?

The Bible states in the book of Hebrews Chapter I:

In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe. The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs. For to which of the angels did God ever say, 'You are my Son; today I have become your Father'? Or again, 'I will be his Father, and he will be my Son'? And again, when God brings his firstborn into the world, he says, 'Let all God's angels worship him.' In speaking of the angels he says, 'He makes his angels winds, his servants flames of fire.' But about the Son he says, 'Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever, and righteousness will be the scepter of your kingdom. You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy.' He also says, 'In the beginning, O Lord, you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. They will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment. You will roll them up like a robe; like a garment they will be changed. But you remain the same, and your years will never end.' To which of the angels did God ever say, 'Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet'? Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?

The Bible also states: In the book of Revelation Chapter 22:

'Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End. Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city. Outside are the dogs, those who practice magic arts, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters and everyone who loves and practices falsehood. 'I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star.'

God is a God of miracles. Jesus is Lord and Savior over everything. In his physical shape, he was God in the flesh and still is the Lord of Lords and King of Kings. In other words, the great I AM, and in short God!!

In this cartoon, we see the actual temporary destruction of the Smurfs. They were raised from this by a miracle! Even though the Smurfs were still 'alive', they were changed into something rather ugly. We also need to be resurrected. We need Jesus in our hearts so we can live rather than spiritually die. Without Jesus, we are spiritually dead whether we know it or not.

Will you be like Lazarus and be resurrected from spiritual death as Lazarus was resurrected from physical death?

God's Promise To You: You can be one of God's redeemed, if you trust in God's promise to never leave or forsake you, to love and cherish you, to comfort and cheer you, and to guide you.

The Bible States in Hebrews 13: 1-8:

Keep on loving each other as brothers. Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it. Remember those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering. Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral. Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, 'Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.' So we say with confidence, 'The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?' Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

Ask Jesus into your heart if you haven't already. Let Jesus be your miracle today.

How can you show Jesus to someone, so that person might want to accept Him also?