THIS WAY!

  • By Sis. Betty Edmonds, ARChiver of ARC Ministries Inc
  • 25 Aug, 2023

Speaker: Bishop Dr. Robert A. Merriwether, Sr.
Scripture: St. John 4:25-26 and 44

What can you say other than it (message) was joy unspeakable and full of glory! Our souls were, indeed, made fat from the scrumptious manna fed to us today from our pastor! As noted, text and topic are stated above!

“The woman saith unto Him, I know that the Messias cometh, which is called Christ. When He is come, He will tell us all things.  Jesus saith unto her, I that speak unto thee am He.”  

“For Jesus himself had testified that a prophet has no honor in his own hometown.” John is saying that the Good Shepherd intentionally goes where he is less honored than in Samaria. He's coming again to His own people, knowing that they don't understand/honor Him for who He is.

Jesus reveals His identity to a Samaritan woman as the long-awaited Messiah! Here the Savior tells that He is not just another prophet or religious teacher, but He is God's appointed Messiah that has come to bring salvation!

The above two scriptures clearly denote God’s way of doing things! Carrying out the Way Maker’s plan supplies you with the spiritual energy and strength you need to keep moving when you were expected to stop or give up! “For His thoughts are not our thoughts, neither are His ways your ways,” Make known to me Thy ways, O Jehovah, teach me Thy paths. Lead my way in Thy truth, and teach me (Psalm 25:4, 5)!

Coupled with the theme is also the restoration of life which is the actual story of this unique, powerful miracle of God—according to John’s records! It’s interesting to know that the scriptures doesn’t have any documentation of words coming from Lazarus during the entire narrative. He (Lazarus) is the central focus of it all! Yet, his sisters (Mary and Martha) are speaking for him and then Jesus conversed with him thereafter!

What do you do when God forbid you from having input or He sits back in silence and you have no say in the matter?   John 12 specifies: “Then Jesus, six days before the Passover, came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, who had been dead, whom he raised from the dead!   There, they made Him supper and Martha served.  

But, Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with Him. Then, took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped his feet with her hair…”

We are introduced to Lazarus as an individual being gravely sick! You were not always like this when people met you! You were the center of a dire situation (ill, divorce, depression, etc.). There’s nothing like meeting someone in the middle of a mess or trauma!  

Lazarus’ sisters sent a message to Jesus on behalf of their brother. Life/people has revealed what you are going to live with! It shows that you need some good intercessors or folk that will believe in the blood of Jesus for a prayer break-through! When you can reach God for them, it is a prevailing blessing!

With 90% of people that are in your circle, there are likely some who are gossipers! They carry the news the wrong way! Your money, whining, impatience, pain can can’t rush God to rescue you! Know that suffering is “part of the package!” Our Redeemer was pierced in the side, spat upon and a spear was plucked in His face! Nobody has been through something like Him!

He may not come when you want Him but He is right on time! God will let you continue in adversity until it’s time for deliverance! Remember: He can remove outcomes to make sure that your faith is fully exercised so that no shortcuts can be applied!

There are no short routes where He wants you to go! There are no tunnels that you can take to bypass Him! Jesus delayed in delivering Lazarus from death and releasing Mary and Martha from grief, because He loved them! Even our trials are the result of God's love for us!  

With Martha, she did not hear or care what He said! Don’t think that God has not heard or is ignoring you (sending you back to the line)!   One would think that Jesus loved Lazarus and would show up when they needed him. Wait a minute! Why isn’t the Lord here right away? 

You need individuals that says your loss is my loss...your pain is my main...set back, my setback...hurt is my hurt! Someone that will take you to the next level! You need support! Weep with them that weep and bless them that they may go forward!

Go and awake him out of his sleep—not physical rest for he is now deceased! Jesus is going to wake him up! It then became apparent that Jesus had delayed from going to Lazarus immediately, because He wanted to wait until Lazarus was dead! Thus, He proved His divinity to His disciples once and for all! When they arrived on the outskirts of Bethany, they discovered that Lazarus had been dead for 4 days already!   Martha and others wanted it done their way in lieu of the Lord’s way!  

Whatever is going against you, God is about to wake it up (marriage, finance, purpose on hold for 5 years, etc.).   He is going to arouse your ministry, dreams, children, sickness, et al)!

Jehovah-Jireh is going to wake you out of your deep sleep! Not physical rest but situations! Whatever is dead or asleep, He will stir you! It’s time to get up! 

At first, Jesus said it “nicely” to Martha and Mary that their brother was dead! Then, He had to utter it plainly! Oh yes, He did! Sometimes, you have to get right to the point and convey the problem or situation!   I was abused for 15 years; laid off; no more money; the test came back positive, I was evicted or my car was repossessed!  

Jesus said “And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, to the intent ye may believe; nevertheless, let us go unto him. Almighty: How can you tell me to call upon You and You say You’re glad that You didn’t show up! Reiterating: “This” is God’s way!”

The Master can have you to know Him as never before! If not, you could have been spiritually immature! Of course, He has taken my grandfather/mentor, Bishop Roberts! I didn’t understand why He would do that? If not, he (Bishop Merriwether) wouldn’t be who he is today!

This thing was done intentionally! If it didn’t happen, our overseer stated he could have been full of pride and insensitive to people! Point: Don’t express hate (nor malice) towards someone who has been good to you! Tell them the whole story how I answer that call 3:00 in the morning; How I bailed you out of jail; helped pay your mortgage; gave you gas money, etc.

Luke 10:22 confirms: “All things are delivered to me of my Father: and no man knoweth who the Son is, but the Father; and who the Father is, but the Son, and he to whom the Son will reveal Him.” Be careful talking about other people! Unhesitatingly, you must understand that you can’t stop God from doing what He wants to do! It’s not my will but Thy will be done!  

Companion Thought: Your prayers, fasting, shouting, can’t stop the will of God! It will occur the way He wants it to! If you sow in tears, you will reap in joy! Jesus is the Resurrection! Lazarus had to die! He needed someone to resurrect him! He came when a miracle was needed! Whatever you need, you can get from God—right now!

He doesn’t come on your terms (e.g., not at your bedside but grave side; not a barrel bag but a body bag)! You may say too much, but “this” will be favorable! He has to carry you through a specific trial(s)! Sometimes, it’s betrayal, rejection or hate, but don’t worry! “Weeping may endure for a night but joy cometh in the morning.” “Many are the afflictions of the righteous but the Lord delivereth him out of them all.” Rubber-Stamped: “This Way!”

Don’t’ choose “that” (wrong) way but “this” (right) way! “This is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it.” Rejoice no matter whatever “this” is! Praise God for your “This!” “This” is the way that will lead you to what is right!  

  "And “this” is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and “this” life is in His Son..." - I John   5:1

  "'This' is my commandment that ye love one another, as I have loved you..." - John 15:12

  "For whosoever is born of God overcometh the world: and “this” is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith..." - I John 5:4.

“For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.” II Corinthians 4:17. With “this” hurt, I got healing, victory, fulfillment! “This” way is what I want and what I prayed for! As God is rolling away the stone, He is rolling away the stint (sin) from your life!

Jesus told them, “Roll away the stone.” Then, Martha said, “But Lord, it's been 4 days since he died—by now his body is already decomposing!” Exhume what you laid down! Whatever you laid to rest will come forth again (whether evil or good)!

Pastor: Your sermon, indeed, engaged the Biblical text...proclaimed the gospel...connected God’s Word to the lives of the people...well organized...easy to understand...and anointed!!  

“THIS” WAY!

It is also an honor to acknowledge FLOTA (Shania Merriwether) for serving God alongside her husband and witnessing His mighty works!  

Note: Profound gratitude to Sis. Jackie George, for recording today’s sermon notes! She, indeed, is a stand-out example of team work!

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