Text: John 11:1-37
Topic: How we can say God is good in spite of evil.

Introduction
• Illustration: A man is filled with rage at the thought that his son may have been killed in the 9/11 attacks.
• We wonder where a good God is during such a tragedy.

God knows.
• Jesus knows he will raise Lazarus.
• Martha asks Jesus where he was when Lazarus died.
• Jesus knows his death was for God's glory and ultimate good.
• Illustration: The film It's a Wonderful Life moves us, even though we know how it will turn out.

God cares.
• Jesus weeps at the death of his friend.
• Rational explanations provide an incomplete understanding of tragedy.
• Illustration: A restored minister is shown the love of God by a fellow pastor.
• Jesus wept, and shed blood for us, too.

God rules.
• The triumph of God sometimes comes after a delay.
• Illustration: Lazarus was the poor man in Jesus' parable of the rich and poor men in heaven.
• We must wait for the promises of God to be fulfilled.