A Cemetery Conversation | E. Dewey Smith | Sermon Notes — Hello Pastor

Sermon Notes

A Cemetery Conversation

The House of Hope Atlanta • Nov 9, 2025 • 107 min

Start a Devotional

Take this message with you through a journey of Scripture, reflection, and prayer.

Summary

At Lazarus' tomb in John 11, Jesus engaged in a rare public prayer prior to performing a miracle, providing a powerful model for how believers should communicate with God in seasons of grief and loss. Through this 'cemetery conversation,' Dr. E. Dewey Smith illustrates how Jesus displayed both His full humanity and His divine authority. Believers are encouraged to approach God as a personal Father, offering gratitude and reverence even in hard times, and trusting that He continuously hears and works for our good.

Themes

The Divinity and Humanity of JesusPrayer in Seasons of LossGratitude and ReverencePersonal Relationship with God as FatherFaith Amid Death and Hardship

Pastor's Points

1.

Relationship – Approaching God as a personal Father rather than just a distant force.

2.

Reverence – Giving thanks to God even in the midst of loss and circumstances that look like death.

3.

Remembrance – Recalling that God hears us regularly and has always answered prayer.

4.

Revelation – Praying not selfishly, but so that others may see God's work and believe.

Key Points

1.
Relationship – Approaching God as a personal Father rather than just a distant, abstract force.
2.
Reverence – Expressing sincere gratitude to God even in the midst of loss and circumstances that look like death.
3.
Remembrance – Recalling that God hears us regularly and has faithfully answered prayers throughout our lives.
4.
Revelation – Praying not out of selfish desire, but so that those around us may witness God's power and believe in Him.
5.
In John's Gospel, Jesus rarely prays before performing miracles because He is presented as the eternal, divine Word through whom all creation was made.
6.
Jesus weeping at Lazarus' tomb reveals His deep humanity and empathy, reminding believers that He understands human sorrow and is touched by our grief.
7.
Spiritual maturity is demonstrated when believers thank God not only for what He provides, but also for what He prevents and protects them from.
8.
True prayer flows out of an ongoing, daily relationship with God rather than treating Him merely as a resource when trouble arises.

Sermon Moments

“In the synoptic gospels, they present the human side of Jesus, but John shows you the deity or the divinity of Jesus.”

“Jesus wept at the tomb of Lazarus... I like a Jesus that can feel. I like a Jesus that's not so divine that he's disconnected from the human experience.”

“When you're at the cemetery, what you need is not a powerful force, God; you need a personal Father.”

“A lot of us give God praise for what God provides. I've learned to thank him for what he prevents.”

“When you pray in private, you ain't got to show off in public.”

“Jesus said, 'I'm not praying because I need God's power—I am praying here for the benefit of these folks around here.'”

This Week

Address God intentionally as your loving Father ("Abba") in prayer this week, anchoring your heart in His personal care and protection.

Cultivate daily private prayer habits rather than calling on God only during times of personal crisis or need.

Practice expressing gratitude to God during a difficult situation, thanking Him for His protection even when circumstances look bleak.

Shift your prayer focus from self-centered requests to asking God to reveal His power in your life so that others may come to know Him.

Take comfort in Jesus' humanity when experiencing grief, knowing that He sympathizes with your pain and understands human suffering.

Reflect on past answered prayers to build remembrance and confidence that God hears you in your present struggles.

Trust God's sovereign protection by thanking Him for the harmful situations and relationships He has prevented in your life.

Remember This

Even when surrounded by loss or circumstances that appear dead, approaching God as a personal Father with gratitude, trust, and consistent relationship brings divine revelation and hope.

A Challenge for You

May the supernatural hit your house in such a powerful way. I pray for supernatural increase and favor so your world will know that God is Jehovah Jireh. May God reveal Himself not just to you, but may everybody around you know that you have the favor of God.

These are personal sermon notes shared to help you remember the message — not a replacement for Scripture, your church, or your pastors.