You Didn’t Just Survive — You Were Chosen to Rise!
By Dr. T. D. Ikiriko | The Preacher Man. The Voice of Zion.
💔 Introduction: A Word for the One Who Feels Buried
There are moments in life when we don’t just feel broken — we feel buried.
Buried under pain.
Buried under betrayal.
Buried under the weight of things we never saw coming.
And like Lazarus, people walk past your tomb with flowers, assuming your story is over.
But hear me:
You didn’t just survive what was meant to kill you — you were CHOSEN to RISE.
Today, I want to speak to the wounded warrior, the silent struggler, the buried believer.
Let’s walk through John 11, the story of Lazarus, and discover how God turns tombs into testimonies.
📖 Anchor Scripture
John 11:43–44 (KJV)
“And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth.
And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes:
and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go.”
🔥 5 Life-Changing Revelations from the Lazarus Miracle
1. Being Loved Doesn’t Exempt You from Pain
“Lord, the one you love is sick.” – John 11:3
Lazarus was loved by Jesus, and still… he got sick.
That one truth destroys a toxic mindset: “If God loves me, I shouldn’t be suffering.”
No, beloved.
God’s love doesn’t always prevent storms — but it always speaks in the storm.
Your pain is not a sign of God’s absence — it’s proof that resurrection is coming.
God didn’t stop the sickness because He planned to use it for greater glory.
2. Delay Is Not Denial — It’s Divine Setup
“When he heard that Lazarus was sick, he stayed two more days…” – John 11:6
Two more days?
Why didn’t Jesus run to the tomb?
Why did He wait until the body was already decomposing?
Because Jesus was not trying to heal a sick man — He was about to raise a dead one.
When your situation seems beyond hope…
When even your friends have stopped praying for you…
THAT’S when God shows up in glory.
Your delay is a stage.
Your darkness is about to become His spotlight.
You’re not denied. You’re being prepared.
3. God Is Calling You By Name — Even in the Grave
“Jesus cried with a loud voice, LAZARUS, come forth!” – John 11:43
He didn’t say “Dead man…”
He didn’t say “Whoever is in there…”
He said “Lazarus.”
That’s personal.
🎯 He knows your name in the pit.
🎯 He knows your name under the rubble.
🎯 He knows your name even when the world has buried your reputation.
Lazarus, come forth.
John, come forth.
Ruth, come forth.
Pastor, come forth.
Dreamer, come forth.
God isn’t raising the crowd — He’s raising you.
4. You Can Be Alive and Still Bound
“He came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes…” – John 11:44
This is the tragedy of many believers:
They are alive — but not free.
They’ve left the tomb, but they still wear the grave.
🎯 They’re still bound by what happened in 2005.
🎯 Still wrapped in addiction, shame, guilt, depression.
🎯 They survived — but they can’t see, can’t walk, can’t breathe freely.
But Jesus didn’t just resurrect Lazarus — He commanded the people:
“Loose him, and let him go.”
Today, I command every graveclothes to fall off you.
You are not just meant to walk out — you’re meant to walk free.
5. You Were Raised for a Purpose
Lazarus was not raised just to return home and live quietly.
He became a walking, breathing billboard of resurrection power.
In fact, the Bible says in John 12:10–11 that the Jews tried to kill Lazarus because so many people were believing in Jesus because of him!
“Because on account of him many of the Jews went away and believed in Jesus.”
🎯 That’s why hell fought you so hard.
🎯 That’s why you were buried prematurely.
🎯 That’s why you’ve faced relentless warfare.
Because your comeback is contagious.
Because your story will make others believe.
Because you were not just raised — you were chosen to rise for His glory.
🙌🏽 Prophetic Declaration Over You
🗣️ Let me speak into your life right now:
✅ You will rise from depression.
✅ You will rise from addiction.
✅ You will rise from financial death.
✅ You will rise from shame.
✅ Your family will rise.
✅ Your dream will rise.
✅ Your ministry will rise.
Lazarus, COME FORTH!
You didn’t just survive — you were CHOSEN TO RISE!
🙏🏽 Prayer of Resurrection
Heavenly Father,
Thank You for not leaving us in the grave.
Thank You for calling us by name.
Today I declare that every listener will rise out of every tomb of limitation.
Graveclothes are falling.
Destinies are awakening.
And purpose is being restored.
In Jesus’ mighty name — Amen.
📣 Final Words from Dr. T. D. Ikiriko
I am Dr. T. D. Ikiriko,
The Preacher Man.
The Voice of Zion.
And I declare over you:
You didn’t just survive…
You were chosen to rise.
You are not dead.
You are not buried.
You are not forgotten.
You are the miracle your family has been waiting for.
Come forth. Walk free. Shine for His glory!
💬 Let’s Engage
🔥 If this message touched you, drop a comment below:
“I AM RISING — JUST LIKE LAZARUS!”
📢 Share this with someone who needs resurrection in their life.
📞 Need prayer or counsel? Reach out via [Messenger / WhatsApp / Email info here].
📅 Stay connected with my next teaching:
“From the Grave to Glory — How to Live After the Stone Rolls Away.”
