Not Now, Not Ever (Ovi Vlaicu)

In this message “Not Now, Not Ever”, Ovi Vlaicu shares from the story of Lazarus in John 11–12, reminding us that Jesus is never late, even when we think hope is gone. What seemed like delay was in fact part of God’s greater plan — that His glory would be revealed and many would believe (John 11:4, 40, 45).

Ovi shows how the miracle of Lazarus’ resurrection reveals two powerful truths:
1. Jesus transforms our darkest moments into testimonies of God’s glory.
2. The enemy always tries to pull us back into the grave from which Jesus rescued us. Just as the chief priests plotted to kill Lazarus after his resurrection (John 12:9–11), the enemy seeks to drag us back into our old life of sin and despair. But in Christ, we can declare: “Not today, Satan. Not ever.”

Through examples from Scripture — Lot’s wife looking back (Genesis 19:26), Paul’s call to forget what is behind and press forward (Philippians 3:13–14), and God’s promise to make all things work for good (Romans 8:28) — Ovi urges us to leave the past behind and live fully in the new life Jesus has given.

Each believer, like Lazarus, is a living testimony that Jesus saves and raises the dead. Our transformed lives are proof that the same power that raised Christ from the dead now lives in us (Romans 8:11). The call is clear: stay close to Jesus, resist the enemy, and boldly share your story so that others too may believe.