WELCOME TO
SERMON SEEDS
S35 – WEEK OF AUGUST 31, 2020
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John 2:1-11 – MEET THE MIRACLE WORKER
MEETING JESUS #4 (GOSPEL OF JOHN)
Most pastors who have been pastoring any length of times have performed memorable weddings. (Share some of your memories.)
Weddings are generally happy occasions which many couples remember fondly. Imagine the fond memories that a young couple must have had in Jesus’ Day when Jesus attended, performed His first miracle, and saved the wedding from disaster.
We are meeting Jesus in the Gospel of John, learning more about Him and hopefully letting Him impact our lives. Last time we got together, we saw Jesus assemble what was probably his first six disciples.
Weddings in Jesus’ day were big deals especially among the lower classes of folks. It was the greatest event of a lifetime for many. It lasted up to a week and the groom’s family was expected foot the bill.
There are important lessons here. Let us discover them as we explore this passage together.
INVITATION – John 2:1-2
- It does not say that Mary was invited. Perhaps this was a relative or a family friend. Perhaps she was helping. Seems she had some authority
- Jesus and his disciples were invited. Notice he accepted the invitation. He puts his approval on weddings, and even celebrations. Our God wants us to have joy.
- Jesus still accepts invitations to be part of a marriage.
- Revelation 3:20 – Invite Him in for salvation and for fellowship. John 15:4-5
INFORMATION – John 2:3
- Running our of wine was a major social disaster and embarrassment. Could incur a lawsuit.
- It is very possible that Mary was suggesting that here was a need, and an ideal time to show everyone that He truly was the Son of God.
- Sometimes, what we think is a good idea is not in God’s eyes.
- Mary was not wrong to inform Jesus, or even ask for help or wisdom. It was probably her motherly attitude and motive that were suspect.
- We should be quick to ask God for help and guidance, letting Him choose how He does it. James 1:5, 1 Peter 5:8
INDEPENDENCE – John 2:4
- “Woman” was a term of respect. Maybe like Ma’am. But not one that someone would use for his mother.
- Jesus was gently taking on authority as Her Lord. He was the Master and would do things His way.
- His “hour” would come at the end of His life. John 17:1
- Many would like to serve God in an advisory capacity. Let’s make sure are not like that.
INSTRUCTION – John 2:5
- Mary got the message and seemed to understand her role. Jesus did not refuse to help, but only on His terms. God’s allowed to do that!
- Evidently Mary had some authority with the servants, giving the best piece advice concerning her Son. “What ever He tells you, do it!”
- Would there have been a miracle if the servants had not obeyed Jesus? Probably. But they would not have been part of it.
- If we want Jesus to work miracles in our lives, in our families, in our church, and in our country. We must be obedient. 1 Samuel 15:22-23, Psalm 66:18-19
INTERVENTION – John 2:6-8
- Please note that Jesus did care about the practical well-being of these people.
- Wine was the beverage of the Middle East, usually deleted. Drunkenness is condemned, not drinking wine. Although I am a total abstainer.
- Wine is a symbol of joy! Psalm 4:7, Ecclesiastes 9:7, Psalm 104:14-15
- Jesus provided the joy of wine at a wedding, and provides the joy of the Spirit for His followers. Ephesians 5:18-20, Galatians 5:22
- The stone pots contained between 20-30 gallons each. 120-180 gallons. I believe all of it turned to wine as they carried it to the Master of the Banquet.
TO LISTEN TO THIS MESSAGE AS IT WAS PREACHED VISIT
https://www.fbcnhremembers.com/meet_the_miracle_worker
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JUDGES 4 – TRIUMPH!
OPPRESSION BY THE FOE – Vss. 1-3
OPPORTUNITY FOR THE VICTORY – Vss. 4-7
OBSTRUCTION THROUGH UNBELIEF – Vss. 8-9
OBEDIENCE THROUGH FAITH – Vss. 10-14
OBLITERATION OF THE ENEMY – Vss. 15-24
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PSALM 141 – HE IS LORD!
LORD OF MY PRAYERS – Vss. 1-2
LORD OF MY LIPS – Vs. 3
LORD OF MY HEART – Vs. 4
LORD OF MY CORRECTION – Vs. 5
LORD OF MY EYES – Vss. 7-8
LORD OF MY STEPS – Vss. 9-10
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JOHN 7:53:8-11 – SEEING JESUS
LIFE OF CHRIST #35
There are at least two different kinds of learning. There is a kind of learning that can quote an answer and understand nothing. There is another kind of learning that may be short on facts and big words, but long on understanding.
We have been studying the Life of Christ, and our goal is to know Him better. As we enter our next event in the life of Christ, which directly follows the great invitation of the Lord Jesus for those who are thirsty to come to Him and drink, we find there is a great opportunity for us to know him better by just observing Him. As we look at this story about a woman caught in adultery, we want to take our eyes basically off of the woman and the accusing scribes and Pharisees and simply see Jesus. This will help us to learn by seeing Jesus. This morning we want to:
SEE JESUS AS COMMUNICATOR – John 7:53-8:2
Jesus was in Jerusalem for the Feast of Tabernacles, the great harvest feast that remembered the wanderings of Israel in the wilderness.
He had been teaching during the feast, in spite of the opposition of the Jewish leadership. On the last day of the feast He had communicated his offer to those who were spiritually thirsty. John 7:37-39
Jesus’ offer is still valid today. To anyone who will place their faith and trust in Him as their Savior, He will give them the “rivers of living water, or the work of the Holy Spirit in their lives.
Vs. 2 – After a night on the Mount of Olives, Jesus returned to the temple. The people gathered to Him. He taught them. Jesus was and is a communicator.
As you read the Gospels you will find Jesus communicating. There are great sermons like the Sermon on the Mount, the Upper Room and the Olivet Discourse.
There are great parables like the Lost Sheep and The Good Samaritan. The Lord taught how to pray, how to forgive and how to be humble.
Jesus communicated or taught by example. 1 John 2:6
Jesus communicated God, because He is God! John 1:1,14, John 14:8-9
John 1:1 - In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
John 1:14 - And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
There is no more important communicator to follow than the Lord Jesus! Mark 13:31, John 14:21, John 15:7
And let us remember that the whole Bible is the Word of God. And Jesus is God. So, in a real sense, the Bible is the Word of Jesus.
Jesus prayed for His disciples in John 17:17, Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
If we are going to grow as Christians we must see Jesus as communicator, through This Book!
His Words are to be learned.
His Words are to be obeyed!
SEE JESUS IN CONFLICT – Vss. 3-6a
Vss. 3-4 – The Scribes were copiers and teachers of the Law. The Pharisees were the religious
fundamentalists of their day.
They were zealous for the Law of God but in many ways were hypocritical.
They brought a woman caught in adultery before him.
She had been taken in the act of adultery.
She was guilty.
There were witnesses.
Of course, we wonder, where was the offending man in all of this? He should have also been brought before Jesus.
Vss. 5-6 – So these accusers who brought the woman before Jesus reminded Jesus of the Law of Moses. Moses said those caught in adultery were to be executed.
The whole reason this woman was brought before Jesus was not for the sake of justice on the part of the scribes and Pharisees. They were in conflict with Jesus and wanted to trap Him.
How did they think to trap Jesus?
Jesus was known as compassionate and taught compassion.
He was known as the friend of tax collectors and sinners.
If Jesus said to stone her for her sin, He would have lost His influence on the common people who loved Him. He also would have created problems with the Roman Government because the Jews were not allowed to execute anyone without Roman permission.
If Jesus said to let her go and not stone her, He would have created another problem. He would have been viewed as opposing or violating the Law of Moses.
The rules for accusing someone of adultery were so strong that it is very possible that this woman was “set up” to be caught. They victimized this woman just to get at Jesus.
These scribes and Pharisees were out to destroy Jesus.
The religious leaders were out to destroy Jesus.
Jesus explained that there were people who hated Him and subsequently hated those of us who follow Him. John 15:18-21
- Why are Christians persecuted by Moslems in some parts of the world? It is because Moslems are in conflict with Jesus.
- Why is there a movie called the DaVinci Code that claims that Jesus was not God? Because people are in conflict with Jesus. They want to destroy Him.
- Why do people attack the Bible? Because they are in conflict with Jesus.
- Why is Christianity demeaned and mocked on television and in the movies. Because people are in conflict with Jesus.
- Why are prayer and witnessing disallowed in most public schools? It is because people are in conflict with Jesus.
The world is in conflict with Jesus. If you are a follower of the Lord Jesus, expect conflict.
Matthew 5:11-12
SEE JESUS AS CONVICTING – Vss. 6b-9
Vs. 6b – Jesus didn’t answer right away.
Instead he wrote in the ground. Nobody knows what He wrote. God doesn’t tell us what Jesus wrote, so it was not important.
I believe he wrote, so he would have a reason to be silent.
He was allowing his silence to be part of the convicting process.
Vs. 7 – They continue to ask, and I think they probably got a bit testy. “Come on, Rabi, Give us an answer!” They probably got worked up into a fevered pitch.
Then Jesus said to them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.
When someone was to be stoned for sin, the first ones to throw stones were to be the accusers. But they could not be guilty of the same sin. It would be like a thief condemning a thief or a murderer condemning a murderer.
So Jesus was saying, “You who have no guilt in this area, you cast the first stone!”
He had not excused the woman from her guilt.
He had not disallowed the Mosaic Law.
He had not even gone against the Roman Government.
But he had convicted these men of their own sin, and from the oldest to the youngest they left!
Jesus is God.
God convicts.
God convicts through His Word and Jesus the Son of God did in this incident.
God convicts today through His Holy Spirit. John 16:8-11
What right does Jesus have to convict us of sin?
He is God! He is sinless.
He has every right to convict us of our sins.
Aren’t you glad that He does convict?
If we weren’t convicted our sins we would not turn to Jesus for forgiveness and eternal life.
And conviction of sin for those of us who are saved, helps us to confess, repent, and live the Godly lives that God wants us to live. 1 John 1:9, Titus 2:11-12
SEE JESUS AS COMPASSIONATE – Vss. 10-11
Vs. 10 – All the accusers left. Only the woman remained.
I think it was with a smile that Jesus said, “Woman, where are your accusers? Hasn’t anyone condemned you?”
Vs. 11 – The woman answers, “No man, Lord.”
Jesus now shows His compassion.
“Neither do I condemn you.”
Could Jesus have condemned the woman?
Yes he could have.
He was the only one who was without sin. Jesus is sinless God.
Wait a minute! God is not only sinless, but He is righteous.
How could Jesus let the woman go without condemning her?
He could let the woman go without condemning her for the same reason that Jesus will let every person go free if they want to.
Jesus would die for that woman’s sin. He bore the penalty for it on the cross.
It is on the basis of Christ’s death on the cross that God shows compassion on you.
2 Corinthians 5:21 - For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
Faith in Christ brings forgiveness and eternal life.
Romans 5:1- Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
SEE JESUS AS CONSISTENT – Vs. 11
The woman received compassion.
But then she is told to “Go and sin no more.”
Jesus is consistent as God. He does not condone sin.
He hates sin but loves the sinner!
Those of us who have been forgiven of our sins are to live lives victorious over sin in His power!
Romans 6:1-2 - What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? [2] God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?
1 Peter 1:15-16 - But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; [16] Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.
As we allow God’s Holy Spirit to control us, we will experience victory over sin in our lives.
Galatians 5:16 - This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
When we do sin, we are to confess and forsake sin.
SEE JESUS AS COMMUNICATOR – John 7:53-8:2
SEE JESUS IN CONFLICT – Vss. 3-6a
SEE JESUS AS CONVICTING – Vss. 6b-9
SEE JESUS AS COMPASSIONATE – Vss. 10-11
SEE JESUS AS CONSISTENT – Vs. 11
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ROMANS 14:1-13 – WHEN TEMPTED TO BE JUDGMENTAL
REMEMBER THAT ALL WILL APPEAR BEFORE CHRIST – Vs. 10
REMEMBER THAT ALL WILL ACKNOWLEDGE CHRIST AS LORD – Vs. 11
REMEMBER THAT ALL WILL GIVE ACCOUNT – Vs. 12
REMEMBER THAT JUDGMENT IS TO BE AVOIDED – Vs. 13 – Matthew 7:1-5
Note: The type of judgment being discussed here is the type that critically evaluates others. Out and out sin is to be judged by the believer and corrected. 1 Corinthians 5
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THE KEY – JAMES 1:1
LET’S GET PRACTICAL! (STUDIES IN JAMES) # 1
James 1:1 (KJV) - James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting.
- What is the key to finding a good restaurant?
- What is the key to being a good teacher?
- What is the key to being a good salesperson?
- James is a Bible book about practical Christian living. The key to living the Christian life is found in verse 1. It has to do with understanding who we, as Christians, are.
WHO WAS JAMES?
- There are several people who have the name James, including a couple of the Apostles.
- It is most likely that the human author of James was “the Lord’s brother”. Galatians 1:19
- Although James did not believe in the Lord Jesus during his lifetime, he evidently came to faith upon seeing his risen half-brother. John 7:3-5, Mark 3:20-21, 1 Corinthians 15:7,
Acts 1:14
- James was the leader of the church in Jerusalem. Acts 12:17, Acts 15:13-21,
Galatians 2:9-10
WHEN WAS JAMES WRITTEN?
- If James, the brother of our Lord, is indeed the author of this book, the book had to be written before his martyrdom in 62 A.D.
- Many scholars believe that, because there is no mention of the Jerusalem council (50 A.D.), the writing took place sometime between 46-49 A.D.
- It is very possible that James is the oldest book in the New Testament.
WHAT IS THE THEME OF JAMES?
- James is basically a book about practical Christian living. He explores many aspects of living the Christian life. Some of James sayings are reminiscent of the Lord’s sayings in the Sermon on the Mount.
- The most important thing to understand about the Book of James is that it is written so that we apply the principles found here to our daily lives.
TO WHOM WAS JAMES WRITTEN?
- It is likely that James was written to Jews outside of Palestine. The Jews had been dispersed throughout the world when they were taken out of their land by their conquerors, most prominently Assyria and Babylon.
SLAVERY IS THE KEY TO LIVING THE CHRISTIAN LIFE
- James deemed himself a slave of God and the Lord Jesus Christ. How will viewing ourselves in the same way help us live out the Christian life in a victorious way?
- “The title ‘servant’ (doulos) clearly indicates that his esteem is not tied to his personal agenda but only to his master.” B. Dale Ellenburg and Christopher W. Morgan, James, Wisdom for the Community, (Geanies House, Fearn, Ross-shire, Great Britain, Focus Publication Ltd., 2008), p.37
- The slave’s POSITION - He is owned by his Master. 1 Peter 1:18-19
- The slave’s PREMISE - His life is not his own. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
- The slave’s PRIORITY - He is to please his Master. Colossians 3:23-24
- The slave’s PATTERN – He is to be like his Master. Philippians 2:5-9
- The slave’s PRIVILEGE - He is identified with his Master. Galatians 2:20
- The slave’s POWER - He is enabled by his Master. Philippians 4:13, Matthew 28:19-20
- The slave’s PROVISION - His needs are met by his Master. Philippians 4:19
- The slave’s PEACE - He is approved by his Master. Romans 14:4
- The slave’s PROTECTION - He is guarded by his Master. Hebrews 13:5-6
- The slave’s PROMISE - He will be rewarded by his Master. Revelation 21:7
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JAMES 1:2-8 – TRIALS DARK ON EVERY HAND
LET’S GET PRACTICAL #2 (STUDIES IN JAMES)
- We all face trials. Which trial that you have faced helped you the most spiritually?
- If a Christian going through a severe trial asked you, “Why me?” what would you say?
- If an unbeliever asked you the same question, what would you say?
- Why do you think James began his epistle by addressing the dual subjects of trials and temptation?
COMMAND – James 1:2 - My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;
- The verb tense indicates that the attitude commanded here is a once for all decision in effect at all times. Even so, we will have to remind ourselves to “count it joy”.
- We are not to be joyful, necessarily, because of what has happened, but because of the spiritual benefits the trial will bring.
- Joy is to be a consistent quality of the believer. Psalm 34:1-6, Philippians 3:1, 4:4,
1 Thessalonians 5:16
- What does the word “count” mean?
- The Greek word for trials (testing) and for temptation in James 1:13 are the same word. Its meaning is determined by the context.
- The word “various” means “variegated” or “many colored”. What are some types of trials that we might face?
CONSIDERATION - James 1:3 - Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
- Of what importance is our faith to God? Hebrews 11:6
- The word “testing” carries the idea of refining or purifying. When gold or silver are refined, heat is applied.
- “Patience” (NKJV, KJV), is also translated “steadfastness” (ESV), “endurance” (NASB, HCSB), “perseverance” (NIV).
- “James is talking about toughness—"the testing of your faith produces toughness." Here is how this works: we develop toughness or fortitude by repeatedly being tested and prevailing. The more tests we pass, the tougher we become.”
(R. Kent Hughes, Preaching the Word - Preaching the Word – James: Faith That Works)
- We are to be like Jesus (1 John 3:2-3). Jesus was steadfast. Hebrews 12:1-4
COMPLIANCE - James 1:4 - But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
- We are not to fight the development of spiritual toughness. Submissiveness is required!
- Why do we need to cooperate with God during our trials? What happens when we “go kicking and screaming”?
- What happens when we allow each trial to teach us and strengthen our faith?
- To be perfect here means to be “mature”, or “fully developed”.
- To be complete here refers to being “whole” or “entire”.
- When we lack nothing, we can face any trial successfully.
CONSULTATION – James 1:5 - If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
- The context is trials. Does this advice apply to all situations? Proverbs 4:7
- What does James 3:13-18 teach about wisdom?
- Understanding the Scriptures is tantamount to having wisdom. 2 Timothy 3:16-17
- It is right and proper to request guidance when reading the Bible. Psalm 119:18
- How does God’s promised response encourage you?
CONDITION – James 1:6-7 - But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.
- Why is doubt an affront to God?
- How does doubting making the trial worse?
- God is saying, “If you won’t trust me, don’t expect me to help you.”
CONFLICT – James 1:8 (KJV) - A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.
- The word means “two-souled”, and perhaps is a word coined by James.
- A double-minded man is not sold out to God. He is trying to serve two masters. Matthew 6:24, James 4:1-4
Psalm 125:1 Those who trust in the LORD are like Mount Zion, Which cannot be moved, but abides forever.
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