Going to the Chapel

Introduction

Tonight we’re going to look at the occasion of Jesus 1st miracle... The Wedding at Cana.

The Jewish Wedding Ceremony has SO. much. symbolism connected to the church.

We could be here all night if we were to try and unpack all that there is to see in the Jewish wedding.

But... Our focus on Sunday nights if building our faith in order to see God answering our prayers.... and… miracles

The Wedding at Cana IS a… miracle.

AND, when we unpack the story, we find some lessons on Miracle Building Faith.

Let’s walk through the story; then we will back up and pull out the lessons.

Jesus and His disciples were invited to a wedding.

Jesus’ mother, Mary... maybe it was a family relative getting married

Mary comes to Jesus... “They are out of wine.” Great embarrassment Culturally and Biblically, hospitality was important. Not just an “I guess we have to drink water.”

Jesus has a very specific timetable.

In 3 years He will be crucified for the sins of mankind and He will carefully orchestrate what happens… and... when

Now... I have to wonder if the Holy Spirit had John omit some of the dialogue, because ALL we have is Jesus saying: “My hour is not yet come.” and then Mary going to the servants and saying: “Do whatever he tells you.”

So then… Jesus obeys his mother.

He tells the servants to take the 6 nearby stone water jars. Not “water jars.” But “WATER jars” (20-30 gallons)

Fill to the brim

Draw some out and take it to the MC

MC pours himself a glass

MC pulls the groom aside “Everyone brings out the choice wine first....

Groom “Um, Yeah, sure… let’s go with that.”

Definite miracle note the quality of God’s work.

Invitation

If we want to experience a miracle, we should invite Jesus into our lives.

Jesus was invited to the wedding at Cana.

John 2:1–2 ESV

On the third day there was a wedding at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. Jesus also was invited to the wedding with his disciples.

If Jesus had not been invited to that wedding the miracle would not have taken place.

Now, don’t misunderstand me. God can do whatever God wants to do.

He doesn’t need your “okay” to do a miracle.

And has performed countless un-requested supernatural feats.

But... If you’re the one asking, they you should invite Jesus into every area of your life.

Seek God’s blessing and His guidance in every aspect of our lives.

INTERCESSION

The second lesson in looking for a miracle is... to ask.

Mary. Asked.

John 2:3–4 ESV

When the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.” And Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does this have to do with me? My hour has not yet come.”

At the wedding in Cana when they ran out of wine, Mary the mother of Jesus made it known to Jesus.

We must also take all our burdens to the Lord.

James 4:2 (ESV)

... You do not have, because you do not ask.

It’s fine to share our needs with friends and family members, but… first let’stake it to the Lord and cast our burdens upon Him.

Instruction

The third lesson is to obey the commandments of the Lord.

John 2:5 ESV

His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”

It was obedience to the instructions of Jesus that enabled them to experience the miracle.

We must ALSO be careful to obey the instructions that the Lord gives to us.

Often God wants to include us in the answer to our prayers. God’s job is to make wine. Ours… to fetch water.

Instruments

I have a message titled: Faith, Obedience and Cream of Mushroom soup.

{Expound}

In this story, the mushroom soup is... water pots.

John 2:6 ESV

Now there were six stone water jars there for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons.

The Lord uses mushroom soup to perform His miracle.

At the wedding in Cana the Lord used the water that was available to perform a miracle.

Jesus used five loaves and two fishes that was available to feed the five thousand.

The Lord can use whatever we have to perform miracles.

He can use even ordinary everyday… stuff… to reveal His power.

Don’t ever disregard to smallest offering you have to add to your miracle.

Inspiration

Jesus WANTS to answer our prayers.

He LOVES showing up when we need Him most.

John 2:7–8 ESV

Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water.” And they filled them up to the brim. And he said to them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the feast.” So they took it.

HOWEVER... Jesus’ miracles always have multiple effects.

Turning water into wine was a blessing and a honor for the wedding guests.

(even though most of them didn’t know it.)

However... as the Ronco commercial guy from the 1970’s used to say...

“But wait there’s more!”

John 2:11 ESV

This, the first of his signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee, and manifested his glory. And his disciples believed in him.

When miracles happen...

God gets glory People believe in Jesus

The miracle that Jesus performed inspired the disciples and caused them to develop a strong faith in the Lord.

That faith honored God and He received the glory He is due.

We must follow-through with every miracle that the Lord performs for us to become an inspiration for us to have a greater and deeper faith in Him, and for that faith to give Him glory.

Conclusion