Grace Overflowing

[Announce text] Greetings, everyone. I am glad you are here. Today marks the second week of our sermon series, Unveiling the Kingdom. In this series, Jesus unveils his identity, mission, and the values of God’s kingdom, inviting us to follow him. Every week, we turn to a fresh scene in the Gospels when Jesus reveals God’s kingdom to those who desire to see it.

Now, if you brought a bible, please open it to the gospel of John. We will be reading from John 2:1-11 about the occasion when Jesus performed his first miracle of turning water into wine.

[Scripture introduction] As you turn your bibles to John, recognize this biblical truth. Jesus loves a good celebration. His first miracle occurs in Galilee in the same area where he has selected his first disciples. Then, the story shifts to Jesus, his mother, and newly acquired disciples traveling to a grand wedding reception in Cana.

[Reannounce and read text] With your bibles opened, we will read together the Scriptures and hear from John’s gospel starting at the beginning of chapter two. Please read with me John 2:1-11 about the wedding in Cana.

[Prayer for illumination] Lord God, Prepare us to encounter the Divine Word, who was made flesh and came down from heaven for our salvation. Teach us concerning your Beloved Son and his first miraculous sign to open our hearts, souls, and minds to the things of God. Do not withhold anything from your people, O God. Rather, fill the jars of our spiritual lives up to the brim and let them overflow with amazing grace. In Christ’s name, we pray. Amen.

[Introduction] I have a question for you all. What do a gas tank, batteries, wallets, refrigerators, cupboards, toilet paper rolls, and printer ink all have in common? You guess it! They all can go empty on us.

Do you remember the last time your gas tank ran dry while you were driving a vehicle? I do! Argyle Rd with my Buick and M-53 with my Honda motorcycle. Do you remember when you ran into a public bathroom and after you sat down, you saw the empty toilet paper roll? That’s the worst! For all you coffee addicts, do you remember the last time you attempted to pour more coffee into your cup to discover that your spouse commandeered the last drop? That’s considered war in my house.

You already understand the emotional distress when physical goods go empty in your life. But what’s more depressing is when it comes to our person—when your cup has become dry, as in times of emptiness of hope, patience, faith, energy levels, motivation, kindness, trust, and most importantly, joy.

[FCF] When are we to do when these qualities become dry and empty in us? Is there any way to get a refill on life so joy can come in the morning?

[Scripture bond] In John’s gospel, we read a similar case with the wine becoming empty. And how Jesus addresses fundamental problems in times of crisis by unveiling the kingdom to those around him. In this story, we witness the biblical truth across the pages of the Scriptures that inform us about the character of God and his kingdom. This is...

[Proposition] The Kingdom of God overflows with abundance, reminding us that in Christ, we receive grace that exceeds our expectations.

Hold onto this while we search for ways to refill our lives with joy in times of emptiness. But how can you and I access the overflowing riches of God’s grace? It starts here.

[Main point 1] The overflow of abundance follows those who listen to Jesus.

[Explanation] Another way to state it. When your life runs dry, it's time to mimic the mother of Christ by posing the question to God and nudging the Divine. When we recognize our deficiencies in ourselves or with others, we plea to the Lord to do something. We should familiarize ourselves with Mary's words: “Do whatever he tells you.”

[Illustration] It is in this act of listening and obeying the voice of Jesus that overflowing abundance arises. What happens is that the servant at the wedding party understands the call. He accepted the words of Jesus. He listens carefully to everything.

Picture this: the conversation between Jesus and the servant at the wedding reception. Jesus utters, “Go, fill up the jars!” The servant replied, “All six of them?” “O, yes, all of them,” Jesus responded. “What now?” says the servant. “Now, draw it out and give the master of the feast a taste test of my wine.” “Alright, whatever you say, Jesus.”

The actions of overflowing abundance follow those who listen to Jesus. What was empty is now overflowing from the brim—180 gallons.

[Application] So if we desire the overflow of abundance to follow us, we must become servants and do whatever he tells us. Have you been listening and obeying Christ? Because his blessing will come when you listen to all his words.

And outside of these natural and supernatural blessings that overflow from God, the reality is that these gifts from the Lord are always better than what we ever asked for! This leads us to another key point.

[Main Point 2] Everything Christ transforms will always exceed our expectations.

[Explanation] As John shares with us. The master of the feast sipped on the wine that Jesus miraculously created and declared, “Everyone serves the good wine first, and when people have drunk freely, then the poor wine. But you have kept the good wine until now.”

In God’s kingdom, Christ is able to not only give wine to save the party and relieve the embarrassment of the bride and groom, but Jesus, in his almighty power, is able to give us more than we ever expected.

His overflowing grace can do more than we can imagine. It can take our marriages from mediocre to excellent. It can do more than sustain us; it can help us become more joyous. It can also cast a grander vision for God’s people. We are not to only adopt the status quo but wholeheartedly believe that God is able to do all things for us.

God can take empty things and use them to exceed our expectations.

[Illustration] I love how the master of the feast stated God’s power without even recognizing it. “This is not subpar, but the best wine I ever had!” Imagine the uproar of the party after they were all given good news. “We have wine again!”

[Application] Likewise, Jesus has all the power in the world to transform. But to access the overflowing grace that exceeds our expectations, we must turn to Jesus by faith. As John says in verse eleven, “This, the first of his signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee, and manifest his glory. And his disciples believed in him.”

God will transform your expectations only when you trust him daily. Do you believe God can change your emptiness and fill it up? I do! I have seen the grace of God’s overflowing grace over and over again. I have seen the Lord work in you, in this congregation, in this empty world. He is continuing to work, and the best part of this story is what God in Christ has done, which is this...

[Main Point 3] God’s Kingdom supplies spiritual wine for everyone who believes in him.

[Explanation] The whole purpose of the first miracle in Cana was to point to something greater that was to come. The final hour of Christ, when he would pour his blood on Calvary Hill and die for sinners like you and me.

The spiritual wine we partake in weekly is Christ’s death and overcoming of our sins. Through this wine, God fills our emptiness with the joyous resurrection of life. Who is it for? Everyone who believes!

[Illustration] The party at Cana foreshadows the church. We were at the wedding party. Jesus is the bridegroom, and we are his bride. He supplies all the intoxicating wine that causes joy and bliss. He withholds nothing from those he loves.

[Application] In Christ, we have received grace upon grace (John 1:16). Now, we must go to him when we are empty. Jesus can and will fill your cup that overflows, and surely goodness and mercy shall follow you all the days of your life (Psalm 23:5).

Again, I say...

[Proposition] The Kingdom of God overflows with abundance, reminding us that in Christ, we receive grace that exceeds our expectations.

[Conclusion] When you are dry and empty inside. Remember Jesus. He gives without measure. He withholds nothing from those he loves, and the most incredible part is that everyone who believes in him will indeed have the spiritual wine of Christ forever!

Come thirsty church, and leave full to the brim. You have Jesus; he has more than enough for you today. Let him fill your life with the inexpressible joy of the kingdom of God. Amen.

[Prayer for the Congregation] O Lord, we thank you for your generosity. Please give us the strong drink of the Holy Spirit, who quenches our thirst and renews our hope in you. Teach us to listen to your voice. You consistently exceed our expectations with your abundant grace. And we thank you for the endless supply of Christ's wine, which produces joy from God. We give you all the praise, glory, and honor. We pray in Jesus's holy name. Amen.