What To Do When The Wine Runs Out.

When the Wine Runs Out: Finding Abundance in Scarcity

Bible Passage: John 2:1-10

Summary: In this passage, Jesus performs his first miracle at a wedding in Cana, turning water into wine, highlighting God's provision when human resources fail.

Application: This sermon encourages Christians to trust in Jesus during times of need and lack, reminding them that He can bring abundance even when our circumstances seem dire. It emphasizes the importance of bringing our needs to Christ, who is capable of transforming scarcity into blessing.

Teaching: The sermon teaches that Jesus is attentive to our needs and has the power to provide for us in ways we cannot imagine. It calls us to faith and reliance on Him in difficult times, teaching that God's grace abounds even when we feel we come up short.

How this passage could point to Christ: This passage foreshadows the greater miracle of salvation that Jesus would accomplish through His death and resurrection. The wine represents joy and the new covenant, linking back to the theme of God's provision throughout scripture, particularly in how Jesus fulfills the Old Testament to bring joy and hope.

Big Idea: When life feels empty, Jesus is our source of joy and abundance, showing us that true satisfaction comes from Him alone.

The fact that Jesus was invited to this wedding has several implications:

· The invitation of Jesus to this wedding says something about the kind of man Jesus was. How would attend the common things in life. Hebrews 4:15 “For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our

infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.”

We do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize: Thus far the writer to the Hebrews was careful to document both the deity of Jesus (Hebrews 1:4-14), while careful to also remember His compassionate humanity (Hebrews 2:5-18). It means that Jesus, God the Son, enthroned in heaven, our High Priest, can sympathize with our weaknesses.

i. To the ancient Greeks, the primary attribute of God was apatheia, the essential inability to feel anything at all. Jesus isn’t like that. He knows and He feels what we go through. The ancient Greek word translated sympathize literally means “to suffer along with.”

· The invitation of Jesus to this wedding says something about the presence of Jesus In Oour affairs. “Jesus comes to a marriage, and gives his blessing there, that we may know that our family life is under his care.” (Spurgeon)

*****· The invitation of Jesus to this wedding says something about what happens when we invite Jesus into the events of our life.

1. Recognize the Need

John 2:1–3 “And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there: And both Jesus was called, and his disciples, to the marriage. And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine.”

Housing, Car, Spouse, Sometimes God will allow somethings to close or end The Spiritual need it’s not all the devil’s over there sometimes they are in you!

You could focus on the initial problem: the lack of wine at the wedding. Highlight the cultural embarrassment and social implications of running out of wine. Suggest how this can mirror our lives when we encounter lack and uncertainty. Emphasize bringing such needs to Jesus, who is always attentive. This sets the stage for trusting Christ with our shortcomings, acknowledging that He knows our needs even before we do.

2. Respond with Faith

John 2:4–5 “Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come. His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it.”

a. What faith really is.

b. An out of season blessing. Out of time

2 Corinthians 5:7 “(For we walk by faith, not by sight:)”

Hebrews 11:6 “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”

 Whatever He says to you, do it: The recorded words of Mary are few. However, it is good to pay attention to her words that were recorded because they consistently glorify Jesus, not Mary herself. It is wise for everyone to obey Mary’s direction, whatever He says to you, do it.

Perhaps explore the conversation between Mary and Jesus. Mary brings the need to Jesus, demonstrating faith in His ability to address the situation. Discuss how Mary's example encourages us to approach Jesus confidently with our threats of scarcity, trusting His wisdom and timing. This point can illustrate the importance of faith and submission, reinforcing our reliance on Him during challenging times.

3. Receive His Abundance

John 2:6–10 “And there were set there six waterpots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins apiece. Jesus saith unto them, Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim. And he saith unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast. And they bare it. When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and knew not whence it was: (but the servants which drew the water knew;) the governor of the feast called the bridegroom, And saith unto him, Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: but thou hast kept the good wine until now.”

Consider the miracle itself: turning water into wine. This transformation highlights Jesus' power to bring abundance out of emptiness, symbolizing the joy and fulfillment He provides. Discuss how this miracle points us to the ultimate satisfaction found in Christ, aligning with His salvific work. Reinforce the truth that in moments of emptiness, Jesus offers the true abundance that fulfills our deepest needs.

Point Six waterpots of stone: Jesus began this miracle by using what was at hand. He could have supplied more wine any number of ways, but He started with what was there.