The Great Discipler

CHAD GOVIER

Text: John 2:1-11

Introduction

Opener: Ordinary Moments, Extraordinary Work

When we think about ministry, we often imagine grand gestures — sermons, miracles, or acts that leave people speechless. But the first miracle of Jesus’ public ministry wasn’t in a synagogue, on a mountain, or at a sickbed. It was at a wedding.

A celebration. A simple gathering of family and friends. And there, in the midst of ordinary life, Jesus took water and turned it into wine. He didn’t wait for the perfect moment; He began His work in the ordinary, in the everyday circumstances of human need.

From that first miracle, a pattern emerges: Jesus uses the ordinary — our relationships, our challenges, our daily experiences — as the very context in which He builds faith. Every moment of joy, every struggle, every encounter with another person is an opportunity for Him to reveal His glory, to teach, and to form disciples.

From Cana to Calvary, and from Calvary to Glory, the Lord has been leading His disciples — and us — step by step, deeper into faith.

At Cana, faith is born.

At Calvary, faith is tested.

At the resurrection, faith is renewed.

And in glory, faith is fulfilled.

Let’s walk that journey together this morning — from the first wedding to the last.

I. The Beginning of Faith — The Wedding at Cana (John 2:1–11)

“This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him.” (v. 11)

John calls this “the beginning of miracles.” In other words, it’s where faith starts to stir in the hearts of the disciples.

A Real Need (vv. 1–3)

“They have no wine.”

A small sentence, but it speaks volumes. It’s a real, human problem — embarrassment, lack, and helplessness.

And that’s where Jesus shows up. He meets people where they are — in the ordinary, everyday places of life.

When the resources run out, He steps in.

A Revealed Power (vv. 6–10)

The servants fill the jars, and without fanfare or spectacle, the water becomes wine.

No command is recorded, no dramatic moment described — just quiet, sovereign power.

The master of the feast tastes it and says,

“Thou hast kept the good wine until now.”

Jesus doesn’t just provide; He provides abundantly and excellently.

A Faithful Word About the Wine

Now, before we go further, let’s deal honestly with what the text says — and what it does not say.

The Greek word for wine here is oinos, the standard New Testament term.

In that culture, wine was commonly mixed with water — often three parts water to one part wine — making it a mild beverage, not comparable to the alcohol we see today.

Nothing in this passage promotes or excuses drinking.

In fact, Scripture warns plainly:

“Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.” (Proverbs 20:1)

John’s purpose isn’t to commend a drink, but to reveal a Savior — One who meets human need and manifests divine glory.

The miracle is not about the cup’s content — it’s about Christ’s character.

A Resulting Faith (v. 11)

“This beginning of miracles… manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him.”

Faith begins here. It’s the first flicker of trust — wonder turning into worship.

Jesus begins His public ministry not with judgment, but with joy.

He turns emptiness into abundance — and that’s what He still does in every believing heart.

Key Thought:

At Cana, Jesus shows He can meet every need and turn emptiness into abundance.

But this is only the beginning of belief.

Faith has begun, but it must grow. The next chapters of the Gospel show us that belief isn’t born full-grown — it matures through trial.

I approach this miracle with a memory of the other miracles that have been mentioned and more so we saw the responses to Jesus. And I am reminded of Isaiah’s words.

Isaiah 28:9–11 KJV 1900

Whom shall he teach knowledge? And whom shall he make to understand doctrine? Them that are weaned from the milk…, For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; Line upon line, line upon line; Here a little, and there a little: For with stammering lips and another tongue Will he speak to this people.

II. The Deepening of Faith — The Journey to the Cross

(Texts: John 6:68; John 11:16; John 18–19)

Between Cana and Calvary, the disciples are learning who Jesus truly is — and that learning is not easy.

Faith Tested in Confusion (John 6:68)

When many turned away from Jesus after His hard sayings, Peter said,

“Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.”

Faith now clings not because it understands, but because it trusts.

That’s a crucial lesson — faith doesn’t always have all the answers, but it stays with Jesus.

Faith Tested in Danger (John 11:16)

When Jesus speaks of returning to Judea, Thomas says,

“Let us also go, that we may die with him.”

Their faith is loyal, but still limited. They love Him — but they don’t yet grasp His mission.

Faith Tested in Crisis (John 18–19)

Then comes the cross.

When Jesus is arrested, the disciples scatter.

At Calvary, only John remains nearby.

Their faith collapses under the weight of fear and confusion.

They believed He was the Messiah — but they couldn’t comprehend a crucified one.

Yet even here, Jesus isn’t failing them. He’s forming them.

He’s leading them from borrowed faith to personal faith.

Key Thought:

The disciples’ belief that began with excitement now passes through confusion and fear.

Jesus is not failing them — He is forming them.

But the story doesn’t end in fear. The One who turned water into wine is about to turn despair into joy.

III. The Renewal of Faith — The Risen Christ (John 20–21)

(Texts: John 20:19–29; John 21:15–17)

Faith Restored (John 20:20)

“Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord.”

Faith comes alive again in the light of resurrection.

Joy returns when they see the Savior alive and victorious.

Faith Confessed (John 20:28)

Thomas, once doubtful, now declares,

“My Lord and my God.”

This is the first full confession of Christ’s deity from human lips after the resurrection.

Faith has moved from curiosity to conviction — from following a teacher to worshiping a Lord.

Faith Commissioned (John 21:15–17)

Jesus restores Peter and sends him out to feed His sheep.

Faith that has been tested and purified now becomes fruitful.

The same Lord who began their faith in joy perfects it in grace.

Key Thought:

The Jesus who began faith at Cana now completes it through the cross and the empty tomb.

Their belief is no longer shallow wonder — it’s steadfast devotion.

And just as the Lord began His ministry with a wedding, He will end redemptive history with a wedding.

IV. The Fulfillment of Faith — The Wedding of the Lamb (Revelation 19:6–9)

“Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come.”

The Celebration of Redemption (v. 6)

Heaven bursts with praise:

“The voice of a great multitude… saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.”

All that began in Cana now finds its completion here.

The first wedding was local and small; this one fills eternity.

The Completion of Relationship (v. 7)

“The marriage of the Lamb is come.”

Christ and His redeemed are finally united forever.

The temporary feast at Cana becomes the eternal feast of glory.

The Confirmation of Promise (v. 9)

“Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb.”

Every believer who trusted Christ will sit at that table.

And this time, the wine of joy will never run out — and the celebration will never end.

Key Thought:

Jesus began with a wedding on earth and ends with a wedding in heaven.

The first revealed His glory; the last displays His victory.

Conclusion

Here’s a polished concluding section that ties everything together and emphasizes our dependence on Jesus to use our experiences and relationships as the context for discipleship:

Conclusion: Dependent on Jesus for Our Faith Journey

From Cana to Calvary, from resurrection to glory, the Lord has been shaping His disciples — and He is shaping us. Every joy, every trial, every relationship is part of the context in which He forms our faith.

At Cana, He showed His power in the ordinary and taught us to trust Him in our needs.

At the cross, He refined our faith through fear, confusion, and suffering.

At the resurrection, He renewed our hearts, turning doubt into worship and obedience.

At the marriage supper of the Lamb, He will fulfill every promise, bringing unending joy to all who trust Him.

Our lives are full of experiences and relationships — ordinary moments, challenges, and encounters with others. Jesus invites us to let Him work in all of them. He doesn’t just start the work in us; He completes it.

Paul reminds us

Philippians 1:6 KJV 1900

Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:

Potter and Clay:

The pottery doesn’t get to say what pot it is but how often is our Potter trying to keep the clay on the wheel? We balk at every inconvenience hardship. We change churches because someone didn’t speak to us a certain way. We cut relationships because they didn ‘t do what we wanted. We are manipulative, controlling and unnerved by the slightest sign of difficulty. Exactly what heat do we go through?

We cannot manufacture faith or growth on our own. We cannot fully grasp God’s glory apart from His leading. We depend on Him — in our joys, our trials, our ordinary days, and our extraordinary moments — to turn every situation into a steppingstone for discipleship.

Let us, then, live in humble dependence, offering our experiences and relationships to Jesus, trusting Him to continue His work in us until the day He calls us home. The same Jesus who turned water into wine at Cana can transform our lives and our faith into something abundant, fruitful, and lasting for His glory.