Turning Water into Wine

The God Who Celebrates

John 2:1–12 NIV

On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. When the wine was gone, Jesus’ mother said to him, “They have no more wine.” “Woman, why do you involve me?” Jesus replied. “My hour has not yet come.” His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing, each holding from twenty to thirty gallons. Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water”; so they filled them to the brim. Then he told them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet.” They did so, and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not realize where it had come from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew. Then he called the bridegroom aside and said, “Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now.” What Jesus did here in Cana of Galilee was the first of the signs through which he revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him. After this he went down to Capernaum with his mother and brothers and his disciples. There they stayed for a few days.

John

Introduction:

Background...

Family Weddings in the Galilee

Mom’s Expectations

The Miracle

The Belief

1. Expand Your Faith Throughout the Week: Faith happens on Friday Nights too.

I’m impressed that so much happens in a week compared to what happens on the campus of this church. You and I may think that this is the spiritual place where we meet with God. But God meets us all during the week in our various activities.

We read of Jesus healing, teaching, and doing miracles. Many of those were on the Sabbath. But it’s the everyday things that make it noticeable to others.

2. Expect to Find Different Expectations: Families Don’t Always Understand One Another.

Mary: “This is My Son, the Messiah.”

Jesus: Mom, don’t you know that when I begin my ministry it is a road to the cross?

Dealing with Family Conflict During the Holidays (Paul: how’s the religion biz)

Pray leading up to the event

Lower your expectations

Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff

Focus on the Problem, not the People

Listen and Ask Questions

Ask for Objective Criteria (try to discover how they are building their information. Are they able to see both sides.)

Find an “out” if necessary (and watch on behalf of others too) take a walk, go help with dessert, watch some football, etc.

Be a Peacemaker

3. Experience the Best: Jesus Wants to Take the Ordinary and Make it Spectacular!

3. Jesus wants to take the ordinary and make it spectacular

7 Miracles in John

Water into Wine = Quality

Healing of the Ruler’s Son = Space

Healing of the Man at the Pool = Time

Feeding of 5,000 = Quantity

Walking on Water = Nature

Healing of the Blind Man = Misfortune

Raising of Lazarus = Death

John 20:30–31 NIV

Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

Text

Miracles lead to Belief

Belief Leads to Jesus

Miracle (Power)

Jesus Leads to Life

Belief

Transition into Communion

Even before the fatal night on which he was betrayed and eventually executed, Christ took the time with his closest friends and followers and celebrated the Passover. This short, symbolic celebration demonstrates the kind of love that gave us life. The bread is the broken body and the wine is the blood that was spilled.

Unbelief

(1)

2:1–11

Water Changed to Wine

Quality

Disciples believed

2:11

(2)

4:46–54

The Healing of the Nobleman’s Son

Space

Man believed word

4:50

Man and household believed

4:53

(3)

5:1–18

The Healing of the Man at the Pool

Time

Belief implied by action

5:9

Reaction of Jews

5:18

(4)

6:1–14

The Feeding of the Five Thousand

Quantity

Acknowledgment of Jesus as prophet

6:14

Departure of many

6:66

(5)

6:16–21

The Walking on the Water

Nature

Willing to receive Him into boat

6:21

(6)

9:1–41

The Healing of the Blind Man

Misfortune

Progressive Belief

9:11, 17, 33, 38

Reaction of Pharisees

9:16, 24, 29, 40, 41

(7)

11:1–44

The Raising of Lazarus

Death

Martha—11:27

Jews—11:45

12:11

Plot of Pharisees

11:53[1]

[1] Tenney, M. C. (1976). John: The Gospel of Belief (p. 312). Grand Rapids, MI; Cambridge, U.K.: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.