The Purpose of John's Gospel

HOOK

TURN OFF CALENDAR BREAK

TURN OFF CAFFEINE

DO NOT FORGET TO UNMUTE

It’s THURSDAY the 27th of August

Thank you Ate Teena for the food

Welcome back to the verse by verse study of the gospel of John

Yesterday right here at The Message, we gleaned into what happened when the Lord appeared to His disciples for the third time— the first time he appeared to his disciples was after he appeared to Mary Magdalene in the crack of dawn of that Sunday when Jesus rise from the dead— Thomas was not there

This happened a week later and on that occasion, Thomas was there— His doubts disappeared when the Lord appeared to them and even asked him to put his finger onto his nail-pierced hands— from that we learned:

HOPE THAT IS SEEN IS NO HOPE AT ALL [Romans 8:24]

I LIVE BY FAITH AND NOT BY SIGHT [2 Corinthians 5:7]

Today we will finish chapter 20 by looking at the “Purpose of John’s Gospel”— On Monday we will begin with the last chapter— chapter 21 that contains the first miracle Jesus did after resurrecting from the dead and the conversation when Jesus reinstated Peter

Meanwhile, open your Bible to JOHN 20:30-31— Once you get there, type “Let’s finish Chapter 20!”

CHARACTER OF GOD, SIN TO CONFESS, PROMISES TO CLAIM, ATTITUDE TO CHANGE, COMMANDS TO KEEP, EXAMPLES TO FOLLOW, PRAYERS TO PRAY, ERRORS TO AVOID, TRUTH TO BELIEVE, SOMETHING TO THANK GOD FOR

Read JOHN 20:30-31

BOOK

John 20:30–31 NIV

30 Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. 31 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.

The account of Thomas climatic confession leads naturally into the statement of purpose for the writing of this Gospel

It begins with reference to many signs that Jesus performed— John [The Beloved & The Evangelist] wrote

But before we dig into this passage today— what is an evangelist?— [Greek evanglistes— Strong’s #2099] is a person who seeks to convert others to the Christian faith— God placed evangelists at every local church [EPHESIANS 4:11]

LOOK

JESUS PERFORMED MANY OTHER SIGNS IN THE PRESENCE OF HIS DISCIPLES

That many other signs [miracles] of Jesus was not recorded in this book— in this book there are seven (7) signs of Jesus recorded— what are those?

Jesus turning water into wine [JOHN 2:1-11]

Healing the royal official’s son [JOHN 4:46-54]

Healing the lame man at the pool of Bethesda [JOHN 5:1-9]

Feeding the five thousand [JOHN 6:1-14]

Walking on the sea [JOHN 6:16-21]

Healing the man born blind [JOHN 9:1-7]

Raising Lazarus [JOHN 11:1-44]

THESE ARE WRITTEN THAT YOU MAY BELIEVE

This is the very concise summary, theme and statement of purpose of this Gospel— that you may believe!— take note of the word used here— “may”[not will or shall]— it’s a choice!

This book did not just contain miracles, signs and wonders— but also confessions

Time and time again, John the evangelist provides examples of people who made this confessions, like:

Nathanael [JOHN 1:49], the Samaritans [JOHN 4:42], the man born blind [JOHN 9:33-38], Martha [JOHN 11:27], the disciples themselves [JOHN 16:30] and Thomas [JOHN 20:28]

Look at the sequence— Jesus did something to their lives, that led them to believe— what about you?

WHAT JESUS DID TO YOUR LIFE THAT LED YOU TO BELIEVE?

Believe what?

THAT JESUS IS THE MESSIAH, THE SON OF GOD

Messiah, Son of God, are just two of the many names attributed to our Lord Jesus

What do you have to specifically believe about Jesus?— well, the greatest signs that he ever did— his death and resurrection— that’s why even the most dubious, hesitant and ambivalent disciple— Thomas said, “my Lord my God”

What is the outcome when you believe?

BY BELIEVING YOU MAY HAVE LIFE IN HIS NAME

What life is referred to here?— the life that is everlasting [JOHN 3:16]

TOOK

I WILL USE THE BOOK OF JOHN TO HELP OTHERS BELIEVE

I WILL SHARE MY TESTIMONY THAT LED ME TO BELIEVE IN JESUS

SING

Jada is back— Who You Are to Me