The Gospel Produces Faith

Esperanza Men's Shelter 10-26-2013

John 2:1-12

INTRODUCTION

1. John's purpose in his gospel was to produce faith - Jn 20:30-31

a. Which he sought to accomplish by recording the "signs" done by

Jesus

b. Not all of them, but enough to produce faith in Jesus as the

Christ, the Son of God

2. The "signs" Jesus performed were miracles...

a. Expressions of supernatural, divine power

b. Designed to attest His unique relationship with God - cf. Ac 2:22

So here Jesus has 6 disciples with Him and they go to a wedding. This is the first miracle of 35 miracles performed by Jesus. They ran out of wine and Mary asks Jesus to go get some. I don't think she expected Him to turn water into wine. A Jewish wedding celebration would last 7 days and to run out of wine was not a good thing and it would be disgraceful to the family to have this happen.

In verse 3 Mary goes to Jesus and says they have no wine. But I think it was more like there in no wine what are we going to do we need some help now Jesus.

In verse 4 Jesus calls Mary his mother woman. Now it may seem like not a nice way to call your mother woman but it was out of respect what he said. Jesus says to Mary so what do you want me to do? He was saying in a nice way relax don't be so worried it's only wine. I got this! All you need is faith!

In verse 5 by faith Mary tells the servants to do whatever Jesus tells you to do. So the table is set Jesus' mother is in a panic but puts her trust in Him, the servants have been told to do whatever Jesus says and they put their trust in Jesus and Jesus has his 6 disciples watching to see what He is going to do.

How many times in our lives have we been in that situation where we don't have any idea how things are going to work out and really do see how they can? We have our faith that never leaves us and we must exercise it and watch how Jesus will provide. Do you have that kind of faith? You can when we trust in His promise.

God makes a promise; faith believes it, hope anticipates it, and patience quietly awaits it.

God's promises are like the stars; the darker the night the brighter they shine.

David Nicholas

Eternal life does not begin with death; it begins with faith. Has your eternal life begun?

Every man lives by faith, the non-believer as well as the saint; the one by faith in natural laws and the other by faith in God.

A. W. Tozer

Hebrews 11:1 (HCSB) 1 Now faith is the reality of what is hoped for, the proof of what is not seen.

In verse 6 Jesus goes out to the 6 stone water jars that hold 20 to 30 gallons of water. The water in these jars was used for ceremonial cleansings for cleaning hands and ceremonial drinking cups and nothing else. To drink from these was forbidden and no Jew would drink from them knowingly. These jars were empty and some theologians say that the empty jars are to represent the emptiness of Jewish ritual when true faith is absent. He fills us with his Spirit and goodness when we are empty and lacking.

In verse 7 and 8 Jesus tells the servants to fill the jars to the top with water. Then He says to take the water out of the jar and take it to the one hosting the wedding.

The only ones who knew where this wine came from was Jesus, His mother, the servants, and His disciples.

In verse 9 and 10 the host tasted the wine and it was good! Not only was it good but it was better than what they had been serving earlier. He had no idea where it came from which is a good thing. Then he comments that usually the cheap wine comes later when everyone has had a lot but you bring out the good stuff later.

In verse 11 This is when His disciples began to believe in Him and have a stronger faith.

Now some people will use these verses to say that if Jesus changed water into wine then its ok to drink and get drunk. If you use Jesus as your example for drinking, why don't you follow His example in everything else? It's funny how people will pick verses the like and avoid the ones they don't like.

I found this story and wanted to share a little bit of it with you

A coal miner who was recovering alcoholic and new Christian and became an evangelist. One of his friends tried to trap him by asking, "Do you believe that Jesus turned water into wine?"

"I certainly do!" the man replied. "In my home, He has turned wine into furniture, decent clothes, and food for my children!"

When we become clean and sober we are given life and an abundant life in which we can have joy every day!