Growing In Faith Series

Introduction

I. John chapter 20, verses 30 and 31 state - 30 Many other signs therefore Jesus also performed in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; 31 but these have been written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name.

II. It is not until John’s letter is almost finished that he states the purpose for his writing.

A. “I write these things in order that you will believe Jesus is the Christ, ...and that in believing you will have life...”

B. So the logical question is,

1. “Of all the things that John could have chosen why these?” and

2. “Of all the things that Jesus did, which John could have started with; why the turning of water into wine.”

III. Even though it seems that John is being fairly chronological in his presentation, why didn’t he begin the story we will be looking at the next message I will present, the cleansing of the temple?

IV. Why not the women at the well?

V. Why did John choose turning water into wine as his first presentation of the miracles of Christ?

VI. I suppose we cannot be sure, but perhaps it goes back to chapter 1, verse 14, “And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us,”

A. God came and made his home with us, for a while, and then through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, He makes his home within us.

B. This is more than a simple story of water becoming wine,

C. This is a story which demonstrates that “Christ Cares For You and I.”

D. Christ cared then, and He cares now.

VII. Perhaps this is a story which demonstrates that “Faith in Christ, is demonstrated by trust in His goodness.”

VIII. Perhaps this is a story which demonstrates that “Faith in the Christ brings completeness in life.”

IX. Perhaps this is a story which demonstrates that “Faith by those that believe, can bring belief by those who wonder.”

X. Perhaps this is a story, that just like the gospel of John itself, is all that and more.

XI. Let’s look together at John, chapter 2, beginning with verse 1.

Invite Him In

2:1 And on the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there; 2 and Jesus also was invited, and His disciples, to the wedding.

I. I find this story to be a rather exciting picture of who Christ is.

A. John 1, 14 says, “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us...”

B. This wedding story is about Christ, the Word of God dwelling among man, and His concern for our every day lives.

II. What does a maturing Christian look like?

A. Someone said, “A maturing Christian is someone that involves Christ in every aspect of their life.”

B. OK, but what does that mean; and if that is true, how many of us are truly maturing Christians?

III. Consider for a moment how many aspects of your everyday life you go about, with at best minimal thought about God

A. On most days, we get out of bed, and begin the normal routine of our lives.

B. O, we may stop for a few moments and pray, but being perfectly honest, how much of our lives do we go about without really considering God’s involvement?

IV. This story really reflects that Christ has a desire to be involved in every aspect of our lives.

V. Weddings, typically are a great time of joy and celebration.

A. So also was this one to be.

1. We don’t know who was getting married, but we can probably assume that the couple was somehow related to the family of Jesus.

2. Mary had been invited, but verse 2 states specifically that “Jesus also was invited.”

B. Most likely the couple didn’t really know how much the presence of Christ would add to their wedding, and if I read the text clearly, they probably didn’t know how much He had added, even when the wedding was over.

C. And if Christ had not been invited, they probably would not have known what they had missed by not inviting Him in.

VI. If you recall back to our “Won by One” message, I asked you to choose one person to pray for.

A. Not simply to pray for their salvation, but to pray for their needs,

B. Ask God to bless them, heal them, to touch them.

C. The object of your prayers may not even realize what is happening, but you will.

VII. That is a bit like this wedding.

A. Mary was invited, and so also was Jesus.

B. But look very quickly at verse 11,