COME AND SEE #3: SIGN #1: JESUS TURNS WATER INTO WINE
REVIEW: So far in the Gospel of John, we have gone through the first chapter. We have seen Jesus the Word come into the world, John the Baptist witness to Him, and the first few disciples.
• We discussed how John paints a picture of Jesus through seven I am claims and miracles:
INTRO TO THE SEVEN MIRACLE SIGNS:
Miracles in John are referred to as signs. The signs are given to confirm the deity of Jesus.
1. The first miracle of our Lord is the changing of water into wine (2:1-11).
2. The second sign is the healing of the nobleman's son (4:46-51).
3. The third sign is the healing of the paralyzed man at the pool of Bethesda (5:1-9).
4. The fourth miracle is the feeding of the five thousand (6:1-14).
5. The fifth miracle is Jesus walking on water in a storm (6:15-21).
6. The sixth miracle is the healing of the blind man (9:1-7).
7. The seventh miracle is raising Lazarus from the dead (11:1-44).
JESUS TURNS WATER INTO WINE:
In this passage with Jesus turning water into wine, the main thrust of the passage isn’t whether or not it’s okay to drink alcohol, but since it’s here before us, let’s address it anyway:
NEGATIVE REFERENCES TO DRINKING ALCOHOL IN THE BIBLE:
Gen. 9:24: Noah got drunk and ended up naked
Gen. 19:31-34: Lot got drunk and slept with his daughters
Lev. 10:9: Aaron and the priests were told not to drink wine
Num. 6:3: a Nazarite was told not to drink wine
Judges 13: Samson was told not to drink wine
Prov. 31:4: Kings were told not to drink wine
Dan. 1:8: Daniel was commended for not drinking wine
John 1:15: John the Baptist was told not to drink wine or strong drink
Isaiah 5:11-12: Those who drink all day don’t care for the things of God
Prov. 20:1: “Wine is a mocker, Strong drink is a brawler, And whoever is led
astray by it is not wise.”
Prov. 21:17b: “He who loves wine and oil will not be rich.”
Prov. 23:29-35:
“29 Who has anguish? Who has sorrow? Who is always fighting? Who is always complaining? Who has unnecessary bruises? Who has bloodshot eyes? 30 It is the one who spends long hours in the taverns, trying out new drinks. 31 Don't let the sparkle and smooth taste of wine deceive you. 32 For in the end it bites like a poisonous serpent; it stings like a viper. 33 You will see hallucinations, and you will say crazy things. 34 You will stagger like a sailor tossed at sea, clinging to a swaying mast. 35 And you will say, "They hit me, but I didn't feel it. I didn't even know it when they beat me up. When will I wake up so I can have another drink?"” (NLT).
STATS ON ALCOHOL USE AND ABUSE:
• Annually more than 100,000 deaths in the US are caused by excessive alcohol use.
• Nearly half of all fatal car crashes are alcohol-related.
• Among Canadians 15 years and older, the prevalence of past-year alcohol use was 78.0%.
• Alcohol-related harm includes chronic diseases (such as cirrhosis of the liver and some cancers), acute events (such as road crashes, violence, disability and death) and addiction.
• If alcohol is a problem for you, check out our Overcomers Outreach 12 step program.
USA: http://www.learn-about-alcoholism.com/alcohol-statistics.html
CAN: hc-sc.gc.ca/hc-ps/drugs-drogues/stat/index-eng.php
POSITIVE REFERENCES TO DRINKING ALCOHOL IN THE BIBLE:
Dt. 7:13, Prov. 3:10: new wine, grain and oil seen as a blessing from the Lord
Psalm 104:15: “wine that makes glad the heart of man.”
COMMANDS:
1. It is wrong to get drunk.
“Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived… drunkards… will (not) inherit the kingdom of God.” (1 Cor. 6:9-10).
“Don't be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, let the Holy Spirit fill and control you.” (Eph. 5:18, NLT).
• Many of the Scriptures we’ve looked at talk about the negative consequences of drinking
2. It is wrong for leaders in the church to be heavy drinkers (NLT).
“A bishop (elder) then must be blameless… not given to wine.” (1 Tim. 3:2-3).
3. If your drinking alcohol causes another Christian to stumble, that’s wrong.
“1 Accept Christians who are weak in faith, and don't argue with them about what they think is right or wrong. 2 For instance, one person believes it is all right to eat anything. But another believer who has a sensitive conscience will eat only vegetables. 3 Those who think it is all right to eat anything must not look down on those who won't. And those who won't eat certain foods must not condemn those who do, for God has accepted them… 14 I know and am perfectly sure on the authority of the Lord Jesus that no food, in and of itself, is wrong to eat. But if someone believes it is wrong, then for that person it is wrong… 20 Don't tear apart the work of God over what you eat. Remember, there is nothing wrong with these things in themselves. But it is wrong to eat anything if it makes another person stumble. 21 Don't eat meat or drink wine or do anything else if it might cause another Christian to stumble.” (Romans 14:1-3,14,20-21, NLT).
• Parents – this applies to you. If your drinking causes your kids to stumble, that’s wrong!
• Example: Of a dad who gave his son alcohol at a wedding, ruined life on drugs & alcohol
4. As Christians, we are called to obey the laws of our land (Romans 13:1), so:
• Underage drinking (18) is wrong, and so is driving while under the influence of alcohol.
1. THEY HAVE NO WINE:
“1 On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. 2 Now both Jesus and His disciples were invited to the wedding. 3 And when they ran out of wine, the mother of Jesus said to Him, "They have no wine." 4 Jesus said to her, "Woman, what does your concern have to do with Me? My hour has not yet come.”
• Notice that Jesus was invited to a party – weddings back then were 3-7 day long parties
• “On the third day” – that’s significant! Underline that in your Bible.
• The miracle signs that John records are about more than just meeting a need.
• “They have no wine” is also a description of the world without Jesus.
• If wine “makes glad the heart of man” then Jesus brings joy into people’s lives.
2. DO WHATEVER JESUS TELLS YOU TO DO:
“5 His mother said to the servants, "Whatever He says to you, do it." 6 Now there were set there six waterpots of stone, according to the manner of purification of the Jews, containing twenty or thirty gallons apiece. 7 Jesus said to them, "Fill the waterpots with water." And they filled them up to the brim. 8 And He said to them, "Draw some out now, and take it to the master of the feast." And they took it.”
• Jesus' mother told the servants, "Do whatever he tells you."
• That's the best advice I can give you: Do whatever Jesus tells you to do!
• Obey the commands of Jesus in the Bible, and also whatever He specifically says to do.
“9 When the master of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and did not know where it came from (but the servants who had drawn the water knew),”
• The servants always see the miracle first. Volunteers in the church see lives changed!
QUOTE:
“Jesus Christ commenced the gospel dispensation, not with a miracle of vengeance, like that of Moses, who turned water into blood, but with a miracle of liberality, turning water into wine. He does not only supply necessaries, but gives luxuries, and this is highly significant of the kingdom of his grace. Here he not only gives sinners enough to save them, but he gives abundantly, grace upon grace. The gifts of the covenant are not stinted or stunted, they are neither small in quantity nor in quality. He gives to men not only the water of life that they may drink and be refreshed, but "wines on the lees well refined" that they may rejoice exceedingly. And he gives like a king, who gives lavishly, without counting the cups and bottles.” (Charles Spurgeon).
3. JESUS CAME TO GIVE US NEW WINE – NEW LIVES!
“the master of the feast called the bridegroom. 10 And he said to him, "Every man at the beginning sets out the good wine, and when the guests have well drunk, then the inferior. You have kept the good wine until now!" 11 This beginning of signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee, and manifested His glory; and His disciples believed in Him.” (John 2:1-11).
• This was the first of seven signs in the Gospel of John – that manifested His glory.
• The world has ‘well drunk’ looking after things to satisfy them, but they are all inferior to the good wine that Jesus offers to us.
• The ‘good wine’ – stands for the best life that Jesus wants to give to us!
• “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” (2 Cor. 5:17).
“35 Then He spoke a parable to them: "No one puts a piece from a new garment on an old one; otherwise the new makes a tear, and also the piece that was taken out of the new does not match the old. 37 And no one puts new wine into old wineskins; or else the new wine will burst the wineskins and be spilled, and the wineskins will be ruined. 38 But new wine must be put into new wineskins, and both are preserved. 39 And no one, having drunk old wine, immediately desires new; for he says, 'The old is better.' "” (Luke 5:36-39).
CLOSING CHALLENGE:
When Jesus turned water into wine, he took something ordinary and made it extraordinary.
• In the same way, Jesus takes our ordinary lives and makes them extraordinary.
• Jesus wants to take our natural lives and make them supernatural.
• ALTAR CALL FOR SALVATION: Come to Jesus and He will give you a new life!
Beausejour Community Church Website: www.beausejourchurch.ca
Pastor Chris Jordan’s Blog: http://pastorchrisjordan.wordpress.com/
